Nebraska Newspapers

    10
THE OMAIIA DAILY JlEEi SUNDAY. OCTOHEK 5, 1002.
' .
fhoroughbrecjs.
67 W. A. FRASEK
Author of "The Outciit," ''Mooiwi," and Other Storiei.
1 1
(Copyright, 12. by McClure. Phillip Co.)
CHAPTER XXI.
The next flay, Intent on persuading Porter
to accept the money won over Diablo, Crane
took a run down to the Ringwood farm.
Crane stated tho facta very plausibly,
very seductively, to John Porter. Porter
almost unreasonably scented charity In
Crane's proposal. He believed that the
bet was a myth: Crane wai trying to
preaent him with this sum aa a com
pensatlon for having loat Diablo. It
wasn't even a loan. It wn a gift, pure
and simple. His very helplessness, his
poverty, made hira decline the offer with
unnecessary fierceness. If Alltl had re
fused It, If ehe were strong enough to
stand without this charity, surely he. a
man, battered though he was, could pass
It by. He had received a hopeful mes
sage from Allls as to Lucretia's chances
llr the Derby; they felt confident of win
ning. That win would relieve him cf all
'obligations.
"I can't take It." eatd Porter to Crane.
"Allls Is more familiar with the circum
stances of the bet if there was one than
I. It must just rest with her; she's a
man now, you know," he added, plain
tively; "I'm but a broken wreck; and what
aha aays, goes."
"But there's a payment on Ringwood
falling due in a few days," Crane remon
atated. even aa he had to Mrs. Porter.
Porter collapsed fretfully. He could
stand out against prospective financial
:atrlngency, but actual obligations for
which he had no meana quite broke down
bis weakened encrgv. He had forgotten
about this liability, that Is, had thought
the time of payment more distant. He
would be forced to recall the money be
had given Dixon to bet on Lucretla for
,the Derby, to meet this payment to the
bank.
Quite despondently he answered the
t'other man. "I had forgotten a!" about
It! this shake-up has tangled my memory.
I can pay the money, though," he added,
half defiantly; "it will hamper me, but I
can do It."
A sudden thought came to Crane, an In
spiration. "I've got it f he exclaimed.
Porter brightened up; there was such a
world of confidence In the other'a manner.
"We'll Just let this Diablo money stand
against the payment which is about due on
Ringwood; put it In the bank to cover It, so
to speak later we can settle to whom It
belongs. At present It seems to be nobody's
money; it's seldom one sees a few thousand
going a-begging for an owner," he added,
jocularly. "You say it Isn't yours; I know
it Isn't mine, and most certainly it doesn't
belong to the bookmaker, for he's lost it
'fair and square. We can't let him keep It;
they win enough of the public's money."
Reluctantly, Porter gave a half-hearted
" acquiescence. He would have sacrificed
tangible interests to leave the money that
was In Dixon's bands with him to bet on
Xurretia. It would be like not taking the
tide at its flood to let her run unbacked
when her chances of winning were so good
and the odds against ber great enough to
Insure a big return.
It was after banking hours, quite toward
Evening, by the time Crane had obtained
this concession. He had brought the win
nings tor John Porter's acceptance, should
the latter prove amenable to reason. Now
1t occurred to him that be might leave the
money With one of the bank staff, who
could deposit It the next day.
Crans drove back to the. village and went
at once to the cashier's (Mr. Lane's) houae.
He was not at home; bis wife thought per
haps he was still In the bank. Crane went
there In search of him. He found only
Mortimer, who had remained late over his
accounts. From the latter Crane learned
that the cashier had driven ever to a neigh
boring town.
"It doesn't matter," remarked Crane; "I
can leave this money wltb you. It's to meet
a payment of three thousand due from
John Porter about the middle of June. Ton
can put It In a safe place In the vault till
the note falls due and then transfer It to
Porter's credit."
"I'll attend to It. sir." replied Mortimer.
I "I'll attach the money to the note and put
them away together."
Ou bi way to the ststlon Ciane met Alan
Porter.
"I suppose you'd like a holiday to see
your fatber'a mare run for the Derby,
wouldn't you, Alan?" he said.
"I should very much, sir; but Mr. Lane
Is set agalnat racing."
"Oh. I think he'll let you off that day.
I'll tell him he may. But, like your mother,
I don't approve of young men betting I
know what It means."
He was thinking with bitterness of his
own youthful Indiscretions.
"It you go, don't bet. You might bs
tempted, naturally, to back your father's
mare, Lucretla. but you would stand a very
good chance of losing."
"Don't you think she ll win, sir?" Alan
asked, emboldened by his employer's free
dom of speech. '
"I do not. My hcrse. the Dutchman, Is
almost certain to win, my trainer tells me."
Then he added, apologetic of bis confidential
tnoods: "I tell yen this, lest through loyalty
to your own people you should lose your
money. Racing, I fancy, Is very uncertain,
even when It aeems most certain."
