1G
(P
fhoroughbrecjs.
Dr w. a. fraser
Aslhor f "The Ostcail," ' Mooiwa." and Other Stories.
(Copyright, 190i. by MrClure. Phillip A Co.)
CHAPTER XI.
Shandy's escaped with Diablo had
brought a new trouble to Mike Oaynor.
The boy had been discharged with a
severe reprimand from Mr. Porter, and a
punctuation mark of disapproval from the
trainer's horn-like hand. He had departed
from Blngwood inwardly swearing revenge
upon everybody connected with that place;
against Diablo he was particularly virulent.
Mike tried to aecure a boy In the Brook
field neighborhood to ride Diablo In his
work, but Shsndy's evil tongue wagged ao
blatantly about the home's bad temper that
no lad could be found to take on In the
atables.
1 Ned Carter might have ridden Diablo to
work, but the big black was Indeed a horae
of many Ideas. He bad taken a notion to
gallop kindly while accompanied by Lu
cretla and Lauzanne; worked alone he
aulked and waa as awkward as a broncho
of the plains. Also Diablo disliked Carter
ha aeemed to associate his personality
with that of Shandy's.
Mike's discontent over the hitch spread
to John Porter. It waa too bad, the horses
had been doing so well.
For three days Diablo had no gallop.
On th fourth. Porter determined to. ride
the horse himself; he would not be beaten
out by an ungrateful whelp like Shandy.
In bis day he had been a famous gentle
man jock, and still wss light enough to
ride work.
"I don't like ths Idea, sir; It's not good
enough," remonstrated Mike.
But his master waa obdurate. If Allla
rod Lauzanne, why shouldn't be ride
Diablo T
Oaynor would have ridden Diablo him
self rather than have his master do so,
but be bad a bad leg. One upon a time
It had been crushed agalnat the rail. Some
body must ride Diablo; the horse, naturally
high strung, was becoming wild with nerv
ousness through being knocked out of his
work.
During the time Shandy had been In the
Porter stable he had received money from
Langdon for keeping the latter posted aa
to tb work and condition of the Derby
candidate, Lucretla.
, For three daya after his discbarge he sat
brooding with the low cunning of a forest
animal over his supposed 111 treatment.
"God drat 'em!" he muttered; "I'll get
eyan, or know why. They'll put Ned up on
Diablo, will they? The aneak! He apllt
on me for beltln' the black, I know, d n
him! They ain't got another boy an' they
woa't. I'll fix that atlff, Carter, too, then
they won't have no boy." .
He drank beer, and, aa It Irritated hla
ferret mind, a devilish plot came Into bis
being and took possession of blm, a plot
easy ot execution because of hla familiarity
with the Rlngwood stables.
.'That night be slipped through the dark,
Ilka a hyena pup. to Rlngwood.
That tb stable was locked mattered not
Many times, when, through lailness, Snandy
bad not gone to Mlke'a quarters tor th
keys, he had found Ingress by a small
Window a foot square tbrougb which th
soiled straw bedding was thrown Into th
yard.
Standing on the dung heap, Shandy
worked open th board slid that closed this
window and wormed his weasel form
through the small opening. He passed
down th passage between the stall and
entered a saddle rook at the farther end.
."Tb bloomln' thing used to be on th
fourth peg," be muttered, drawing his
small flgrue up on tiptoe and feeling along
the wall for aomethlng. "Blow me!"
and be chuckled fiendishly as bis fingers
encountered the cold steel ot a bit. "I'd
know that snaffle In h 1, It I got a feel
Ct It"
There was a patent device of a twist
and a loos ring In th center ofthe bit
b clutched, which Porter had devised for
Dlablo's bard mouth.
Shandy gavs the bridle a swing and It
clattered to the floor from Us peg. Diablo
snorted and pawed th planks of his stall
nervously.
"All right, my buck,'.' hissed Shandy.
"Tou wait till tomorrow; git the run of
yer lit. I'm thlnkln' d n thlr eyes!"
and be went off Into a perfect torrent ot
Imprecation against everybody at Rlngwood
low muttered.
Then he shut th door ot the saddle
room behind blm, eat down on the floor,
pulled from hla pocket a knife and stub ot
candle. He lighted the latter and held It
flame down till a tew drops ot tallow formed
a tiny laks. Ia this he stuck the candle
upright, shielding Its flame with his coat.
Hs opened the knife, and, laying R down,
Inspected minutely th bridle, which lay
across bis leg.
"It's Diablo'a right enough," he said; "I
couldn't b mistook on th bit nor them
strong lines."
He picked up the knife, and, holding th
leather rein scross the palm of his left I
hand, started to saw It gently with the
blade. Almost instantly he left off. . "Ot
all th bloomiu' Ulta! "Ccd drat me ter a
gokt! He'd feel that cut th first slip
tbrougb the fingers."
Hs gathered In the rein until he bad It
six Inches from the bit. There h eut,
stopping many time and doubling th
leather close to th candle light, to see
how deep he had penetrated.
"There Mr. Bloody Ned!" he exclaimed,
at last, as Inspection showed that only the
outer hard sholl of the leather remalued
uncut. "That'll Just "hold till the black
takes on ot his cranky spells, an' you
give him a stiff pull. God help you, then"
' Even this was a blasphemous cry of
exultation, not a plea for Dlvtne assist
ancs for the man he plotted sgainst.
