Evening star., 1937-08-18
CHAPTER XVII.

CHAPTER XVII.
Tip O'Brien, figuring the days
take with an assistant, did not seem
to have heard Dukes jubilant cry.
Grandfather Clayton went on eating,
his only reply being a skeptical glance
at Duke.
Don't look at me like that, Gramp,"
said Duke, humping him on the back.
Don't you understand? The sucker
Is ready and rarin' to go the limit on
Moon Ray!''
Moon Rays going to win the
Hopeful"
"Just because you bred that horse,
don't be crazy. With Dixie Gordon up
on Lightning, I'll be millionaire this
time tomorrow. And what's the
matter with you, Tip-why don't you
Join in the jubilee?"
Tip looked up and spoke none too
enthusiastically. He was one given to
understatement.
"A pretty fair day. grand out in
front"
Duke grinned and threw Grand
father Clayton a wink.
when things break as sweetly for
me as they have since we got back to
the home track, it's q pushover for
the Hopeful. Lucks with me now
luck and Dixie Gordon. And 80 this
time tomorrow I'll be quitting the
track and settling down."
"Where?" Tip asked. in the tone Of
one who is being polite but was not
really interested.
"Brookdale I'm going to marry
Carol"
whats that?" shrieked Tip.
"Why do you think I've spent q
whole year trying to get a stake out
Of that sucker of Madison?"
"Well for-whaddayu think Of that!"
Tips eyelids we're batting up and down
and he seemed to be choking out his
words, rather than speaking them.
'@D'ye mean to say you've been IN love
with Carol forNhis whole year.
"Just that. But don't be upset,
you weren't wise to 1t, Tip. I don't
mind telling you. as one friend to
another, I've just found it out myself. "
"Aw-anybody shoulda seen.
didn't put two and two together-then
I'd have known why you were losing
your grip, letting the dame track you
arulnd-taking her bets when she was
cleaning you for plenty"
"Shes one smart lady when it comes
TO handicapping, Tip"
Grandfather Clayton could not let
that remark pass without a retort from
him.
Not during this whole meet, she
Amt been," he said scornfully.
allah be praised for that" said
Tip. "Madison's paying through the
nose now!"
That's what I've always told her."
said Duke with laugh. I've warned
her about the law OF averages"
The old man was chuckling mis-
ct1ievously.
''Tell you something, Duke" he said
"Been tickled to see you take that
chump Madison. Maybe he's all
right. But he's not my kind"
"All right" broke in Tip. But
Carols engaged to him. How about
that. Don't that kinda interfere with
your plan, Duke?"
Nope. Didn't you hear me say I'm
going to marry her?"
That's what you say. How do you
know she'll mafry you?"
Duke smiled in answer. He could
not tell, of course, that Carol had
already told him she loved him. The
fact she WAS angry with him now did
not disturb him in the least. He knew
that Carol had been speaking the truth
that day on the train.
"And Gramp," said Duke, when
I'm your grandson, I'm going to fix
up Brookdale for you. Remind me If
I forget"
"D'you mean-get me a stud?" he
asked excitedly.
1.-TWO Of 'em at the least"
Jaw, you're nuts" said the old man.
Anyway. Carol won't marry you!
She amt got sense enough"
Tip raised his hand as If in defense.
Just supposing," he said as If
suddenly timid-"1 said, just suppos-
tng-Lightning doesn't win. You'd
lose an awful lot Of dough, wouldn't
you?"
Plenty" said Duke cheerfully. "rd
have to spend the rest Of my life pay
ing up"
Then, if Lightning loses, how about
the wedding bels?"
"The wedding bells will ring out.
You don't seem to be quite bright
tonight, Tip, my boy. I'm telling
you lightning is not going to lose.
And now, my friends, I'm off-can't
keep that sucker waiting. It's me for
the biggest bet ever placed on . race
in this or any other burg-and don't
try to contradict me, Gramp, by your
stories Of Diamond Jim Brady and
Bet-A-Million Gates and those other
oldtimers. What I'm going to get from
Madison will make them look like
pikers. BY the way, Gramp, as you
seem to have demolished everything
eatable or drinkable on the table,
want to ride out home with me?"
The old man groaned as t he were
IN pain.
"And see all those Newport ounces
eMttsring up the house7" he said IN
Asgust. "You must think I'm crazy
AAhat granddaughter Of mine. Run
s. sap. Get that bet you're boast