“THE BRUNDAGE PLOT”

Manawatu Times, Volume LIV, Issue 7278, 4 October 1933, Page 9

“THE BRUNDAGE PLOT”

CHAPTER XVl.—(Continued.).

Mrs Talbot, who was young and smart, and known to her friends as Jennifer, was very eloquent on the way down, about a new system which she had discovered, for operation on the daily double, conducted by the totalisator.

"It’s quite simple, and dead sure,’’ she boasted. "Did you ever notice, Jane, that if any of your friends tell you a sure winner, the beast invariably runs unplaced.” “Of course, I’ve noticed it," Jane agreed. "That’s why I never bet at the races."

“But a totalisator double ticket only costs ten shillings,” Jennifer argued. "Thai’s not really gambling, is it? The puzzle is to find the winners of the third and fifth races. My system is to go to everybody I know, and ask what they think will win those races. And every time somebody tips me a horse for either race, I strike it off the card.”

"I see what you mean,” Jane approved. "Jolly bright idea, Jennifer.” "Yes,” Mrs Talbot continued. "Presently I’m left with the horses that nobody thinks are able to win. And those, of course, are the horses that always win, don't you think? And if ever I do strike the double by my system, I’ll get something worth winning, you see. A thousand pounds, or something, for ten shillings." “I think I’ll play that game,” Jane decided. "The ordinary sort of betting is not fun. When you win, you get twenty-five shillings, or something that’s no earthly use. And when you lose, the man who made tho bet for you is fussy about taking his pound back.”

“The tote double’s different,” Jennifer promised. “ I get a real kick out of It.”

“And I save money," her husband put in. “So everybody is pleased.” "By the way,” Jane asked, “do you know anything of a horse called Winsome Hoof?" Derek Talbot smiled. "'l’ve been told to back it by about a score of people, he said. “It’s about the hottest racing tip of the season.”

“And it belongs to that Australian man,” Jennifer added. "The man who is to marry Marise Formby. You ought to be interested, Jane; they say he is something to do with Bonzo Burr-and-Asche."

“Yes," Jane said steadily. “I am interested, naturally. Melissa Is Avorrled to death, owing to the rumours that Marise Formby is circulating. She has been particularly busy, since her disappointment at Liverpool.” “But is there nothing behind the Smmours?" Jennifer asked, for she was a very blunt young woman. “People are bound to talk, aren’t they, when two men ars so much alike, in looks and name, as this Australian and Bonzo Burr-and-Asche,”

“And do they say that Marlse Is engaged to this man?” Jane had to ask,

“That's the story," Derek said. “It was all in the papers; and Marlse denied it In a way that made people think there was a good deal in the yarn.” “Well, I don’t believe a word of it," Jane said holly. "Mr Brundago happens to be rather a friend of mine, you see. And I think Marlse has fastened this rumour on him, in an abominable fashion.”

“Have I dropped a brick” Jennifer asked “I'm sorry, Jane; I didn’t know that he was a pal of yours.”

“He’s a good sportsman,” Jane continued, "and that stuff about Marise Formby Is simply bilge.” Jane thought it well to prepare her friends, in tills way, for what 'she expected to happen; for she interpreted the message delivered to her by Snowy White to mean that Brundage would bo present at Lingflcld. Nor was she mistaken; for almost the first people she saw in the paddock were Marise and her sister Lall, with George Winterbrook; and talking to them, in the most amicable fashion, was Brundage himself. He had Ills back turned in Jane's direction, as she and her friends walked to the members’ enclosure; but Marlse saw her and recognised her by a bow and a smile.

“In spite of what you say, Jane,” Jennifer said, with a touoh of malice, “I think your friend Mr Brundage looked quite happy just now.”

“Let’s not talk about it, then," Jane suggested. “We have to find the winners of this double, haven’t we? Suppose we tout all the people wo know?"

She was not likely to show them how disturbed she felt. She was more than disturbed; Jane was shaking with jealous anger. If tho man had wanted to give colour to the rumour which Marise Formby was spreading, he could not have chosen a more effective method. It was the last thing Jane had expected to wjtness; and that she had been whistled down to the races to look on at It made her rage.

Nobody would have guessed how badly she was shaken, as .she passed from one acquaintance to another, asking for racing iips and explaining the Intricacies of her method of spotting the daily double. Most of the women whom she knew seemed bitten by the double craze; and when the second race was decided there was a general move to the booths, where tickets for the pool could be purchased.

Jane had bought her ticket, and found a .convenient corner, where she could fill in on the blank space the numbers of the two rank outsiders which she had selected as her choice. “Hello, Jane!” said a familiar voice. “Are you one of the band of daily doublers?” Without liflting her eyes, Jane said: “Are you one of the band of doutolccrossers?” “I reckon not,” Brundage said, flushing a dark red. "What makes you ask?” Jane looked him squarely between the eyes, and anger blazed in her eyes. “Why do I ask?” she repeated. “Because of your friends, If you wish to know.”