His next move proved that hi cunning
was ot aa exceptional order. From bis
coat pocket be brought forth a pill box.
In this reeeptscle Shandy dipped a fore
finger and rubbed Into the fresh eut ot
tb leather a trifle of blackened axle
grease, which he had taken from a wagon
wheel before starting out. Then he wiped
th rein with hla coat tall and lookd
at It admiringly.
"Th bloke wen't tee that, blast blm!"
He bung the bridle up In Ita place, put
ut the cand!, dropped It In his pocket
gad made bis way from ths stable.
As he passed Dlablo's stall the big black
snorted again and plunged In affright.
"You'll gel enough of that, tomerror,"
sneered the boy. "I hope you and Ned
both break your d n nscks. Tor I cents
I'd drop something la your feed box that'd
settle you right now, but it's the skunk
I Shandy trudged back to bis boarding
bouse In BrookReld and went to bed. In
th first gray of th early morning be
arose and went out to the race course.
Tb rare course near Rlngwood bad
formerly beau a trotting park; la fact. It
waa still uatd at Irregular intervals for
lbs harness hcrses. In Its primitive days
small, square box-Ilk structure had
don duty ss a Judges' stand. With other
Improvements a new stand bad been
erected a hundred yards higher op th
stretch.
It was to tb little aid stand that
Shandy took hi way. Inside bs wslted
for the coming ot Osynor's string ot gal
lopers. He was aa supremely happy In his un
righteous work as any evil-minded boy
might b at tb prospect of unlimited mis
chief. "Ned'll ride Dlsbolo, sure there's noth
ing else to It," he muttered. "I hope he
break bis blasted neck. I'll pay 'em out
fer turnln' me off Ilk a dog," he con
tinued savagely, the small ferret eye
hissing with fury. "I'll learn the d n
Hello! His shsrp ears had caught the
muffled sound of hoofs thudding the turf
In a slow, measured walk. Hs peeped
between th shrunken boards.
"Tea. It's Mike. And the girl, too blast
her! She blamed me fer near beln' eaten
alive by that black devil of a dope horse.
H 1"
This ambiguous exclamation was occa
sioned by ths sight of his former master
springing Into th saddle on Diablo' back.
"That's th game, eh? God strike me
dead! I hop you git enough of him. My
arms ache yet from beln' near pulled out
of th sockets by that leather-mouthed
brute. Gee! If the boss hasn't got spurs on!
If he ever tickles the black wit' them say,
boys, there'll be a merry b 1 to pay, and
no pitch hot!"
The young Arab spoke to the boards as
though they were partner In bis Iniquity.
Then he chuckled diabolically, aa In fancy
he saw Porter being trampled by the horse.
"Th girl' on Lausanne," be muttered;
"she's the best In the lot. It she did run
m down. A rldln' that old crook, too,
when she ought to be In the house washing
dishes. A woman ain't got no more busi
ness about th stable than a man'a got In
the kitchen. Petticoat is th devil. I
never could abide 'em."
Shandy sometimes harked back to his
early English Whltechapel, for be had
come from th old country, and had brought
with blm all the depravity , he could ac
quire in the first five year 6f bis existence
ther.
"Ned's got the soft snap In that blasted
bunch;" as his eyes discovered Carter on
Lucretla. "He's slipped me this go, but
I've nabbed the boss, so I don't cars. I'm
next them this trip," and as the thre
horses and their riders came on to th
coura be pulled out a silver split-second
stop-watch Langdon bad equipped him with
tor hla touting, and started and stopped It
several times.
"You'll pay fer their feed, you d n old
skinflint" he was apostrophizing Porter
"an I'll be next the best they can do, an
stan' In oa the.rakeoff. Gee! I thought
they was out fer a. trial," he muttered,
looking disconsolately at the three as they
cantered the part of tho Journey. "I'll
ketch :em at tne oif on the off chance,"
be added.
But though th timepiece In lis hand
clicked Impatiently, after he pnused th
stem with his thumb, aa Dlablo's black
nozzls shdwed past the half-mile post, th
thre horse still cantered.
Lauzanne waa loping leisurely . with the
action of a wooden rocking-horse. Lucre
tla, ber long, ln-tlpped ears cocked eagerly
forward, was throwing her.' head Impa
tiently Into th air, as though pleading tor
Just on atrong gallop. Dlablo's neck was
arched like the halt of a cupld'a bow, bis
bead, almost .against bis cheat, hung heavy
In th reins tight-drawn In Porter'a strong
hands. Hla eyes, showing full of a aus
picious whiteness, stood out from his lean,
bony bead; they were possessed of a fret
ful. Impatient look. Froth flicked back
from the nervous, quivering lips and spatted
against bis black aatln-sklnned chest, where
It hung like sea foam on holding ssnd.
"Whoa! 6teady old boy!" Porter was
coaxing soothingly. "Steady, boy!"
"The ease up has put the very deuce Into
this fellow," be flung over his shoulder to
Allis, who at at Dlablo's quarter. "He's
a bard-mouthed brute, If ever there was
on."
"He'll be all right, dad," sha called,
raising her voice, for the wind cut her
breath; "Shandy rode him wtth a heavy
band, that'a why." (
"I'll put a rubber bit in his mouth to
soften It " he pumped,, brokenly. "Let
out a rap girl nd we'll brees them
up the -stretch; com onCarter get to
the front with tb mar."
A quarter of a mile from the finish the
horses raced Into a swinging stride.
