e usual crush of vehicles, for the races at Lee always drew
out a large crowd.

Jay Gardiner's box was directly opposite the judge's stand, and the
group of ladies and gentlemen assembled in it was a very merry one,
indeed.

Every seat in the grand stand was occupied. Both Louise and Sally were
in exuberant spirits.

It was the first race which they had ever attended, and, girl-like, they
were dying with curiosity to see what it would be like.

"Which horse have _you_ picked for the winner?" asked Mr. Pendleton,
leaning over and addressing Jay.

"Either General or Robin Adair. Both seem to stand an equal chance.
Well, I declare!" exclaimed Gardiner, in the same breath, "if there
isn't Queen Bess! It's laughable to see _her_ entered for the race.
She's very speedy, but she isn't game. I have seen her swerve when
almost crowned with victory."

Sally Pendleton listened to the conversation with unusual interest.

In a few moments all the riders, booted and spurred, came hurrying out
from their quarters in response to the sharp clang of a bell, and in a
trice had mounted their horses, and were waiting the signal to start.

The interest of the great crowd was at its height. They were discussing
their favorites freely.

The buzz of voices was deafening for a moment.

No one noticed Sally, not even Louise or her mother, as she leaned over
breathlessly, and said:

"Which horse do _you_ think is going to win, Mr. Gardiner?"

"I have no hesitancy in saying Robin Adair," he declared. "He has
everything in his favor."

"I have an idea that the little brown horse with the white stockings
will win."

He laughed, and a look indicative of superior judgment broke over his
face.

"I feel very sure that your favorite, Queen Bess, will lose, Miss
Sally," he said.

"I feel very confident that she will win," she said.

He shook his head.

"I should like to make a wager with you on that," she cried.

"A box of candy--anything you like," he replied, airily; "but I must
warn you that it is not quite the correct thing to wager with a lady,
especially when you are sure that she will lose."

"I'll take my chances," she replied, a strange look flashing into her
excited blue eyes.

"You have not told me what the wager is to be."

For a moment the girl caught her breath and gave a lightning-like glance
about her. No one was listening, no one would hear.

"You have not told me," said Jay Gardiner, gallantly, as he bent
f