TheCartershadmarriedinhasteandrefusedtorepentatleisure。
　　Soblindlyweretheyinlove，thattheyconsideredtheirmarriagetheirgreatestasset。Therestoftheworld，asrepresentedbymutualfriends，consideredittheonlythingthatcouldbeurgedagainsteitherofthem。Whilesingle，eachhadbeenpopular。Asabachelor，young"Champ"Carterhadfilledhismodestplaceacceptably。Hostessessoughthimfordinnersandweek—endparties，menofhisownyears，forgolfandtennis，andyounggirlslikedhimbecausewhenhetalkedtooneofthemhenevertalkedofhimself，orlethiseyeswandertowardanyothergirl。Hehadbeenbroughtupbyarichfatherinanexpensiveway，andtherichfatherhadthendiedleavingChampneysaloneintheworld，withnomoney，andwithevenafewofhisfather’sdebts。Thesedebtsofhonortheson，eversinceleavingYale，hadbeenpayingoff。Ithadkepthimverypoor，forCarterhadelectedtolivebyhispen，and，thoughhewroteverycarefullyandslowly，theeditorsofthemagazineshadbeenequallycarefulandslowinacceptingwhathewrote。
　　Withanincomesouncertainthattheonlythingthatcouldbesaidofitwithcertaintywasthatitwastoosmalltosupportevenhimself，Cartershouldnothavethoughtofmatrimony。Nor，mustitbesaidtohiscredit，didhethinkofituntilthegirlcamealongthathewantedtomarry。
　　ThetroublewithDollyIngramwashermother。Hermotherwasareallyterribleperson。Shewasquiteimpossible。Shewasasocialleader，andofsuchimportancethatvisitingprincesandsocietyreporters，evenamongthemselves，didnotlaughather。Hervisitinglistwassosmallthatshedidnotkeepasocialsecretary，but，itwassaid，wroteherinvitationsherself。
　　Stylitesonhispillarwaslessexclusive。Nordidhetakehisexaltedbutlonelypositionwithlesssenseofhumor。WhenIngramdiedandlefthermanymillionstodisposeofabsolutelyasshepleased，eventotheallowancesheshouldgivetheirdaughter，heleftherwithbutoneambitionunfulfilled。ThatwastomarryherDollytoanEnglishduke。Hungarianprinces，Frenchmarquises，Italiancounts，Germanbarons，Mrs。Ingramcouldnotsee。Herson—in—lawmustbeaduke。Shehadhereyesontwo，onesomewhatshopworn，andtheotherabankrupt；andintraining，shehadonejustcomingofage。Alreadyshesawherselfasortofadowagerduchessbymarriage，discussingwithrealdowagerduchessesthewaytobringupteethingearlsandviscounts。ForthreeyearsinEuropeMrs。Ingramhadbeendrillingherdaughterforthepartsheintendedhertoplay。But，onreturningtohernativeland，Dolly，whopossessedallthefeelings，thrills，andheart—throbsofwhichhermotherwasignorant，ungratefullyfelldeeplyinlovewithChampneysCarter，andhewithher。Itwasalwaysaquestionofcontroversybetweenthemastowhichhadfirstfalleninlovewiththeother。Asamatterofhistory，honorswereeven。
　　Hefirstsawherduringathunderstorm，inthepaddockattheraces，wearingarain—coatwiththecollarturnedupandaPanamahatwiththebrimturneddown。Shewastalking，intermsofaffectionatefamiliarity，withCuthbert’stwo—year—old，TheScout。
　　TheScouthadjustlostaracebyanose，andDollywasholdingthenoseagainsthercheekandcomfortinghim。Thetwomadeacharmingpicture，and，asCarterstumbleduponitandhalted，therace—horseloweredhiseyesandseemedtosay:"Wouldn’tYOUthrowaraceforthis？"Andthegirlraisedhereyesandseemedtosay:"Whatanice—looking，bright—lookingyoungman！Whydon’tIknowwhoyouare？"
　　So，CarterrantofindCuthbert，andtoldhimTheScouthadgonelame。When，ontheirreturn，MissIngramrefusedtoloosenherholdonTheScout’snose，CuthbertapologeticallymumbledCarter’sname，andinsomeaweMissIngram’sname，andthen，tohissurprise，bothyoungpeoplelostinterestinTheScout，andwanderedawaytogetherintotherain。
　　Afteranhour，whentheypartedattheclubstand，forwhichCartercouldnotaffordaticket，heaskedwistfully:"Doyouoftencomeracing？"andMissIngramsaid:"Doyoumean，amIcomingto—morrow？"
　　"Ido！"saidCarter。
　　"Then，whydidn’tyousaythat？"inquiredMissIngram。"OtherwiseImightn’thavecome。IhavetheHollandHousecoachforto—morrow，and，ifyou’lljoinus，I’llsaveaplaceforyou，andyoucansitinourbox。
