Cinder Path Tales

ATHERTON'S LAST "HALF" 123 Bates pulled out of the ruck at the turn, and fell in behind him, following orders. Round the track they swung, stringingout, one and another coming up and going back as if on wires, but Teddy and Bates holding the lead. My watch showed fifty-eight and three-quarters as they finished the first lap, a beautiful performance on Teddy's part, though I had expected it, for he was a connoisseur on time, if I ever saw one. There followed them over,and close up, a cadaverous-looking man from one of the minor colleges, whose style I did not like, but who was going very strong, and whom I might have thought dangerous had I not been told he never finished. Sherman was twenty-five yards back, in the rearof the lot, and running in a very hopeless fashion. I was relieved to see how well Teddy did his work, and noticed the slight flushon his cheeks as he passed. I could seethat MollieKittredge too had a little added color in her cheeks, but in no other way did she show any particular in­ terest in the race. For the first half of the second lap our programme was followed out allright, Ather- ton still leading at a lively clip. Bates right at his heels, andthe tall outsiderbarely hold­ ing his own.