Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1922-07-13


giving rise to the important.
He came to decision. He would
take Audrey to Lingfeld on Saturday
and insure that she met Hardness and
Lois.
He sat down and wrote his letter OF
invitation. limiting at the glories Of the
countryside, mentioning that the meet
Ing was a quiet one, and that he was n
member Of the Lingfield Club, 40 that
he had a particular interest in the day,
In view Of the Club Welter Plate race.
The answer he received came by re.
turn of post. and told him Audrey
would be pleased to come.
Preslow called for Audrey in his vel.
low car on the morning OF the second
day of the Lingfield races, and drove
bridge to the course. The weather was
perfect, and the country through which
they passed an Eden Of cool, inviting
green, garnished with blossoming fruit
trees, and splendid with gardens Of
flowers.
Audrey was charmed. She had never
been to race meeting in her life, and
the anticipation Of 1t filed her with
excitement. Preslow was Mt his best,
which meant that he VSs unobtrusively
attentive, courteous and highly enter.
tanning. He talked. with considerable
knowledge, on widely varying subjects;
dwelt lightly on English wild life in a
way which robbed his speech of all
pedantry; and then related one or two
stories of his travels.
It was all clevcrly done, and II had
its effect on Audrey. From an inclina.
tion to view Pres.ow as a learned, too.
polished bore, she began to look on him
as an entertaining man of vast expert.
ence. Unconsciously there grew up in
her feeling of intimacy with him. She
found herself talking freely, and with.
out that restraint which mere acQuain.
tanceship imposes on man and girl.
The yellow car slid into Lingfeld and
came to the course. Audrey cried out
at the crowds and vehicles which filled
the road. Preslow smiled.
"You should see Epson on Derby
Day." he said. This Is a small meet
ing. I shall have to take you to the
biz ones--Ascot and Goodwood, where
you will see oil the smart people,
They parked the car, and Preslow
took Audrey round the paddock. The
sight of the horses stirred her blood
until her pulses raced. Breed! She
realized there must be something in 1t.
after all. These prinking creatures Of
silk and steel were wonderful with an
greatest house in Spain. A filly caught
her eyes, n high strung creature all
fire and spring. She found the num-
Der on her card.
Silks and Sunshine
''A1r. J. Harkness' Lady Pandora.
Colors: black and white checkers"
rs this the Mr.. Hardness know"
asked Audrey.
YES" Preslow's manner was very
easy. "He has two horses running
here today. This one. which he Is SELL
ing, and another. The, second one,
believe, he fancies very much. It's in
the Southern Stakes, and there Is a
rumor that Hardness Is using the race
as a try-out for the Derby. But, Of
course, you cant be sure with Hark-
ness"
"What do you mean by that?'
Preslow shrugged his shoulders.
"Well-Harkness is too willy bird
to give away his stable secrets. After
all, he doesn't profess to be anything
but gambler, does he? He runs his
horses for profit. But, still, we shall
see when the race is rum"
Audrey was silent. She was not sure
whether Preslow was insinuating that
darkness was dishonest or not. She
knew nothing of racing. Near where
she and Preslow were standing two
rakish looking men were leaning on the
rails. During the lull in their own
conversation Preslow and Audrey could
hear the men talking quite distinctly.
One Of them said: That's a smart
filly."
The other shrugged his shoulders.
'I'm not touching anything belonging
TO Harkness, old son. I'd rather leave
the race alone
Andrew looked up at Prcslow. Her
eyes were slightly rebellious.
II want to bet on that horse" she
said.
Preslow smiled. "why? Has it taken
your fancy?'
Andrew hesitated. She could not
tell him that she wished to back the
horse just because all around her she
seemed to be hearing condemnations Of
Harkness' methods.
"I-like its name." she said at last,
finding woman's reason for her
choice.
Preslow laughed quietly, and in it
there was no hint that he was aware of
Audrey's thoughts.
"Come along, then" he said. II
suppose you would like the bet to be q
cash transaction? It is far more excit-
ing. Let us 20 into the ring and stake
our money, shall we?'
They were about to turn away when
n man and a girl walked up to the gap
right. The man was Jim Hardness
and the girl was Lois Denbigh.
"Harkness is here!' In her agitation
rlutched Preslow's arm.
Preslow looked down at her. II ex.
pect he has come to watch his try
out" he said. shall we get along to
the ring?'
Audrey noted that Lady Pandora had
been led through the barrier and that
Harkness was running his hands swift
ly over the filly. Lois was looking
on with interest. Neither of them had
seen Prcslow or herself.
She turned away. Her hand still
rested on Preslow's arm.
Lois was in high spirits. A big, gay
crowd. the bright scenes and blazing
sunshine acted as tonic to her mer-
curial nature. and after lunch all trace
of restraint had vanished from her at
titude toward Harkness. With feel
ing of thankfuness he realized that She
was. for the moment at any rate, re-
garding him as he had always imagined
she regarded him--as a friend, and
nothing more.
Take me out and show me those
two wonderful horses of yours,
jimmy" she said. "But one Of them's
Il filly, isn't she!''
"a Glly is q horse for racing pur-