Evening star., 1925-04-26

the gesture he would use when he
handed Mrs. Arburton, I'd, her win
nings on Fairy Belle. Lack of cash
and of time precluded the possibility
OF handing II to her in an envelope
engraved with his monogram. But
he would make the most of the stu
alton even without the requisite
props. He was undecided as to
whether the presentation should be
made in her box at the clubhouse or
In the paddock when it was filled. He
liked the idea of the paddock. 1t
would be more public and more i'm.
pressive.
The Colonel and the Senator took
an early train to the track the next
day. They were accompanied by Mr..
Kidney Mulcahey, who met them at
the station. Mr.. Mulcahey wanted to
get hold of his commission as soon
as possible. AS he put it, ME and
real money have been strangers since
birth. 1 just want to put my fingers
on one grand note and to kiss it,"
The Judge was in the same car.
The Colonel and the Senator looked
at him with decided disfavor. He was
a fat and flabby individual with
very red nose. The judicial title was
given to him because he frequently
rendered opinions more or less au-
thoritative upon the quality of liquor
My dear Senator said the Col
onel. looking over the Judges head
don't you think that a welcher ought
to be ruled off the track?"
The Judge, who was about to make
overtures because the news had been
passed around that the Colonel and
tnF- bo1 IrtI n.
back. He was far from sensitive.
but he gathered that this was in the
nature of n hint mingled with a
threat.
Nearly all of the bookmakers We're
at their places making their settle
ments when the trio reached the
track. Mr.. Schultz had not yet ar
rived. The Senator was visibly
frightened.
II don't like this" he whispered to
the Colonel. And look at all of
those other mad dogs watching US
His face was bathed with perspira-
ton.
My dear Senator said the Colonel,
''you are quite jumpy. Have little
patience. Mr.. Schultz will soon he
here. | should advise that you leave
Immediately for Saratoga Springs.
The waters up there are very sooth-
ing to the nerves.
Fifteen minutes later Mr.. Kidney
Mulcahey also burst into a profuse
perspiration. He gasped, II think
that the sucker has damned. lie has
taken a runout powder on us for
fair"
Even the Colonel became ANNOYED.
runner from one of the other books
approached him and whispered, We'll,
how about it,"
Immediately, sir said the Colonel.
Il am expecting my broker at any
minute. But nobody from the new
book appeared on the horizon. The
Colonel mopped damp brow.
Il can't stand it, moaned the Sen
ator. The scoundrel has welched on
us. Let's get out of here before we
are torn to pieces by the mad dogs. e"
Il can't believe it, said the Col
onel as they withdrew to the pad
dock, every now and then looking
back for signs of Schultz or some of
his agents.
It's your fault snarled the Sen
ator, turning on Kidney Mulcahey.
IF you had only introduced us to an
honest book we would be all right.
We would be getting the money we
risked. I'll kill that welcher on
sight"
Don't make too many cracks about
welchers," said Kidney Mulcahey
truculently. Every bookie on the
track is a mad dog to you two guys
You got a swell chance of making a
holler."
The Senator made a rush at him,
but Kidney Mulcahey's footwork
saved him. 'I told you guys not to
go too strong" said Kidney from a
safe distance. II got you a sucker,
but you got too greedy. Stick around
till Mr.. Schultz comes. Nl copper
on you to everybody on the turf.
Laugh that off,
Mr.. Kidney Mulcahey withdrew
angrily. The Colonel took the half
hysterical Senator by the arm. Come.
come" he said. You will have both
of us ruled off,
"I don't care" said the Senator des-
perately. I'm hanged if / haven't
half a mind to get a job and go to
work"
THE Colonel led him through the
paddock behind a hedge and
pressed him into a. sitting position.
There were tears of rage running
down the Senator's f1abby cheeks.
There's nothing but crooks and
welchers in the game" he ragged. I'VE
win a fortune honestly and we get
swindled out of it by a felonious deli
catessen dealer. To think that we
should be taken by a sucker
There, there said the Colonel
soothingly. I'VE will have to wait
developments. We must confer. We
can see from here in case Schultz
should have been unavoidably delayed
and happen to appear.
I'D hate to be left hanging till he
does show said the Senator, refus-
ing to be pacified.
Moreover" said the Colonel, 'in
addition to our mutual trouble / per-
sonally am in a fix. l must raise
S1O0 to make good to Mrs. Arbur-
ton If I do not / shall be ruled
off, and / would deserve to be literally
kicked off the turf, sir"
"Why not make it a thousand?" de-
manded the Senator bitterly. "And
how about me? I'm so hungry
could chew up this hedge. If I don't
eat soon I'll sneak into one of the
stables and eat bale of hay"
| II can sympathize with YOU, my