　　"I’velivedsolongabroad，"sheexplained，"thatI’mafraidofnotbeingsimpleanddirectlikeotherAmericangirls。DoyouthinkI’llgetonhereathome？"
　　"Ifyougetonwitheveryoneelseaswellasyou’vegotonwithme，"saidCartermorosely，Iwillshootmyself。"
　　MissIngramsmiledthoughtfully。"Ateleven，then，"shesaid，"infrontoftheHollandHouse。"
　　Carterwalkedawaywithaflurried，heatedsuffocationaroundhisheartandajoyouslightnessinhisfeet。Ofthefirstmanhemethedemanded，"Whowasthebeautifulgirlintherain—coat？"Andwhenthemantoldhim，Carterlefthimwithoutspeaking。ForshewasquitetherichestgirlinAmerica。ButthenextdaythatfaultseemedtodistresshersolittlethatCarter，also，refusedtoallowittorestonhisconscience，andtheywereveryhappy。Andeachsawthattheywerehappybecausetheyweretogether。
　　Theridiculousmotherwasnotpresentattheraces，butafterCarterbegantocallattheirhouseandwasinvitedtodinner，Mrs。
　　Ingramreceivedhimwithherhabitualrudeness。Asanimpedimentinthesuccessofherambitionsheneverconsideredhim。Asaboyfriendofherdaughter’s，sheclassedhimwith"her"lawyerand"her"architectandalittlehigherthanthe"person"whoarrangedtheflowers。Nor，inherturn，didDollyconsiderhermother；forwithintwomonthsanothermatterofcontroversybetweenDollyandCarterwasastowhohadfirstproposedtotheother。Carterprotestedthereneverhadbeenanyformalproposal，thatfromthefirsttheyhadbothtakenitforgrantedthatmarriedtheywouldbe。ButDollyinsistedthatbecausehehadbeenafraidofhermoney，orhermother，hehadforcedhertoproposetohim。
　　"Youcouldnothavelovedmeverymuch，"shecomplained，"ifyou’dletalittlethinglikemoneymakeyouhesitate。"
　　"It’snotalittlething，"suggestedCarter。"Theysayit’sseveralmillions，andithappenstobeYOURS。IfitwereMINE，now！"
　　"Money，"saidDollysententiously，"isgivenpeopletomakethemhappy，nottomakethemmiserable。"
　　"WaituntilIsellmystoriestothemagazines，"saidCarter，"andthenIwillbeindependentandcansupportyou。"
　　TheplandidnotstrikeDollyasonelikelytoleadtoahastymarriage。Buthewassensitiveabouthisstories，andshedidnotwishtohurthisfeelings。
　　"Let’sgetmarriedfirst，"shesuggested，"andthenIcanBUYyouamagazine。We’llcallitCARTER’SMAGAZINEandwewillprintnothinginitbutyourstories。Thenwecanlaughattheeditors！"
　　"Nothalfasloudastheywill，"saidCarter。
　　Withthreethousanddollarsinbankandthreestoriesacceptedandseventeenstilltohearfrom，andwithDollydailytellinghimthatitwasevidenthedidnotloveher，Carterdecidedtheywereready，handinhand，toleapintotheseaofmatrimony。HisinterviewonthesubjectwithMrs。Ingramwasmostpainful。Itlastedduringthetimeittookhertowalkoutofherdrawing—roomtothefootofherstaircase。Shespoketoherself，andtheonlywordsofwhichCarterwassurewere"preposterous"and"intolerableinsolence。"Laterinthemorningshesentanotetohisflat，forbiddinghimnotonlyherdaughter，butthehouseinwhichherdaughterlived，andeventheuseoftheUnitedStatesmailsandtheNewYorktelephonewires。Shedescribedhisconductinwordsthat，hadtheycomefromaman，wouldhaveaffordedCartereveryexcuseforviolentexercise。
　　ImmediatelyinthewakeofthenotearrivedDolly，intears，andcarryingadressing—case。
　　"Ihaveleftmother！"sheannounced。"AndIhavehercardownstairs，andaclergymaninit，unlesshehasrunaway。Hedoesn’twanttomarryus，becausehe’safraidmotherwillstopsupportinghisflowermission。Yougetyourhatandtakemewherehecanmarryus。NomothercantalkaboutthemanIlovethewaymothertalkedaboutyou，andthinkIwon’tmarryhimthesameday！"
　　Carter，withhermother’shandwritingstillredbeforehiseyes，andhisself—loveshakenwithrageflourishedtheletter。
　　"Andnomother，"heshouted，"cancallMEa’fortune—hunter’anda’cradle—robber’andthinkI’llmakegoodbymarryingherdaughter！
　　NotuntilsheBEGSmeto！"
　　Dollyswepttowardhimlikeasummerstorm。Hereyeswerewetandflashing。"UntilWHObegsyouto？"shedemanded。"WHOareyoumarrying；motherorme？"
　　"IfImarryyou，"criedCarter，frightenedbutalsogreatlyexcited，"yourmotherwon’tgiveyouapenny！"