Diablo was simply mad wtth a desire to
gallop, but In the saddle was his master;
no horse ever did aa he wished with John
Porter. Battling against the sharps, his
honesty might handicap bim out of tb
strife, but in th saddle th elation ot
movement crept Into his sinews and he
was superb a king. As a Jockey, ba
would have been unsurpassed. It filled his
heart with delight to play with the fierce,
impetuous animal he rode.
"Steady, my boy no, you don't!" This
as Diablo stuck his neck straight out
nke an arrow and sought to hold the bit
tight against the bridle teeth, that- he
might race at hla own aweet wilt Back
came th right hand, then the left; thre
vicloua saws and the bit was loos and
Diablo'a head drawn down again close to
the martingale; Lucretla snd Lausanne
were pulling to th front.
"Go on!" called Porter to Ned Carter.
"I want to see the little mar In her
stride. Take him out at the three-quarter
gallop down th back stretch. I'll b
treading your heel off."
By this time they were opposite ths old
stand, where, hid Shandy. The boy, sur
mising that a gallop was oa snd anxious to
see -them as they rounded the turn going
down th back, had knocked a board loose
to widen the crack. Aa the horses came
abreast. 8handy, leaning forward In his
eagerness, dislcdged It at the top and It
fell with a clatter, carrying him halt
through, the opening. The wind was blow
ing fair acres the little stand, so ths
scent of the boy came to Dlablo's nos
trils at the same Instant the startling
nolBs reached his nervous ears. In a
swerve he slmost stopped, every muscle
of hla big body trembling In fright
Porter waa Dearly thrown from bis seat
by bis crouching side step, the horse
seamed to shrink from under him. Just
for an instant, but the reins had. flapped
loese agalMt ths. wet neck and Diablo felt
freedom.
Wtth a snort ha plunged forward like a
wounded buck and raced madly after
Lucretla, whq bad bolted when the crash
came.
. Porter bad lost a stirrup la ths sudden
twist snd the rein bad slipped through his
fingers ss h grabbed th man oa Dlablo's
wither to pull his weight back Into th
saddle.
Now th black'a neck was straight and
taut, flat-capped by ths slim ears that lay
close to the throat-latch. Th thunder of
his pounding hoofs reached to ths ears of
Lucretla and Lausann ia front and urged
them onward.
Carter bad sat down In ths saddle and
taken a steadying pull at ths brown mare.
Even Lauzanne seemed lifted eut of bis
Usual lethargy, and. wide -mouthed, was
pulling Allts out f th saddle.
"Curs tie brutet" gasped Porter bury
THE OMAHA DAILY BEE; SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 1002.
ing hi knee In th saddl flaps and reach
ing for ths dangling stirrup "with the toe
of hla right foot One ho almost bad It,
but missed; th Iron, swinging viciously,
caught Diablo In th flank it made little
difference; bis terror wss complete.
All th time Porter wss kneading the
dangling reins back through forefinger and
thumb, shortening bis hold for a strong
pull at the galloping brute' bead.
"Who-o-o-a-h, who-o-o-a-h, stesd-y-y,"
and, bracing himself against the pommel,
he swung tho weight of bis shoulders on
the reins.
As well might he have pulled at th rock
of Gibraltar. Diablo'a head was up, his
teeth set herd, and the man'a strength was
as nothing against ths full-muscled neck
of the 6-year-old. Diablo was cutting down
th lead th other two held over him,
galloping like a demon. Forter felt that
hs must loosen the bit and throw that
set hesd down to get commend ot the
horse. One fierce yank to the right and
ths black bead swsyed a trifle; another to
the left and Ood in heaven! the rein
snapped, snd Its - loose end came back,
slashing the rider across the fsce. He
reeled with the recoil, nearly bringing
Diablo to his knees with th sudden swing
of weight on tb right rein.
In sn Instant he was the trained horse-
"HIS FORELEGS CROSSED
man again and bad let th remaining
leather slip through bis fingers a trifle.
"Go on!" be shouted to those In front.
"Go on, and give ma a lead. Hang to th
course."
He realised now that the crated brute
under him must run himself out. All he
could do wss to sit tight and wait till
Diablo bad raced himself to a -standstill.
To us the one rein meant a crash Into the
rail, and surely death. Before, be bad
thought only of tbe horas's welfare; now
It waa a matter of bis own life. All that
remained to. htm was to keep a cool head,
a steady nerve and watt.
Freed of restraint, not battled wtth, the
black'a atrtde lengthened, his nostrils
spread wider, the hoofs pounded quicker
and quicker, until th earth echoed with
their palpitating beat.
The other horse heard the turmoil, and
they, too, became more afraid and took up
the mad rush.
Dlablo's reaching nose was at Lauzanne's
hip. when Allla took one swift, backward
glance. She saw th dangling rein, tbe set
look In her father's face, the devil eyes of
the horse and for one breath-gasp ber
heart fluttered in its beat As quick she
put the fear from her, and swinging Lau
sanne a shsde wide, left Diablo more room
next tb rail.
"On, Lauzanne!" ah called through
drawn Up, and hitched encouragingly in
th saddl.
