The Second String. Gould Nat

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СКАЧАТЬ Brighton, the land was valuable, and more than one tempting offer had been made to Sir Lester to part with it for building purposes. The mere thought of The Downs estate being cut up by jerry builders irritated him. His affairs would be in a very bad way when he parted with the place for such a purpose. His house at Hove had turned out a profitable investment; he could obtain double what he gave for it some years ago, and if it came to parting with property that must go first.

      Sir Lester Dyke had been hampered from the commencement. His father had spent every shilling he could manage to raise, and left his son a multitude of debts and his affairs in chaos.

      "Make a clean sweep of the lot," the lawyer had said, but Sir Lester, who was young and sanguine, laughed the suggestion to scorn, and clung to his property with grim determination. Luckily, he married a wife who had a moderate fortune which she willingly handed over to him to assist him in freeing the estate. Unfortunately, she died when his affairs were commencing to assume something like order. This was a great blow to him, but he bore it bravely and Winifred became the idol of his life.

      He was fond of racing; his father, to his sorrow, had been before him, but in a different way. His father gambled heavily; Sir Lester loved the sport alone, and seldom put much money on his horses. His string was trained at Lewes, on the famous Downs, and Jack Redland had ridden more than one winner in the familiar black jacket with orange sleeves.

      His love of country life was a sufficient inducement for him to remain at The Downs for the greater part of the year, and Winifred was his constant companion in his rides and walks. She rode well, and like her father, preferred the Sussex hills and downs to the fascinations of London life.

      Sir Lester's favourite meetings were Brighton and Lewes, where he was well known, and where the victories of his horses were always received with much enthusiasm.

      Winifred was popular in the neighbourhood, and young as she was, proved a charming hostess, as soon as she left school. Her figure on horseback was familiar at Brighton, and on the downs at Lewes, where she often went with her father to see the horses at work.

      Caleb Kenley, the trainer, was devoted to Sir Lester, and as for Winifred, he could not do enough to please her whenever she visited him at Newhaven Lodge. Although Sir Lester could not afford to pay him a large salary, Caleb Kenley was contented, and a dozen horses were quite as many as he cared to handle.

      "It's all very well to have forty or fifty horses in your stables," he said, "but no man can keep his eye on the lot, and I like to know what all mine are doing. Sir Lester's a gentleman, and it is a pleasure to train for a man of his stamp. He never grumbles when he loses, and when he wins it's a treat to see the smile on his face. I'll stick to him as long as he sticks to me, and the mere good luck he has the better I shall be pleased."

      Jack Redland was also in the trainer's good books. He knew Jack was regarded as a failure, but in his opinion no man who could ride as he did came under that category. When Jack won the Southdown Open Welter Handicap on Topsy Turvy, Caleb declared no professional jockey could have done as much.

      "Davis rode him at Brighton," said the trainer, "and he ran a perfect brute. With Mr. Redland up he behaved himself; he knew there was a rider on his back. Failure is he! Bosh! he's only to take to the profession to make a fortune."

      Eager to impart his newly formed resolution to Sir Lester, Jack Redland went to The Downs the following day.

      "Winifred says I was rather hard on you yesterday," said Sir Lester, "but as you have come again to-day I suppose you consider my remarks were quite in order and to the point."

      "They generally are," said Jack laughing.

      "Dad says what he means as a rule," said Winifred smiling.

      "I had an adventure after I left you last night," he said. "It actually made me think."

      "You don't say so!" exclaimed Sir Lester.

      "Fact, I assure you. It was a mild sort of adventure, but it seems likely to have serious consequences."

      Winifred was interested, and eager to hear the news. Jack explained how he met the gypsy woman, and what she said to him.

      "I walked down to Hove later on and sat listening to the waves. The sound seemed to affect me curiously, and I felt there might be some truth in the woman's tale. I have done no good in England, perhaps in a new country my luck may change, and I may find an occupation suited to my tastes and abilities. I came over to-day to ask your advice, Sir Lester. Do you think I ought to try my fortune abroad?"

      Sir Lester glanced at his daughter. She was silent, and there was a troubled look in her face. "She does not care to lose her old playmate," he thought.

      "They say the man who fails at home will fail anywhere," he replied.

      Jack looked disappointed, but replied —

      "I do not think that is correct. In a new country one naturally leads a new life, and it need not necessarily be a failure. What do you think, Winifred?"

      "I do not think you have been a failure here. True, you have not yet succeeded in settling down to some useful occupation, but the time will come when that will happen. Do you feel inclined to go away, to leave England?"

      "Something tells me it will be for the best," he replied.

      "Where do you intend going to?" asked Sir Lester.

      "That is what I want your advice about."

      "I am afraid I can help you very little. I know several young fellows who have gone out to different parts of Australia, and who have done remarkably well there; but it is a long way off."

      "I do not mind where it is, or how far so long as I succeed. I made up my mind last night that wherever I went I would not come back a failure."

      "That's right, Jack; I admire your pluck. If you go out with that determination, depend upon it, you will succeed."

      "When do you think of leaving?" asked Winifred in a low voice.

      "This year; the sooner the better," he replied.

      Sir Lester wondered where the funds would come from, he would help him if necessary; but he could not do very much.

      They discussed the matter for some time, when Sir Lester left them to attend to business matters.

      "Why have you come to such a sudden decision?" Winifred asked. "You ought not to take such a step without due consideration."

      "The gypsy woman put it into my head; she was very confident about my succeeding."

      Winifred laughed as she replied:

      "I had no idea you were so superstitious. If that is your only reason I advise you to remain at home."

      "It is not the only reason; there is a far stronger inducement. I wish to succeed, to make money. I have an object in view."

      "Most people have an object in life."

      "Mine is all important."

      "Tell it me."

      "No, I cannot at present. If I succeed, I will. Shall you miss me very much, Winifred?"

      "Indeed, I shall. We have been so much together, I think it unkind of you to wish to leave me."

      "I do not wish to leave you. СКАЧАТЬ