Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1912-01-18
Well Placed Among Leaders, Eagle

She frightened my fingers about the
money, thrusting my hand from her
imperiousIy.
I have said that I am going to re-
ly upon your judgment. At ten to one,
should I win, I will have made $4,000.
Do you wish me to go myself? If not,
you had best hurry"
For the first time really chilled by
doubt and feeling my convictions ooze,
l 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, I thought almost con-
temptuously, and without more words
I pocketed the bill Through the
crush Of the betting ring I fought my
way, placed my money in the hands Of
a 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-
liminaTy warming up and were now
chatting before the flag. I gave her the
ticket for her wager and resumed my
seat in a throbbing hush
Then came a roar like the crash of
surf and a 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 u.s. For an instant I felt
a sensation of giddiness and closed my
eyes; then opening them once more
riveted them on the field as it cir
cled the course with the speed Of
hawks. Well placed among the lead
ers l saw the powerful launches of
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 the
last curve and came into the stretch,
while the sea of humanity rising upon
tiptoe burst into full tongue. Mrs.
Dace was upon her feet and watching
them with parted lips. I sat beside
her with parched lips. my knees
shaking Then from out of the bunch
black horse that shone like a pol
ished shoe forged a yard at a bound,
and putting a good length between
himself and his nearest follower, led
the way homeward in a burst Of speed
that was truly magnificent. Petit
was fairly lifting him from his feet,
his whip fiicking, singing him on like
yenomOus yellow striped wasp.
fercely clutched my companions arm.
Eagle Boy WINS roared in her ear.
Then as in a nightmare I saw the
happening of an evil thing. A dozen
Yards from the wire and when two
more leaps would have brought him
victory, there came a stumble that
sent the great black one crashing to
the ground, while over him his near
est rival hurtled as a jumper clears
q fence. From the vast crowd there
arose first a cry, shTill and explosive,
followed by an instant of silence and
then a raging tumult. I heard an in
voluntary exclamation from the lips
Of the woman at my side and turned
to her with the cold perspiration
bursting from my forehead. Her lips
were tightly compressed and she was
gazing fxedly at the fallen horse as
he arose with difficulty. The jockey
was already limping about and the
mob surging upon the track.
Z guess that race is settled for all
time" she said quietly as she snapped
her pocket-book shut. Il suppose we
might as well be going" Her face re
sumed its placidity, but she turned 1t
away from me. Half dazed by the sud
denness Of the catastrophe my hand
bought hers in a sympathetic squeeze.
She did not respond.
I whipped through the crush reck-
lessly in my chagrin and bitterness.
Silently cursing my folly I drove
her homeward with but a perfunctory
attempt at Cancellation. Even to that
she did not reply, and decided that
had better remain quiet until she
had recovered her equilibrium. I had
never seen a woman whom l consid-
cred a good loser, and there was that
in her demeanor now which warned
me to caution. Silence on the part of