Mower County transcript., 1906-08-15

she heard Winslow say, and the man
explained. ''The idee is to knock a
cup off'n mans head at 20 PAGES.
and never make hole in it, =, 49,
Winslow shrugged his shoulders,
'tBut how about the man?' -.
''Never fetch i'm! It may take
some nerve to stand up agin a loaded
rifle, but lots o. men hev done it, and
l amt never spilled my man yit. Ye
see, it's on the principle of barkin'
squirrel; ye aim at a spot above the
critters head, and the concussion does
the business. That's the way with the
cup-the shock knocks it off, and there
ye are. It's easier n fallin' off
log"
He was determined to prove bis
words, and the test found not wit
nesses only, but assistants.
"You try first, Pete.'
In response to the suggestion, a
shock-headed youth came forward
frowning-not with anger, but with
embarrassment at finding himself the
cynosure Of all eyes.
The cup was placed upon his head.
"stand right against the post" Pat
commanded, "I'll shoot at the knot
above your head, and the cup'll drop
off; see if it don't. Now, stand STILL"
The silence which followed was
broken only by the click. of the cap
tain's rifle. Then sharp bang, a
woman's scream, and the cla.ter of the
cup to the floor.
"Bully fer you, Pat" roared one en-
thusiastic auditor. This the marks
man received with a surly: "Wha' did
I tell yer?"
The shock-headed youth, trife
pale, but otherwise none the worse
for his experiment, stumbled to seat.
His place was filled by another, anx-
ious to prove his mettle-with the
same result. Another and another
the boatsman's aim waa ever steady,
his eye ever true.
The Spaniard left his place by Law
enders side. LET me try" he called
to Finch.
The girl detained him by gesture.
ut is foolhardy, dangerous"
But he gently shook off her re-
straining arm. II am fond of expert
ments in general, and this one in par
ticular will enlarge my experience"
For this man we'll knew that by his
worldly knowledge, wide range and
varied exploits, he had won the at
tention of this simple girl, to whose
o;1 h: 4~
peal.
'You never seem afraid of any
thing" she said, with direct and hon.
est compliment.
He rewarded her by a glance full of
tender import, and took his position at
the post.
+ Winslow had seen the little by
play, and an all unreasoning anger
deprived him Of his usual sober judg-
ment. In vain he argued within him
self that Lavender's anxiety was pure
ly womanish, born of no personal
preference. In vain he reflected that
her manner was always unduly earn
est, with an inclination to the dra-
matte.
He resented the attitude; he would
test her upon the first opportunity.
From the position at the post, all
unharmed, Gonzaga descended with a
smile of triumph, and walked directly
up to Lavender ready for his need Of
praise.
"You are brave" she said, extending
her hand. -.
At that moment the marksman
beckoned to Winslow. ''Well, are you
ready for hand at the gamer"
There was a haunting ring in the
captains voice-a thinly veiled con-
tempt as in expectation of refusal.
But Winslow was in no mind to re-
fuse. He knew it to- be risk; a
foolhardy exhibition of misplaced hero
ism. Nevertheless, he went steadily to
place.
'Mr. Winslow-Charles, no, no."
| Lavender begged, but he shook his
head firmly and smiled. A chorus of
rowdy cheers drowned her remon-
| STRANGE.
A voice in her ear whispered: "Are
you, then, afraid for your friend?"
There was covert sneer in the Span.
iard's manner which the girl re.
scented. .,. r- -. =
"Mr. Winslow 10 as equal to the alb:
surd test, but as liable to hurt, as
those of less. sense. The whole bust.
ness is idiotic; the game surely not
worth the candle. I've can let him
take the chances" %.
And I? How about my chances?'
| But Lavender failed to detect the
double meaning in his question, nor
did she catch his ardent glance, fol
her eyes were following the scene on
the forward deck.
The man at the rife waited with his
back toward her, directly in front ot
the post where Winslow stood And
near him so close that warning shouts
urged her back, stood the octoroon.
Look alive, there! Il .s.
''Git out O. the way!' But the
4 ra;d ~ J, God 80 Tf che