Henderson daily dispatch. (Henderson, N.C.) 1914-1995, 1937-06-12


ners. I'm going to give you the
lot to bet in this last race for
me-"
mo, you're not. I won't have
it," she looked away. CT
haven't an idea who's going to win
this one. No"
II heard you tell Ellen you had
choice in this race, you can't get
out of it. Even Tony here admits
women are dynamite picking win
ners. You put a dollar of your
own with it for luck, and let's ride
winner. I'll give you half of the
payroll" With true gamblers
spirit, Walt was trying to push his
luck on the strength of Marcias
peculiar good fortune.
"Sure, if he's willing to take q
chance, what can you lose ?" Tony
urged her, entering into the
spirit. Even Ellen got excited and
urged her to do it, "for lark"
Marcia looked hesitantly at her
racing form. Red Sunset was the
horse she'd chosen, for no other
reason than the beautiful red
skies on that afternoon when
Sandy had first proposed.
'Well, but if lose"
"You won't, if you place the bet
with your own hands," he said,
superstitiously. Here's the money,
now hurry. Red Sunset, Ell? Well,
that's good enough for mew
In somewhat of a daze, Marcia
walked toward the betting win
doWs. Once up to the "win'' win
dow, she backed away. No, she
couldn't risk so much. Maybe she
should choose him to place, or to
come third? In a panic she
walked to quiet corner, tried to
deliberate what to do. Should she
face the possibility of losing
Waits money, when he was OBJ
viously so avaricious? No, she
didn't dare. Besides, the horse
was quite a long shot; probably
hadn't a chance. Resolutely, she
pocketed the money, and deter
mined to give it back to Walt as
soon as she reached his side. /!
But the race had started before
she edged into the box. Walt dis
regarded her gentle tug on his
coat sleeve. There they 90
around the turn. Where's Red
Sunset? Son-of-a-gun-oh, there
he comes!"
81 didn't" Marcia started toI
tell him she hadn't bet, but he |
gave her no chance. "5e's on the
outside gaining like the devil.
Look at that baby run. Boy.
o-boy" Then he gave an ear
splitting yell, "Come on, Red Sum
set!" i
Marcia began to feel faint an
she saw Red Sunset gain on the
field. What if he should win? He
wouldn't, he couldn't-but he DID!
We've done it, we've done it..
On, Marcia!" the man lifted her
bodily from her feet, and whirled
her about in delirious excitement.
Boy, was that a bunch, to let you.
pick 'em. Why, what's the mat
ter ?"
Marcia slumped down on the
chalr, black waves Of nausea
binding her. In a fog she heard
someone scream, ''Red Sunset pays
$26.2O to win," and with tighten
ing clarity she figured that those
odds of 13 to 1 would have in
creased Waits 500 to well over a
thousand!
CT didn't bet your money,
Walt. was afraid to risk it, hon.
estly I was" she said weakly
when she could get her breath
For minute she thought he was
going to strike her, so great was
his disappointment. "Here, here's
your $50" she fumbled wildly in
her purse. Gone! Frantically, she
turned the contents Of her bag up
side down, went over each item.
cts gone. Somebody must have
picked my pocket. Oh, Walt"
and frightened tears burned her
eyes.
$50, that's the way Of it. You
didn't bet it, and yet you don't
have it. You kidding me, Marcia?
Hand me those tickets!"
(To BE Continuedl