ened
wide in astonishment.

"Yes; father bought him."

"The deuce! I say, Allis, that won't do. Don't you know there's
something wrong about this race? I just saved myself. I backed the
little mare for a V--then I heard something. This Langdon's a deuce of a
queer fish, I can tell you. I wonder Crane has anything to do with him,
for the Boss is straight as they make them."

"Did you back Lauzanne then, Alan?"

"You bet I did; quick, too; and was hunting all over for the gov'nor to
tell him. You see, I know Langdon--he comes to the bank sometimes. He's
that slick he'll hardly say 'Good-day,' for fear of giving something
away."

"Then how did you--how did people know there was something wrong?"

"Oh, a woman, of course--she blabbed. I think she's Dick Langdon's
sister, and--"

"Hush-hh!" and Allis laid her hand on the boy's arm, indicating with her
eyes the woman in the seat behind.

"I'd better go and tell father--"

"You needn't bother; he knows. It's a question of honor. Father said
he'd buy the horse, and he's gone to make good."

"I wouldn't; that sort of thing will break a man."

"It's a good way to go broke, Alan. Perhaps we'd all be richer if it
wasn't so strong in the Porter blood; but all the same, brother, you do
just as father is doing to-day--always keep your word. I tell you
what it is, boy"--and her face lighted up as she spoke--"father is a
hero--that's what he is; he's just the biggest, bravest man ever lived.
He couldn't do a mean act. How did you get away from the bank, Alan?"
she said, changing the subject; "I didn't know you were coming to-day."

"Mortimer was light, and took on my work. He's a good sort."

"Does he bet?"

The boy laughed. "Mortimer bet? That's rich. We call him 'Old Solemnity'
in the bank; but he doesn't mean any harm by it--he just can't help it,
that's all. If he had a stiff ruff about his neck, you could pose him
for a picture of one of those old Dutch burgomasters."

"He's doing your work, and you're making fun of him, boy."

"You can't make fun of him, at him, or with him; he's a grave digger;
but you can trust him."

"That's better."

"If I'd killed a man and needed a friend to help me out, I'd go straight
to Mortimer; he's got that kind of eyes. Do you know why he's doing my
work to-day?"

"Because you're away, I suppose."

"Because you recited that doggerel about The Run of Crusader."

"Alan! I've never spoken to Mr. Mortimer."

"That's why he ch