　　"Andthat，"tauntedDolly，perfectlyawarethatshewasridiculous，"iswhyyouwon’tmarryme！"
　　Foraninstant，longenoughtomakeherblushwithshameandhappiness，Cartergrinnedather。"Now，justforthat，"hesaid，"I
　　won’tkissyou，andIWILLmarryyou！"But，asamatteroffact，heDIDkissher。Thenhegazedhappilyaroundhissmallsitting—room。
　　"Makeyourselfathomehere，"hedirected，"whileIpackmybag。"
　　"IMEANtomakemyselfverymuchathomehere，"saidDollyjoyfully，"fortherestofmylife。"
　　FromtherecessesoftheflatCartercalled:"Therent’spaidonlytillSeptember。Afterthatweliveinahallbedroomandcookonagas—stove。Andthat’snoidlejest，either。"
　　FearingthepublicityoftheCityHalllicensebureau，theyreleasedtheclergyman，muchtothereliefofthatgentleman，andtoldthechauffeurtodriveacrosstheStatelineintoConnecticut。
　　"It’sthelasttimewecanborrowyourmother’scar，"saidCarter，"andwe’dbettermakeitgoasfaraswecan。"
　　ItwasoneofthosedaysinMay。Bluewastheskyandsunshinewasintheair，andintheparklittlegirlsfromthetenements，inwhite，wereplayingtheywerequeens。Dollywantedtokidnaptwoofthemforbridesmaids。InHarlemtheystoppedatajeweler’sshop，andCartergotoutandboughtawedding—ring。
　　IntheBronxweredogwoodblossomsandleavesoftendergreenandbedsoftulips，andalongtheBostonPostRoad，ontheirright，theSoundflashedinthesunlight；andontheirleft，gardens，lawns，andorchardsranwiththeroad，andtheappletreesweremassesofpinkandwhite。
　　Wheneveracarapproachedfromtherear，CarterpretendeditwasMrs。Ingramcomingtopreventtheelopement，andDollyclungtohim。Whenthecarhadpassed，sheforgottostopclingingtohim。
　　InGreenwichVillagetheyprocuredalicense，andamagistratemarriedthem，andtheywerealittlefrightenedandgreatlyhappyand，theybothdiscoveredsimultaneously，outrageouslyhungry。SotheydrovethroughBedfordVillagetoSouthSalem，andlunchedattheHorseandHoundsInn，onblueandwhitechina，inthesameroomwhereMajorAndrewasonceaprisoner。AndtheyfeltverysorryforMajorAndre，andforeverybodywhohadnotbeenjustmarriedthatmorning。Andafterlunchtheysatoutsideinthegardenandfedlumpsofsugartoacharmingcollieandcreamtoafatgraycat。
　　TheydecidedtostarthousekeepinginCarter’sflat，andsoturnedbacktoNewYork，thistimefollowingtheoldcoachroadthroughNorthCastletoWhitePlains，acrosstoTarrytown，andalongthebankoftheHudsonintoRiversideDrive。Millionsandmillionsoffriendlyfolk，chieflynurse—maidsandtrafficpolicemen，wavedtothem，andforsomereasonsmiled。
　　"Thejokeofitis，"declaredCarter，"theydon’tknow！Themostwonderfuleventofthecenturyhasjustpassedintohistory。Wearemarried，andnobodyknows！"
　　ButwhenthecardroveawayfrominfrontofCarter’sdoor，theysawontopofittwooldshoesandasignreading:"Wehavejustbeenmarried。"Whiletheyhadbeenatluncheon，thechauffeurhadrisentotheoccasion。
　　"Afterall，"saidCartersoothingly，"hemeantnoharm。Andit’stheonlythingaboutourweddingyetthatseemslegal。"
　　Threemonthslatertwoveryunhappyyoungpeoplefacedstarvationinthesitting—roomofCarter’sflat。Gloomwaswrittenuponthecountenanceofeach，andtheheatandthecarethatcomeswhenonedesirestolive，andlacksthewherewithaltofulfillthatdesire，hadmadethempallidandhaddrawnblacklinesunderDolly’seyes。
　　Mrs。Ingramhadplayedherpartexactlyasherdearestfriendshadsaidshewould。ShehadsenttoCarter’sflat，seventrunksfilledwithDolly’sclothes，eighteenhats，andanothermostunpleasantletter。Inthis，onthesoleconditionthatDollywouldatonceleaveherhusband，sheofferedtoforgiveandtosupporther。
　　TothisDollycomposedelevenscornfulanswers，butfinallydecidedthatnoansweratallwasthemostscornful。
　　SheandCarterthenproceededjoyfullytowastehisthreethousanddollarswiththatcontemptformoneywithwhichonahoney—moonitshouldalwaysberegarded。Whentherewasnomore，Dollycalleduponhermother’slawyersandinquiredifherfatherhadleftheranythinginherownright。Thelawyersregrettedhehadnot，buthavinglovedDollysinceshewasborn，offeredtoadvanceheranymoneyshewanted。Theysaidtheyfeltsurehermotherwould"relent。"
