This heat will probably decide the race . If ` Lu-Lu ' wins I will not go back to you , if ` Mascot ' does I will . That is my decision . '' He turned paler , but bowed in assent . He knew by bitter experience how unchangeable her whims were , how obstinately she clung to even the most absurd . She leaned forward breathlessly . The crowd hung silently on the track . `` Lu-Lu '' and `` Mascot '' were neck and neck , getting in splendid work . Half-way round the course `` Lu-Lu '' forged half a neck ahead , and her backers went mad . But one woman dropped her head in her hands and dared look no more . One man with white face and set lips watched the track unswervingly . Again `` Mascot '' crawled up , inch by inch . They were on the home stretch , they were equal , the cheering broke out , then silence , then another terrific burst , shouts , yells and clappings -- `` Mascot '' had won the free-for-all . In the front row a woman stood up , swayed and shaken as a leaf in the wind . She straightened her scarlet hat and readjusted her veil unsteadily . There was a smile on her lips and tears in her eyes . No one noticed her . A man beside her drew her hand through his arm in a quiet proprietary fashion . They left the grand stand together . Lilian 's Business Venture Lilian Mitchell turned into the dry-goods store on Randall Street , just as Esther Miller and Ella Taylor came out .
They responded coldly to her greeting and exchanged significant glances XXXXX they walked away .
If as beside by in into on through to with