to the home of the man whose life he had determined to
snuff out at any hazard. Beside herself with fright for Frank, she sped
back to her cabin, took what food was ready-cooked and could be bundled
up to carry on the journey, put on her heaviest shoes and started for
the door. But, suddenly, the thought flashed through her mind that, even
as Joe Lorey was bound down the trails to meet his rival, so would she
be bound down them to meet her own. She could not bear the thought of
facing Barbara Holton, clad, as she was now, in rough, half-shapeless,
mountain-homespun. She made another bundle, larger than the one which
held her food, by many times, and, when she finally set off, this bundle
held the finery which she had so laboriously prepared in the mad hope of
rivaling the work of the bluegrass belle's accomplished city
dressmakers.

Down in the bluegrass home of the ancient Layson family all was
excitement in anticipation of the race which was to mean so much to the
fortunes of the young master of the fine old mansion which, with
pillared porticos and mighty chimneys, dominated the whole section.
Layson's heart was filled with confidence whenever he went to the
stables to view the really startling beauty of the lovely animal on
which his hope was pinned; it sunk into despair, when, seated in his
study in the house, away from her, he counted up the cost of all which
he would lose if she did not run first in the great race.

None but the Colonel, Miss Alathea and himself had an idea of the real
magnitude of the stakes dependant on Queen Bess. Upon the glossy
shoulders of the lovely mare rested, indeed, a great burden of
responsibility. If she won she would not only secure the large purse for
the owner, but be salable for a price which would enable him to take
advantage, fully, of the offer which the syndicate had made to develop
his coal lands. If she failed--well, the fortunes of the house of Layson
would be seriously shattered.

No wonder, then, that Uncle Neb, in whom his master's confidence was
absolute, had strict injunctions closely to guard the mare. The faithful
negro watched her with a vigilance which was scarcely less unremitting
in the daytime than it was at night when he slept upon the very straw
which bedded her.

Miss Alathea, intensely prejudiced against horse-racing and the gambling
which invariably goes with it, by the Colonel's wasted life and her own
ensuing loneliness, nevertheless prayed night and