University of Santa Clara - Redwood Yearbook (Santa Clara, CA)

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THE REDWOOD could make the horse lose, and of the feelings of Bverleigh after the race. Perhaps the horse could not win any- way; so much the better; it would save him the trouble of holding her in. Still one thing was certain; Winsome Win, would not win the Yorkshire Handicap. That night he went to the little hotel where his mother was working, but he said nothing of his great offer for the coming week. Knowing his mother ' s honest christian spirit, he feared she would make him give the race up, un- less he ceuld ride his best. And this he could never do, for he felt that at last the time had come for him to square accounts with his Eordship. So he kept silence and reveled in his lucky chance. Every morning that week he rode Winsome Win down at the. Everleigh Estate. The continual sight of the de- tested Lord hardened his purpose of revenge and he smiled as he saw the great care that was taken of Winsome Win, and how anxiously Everleigh watched her movements. He learned also during the week that Lord Everleigh was running not only for the ; 50oo pound purse, but that he had also an immense side bet upon the issue. This only added fuel to Fred ' s hateful passion and he thought with a kind of delight how heavy the blow might be, — perhaps it would practically ruin him, — well, so much the worse for him. At last the great day arrived. The morning passed dreamy and beautiful. Towards the afternoon the race course became the scene of life and activity It was the day of the great race of the season and the crowd that poured in was immense. Banners and pennants were flying merrily in the light breeze. Horns were belching forth asthmatic blasts. Men were shouting; ladies laughing. All was joy and excitement. In no time the grandstand was filled to its capacity with a gay expectant crowd. The betting-booths rang with the shouts of the book-makers and of the people. Even the club-house ve- randas were alive with the eager follow- ers of the horses. Among the latter were the Eord Everleigh and his wife. He kept as cool as possible, but his pale face and the nervous twitchings of his hands betrayed his intense excitement. At times he was spoken to by persons about him, but his answers were more or less disjointed. The great handicap was to be the fourth race. A marked restlessness and surpressed excitement was evident as he sat there through the preceding three. Meanwhile Fred Martin, alias, Jockey Wilson, sat in an obscure corner of the paddock, thinking hard. He had re- ceived his orders and was waiting for the fourth race. His mind dwelt on the outcome of the afternoon, and he smiled a hundredth time as he thought of the position in which he held the Lord Everleigh, — such great hopes to be shattered and what ruin to follow! Surely his debt would be well paid. But again this would be the first dishon- orable thing he had ever done. He knew his mother would never counte-

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THE REDWOOD stretch, Firefly and Huckleberry in in the lead, exclaimed McEaren, gazing through his binoculars. On the turn. Firefly and Huckleberry still in the lead. Galatea coming up. Say, look at that horse Galatea coming. Great Scott! Here they are on the stretch and Galatea and Firefly running together. Say, ain ' t that a keen finish. Yes, sir, she ' s done it. Galatea by a neck! A great shout went up from the crowd and for a time confusion reigned, — a long shot had won and the favorite was beaten. The horses now came trotting back to the judges ' stand and the riders were dismounting. When Galatea appeared, her rider was honored with a great clapping and cheering. The young jockey raised his whip, tipped his cap and slipped oflf gracefully. What the devil ' s that jockey ' s name? exclaimed Eord Everleigh excit- edly. Wilson, answered McEaren. He ' s been riding second raters around here for a long time. Quick, McEaren, send him over here to the club-house. That ' s our man. We ' ll fix it up right away. McEaren had scarcely left when Eady Everleigh approached. Did you see that piece of riding? she exclaimed. We must consider him at once, Henry. Yes, I ' ve just sent for him, answered Everleigh. Eet us go into the club- house and wait for him. Presently McEaren entered the room with the young jockey. The boy glanced at the occupants, then stared and colored deeply; for he knew that he stood before the man and woman who had turned his poor mother away two years before. Eord Everleigh and his wife who were talking earnestly about prices, failed to notice this. Everleigh looked up now and came right to the point. Young man, 300, win or lose next Saturday to ride my horse. Winsome Win, and an extra purse of ; 20O, if you win. The lad ' s thoughts were not of horses or money, and he kept gazing vacantly at the Eord. Taking this hesitation for non-acceptance, Everleign added, Well then, how will £350 suit you? Do you accept? Sure, sir, answered the lad quickly, rousing himself. I accept. Well, sign this then, — and be at my stables to-morrow to try the pony out. Fred Martin departed that evening with his brain in a whirl. He was to ride in the great Yorkshire Handicap and for Eord Everleigh, — for the man who had cruelly turned his mother out to beg or starve two years before. The picture of the one he loved dearest sobbing bitterly by a picket fence rose to his mind, and with it the old feeling of anger and hatred. The lust for revenge again overcame him and he almost cried out in his excitement, for he i: « ( revenge his mother now. At last he had Eord Everleigh in his power. The more he thought of it, the more he reveled in it. How easy he could hold the horse in and give her any place he wished. Picture after picture passed through his mind of the many different ways h e

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10 THE REDWOOD nance il. He knew he could never tell it to her without the greatest shame. Still this thought he cast lightly aside when he remembered how this man had crushed her two years before, No, your Lordship, he muttered aloud, you ' ll feel the sting of that action today, and then let me see how you bear up against — At that moment a trumpet sounded and a voice cried, The Yorkshire Handicap! Fred sprung up and rushed to his stall. Winsome Win was led out in the pink of condition, fairly quivering with life. Fred was helped into the saddle and after a few words of encourage- ment was following the other horses to the track. From the balcony Lord Everleigh could suppress his excitement no longer. He was leaning over the railing excitedly with McLaren and examining the horses closely as they passed the grandstand. His ear was ever open for the acclaims and comments of the crowd. He drunk in eagerly such phrases as That Winsome Win can ' t be held to-day. Say, but Cleopatra is a fine looker. There ' s a horse for you, that Maxwell, etc. As the horses reached the post Mc- Laren whispered to Everleigh, She ' s in great form to-day. I think she ' ll do it easy. Everleigh ' s strained face brightened, but he kept his glass firmly fixed on his horse. Suddenly a great shout went up. They ' re off! and the excited horses shot like so many arrows on their mile run. The whole assemblage rose to its feet and breathlessly followed the ponies around the course. Maxwell takes the lead! was the the shout. Lady Rose, Cleopatra and Larakin follow in a bunch! — On the turn! Maxwell still in the lead! Lady Rose, Cleopatra and Larakin still fighting for place! Winsome Win coming up! — entering the stretch! Maxwell well in the lead! Cleopatra coming up strong! Larakin, Lady Rose and Winsome Win bunched! Then arose a great shout and the crowd went wild with yelling and waving. You ' ve got it, Maxwell, you ' ve got it, stick to it! Come on, Cleopatra, you ' re closing strong. You ' re beside him. Come on; Come on! A few more yards, Maxwell, you ' re sure of it. Come on! Ah! what is this? What is this? Winsome Win! Winsome Win! Passing them before the grandstand. Winsome Win! Win- some Win! Great God! Winsome Win, by half a length! JC JC fC 5JC ijC A quarter of an hour later Lord and Lady Everleigh, having escaped the congratulations of their friends, sat in a room in the club-house listening to the clamor and shout of the crowd without. They were waiting for the lad who had won them a fortune. Presently he entered with McLaren. Lord Everleigh and his wife rushed to greet him. They grasped his hands and showered upon him praise and congrat- ulations. Everleigh then motioned to a