The Argosy for May — page 19: what you’re looking at

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

206 “T guess I'll go along,” announced Corning. ‘‘Won’t you come, Harry? We can pike a little, and get that much fun out of it, anyway.” But Harry shook his head. He had made up his mind never again to be tempted to bet on a horse-race, no matter how small the wager; and when Harry Rock’s mind was made up in that way it was made up for keeps. He accompanied the others, though, from the stand down on to the lawn, and stood there while they went on into the betting-ring. A couple of men strolling by just then stopped and gazed after the retreating figures of Corning and his companion. “There goes that dirty tout of an Ed Spear,” remarked one of them with a frown. ‘‘It’s a wonder to me he hasn’t been ruled off the grounds for all the crooked work he’s done.” 7 “Tt is, indeed,’’ assented the other cordially. ‘ Who’s the new sucker he’s got in tow now?” “Oh, I guess you needn’t waste any sympathy on that one. I see him down here with Spear a good deal lately, and I guess from all appearances he’s pretty well tarred with the same brush.” Then they passed on, and Harry was left to digest the information thus fortui- tously vouchsafed. At first he was inclined to be angry, and told himself that the opprobrious’ term used was probably only a sneering way of speaking of a business enemy or turf rival. ' “Why,” he argued, “no one could have been more considerate than Spear was in regard toithat two thousand five hundred dollars. The very fact that he told me to pay at my own convenience shows that he must be a man of wealth. No mere tout could afford to loan that much money in the first place, or to let it hang over, in the second.” But then it suddenly occurred to him where the money had come from with which Spear had been so generous. If that Chicago draft should happen to be returned, the alleged horseman could not be held for a minute. He would simply be a thousand dollars to the good, and the bank would look to its official who had cashed such flimsy paper for the amount. v you kicking about then? THE ARGOSY. Whew! Harry began to look grave. The more he considered all the circum- stances connected with the transaction the less he liked the appearance of it. And-suppose the draft did come back? What then? How was he going to raise six thousand dollars to take it up? He would lose his job sure. More than that. dropped to the fact that he had got a part of the spoils he would be prosecuted and sent to prison. Oh, this was-a lovely kettle of fish he had got himself into! But he tried to tell himself all this was needless alarm and apprehension. The draft was probably all right. Probably? Of course it was all right. This time next week he would be laugh- ing over the idea that it had,ever caused him a moment of anxiety. Thus desperately and, it must be con- fessed, somewhat unsuccessfully trying to hearten himself up as he paced along the lawn, Harry all at once caught sight of young George Ramsey rushing wildly hither and thither through the crowd, his face white and his hair disheveled. ‘Hey, George,” he hailed, and the other, turning, saw him, and came quick- ly forward. “Have you seen anything of Spear?” he demanded excitedly. ‘“Spear?’’ That name was fast be- coming a nightmare. ‘“ Why, yes; he went into the betting-shed a little while ago with Arthur Corning.” Well, he’s not there now, and, what’s more, I can’t find him anywhere about the grounds. And I’ve got to find him, Harry. If I don’t I am ruined!” George’s voice rose almost to a shriek as he finished ; and, fairly beside himself, he, was starting to chase off once more on his quest- through the crowd. But Rock, reaching out, laid a hand on his shoulder, and turned him sharply about. “Look here, George,” he said sternly. ‘“What’s up between you and Spear? Have you been betting on their sure thing ?”’ “Yes. Or at least I thought I was betting, but it turns out now that I did not have down a cent.” ‘Well, in Heaven’s name, what are You ought to be thanking your lucky stars that your money was not burned up.” MICLOOOLK If the bank ever (C@