The Blue Grass Seminary Girls' Vacation Adventures Part 50

"No," she replied. "I don't see a mark. She must have fainted."

Mabel moaned again, and a moment later opened her eyes. Seeing Shirley, she threw her arms around her friend's neck and broke into tears again.

The excitement had been too much for her.

A few minutes later, however, the flow of tears ceased and Mabel sat up.

"Tell us all about it," said Shirley, stroking her chum's hair.

In a few words Mabel complied.

"You are a brave girl," Shirley told her. "Gabriel might have killed you when you entered his stall."

"No, he wouldn't do that," was Mabel's reply. "We had already become friends."

She rose, walked over to the big horse and threw her arms about his neck. Gabriel submitted to the caress.

"Well," said Mr. Willing, "let's get back to the hotel."

Shirley led Gabriel back to his stall, and leaving Leonard once more on guard, the others set out for their hotel.

CHAPTER XXVIII.-THE JOCKEY.

It was the day of the great race.

Shirley jumped out of bed eagerly, and shook Mabel, who was still sleeping soundly.

"Mabel! Mabel!" she called.

Mabel turned sleepily.

"What's the matter?" she asked.

"Time to get up," was the reply. "It's almost eight o'clock. This is Derby day."

"So it is," exclaimed Mabel, awake in an instant now.

She jumped out of bed and the girls dressed quickly.

Mr. Willing and the others were already up and dressed when the girls came from their rooms, and they all went down to breakfast together.

It was during the meal that Mr. Willing was suddenly called by a page.

"Gentleman to see you sir," said the boy.

Mr. Willing excused himself and left the dining room. He was back in a few minutes, however, and said to Shirley:

"The rest of you will have to come to the track by yourselves. I have some business to attend to. I'll meet you there. I'll leave the car for you."

Mr. Ashton spoke up.

"I have some business matters to see about also," he said. "I'll go with you, and Jimmy and the girls can use the car."

This plan was agreed upon.

"By the way, Dad," said Shirley suddenly, as her father rose to go, "d.i.c.k is going with us."

"d.i.c.k!" repeated Mr. Willing. "Who in the world is d.i.c.k?"

Shirley explained.

"Bring him by all means," said her father. "I shall be glad to see him."

At the door he turned.

"Meet me in our quarters at 1 o'clock," he said; then to Jimmy: "Jimmy, you had better dress here in the hotel."

Jimmy answered that he would do so, and Mr. Willing and Mr. Ashton took their departure.

The girls waited impatiently for d.i.c.k to arrive. He was announced sharp on the stroke of ten, and was shown to their suite.

"We had better leave here about noon," he said. "The crowd will be immense and it may take us some time to get to the track."

This was agreed upon.

The four strolled about the street until eleven o'clock, when they returned to the hotel for lunch.

Jimmy partook of a very light meal, for he wished to be in exact condition for the race. He left the table before the others, announcing that he would go upstairs and change to his jockey clothes.

Fifteen minutes later the others followed him.

There was not a sound in the room when the three entered and a peculiar feeling came over Shirley.

"Jimmy!" she called suddenly.

There was no answer, and again the girl called.

Still no answer.

"What in the world can be the matter?" asked the girl anxiously. She turned to d.i.c.k. "Will you go into Jimmy's room and see what is wrong?"

she asked.

d.i.c.k disappeared into the other room and the two girls waited nervously.

They heard d.i.c.k's voice raised in an exclamation, and he came dashing back.