Again Crane had cause to congratulate
himself upon the somewhat clever manipu
lation of a difficult situation. He had
scored again In hla diplomatic love en
deavor. He knew quite well that Allls'
determined stand was only made possible
by ber expectation of gaining financial re
lief for ber father through Lucretia's win-
The maintaining of that high
degree of excellence that won
for "Blata" ita enviable repa
tattoa 'way back la tha fort lea.
haa required underrating care
la the selectioa of materiala,
aad the constant attention of
the moat skilled masters of
the brewer's art.
DLATZ MALT VI VINE
(Non-Intoxteant)
Tsule. All Lrvs(tU sr Di
rect. U 1AU. aUUi OniWIRtt bUn BjirflUlM
U.I Blipuiiuil Uil 1
ouaua anANtii,
LI, ita ie !. at. tl loei.
'''"''jliilL os erltloal
"'''TVvySiii! epleureeoula desire I
ij I
j MILW AU atg B I
The maintaining of that high
degree of excellence that won R
1
1
nlng the Derby. Should the fall, they
would be almost forced to turn to him In
their difficulties. That was whst be wanted.
He knew that the money won over Diablo,
if accepted, must always be considered as
coming from him. The gradual persistent
dropping of water would wear away the
hardest stone; he would attain to his wishes
yet.
He was no bungler to attempt other than
the most gently delicate methods.
Encouraged by Jockey Redpath's ex
planation of his ride on Lucretla. Allls
was anxious that Dixon should take the
money her rather had set aside for that
purpose and back their mare for the
Brooklyn Derby.
"We bad better wait a day or two,"
Dixon had advised, "until we see the effect
the hard gallop In the handicap has had
on tho little mare. She ain't cleanln' up
her oats as well as she might, ehe's a bit
off her feed, but it's only natural, though;
a gallop like that takes it out of them a
bit."
It was the day after Crane's visit to
Ringwood that Dixon advised Allls that
Lucretla seemed none the worse for her
exertion.
"Perhaps we'd better put the money on
right away," he said; "she's sure to keep
well and we'll be forced to take a much
shorter price race day."
"Back the stable." advised Allls. "then
If anything happens Lucretla we can start
Lausanne."
The trainer laughed In good natured
derision. "That wouldn't do much good;
we'd be out of the frying pan Into the fire;
we'd be Just that much more money out
for Jockey an' startln' fees."
"If Lauzanne would only try, something
tells me he'd win," contended the girl.
"And somethln' tells me he wouldn't
try a yard," answered Dixon, In good
humored opposition. ''But I dont think
It'll make no difference In the odds we
get whether we back the stable or Lu
cretla alone; they won't take no stock
In the chestnut's prospects."
' So Dixon made a little pilgrimage
amongst the pencllers. He found Faust
and asked It blm a quotation against Por
ter's stable.
"Twelve Is the best I can do," answered
the Cberub.
"I'll take fifteen to one," declared Dixon.
"Can't lay it; some of the talent men
as doesn't make no mistake. Is takln'
twelve to one In my book fast as I open
my mouth."
"I want fifteens," replied Dixon dog
gedly. "Surely the owner is entitled to a
shade the best of It."
"Well, I'll stretch a point for you,
Dixon. Your boss le up agin' a frost, good
and hard. I'll lay you fifteen thousand to
one agin the stable an' If Lauzanne wins
you'll buy me a nice tie pin."
The trainer told Allls of what be bad
done. He even spoke of bis distrust at
finding Faust laying longer odds against
their mare than the other bookmakers.
"But I don't see what they can do," he
said reflectively, studying the grass at his
feet, bis brow quite wrinkled In deep
thought. "The mare's well and we can
trust the boy this time, I think."
"Yes, you can trust Redpath." affirmed
Allls decisively. "If Faust Is In with
Langdon, as you say. It Just means that
they're going on their luck and think their
colt, the Dutchman, can't lose."
Allls gave Jockey Redpath the benefit
of her knowledge of Lauzanne's peculiari
ties. The chestnut waa a slow beginner;
that was a trait which even Allls' seductive
handling bad failed to eradicate.
When the starter sent Iauzsnne off,
trailing behind the other seven runners in
the race that afternoon Redpath made a
faint essay, experimentally, to hold to
Allls' orders, by patiently nestling over
tho chestnut's strong withers In a vain
hope that his mount would speedily seek
to overtake the leaders. But evidently
Lauzanne had no such Intention; he seemed
quite satisfied with things as tbey were.
That the horses galloping so frantically
in front Interested him slightly wsa evi
denced by his cocked e.irs, but beyond that
he might as well have been the starter's
hack, bringing that gentleman along plac
idly In the rear.
"Just as I thought," muttered the boy;
"this skate's kiddln' me Just as he does
the gal. He's a lazy brute It's the bud be
wants."