Lucretla waa still in front, ber speed
mocking at tbe awlft rush ot Lauzanne and
Diablo. But bow the black galloped! Every
post saw blm creeping up on th chestnut,
and Allis waa riding and nursing him to
keep the runaway hemmed at the turn,
so that b could not crash through the
outer rail. No on spoke again. Each knsw
that nothing was left to do but keep Diablo
to the course. -,'
Just In front of Lausanne, with swinging
stride, raced th brown mare, waiting till
he ahould drop back beaten, that she might
take, up th running with Diablo. Tbat was
Carter's good Judgmsnt, snd ba Sod as
though It were tb Derby, and he waa
nursing his mount for the last call at tbe
finish.
At the three-quarters Lausann and
Diablo wer neck and neck; at th half th
black waa lapped on Lucretla; another
furlong and ahe waa laboring to teep ber
place, nose and no with him.
"I'm done," panted Carter, feeling the
mare swerve and falter; "I'm done. God
help us!"
Still there was no check In th black's
gallop; ba was llks a dsvil tbat could go
on for ever and ever.
They bad turned Into the straight, with
Lucretla a neck to th bad. when Carter
beard the girl' vole, faintly, calling, "Pull
out. Ned." Th boy thought It fancy. Lau
sann, th despised, couldn't be ther at
their heela. He had thought him beaten off
long ago. But again tbe voice cam a little
stronger, "Pull out, Ned!"
Tbla time ther wss no mistake. It might
b a miracle, but It was bis duty to obey.
As he galloped. Carter edged Lucretla to
th right. Without looking back, he could
feel Lauzanne creeping up between him and
Diablo. Soon th chestnut' head showed
psst bis elbow, and they were both lapped
on the bUrk. Half way up the stretch Allis
was riding, stirrup to stirrup wtth her
father. 'Porter's weight was telling on
Diablo.
"8he's got blm. Lauzaaue'U hold him
if be doeaa't quit," Carter muttered, as hs
dropped back, for Lucretla waa blown.
Psst th finish post Lausanne wss a head
in froat. and Diablo W)s galloping llks a
tired bore.
"He's beat!" ejaculated Carter. "Hello!
that'a It. eh? My word, what a girl!"
He ssw Allis reach dowa for the slsck
rein, running from her father's bsnd to
Dlablo's mouth. -Missed! She's got It!"
be cried, eagerly. "Ths devil!"
As Allis grasped Dlablo's rein, the horse,
with a auddea fury at being drawn toward
Lausanne, hla old to, snapped at the chest
nut. Aa be did so. throw out of bis stride.
bis forelegs crossed and be went dowa In
a heap, with the rider underneath.
The fore of hla gallop carried th black
full over on to his back. Ha struggled to
bis feet and stood, shajclog like a leaf, with
low-stretched seek and fear-cocked ears,
staring at the crushed, silent flgur that
Isy with Hs facs smothered In tbe sort
earth.
In a dozen Jumps Allis stopped Lauzanne,
threw herself from the Saddle, and, leaving
tb horse, ran swiftly back to ber father.
"Oh. my Ood! he's desd, he's dead!" she
cried plteously, the nerve that bad stood
the strsln of th Here rid utterly shat
tered and unstrung st sight of the senseless
form.
"He's not desd," said Carter, putting bis
hand over Porter's heart. "It's just a bad
ahske-up. Mike's coming and we'll soon
get him home. He'll be all right. Miss
Allis he'll be all right," he kept mutter
ing. In a dated mapner, as he raised her
father's heed to bis knee.
"Take Lucretla and gallop for th doctor.
Mis Allis," commanded Mike, coming up
on the run. "We'll get yer father home
In the buggy."
"In God's mercy don't let hlra die. Mike,"
and, bending down, she pressed her Hps to
the cold forehead that was driven full of
" S
AND HB WENT DOWN IN A, HEAP, WITH
sand. "Get blm horn quick, and try not
to let mother see. - I'll take Lauzanne."
Lauzanns had followed her and waa stand
ing waiting, hla big eyea full of a curious
wonderment. Mike lifted Allis to the
saddle. As be drew back his hand hs looked
at it, then up at the girl.
"Don't cry, miss," be said, struggling a
little with his voice, that waa playing blm
tricks; "yer fadder's Just stunned a bit
Tbe dhocter-'ll brace him up all right." .
"This Is bad business," he continued, ss
Allis galloped on her errand, and be helped
Carter lift the Injdred man. "There, that's
roight; list carry his legs; I'll take him
under the back."
As they moved slowly towsrd the buggy
that stood in the paddock Diablo followed
at their heels, as If he had done nothing
In the world but simply taken an exercise
gallop. "You black divtl!" muttered Mike,
looking over his shoulder. "You've
murthered wsn av the bist mln as lver
breathed. If I'd me way I'd shoot you.
I'd turn you Into cat meat, that's what
you're fit fer!"
"What broke the rein?" he asked of
Carter, as they neared the buggy. "What
started thlm gallopln'?" ,
"Somebody was In the old stand," Carter
replied, as, putting his foot on ths step, he
raised himself and the dead weight ot the
limp man.
"There, eteady, Ned. Pull the cuehions
down In the bottom. Now you've got It.
Bot' t'umbs! It's as good as an ambu
lance. I'll hold his bead In my lap an'
you drive. Hers, Finn," be continued,
turning to the boy, who had caught and
brought Lucretla, "take the we filly an'
that dlvll's baste back to the barn; put the
busted bridle by till I have a good look
at It after. Go on. Ned; slow; that's It,
easy does It. When we get out on the
turnpike you can slip along."
