o my colors."

"Have you met Mr. Hallam?" she asked. "He has recently come from
Australia, and is well known in the racing world there."

"I should like to meet him."

"Then I will introduce you; he is over there looking at Bandmaster,"
said Eve, and they walked in that direction.

"Here comes Eve with her escort," said Alan, laughing.

"The Baron evidently enjoys her society," said Ella. Then as Eve
joined them she said:

"Has Baron Childs given you another tip?"

"Yes, White Legs; I shall back him," answered Eve, and then introduced
Mr. Hallam, who at once monopolized the Baron's attention.

"So you are going to back the Baron's tip again?" said Alan.

"Yes. Why not?"

"Because I think my horse will win," said Alan.

"Very well then; I will stick to White Legs," said Eve.

"Quite right, follow the Baron; it was a favorite cry years ago," was
Alan's reply.

"You do not appear to care whether I back your horse or not," said Eve
sharply.

"I don't suppose it will make any difference to his winning chance,"
said Alan.

"The Baron says I bring him good luck when I back his horses," she
replied.

"Very nice of him, I am sure. I suppose he puts Merry Monarch's Derby
win down to that cause."

"Perhaps he does; anyhow he's more complimentary than you," snapped Eve.

Alan was amused. What was she cross about?

Eve saw he was amused and it irritated her. She began to think he
cared very little about her; this feeling hurt and caused her pain
mingled with anger. Why was he so blind when others acknowledged her
charms, sometimes made love to her; she had spurned them all for his
sake and he neglected her. She felt reckless; a plunge might relieve
the tension, cause excitement, make her forget these things. She
turned to the Baron and said:

"Will you execute a commission for me?"

"With pleasure. Are you going to back my horse?"

"Yes; put me five hundred on," she said.

He thought it a large sum but made no remark except to say she might
consider it done.

"I will get the best price possible," he said, "and I hope he will win."

"So do I," she replied.

Alan overheard this; she intended he should, and when the Baron left he
said:

"You have backed the wrong horse this time; the Baron will not win."

"I suppose you think I ought to have backed your horse because you are
my next-door neighbor?" she answered sharply.

He laughed.

"Most of your friends are on Bandmaster."

"Then I