　　"SHEmay，"saidDollyhaughtily。"IWON’T！AndmyhusbandcangivemeallIneed。Ionlywantedsomethingofmyown，becauseI’mgoingtomakehimasurprisepresentofanewmotor—car。Theoneweareusingnowdoesnotsuitus。
　　Thiswasquitetrue，astheonetheywerethenusingranthroughthesubway。
　　Assummerapproached，Carterhadsuddenlyawakenedtothefactthathesoonwouldbeapauper，andcutshortthehoney—moon。Theyreturnedtotheflat，andhesetforthtolookforaposition。
　　Later，whilestilllookingforit，hespokeofitasa"job。"Hefirstthoughthewouldliketobeanassistanteditorofamagazine。Buthefoundeditorsofmagazinesanxioustoemploynewanduntriedassistants，especiallyinJune，wereveryfew。Onthecontrary，theyexplainedtheywereretrenchingandcuttingdownexpenses——theymeanttheyhaddischargedallofficeboyswhoreceivedmorethanthreedollarsaweek。Theyfurther"retrenched，"
　　bytakingameanadvantageofCarter’shavingcalledupontheminperson，byhandinghimthreeorfourofhisstories——butbythishesavedhispostage—stamps。
　　Eachday，whenhereturnedtotheflat，Dolly，whoalwaysexpectedeacheditorwouldhastilydustoffhischairandofferittoherbrillianthusband，wouldsmileexcitedlyandgasp，"Well？"andCarterwouldthrowtherejectedmanuscriptsonthetableandsay:
　　"Atleast，Ihavenotreturnedempty—handed。"Thentheywoulddiscoveramagazinethatneithertheynoranyoneelseknewexisted，andtheywouldhurriedlyreaddressthemanuscriptstothatperiodical，andruntopostthemattheletter—boxonthecorner。
　　"Anyoneofthem，ifACCEPTED，"Carterwouldpointout，"mightbringusintwenty—fivedollars。Astoryofmineoncesoldforforty；soto—nightwecanaffordtodineatarestaurantwherewineisNOT’included。’"
　　Fortunately，theyneverlosttheirsenseofhumor。Otherwisethenarrowconfinesoftheflat，theevilsmellsthatrosefromthebakedstreets，thegreasyfoodofItalianandHungarianrestaurants，andtheever—hauntingneedofmoneymighthavecrushedtheiryouthfulspirits。Butintimeeventheyfoundthatone，stilllesstwo，cannotexistexclusivelyonloveandthepowertoseethebrightsideofthings——especiallywhenthereisnobrightside。
　　Theyhadcometothepointwheretheymustborrowmoneyfromtheirfriends，andthat，thoughthereweremanywhowouldhaveopenedtheirsafestothem，theyhadagreedwastheonethingtheywouldnotdo，ortheymuststarve。Thealternativewasequallydistasteful。
　　Carterhadstruggledearnestlytofindajob。Buthisinexperienceandtheseasonoftheyearwereagainsthim。Nonewspaperwantedadramaticcriticwhentheonlyshowsintownhadbeenrunningthreemonths，andonroofgardens；nordidtheywanta"cub"reporterwhenveteranswerebeing"laidoff"bythedozens。Norwerehisservicesdesiredasaprivatesecretary，ataxicabdriver，anagenttosellrealestateorautomobilesorstocks。Asnoonegavehimachancetoprovehisunfitnessforanyofthesecallings，thefactthatheknewnothingofanyofthemdidnotgreatlymatter。AttheserebuffsDollywasdistinctlypleased。Shearguedtheyprovedhewasintendedtopursuehisnaturalcareerasanauthor。
　　Thattheirfriendsmightknowtheywerepoordidnotaffecther，butshedidnotwantthemtothinkbyhistakingupanyoutside"job"thattheywerepoorbecauseasaliterarygeniushewasafailure。Shebelievedinhisstories。Shewantedeveryoneelsetobelieveinthem。Meanwhile，sheassistedhiminsofarasshecouldbypawningthecontentsoffiveoftheseventrunks，bylearningtocookona"Kitchenette，"andtolaundryherhandkerchiefsandironthemonthelooking—glass。
　　Theyfacedeachotheracrossthebreakfast—table。Itwasonlynineo’clock，butthesunbeatintotheflatwiththebreathofafurnace，andtheairwasfoulandhumid。
　　"Itellyou，"Carterwassayingfiercely，"youlookill。Youareill。Youmustgotothesea—shore。Youmustvisitsomeofyourproud，friendsatEastHamptonorNewport。ThenI’llknowyou’rehappyandIwon’tworry，andI’llfindajob。Idon’tmindtheheat—andI’llwriteyouloveletters"——hewastalkingveryfastandnotlookingatDolly——"likethoseIusedtowriteyou，before————"
　　Dollyraisedherhand。"Listen！"shesaid。"SupposeIleaveyou。
