The Argosy for May — page 17: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

204 he prepared to make out the slip; but, as he started to write, he paused and bit at the head of his pencil, seized with a sudden qualm of doubt. ‘““ By the way,” he said to the man who had previously assisted him, “have you a list of the entries for to-day’s races? I don’t want to make a mistake in the name of my horse, you know.” ‘Sure, we’ve got a card. What race did you say it was you wanted; the- fourth at the Bay? all right.” Rock took the sheet of pasteboard handed him, and eagerly glanced at the printed names. Ah, yes; he had made no mistake. Here it was right at the top of the list. Gold Heels; the name which Corning had so cautiously whispered to him over at the restaurant, fearful lest some one might overhear and plunge to the “ good thing,” with a consequent fall in odds. “Gold Heels,’ Harry therefore print- ed upon the paper in unmistakable print- ed character, added his hastily scribbled initials, and pushed it, with the five thou- sand, through the little window. Then, without regret, he started to leave the place; but, to his chagrin, he met at the top of the stairs a man whom he knew, one of the bank’s heaviest de- positors. There was no use trying to avoid him, however, and accordingly he took the hand outstretched to him with the best grace he could. ‘es “Ah, Mr. Rock,” the fellow said, “glad to see you. This is the first time I’ve ever seen you in my little place, [ believe. Well, even the best of us like to play the ponies once in a while.” His place! So he was the proprietor here, then! A great wave of relief spread over Rock; for he saw that it would not be necessary to return here again and run the gantlet of those curious eyes in order to get his winnings. “Ves, I have been making a bet,” he said, ‘‘and, as I expect to win, I am wondering if it would be too much trouble for you to bring my profits over to the bank with you when you come in the morning?” . “ Why, no; certainly not. Glad to do it. Let’s see; what are you down on?” Well, here it is, “THE ARGOSY. ‘Gold Heels, in the fourth race at Sheepshead. My bet is five thousand.” Then he hurried on.down the stairs. The proprietor gazed after him with a coldly speculative gleam in his eye. ‘Five thousand dollars, eh?” he mut- tered thoughtfully. ‘I wonder does that mean he has been tapping the till? “No,” he decided, “they don’t start in on that the first time they come. More likely he’s got a red-hot tip from somebody that knows. I guess I’ll have to buy some of that Gold Heels stuff myself. He’s rated as an old skate, it’s true; but you never can tell when one of these dead ones will come to life.” Meanwhile, rejoicing in the comple- tion of his errand, Rock was hastening on to rejoin his companions; and, hav- ing met them, no time was lost in pro- ceeding to the track. During the ride down on the train, and until the time came for his race to be called, he was flushed and excited, talking at random in order to conceal the secret misgivings which clutched at his heart, feverishly gay and boisterous. The first three races of the day held small interest for, him, since to his mind they only served to prolong the agony of his waiting; but he pretended to be vastly entertained by them, and _ stood about, trying to ape Spear’s professional manner of discussing the performances. It was anything to keep himself from thinking, to drown the still, small, chi- ding voice of his conscience, to prevent a breaking and giving way under the strain which rested on him. . And then.at last his heart gave a great thrill and stood still; for the bugle had sounded, and the horses were coming out for the fourth race. Mincing and prancing, the - satin- skinned thoroughbreds, with their dimin- utive riders atop, paraded in front of the stands. ‘There he is!” whispered Corning tensely, as he clutched at Rock’s arm. “'That’s Gold Heels; the one with the boy up in the red-striped jacket. Look at the baby that’s going to bring home the coonskins to you!” Thereafter, Harry had eyes only for that one horse. Stiff in his seat, with his head’ bent forward and his hands clutching his chair until the knuckles Gomichboo mn S (C@