New Britain herald., 1924-04-19

pace 10 the head of the stretch, while Betty NJ. and Pretty Dehon were to come up fast, crowd the leader far outside on the turn. all lowing Mildred Rogers to come through along the rail, after which the entire field was to bunch behind her and shoo her home a winner. while Attorney Jackson pulled up as if lame.
 The rehearsal was progressing satisfactorily and each owner was receiving instructions as to the way his horse should run. The caucus was pleased. Long had agreed that he would bet at least four hundred thousand dollars. and that he would give twenty-five per cent of the total winnings to the owners. The eight who were playing deuces wild in the sport of kings were calculat- 1: 2 that they would divide at least a million dollars among themselves when the disquieting news arrived.
 What the hell do you think of that" Sorgan. owner of Patsy Frewen. demanded. 'Old HardshelI Gaines has entered Swored at Gideon"
 There were a chorus of curses.
 That hound of his ain't got a c,-anst," declared Kinsley. Its ten to one he runs the wrong way of the track"
 "Ha's fbe uarst ,o,as n. .h. ,>.. on the circuit" said Stanley.
 He's liable to bust up the start"
 Better pick one of our horses to bump him and put him over a fence" snarled Mcclure. He ain't got any business in this. He knows Attorney Jackson can beat him."
 It was a testimonial to his repu- tation for honesty that not one of the assembled crooks even sug- sested asking Gaines to enter the conspiracy. They cursed him for an interfering old fool. they cursed his stubbornness, they cursed his idiocy in still insisting that Sword Of Gideon was a stake horse, they cursed his supposed parsimony and believed he had entered his aged racer in the hope of winning a few dollars by getting the place or show money. Not one suspected that anything excepting blind chance had caused him to enter his horse in the race.
 They were wrong. HardsheIl Gaines, with an unsullied record of hfty years on the turf. had heard something. He had seen Long in conference with some owners. and when the same owners rushed to enter their horses in the overnight handicap Gaines suspicion had be- come certainty. He had entered sword of Gideon in the handicap. and for an hour arterward had rubbed and stroked the old cam paigner, and as he rolled bandares around the bad leg of the old horse ana applied linimsnt 10 his throat, he had hummed hymn.
 Occasionally his voice rose fin song and he sang of the time when the wicked cease from troubling and the weary are at rest" It was after dark when he entered the 1.aclede downtown and sought out the assistant starter.
 Joe" he said solemnly. "T have been in this game, man an boy, ciost 10 fifty year and tried to run straight and do right as a horsensn and a Baptist. No man can say James Buchanan Gaines owes him a cent or ever done a dishonest thing. I've done had a wra stle with my conscience. and consarn me if I believe it's wrong to skin a skunk"
 Joe nodded approval.
 There's something doing. Joe,- said Hardshell. Flight of them owners and that slick crook Jim Long is holdin' a caucus. Nary a word to old Hardshell. and the sword is entered"
 Joe nodded understandingiy.
 'Lissen, Joe" said Hardsheli, low ering his voice. Tong is planning a big killing. and it's up to me and the Sword anC you to stop him. The sword is good for once, If that nigh left leg don't overheat. He can beat any i,oss in that race. 'ceptin' Attorney Jackson. and I reckon they ain't plannin' to have no fsvorite win"
 Joe nodded again and reserved speech. waiting for the proposition.
 'T ain't asking no man 10 do any thing dishonest Joe" the old man went on--'it's aein my religion and my conscience too--but something's got to be done"
 Hardsheli waited expectantlv and humned "When temptation sore as- sails me" hoping that Joe would indicate his attitude or show re- captivity. but the assistant starter nodded and smoked in silence.
 '"Tain't as if I was trying 10 bribe anyone" Hardshell explained pain fully. T don't want no one to do anything that is agin his con- science
 What do you want me to do?" Joe asked. breaking his silence.
 All I ask Is that you help the sword get off straight. and me and you and the Sword'll spile the crookedest plan ever matched"
 "Ain't any lag against me helping a bad actor get of right" said Joe.
 Hardshell said no more. He gripped Joe's hand hard, and. after buying him cigar. strolled away. hummine Come. Holy Spirit. Heav- enly Love, with all thy quickenins