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

hicles. Bugle calls vibrated in our
ears; college yells shattered the air;
the beat Of boots sounded ike the
long roll CT drums Through the wide
entrance TO the club grounds we drove
into an arena banked by 10000 peo-
pie. Already the racing was on and
before US swept a cloud of preliminary
racers with the jockeys bumped over
their necks like so many colored sim
ians. Not far away saw Clare
standing upright on her seat, her face
aglow with excitement and her head
nodding rapidly as she carried on
running fire Of conversation with
cluster Of friends Her eyes fell upon
me and she waved her hand with the
airy grace of a plume: but as she no
ticed my companion her smile grew
thin and vanished as for moment
she surveyed her with q face that was
absolutely eXpressionless Mrs. Dace,
whose attention had been attracted to
my cousin by my waved reply to her
salutation, returned Clare's gaze,
smiling family Amusement lurked
within her eyes like a reflection deep
down in UnTufled waters.
My cousin, Miss Winton, of whom
I have often spoken" I explained
nonchalantly. The one at my side
gave her attention to the flying racers.
AN exceedingly pretty girl. You
are very fond Of each other, I be-
lieve," she returned with a slight
rising infection. 1 fastened to an
swer
In a way, yes She is a very good
and sweet girl and we are the best of
friends. But of course that is all"
Through the press Bruce came jam
ming his way, his necktie awry from
| the scuf1e and his face a-grin with en-
thusiasm. He bobbed my companion
a hurried bow and then shouted
| something to me as a surge of the
crowd bore him along
Last call for prosperity in the bet
ting ring, was all that I could catch
| of it as, still gesticulating, he was
swept away. Mrs. Dace looked after
him
What did he mean by that?" she
uCL4lcLu L 5uICLCl uCls
ooh, Bruce has got a straight tip
from a horsey friend of his that Eagle
Boy is going to win. So I suppose he
is now going to back him to his limit.
He would as soon sit down and watch
the hands of a clock go around as to
see a race unless he had a wager on
it." The light of interest came into
her eyes.
And you think what?" she queried,
| searching my face. I meditated.
ITO tell the truth I think his horse
will win I know something about the
beasts. you know, having been raised
on a Kentucky stock farm. The horse
is a wonder, sure enough, and Bruce
says he has been breaking records by
moonlight Then, too, Petit, who
rides him today, is a fend in the sad
| die. He can lift horse off his hoOfs
and carry him around the track be-
/ tween his knees as a witch rides a
! broom. If I was to bet on the race
! Eagle Boy would carry my wealth to-
day"
And the odds?" she unused
'They are ten to one against him
at present. but they will go down like
a falling rocket when the crowd has
once had an opportunity of seeing him
in motion. He is a Pegasus. He seems
TO soar rather than run. If they have
a horse that can beat him. that horse
| can catch birds" I was surprised at
the warmth of my own enthusiasm.
She opened her purse with a snap
and her fingers dived into its depths.
Presently she drew forth $500 bill and
crumpled it into my palm. Bruce is
a shrewd fellow and you are a born
horseman. I am going to rely upon
your combined judgment 1 wish you
would go and place this on him for
me-" was her announcement. Now, l
had always considered that to consent
to be an agent for woman in a gam
| ing transaction was rushing in
where angels might well fear to tread.
I hesitated.
But of course l do not know which
one will win. It is difference of judg-
! ment that makes horse racing pos