The Washington times., 1938-04-23

beta real bet-on a horse race.
Or are you only doing some more
of your poker bluffing, Corrick?"
I'll just bet you five thousand
dollars my bay can beat your
sorrel, Hunter. Now put ZIP or
shut up!" snapped the gambler.
FAIR ENOUGH
Tomorrow morning on the flat
below town. Nine o'clock sharp"
| Dave answered. Have your money
ready to put up. Corrick. And
I'll put up a five-thousand note
against my property. That fair
enough?"
Fair enough"
"Dave!" cried Rita. "Oh, you
reckless sap! So this is what you
do with your inheritance!
Now hold on, Rita girl" Dave
lowered his voice. I'm not afraid
of Corrick'S bay horse"
That's the fastest horse in the
country" she retorted. If you
had a lick of sense"
"A bets a bet, Miss Dixon, I"
Corrick cut in.
Right" said Dave. BE there
with your money, Corrick."
Il will" said the gambler, and
laughed as he walked past Rita.
You're a fool, Dave Hunter,
And maybe Corrick was right
when he limited your uncle'S
death was convenience to you!
| *
AS much as Rita dreaded to at
tend that race, she couldn't keep
away. At two minutes to nine she
was swerving her car off the
Sageville road, jolting across the
big flat to the south of town where
dozens of other cars had parked.
Hating a short distance below the
finish line, Rita sat there alone,
trembling and afraid.
Then, the crack of gun &.
and two riders streaking down
that track. Terror in her eyes,
Rita saw Bruce Corrick leaning
over the neck of his bay &. and
that fleetS bay forging ahead of
the Sorrel. For a half mile, three
quarters. Corrick held the lead.
Then the sorrel Dave was riding
started creeping up gaining
steadily. AS hoofs Numbered near
the finish line, Dawes Sorrel shot
ahead, swept into the lead.
FLASHES STOLEN MONEY
Hunter wins" whooped the
judge-and sob broke from Rita.
"Dave!" she cried, as the two
riders refined up their heaving
horses.
Neither heard her, for Corrick
was yelling: Ringing in a sorrel
race horse on me! Pretty cute you
are, Hunter. But I'm getting my
money back from those stake
holders! l bet against"
You bet against my sorrel!"
Rita heard Dave answer. And
this sorrel is mine. I bought him
with the hope 1 could play drunk
and reckleSS-and bait you into
a race, Corrick. Not so much to
win a couple of thousand from
you, but to make you flash that
other three thousand you stole
from Uncle Waldo when you
robbed-and killed-him!"
Why, YOU"
Rita saw Corrick'S face blanch,
saw the gambler whip his bay
horse and try to break for rougher
country beyond the flat. But Dave
was squirting hard now, leaping
from his saddle and grabbing Cor
rick. Dust flew as both men
struck the ground. Then a hard
fist thudded to Corrick's jaw.
Sock him again, Dave"
Whooped Sheriff Burgess, now
speeding up to the scene in his
car. Make the coyote admit he
killed your"
Hes admitting it," yelled Dave,
both hands on Corrick's throat.
Just listen to him! Not that he
could lie out Of it. Not after flash
ing that pile of $50 bills!"
Rita had leaped from her car,
had run forward in time to hear
Bruce Corrick's confession; the
admission of murder. AS the girl
listened. she felt a weakness as
sailing her.
Then Dave was coming toward
her. He was saying:
Don't look so pale, lady hazel
eyes. It's all right. Everything's
all right And his strong arms
were about her.
Dave! she said in a low voice
Can you forgive me those things
I said yesterday. II only said
them because I was afraid you
were being wild and reckless. And
because love you'll"
THE END