ow
came to me. Rather, he seemed to be playing a fantastic role. He
played it well, I confess, but there was a whimsical air about all that
he said and did which puzzled me greatly. His slang, however, was
natural. Of that there could be no doubt, and he used it with a native
grace, a varied inflection and appositeness which made it seem a part
of him, and therefore robbed it of objection.

In fact I afterwards discovered, and I grew to know him very well, that
in all his slang there was a pertinence which took a short cut to the
gist of things; a humor, dry and sometimes broad, but never vulgar, and
seldom profane.

The bugle calling the horses to the post sounded soon after we took our
seats, and shortly they began to appear parading in order past the
grand-stand.

Domino, Dorian and Senator Grady, the three eastern horses, favorites
in the betting, were cheered as they passed to the very echo; while
others of the eight had their many supporters, who had backed their
belief with some share of their wealth, at longer and much more
interesting odds.

"There's the baby'll get the dough," said Checkers, as Senator Grady
passed. "He's the finest that ever came over the pike. How on earth
are they going to beat him?"

I glanced at Murray, who simply smiled and fixed his eyes upon Domino.

The horses were soon lined up for the start, and after three or four
attempts, the starter caught them well in motion, dropped the flag, and
the race was "off."

"Domino in the lead," laughed Murray. "I hope he keeps it all around."

Checkers was muttering under his breath some words of--well,
disapprobation.

"Now look at that start and burst out cryin'," he groaned in a bitter
tone. "Grady absolutely last, and Domino gets off in front. That
starter never was any good; talk about his startin' a race, why! that
bloke could n't start a fire;" and he lighted another cigarette by way
of partial consolation.

The horses were nearing the grand-stand now, which was for them the
half-mile post, for the race was to be a mile and one-half, or once and
one-half around the track. Their positions had changed since the drop
of the flag, for as they passed us Alcenor led, Resplendent was second,
Prince Carl third, and Senator Grady was now a good fourth.

"Say! girls, look at Grady," yelled Checkers excitedly. "Why, he 'll
back in by twenty lengths. There's the place to have him laying, third
or fourth, till they hit the stret