The others waited her return without a word.
“How do I look?” came a voice from the doorway at last.
Jimmy, Dick, Mabel and the doctor took one look and cried out in surprise.
“Great Scott! I wouldn’t have believed it possible,” declared the physician.
In her red and blue costume—the Willing colors—Shirley indeed made a pretty picture. Her capwas pulled down well over her face and her thick hair was coiled up under it. In her hand she held Jimmy’s short whip.
“Will I do?” she asked.
“You look enough like this lad to be his twin,” said the physician quietly. “You’ll do.”
“We must hurry,” declared Shirley. “Ready, Mabel? Ready, Dick?”
“Yes,” they answered.
Shirley approached Jimmy.
“I’ll try not to lose your reputation,” she said gently. “I’ll do the best I know how, and I am sure that Gabriel will try for me.”
“There is no doubt about that,” replied Jimmy. “With you on Gabriel’s back, I feel more certain of the outcome of the race than I would if I were there myself.”
Shirley held out her hand and the lad grasped it warmly.
“Be very careful,” he warned her. “Watch the others closely. They will probably try some crookedness, for they must all be in it together. Keep as clear of the field as possible, and let Gabriel run his own race.”
“I shall remember,” said Shirley. “And now good-bye.”
She pressed Jimmy’s hand gently and stepped toward the door. The physician stopped her.
“I want to say,” he declared, “that you are thebravest girl I have ever seen. I am sure that you will win.”
“Thank you, doctor,” replied Shirley with a slight smile. “Take good care of Jimmy.”
“I shall stay right here until you return,” said the doctor, knowing this would make Shirley less worried about Jimmy during her absence.
Shirley nodded and passed out of the room ahead of her friends.
The Willing touring car stood in front of the hotel, and the chauffeur—a man Mr. Willing had hired because he knew the town—was waiting.
Shirley stood aside while Mabel and Dick climbed in, and then she got in after them.
“To the race track,” she commanded, “and hurry.”
Mabel looked at her watch.
“Twenty-five minutes to one,” she remarked.
“Good,” replied Shirley. “We’ll make it.”
All Louisville, it seemed, was at the Derby that day.
From early in the morning until after the races started, crowds continued to pour into the grandstand and overflow into the paddock. Thousands of women, in brilliant costumes, gave a picturesque touch to the scene. It was indeed a gala day.
Gaily decked in bright colors, the grandstand presented an attractive appearance. Everywhere happiness and light-heartedness prevailed. It was the day of the year when Louisville gave itself over to frolic.
The races were scheduled to start at 2 o’clock, and as the winner of the first event flashed under the wire the crowd cheered. But in spite of these first events—good races though they were—the crowd waited impatiently for the superb horses that were to fight for the Derby.
It was a few minutes after 1 o’clock when Shirley, Mabel and Dick reached the track, and hurriedto the Willing quarters. Mr. Willing was pacing up and down anxiously when they appeared, and Mr. Ashton and Leonard were beside him.
Gabriel, all ready for the race, stood quietly nearby.
“Well, here you are at last,” said Mr. Willing as the three approached them. “Where is Shirley?”
“Oh, she will be here soon,” said Mabel. “Don’t worry about her. Let me introduce Dick Stanley, Mr. Willing, the boy who came so nobly to our aid.”
Mr. Willing extended his hand and the lad grasped it.
“I am glad to know you,” said the former. “Allow me to thank you for the service you rendered me.”
“It was nothing,” said Dick and stepped back.
All this time Shirley had contrived to keep her back to her father, for she was well aware that if he should recognize her he would not permit her to ride.
At that moment Leonard approached.
He looked sharply at the supposed jockey, and then stepped back suddenly and opened his mouth to speak.
Shirley laid a finger to her lips in a quick gesture, and Leonard closed his mouth without a word. Nevertheless he continued to stare at her in amazement.
Mr. Willing, not suspecting anything of this nature, did not glance closely at the jockey, which was fortunate. Shirley kept her cap pulled well down, and thus avoided detection.
“The Derby will be called a few minutes after three,” said Mr. Willing. “Are you ready, Jimmy?”
“Yes, sir,” replied Shirley, imitating Jimmy’s voice as nearly as she could.
“Are you feeling perfectly fit?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Good.”
He led the way to the scales, where Shirley was weighed.
“Ninety-eight,” said Mr. Willing, stepping back. “Good.”
The time came at last, and Shirley, seated firmly upon Gabriel’s back, rode slowly toward the barrier. Mr. Willing followed, giving last advice.
“Get away as well as you can,” he told her, “and give Gabriel his head. Under no circumstances use the whip. Let Gabriel run his own race.”
