The Waterbury Democrat., 1938-09-15
CHAPTER XIV

OlAK 4 En- AN
They were sitting at table in the
clubhouse when Monte Hill exploded
his bombshell.
Lima, want to pick up $l0,-
OO0p" He asked the question cas-
ually, but she saw a tense look
In his eyes.
She was silent for long while
Just looked at him. Monte
what's the gamer" she asked at
last.
He answered her obliquely:
''You've got a fast colt But he
ran out today; maybe he'll run
out next Saturday. If he does, ne
loses sure. Even if he doesn't,
there's no guarantee that he'll
win"
"wellP" She looked at him
levelly.
He dropped his voice almost to
q whisper: 81 don't want you to
start him in the Stakes"
She felt herself stiffen. why
not?"
He glanced away an instant.
Then faced her. Linda, all the
good 2-year-olds, except my
Merry Maid and your Golden Toy,
have been raced to death this
year. The race is between us
unless the Toy runs out again;
then I've got it in the bag"
"Well?" Afraid to face us,
Monte?"
He answered with a question;
"What's the race worth to you -
II you winP"
ABOUT $4,000 the winners
share; and Tom Cartwright has
an option to buy at $l7,500; a
grand total of $29, $780,"
eff you win. And nothing If
you run out of the money"
Fright"
"I'm offering you $4,000 not
to start him. And, If Merry Maid
wins, I'll give you $4,000 more"
She drew a deep breath. Monte
you're talking in big figures.
Explain"
He said: "Three months ago. I
got odds of IL to l against the
Maid in the Stakes. I put up
$4,000. I win $4,000 If she comes
in; plus the purse. I can win II
your colt stays in his barn; the
Ally is at tops. I'll give you $10,-
600 cash - tomorrow - to keep him
there. And $4,000 more when
Merry Maid wins. FairP"
Linda looked steadily at him;
slowly she gathered gloves and bag,
pushed her chair back, stood up,
''Monte, what little know OF rae
ing, I learned from an old-fashioned
horseman. With all his faults, he
plays a different game. He'd punch
you In the nose If you made such an
offer to him. Monte, Montel"
Listen, Linda, we're friends"
he began, but she cut him short
I'VE were, Monte-we were." She
smiled wanly. II guess you're
right: women and racing - they
don't mix" She left him, stand
ing by his table; Juggling at his
coat, a confused look on his face
Race-mad folk crammed the
Downs rocco stands when the
bugles sounded Boots and Sad
dies: and Golden Toy, in the Cor
don silks of scarlet and purple
led the field out, to the strains Of
INV Old Kentucky Home" eve
rot n chance" Uncle Sandy tolc
Linda, as they stood in the In.
field. "If Toy don't run out"
"Thev're offn
Starting from an extension Of
the backstretch, the field spurteo
down the mile sprint.
eyes. sir - 1t be Toy and the
Maid!" Uncle Sandy exclaimed, as
the golden chestnut and the dark
bay Ally shot out from the pack
"H-m-m! Three lengths already
ahead O. the field. The first quar-
ter"-the watch clicked in his
hand-"it be in 20 fiat-hat's siz-
zling."
Down the long backstretch those
two horses fought eye to eye -
the field far behind. Now they were
going into the far turn. Uncle
sandy pocketed his watch. Yes, sii
--Marder's opening up bit"
They were coming into thu
stretch. The grandstands, crowded
with humanity, let out great roar
Look - look" Linda grabbed
her uncle's arm. They were rum