Daily Arizona silver belt., 1909-11-27

ward again. but another pair of legs went by, and another and another
 They were tearing off their coats; they were stripping off their shirts. He felt at his collar wrenched 1t off and flung 1t away, to have both hands free for his coat and shirt. They were almost at the bank now, He could see Mlcky Daly's white skin dazzle inNthe sun as he took a splendid dive ahead of the rest. His own feet were grow ing heavy. and there was mist be- fore his eyes. The knot in his shoe lacing would not come united. A say age rage filled him. If he could have cut off bis foot to rid himself of the hampering shoe. he would scarcely have hesitated You were ruled out if you went into the water with anything left on As he struggled and per spired and agonized the two or three whom he had dIstanced leaped past him, and as he shook the shoe off at last and made dive he heard the air ringing with "Lubber last! Lub- Der last. and slowly realized that it was meant for him,
 He tried manfully two or three other days. but 1t was always the same way. His muscles were tlabby from the dooryard discipline, and he could not pick up in few weeks what the oth- CTS had acquired through joyous years of summer vagabondage.
 He took It quietly and good natured. ly. but it went deep.
 His mother found out the custom shortly and forbade him to go near the water
 As for De Peyster himself. the numb ness of despair settled upon him. Now he could never learn to redeem himself. to have some day perhaps the ineffable joy of being the first fin, ahead of Jimmy Spra,s. ahead of MlcsSy Daly. ahead of everybody. His career was ended before 1t had begun
 'But I got 10 not let her worry" was the rueful conclusion he always reached. And then he breathed hard and winked fast
 Jimmy was his constant friend and brought him alleviating messages from time to time, such as thos the other fellers all say he has lots of sand and skin do as well as the next feller if he has half chance"
 When even these encouraging re- marks ceased to comfort. he gave him his own horned toad as last desper- ate resort. The effect was wonderful ly eiIicacious. but transitory.
 I'd oughter been a girl" said De Peyster many times to himself. but wish she didn't want to make believe am one when l ain't"
 This was tue nearest to reproach that he allowed his loyal little heart to entertain. but bafIled. unehildlike look grew in his eyes as he watched his mates go off without him day after day.
 In July a light epidemic of scarlet fever prevailed, The oldest inhabit- ants called it walking scarlatina," the illness was so slight.
 Mrs. Van yoort Kept De Peyster in the house.
 One day De Peyster caught it.
 He regarded it rather in the nature of festal occurrence than otherwise, for all the boys who had had it came up 10 see him. and, although they were not allowed to stand long. 1t cheered him amazingly to hear what they were doing. for he had constantly the hope that these new delights they told of one after another would not be on the forbidden list when he was out again.
 But after awhile he did not seem to care whether they came or not and one day when told that Micky Daly waited below said languldly: "l guess l don't care about seeing him just now. I'm sorter tired. but tell him it'll be bully to have him come tomorrow"
 But when tomorrow came no one was admitted, for ne was tossing about in weakening struggle with some thing he did not understand that those who watched by him realized only too well.
 He heard a voice as if from very far away.
 You'd better tell him, doctor" it said "I can't stand it 10 see him