The city’s hum grew less, and the clocks chimed the midnight hour as the dark curtain rolled down before the footlights of the stars—to rise again in the glory of day.
CHAPTER VII.
MONDAY.
The eventful day had come, that day looked forward to for over a week by all the city of N——. With opaline splendor, the sun rose over the undulating suburbs and fell on spire and field. It promised to be a little cool, for a slight breeze wafted a few light clouds that floated high over the waking town.
The race, set for two o’clock, was to be the only one.
The crowd began to gather long before the appointed time. All along the road could be seen vans and carts of various descriptions, traveling in one direction. Tents containing refreshments were erected and the pool and lemonade stands open and ready for business by noon. Throngs of ragamuffins hung on the fences, waiting the opportunity to slip in unnoticed.
At one o’clock many business houses closed, and the hacks and private carriages began to find their way to the course.
Among the vehicles, Cassandra and her inseparable Kitty, reclining luxuriously in the shade of a dark green-lined drag, furnished with a pair of beautiful bay mares, drew up under a small tree near the Judges’ stand.
Already the field was covered with conveyances, and upon the grand stand there was not a vacant seat. The part occupied by the ladies looked like a bed of flowers and was beautiful to behold.
The two horses to run against the stallion were, of course, the same black and bay, then walking in the sunlight on a distant section of the track.
Emory had been in and out of the judges’ stand a dozen times. As the bell tapped the first time, he hurried towards his stable and met the trainer at the door. Peleg, just outside, came towards him, followed by the groom, who carried the boy’s saddle.