When they had turned Into the road he
spoke again to Carter. "You were aayln',
Ned, dere wit a guy In de ould stan'."
"Yes." replied Carter, "somebody wss
toutln us off. A board broke an' that
frightened the boss's mount."
"I fought I saw a b'y sklnnin' off the
track," commented Gaynor, harking back
In hla memory. "First, I fought It was
Shandy, but what'd he ba doin' ther.
Did you see bis face, Ned?"
"I was too busy takln' a wrap on Lucre
tla, she was gettln' a bit out of hand.".
When they came to the gate which gave
entrance to Rlngwood houss Mike said to
Carter, with rough sympathy In his voice,
"Slip In ahead, Ned, and tell the missis
that the boss has had a bit av a spill.
Say he's Just stunned; tbat there'a no
bones broke Bot' t'umbs! though I fear
he's mashed Into a Jelly. Ask fer a bottla
of brandy till we give blm a bracer. Ned!"
be called, a Carter slipped from tbe
buggy, ."see if you can kap th missis
from seeln' the boss till .ths doctor comes.
Git hould of the girl Cynthia an' give her
the tip that things is pretty bsd. Go on,
now; I'll drivs slow wld wan band."
Mlke'a kindly precautions were of lit
tle avail. Mra. Porter saw the slow mov
ing buggy crswltng up tbe broad drive
and Instinctively knew that again some-
J thing terrible had occurred. That Allis
waa not mere saaea to ner iear.
"He'a Just stunned, ma'am," Carter was
saying, aa Mike reached the steps. But
she didn't hear him; ber facs was white
snd In her eyes was tbe horror ot a great
fear, but from her lips came no cry; her
silence was mors dreadful than If she
had called out.
"We'll carry him. ma'am," Mike said,
as shs cams down the steps to ths buggy
and clutching the wheel rim swayed un
steadily. "Jest git a bed ready, missis,"
Gaynor continued softly. "Git a bed ready
an' he'll be all rolght afther a bit. He's
Just stumtud. that's all. Just stunned!"
It was curious bow the sense of evil
bad limited each one's vocabulary.
"Let me help," pleaded Mrs. Porter,
speaking for the first time.
"We'll carry him, missis he's Just
stunned," repeated Mike, in a dreary
saonoiose, as, feeling each step carefully
with his to, he and Carter bor th still
senseless form Into the bouse."
Mrs. Porter hsd got on of ths battered
hands between her own snd waa walking
with wide, dry, atarlng eyea closs to her
husband.
"Oh John, Johnt Speak to me. Open
your eye and look at me. You rs not desd;
Oh, God, you're not dead!" eh erled, pas
stonately, breaking down, and a pent-up
flood of tears coming to th hot, dry eyee
aa the two men laid Porter on th bed that
Cynthia had made ready.
"There missis, don't take on now,"
pleaded Mike. "Th boss Is Jest stunned,
thst's all; I've been that way a dosen tolmes
meself," he added by way ot assurance.
"Where th brandy T Lift his bead. Ned.
Not ao much. 8ee!" he cried, exultantly,
aa ths strong liquor csusod the eyelids to
quiver. "8es, missis! He's all rolght, he'a
Jest stunned, that's all. There's th dhoctor
now. God bless th little woman! She
wasn't long."
The sound of wheels crunching th gravel,
with a audden stop at th porch, bad com
to their cars.
"Come out av the room, ma'am," Mike
besought Mrs. Porter: "come Out av the
room an' lav the dhoctor bring tbe bos
around."
THE RIDES UNDER HIM.
He signalled to Cynthia with hla eyes for
help In this argument.
"Yes. Mrs. Porter," seconded Cynthia,
"come out to the porch. Miss Allis and 1
will remain here with the doctor to get
what's needed."
"Ah, a fall, eh?" commented Dr. Rath
bone, cheerfully, coming briskly Into the
room. Then be caught Mike'e eye; It closed
deliberately, and the Irishmsn'a head tipped
never so slightly toward Mrs. Porter.
"Now,, 'clear the room,' as they aay in
court," continued the doctor, with a smile,
understanding Mike's signal. "We mustn't
hsve people about to agitate Porter when
he comes to his senses. I'll need Cynthia,
and. perhaps, you'd better wait, too, Gaynor.
Just take care of your mother. Miss Allis.
I'll have your father about In a Jiffy."
"He'a Jeat stunned, that's all!" added
Mike, with hi kindly, parrot-Ilk repeti
tion.
It seemed a million year to the wife tbat
she waited for tbe doctor's outcomlng.
Twice she cried In anguish to Allis that
she must go In, must see ber husband.
"He may die," sb pleaded, "and I may
never aee bis eyes again. Ob, let me jgo.
Allis: I'll come back, I will."
"Walt- here, mother," commanded the
girl. "Dr. Rathbone will tell us if It-
she could not finish the sentence could not
utter the dread words, but olasplng ber
mother'a bands firmly In ber own, kept her
In tbe chair. Once Mike came out and said,
"He's Jest stunned, ma'am, the dhoctor
says he'll be all rolght by-sn-bye."
"He won't die"
"He's worth a dosen dead men, ma'am:
he'a Jest stunned, that's all!"
There waa another long watt; then Dr.
Rathbone appeared.
"Porter will be all right, madam; HI!
take time, It'll take time and nursing.
But you're getting used to tbat," bs addsd
i with a smile, "but" ,
"Tell me the truth, doctor," plesded Mra.
