Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1912-09-12

Donovan sank into his seat at his
desk to ponder over the new turn the
race had taken. Chappy. seeing he
could learn nothing more, strolled into
the stable.
Hello Donovan!" was Ralph's cor
dial greeting as he entered the training
quarters. He knew that he ought not
to be mt the truck, and If discovered his
would be severe. More
over. the zest for betting was strong
within him.
sit down." invited Donovan.
Ralph asked anxiously:
Everything all right?"
Sure" answered Donovan.
And Wildfire?"
IA cinchy'
Ralph paused before replying. ..I'm
taking long chance today, Donovan.
It's make or break with me. I'VE rot
to pay certain party lot Of money,
and the only way to get It Ii TO make !
plunge on Wildflre. II she loses'-
Ralph shuddered.
"She won't lose" Donovan treasured
him. "But let me tell you sometime,
Wildflre doesn't run every day, and you
want to start In pretty soon and build
spite fence between you and tho
betting ring. You amt cut out Tor thas
business"
Il know Il, and just a. soon . VIVA.
nre sets me right I'm through. =
"Goodw exclaimed Donovan.
''You don't know what this 1aeo
means to me. It's noe only the monav
-it's-everythingg'' y
"We'n win sure" sncouraeed Done-
van.
BERTHE entered with Janst ana Ay1t1AJ
"Ralphr' Myrtle exclaimed. s..Whaa
are you doing herst' N
why, r. he paused Pulling h9na-
salt together. he slibly responded q
overheard BERTHE ask you two . =
with him while hc bought Wlldnre an
I came ahead % sort Of xooeptae
committee"
II say" Berthe accostsd Dsnsvas
the ladies would be awfully plsaaed, j
am sure. Il you would permit q . -
Wildnre In her stall"
Donovan straightene4 o IL 90
height with Indignation and 3nfxn
yelled: 8,
why, it's only hah IN hour tn -
goes to post And ray, thes's heaa
more than money on this racs today
that little marc has got to 50 o1t ana
got there, and she mustnu't ~ bokh.
cred BY having any rubbsrnsck 49,
ons drivin' around her. Why, I wouldnst
show hern II the king Of Nngiand
walked In here leading Dick Croker ~
the hand"
The trainer entered the stable to take
another look at Wildfre before she was
led to tho paddock. Berthe ana Janet
busted themselves looking at the pic
lures with which Donovan had adorned
the walls Of his quarters.
Speaking In lowered tones, In order
that Ralph alone might hear her, Myr-s
tie said:
II hope Mr.. Ainsworth doesn't men,
ton to your father that we've been
here. He'd be very angry, and It's all
my fault. II you hadn't known was
coming you wouldn't be here, would
you, Ralph?''
She felt that all vas not right In
Ralph's presence in the stable and
sought to shield him from harm-a
trait so strong in every woman.
whether Of high or low degree. when
danger threatens one she loves, that
its exhibition makes every thoughtful
man sneer at his own weakness when
he hears the stronger SEX SO glibly
quoted in defense Of mans superiority.
mo, Of course not. p
Ralph disliked the idea OF taking
refuge behind Myrtle's skirts. but be
had SO much at stake on the race that
he must find some way to free himself
from her and get to the track.
well, won't stay to see any races .
she said. you will go home with me,
won't you, Ralph? And we will spend
the afternoon quietly together; Just
you and me'
She took his arm Ralph hesitated.
Then volubly he explained:
Eyes, of course. will walk home
with you, but-well. to be frank with
you, Myrtle, l have an appointment
this afternoon for little while, but
will come right back to the house aft
erward."
"Oh, what sort Of an appointments ~
Myrtle pouted.
"Oh, it's just business affair You
see, father gave me the money for the
house this morning. and I've
you have paid it?" cried Myrtle
gleefully. ~ r.; q s.
"No. rot yet faltered Ralph.
"Oh. Of course not! How silly Of ME!
That's what you're going to do this
afternoon. Well, that's all right. But
you must promise to come right back
as soon as you have paid 1t. won't
you?" begged Myrtle.
Ralph assented.
"Oh, there's the track over there.
isn't it," cried Myrtle.
Ralph. pointing out Of the window,
explained. with enthusiasm: Just over
there is where they turn into tire
stretch. You see. the horses In a%race
come right up the track here, and then
when they are almost opposite this
window they turn and go of III that