Boy's Cinema (1930-31)

26 ''SWEEPSTAKES." (Continaed trom page 14.1 > Six-Shooter and the Six Partners. SLEEPY had been in Agiia Caliente a week wlien he bought a horse, or, rather, paid a deposit on same. Now Bud<ly had introduced him to Jake, the head barman and his three assistants—they were crazy about horses. "I wanna let you boys into a for- tune," Sleepv said in a knowing fashion. "How would you like to own a real, live racehorse?" They scoffed, but soon they were all ears. •'I've just told you all about the horse and his condition. You would like to know why the hor.5e is goin' so cheap. The reason is because the horse am't easy to ride. Find the jockey that can ride him and you're on a fortune. After winning the Gold Cup, Six-Shootcr " "The horse that " cried Jake. "Shurrup. I'm talking!" growled Sleepy. "After winning, Six-Shooter wouldn't do a thing, and Pop Blake, the owner, sold up everything. The liorse wett from .stable to stable, but he ain't had a victory. I've just bought him off a horse-<lealer fur three hundred and fiftv. That ain't quite correct. I've paid a "deposit of fifty dollars, and I know ot u liartner who will stand in for a hundred, leaving me to raise two lutndred." He gave them a speculative glance. "Four into two hundred makes " "Guess it's time we went home," shouted one of the barmen. "I hear my nurse calling." "You'll miss the chance of your life, hissed Sleepy in his most dramatic fashion. "Who rode Six-Shooter? Buddy Doyle! Buddy was suspended, but that ended three months ago—thoy cleared the lad's name. If I could pro- duce Buddy as the jockey, what would you say ?" "We'd stand in with you." Jake was carried away. "Yes, we'd stand in: but where is Buddy Uoyle?" "Ever seen his picture," Sleepy grinned. "You have, Jake? Then take a look at a waiter what sings in this dive. Ain't his name Doyle?" "Gosh, I've nearly driven myself crazv trying tct think where I'd seen his face" befoio," gasped Jake. "So that boy is Bu<idy Doyle!" "Yeah, that boy sure is Buddy Dovie," sniggered Sleepy. "And as 1 was his trainer for several years I can tell vou he can ride. If Six-Sliooter, with" Doyle up, were entered for the Agua Caliente Handicap, would we pull it oflf? You bet we would. Do you boys want to stand in on this deal?' Sleepy Jones left the saloon the richer by two hundred dollars. The race was to take place in a week's time, and it was necessary to enter the horse at once. Sleepy got busy on the long-distance 'phone and raised the entrance money, and when the entry form had been- duly signed. Sleepy dancc-d with joy and anticipa- tion. Next d-iy lie wont first of all to the railway-station, where he met a very excited, nervous and attractive young woman. "We're gonna surprise Buddy twice," chuckled Sleepy, "llo gets oil about Si-ptoml)er 5tli, 1931. BOY'S CINEMA two for a couple of hours, and I'll spring the first surprise on him then." Tlie saloon was empty save for Buddy Doyle, who was reading a rac- ing paper. Though he scarcely ever mentioned a hc)r.~e, he could not forget the old game. Now and again the old hankering to ride would grip him, "and then a • cold chill would go down his back. "The old firm!" chortled a voice, and Sleepy walked across the saloon floor. "How's me lucky lad?" "Pretty good, Sleepy." was the answer. "What have you been doing these last few days? Nothing but dodging about, whispering to Jake and tho other lads. I'm all suspicious of you when you keep on rubbing your hands together." "I've got a .surprise for you—several of them, in fact." Sleepy smiled and gave a quick glance towards tho saloon door. If only Buddy knew who was outside. "My first startler is that I've bought a boss." "You've bought a horse!" gasped Buddy. "I hope you haven't been razzed—thej're a slippery lot in these parts." " The name of the lioss is Six- Shooter." "Six-Shooter!" Buddy gripped the edge ot a table. "Not mj' old pal? Oh. Sleepy, how does lie look—is he fit?" "Not as fit as he were when j'ou rode him. Buddy." Sleepj- gave a short laugh. "But still a mighty good horse. I've entered him for the Agua Caliente Handicap." "Who's the jockey?" asked Buddy through tight lips. ■'Name of Doyle." Sleepy rubbed his hands together. "You haven't put me down to ride?" Buddy was on his feet and his eye.= gleamed with a strange frenzy. "I'm through with riding. 1 won't over ride again. You've got to get another jockey. 