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。