The Waterbury Democrat., 1938-09-03
CHAPTER VI

CHAPTER VI
 Monte Hill swaggered up to the auctioneer. Took out checkbook and pen. How do I make out this check?"
 "Well, now" MT. Jenkins hesi- tated.
 "Wait 8 minute" Linda Gordon was pushing forward. Monte thought he had this colt. did he? She'd show him thing or two. MT. Jenkins, you said cash on the barrel-head- no checks accepted If he can give 8 piece of paper" she left the sen- tence unfinished.
 The crowd caught the idea. Be- gan shouting. "Ill give you pretty check, MT. Jenkins!" Take my check, misterP Donald forced him. self to Linda's side, carried on like a relay runner: "Is this check sale, or cash sale? If this mans checks are good, so are mine."
 The auctioneer raised hand for quiet. Hill turned to Linda, "You know me, Miss Gordon. My checks are good at Saratoga; are they good here?"
 Linda looked him straight in the eye. Said: I'm okaying no checks I'm buying a colt, for cash" She glanced up: MT. Auctioneer, do l get the coltp"
 MT. Jenkins cleared his throat. Crowned down at Hill Mister did you run that colt up without enough cash, or certified check to pay for him?"
 T don't carry that much cash with me-" Hill flashed back. My checks"
 Don't want 'em, my friend. Last cash bid was eight hundred"-the auctioneer went into his sing-song- do I hear the thousand?" He did not. "Soldl To the young lady, for cash on the barrel-head."
 The auctioneer jumped to the ground. Donald held out hand to Linda; in 1t were four $100 bills. "You pay" he whispered. Linda put the bills with her money and, carry ing out the ancient southern custom, laid $500 on the head of the keg.
 Here's your bill O sale, Miss. Big Boy, give the colt to the lady, and bring out that nice little bay"
 
 old Sandy Gordon took the halter rein from Big Boy, led the colt to the fence. Linda turned away from the chagrined Hill, motioned to Donald to follow her. "Uncle Sandy, this Is our partner, MT. Donald"
 Brown Donald" the young man said, taking the uncles gnarled fist. Brown Donaldl Where had Linda heard the name? Somewhere in con- nection with this racing game.
 A tall figure loomed over them Monte Hill. He ignored the girl, the young man. Said: MT. Sandy, you don't know me, but when you were winning with Beau Mardi at Saratoga, I was a kid selling pro- grams at the track. I just want to say"
 He smiled at them: spoke as if he harbored no bitterness, You've got the smartest niece in America. If she hadn't spoken, my check would have been taken. But alls fair Iii a horse deal" He turned to Linda: T caught on, that you two were joining forces. You've got an aristocratic partner, but I sort of wish you had teamed up with me" She smiled, too, but 1t came hard. s.Maybe I would have, Monte, but you said women and racing don't mix"
 His face hardened. "They don't"
 Brown Dnoald lifted eyebrows. Don't, eh? We'll show you thing or two"
 "Show me?"
 Yes you" Donald spoke with c superior air.
 'Itll take more than a fancy steeplechase jock to do it," said Hill with finality.
 Linda shot a quick glance at the handsome youngster. So her partner was THE Donald; a gentleman jockey who rode at country club meets. One of the hangers-on of the moneyed aristocracy. So he was try ing to pick up a horse of his own cheap. That was 1t. Probably tired of riding horses for wealthy friends. 'Tell you what I'll do," Hill was speaking again, before you go and ruin this colt over the jumps, I'll give you the same price I bid: thirty i've hundred. guess you'll take my check, Lindap"
 "The colt is not for sale," said Linda, lat any price. And look!" She pointed up the highway. A motorcade was sweeping down to- ward the barn.
 Looks like the crowd from Rad ford's," she said.
 It was. Three cars came to @ dusty stop in front of the sales barn. Bruce Radford jumped out of the first car, followed by a hand- full of proSperous-looking men.
 "Hehl You started the sale?" Radford demanded.
 Waited over an hour for your crowd" the auctioneer complained. ssThis here is business"
 Great Scctt, mani Didn't you know last nights storm washed the Hogan's Creek bridge away? I had t0 detour 22 miles"
 @Xou should-a sent word. But
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