Willmar tribune., 1906-09-05

| You cty drst, Pete. *&:' =. :. =:
In response: to tbs i suggestion, q
shock-headed youth came forward
frowning-not with. anger, but with
embarrassment at finding himself tho
cynosure Of all eyes. e.. -. - i !
| The cup was placed upon his head.
"stand right against the post" Pat
commanded, "Ill shoot at the knot
above your head, and the cup'u 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 a sharp bang, .
wOman's scream, and the cla..er 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-hea4ed youth, a trifle
pale, but otherwise none the worse
for his experiment, stumbled to 4 seat.
His place was filed by another, anx-
ious to prove his mettle-with the
same result. Another and another
the boatsman's aim was 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 BIZ y gesture.
1T is foolhardy, dangerous
But he gently shook OF n0T re-
|straining arm. Il am fond Of oxperi-
ments in general, and this one In par
ticular will enlarge my experiepse.'
For this man welP knew that by his
worldly knowledge, wide range and
varied exploits, he had won the at.
tention of this simple girl, to whose
romantic side it was his plan to an.
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 .1udgi
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; ho would
test her upon the first opportunity.
From the position at the post, all
unharmed, Gonzaga descended with
smile of triumph, and walked Directly
up to Lavender ready for his m3sd of
praise.
''You are brave" she said, extending
her hand.
At that moment the markesaan
beckoned to Winslow. "Well, are tou
ready for hand at the gamer"
There was taunting ring in tbs
captains voice-a thinly ve,led con-
tempt as in expectation Of a refusal.
But Winslow was in no mind to re-
fuse. He knew it to be a risk: q
foolhardy exhibition of misplaced hero
ism. Nevertheless, he went STEADILY to
place.
*Mr. 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
1ard's manner which the girl re-
sented.
"Mr. Winslow is as equal to the alb
surd test, but as liable to hurt, as
those of less sense. The whole busi-
ness is idiotic; the game surely not
worth the candle. 1--we can let him
take the chances
"And /? How about my chances?"
But Lavender failed to detect the
double meaning in his question, nor
did she catch his ardent glance, for
her eyes were following the scene on
the forward deck.
The man at the rife waited with his
back toward her, directly in front of
the post where Winslow stood. And
near him-so close that warning shouts
IL.
"Look alive, there!"
"Git out O. the way!" But the
woman paid no heed. If she moved at
all, it was but to steal nearer the
mark.
The cup was placed upon Winslow's
head, and Pat Finch raised the rife.
The dark woman, crouching almost in
its range, gazed fascinated at tho
cleaning barrel. Then her glance
ran like lightning to the cruel eyes be-
hind it. There was flash, a report,
and the thud of falling body. Both
Winslow and the slave he had re-
deemed lay PROSTATE at the foot of
the post.
Instantly there was an uproar, and
the rush of excited men to the res
cue. With scream of terror, Laven.
der darted forward, but before shs
could reach the spot, and to the gen.
eral amazement, both rose and faced
the crowd.
In the silence Winslow stared at tho
woman beside him. Her olive skin
was darker with horror, and she stag
gered to the post as if for support.
=. whats the matter?" demanded
Finch, striding forward.
II can oner no explanation" Wins
low returned, calmly, Except that the
young, woman" he indicated the octo-
room, "was overcome and fell againat
me-. Not expecting the weight, 1 top
pied ignominiously," he concluded.
with an apologetic smile. -,
Then. at the captains urging, he 70.