New Britain herald., 1924-05-21


 , preciatingly. Now. now--if l can play this game on my own account I'll cut it out once and for all" ,i Well. then" replied the girl, witt an air of resignation. have youl own way about it." She paused g moment. seeming anxious to lead hel harassed lover away from the sub ject. Where is the Parson?" she asked at length.
 Jackson laughed. Bless his black hide" he said. his manner more jovial now, he's so excited today he cant see straight. He's n wonder His kind is just about extinct, Marie.
 He pressed her hand and passed hurriedly through the doorway. 4 moment later the door opened and admitted large, kindly faced negro in long, frayed Prince Albert and wel'-worn slouch hat. He was 3 man well beyond sixty, with sparse gray hair, gray sideburns, and a Gignified manner which was not in- iured by the joyialty of his eyes
 
 butternut gray and prayer book bulged his coat pocket. IL was the never-failing presence of the prayer book that had earned him the sobri- quet of "Parson."
 The Parson showed little sur prise 10 find Marie in the stable.
 Miss Marie. fo' de sakes alive what you-all doin' here?" he ex- claimed, Maxim love to dat filIy doggone her skin?"
 Marie moved away from the filly I've been talking to Rose" she said and we understand each other. Oh I'm SO happy, Parson."
 "Das SO? What you'all SO prog nosticated bout today?"
 "T know the Rose is going to win today" replied the girl, conviction in her voice.
 The Parson removed hts pipe from his lips. What makes you think SO. Miss Marie" he asked.
 II don't know. Intuition, I guess"
 "I got something like dat myself" replied the Parson. low laugh rum bling in his throat, "I had dream dat the Rose was lef' at de pos, And so, l sae. take yo' dream oppo. site, man--which means she swine to win hands down."
 "1 hope so," exclaimed the girl ar- dcntly-"for Rando'phs sake" : "Ah. ha," muitered the negro, ! shaking his crooked finger in the girls face, "T know. bats just what I'm hopin' for too" He chuckled eood .humoredly and approached the stall looking the Ally over solicit onsly.
 , You love the Rose. too?" asked Marie, a little iealously T done been sleep,n' in dis stable every night" replied the negro and I coaxin' dat lilly io wake up and he somebody. When I met Marsa Ran dolph in New York just befo' de be. ginning of this season. wifi q lot of no count trainers. l done says 10 him, 'Marsa Randolph. fire dat whole rahble and put s real trainer to wuk. The lilly is wuth it. And he done it."
 He engaged you" said Marie. smiling at the Parsons naive and honest vanity. But the Rose is all he has left now"
 Don't you hold me 'sponsible fo' dat, missy" responded the Roses trainer quickly. Dis lilly goin' 10 do de trick. Shes goin' to pull him out dc hole. .Jes' you watch"
 He stepped into inc stall with an air as though he dismissed the sub icct and all doubt of the races issue forever. and began tspinx the liu1bs of tho lilly and muttering 10 himself then, seeing that he had quite for. gotten her presence in his interest in the horse, Jeff the stable. The Parson continued his examination of the Ally. then stood up and patted her head.
 Clear ont ef dat. now. iady." he said. "YoB-ali gwine to be decorat- cd fo' da special benefit nf dem tin horns ont dere in inc beitin' ding Reckon dem sweat bands and blink CTS ain't gwine to make you any handeomer. hut dey sho' gwine to bring deception to dc wise ones" Thc I'arson turned as he heard the dopr uHen and saw Jackson enter, deiection written all over his face.
 Whats the natter" he asked cheerfully. "Marsa Randolph, you- all iookin' down in de mouth when you ought to be smilln' like alli- gator when it sees pickoninny in reach."
 Jackson laid hand on the old mans shoulder and shook his head.
 why should smile. Parson." he asked cloomily "AIl I have left is that h'lr-"
 An dat flllv.' broke in the negro. ''is wuih mo dan you los all season"
 Perhaps" replied Jackson. "But even if we do win. what good is if? I've no money 10 bet on her" The Parson was silent for mo- menf. then he drew the youth aside. as if to insure privacy though there vas no one in the stable beside themselves.
 "Msrsa Randolph" he said. speak ing in whisper. i've been hesitat- in bout speakin' on dis subject 10 you-all. but if you-sll wouldn't ob- isct to acceptin' litte loan from me"
 "Parson:" Jackson squared his shoulders proudly.
 "I got some rash put h. fo' rainy dsy." responded the negro. un- disnlayed. and while de sun am shinin' financially spsakin'. dis am ds wettest day of de sesson--'
 No. TO. Parson. broke in Jackson. q couldn't. It's very good of you. but"
 T insis' dat d's mensy is at ro' service. Msrsa Randolph" insisted the negro