Shirley nodded her understanding of these orders, but made no reply. Mr. Willing stepped back and joined the others.
“I wonder where Shirley is?” he said.
“Oh, perhaps she stopped to talk to some one,” said Mabel quietly.
“Well, I guess she is safe enough,” said Mr. Willing. “Come.”
He led the way to the paddock and the others followed.
After some trouble they succeeded in gaining advantageous places, and turned their eyes toward the track. And at that moment a familiar voice near Mabel said:
“Great Scott! Gabriel is going to run.”
Mabel turned and glanced at the speaker. It was Jones, and even as Mabel looked he turned upon the man beside him.
“I thought you told me you had fixed the jockey!” he exclaimed.
“I did,” he declared. “I knocked him cold.”
“Then how is it that he is in the race?”
“I don’t know. I don’t see how it is possible. Maybe they got another boy at the last minute.”
Jones looked long through his field glasses.
“No. It’s the same,” he declared.
Again he whirled upon the man angrily.
“You have betrayed me,” he cried.
“It’s a lie,” said the other.
Jones moved toward him, and the other turned and ran. Jones ran after him.
In the meantime, Shirley, hunched almost on Gabriel’s neck, had ridden forth with the others. The reins she held in her right hand with the whip, while with the other she stroked her horse’s neck.
“You know me, don’t you, Gabriel?” she whispered.
Gabriel’s reply was a low whinny.
Shirley patted him gently.
“And we are going to win, aren’t we, Gabriel?”
Again the big horse whinnied.
At the post Shirley turned in alongside the others. Upon her right, nearest the rail outside, was another great black horse, and Shirley did not need to be told that this was Jupiter, the animal upon which the bookmakers were depending to win the race.
He was a wicked-looking brute, and his eyes were fiery red.
“I’ll have to watch him,” thought the girl.
She gazed at the other eight entries. Noble-looking animals they were, the best of Kentucky stock. She noticed several of the jockeys eyeing her queerly.
“Yes, I shall have to be careful,” she said.
The signal to line up at the barrier was given.
The high-strung horses moved about nervously. A pistol cracked, and they were off down the track. But the starter called them back. It was a false start.
Shirley showed superb horsemanship. She maneuvered for position as well as any of the rest, and just before the pistol cracked the second time, she was but two removed from the inside rail.
Next to her, closer to the rail, was Jupiter.
“They’re off!”
The cry came from the grandstand, and was followed by a prolonged cheer.
Shirley found herself slightly behind the leaders at the first jump, but she did not worry. She knew what Gabriel could do, and she was perfectly satisfied with her position.
In a bunch the field swept down the track. Shirley found herself wedged in between Jupiter and a powerful sorrel on her other side. In this way they continued for the first half-mile.
Gradually the three leaders, Jupiter, Gabriel and the big sorrel forged ahead of the field, and at the three-quarter mark the sorrel dropped behind. He was unable to keep up the terrific pace.
Jupiter was still running slightly ahead and going easily. Not once had his jockey used his whip or urged him to greater effort. Nor had there as yet been any attempt at unfairness.
Shirley held a tight rein upon Gabriel, and the animal had not yet let himself out. In spite of her father’s instructions, Shirley was riding her own race. She believed that she knew more about Gabriel than either her father or Jimmy.
And now, with the finish a quarter of a mile ahead, Shirley let Gabriel out slightly, and he came up on even terms with Jupiter in a few strides.
Then Jupiter’s rider got busy. He loosened his reins and began to coax. But Gabriel remained on even terms. Jupiter’s jockey stopped coaxing andbegan to ply his whip, and at the first smart blow, Jupiter leaped ahead.
Shirley let Gabriel out another notch, and then another, and once more the two big black horses were neck and neck. Try as he would, Jupiter could not shake Gabriel off.
Glancing ahead, Shirley saw that the finish was close in front. The crowd had gone wild. With the horses rushing for the wire, bedlam had broken loose. Flags and pennants waved and men and women shouted hoarsely.
But of this Shirley neither heard nor saw anything. Her eyes were fixed upon the wire and she knew nothing but that Gabriel must be the first under it.
And now, as the two great horses thundered down to the finish, Shirley leaned forward on Gabriel’s neck and whispered to him. The noble animal responded, and with a tremendous leap forged ahead of his rival.
At the same moment, Jupiter’s rider, realizing that he could not overtake his opponent, lashed out with his whip.
The blow caught Shirley squarely across the face, and she reeled, and for a moment Gabriel was almost thrown off his stride. But the gallant horse recovered quickly, and with a last desperate effort, leaped forward under the wire—a winner by a neck.
