Evening star., 1939-05-07

wrong OF me. ne dOnt PICK on me Just on
account take drink once in while!" The
man lapsed into abrupt silence He swayed
little and Jerry went to him. putting an arm
under the thin shoulder
He's drunk" she said Arizona came to
her aid.
He's your pa, isn't he?' she asked. Take
it easy. Well get taxi" At this moment
stable boy appeared. his face blanched at
sight of the intruders.
It's all right" said Arizona, maneuvering
the others by him. I'm friend of Mr.. Wild
fields. III be dumb as Jack rabbit about
your bad herdin, but don't you leave Lariat
alone again..
In the shabby lodging where the old jockey
presently fell asleep, Jerry poured her story
into Arizona's understanding ear.
''Of course love Sporty, but how can l
marry him with that sort of father? How
could marry anybody. especially as before
Mother died promised her I'd never desert
my father while he needed me? And he does
need me, as you can see."
Il can see he S got a mighty fine daughter
said Arizona, ''and no man who can hoss-talk
like him can be all bad
That's true!' said the girl eagerly. Pop
isn't bad one Bit And everything he told you
about the past is true, too. He was great
jockey - one of the best - you must have
heard of Jim Torpey: He didn't do anything
wrong, to lose his place in the game. or they
would have taken his license away. which
they never have It's just that he couldn't
stand it when Mother died. But | even had
him keeping sober until Lariat showed at
Hialeah. Then nothing would hold Pop. He
got thinking about how that strain of horses
had made him and how he'd made them
famous"
And he had to make the roundup
Arizona added softly. Il know, I've seen old
punchers the same"
We have little bit of money" said Jerry,
80 we follow the races around; Father always
hoping that some day he'll make a comeback.
So you see how it is. l could never marry
Sporty - unless by a miracle Pop got back
on his feet
"On hoss's feet, you mean!"
Yes, if he could ride and win one more
race know he'd be all right. But, of course.
that is impossible. The tracks all consider
him has-been. So please it will help me
to do the right thing if you don't let Sporty
know where am!''
Back at the hotel the first person Arizona
encountered was her father-in-law. To her
infinite relief he did not mention the contracts.
but cornered her for quite another reason.
so you saw the famous Lariat," he said.
What do you think of him."
Finest hoss ever laid eyes on. Legs strong
and body like an antelope. I'd take chance
on him."
Il will! I'll do it now!'
And if you win said Arizona, don't
forget told you to-"
While they were dressing for dinner, Ari-
IONA confessed to her handsome young hus
band what had happened to the contracts.
Tony gave long whistle. last tug to the
perfection of his white tie. and patted Arizona
on her satiny bare shoulder.
mo use upsetting the old man until we
have to-" he advised. III just shoot wire
of to old Henry Train at Goldroads and tell
him what's happened. As he sent those guys
to Dad, he can probably persuade them to
hold the option. Don't worry about it until
we get an answer. darling!"
The next day Lariat was ailing. How he
spained his leg was mystery the stableman
could not explain, and when the vet saw the
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