Porter, struggling to her feet and placing
both hands on bis shoulders. "I can atand
It; see, I'm brave."
"I've told you the truth, Mrs. Porter."
tbe doctor answered. "There'a no fear for
your busband'a recovery if be has quiet
for a fey days."
She looked Into bis eyes, then, crying
"I believe you. doctor thank God for His
mercy!" swayed and would have fallen but
for Mike's ready arm.
"She'll be better after that." said tbe
dootor, addressing Allis. "It has besn a
hard pull on ber nervea. Just bath her
temples and get her to sleep If you can.
I'll come back In two hours. Your fsther
Is not conscious, nor will he be, I'm
thlnkln,' for a day or two. He has heavy
concussion. Cynthia has full directions
what to do."
CHAPTER XII.
m Ttr Ttathhnns hill loft MlVa anil
PCarter went down to tbe stables.
"I'll Jest have a look at that broke rein,"
said Gaynor; "that sthrap was strong
snough to hang Diablo. If there'a not soras
dirty business In this, I'll eat me bat
T'umbs up! but It was a gallop, though.
The black kin move whin he wants to."
"But what do you think ot old Lauzanne?"
exclaimed Carter. "Ha Just wors Disblo
down bung to blm llks a bulldog, sn' beat
him out."
"It was tbe gal's rldln'. an' Lauzanne
waa feared, too. He'a chicken-hearted
that's what he Is. Some dsy In a race
he'll get away in front av hi horse an'
beat 'em by ths length sr a street. He'll
be a bun'red to wan, an' nobody'll bave a
penny oa."
When they arrived at th stsbte Mlk
headed straight for tbe harness room. Th
light was dim, coming from a small, high,
two-paned window, but Mike knew where
every bridle and aaddls ahould be. Hs put
his band on Dlablo's hesdgesr. and, bring
ing It down, carried It through tb passage
to tbe stable door, where be examined It
minutely.
"Jeat what I fought! Look at that!"
and be beaded It te Carter for Inspection.
"How do you else that up, Ned?"
"The reln'e been cut near through," re
plied Carter. "I wonder It held ae long aa
It did."
"A dirty, low-down trick," commented
Mike. "I'll bang It back on tbe peg Jest
now, but don't uee It agin fer a bit."
Aa be re-entered the eaddle room briskly
ble heel slipped on tbe plank floor, bring
ing blm down. "I'd take me oath that waa
a banana peel, If It was on tbe sidewalk,"
be exclaimed, after a gymnastic twist that
nearly dislocated his neck. "Some of you
fellows Is pretty careless wit' boot grease.
I'm thlnkln'."
More out of curiosity than anything else
be peered down at the cause of his sudden
slip. "What the dlvil Is It, snyway?" be
muttered, kneeling and Ughtli.g a match,
which he held close to tbe spot. "Bot"
t'umbs!" he exclaimed? It's candle grease.
Have either of you b'ys been In here wit'
a candle? tt's agin the rules."
"There Isn't a candle about the barn, an'
you know it, Mike," cried Carter, Indig
nantly. Mike was prospecting the floor with an
other light.
"Here's two burnt mstches." he contin
ued, picking them up. "An they were
lolghtfd last night, too. See that; they're
long, an' that means thst they wssn't, light
used fer llghtln' a pipe or a cigsr Jes' fer
touchln' off a candle, that's all. I knew
they was loighted last night," he said, as
though to convince himself, "fer they're
fresh, an' ain't been tramped on. If they'd
teen here fer two or three days, rolght In
front of the door, dey'd have the black
knocked off 'em wld you boys' feet. This
wan dld'nt lolght at all hardly, an' there's
a little wool fuzs stlckln' to It Gee! that
manes somewan ethrurk It on bis wool
pants. Git the lantern, Ned, p'raps we'll fin'
out somethln' more. The lolght from thst
high winder ain't good enough fer trackin'
a bear."
When the lantern waa brought, Mike con
tinued his detective operations, nose and
eyes close to the floor like a black-tracker."
"What's tbat, Ned?" he asked, pointing
his finger at a dark brown spot on the
boards.
Carter crouched and scrutinized Mike's
find. "Tobacco spit," and he gave a little
latch.
"Rolght you are, that's what It Is. Now
who chaws tobaccle In this stable?" he de
manded of Carter, with the air of a cross
examining counsel.
"I don't."
"Does Finn?"
"No, I don't think so."
"Didn't Shandy, always have a gob of !t
In bis cheek tbe dirty pig?"
"Yee, he did, Mike."
"I fought so; I fought It was that black
guard. But how did the swine get In here?
Th stable was locked, an' I had the key in
me pocket. I'll take me oath to that."
Carter took bis cap off, ran a band re-
flestlvely up and down the crown of bis
head, canvassing every possible entry there
might be to the stalls. Suddenly be re
placed bis cap and whistled softly. "I know,
Mike; be crawled through the dung window.
I've seen him do It a half-a-dozen times
When he waa too lazy to go for the keys he'd
wiggle through that hole."
Mike saia notoing, but led the way to tbe
back of tbe stable. There he climbed up oa
tbe pile ot rolling straw and examined
closely the small, square opening with its
board slide through which Shandy bad
passed tbe night before.
"Casus! I fougbt so!" he ejaculated,
"Here's mora tobacco spH, where the cut-
t'reat dlvil stood, when he opened the
winder."
