"No, Colonel; no," she firmly answered, "for if you yield, this time, I'll know that in the race for your affections the horse is first, the woman second." The Colonel sank dejectedly into a chair. "I can't permit you to think that," said he. "I'll--keep my promise." She went to him, delighted. "Ah, I was sure you would," said she. "Now I can go and finish my shopping in peace. It's all for your good, Colonel--for your good." With a happy smile she left him there, alone. "For my good!" exclaimed the Colonel, ruefully. "That's what the teacher used to say, but the hickory smarted, just the same. Of course Miss 'Lethe is first--but--but--the horse is a strong second!" To add to the man's agony, Madge, now, returned, dressed and ready for the most exciting moments of her life. "I'm all ready, Colonel," she said eagerly. "Think we'll have good seats? I do hope I'll be whar I kin see!" He would not, yet, disappoint the child; he would not, yet,--he could not--admit that he, himself, was to meet with such a bitter disappointment. "You'll see, all right," he told her, "and so will I." But, after a second's thought he added: "I will if I can hire a balloon!" They heard Neb's excited voice out in the corridor, and, an instant later, the old darkey hurried in. Immediately the Colonel knew, from his appearance, that something had gone seriously wrong. "What is it, Neb; what is it?" he demanded. "Fo' de Lawd, sech news!" said Neb. "Sech news!" "Neb, Neb, what's the matter?" Madge asked, frightened by his manner. "Somebody," said the negro, "done gone smuggle in a bottle o' whiskey to dat mis'able jockey, Ike, an' he am crazy drunk!" CHAPTER XVI "Drunk!" cried the Colonel, shocked inexpressibly. "And the race this afternoon!" "Marse Frank said you was to come, suh, an' help sobuh him." Madge approached the Colonel anxiously. "Yes; sober him, if you have to turn him inside out!" "'Fraid he's done on bofe sides, missy; drunk cl'ar t'rough," said Neb. The Colonel grasped his hat. "We'll try, we'll try," he said. "Oh, whisky, whisky! What a pity anyone can get too much of so good a thing!" "I neber could, suh," Neb replied, "but dat 'ar jockey--" They hurried out together. Madge was in intense distress. She knew what this might mean. If Queen Bess could not run--and she could not, certainly, without a jockey--the Dyer Brothers would not buy her, probably; and if she were not sold in time, then Layson would be quite unable to meet the assessment on his stock in the coal-mining company. She was by no means certain what this was, or what the reason for it, but she had heard talk of it and knew that it was very serious. Almost beside herself with her anxiety, she could do nothing save sit there and wait for news. The entrance, even of Barbara Holton, who came in, now, was a relief to her overtaxed nerves.