The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1913-03-27

known who he was, the other ranch
hands had volubly declared that this
was free country, where a man
might exercise wide discretion in
the choice of personal adornment;
and as for them, they avowed unani-
mously that the practice of packing a
Colts was one which met with their
most cordial appreciation. In time
Willie's six-shooter had become ac-
cepted as a part Of the local scenery.
and. like the scenery. no one thought
of remarking upon it. least of all those
who best knew his lack of humor. He
had come to them out of the Nowhere.
some four years previously. and while
he never spoke of himself, and dis
couraged "reminiscences in others. it
became known through those vague
uncharted channels by which news
travels on the frontier, that back In
the Texas Panhandle there was q
limping marshal who felt regrets at
mention of his name, and that farther
north were other men who had su-
perstitious dread Of understood COW.
men with spectacles.
'This here is a real foot-runner,"
said Slower.
Exactly" agreed the other where
is hep
He'll be here this afternoon. Mig
ger Mikes bringin' him over from the
railroad. He's a guest"
"Oh!"
yep! He's intercollegit champeen
of Yale"
"Yale?" repeated the near-sighted
man. Don't knows ever been
there Much of town."
Il amt never travelled east myself,
but Miss Jean and the little yaller-
haired girl say he's the fastest man in
the world. I fggered we might rib
up something with the Contipede."
Still Bill winked sagely.
See here, do you reckon he'd rum"
Sure. He's a friend of the boss.
And he'll run on the level too. He
can't be nothin' like Humpy"
IF he is. I'll git him. said the cow
boy. ooh, I'll git him sure guest or
no guest. But how about the phono-
graph"
1.-THE Centipede viii mt II IN c1lici
enough; there amt no sentiment Ill
that outfit"
Then it sounds good"
can it II work. Gallagher's anxious
to trim us again. Some folks can't
stand prosperity"
Willie spat unerringly at a grass
hopper. Lord" said he, cts toe
good! 1t don't sound possible"
"Well. it is. and our man will be
here this evenin'. Watch out for Mig.
ger Mike, and when he drives up let's
give this party welcome that II
warm his heart on the jump. There's
nothin' like good impression"
I'll be on the job" assured Willie.
'But l state right here and now, if We
no chance of our losin' for a second
time"
And Slower went on his way to
spread the tidings.
It was growing dark when the frat.
tie of wheels outside the ranch-hoIisee
brought the occupants to the porch il
time to see Niger Mike halt his buck
board and two figures prepare to de.
scend.
Its Mr. Speed" cried Miss Blake.
Then she uttered a scream as the vel.
vet darkness was rent by a dozen
tongues Of fame, while a shrill yelp.
ing arose. as Of an Apache war-party.
cts the boys" said Jean. What
on earth has possessed them?"
- But Slower had planned no ordinary
reception, and the pandeMonium did
not cease until the men had emptied
their weapons.
Then Mr.. j.. Wallingford Speed came
stumbling up the steps and into the
arms Of his friends. the tails of his
dust-coat streaming.
Really? This is more than l ex-
pected,S he gasped; then turning,
DOTTED his straw hat to the halH-re-
vealed figures beyond the light. and
cried, gayly: THANK you, gentlemen!
Thank you for missing me-"
1OW-ee! Responded the cow
boys.
"How do you do, Miss Chapin!"
Speed shook hands with his hostess,
and in the radiance from the open
doorway she saw that his face was
round and boyish, and his smile Pc
culiarly engaging.
She welcomed him appropriately;
then said: "This reception is quite as
startling to us as to you. You know,
Mr.. Speed, that we have with us a
friend of yours" She slightly drew
Helen forward. "And this is Mrs.
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