Worcester Democrat and the ledger-enterprise. (Pocomoke City, Md.) 1921-1953, 1940-03-08
CHAPTER 10

Slim gave Draper his final riding in
structions.
81 want you to hustle Knight Err
rant out of the gate. Get position
early and avoid trouble around the
first turn. After that 1 want you to
make only two moves"
Thus he sketched his equine chess
game for the dimpled boy in the rid
ing silks.
"And don't forget" he wound up
meaningly, "that the saddle you're
sitting on today was Coronado's."
There was a slight delay in get
ting ready for the parade to the post
while the trick blinkers were being
adjusted on the resentful Comanche,
under the supervision of Matt Bid
die, who had come to Edith's rescue
when Slim left her as trainer.
Comanche had drawn number l
post position and Knight Errant num-
Der 2.
A hush of expectancy fell over
Heather and Slim and 10000 others,
their eyes focused anxiously on the
passageway leading from track to
paddock where princely animals in
flashing colors came out one by one.
The blue and gold silk cap of DIM
pies Draper shone over the crest of
the crowd. Knight Errant pranced
onto the track, shimmering in beauty.
Suddenly, at sight of him, Heather
remembered! Another day, four
years before in this same beautiful
arena. Another horse, magnificent
almost, it had seemed to the girl,
Heather-immortal Then Coronado
had quickened her heart-his memory
moved it now.
And now as a million dollars in
glossy horsehide stretched out single
file in the block long equine pageant
on it's way to the post, the presence
of old Dan seemed down by the rail,
q gray figure, watching, as four
years before he had watched Coro-
nado.
81 mustn't remember" thought
Heather, trembling.
Now Knight Errant marched by
her box. His blackness glistened in
the Santa Anita sun. His proud head
nodded as if in comforting assurance
to Heather, but his liquid eyes were
fixed straight ahead, down the track.
"Slim!" Heather said in a small,
choking voice. Perhaps he sees Coro-
nado ahead-clearing the way fol
him!"
Slim caught her hand and did not
let it go. Only horseman could
understand that note in Heather's
voice. Only a man who loved horses
could picture the presence of the great
Coronado, leading his only heir to
glory.
The grip of Sims hand recalled
Heather to reality. eff he wins,
she said with sudden girlishness, 81
know I'll faint!"
"And if he loses, I will. So thai
evens things up" retorted Slim with
a flippancy he was not feeling. II
reality he was in an agony of appre
hension, for he had glimpsed the
round features Of Draper taking
Knight Errant to the post, and they
were white with strain.
DIT Koirrb+ Tho ciobf ~
him stirred Slim. For the first time
in his life he felt a rightful sense Of
pride in achievement. He had brought
Knight Errant a long way in the three
months since he had taken the horse
under his care. Win or lose now, he
could be proud. He had done some.
thing with his life.
"For the right horse" he thought
and stealing a glance at Heather
"and the right girl"
He WINGED at the thought that al
he had done could be wiped out in two
minutes of bungling by faithless
jockey-a jockey Slim himself had
guided from the rut of mediocrity.
And Heather, standing with her
hand lost in Sims in the excitement
was thinking too. More than ever
before her life depended on the fleet
limbs of a horse. "If Knight Errant
loses," she thought, Il lose SLIM"
For Knight Errant, if beaten,
would give Slim back to Edith Ash
leigh. Heather thought bitterly of
the patrician Edith, Longing grace
fully in her swathing mink coat in
her box.
Slim wondered at the sudden way
her hand frightened in his as if she
could not let him go. He studied the
tote board.
-"Comanche 6 to 5, Knight Errant
8 to 1. Say, am I crazy, Heather?
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