The Celina Democrat. (Celina, O. [Ohio]) 1895-1921, 1911-02-24

two days later, he was different man
| He had had another interview will
! Truesdale & Co., and the wind sat II
another quarter. Better still he haC
/ fallen in with an old crony, a horsemaI
who held out great hopes for the colt
Gulderoy would go into training i'm
mediately II was not too late to enter
him for the Derby, provided he worked
out all right but it would be grillinl
work for the youngster. If he won
well, they might save the old place yet
Jack frightened visibly, and the
weight slipped away for a time. HeI
interview with Therese had troubled
her with a sense of guilt She knew
that the colonel would not endure the
situation if he knew il, but the truth
would be fatal. She had accepted this
very present help as a heaven-sent so
luton and If there was even the
faintest hope that the debt could be
lifted, then all could be straight be.
tween them again
The days went as in a dream to
Jack. Once the wedge had entered, It
was driven home to the hilt. She found
herself at Hillcrest almost every day.
Therese had gained her point, and the
result was far more than she had
hoped for, as the colonel was fast be-
coming dependent upon her judgment
in many things. Among others, he
made her his confidant in regard to
Guilderoy. The colt was being tried
out, and If up to his points would be a
dark candidate for the Derby honors.
Therese had little faith in the result,
until the colonel came to her with the
news that the colt had won his spurs
in the trials and was really entered for
the big event. The colonel grew even
more confidential, and spoke of the
STAGE urou GGilderoy. 1t came to her
with a shock, what a liberty she had
taken with his standards, as she real.
ized that his point Of view was vast
ly different from hers, or from the one
that she had forced upon Jacqueline.
Mrs. Van Haag chatted gayly as she
sat In the box with Jacqueline, while
below them eddied and whirled the
sea of color that goes up and down
field and grand stand when the Derby
IS to be won. The flash of the jock
eys Jackets against the green, when
the keen wind whips up the scent of
hill and field, and the tang Of strife
beats up from the human tide as it
sways and surges from club house to
grand stand and around the judges
box came to them blurred into one
shouting shimmering whole, as the
tap Of the saddling bell is sounded.
Down in the paddock they brought
out the colt, biting, kicking, rearing
and plunging: his wicked eyes agleam
and he lunged away from all but the
colonel, whose hand had coddled him
from the day he was foaled He let the
colonel quiet him, nuzzling at his
sleeve, while Jenkins was being
weighed in.
Therose Van Haag gave no sign of
the strain that was goading her to the /
limit Of self7control, as she watched
the parade go down to the lineup at
the clubhouse. The green and gold
wavered here and there Guilderoy |
was shy of the net. A dozen times he
away to be brought back un
der a running fire Of rebuke from the
starter. The tension grew unbearable
She rose to her feet-Guilderoy had
quieted, and the barrier went up, the
red flag fell and they were off
Therese shut her eyes. The glimmer
Of color panied them; but Jacqueline,
her glasses gripped until the small fin.
gers were white at the tips, followed
that shimmering flambeau; down past
the first quarter, around the turn, and
up the oval, where the crest comes.
She could see Guilderoy fighting for
he bit. Then, the others gained as he
ell back to fifth place, Then all sight
If them was lost as they vanished into
he curve that heads the home stretch.
A half minute, that is as half an hour,
and they are close, so close that she
sees Jenkins crouch, and the sorrel
1atten out into that wonderful stride
hat carries him on, on and then it is
Ill over, as they go laundering by be-
leath her. Won by nose length-yet
won; and Guilderoy rounds up to the
alute, still protesting with teeth and
leels. The victor's wreath they were
,iacing upon his neck wavered indis-
inctly before her eyes. She saw
Jenkins slide off and start for the
block, while around and be-
ow her, men were hailing the Derby
winner.
Jacqueline turned to the woman be-
ide her; but Therese laid her hand
Witty over hers. Hush child! I
NOW what you would say, and from
ny heart | am glad" And she tried
0 believe that she was, but the
hought would not down. They would
lot need her now the friendship
would end. She had never felt very
ertain of the colonel but Jacqueline
lad become very near to her.
Therese was alone in the long room,
here the October sun slanted through
he crimsoning vines, resting lightly
pom the rich masses of her hair. She
i'd not look up until the colonel
poke
you here, colonel? did not hear