The Caldwell watchman. (Columbia, La.) 1885-1946, 1912-05-10

sible, you understand" warned her.
She frightened my fingers about the
money, thrusting my hand from her
!mperiously.
Il have said that am going to re-
~ upon your judgment. At ten to one.
should win, I will have made $4,000.
Do you wish me to 80 myself? II not.
you had best hurry"
For the 1lrst time really chilled BY
doubt and feeling my convictions ooze,
continued to protest. But he may
be pocketed, he may foul another
horse, he may be left at the post
anything may happen in the race to
make him lose" She looked at me
steadily, silently, l thought almost con-
temptuously, and without more words
I pocketed the bill. Through the
crush Of the betting ring fought my
way, placed my money in the hands OF
perspiring man who stood upon a
stool and came back to her warm and
crumpled. Already the Derby racers
had galloped the course in their pre-
liminary warming up and were now
chatting before the flag. l gave her the
ticket for her wager and resumed my
seat in a throbbing hush.
Then came roar like the crash Of
surf and q thunderous wave Of sound
doomed across the field and was
echoed back by the distant walls. In
a compact bunch and stretching them
selves like greyhounds the horses
swept past us. For an instant l fell
a sensation of giddiness and closed my
eyes: then opening them once more
rtveted them on the field as 1t cir
cled the course with the speed o.
hawks. Well placed among the lead
ers I saw the powerful launches o.
Eagle Boy working with the smooth
power Of pistons as they steadily
drove him into the foremost rank
With a roar Of hoofs they turned TIL
last curve and came into the stretch
while the sea Of humanity rising upo'
tiptoe burst into full tongue. Mr.
Dace was upon her feet and watching
them with parted lips. I sat beside
her with parched lips. my knee!
shaking. Then from out Of the buncl
a black horse that shone like pol
ished shoe forged yard at a bound
and putting a good length betwee'
himself and his nearest follower, le
the way homeward in burst OF spec
that was truly magnificent. Petit
was fairly lifting him from his fee
his whip nicking, singing him on lik
yenomous yellow striped wasp.
fiercely clutched my companions arm
eagle Boy wins,"1 roared in her cal
Then as in nightmare l saw tn
happening of an evil thing. A doze
wards from the wire and when tw
more leaps would have brought hill
victory, there came g stumble tina
sent the great black one crashing I
the ground, while over him his nea
est rival hurtled as a Jumper clear
fence. From the vast crowd thel
arose first a cry. shrill and explosiv
followed by an instant Of silence an
then a raging tumult. I heard an Il
voluntary exclamation from the III
Of the woman at my side and turne
IA her with tho cold perspiratio
bursting from my forehead. Her III
we're tightly compressed and she WI
gazing fixedly at the fallen horse
he arose with difficulty. The jocke
was already limping about and II
mob surging upon the track.
~ guess that race is settled for q
time" she said quietly as she snappt
her pocket.book shut. Il suppose '
m,eht a. we'll be going" Her face :
sumed its placidity. but she turned
,wav from me. Half dazed by the 81
denness of the catastrophe my hal
hought hers in a sympatne''c squee'
She did not respond.
whipped throug n the crush rec
,essly In my chagrin and bitterness
silently cursing my folly dro
her homeward with but a perfuncto
attamnt at Cancellation. Even to tn
che did not reply, and decided tn
nod better remain quiet until Q
had recovered her equilibrium. b
, INV seen = woman whom cons
cred good loser. and there WAS tn
IN her demeanor now which warn
-. "a eautioo. Silence On thS part