The Blue Grass Seminary Girls' Vacation Adventures Part 43

"Jimmy," cried the girl, "can you ever forgive me? I know you are not guilty."

"No," said Jimmy quietly, "I am not guilty. It is true I talked to Jones, but he did not even suggest treachery to me."

"I know it! I know it!" declared s.h.i.+rley. "And it is my fault that Dad has acted so."

"It was your duty to your father, Miss s.h.i.+rley," declared the lad.

"It is good of you to say so," declared the girl, "but what shall we do?"

"I shall find employment in town," said Jimmy. "Some day, perhaps, your father will learn that he has misjudged me."

"I'll make him see it," declared s.h.i.+rley. "You shall yet win the Derby with Gabriel."

Jimmy smiled sadly.

"I am afraid it is impossible," he replied. "Should you ever need me, Mr. Wilson will tell you where to find me. I shall leave my address with him. Good-bye."

He turned again, and before s.h.i.+rley could protest, had continued on his way. For long minutes the girl looked after him, and then, stifling a sob, she made her way back toward the house.

A sudden cry of anguish came from the direction of the stable. s.h.i.+rley listened intently, and heard another scream.

s.h.i.+rley dashed in the direction from which it had come.

Reaching the stable she paused for a moment, listening. Nothing but silence. But as she was about to move on again, a low groan caught her ear. Again she listened. It came from Gabriel's stall.

s.h.i.+rley hastened forward.

From Gabriel's stall protruded Gabriel's black head. His eyes flamed angrily and he uttered snorts of rage.

"What's the matter, Gabriel?" asked s.h.i.+rley, and ran forward.

Gabriel gave a low whinny, and the fire left his eyes. s.h.i.+rley opened the stall door and stepped inside. And she drew back with a cry of fear.

In the far corner of the stall lay a human form, twisted and out of shape. s.h.i.+rley ran quickly toward it, and started back with a cry:

"Uncle Frank!"

There was no reply from the silent form. Stooping hastily, s.h.i.+rley laid hold of the shoulders and dragged the body from the stall, closing the door behind her. Then she bent over the still figure.

The face was caked with blood, and the arms and limbs hung limp. A moment and Uncle Frank's eyes opened and he gave vent to a feeble groan.

s.h.i.+rley laid him down gently, and ran toward the house.

"Dad!" she cried. "Dad! Gabriel has killed Uncle Frank!"

Mr. Willing roused from his reverie with a start and hurried to the stable. Others who had heard s.h.i.+rley's words followed him. Soon every human being on the place was crowding around the stable.

Mr. Willing arrived first, and bent over the form of his old servant.

"What's the matter, Frank?" he asked gently.

"Gabriel," gasped the old negro, whose senses had now come back to him.

"Gabriel! He dun kill me!"

"Oh, it's not as bad as all that," replied Mr. Willing hopefully. He turned to the crowd of negroes gathered about. "Telephone for Dr.

Thompson, quick, one of you. Here," motioning to two others, "help me carry him to the house."

Gently the old darky was picked up and carried to the house, where Mr.

Willing laid him upon a sofa on the porch.

Uncle Frank was perfectly conscious now.

"How did it happen, Frank?" asked Mr. Willing. "Surely you knew Gabriel wouldn't allow you in his stall."

"Yessah. But I went-I went in anyhow."

"Why?"

Uncle Frank did not reply. He began to cough.

"Take off his coat, Dad," exclaimed s.h.i.+rley.

Gently they raised the old negro, and Mr. Willing took hold of his coat.

Uncle Frank protested vigorously, but Mr. Willing drew the garment off anyhow, and threw it to a chair across the room.

It left a trail of greenbacks upon the floor.

Greatly surprised, s.h.i.+rley stooped and picked them up, and, unthinkingly, counted them.

"Five hundred dollars," she exclaimed. "Where in the world did he get all this money?"

She considered the point for some minutes, and then exclaimed aloud.

"Look, Dad," she said, and handed him the roll of bills. "These dropped out of Uncle Frank's pocket."

Mr. Willing looked at his daughter in astonishment.

"Where on earth did he get that money?" he exclaimed.

s.h.i.+rley smiled slightly.

"Unless I am greatly mistaken," she said, "this is the same five hundred dollars Mr. Jones offered Jimmy Smith if he would 'pull' Gabriel in the Derby."

Mr. Willing seemed staggered.

"Impossible!" he exclaimed. "Why, Frank has been with me for years. He is as faithful as the day is long."

"Will he get well?" asked s.h.i.+rley abruptly.