Convinced that he was right and that
his orders were all wrong the Jockey as
serted himself. He proceeded to ride
Lauzanne most energetically. In the
horse's mind this sort of thing was as
sociated with unlimited punishment. Red
path felt the unmistakable sign of his
horse sulking and he promptly had recourse
to the Jockey's usual argument.
Sitting In the stand. Allls saw. with a
cry of dismay. Redpath'a whip hand go up.
Tbat Lauzanne had been trailing six
lengths behind the others bad not
bothered her in the slightest it was his
true method; bis work would be done In
the stretch, when the others were tiring. If
at all.
"If the boy will only sit still only have
patience." she bad been saying to herself
Just before she saw the flash of the whip
in the sunlight; and then she Just
moaned: "It's all over: we are beaten
again. Everything la against us every,
bedv Is agalnnt us," she cried, bitterly
"will good fortune never come father's
way?"
By the time the horse had swung Into
the stretch and Lauzanne bad not In the
slightest Improved his position It dawned
upon Redpath that bis efforts were pro
ductiv of no good, ao he desisted. But
h') move had cost the Porters whatever
chance they might have had. Left to him
self Lauzanne undertook an Investigating
gallop on his own account. Too much
ground had been lost to be mads up at
that late stage, but be came up to the
straight in gallant style, wearing down the
leaders until he finished close up amongst
the unplaced horses.
Allls allowed no word of reproach to es
cape her when Redpath spoke of Lau
zanne's aulkey temper. She still felt that
If Redpath had followed bar advice and
allowed Lauzanne to run bis own race be
would bavs won. The race did not shake
her confidence In the Lorse so much aa In
the possibility of getting any Jockey to
ride him In a quiescent manner. When
It was of Impossible of Redpath who was
eager to please her who else could they
look to? The next morning brought them
fresh disaster; all that had gone before
was as nothing compared with this new
development In their run of thwarted ee
deavor.
deavor.
Ned Carter bad given Lucretla a vigor
ous axerctse gallop over the Derby course.
As Dlxoa led tbe mare through the pad
dock to a stall, ha suddenly bent down
bis bead and took a sharp look at ber nos
trils, another stride sad tbey were In the
stall. Tbe trainer felt Lucretla' throat
and ears; he put his hand over her heart,
a look of anxtoua dismay over bis usually
stolid face.
, "She coughed a little sir, wbea I Bulled
ber up." volunteered Carter, seeing Dixon's
Investigation.
"I'm afraid shs'a took cold," muttered
Dixon. "Have you had her near any
horses thats got the Influenza?" he asked,
looking Inquiringly at Carter.
"She ain't been near nothing; I kept her
away from everything for fear ahe'd get a
kick or get run Into."
A sickening conviction came to Dixon that
It was the dreaded Influenza. The trainer
pursued his Investigation amongst the
stable lads. When he asked Boh Nast If
he had noticed anything unusual about
the mare the boy declared most em
phatically that he had not. Then, sud
denly remembering an Incident he bad
taken at the time to be of little Import, he
said: "Two mornln'a ago, when I opened
her stall and sbe poked her head out I
noticed a little scum In her nose, but I
thought It wee dust. I wiped It out and
there was nuthln' more come that I could
sec."
"What's the row," asked Mike Osynor,
as he Joined Dixon.
When the details were explained to blra
Mike declared emphatically that some one
had got at the mare. Taking Dixon to one
side, he said: "Its that dlvll on wheels,
Shandy: you ran bet yer sweet lolfe on
that. I've been layln' for that crook; he
cut Dlabolo's bridle an' t'rew th' owld
man an he done this Job, too.'
Dixon worked over In hie mind many
contorted waye of breaking the news to
Allls and had finished up by blurting out,
"The mares coughln' this mornln', miss. I
hope It ain't nothing', but I'm afraid she's
"BY JIMINY! IF
In for a sick spell.'
Coming to the course the girl had al
lowed rosy hope to tint the gray gloom
of tbeir many deteatts until sbe bad
worked herself Into a happy mood. Lu
cretia's win would put everything right:
even her father, relieved of financial worry,
would Improve. The bright morning aeemed
to whisper of victory. Lucretia would
aurely win. It was not within the lawa
of fate that they should go on forever and
ever having bad luck. She had come to
have a reassuring look at .the grand little
mare that was to turn the tide of all their
111 fortunes. Tho trainer's words. "The
mare's coughln'," struck a chill to her
heart. She could not speak, the misery
was too great, but stood dejectedly listen
ing while Dixon epoke of his suspicions of
foul play.
What villains there were In the world,
the girl thought, for a man to lay them
odds against their horse, knowing that she
had been poiaoned, was a hundred times
worse than stealing the money from their
pockets.
"I don't suppose we'll ever be able to
prove It." declared Dixon, regretfully, "but
that doesn't matter bo much as the mare
being done for; we're out of It now, good
and strong. If we d known It two days ago
we might a saved the money, but we've
burned up a thousand."
"We'll have to start Lausanne," aald
Allls, taking a brave pull at herself and
speaking with decision.
