The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-05-07
CHAPTER xT

"My turn next, isn't itp" shep Grant asked with Q slow grin, com. ing up to @herry Bond. The girl didn't see5lAxbo hear = she was looking aE*$Sper Boy, tethered in the trailer .AgiTed Duncan Bond snaneuyerin Uncle Willie, into eherry's roadster. go that's the Iayout. is itl" She said under her breath. She herself would ride with Sam, In the big car, dragging the trailer in their wake.
 "sherryp
 She looked around. "oh, shep I'm sorry, but you see, we're leav- ina immediately for the Downs"
 "I,m going, too" he said.
 "eo early? The Derby won't be run for i4 days - and there's nc steeplechasing there"
 He smiled, but it was Q forced smile. I'm riding on the hat thii season, too, you know"
 Something in his manner caused her to look ct him searchingly "What's up, Shep7" she asked. He ne8ltHbeu BH Hl6t9tAb AhsA eAe gave 6 quick look at shep's get- up, And the tang of the stable the crunShing Of leather, the neighing of horses, and the muffled clump of hoofs from the training track beyond the barn, his inl- maculate figure was out Of place.
 "ghep," she said, T never saw you 90 dressed up. Whats hap pened to your" she insisted. Gen. eraiiy, shep went about in torn sweater and increased brooches and old riding boots
 Well, er-" he hesitated, then the words came tumbling out, whel he looked her in the eye: I'm driving down with May 1el- ter,s string-I'm going to ride for her Bonnie Lad stable"
 go hat explains thb comic opera get-up of yours" Sherry said quietly. Then added with a strug: "She couldn't get my colt, 70 now she's trying to get my friend"
 shep looked at her quizzically. ssWhat are you saying, sherry?"
 The Bonnie Lad tried to claim my Pepper Boy yesterday"
 "Sherryi' Grants voice was harsh. "Are you sure about that? I ou.y knew that Paul Wharton tried"
 She raised c hand. "ehep, I feel that maybe Paul was trying to protect my colt = but we won't 90 into that. know May Better wasn't. She hasn't 6 colt of Derby caliber in her barn, and she tried to get Popped Boy"
 Gosh, Sherry, I'll swear I didn't know it!"
 "oosh is right. The woman has everything, shep; horses and money and diamonds - everything but youth. Now shes gone after you becau5e you're young and at- tractiye; you'll make her feel she Is, too" The girl finished quickly, Suppose she donated the money for those fancy tcss?"
 Amazemenqt, then anger, swept Grants face. That's going too far, sherry" he said sternly. I've never fallen 50 low as to take money from 6 woman"
 No - not yet" Sherry answered, '1but you'll wind up doing 1t if you stick around that woman. l know gentlemen riders don't take money, Shep. You ride for the honor and the fun of 1t - your own horses and those Of friends.
 You take no pay for riding, but you do take expense money, don't you, Shep? And that can be . large sum-more than a profess sional jockey would draw for the game services. The expense money, of course. lllleke said gravely. look ing straiglj into his eyes, twill cover suck Sht services as being an ofIicial Escort - dancing with her, saying pretty things she'll ex- pect to hear"
 Look here, Sherry" Shep Grant threw his riding crop to the ground in disgn You've got t all wrong. tea you I haven't taken c cent from that woman, and don't intend to-"
 ''But you will, my dearl You can't be lucky at poker always. She was very close to him, and