New Britain herald., 1924-05-21

w hat Is ii, Parson?" demanded the impatient girl.
 They're going to the post" ex- claimed the negro after pause. and seeming 10 be speaking to himself rather than to anyone present. "Ah. mlady. Look out there. Pat. don't lose yo' head. boy. Follow my 'structions. You got dat bunch cinched now. Don't let dem get away from you. They're at the post. The Rose is turned right round and won't move. Whats the matter, Pat? Look out you don't get lef. An, dats better. Dey're lined up now. Keep yo' head, boy"
 There was long silence. and the girls hand, holding the revolver. trembled as she awaited the next announcement from the negro. It came at last, in the form of an ex- plosion.
 They're off" the Parson cried
 Come on, Pat; what's the matter with you" Wake up and take the outside, At the quarter. Bertrand E. is setting hot pace and is out in front, The Eat two lengths ahead of Syracuse Bill. and the rest am punched Pat is riding easy and has a good position: he's closing up. At the half, Lightning is forging ahead with Doctor Phil a close second and White Sox third. Oats right, boy, you're riding fine; Jere he goes on de outside. At the three quarters, Grandma Higgins by half a length, the Running Bird second and the Rose third. Pat is riding like a fend now. Oats it. boy. come on dere mlady; they're hitting the stretch and it's a two horse race now, and she's head and head with the Running Bird and Pats got the rail That's ii, Fat, one mo jump and you got i'm. Give her the whip. boy give her the whip"
 He stopped abruptly. gripping his field glasses fisrcely, then suddenly he groaned. The glasses dropped from his hands. and his whole body seemed 10 shrivel up. His shoulders gave way and his head dropped 10 the window sill
 Mare, who had been watching the negro and drinking in every word that he uttered. saw the old trainers collapse. She guessed its meaning and, releasing her revolver with a cry of anguish, she rushed toward the ladder.
 "Parson." she exclaimed, but was unable 10 utter another sound. The sheriff, taking advantage of her con fusion, quickly snatched up the re- yoiver from the floor and dashed out of the doorway.
 "Parson." repeated the girl after a long time.
 The negro raised his head and his lace vas eloquent with despair. He slowly descended the ladder and col lapsed into seat. Marie dared not ask the cause of his misery. She knew what it signifed. but she was afraid to have him tell her in SO many words that all her hopes and dreams had been shattered in that moment.
 But the Parsons grief found ex- pression in sobs that he seemed un- able to restrain. Al length he found words.
 "The Hummin' Bird by nose .tha Rose second," he walled. and ths girl hd her face in her hands
 The old man shook his head mis- erablH.
 Faint de li'l money done lose. missy" he muttered. "Tain't to' nuthin' like dat fse riievin'. It's jus because done banked my life on dat Ally winnin dis handicap. All de pride of my blood was in dat hoss. I could ies' see Genr Beaure. gard sittin' dere. proud an fine like a ssnl ought to look, an den see or Marsa Jackson an hear him say 10 me: Parson. you-ai! gwine look after my boy when 1'se gone?' An promise. Mss Marie I promise. An den l done lose him ir Ge crowd dat keep a-coniln' a'ong ie pathway of life. Den [ fn' him again almost ruined by dem horn gamblers from dc zig city"
 An uproarious cheer from outside broke into his speech. l. was rn- psateG again and again. and was followed by an excited nurnIr of voices The crowd outside ssame l to have been thrown into a ranic. and both the Parson and Marie is- tened as f spelbound. reused out os heir despair.
 'Oh. Parson." exclaimed the girl, when the din had died down some what. What does that mean7 ! quick"
 But before she had finished the old man was scaling the ladder as fast as fast as Fis feeble legs would carry him His glasses went to his eyes.
 "pere's big crowd around de judges stand" he beloved. Some things happened. I see the two jockeys dere. It's Fat and the Hum min Birds jockey. Hes excited. He. tslkin' 10 de judges. Deyrs nodding their heads" He swung hs glasses into the field. "Dey's chang in de numbers" he cried triumph antly The Humnin' Birds dis ! qualified Tat claimed a foul The Rose wins. We win. We win. I We win"
 He turned and almost tumbied down the ladder in his excitement. stumbling into Marie's arms. Ire girl was nigh paralyzed with the joy 1 and shock of the turn of events
 Do ye htar?" exclaimed the re- gro. shaking her joyousiy. we [ win. Miss Marie"
 But the girl could not speak. ani ! the Parson. catching her by the hand led her out into the open. He espied Jackson rushing toward the stable. his hat gone. his hair dis ' hevelsd. and directed the girl right into the youths arms. There she l collapsed. while Jackson kissed her ! triUmphs ntly. oblirious to the rrovd [ that rafNcrrd sbo.tf tlerz A. Lo