Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1913-05-29

MISS BAKE spoke pTlBHtiy, uhhhe
ice In her voice.
There's no necessity for an expla'
nation is there? It seems time FOR
congratulations"
"Oh. see here now! Mrs. Heaps
really engaged to Culver, you KNOW
"Culver!"
"Culveri"
Both the young ranchman and his
sister stared at the chaperon with
growing horror, while she undertook
to explain; but the blow had fallen
so swiftly that her words were inco-
herent, and in the midst OF them her
hostess turned and fed from the
room.
"Now don't begin to aviate until
YOU understand the truth" Speed con-
tinued. "Whle she's engaged to that
broken.toed serpent, che doesn't love
him, do you see?" He smiled.
IT do not see!"
at was simply a habit Mrs. Keap
had got into should say 1t was an
impulsve engagement that she has
repented Of"
mo doubt she was repenting when
we interrupted YOU" said Miss Blake,
bitterly.
Then Chaplin added, helpAessly:
But Culver Is engaged to my sister
Jean!"
jean" Mrs. Keap exposed her
tragic face. "Then-he deceived me!
Oh-h! What wretches men are!"
The widow commenced to sob
Outside came Miss Chapins voice:
$50 here you are, Mr.. Covington!
aud the next moment she reappeared
dragging tho crippled champion be-
hind her. Thrusting him toward Ro-
beIta, she pouted: There, Mrs. Keap!
give him back to you"
Perhaps you'd better 60 on with
your explanations, Chaplin suggested
coldly, to Speed.
How can | when you won't liste,
to me? Hear We! Hear We! Culver
was engaged to marry Mrs. Keap, bu
she discovered what reprobate hi
| is"
There was indstinguishable dissen
Of some sort from Mr.. Covington.
and she learned to detest him
Mrs. Keap likewise dissented In &C
cents muffied.
well, she would have learned t,
detest him in short time. becaus
she's in love with Jack Chaplin; 8,
she came to old Doctor Speed in he
troubles, and he promised to fix 1t al
UP. Now l guess you four can do tn
rest of the explaining. II you eve
get in trouble, come to the match
making kid. III square it,
They were four happy young people
and they lost no time in escapin
elsewhere. When they had gone
their benefactor said to Miss Blake
Wouldn't you like to make that
triple wedding? We might get clu
rates"
For answer Miss Blake hurried t
the door and was gone.
Over at the Centipede there was
great activity and yet q certain idl
ness also, as II 1t had been a holida
The men hung about in groups listel
, ing to the peripatetic phonograph.
dozen or more outsiders had riddle
over from the post-offlce to witnei
the contest. Out by the corral, whic
stood close to the hrst break of III
} foothills, Skinner was superintendir
the laying out OF course, selectin
J stretch Of level ground worn smoot
J and hard by the tread Of counties
, hoofs
Makes a pretty good track, eh
he said to Gallagher. Il wonder no
fast this Teller is? Ever heard?"
They seem to think he's a whirli
ball of fire, but that don't worry yc
, none, does it?" Gallagher bent h
lead-blue eyes upon the cook, WI
J shrugged carelessly, and Gallagh'
, smiled; he was forced to admit thi
his man did not appear to be one ca
lily frightened. SINNERS face ws
, hard, his lips thin, his Jaw was nj
! that Of a weakling. He had dresse
early, then wrapped a horse-blank
} about his shoulders, and now. castir
( this aside sprinted down the di
track for a few yards to test the foe
J ing, while Gallagher watched him wit
satisfaction--a thing Of steel ar
wire, as tough, as agile, and as spi
tied as range.raiscd oow-pony. +
:. was unshaven, his running-trunl
3 were cut from e pair Of overalls. he
D up at the waist by a section Of wi
b dow-cord. and his chest was scanti
l. covered by an undershirt ::-om whi'
d the sleeves had been pulled. B
t when he returned to pick up his bla
yet Gallagher noted approvingly tn
G he was not even breathing heavil
Z With a knowledge confined mainly
livestock, the foreman inquired:
Flows your laigs? like to 9
'em hairy. hathaway: It's a sign
9 stren'th. bet this college boy is
pink as a maidens palm! He dol
look to me like he could run"
u They fool you sometimes" ga
!, Skinner "By-the-way. what have "
bet?"
. I'VE laid the photograph agin the
treasures an trapping"
But how much money!"
I'VE got three hundred pesos dow
:, but they sent word they was com
" loaded for bar, 30 we rustled Ave hu
, dred more"
= SINNERS eyes cleaned IT Wish
!, had couple Of hundred to bet
=" myself"
Broke, eh?"
o. 'I'm as clean as a hounds tootl