Locking down, hie eye caught tbe glint of
something bright deep In tbe straw. He dug
bis band down into the mass and brought
up a knife. "Whose Is tbat. Ned?" be
queried.
Carter looked at K closely. "Shandy's,"
he answered; "I'll swear to that I've bor
rowed It from him more than once to clean
out the horses' hoofs."
"Bot' t'umbs up! I'd bang that b'y to a
beam If I had him here he cut that rein
as sure as God mads little apples," de
clared Mike, vehemently. "An the gall av
him, too, to alt there in the ould stand to
watch the black run away wif somewan an'
kill 'em. Now Jeet kspe yer mouth shut,
Ned, an' we'll put a halter on this rooster.
By hlvlnsl whin I git him I'll make him
equale, too!"
The serlousnesa of Porter'a accident be
came clearer to Doctor Rathbone the follow
ing day. He Imparted thla Information to
Allis; told her that In all probability it
would be weeks before ber father would be
strong again.
'In tbe meantime, little woman, what are
you to do with all these hungry horses on
your bands?" be asked.
Tho girl's anawer came quickly enough,
for she bad lain awake through all the
dreary night thinking out thla problem.
"I'll sTook after them." she answsred the
doctor, quit simply.
A smll of skepticism hovered about bis
full Hps as bs raised his eyes to the girl's
face, but the look of determination ot confi
dence that be met put bis doubts to flight.
"I believe you can do it if any man can,"
and he put hla big band on her elight
ehoulder aa much as to aay, "I'm behind,
you I believe in you."
Of course an Inkling of Porter'a condition
hsd to be given bis wife, though tbe full
gravity waa masked. This was done by Allis
and Mra. Porter Immediately became a prey
to abject, despair.
Tbe first thing to be done waa to get rid
of Diablo. She wae too gentle to ksk thf t
he be shot, but be must go, even) if be were
given away. Sha would willingly have sacri
ficed all the horses. Always with their pres
ence had come financial troubles, spiritual
troublea; now the lives ot those dear to ber
were in actual peril. No wonder tbe good
woman waa rendered hysterical by ths
strong emotions that swayed ber.
In ber depression she somewhat atartled
Allla by lnaisting that they must send for
Mr. Crane at once. After all. It was not so
unrsasonable; with tb master of Rlngwood
helpless, with whom else could tbey consult
over tbslr entangled condition? Fer the last
year Porter had found It necessary to keep
In constant touch with the bank; so tbey
must become familiar with tbe details of the
entanglement.
Mrs, Porter bad come to bave tbe utmost
confidence In Crane's friendship and ability;
he was tbe one above all othere to have
Diablo taken off their bande. So Pbllip
Crane, to hla Intense delight, wss sum
moned to Rlngwood. This waa bis first
knowledge ot Porter'a mishap, for be bad
been in New York.
Crane was supposed to possess a rare
magnetism; most certainly men came under
his Influence with a noiseless, cheerful
complaisance. It may have been that there
was a slight fascination In the oblique
eontour of his eyes, but In reality his
power lay In bis exquisite finesse; people
delved for him under the Impression that
they were laboring according to the dic
tates ot their own sweet wills. Figura
tively spssklng, he twisted Mr. Porter round
bis finger and so delightfully, that shs
was filled with gratitude because of Crane's
kindness In their hour ot trouble.
The matter of Diablo waa settled In a
minute; hs would buy the borss himself,
and th prie could b arranged when Mra.
Porter wss able to diseuss th matter
that la, definitely; In tb meantime be would
pay a thousand for him. II understood
Porter had bought him for that pries.
With a touch of kindly honor, Craa de
clared that ha would bave a small bat on
tb aors for Allis ths first time he started.
Beyond parting with Diablo, Allla would
go farther In tb matter of selling; the
s-a; thle was the full extent of ber
horses:
concession to the mother. Had she known
that her father bad entered Diablo in tne
Brooklyn handicap she might even bave
refused to part with the horse. Ae It hap
pened, Torter had entered both Lucretla
and Diablo In th Brooklyn a day or so
before his accident, but had not spokea
of It.
Crane assured Mr. Porter thst she need
not distract ber mind over money mattars.
th bank could easily csrry their load until
her husband was himself again. No natter
how tblnga turned out It was a delleat
matter to touch upon, th possibility ot
Porter's condition taking a serious turn,
but coming from Crane, It seemed Ilk an
earnest ot bis sincerity well. Mrs. Porter
would find a friend In him quit willing and
able to smooth their difficult path.
Crane had meant to defer any protestation
of regard for Allis until a propitious futur.
but with bis quick perception he aaw that
the psychological moment bad been moved
forward by the sudden effacement ot th
master ot Rlngwood. If h pok now to
Mrs. Porter, It would glv ber a right to
call upon his servlcee. He would seem to
exist In the light of a debtor; It would
break down the barriers which might eeem
to exist because of their nonrelationshtp.
Crane bad not been without a aueploloa
tbat the younger man, Mortimer, roight
prove a rival; heroics such as the Diablo
episode were apt to give young people a
romantic Interest In each other. Fate had
more than evened matters up by giving blm
the present opportunity. Hs thought with
some satisfaction bow perfectly helpless
Mortimer was in the present instance, for
he was most undeniably poor. It was an
opportunity to be grasped, and Crane never
let the tide pass its flood in the waters of
his life.