"We might send him to tbe post, but
tbata all the good It'll do us. I'm feared."
"I've seen him do a great gallop,' con
tended Allls.
"He did It for you. but he wont do it
for nobody else. There ain't no boy rldin'
can make blm go fast enough for a live
funeral. But we'll start blm and I'll speak
to Redpath about takln' the mount."
Allls was thinking very fast; her bead,
with Its great wealth of black hair, d roped
low In heavy meditation.
"Don't engage blm Just yet. Dixon," she
said, looking up suddenly, tbe shadow of
a new resolve in her gray eyes. I'll talk
it over with you when we get back to the
house. I'm thinking of something, but I
don't went to speak of It Just now let me
think It over a little."
Dixon waa deep In thought, too, aa he
went back to his own stables. "Wo
haven't got a million to one chance," be
waa muttering; "the money's burned up an'
tbe race Is desd to the world as far as
we're concerned."
That Allls could evolve any plan to lift
them out of the slough of despond he felt
wsa quite impossible, but at any rate he
got a distinct shock when, a little later, a
alight-formed girl with gray eyes set large
and full in a dark face declared to him
that she was going to ride Lauzanne In
the Derby herself.
CHAPTER XXII.
Allls' visit to Ringwood waa a flying one.
Filial devotion to her father had been one
motive, but not the sole one. Her brother
Alan's wardrobe received a visitation from
hands not too well acquainted with tha
Intricacies of its makeup. A couple of
coats and sundry other garments were
looted with a cheerful disregard of their
owner's possible requirements.
John Porter waa undoubtedly brightened
by the daughter's visit. Lucretia's defeat
In the handicap had Increased his
despondency. To gradually prepare blm
for further reverses Allls intimated rather
than asserted that Lucretla might possibly
have a alight cold, Dixon wasn't sure, but
they were going to run Lauzanne also,
Like the trainer, ber father had but a
very poor opinion of the cheatnut'a powers
In any other hands but In that of the girl's
"Who'll ride htm?" he asked petulantly.
"It seems you can't trust any of the boya
nowadays. If they're not plnheaded they're
crooked as a corksrrew. Crane tells me
that Redpath didn't ride Lucretla out In
the handicap and whether be rides the
mare Or Lausanne It aeems all one we'll
get beat anyway."
rri I lMu I, I HPS!
"Another boy will have the mount of
Lausanne." Allls answered.
"What difference will that make? You
can't trust blm."
"You ran trust this boy, father, ae you
might your own son Alan."
"I don't know about that. Alan In the
bank la all right, but Alan Is a Jockey
would be a different thing."
"Father! you would trust me, wouldn't
you?"
"I guess I would. In the tightest corner
ever wss chiseled out."
"Well, you can trust the Jockey that's
going to ride Lauzanne' Just as much. I
know blm and he's all right. He's been
riding Lauzanne some and the horse likes
blm."
"It's all Lauzanne." objected Porter; the
discussion having thrown him Into a petu
lant mood. "Is Lucretla that bad Is she
alck?"
"She galloped today," answered the girl,
evasively, "but If anything happens her
we're going to win with the horse. Just
think of that, father and cheer up. Dixon
has backed the stable to win a lot of money,
enough to enough to well, to wipe out all
these little things that are bothering you,
dad."
She leaned over and kissed her father In a
hopeful, pretty way. Tho contact of her
brave lips drove a magnetic flow of con
fidence Into the man. "You're a brick, little
woman, If there ever was one. Just a tiny
little bunch of pluck, ain't you girl? And
Allls," be continued, "if you don't win tho
Derby, come and tell me about It yourself,
won't you? Your aure to have some other
IT ISN'T WELL, I GIVB IN, MISS ALLIS,
scheme for bracing me up. I'm just a
worthless bulk, sitting here in the house a
orlpple, while you fight the battles. Per
haps Providence, as your mother says, will
see you through your hard task."
"I won't come and tell you that we've
lost, dad; I'll come and tell you that we've
won; and then we'll all have the biggest ;
kind of a blow-out right here In the house.
We'll have a champagne supper, with elder :
for champagne, eh, dad? Alan, and Dixon,
and old Mike, and perhaps we'll even bring
Lauzanne In for the nuts and raisins for
dessert." i
'And the Rev. Dolman, you've left him
out," added the father.
They were both laughing. Just a tiny
little ray of sunshine had dispelled all the !
gloom for a minute.
"Now I must go back to my horses," de
clared Allls with anothor kiss. "Good-bye
dad; cheer up," and as she went up to her
room a smile of hope vanlahed from her
Hps, and in Its place came one of firm, I
dogged resolve. Allls needed much deter
mination before she had accomplished the
task she had set herself before she stood
In front of a mirror, arrayed In the purple
and fine linen of ber brother. She bad
thought Alan small, and he was for a boy,
but his clothes bore a terribly suggestive
Impression of misfit, they bung loose.