　　Whatwillhappen？I’llwakeupinacool，beautifulbrassbed，won’tI——withcretonnewindow—curtains，andsaltairblowingthemabout，andamaidtobringmecoffee。Andinsteadofabathroomlikeyours，nexttoanelevatorshaftandafire—escape，I’llhaveoneasbigasachurch，andthewholeblueoceantoswimin。AndI’llsitontherocksinthesunshineandwatchthewavesandtheyachts——"
　　"Andgrowwellagain！"criedCarter。"Butyou’llwritetome，"headdedwistfully，"everyday，won’tyou？"
　　Inherwrath，Dollyrose，andfromacrossthetableconfrontedhim。
　　"AndwhatwillIbedoingonthoserocks？"shecried。"YouKNOW
　　whatI’llbedoing！I’llbesobbing，andsobbing，andcallingouttothewaves:’Whydidhesendmeaway？Whydoesn’thewantme？
　　Becausehedoesn’tloveme。That’swhy！Hedoesn’tLOVEme！’AndyouDON’T！"criedDolly。"youDON’T！"
　　Ittookhimallofthreeminutestopersuadehershewasmistaken。
　　"Verywell，then，"sobbedDolly，"that’ssettled。Andthere’llbenomoretalkofsendingmeaway！
　　"TherewillNOT！"saidChampneyshastily。"Wewillnow，"heannounced，"gointocommitteeofthewholeanddecidehowwearetofacefinancialfailure。Ourassetsconsistoftwostories，accepted，butnotpaidfor，andfifteenstoriesnotaccepted。Incash，hespreaduponthetableameagrecollectionofsoiledbillsandcoins。"Wehavetwenty—sevendollarsandfourteencents。Thatiseverypennywepossessintheworld。"
　　Dollyregardedhimfixedlyandshookherhead。
　　"Isitwicked，"sheasked，"toloveyouso？"
　　"Haven’tyoubeenlisteningtome？"demandedCarter。
　　AgainDollyshookherhead。
　　"Iwaswatchingthewayyoutalk。Whenyourlipsmovefasttheydosuchcharmingthings。"
　　"Doyouknow，"roaredCarter，"thatwehaven’tapennyintheworld，thatwehavenothinginthisflattoeat？"
　　"Istillhavefivehats，"saidDolly。
　　"Wecan’teathats，"protestedChampneys。
　　"Wecansellhats！"returnedDolly。"Theycosteightydollarsapiece！"
　　"Whenyouneedmoney，"explainedCarter，"Ifindit’sjustashardtosellahatastoeatit。"
　　"Twenty—sevendollarsandfourteencents，"repeatedDolly。Sheexclaimedremorsefully:"Andyoustartedwiththreethousand！WhatdidIdowithit？"
　　"Webothhadthetimeofourliveswithit！"saidCarterstoutly。
　　"Andthat’sallthereistothat。Post—mortems，"hepointedout，"areusefulonlyasguidestothefuture，andasourfuturewillneverholdasecondthreethousanddollars，weneedn’tworryabouthowwespentthefirstone。No！Whatwemustconsidernowishowwecangrowrichquick，andthequickerandricher，thebetter。
　　Pawningourclothes，orwhat’sleftofthem，isbadeconomics。
　　There’snouseconsideringhowtolivefrommealtomeal。Wemustevolvesomethingbig，picturesque，thatwillbringafortune。Youhaveimagination；I’msupposedtohaveimagination，wemustthinkofaplantogetmoney，muchmoney。Idonotinsistonourplanbeingdignified，orevenoutwardlyrespectable；solongasitkeepsyoualive，itmaybeasdesperateas——"
　　"Isee！"criedDolly；"likesendingmotherBlackHandletters！"
　　"Blackmail————"beganthatlady’sson—in—lawdoubtfully。
　　"Or！"criedDolly，"wemightkidnapMr。Carnegiewhenhe’swalkingintheparkalone，andholdhimforransom。Or"——sherushedon——
　　"wemightforgeacodiciltofather’swill，andmakeitsayifmothershouldn’tlikethemanIwanttomarry，alloffather’sfortunemustgotomyhusband！"
　　"Forgery，"exclaimedChampneys，"isgoingfurtherthanI————"
　　"Andanotherplan，"interruptedDolly，"thatIhavealwayshadinmind，istoissueacheapereditionofyourbook，’TheDeadHeat。’
　　Thereasonthefirsteditionof’TheDeadHeat’didn’tsell————"
　　"Don’ttellMEwhyitdidn’tsell，"saidChampneys。"Iwroteit！"
　　"Thatbook，"declaredDollyloyally，"wasneverproperlyadvertised。Nooneknewaboutit，sonooneboughtit！"
　　"Elevenpeopleboughtit！"correctedtheauthor。
　　"Wewillputitinapapercoverandsellitforfiftycents，"
　　criedDolly。"It’sthebestdetectivestoryIeverread，andpeoplehavegottoknowitisthebest。Sowe’lladvertiseitlikeabreakfastfood。"
　　"Theidea，"interruptedChampneys，"istomakemoney，notthrowitaway。Besides，wehaven’tanytothrowaway。Dollysighedbitterly。