So the banker spoke to Mrs. Porter of hla .
strong love for Allis; so deliberately, and
wtth so much Sincerity, thst she was com
pletely won over. It ia true, the ground
bad been prepared for the seed, for the
mother had long feared that Allis might
become attached to some one of Porter's
racing associates. Though strong In
spiritual matters, the good woman wae not
without worldly Instinct. She was pleased
with Crane personally; ha was not by any
means a racing man; a rich banker would
make a most desirable husband for ber
daughter. Of course, it would rest with
the girl herself Mrs. Porter would not
coerce nor influence her; but why should
not Allts come to csre for Crane under tbe
Influence of bis strong love?
Mrs. Porter'a mind had rebounded from
Us dazed condition after her busband'a
accident and was now acute. All these
thoughts came to ber wtth rapidity, as
Crane talked with masterly Judgment.
To the mother's suggestion that he speak
to Allle be put forward a plea ot delicate
consideration for the girl; he would rather
deny himself; be would wait patiently until
ber mind wae In a happier condition.
Cleverly enough, be knew tbat Mrs. Porter
wss now bis ally and would plead his cause
with less chance of failure than It ha
atartled Allis by the sudden fronting of
life's great problem.
When Crane bad gone Allis found her
mother calmed by hla visit; his assurance
had driven wy distressing clouds ct Ss&s
clal worry.
Almost immediately Mrs. Porter trans
mitted to tbe girl what bad come to. ber
of Crane's dsclaratlon. ,
"It seems almost Ilk an answer to my
prayers," she said to Allla; "not, of course"
she Interrupted herself "that I've been
praying for a husband for you, but thla
wicked racing has warped tbe whole woof
oi my me; it seemed Inevitable In the
strength of Its contaminating atmosphere
that you would be wedded Into It though
one were better dead than willingly chooso
a path of sin."
"Then you've settled It. mother!" Allis'
big eyes took on a dangerous look ot
rebellion.
"No, daughter, you must choose for your
self; only you will be wise not to go con
trary to your parents' wishes. I dtd
"But you are not sorry, mother?" ther
was reproach In the girl's voice.
"Not for having wedded your father but
because of his racing Ufa. I should have
been firmer and asked htm to give It up
before I married him he might hsv don
It then. Mr. Crane Is a gentleman, Allis
thst Is a great deal nowadays, and he loves
you most sincerely. Words oftsn mean
very little, but one can tell at least when
they've come to years of discretion they can
from a man's voice whether be Is in
earneat or not I suppose It Is very worldly
to speak of bis rlcbes, but In poverty one
can do very little, very little good. I had
rather tbat you didn't have to look with
misgiving Into ths futurs,. Allis; it has
taken much Joy out of my existence. Th
dread of poverty Is a nightmare it wears
one'a life threadbar. To the young,
bouyed'up by confidence la the rosy fu
ture, this may seem sordid, but this feeling
of Insecurity msrs many Uvea which might
otherwise be happy.
"You see, Airia," her mother continued.
"I know you are heart whole, ao I can't
cause you any misery by my well-meant
advice. You'v been a good girl, and ther
has been nobody of your elsss about Mr.
Mortimer Is, I dare say, a gentleman, and
I must confess that I waa afraid that you
might mistake a feeling of generosity to
blm for something stronger; but that waa
only an idle fancy, I see. It would have
been unfortunate it is wsre othsrwtss, for
he le very poor. Indeed. His small aalary
must be all taken up In keeping himself,
bis widowed mother and a younger sister."
Allis gave a sudden start. She had not
known these particulars of Mortimer's life)
but they carried certain explanations of bla
conduct. Quite casually shs hsd tormsd
an Impression thst he was penurious; some
thing he had dropped about not being abl
to afford certain pleasure. That was wher
th money went to support his mother and
sister.
Unwittingly ber mother was pleading his
causa.
The mother's talk depressed Allis greatly.
Why ahould thla troublesome matter com
to her now when she bad so much to bear,
so much to do? It gave ber quit a shock
to find that as her mother talked, aba wss
not thinking ot Crane at all aha could not
picture bla face even Just ths narrow
lidded eyes peeped at ber thoughts one
or twlcs; It would b borrlbl to look Into
them for ever and ever. Th face of Morti
mer, pale and firm set, as it had been In
that day ot strife, was ajway obliterating
the other visage. Waa her mother right
was abe ao heart-whole?
A If ber thought bad bearing on ber
mother's mind, the Utter said: "I wouldn't
bavs spoken to you ot this matter while
your father U so ill. If it weren't for the
fact tbat our position Is very precarious. I
can't understand Just bow badly off we are,
but if anything wer to happen your father
I hardly know what would become of ua."
"And Mr. Cran has promised to help us
f ' Ther was a hard ring B th
gtrl's voice aa abs apoke. getting not past
th "If," refusing to put Into words ths dis
tressing thought
"Ther 1 no -ir about It. daughter. Mr
Crana Is our friend, your tstber's friend'
and he Is gelng to help u. ,a h oui'
spok ot hi regard tor you by way of an
excusa-u wo delicacy on bis part, thinking
tbat I would hav less compunction in ac
cepting bla good offices. All I ask, girt U
that you will try to Ilk. Mr. Cran.; f yo
cant. well, you wont find me making you
unhaonv. But i -m . ,.11 ,ou
i... ' " ". Aius, un-
l..s matters mend, and how the Aang'i, to
iContlaued on Seventeenth Pag.)
not
