Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1940-03-07
For Better or
Worse
By RAY HILL
Mcclure Syndicate.)
WNU Service.

"EIVE hundred dollars" Barry
I Coleman was saying; five hum
dred dollars-and, Tit, they're all
ours!" He spread the bills fanlike
in her lap.
mot bad, Ell, dear?" he went on.
"Soon-a year or two more-and
wen have enough. Then :"
Barry finished the thought with q
kiss.
Tit Macarthur snuggled closer to
him and unconsciously permitted
one hand to sift through the money.
She loved Barry dearly. And this
money-why, every bill was mon
umental symbol of his sacrifice at
the altar of his great love for her.
"Oh, I'm so happy" she MUIR
INJURED. "But why must we wait SO
long? Let's get married tomorrow"
We've waited one whole year."
he said. Lets be patient till we
have enough to furnish our own
home and be able to pay our own
way"
Gathering the money together
Barry bundled it neatly into her
hand. Keep this, Precious" he
said, then Wen both know it's safe.
And now III run along. Got a busy
day tomorrow"
Seems to me you've always got
a busy day ahead" said Jimmy,
Tits brother, coming into the room.
Incidentally" he continued, lust
why do you work so hard and what's
it get you? If you'd cash in on
some Of these tips give you ="
Thanks, anyway" Barry smiled;
I'm not a betting man."
"You could make yourself some
easy dough-" Jimmy persisted.
Tomorrow, for instance, I happen
to know it's in the bag for Robin
son to win in the third. The odds
will be terrific"
Long after Barry had gone Tit
sat on her bed and counted the five
hundred dollars. Her mind everlast-
mgly jumped back to what Jimmy
had said about Robinson.
Next morning as usual Jimmy
read the sports pages at the break
fast table. 'Too bad Barry won't 60
for some of my tips" he said. les
pecially that one l gave him last
night. This Robinson can't lose.
Pop Smith got that from Al New
man himself. Why, say, Pop even
gave me the dope on playing the
jockeys instead of the horses and
I've cleaned up regularly ever
since"
Over and over again Tit pictured
Barry Coleman's struggle during
the past year. And if Jimmy was
right this money-this five hundred
dollars-could be multiplied so
quickly that their worries would be
over. When she won they could be
married right away. II she lost {.
Tit picked up the paper Jimmy
had been reading. Racing Entries
the headline leaped from the sport
page to catch her eye. She found
herself looking for Robinson in the
third race at each of the five tracks
listed. Nowhere could she find q
horse of that name. Suddenly she
recalled Jimmy's remarks about
betting on jockeys. She searched
again.
There, at Latonia in the third,
Jockey w. Robinson was scheduled
to ride a horse named Lover
Prayer!
Lovers Prayer! The very name
of the horse dispersed all further
doubt Forthwith she secured the
money from her bureau drawer and
was. speeding to Pop Smiths cigar
store on Second street.
''I'm Jimmy McArthur's sister, "
she explained to Smith, land l want
to place bet on Lovers Prayer in
the third race at Latonia."
Smith cautioned Tit the horse
didn't have a chance to win. Then,
when he learned the size of the bet
he tried to have her play it across
the board.
ITO win," Tit insisted.
"Okay, Lady," Smith said. cts
your funeral"
please don't ever mention this
to my brother"
When she had taken less than a
dozen steps Tit realized she was
becoming very weak at the knees.
Dazedly she wandered into a motion
picture house.
It was five o'clock when the show
ended. On the verge of collapse
she rushed into Pop Smiths.
Ibid VIM" she fairly screamed.
Ibid you VIM" that worthy re-
peated. "I'll say you won. What a
cleanup! That nag paid $1,000.
Here's your $5,450 :"
Tit was as nervous as q cat
when Barry called that night.
1--WE been so foolish, Barry" she
sobbed, as she told Barry the story,
'but I do so want to get married
right away"
Barry kissed her gently. you're
forgiven, sweetheart" he said, land
we'll get married tomorrow. Only