Mentally thanking the fashion which con
doned it, ahe turned the pants up at the bot
tom. "I'll use my scissors and needle on
them tonight," she said, ruthlessly. "Thank
goodness the Jockeys are all little rhaps,
and the racing clothes will fit better."
The coat was of summer wear, therefore
somewhat close-fitting for Alan; but why
did It hang so loosely on her? She was sure
ber brother wss not so much bigger. The
mirror declared tbe was a passabls coun
terfeit of her brother: all but the glorious
crown of luxuriant hair. Twice she took
up a pair of scissors, and each time laid
thera dowa again, wondering if It were
little abort of a madcap freak; then, shrink
ing from the grinding hiss of the cutting
blades, she clipped wltb feverish baste tho
hair that had been her pride. Now she wss
ready to pass ber mother as Allls in ber
own long cloak, and appear before Dixon
Ithout it, as a boy. That was her clever
little scheme.
Some hours later Dixon, sitting In his
cottage, oppressed by the misfortune that
had come to bis stable, heard a knock at
tbe door. When he opened it a neatly
dressed, slim youth stepped Into the un
certain light that stretched out reluctantly
from a rather unfit lamp on the center
table.
"Ia this Mr. Dixon?" tbe boy's voice
piped modestly.
"Yea. lad. it is. Will you sit down."
The boy removed his cap, took the
proffered chair and said somewhat hesi
tatingly, "I heard you wanted a riding boy."
"Well, I do an' I dgn't. I don't know as
I said I did, but" and he scanned the
figure closely If I could get a decent light
weight that hadn't the hands of a black
amlth an' the moral of a burglar I might
give him a trial. Did you ever do any
ridln' what atable was you In?"
"I've rode a good deal," answered the
little visitor. Ignoring the second half of
the question.
"What's your name?"
"Al Mayne," the othtr replied.
The boy's face appealed to Dixon as being
an honest one. Evidently the lad wss not
a street gamin, a tough. If he had hands
the head promlaed well and could sit a
horse he might be a find. A good boy was
rarer than a good horse and of more actual
value.
"I guess I'll stay here tonight so as to
be ready for the mornln' " said the caller
te Dixon's astonishment and then the little
fellow broke Into a silvery laugh.
"By Jlminy! f " --'--veil. I give
In, Miss Allls, you fooled me."
"Can I ride U... ?" the lrl
asked and her voice choked a little It
might have been the nervous excitement, or
thankfulness at the success cl her elan
U this, Us flrit stage.
at home?" the trainer
aoked.
"No. nobody is to know
Dixon you and Mrs. Dixon.
but you, Mr.
This suggested a thought to the trainer.
"The good wife's at her work In the
kitchen: I'll bring her In. Perhars ahe'd
like to hire a help," and he rhuckled as
ht opened the door and called, "Come here
for a minute. This Is a boy" He turned
his head away I'm takln' on for Lnuzanne."
"Oh," said Mrs Dixon. Then with se
vere pollteucsa, "Good evenln", young man."
The two figures In male attire broke Into
a laugh simultaneously. The good woman,
oblivious to the humorous side of her
greeting, flushed In anger. "Appears to be
mighty funny," she said. "What's the
Joke?"
I "Oh. nuthln'," replied the husband, speak
ing hastily. "Can you give the lad a bed?
j He wants to bulk here."
' "Why, Andy, you know I can't. There's
only Miss Allls' room."
"Give her him that."
j "Are you crazy, Andy?"
"It's too bad. Mrs. Dixon. I shan't let
your husband tease you any more. I am
I Allls, but I'm glad you didn't know."
! "Oh, Miss Allls, where's your beautiful
' hair gone? Surely you didn't cut that off
Juat for Joke?"
Then she was taken fully Into their con-
! ftdence, and before Allls retired Dixon had
been quite won over to the plan of Allls'
endeavor.
I In the morning the trainer asked the girl
whether the would ride Lauzanne a walking
' gallop to get accustomed to the new order
YOU FOOLED ME."
of things or would she Just wait until race
day and take her placa In the saddle then.
"I'm afraid Mike '11 spot you," be said;
"even Carter may."
"I'll ride today," declared AJlls; "I
mustn't take any chsnces of losing this
race through my Inexperience. Even
Lauzanne will hardly know me, I'm afraid.
Mike and Carter needn't see much of me;
I can slip away ae soon ss I've ridden the
gallop."
"A new boy I'm tryln'," Dixon explained
to Gaynor after he had lifted a little lad to
Lauzanne's bsck at tbe paddock gate and
they stood watching the big chestnut awing
along with his usual sluggish stride.
"He's got good bands," said Mike,
critically, "though he seems a bit awkward
in tbe aaddle. You couldn't have a better
trial horse fer a new b'y; If Lauzanne's
satisfied with him he can roide onythin'."
When Allia, who was now Al Mayne, the
boy, came around and back to the paddock
she slipped quietly from the horse, loitered
carelessly about for a few minutes and then
made her way batk to Dixon's quarters.
