The Blackfoot optimist. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1907-1918, 1913-10-02

USTS 0OmSIOlOV TOT UOOs
by solicitude, it seemed. Willie had
little to say. and Slower, ignoring all
mention of the earlier encounter he
had witnessed, exclaimed:
There's been some queer goin's-on
round here, Mr.. Speed. Have you no
ticed 'em?"
mo. What sort?"
well, the other mcrnin' l dliscov-
cred some tracks through one Of Miss
Jeans flower-beds."
Tracks,"
"Sure! Strange tracks. Mans
tracks,"
What does that signify?"
I'VE amt altogether certain. Ca
rara says he seen a stranger hangin'
around night before last. and jest now
we found where boss had been pick
eted out in the ravine. Looks like he'd,
stood there 1nore'n once, "a
1T has nothing. to do with me-" Al
Il amt sure. It looks to us like it's,
somebody from the Centipede. They're
equal to any devilment." ,~ ..
Speed showed an utter lack Of com
prehension, so Willie explained. ~.
Understand, we've made this race
pay or play. Mebbe they aim to
cripple you"
Mel" Speed started. Good heav.
ens!"
ooh, they'd do it quick enough! l.
wouldn't put it past 'em: to drop a As
through your winder if it could be
done SAFE"
Shoot me, you mean?"
"Allah!" said Glass, devoutly from
his corner. j.
Slower and Willie nodded. "Ef was
you, I'd keep the lamp between me
and the winder every night"
"Wby, this is abominable!" ex-
claimed the young college man, stiffly.
tt can't stand for this, it's getting
too serious"
There amt nothin' to fear" said
Willie, scothingly. Remember,
told you at the start that we'd see
there wasn't no crooked work done.
Well, I'm goin' to ride herd on you,
constant, Mr.. Speed" He smiled in
manner to reassure. eff there's any,
shootin' comes off, I'll be in on it."
"S-say, what's to prevent us being
murdered when we're out for a rum"
Queried Glass.
MEL" declared the little man. "I'll
saddle my bronze an lope along with
you. Well keep to the open country"
Instantly Speed saw the direful con-
sequences of such a procedure. and
summoned his courage to say: mo.
It's very kind of you, but l shall give
up training"
WHAT"
81 mean training on the road. T.
Ill run indoors"
mot bit like it," declared Slower.
You'll get your daily run if wc have
to lay off all the punchers on the
place and put 'em on as body-guard.
We can't let you get hurt. You're
worth too Lluch to U.s."
Larry and ! will take chance"
mot for mine!" firmly declared the
trainer. IL don't need no mineral in
my system. I'm for the house."
"Then l shall run alone"
You're game" said Willie admir-
ingly, and his auditor breathed easier.
but we can't allow it."
It'd rather risk my life than put
you to so much trouble"
Its only pleasure"
Nevertheless. / can't allow 1t. I'll
run alone, If they kill me for it."
"Oh, they won't try to kill you.
They'll probably shoot you In the legs.
That's just as good. and it's heap
easier to get away with"
Speed felt his kpee-caps twitching.
"I've got it," said he at last. "Ill
run at night"
Slower hesitated thoughtfully.
Il don't reckon you could do your
self justice that-away. but you might
do your trainin' at daylight. The
Centipede goes to work the same time
We do. and the chances is your asaas-
Elm won't miss his breakfast"
GOOD! I'm do that!"
81 sure admire your courage. but II