　　"Ifonly，"sheexclaimed，"wehadthatthreethousanddollarsbackagain！I’dsaveSOcarefully。Itwasallmyfault。Theracestookit，butitwasItookyoutotheraces。"
　　"NooneeverhadtodragMEtotheraces，"saidCarter。"Itwasthewaywewentthatwasextravagant。Automobilesbythehourstandingidle，andaboxeachday，and————"
　　"AndalwaysbackingDromedary，"suggestedDolly。Carterwastouchedonasensitivespot。"Thathorse，"heprotestedloudly，"isamightygoodhorse。Someday————"
　　"That’swhatyoualwayssaid，"remarkedDolly，"butheneverseemstohavehisday。"
　　"It’sstrange，"saidChampneysconsciously。"IdreamedofDromedaryonlylastnight。Samedreamoverandoveragain。"Hastilyhechangedthesubject。
　　"ForsomereasonIdon’tsleepwell。Idon’tknowwhy。"
　　Dollylookedathimwithalltheloveinhereyesofamotheroverherailinginfant。
　　"It’sworryingoverme，andtheheat，"’shesaid。"Andthegaragenextdoor，andtheskyscrapergoingupacrossthestreet，mighthavesomethingtodowithit。AndYOU，"shemockedtenderly，"wantedtosendmetothesea—shore。"
　　Carterwasfrowning。Asthoughabouttospeak，heopenedhislips，andthenlaughedembarrassedly。
　　"Outwithit，"saidDolly，withanencouragingsmile。"Didhewin？"
　　Seeingshehadreadwhatwasinhismind，Carterleanedforwardeagerly。Therulingpassionandatouchofsuperstitionheldhimintheirgrip。
　　"He’win’eachtime，"hewhispered。"IsawitasplainasIseeyou。Eachtimehecameupwitharushjustatthesameplace，justastheyenteredthestretch，andeachtimehewon！"Heslappedhishanddisdainfullyuponthedirtybillsbeforehim。"IfIhadahundreddollars！"
　　Therewasaknockatthedoor，andCarteropenedittotheelevatorboywiththemorningmail。Theletters，saveone，Carterdroppeduponthetable。Thatone，withclumsyfingers，hetoreopen。Heexclaimedbreathlessly:"It’sfromPLYMPTON’SMAGAZINE！Maybe——I’vesoldastory！"Hegaveacryalmostofalarm。Hisvoicewasassolemnasthoughtheletterhadannouncedadeath。
　　"Dolly，"hewhispered，"it’sacheck——acheckforaHUNDRED
　　DOLLARS！"
　　Guiltily，thetwoyoungpeoplelookedateachother。
　　"We’veGOTto！"breathedDolly。"GOTto！IfweletTWOsignslikethatpass，we’dbeflyinginthefaceofProvidence。"
　　Withherhandsgrippingthearmsofherchair，sheleanedforward，hereyesstaringintospace，herlipsmoving。
　　"COMEON，youDromedary！"shewhispered。
　　Theychangedthecheckintofiveandtendollarbills，and，asCarterwasfartooexcitedtowork，madeanabsurdlyearlystartfortherace—track。
　　"Wemightaswellgetallthefreshairwecan，"saidDolly。
　　"That’sallwewillget！"
　　Fromtheirreservefundoftwenty—sevendollarswhicheachhadsolemnlyagreedwiththeotherwouldnotberiskedonrace—horses，Dollysubtractedatwo—dollarbill。Thisshestuckconspicuouslyacrossthefaceoftheclockonthemantel。
　　"Why？"askedCarter。
　　"Whenwegetbackthisevening，"Dollyexplained，"thatwillbethefirstthingwe’llsee。It’sgoingtolookawfullygood！"
　　ThisdaytherewasnoscarletcartorushthemwithrefreshingswiftnessthroughBrooklyn’sparkwaysandalongtheOceanAvenue。
　　Instead，theyhungtoastrapinacross—towncar，changedtotheferry，andagaintotheLongIslandRailroad。WhenCarterhaltedatthespecialcaroftheTurfClub，Dollytookhisarmandledhimforwardtothedaycoach。
　　"But，"protestedCarter，"whenyou’respendingahundreddollarswithonehand，whygrudgefiftycentsforaparlor—carseat？Ifyou’regoingtobeasport，beasport。""Andifyou’vegottobeapiker，"saidDolly，don’tbeashamedtobeapiker。We’renotspendingahundreddollarsbecausewecanaffordit，butbecauseyoudreamtadream。Youdidn’tdreamyouwereridinginparlor—cars！Ifyoudid，it’stimeIwokeyou。"
　　Thisdaytherewasforthemnoboxoverlookingthefinish，noclub—houseluncheon。Withtheotherpikers，theysatinthefreeseats，withthosewhosatcoatlessandtuckedtheirhandkerchiefsinsidetheircollars，andwiththosewhomoppedtheirperspiringcountenanceswithrice—paperandmarkedtheircardswithahat—pin。
　　Theirlunchconsistedofamassivehamsandwichwithatopdressingofmustard。
　　Dromedarydidnotrununtilthefifthrace，andthelongwait，beforetheycouldlearntheirfate，wasintolerable。Theyknewmostofthehorses，and，topassthetime，oneachofthefirstracesDollymadeimaginarybets。Ofthesementalwagers，shelosteveryone。