“Those are not friends, Jane,” Brundage said quietly. “They are only just some people I am looking over, and studying a bit. Friends are different. I didn’t know I had any friends in this country—except, maybe, Snowy White —not until I rode in the race at Liverpool one day. What do you know about that, Jane?” “Don't call me Jane,” she said, but

(By E. C. BULEY)

Instalment 15.

felt herself relenting already. “I made an exhibition of myself," he continued. "And about a quarter of a million people were all laughing at me. My boots were full of water, and my ears were clogged with hard luck tales that a fellow sufferer told me. 1 felt like a dead loss, and knew 1 hadn’t a frend In the world. Do you want to know what happened?” “No,” said Jane untruthfully. “A mate of mine Avas waiting for me,” Brundage said. “She just wanted to see that I was ail right. She belonged to the Avinning side and I Avas the Avorst of all the losers. But ihere she was, waiting with the good Avord for me. Do you know who my only pal was, Jane?” “One minute,” Jane said. “Don’t tell me; let me guess for myself. I know —Marise Formby.” “You’ve got another guess coming to you,” Brundage said, will a Avide grin. “Think It over, and tell me, when I see you here to-morrow.” “I shan’t be here to-morrow," Jana said. “Why should I?” “Because I can’t do what I want to do, without your help," Brundage said. “Won’t you promise to be here?” “I’ll think about it,” Jane said. Then: "No; I’ll he here, if I can be any help to you.” “Thanks a lot," he said gravely, and walked away.

CHAPTER XVII. The presence of Marise at Llngfleld Park Avas no moro fortuitlous than that of Jane Chalmers. Godsell had telephoned to her, to say that Brundage Avould almost certainly be present at the meeting. “You Instructed me to let you feno\A r , Miss Formby,” the trainer added. “And I fancy he would like te Bee you." “Thank you,” Marise said. "It la most important that I should see him."

And everything Avent by the board at the studio, when the summons had been received.

Marise was more than pleased, sha was delighted. By resource to the publicity department she had made me opening Avhich sho Avanted, and now Brundage had accepted ner gambit. It seemed to her that the Avay Avas open to some understanding, and sho AA'as determined that it would not be her own fault, if tlie understanding reached were not a clear one. Sho arrived at the racecourse earlv, and soon found Brundage with Godsell at the horse boxes.

"How are you Mr Brundage?" she began. “Where have you been hiding yourself? I expected to see you, you know, on the evening after that unfortunate race.”

“I’m sorry, Miss Formby; I think I told you I had a business matter to settle?"

“I 'hope you settled it to your satisfaction." Marise said, slipping into her gracious manner. “But now that I have found you again, I mean to make the most of my opportunity.” She had drawn him apart, so that their conversation could not be overheard toy her sister, or by Godsell. “Did you see in the newspapers that people have been coupling my name with yours?” Marise ashed, opening fire with all her artillery, “I saw where something had been said, which you denied, Miss Formby," Brundage answered. “It wasn’t clear who the other injured party might be.”

"It seemed clear enough to mc,’ ; Marise said quickly. "I hardly knew what to do, not toeing able to And you. I hope you didn’t mind what I said. You understand my position; especially when reporters come to me, and ask me either to deny or confirm something.”

“If It’s all right with you, It’s quite all right with me, Miss Formby," Brundage said.

“It’s a wicked thing, that people cannot mind their own business,’’ Marise continued. “People keep on talking, no matter what I say.” “I suppose so,” Brundage agreed carelessly. “I know nothing about the film business myself. But I want you to see my horse, Winsome Hoof. Did Mr Godsell tell you about him?”

“Everybody has told me about him,” Marise said shortly, annoyed at being cut off her own subject. “If you try to back him, you’ll find it impossible.”

“Do you think so? He’s in two races —one to-day and one to-morrow.”

“Better send ’him back to his stable, and give people a chance to think of ■something else,” Marise said. “They’re rabid about Winsome Hoof to-day; but next week it will he some other horse. Then ;ou’il have a chance to bet."

“Perhaps you are right," Brundage said. “I’ll tell Godsell that he doesn’t run to-day, anyhow.” “Returning to -the matter of this gossip,” Marise began with determination. “There’s little George,” Brundage Interrupted. “Excuse me; 1 must speak to him.” Marise had to make the best she could of that. She saw tnat, it would not be wise to press the game too hard; and in the meantime she had the satisfaction of knowing that everybody was talking about her. Brundage was seen a good deal with her and her sister; he seemed to be one of them.

He had a story to tell George Win■terbrook about swimming in the canal. The story had to be told several times, as Ball and George brought their friends to hear it. The fiasco of the Grand National was converted into a harmless joke; a thing to raise a laugh.

Like a good many other people, Ball Formby was keen about tho tote double, and presently secured a leg In the double, when a horse which Winterbrook suggested won the first of tho two races. George himself was riding her second selection; and there was a good deal’ of excitement, but no harm done, when he was narrowlybeaten into second place. Taking it one way and the other,, Marise felt that it was a very pleasant and satisfactory day. Before the last race she sought Godsell, to discuss Hummingtop; for the steeplechaser had been entered for some important events in France. It happened that the trainer was arranging the dispatch to Swetherton of one of his charges, which had been raced that afternoon;

(To be Continued.)