"I guess you're right, Allis," he said; "a man's got to keep his word,
no matter what happens. I never owned a dope horse yet, and unless I'm
mistaken this yellow skate is one to-day. I'll take him though, girl;
but he'll get nothing but oats from me to make him gallop."

Then Porter went resolutely down the steps, smothering in his heart the
just rebellion that was tempting him to repudiate his bargain.

As he reached the lawn, a lad swung eagerly up the steps, threw his eye
inquiringly along row after row of seats until it stopped at Allis.
Then he darted to her side.

"Hello, Sis--been looking for you. Where's Dad?"

"Gone to get Lauzanne."

"Lauzanne!" and the boy's eyes that were exactly like her own, opened
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