　　"Ifyouturnouttobeasbadaguesserwhenyou’reasleepasIamwhenI’mawake，"saidDolly，"we’regoingtoloseourfortune。"
　　"I’mweakening！"declaredCarter。"Ahundreddollarsisbeginningtolooktomelikeanawfullotofmoney。Twenty—sevendollars，andthere’sonlytwentyofthatleftnow，ismightysmallcapital，buttwentydollarsplusahundredcouldkeepusaliveforamonth！"
　　"Didyou，ordidyounot，dreamthatDromedarywouldwin？"demandedDollysternly。
　　"Icertainlydid，severaltimes，"saidCarter。"ButitmaybeIwasthinkingofthehorse。I’velostsuchalotonhim，mymindmayhave————"
　　"Didyou，"interruptedDolly，"sayifyouhadahundreddollarsyou’dbetit，anddidahundreddollarswalkinthroughthedoorinstantly？"
　　Carter，reassured，breathedagain。"Itcertainlydid！"herepeated。
　　Eveninhisprouddays，Carterhadneverbeenabletobetheavily，andinsteadoftroublingtheclub—housecommissionerswithhissmallwagers，hehad，inthering，betreadymoney。Moreover，hebelievedintheringheobtainedmorefavorableodds，and，whenhewon，itpleasedhim，insteadofwaitinguntilsettlingdayforacheck，tostandinalineandfeeltherealmoneythrustintohishand。So，whenthefourthracestartedheroseandraisedhishat。
　　"Thetimehascome，"hesaid。
　　Withoutlookingathim，Dollynodded。Shewasfartootremuloustospeak。
　　ForseveralweeksDromedaryhadnotbeenplaced，andCarterhopedforoddsofatleasttentoone。But，whenhepushedhiswayintothearena，hefoundsolittlewasthoughtofhischoicethatashighastwentytoonewasbeingoffered，andwithfewtakers。Thefactshatteredhisconfidence。Hereweretwohundredbook—makers，trainedtotheircalling，anxiousatabsurdoddstobacktheiropinionthatthehorsehelikedcouldnotwin。Inthefaceofsuchunanimouscontempt，hisdreambecamefantastic，fatuous。Hedecidedhewouldriskonlyhalfofhisfortune。Then，shouldthehorsewin，hestillwouldbepassingrich，andshouldhelose，hewould，atleast，havealloffiftydollars。
　　Withabook—makerhewageredthatsum，andthen，inunhappyindecision，stood，inonehandclutchinghisticketthatcalledforapotentialthousandandfiftydollars，andintheotheranactualfifty。Itwasnotaplaceformeditation。Fromeverysidemen，moreorlesssane，sweptuponhim，jostledhim，andstampeduponhim，andstill，strugglingforafoothold，heswayed，hesitating。Thenhebecameconsciousthattheringwasnearlyempty，thatonlyafewshriekingindividualsstillrandowntheline。Thehorsesweregoingtothepost。Hemustdecidequickly。Infrontofhimthebook—makercleanedhisboard，and，asafinalappeal，oppositethenamesofthreehorseschalkedthirtytoone。Dromedarywasamongthem。Suchoddscouldnotberesisted。Cartershovedhisfiftyattheman，andtothatsumaddedthetwentydollarsstillinhispocket。Theywerethelastdollarsheownedintheworld。Andthoughheknewtheywerehislast，hewasfearfullestthebook—makerwouldrefusethem。But，mechanically，themanpassedthemoverhisshoulder。
　　"Andtwenty—onehundredtoseventy，"hechanted。
　　WhenCartertookhisseatbesideDolly，hewasquitecold。Still，Dollydidnotspeak。Outofthecornerofhereyesshequestionedhim。
　　"Igotfiftyattwentytoone，"repliedCarter，andseventyatthirty！"
　　Inalarm，Dollyturneduponhim。
　　"SEVENTY！"shegasped。
　　Carternodded。"Allwehave，"hesaid。"Wehavesixtycentsleft，tostartlifeoveragain！"
　　Asthoughtoencouragehim，Dollyplacedherfingeronherrace—card。
　　"Hiscolors，"shesaid，"are’greencap，greenjacket，greenandwhitehoops。’"
　　Throughamazeofheat，ahalf—miledistant，atthestarting—gate，littlespotsofcolormovedinimpatientcircles。Thebig，good—naturedcrowdhadgrownsilent，sosilentthatfromthehigh，sun—warmedgrassintheinfieldonecouldhearthelazychirpofthecrickets。Asthoughrepeatingaprayer，oranincantation，Dolly’slipsweremovingquickly。
　　"Greencap，"shewhispered，"greenjacket，greenandwhitehoops！"
　　Withasharpsighthecrowdbrokethesilence。"They’reoff！"itcried，andleanedforwardexpectant。
　　Thehorsescamesofast。ToCartertheirconductseemedoutrageous。
