New Britain herald., 1921-08-08
Copyright. 1920. A.. c. Mcclurg & co.,

Az HUI % over QdQ run on tI1dL race.
course before. Every horseman there
knew that Duke was still holding him
in, allowing the train to creep up on
tage of the handicap.
The Duke held milestone back
until his wind had set to the labor.
his muscles fexed, his sinews
stretched to the race. Within 800
yards OF the station platform, which
sloped down at the end like a con-
tinuation of the course, the Duke
touched old Whetstone's neck with
the tips OF his fingers AS if he had
given signal upon which they had
agreed, the horse gathered power.
grunting as he used to grunt In the
days of his outlawry, and bounded
away from the cab window, where the
greasy engineer stood with white face
and set jaw.
Yard by yard the horse gained, his
long name flying. his long tail
astream, foam on his lips. forging
past the great driving wheels which
ground against the rails; past the
| swinging piston; past the powerful
| black cylinders; past the stubby pi-
lot, advancing like a shadow over the
track. When Whetstone's hoofs
struck the planks Of the platform,
marking the end of the course, he
| was more than the length of the en-
CINE in the lead.
The Duke sat there waving his hand
| solemnly to those who cheered him
as the train swept past.
Old Milestone was standing where
| he had stopped, within a few feet Of
the track. front hoofs on the boards
Of the platform, not moro than
nicely warmed up for another race,
/ it appeared. AS the observation car
passed, "a young woman leaned over
the rail, handkerchief reached out to
| the Duke as if trying to give it to
him.
He saw her only second before
she passed, too late to make even a
futile attempt to possess the favor Of
her appreciation. She laughed, wav-
ing 1t to him, holding it out as il in
challenge for him to come and take
it. Without wasting a precious frag-
ment Of second in hesitation the
Duke sent MILESTONE laundering
along the platform in pursuit of the
/ train.
| It seemed foolish thing to do, and
a risky venture, for the platform was
/ Ola, were weak IN Q1dCee.
It was not above 100 feet long. and
beyond it only short stretch of
right-of-way until the public road
crossed the track, the fence running
down to the cattle guard, blocking
his hope of overtaking the train.
II MILESTONE had run swiftly in the
first race, he fairly whistled through
the air like wild duck in the Sec
ond. Before he had run the length
Of the platform he had gained on the
train, his nose almost even with the
brass railing over which the girl leaned
handkerchief In her hand. Midway
between the platform and the cattle
guard they saw the Duke lean in hia
saddle and snatch the white favor
from her hand.
The people on the train end cheered
this feat of quick resolution, quicker
action. But the girl whose handker.
chief the Duke had won only leaned
on the railing, holding fast with bott
!: hands, as II she offered her lips tt
be kissed, and looked at him with 4
pleasure in her face that he coult
read as the train bore her onward
into the West.
The Duke sat watching after her
the train reducing the distance like
a vision that melts out of the hear
with a sigh. She raised her hand q
the dust choked in the wake Of tn
train.