Nobody bad paid any attention to the
modest little boy. Riding lads were aa
plentiful as sparrows; one more or less
called for no comment, no Investigation.
Even Mike lost Interest In the new boy In
wondering why Miss Allls had not made
her usual appearance.
"How did the horse like It?" Dixon asked
of the girl when be returned home.
"Oh, he knew. I whispered In his ear aa
we cantered along and he'll be all right;
he'll keep my secret."
"Well, I think he's due to a pipe opener
tomorrow. It's Just three days to the
derby, an' we've got to give blm a strong
workout. Besides, It'll put you up next
what you've got to do In tbe race. To
morrow mornln' you had better ranter blm
Just slow around once, an' then send them
the full mlle-an'.-a-quarter aa though there
waa money hung up for It. I'll catch hla
time, an' wt'll get wise to what he can do."
Thla program was carried out, and at
Dixon lokcd thrice at bis watch after the
gallop to make sure tbat he was not mis
taken In the time, 2:11, be began to wonder
If, after all, the girl waa not uearly right
In her prophetlo hope that the despised
Lauzanne would win the Brooklyn Derby.
"He can move; be surprised me," the
trainer said to Allls as she dismounted.
"He's not blown, either; he's as fresh as a
daisy. Gad! we'll do those blackguards up
yet, I believe."
CHAPTER XXIV.
The news that Lucretla wat tick bad got
about. The Porter's stable traveled out
In the betting for the Brooklyn Derby until
a backer If there had been one eould have
written his own price, and got it.
Langdon bad informed Crane of this
change In their favor, though he said ncth
ing about the deal with Shandy which had
brought about the poisoning of the mare.
"I'm sorry that Porter's mare has gone
wrong." Crane taid. "I think we would
have won, anyway, but it'll Just about ruin
them."
Figuratively. Langdon closed one eye and
winked to himself. Crane must know that
It was bis Implied desire tbat had led up
te the wrecking of Lucretla. Langdon
thought Crane Just about the most com
plete hypocrite he'd ever met; that prescber
fsce of his could look honorably pious
while Its owner raked in a cool ninety
thousand over the trainer's dirty work.
However, that cut no figure; it waa the
$10,000 Langdon was after.
Just as they thought they had destroyed
ine cnances or their strongest opponent
came a new disturbing feature.
Other eyes thsn Dixon's had seen Lau.
zanne's strong gallop, other watches than
bis bad ticked oil the extraordinary good
time; Z ll for tbe mile and a quarter, with
tbe horse seemingly running well within
himself, never urged a foot of the Journey
and finishing strong, wss certainly almost
good enough to warrant his winning.
This Information had been brought to
Langdon, hut he also bad observed the gal
' Do they know
lop. And the same boy was to ride Lau
zanne In the race, he understood, for Red
rath had been released, and was looking for
another mount.
It warn't in the natural order of things
that one small stable would have In It two
horses good enough to win the Derby, espe
cially when one of them was a cast-off, but
there was the gallop; time, like figures,
didn't lie, not often; and as he thought of
It, Langdon admitted that ho had never
seen such an Improvement In a horse as
had been made In lauzanne. Shandy hud
told him that It was Miss Porter's doing,
that she had cured him of his sulky moods;
the gallop Langdon had witnessed seemed to
bear out the truth of this.
What wss he to do? They rouldn't re
peat the trlik thry had played on Lurretla.
The Dutchman might win, he had worked
the distance In 20!, but then he was all out
at the finish, and there wat $10,000 at slake.
He tried to find out who the boy was that
had ridden Iauranne, but nobody seemed to
know; he was a new boy that Dixon had
picked up somewhere. Perhaps he might be
got at. If this could be managed It would
simplify matters somewhat remove an un
pleasant contingency.
The morning after her fast work on Lau
zanne. Allls, draped as the wss Into the
personification of Al Muyne, arrived at the
course before their horses. As she was
leaning over the paddock rail waiting for
Lauzanne to come, Langdon, who had evi
dently determined upon a course of action,
sauntered up carelessly to the girl and com
menced to talk. After a few preliminary
observations he said. "You're tho boy
that'a ridin' for Andy Dixon, alu't you?"
The small figure nodded its head.
"I seen you gallop that chestnut yester
dsy. Where you been rldln' you're a
stranger here. I reckon?"
"Out west." answered Allls, at a hazard.
"Oh, San Francisco, eh? Are you engaged
to Dixou?"
"I'm Just on trial."
"Coin" to ride the chestnut In the race?"
Again the boy nodded; under the circum
stances It was not wise to trust too much
to speech.
"He ain't no good he's a bad horse, I
guess. I've got the winner of that race In
my stable. If he wins I'd like to sign you
for a year. I like the way you ride. I
ain't got no good lightweight. I might give
you a thousand for a contract, an' losln'
and wlnnln' mounts when you had a leg
up. How do you like rldin' for Dixon?" he
continued, the little chap not answering his
observations.