　　Itwasincrediblethatinsoshortatime，atapacesoreckless，theywoulddecideaquestionofsuchmoment。Theycamebunchedtogether，shiftingandchanging，with，throughthedust，flashesofblueandgoldandscarlet。Ajacketofyellowshotoutofthedustandshowedinfront；ajacketofcrimsonfollowed。Sotheywereatthehalf；sotheywereatthethree—quarters。
　　Thegood—naturedcrowdbegantosway，togrumbleandmurmur，thentoshoutinsharpstaccato。
　　"Canyouseehim？"beggedDolly。
　　"No，"saidCarter。"Youdon’tseehimuntiltheyreachthestretch。"
　　Onecouldheartheirhoofs，couldseethecrimsonjockeydrawhiswhip。Atthesight，forherodethefavorite，thecrowdgaveagreatgaspofconcern。
　　"Oh，youGoldHeels！"itimplored。
　　Underthewhip，GoldHeelsdrewevenwiththeyellowjacket；stridebystride，theyfoughtitoutalone。
　　"GoldHeels！"criedthecrowd。
　　Behindthem，inacurtainofdust，poundedthefield。Itchargedinaflyingwedge，likeatroopofcavalry。Dolly，searchingforagreenjacket，saw，instead，arainbowwaveofcolorthat，asitroseandfell，sprangtowardheringreatleaps，swallowingthetrack。
　　"GoldHeels！"yelledthecrowd。
　　Thefieldsweptintothestretch。Withoutmovinghiseyes，CartercaughtDollybythewristandpointed。Asthoughgivingasignal，heshothisfreehandintotheair。
　　"Now！"heshouted。
　　Fromthecurtainofdust，aslightningstrikesthroughacloud，dartedagreat，raw—boned，uglychestnut。LiketheEmpireExpress，hecamerocking，thundering，spurningtheground。Athiscoming，GoldHeels，totheeyesofthecrowd，seemedtofalter，toslacken，tostandstill。Thecrowdgaveagreatcryofamazement，ayellofdisgust。ThechestnutdrewevenwithGoldHeels，passedhim，andsweptunderthewire。Clingingtohisneckwasalittlejockeyinagreencap，greenjacket，andhoopsofgreenandwhite。
　　Dolly’shandwasatherside，clutchingthebench。Carter’shandstillclaspedit。Neitherspokeorlookedattheother。Foraninstant，whilethecrowd，nolongersogood—natured，mockedandjeeredatitself，thetwoyoungpeoplesatquitestill，staringatthegreenfield，atthewhitecloudsrollingfromtheocean。Dollydrewalongbreath。
　　"Let’sgo！"shegasped。"Let’sthankhimfirst，andthentakemehome！"
　　TheyfoundDromedaryinthepaddock，andthankedhim，andCarterleftDollywithhim，whileherantocollecthiswinnings。Whenhereturned，heshowedherasheafofyellowbills，andastheyrandownthecoveredboardwalktothegate，theyskippedanddanced。
　　Dollyturnedtowardthetraindrawnupattheentrance。
　　"Notwithme！"shoutedCarter。"We’regoinghomeinthereddest，mostexpensive，fastestautomobileIcanhire！"
　　Inthe"hack"lineofmotor—carswasonethatansweredthoserequirements，andtheyfellintoitasthoughitweretheirown。
　　"TotheNightandDayBank！"commandedCarter。
　　Withthegenialdemocracyoftherace—track，thechauffeurliftedhisheadtogrinappreciatively。"Thatlistensgoodtome！"hesaid。
　　"Ilikehim！"whisperedDolly。"Let’sbuyhimandthecar。"
　　Onthewayhome，theyboughtmanycars；everycartheysaw，thattheyliked，theybought。Theybought，also，severalhouses，andayachtthattheysawfromtheferry—boat。Andassoonastheyhaddepositedthemostoftheirmoneyinthebank，theywenttoapawnshopinSixthAvenueandboughtbackmanypossessionsthattheyhadfearedtheyneverwouldseeagain。
　　Whentheyenteredtheflat，thethingtheyfirstbeheldwasDolly’stwo—dollarbill。
　　"What，"demandedCarter，withrepugnance，"isthatstrangepieceofpaper？"
　　Dollyexamineditcarefully。"Ithinkitisakindofmoney，"shesaid，usedbythelowerclasses。"
　　TheydinedontheroofatDelmonico’s。Dollyworethelargestofthefivehatsstillunsold，andCarterselectedthedishesentirelyaccordingtowhichwasthemostexpensive。Everynowandagaintheywouldlookanxiouslydownacrossthestreetatthebankthatheldtheirmoney。Theywerenervouslestitshouldtakefire。
　　"Wecanbeextravagantto—night，"saidDolly，"becauseweoweittoDromedarytocelebrate。Butfromto—nightonwemustsave。We’vehadanawfullesson。Whathappenedtouslastmonthmustneverhappenagain。Weweredowntoatwo—dollarbill。Nowwehavetwenty—fivehundredacrossthestreet，andyouhaveseveralhundredsinyourpocket。Onthatwecanliveeasilyforayear。