Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1904-09-01

great the odds in his favor. ANY man
Of ordinary sense wouldn't take that BET
al ODDS Of 100 to one"
ANY man with a particle Of sense
az all wouldn't" another added
Bob heard these remarks, but appar-
emily, they did not disturb him in the
least. lie was as calm as a summer
breeze, and on his face was that bland,
pleasant smile. He was so childlike
and trusting that il seemed almost like
stealing milk from baby TO accept his
offer to bet A man more honorable
than Blue Thompson would have hesi-
tated to take advantage OF his unsophis-
ticated innocence.
When the bet was al arranged, and
the stakes properly deposited, Joe said:
Now, how and when is this thing to
be decided?'
Bob looked up at Thompson, trust
ingly, as If inviting him to answer. The
latter, assuming an important, swag-
gering, arrogant air, and ignoring Bob
entirely, said:
A week is all the time | want for
marrying the widow You can prepare
to hand over the stakes to me by that
time"
And IL you don't marry her" Bob
said, questioningly, Il get the money.
"of course" Thompson answered,
tondescendingly. But, if / were you.
would not lay awake Of nights, plan
ming out how to invest ii"
"oh, won't Bob replied. q never
lose sleep over things like that. But,
why should we wait week to decide this
thing? Why not decide it right now?"
Thompson laughed and the crowd
joined in. Bob was certainly very
funny.
do you think man can decide a
thing like this in two minutes?" Thomp-
son asked.
Il can" Bob replied.
''You can? How?'
EN- show you"
In a fash Bob had pulled his gun and
held It pointed at Blue Thompson's head.
The latter started back, with surprise,
and the crowd began to move restlessly.
"Be quiet gentlemen, everybody,
Bob said, and the sottness and gentle
ness was all gone out Of his voice and
the smile had left his face. This is
little matter of business, and it is all
quite regular. / assure you
"But. there shall be no murder here,
Joe interposed, you shall not resort
to that to win your bet. Men, disarm
him."
Several Of the spectators started to-
ward Bob, but before they could lay
their hands on him he threw back the
lappel of his coat and revealed a de-
tectiye's badge. Those who had started
to interfere fell back.
There will be nobody hurt, Bob SAID,
'unless some OF you try to interfere with
me in the discharge Of my duty. As
said. this thing is all proper and reg
ular"
There was a long and death-like 81
lence. Bob, calm and cool, looked at
Thompson, and the latter, gloomy anu
covering. looked at Bob. The specta-
tors their faces pictures Of astonlsh-
ment. looked enquiringly from one to
the other. Finally, Joe broke the silence
by saying:
What does II all meanY
at means, simply" Bob replied, that
blue Thompson is not Blue Thompson
I 4.
AT ali. and that, instead of being brave
had man, he is only common muir
derer. He killed an old man, stole that
AZ 600. and then ran away and changed
his name. | have been looking for him
for about year. for he is badly wanted.
In the hearts of some OF those VINO
we're admirers OF the widow glad feel
ing began TO creep up Il would not De
sucb had thing TO have so formidable
rival as Blue Thompson out OF the
wav Some of them, who had felt their
chances of winning the woman as nope
loss took fresh courage, and resolved
n re.enter the contest On the morrow
they told themselves, they would Jay
fresh siege to her heart
Presently, the door opened and a man
came in without a word he walked
over 10 Blue Thompson, snapped pair
:, handouts on him, and relieved him
Of his pistols. .s
To the men in the saloon there was
something familiar looking about TINS
man although they could not remember
ever having seen him. He was a
stranger in the fiat, beyond a doubt yet
somehow. they felt that il had not oeeh
long since they had looked on his iea-
tures 'But. where?" they asked them
selves. "and when?"
The man looked around on the CROWD
and saw the puzzled look on the faces
ne understood and burst into LOUD
hearty laugh. -.,.s
For shame, for shame!" he criea.
sr,m disappointed in you all. To think
,bs, not one of you recognizes me when
you have seen me every day for weeks
ana some OF you have professed to ad-
mire me greatly! 1t seems cruel ano
disappointing that men should SO soon
forget the loved features Of the one they
profess to adore! -
There was long and awkward pause
then some one said: