Cinder Path Tales

ATHERTON'S LAST "HALF" 113 fident of the integrity of his position, and said, " Teddy Atherton's our man." "Teddy Atherton be blowed," said " Doc," who sat on the bottom step, his knees under his chin, drawing inspiration from his pipe. " He's run nothing but the 'quarter' for the last three years, andwhile he shows a fraction slower than Allen and Waite in practice, has a better head, and I would not give a toss-up for the difference between them." "That's it," said Furness; "it's Teddy's good head that we want. Now listen to me. We have three ' quarter milers' who finish under a blanket, and any oneof them is about good enough to win. Allen has shown a shade the best time, and we certainly cannot pull him out, while Waite wouldsulk like a bear with a sore head if asked to make pace, and probably be worse than useless. Atherton, beside having better judgment, is a particularly unselfish chap, and if handled right will consent, and fill the bill exactly." " Deuced hard on Atherton," said Smith ; " he's trained faithfully, has a chance to win in the ' quarter,' and yet we ask him to sacrifice himself in the ' half because Bates is a duffer and will not use his head." We discussed the matter a while longer,