The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1916-05-28

Gerry and Mona were ready to leave wA1<
she came back with flushed cheeks and shin3m
dad says It's all right" she said. ~Wds1
just got time to hurry over and make . bet. IN
do 1t today, you see--I've got enough"
"oh, we'll all risk q flyer or So" said Gerry
What odds will we get?"
Not very big-this is Just for q try-out, yuu3
see" said Mary. But hurry-hurry-or we'll -
too late"
In the pool-room, however. they found there
was plenty of time, since the clock there waa
slower than Gerry's watch
Dads had that fixed" she whispered. "ThaS 1
gives us even more of a margin, you see."
Gerry smiled reassurngly at her. It certatnIysss
looked good. Then the closing OF the win.
dow, and the exciting few minutes in which tho 4
at the wire read off the description Of tho &
race. They had bet on Tessie, at even money. II \
the fourth race and at last came the final an-N
nouncement
"In the stretch-Blue Kid ahead-Tessiel
being ridden out-Tessie leads-Tessie head
Tesse length-Tessie wins !"
They cashed in the small bets they had made 4
and Mona was almost hysterical with delight ehs
managed to repress her enthusiasm until they
were outside, but it was with difficulty.
"Oh, can't wait until tomorrow, now that
know it's to be all right.' she said 1
MARY isn't 1t wonderful"
II really think needn't worry any morelaz
said Mary her relief plain in her voice.
"Of course mott" said Gerry, heartily. Now
about tomorrow"
Need we wait until tomorrow. even ?" ssIssa
Mary, suddenly Il think Dad might have soma.
thing more. even todayw
WED have to get some real money" sa39l
Gerry.
THE banks, haven't closed yet" said Mona.
you telephone again. Mary. said Gerry.
"I'n drop Mona at her bank, and then 60 to nN]
When come back, If you've got anotA1GI
good thing-why, we'll make the big plunge
So 1t is arranged. They dropped Mary q IA
drug store, and then Mona stopped at her bank "a
which wasn't hers at all, since. until the nSx1a
day at all events, she couldn't hope to indulge t.
the luxury of real bank account. But whens
Gerry came back for her she emerged from tn
bank, closing her hand bag. which was bulginets
precisely If she had filled II with bills. Gerry
tapped his coat pocket significantly and thaN
drove to the drug store where they had -
Mary.
She came rushing out as
"Oh, you're just in time I" she cried, EySss1ss
ically. Dads just given me the dope on tia d4t6
ace-hurry-hurry-hurry
She handed Gerry the slip Of paper she had
held in her hand she came. and he took nv
glancing at the name of the horse. They hurried.
to the pool-room, and found that they were;
only just in time.
There you are r" said Gerry, excitedly. q 80
cashiers window. Fifteen thousand-there's thes
slip-"
"Take mine, too" cried Mona, pushing him
aside. ION the same horsew
The bets placed. Almost at once, toOs
the story of the race began to come IN. They ha4
bet on Hallo-Halo was of to flying start, an4
set the pace through the early stages Of the raco
the favorite, swept up and won by o nose Hal30@
secondhand they had lost - - !
1--WE win-we win!" cried Mona "And thas
odds for place Ave to one!
you never said place-we bet to win I" saS4
Mary. finding her voice suddenly.
"You--bet to VIM" rejoined Mona. her faG1I
white. Il said place-place-not to win"
NO." cried Gerry. furiously. seeming tridnks
You said win"
''Of course you did I" snapped Mary.
For tense moment the two girls glsred a.
one another.
'You-you miserable, lying cheat" bresthsa
Mona. And then the situation rushed to cllma1|
90 swiftly that the onlookers were held spell.I
bound. With muttered cry. Mona flung herael4
hat. 1t cleaned in the light. Mary stagKero6|
back. and then something else cleaned. II was ~
tiny revolver Mary had pulled from her muMsl
Before the group could interfere, or even 81
out. there q sharp report, little swirl ~
smoke, and Mona sank to the floor, red stain
gathering on her temple.
"Ohr shrieked Mary IT have killed herr u
Gerry staring in horror, suddenly remembero0
his own plight. It would be ruinous TO b N
volved in a murder He dashed for the door. HUI,
two Of the "csppers" held him back l
wait, young man! Wen need You when thel
The words added to Gerry's growing diamay.a
He darted another glance at the prostrats giSl;
on the floor, but it was not Of her he was think
ing All of his selishness and baser instincts hadS
come of sudden to the surface. He wSs cone
cerned only with the thought OF protecting hlm.a
self. Desperately he produced his check book
and fountain pen, and hurriedly scrubbed large
check to Cash.
"Now, will you let me go?" he pleaded.
The group around him hesitated. Mary waos
bent over Mona, sobbing pitifuly. But ct 8 sienE
from Deering the check accepted.
'Ill take chance" he said, after Il II
cashedr'
And not until messenger returned With 81
rubber-bound packet of bills the Whitehead
Gerry suffered to depart. As tho door closed hins
steps could be heard gathering wildly down tho
stairs. s
At the sound the scene in the pool-room
changed as by magic With little cry OF relief,
the dead" girl on the floor scrambled 10 her
knees, dabbing with her handkerchief ct the red
paint which she had clapped to her temple.
Isis he really gomez" she gasped. And
Is 1t all over?" a
Mary threw her arms around her neck. 'Youl
did it splendidly. dead! really thought hadS
killed you'll" The two Joined IA the hystsricAls
laugh.
Mona turned to the men.
"Now, we'll divide! Hero, take your ncneyss
and 60. We were glad Of your help. but We vuntI
need you any longer, think