"I ain't goln' to rldo no more for him
after this race," answered the other, quite
truthfully enough, but possessed of a curi
osity to discover the exlent of the other's
villainy.
"I don't blame you. He'anogood; he don't
never give his boys a chance. If you win
on the chestnut like as not they'll just give
you the wlnnln' mount. That ain't no good
to a boy. They ain't got no money, that's
why. The owner of my candidate, tha
Dutchman, he's a rich man, an' won't think
nothln' of givln' you a retainer of a thou
sand If we won this race. That'll mean
the Dutchman's a good horse, an' we'll want
a good, light boy to ride him see?"
Allls did see. Langdon was diplomatically
giving her, as Al Mayne, to understand that
If she threw ihe race on Lauzanne she
would gel the place In their stable at a
retainer of a thousand dollars.
"We can afford It if we win the race," he
continued, "for we stand a big stake. Come
and see me any time you like to talk this
over."
After he bad gone, Juat as Allls was leav
ing the rail, she was again accosted; this
time by Shandy. She trembled an Instant,
fearing tbat the small, red-lidded, ferret
eyes would discover her Identity, but the
boy was too Intent on trying to secure his
ill-earned five bundred dollars to think of
anything else.
"Good mornln', boy," be said, 'cheerily,
"I used to be In Dixon's stable. It's b 1;
and he's a swipe. I see my boss talkln' to
you Just now. Did he put jrou next a good
thing?"
Allls nodded her head knowingly.
"He's all right. So's the other one the
guy as has got the mun; he's got a bank
full of it. I'm on to him his name's
Crsne "
Allls started.
"You don't know blm," continued the
Imp; "he's too slick to go messin' about.
But if the old man promised you anything,
see, God blast me! you'll git it. Not like
that other skinflint hole where you don't
git nothln'. I stand in five hundred If our
horse wins the Derby.
"Do you ride blm?" asked Al Mayne.
"Ride nothln'. I don't have to. I've got
my Job already."
"I don't believe they'll give you five hun
dred for nothln'," said Allia, doubttngly,
knowing that the boy's obstinate nature. It
he were crossed, would probably drive blm
into further explanation.
"Say, you're a stiff. What'd the old man
want you to do pull Lauzanne?"
Allls nodded.
"I knowed It. What was the use of stop
pin' the maro an' let the chestnut spoil the
Job?"
"Is that what you get tbe five hundred
for?" aaked Allls, a sudden suspicion forc
ing Itself upon ber.
"Say, what'd you take me for, a flat car?
But she's sick, ain't she? An' you Jes' take
care of the chestnut now, an' I'll give you
a hundred out of my five, God bit' me, if I
don't."
As be spoke Shandy looked hastily about
to see that no one was 'listening, then be
continued. "If you give me the double cross
an' peacb. 1 11 spilt yer head open." His
ALL WRONG
Most people make tbe same mistake,
Try to cure a bad back without reaching the cause.
Many means to relieve a backache,
But relief is not cure
The ache in the back returns.
Cure the cause to cure ache.
DOAN'S KIDNEY PILLS
Relieve the aching back and cure it.
And they don't stop there.
They cure every trouble of the kidneys.
Omaha proof here that this is so.
Mr. R. L. Rows. Mil Bristol a
mttters between Chloago, St. Louis
Union Telegraph Co.'S offlcs, saya:
Pills at Kuhu ft Co.'B Drug Store, e
tried several wall known proprlet
aure-eure tor any form of kidney t
me temporary relief. Finally I g
aa my back ached and thera was t
secretions, It struck me If Dosn'a
they promised they might help me
bss apparently oured me, for up t
torn of a recurrence."
All Drasr Store acats. Poster
mm TAHSY. PILLS
Sold by 8
8. W. Cur. lik
! r 7nlh omj r u rili,:f W B BSS SIMM m .
Vzrr:z7'z: RUEI!uATIQriCURED
or hr crir.. a . for i lllssafaff-l llJlsJPRCr
wotD.B'iH.f.,u.ps wuroiM..t. 1 i h... s,y,,.i . V.r7 w",srntts
leml 4 o.. - K. w Bl.. 1 fc khli! E 1J?" T" r t will
hrrnioii. Mi'C'onne II Lima Co.. KualiM. I u ttmli ... i'.r'lIs'ITMP. ''4
and Dodije. Oiuahs, NU 1 " ,l"",ia.
entered the rldock with his
With the horses also came Mike Onynor.
While their blankets were '"
and eaddles odju.ted. became over u, AMU.
There was a suppressed twtnkl. i, of sub
verted knowledge In his weather-beaten
""Good mornln'. Al." he said, nodding In
very dignified manner, and putting a strong
accent on the name.