1 hate anything to do ivith racing." He passed his hands before his face as if he saw a ghost. "I can see their faces now—thousands of thom —all leering at me; disgraced and sus- pended." "But that's all finished with. Buddy." Sleepy was uneasy. "With you up this handicap is a cinch." "I can't and won't ride!" muttered Bud<ly. "I'm finished." From behind the bar four heads slowly appeared—Jake and his three assistants. Their glances of rage and deirpair must have penetrated to Sleepy, because he turned and saw them. At once his finger went to his lips, and he made a gestuie for them to hide. When Sleepy pointed to the swing doors and made strange gestui-es they wondered what he could mean. "I'm sorry, Sleepy." Buddy had sunk into a seat and was staring into space. "I've lost my courage. I'm a coward! I couUln't face the mob again." "Jake and the boys have backed you," argued Sleepy. "I was so svire you would ride that they caino in Are you going to fail them, Buddy?" "I should take a toss." came the dull reply. "I'd be scared stift'. I'm sorry. Sleepy, but I'm finisho<l—finished !" Sleepy glanced down at (he bowed shoulders and began to tiptoe towards the swing doors. The four heads appeared and their gaze was suspicious. Sleepy cdge<l towards them. "I've got his gal outside," he hissed, and winked assurance, though he did not fee! so certain. Every Tuesday Buddy did not look up when a hand wa.s laid gently on his shoulder, but ho fairly leaped to his feet when a soft voice called him. "Buddy!" "Babe!" He stared at her, unable to say anything more. Babe Ellis was changed. She was prettie,-, but the gay, laughing girl had changed into a woman; there wero marks of suflfering about the cheeks, and the whole body seemed slimmer. A tear tricklctl slowly down her cheeks. "After all this time I've found you. Buddy," she whispered. "Please say you forgive me." "I was too harsh in my judgment," admitted Buddy in a humble voice. " I ought to have known that Weber had a tongue like a snake and would double- cross his best friends. But iiow did you ever find me?" "Sleepy." The girl came clo.se to him. "Oh, Buddy, aren't you going to kiss me?" Buddy hugged her close and for some moments he was sublimely happy. His Babe had come back to him, but all the sparkle and joy of life left him when she said quietly: "Buddy, you must ride Six-Shooter." "I couldn't face the crowd!" His face was twisted as if with pain. "I've gone yeller. Babe. I should cut and run for it!" "Listen, Buddy." She waited till lu> had finished a long tale of the haro ships that ho had experienced in his search for work. "We want to get you back once more on the ladder. Sleepy has got four good men to buy Six- Shooter, and 1 helped as much as I could. Are you going to fail us? It was I who caused your downfall, and for my sake I want you to fight back." "I'm scared, Babe." Buddj' clenched and unclonohod his fists. He could see himself coining up the straight, and there ahead lay the winning-poet, but on all sides were thousands of leering faces. "I haven't the pluck." "Must I go away, knowing that not only have I ruined you, but caused Sleepy and his friends to lose a lot of money?" She laid her hands on his shoulders. 'They believe in you, and s» do I. Won't you do this just for my sake ?" "If only I could muster up enough courage." "Why not try out Six-Shooter before you start work '!" Babo felt she was wiiming. " Once you feel a hoi-se under you the old courage will return. Try, Buddy, and if you still don't want to go on after that we won't worry you again." "I'll do it." Buddy set his jaw. "But you've got to help me to be bravo. Babe.'' When they had gone, four heads rose slowly above the bar counter, and each man looked at the other. "Bovs, I ain't gonna sleep mu h to- night !'■ The Agua Caliente Handicap. HAD Biidd\ conquered his nerves? He had certainly ridden Six- Shooter many times round the course, but only his friends had been watching. But il was a different thing on race day. Everywhere seethed a mass of jieoplo. They .'-oemed to be staring at him. " Woighing-out " was an aguiu because one of the officials was v,iy inquisitive when he hoard the name >l Doyle; even went so far as to find ■■•■• when the suspension had boon renios -I His grufT manner badly .shook the qii ik iiig Buddy. The walk round in I he jiaddock was an agony with the smartly- i t