Shirley, in great pain, still had the presence of mind to pull Gabriel in, and sick and faint, she headed him quickly for the Willing stable.
But Mr. Willing and the others, as well as the rest of the crowd, had seen the cowardly act, and a great cry of anger rose in the air. Mr. Willing made for his stable at top speed, the others following.
At his stable, Gabriel stopped.
Shirley swayed in the saddle and toppled over; and Mr. Willing, running up at that moment, arrived just in time to catch her in his arms.
Gently he laid her on the ground. Her cap fell from her head, and her long hair came tumbling down.
Mr. Willing stood still in his surprise.
“Shirley!” he cried, and gathered her up in his arms.
“Shirley!” cried Mr. Willing again, and looked at his daughter in alarm.
At this moment Mabel and Leonard came running up, having outdistanced Mr. Ashton.
Mr. Willing turned to them quickly.
“Dr. Thompson is back there in the paddock,” he said, pointing. “Hurry! and see if you can find him.”
Mabel hurried away in response to this command. She was fortunate enough to find the physician after a brief search, and she conducted him back to where Mr. Willing still held Shirley in his arms.
The doctor laid her gently on the soft ground and bent over her.
“Nothing serious,” he said rising at last. “She seems to have fainted more because of the excitement than anything else. She’ll come to presently.”
Dr. Thompson proved a good prophet. Five minutes later Shirley opened her eyes and smiled up at her father.
“Did we win?” she asked somewhat feebly.
“Yes, you won,” replied Mr. Willing in a low voice. “But, Shirley, why did you do it?”
“Somebody had to do it, Dad,” was the reply. “I knew I was the only one that could ride Gabriel outside of Jimmy.”
“But I would rather have had Gabriel scratched than to have you take such a risk,” said Mr. Willing.
“I know that. That’s why I didn’t tell you.”
Mr. Willing turned to Mabel, as Shirley fell back, tired out, and closed her eyes.
“What is the matter with Jimmy?” he demanded.
Mabel explained.
Mr. Willing grew very angry.
“I have had enough of this,” he declared. “I shall notify the police as soon as we get back down town. I’ll see that Jones answers for his actions. I’ll prosecute him to the full extent of the law.”
Half an hour later, with Shirley lying in the rear seat, the car, also bearing Mr. Willing, Mr. Ashton, Dick, Mabel and Leonard, was speeding down town.
By the time it reached the hotel Shirley had so far recovered that she was able to make her way to their apartments unassisted. True to his promise, the hotel physician had remained with Jimmy all this time.
“And did you win the race?” was his first question, as Shirley entered the room.
“Yes,” was the girl’s smiling rejoinder. “We won.”
“Good,” cried the physician. He rose from his chair. “You have no further need of me,” he said, “I shall be going.”
He bowed and made his departure.
After a few words with Jimmy, Mr. Willing announced his intention of going immediately to the police station and swearing out a warrant against Jones. Shirley tried to turn him from his purpose, but in vain. Then she declared that she would go with him.
All Mr. Willing’s objections went for naught, so the two started out together. As they were driving along the street, Shirley cried out suddenly and caught her father by the arm.
“What’s the matter now?” he demanded.
“There is Jones,” said Shirley, pointing to the sidewalk.
Mr. Willing followed the direction of her finger. Sure enough, there was Jones, deep in conversation with another man.
Mr. Willing ordered the chauffeur to stop the car, and he leaped out.
“What are you going to do, Dad?” called Shirley, in alarm.
Mr. Willing vouchsafed no reply.
He walked directly up to Jones, who at that moment was looking the other way. He took him by the arm and swung him about, so that they stood face to face.
As Jones, greatly surprised, would have stepped back, Mr. Willing raised one arm, and deliberately slapped the man across the face.
“Perhaps that will teach you, sir,” he exclaimed, “to let me and mine alone in the future.”
Jones was no coward. He wiped a few drops of blood from his lips, and stepping suddenly forward, aimed a heavy blow at Mr. Willing.
But the latter, in spite of his age, was still agile and strong. He sprang to one side, and avoided the blow, but then, stepping in close, sent his fist into the other’s face with all his power.
Jones struck the sidewalk like a log. His companion took to his heels.
A crowd, attracted by the scuffle, began to gather.
Presently Jones pulled himself together and scrambled to his feet. Mr. Willing still stood with clenched fists and set lips.
“Have you had enough?” he asked. “Or shall I give you another dose?”
For one moment it seemed that Jones would renew the fight; but after a look at the rapidly gathering crowd, he turned and walked away.
“Three cheers for the old boy,” shouted a youngster in the crowd.
The cheers were given with a will.