Now. Mike had determined to keep from
the girl tbe fact that he had penetrated ber
disguise. With rroper Irish gallantry, cruda
as It might be In Its expression, but del -cate
In Its motive, he reasoned that
knowledge might make ber uncomfortable.
"I see tbat fly-by-nlght dlvll 8hendr
talkln' to you as I come In. What new mis
chief is he up to now?"
"He wants me to pull Lauzanne."
"He ain't got no gall, has he? That coma
(mm ke.rinimrtcra: it s LkngdOO put blm Up
to that."
I "He was talkln to me, too."
i "I fought he would be. But he dlda t
know you, Miss Allls"
j Heavens! It waa out. Mlka'a sun
tanned face turned brick red; he could have
j bitten off his unruly Irish tongue. The
gin siarea at nira neipiBij, "ri
that were scarlot, tingling under the hot
rush of blood.
"There you are, an', believe me, I didn't
mean it. I was goln' to keep me mouth
shut, but I never could do that."
"You knew, then, yesterday?"
"Indade I didn't; an' that'a a good sign
to ycu nobody'll know. But whin I fought
wit' meself. I knowed tbat Alan couldn't
ride Lauzanne the way you did, an' you didn't
deny you was him, an' if you wasn't him
you must be yourself, see?" which more or
less lucid explanation teemed to relieve
Mike's mind mightily. "I think you're
Jos doln' right, miss Al. I mean; I must
get used to the name; s' help me, I belave
you'll win on the chestnut that gallop wat
good enough."
"Do you think I can do it, Mike, amongst
all those Jockeys?"
"Pure thing, you can, A Al, me b'y; he
won't need no rldln' In your hands; all you'll
have to do is sit still an' k'eep blm atralgbt.
He'll win the race In the stretch, an' there
won't be many there to bother; they'll all
bo brat off. Now. it's a good thing that I
do know about this, for I'll Just kape close
to you an' kape anywan that's likely to
spot you away, if I have to knock blm
down."
Mike had worked himself up to a fine
frenzy of projected endeavor; he cast about
for further services he could render his ad
mired mistress.
"An. you know Carson, the starter; he's
Jest' the lovllest Irishman; there Isn't a
b'y on earth could get an Inch tbe best of
It from him on a start, not If they were
to give hira gold enough to we'ght a horse
down. But I'll tip him the wink that yer
a gurl. and"
"Mike! What are you saying? Do you
mean to ruin everything?" i
The rosy hue of eager Joyousness tbat
had crept Into Oaynor's sun-tanned face
vanished; bis jaw drooped like the man s
with the hoe; a pathetic look of sheepish
apology followed.
"That's so." he ejaculated, mournfully.
"Bof Cumbs up! but It's a pity. Carson'a
an Irish glntleman, on' If I could till him
you was a gurl he'd knock the head plumb
off any b'y that 'ud bother you. You'd git
away well, too."
Then the girl told Mike all that Shandy
and Langdon had aald. It only, confirmed
Mike's opinion that, between them, they
hod poisoned Lucretia, He felt that, with a
little more evidence, they -would be able to
prove both crimes, the one with Diablo and
the one with Lucretia.
The Brooklyn Derby waa to run the next
day. Allis was glad that It waa ao near;
she dreaded discovery. She was like a
hunted hare, dodging every one ahe fancied
might discover her Identity. She would
have to run the gauntlet of many eyes
while weighing for the race and at the
time of going out; even when abe returned
especially if she won. But In the excite
ment over the race people would not have
time to devote to a strange Jockey's visage.
She could quite smear her face with dirt!
for that seemed a natural condition where'
boys were riding perhaps several racea In
one afternoon. The Jockey cap with Its
big peak. 'well pulled down over her bead,
would add materially to her disguise. Mike
would fetch and carry for her. so that aba
would be in evidence for very few minutes
at most. Dixon, even, opposed to tbe idea
as ho had been at first, now assured ber
quite confidently that nobody would make
her out.
"It's the horses they look at," he aald,
"and the colors. An apprentice boy doesn't
cut much Ice, I can tell you. Why, I've
been raeln' for years," he went on, with
the Intent of giving her confidence, "an"
many a time I see a boy up on a horse
that must have rode on these traoka over
a hundred times, an' I can't name him to
save my neck."
At any rate, there was nothing more to
do until sbe neude the great endeavor, until
she went to the track at the time Bet for
the Brooklyn Derby, dressed In tbe blue
Jacket with the white stars of ber fatheile
Taclng colors; that was the plan adopted.
A buggy, with Mike driving, would take
her straight to the paddock, quite In time
for the race.
(To be Continued.)
treet, who hai charge of tbe trena-
ana California, in the Western
"Before I erocursd Doaa'a rii...
orner 16th and Douglaa atrsets. t
ary medlotnet guaranteed te be
rouble, but at best they only gave
up searching tor a remsdr. but
oo frequent action of tbe kidney
money nna performed half what
ever the difficulty. Th rn.t
o date I have not noticed a symp-
-Mllbara Ce , y.
f