At that moment a hand was laid on Mr. Willing’s shoulder. The latter turned to face a policeman.
“You are under arrest,” said the officer. “Come with me.”
In vain Mr. Willing protested. The officer was firm. Finally Mr. Willing consented to go without trouble.
“If you’ll step into my car, I’ll drive you to the station,” he said.
The policeman accepted this offer.
Shirley, perceiving her father in the hands of the law, was frightened. Mr. Willing reassured her, however, when he stepped into the car, and ordered the chauffeur to drive to police headquarters.
As they continued down the street, the crowd gave three more ringing cheers. Mr. Willing was forced to smile.
At the police station Mr. Willing had little difficulty explaining matters satisfactorily to the sergeant, and he was allowed to go.
“You did perfectly right,” declared the old sergeant.
He shook hands with Mr. Willing and his daughter, and wished them good luck. The latter then returned to their hotel.
“I guess that was enough punishment for Jones,”said Mr. Willing cheerfully in relating the occurrence to Mr. Ashton a short time later.
“Indeed it was,” was the reply, “and it also saved you a lot of court trouble and notoriety.”
“Right you are,” agreed Mr. Willing.
Two days longer the party stayed in Louisville, and then set out for home. Jimmy’s injuries were getting along nicely and no serious results were anticipated. The mark on Shirley’s face, caused by the blow of the whip, was also rapidly disappearing.
An hour before it was time for their train to leave, Dick was announced. Shirley welcomed him warmly, as did Mr. Willing.
“My daughter has told me of you,” said the latter, “and I should be glad to have you go home with us. I can offer you work on my farm.”
“Thank you, sir,” replied Dick, “but, for the present, I prefer to remain here.”
“But,” protested Mr. Willing, “surely you have not such a remunerative place here that makes you so anxious to stay?”
“No, sir. I am only an office boy in a big newspaper office, but some of these days, sir, I hope to climb. Within the year I expect to be on the reportorial staff of theStar.”
“Well, you know your own mind best. However, I should be pleased to have you go with us.”
“And I should be pleased to go, sir.”
“Perhaps he will come and spend Christmas with us,” suggested Shirley.
“I certainly shall, if it is possible,” replied the lad. “But you know, Miss Willing, a newspaper man works holidays as well as others. However, it may be that I can get off.”
“You must get away,” declared Shirley. “We shall expect you.”
“I will do my best,” the lad promised.
“Well,” said Mr. Willing, “we shall have to be getting down toward the station. It is getting late.”
Dick shook hands all around and bowed himself out
“A very manly and likeable boy,” said Mr. Willing, as he disappeared through the door.
“Indeed he is,” replied Shirley.
An hour later the party was speeding along in the direction of Lexington.
Gabriel already had been shipped home, and they knew that they would find him there, safe and sound, when they returned. Shirley had not seen the horse since just after the race, and was anxious to call upon him in his own home.
So, the first thing after their arrival at the farm, she, Mabel, Leonard and Jimmy made straight for Gabriel’s stall. The racehorse received them with whinnies of joy.
“Good old Gabriel,” said Shirley, dashing into the stall and throwing her arms around the animal’sneck. “I knew you would win for us. And think what you have accomplished. You have saved the farm for Dad and me.”
The others now approached, and Gabriel put aside his customary unfriendliness toward strangers, and allowed all to pat him to their hearts’ content.
“Well,” said Leonard, “I have had the time of my life here, and I am sorry to say that I shall have to leave you to-morrow.”
“Leave us?” exclaimed Shirley in surprise.
“Yes. I start home to-morrow night.”
Both girls heard this piece of news with regret, for both had become greatly attached to young Wolfe.
At this juncture Jimmy, who was now able to get around, turned to Shirley.
“And had it not been for you, Miss Shirley,” he said seriously, “there is no telling what might have happened to me. Certainly you saved me from myself.”
Shirley extended her hand, and the boy grasped it warmly.
“I could never have rested in peace had you gone away, Jimmy Smith,” she said with a faint smile. “I shall never forget that it was a few unthoughtful words of mine that almost sent you on the wrong road.”
“Don’t talk like that, Miss Shirley,” said Jimmy. “You know better.”
“Of course, she does,” said Leonard and Mabel in the same voice.
“Well,” said Shirley, laughing, “we won’t argue about it. Everything has turned out all right, and I am sure that each of us has had a good time.”
“Indeed we have,” exclaimed the others.
Here for the time being, we shall take our leave of the girls, their fathers and friends. But we shall meet them again before long, in a second volume entitled “The Blue Grass Seminary Girls’ Christmas Holidays” or “A Four-Weeks’ Tour with the Glee Club.”
THE END
THE END
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