The Blackfoot optimist. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1907-1918, 1913-09-04
"Oh no, not at ALL" Speed STAN.

"Oh no. not at ALL" Speed STAN.
niered.
"Or, if it is easier, at what college
games did you first rum" Mrs. Keap
was laughing openly now.
"Why the clear ringing, rippling
laughter" asked the young man. to
cover his confusion.
Because think it is very funny"
"Oh, you do" Speed took refuge be.
hind an attitude Of unbending dignity.
but the young widow would have none
of it. ,.e4s..9 ~ ~ ~ :, =. s.
Il know all about you," said she.
"You are very wonderful person Of
course; you are delightful fellow at
house-party. and a most suitable in
dividual generally, but you are not an
athlete, in spite of those beautiful
clothes in your trunk"
"Who told you?"
Culver CQyington."
4 didn't know You two were &C.
duainted:"
Mrs. Keap flushed. "He told me all
about you long ago. lou wear all the
athletic clothes, you know all the talk
you have tried to make the team a
dozen times. but you are not even q
substitute. You are merely the Var
sity cheer-leader. Culver calls you
the head-yeller'"
Columbus has discovered our con.
tinent!" said Speed. "You are a very
wise chaperon, and you must have a
corking memory for names, but even
a head-yeller is better than a glee-club
quarter back" He nodded toward the
clubhouse, whence they had come,
"Y2Y haven't told anybody?
mot yet" .."s --,,-.~.'-'
"'Yet,'" he quoted. "The futurity
implied in that word disturbs me.
Suppose you and I keep it for little
secret? Secrets are very delightful
at house-parties."
Don't you consider your action de.
ceitful?"
mot at all. My motto is We strive
70 please"
Think Of Helen"
That's it; l can't think of any.
thing else! She's mad about athletics,
and had to do something to stand of
this weight-lifting tenor"
rs it any wonder woman distrusts
every man she meets?" unused the
chaperon. Helen might forgive you,
I couldn't"
"Oh, it's not that bad. know what
I'm doing"
"You will cause these cowboys to
lose lot more money"
mot at all. When Culver arrives"
| "Oh, that is what l want to talk
over with you," Mrs. Keap broke in,
nervously.
"Then it isn't about the foot-race?
You are not angry?" Speed frightened
amazingly.
"Tm not exactly angry; I'm sur
prised and grieved. OF course. l cant
forgive deceit dare say l am more
particular than most people," "a
But you won't tell?" Mrs. Keap in
dicated in some subtle manner thai
she was not above making terms
whereupon her companion declared
warmly: I'm yours for life! Ask
me for my watch, my right eye. any
thing! I'll give it to you'll"
Il assure you sha'n't ask anything
SO important as that, but I shall ask
favor"
Name it and 1t is yours!" Speed
wrung the hand she offered.
And perhaps l can do more than
keep although don't see what
| On0d ~ will IN y III
your suit"
Gracious lady, all l ask is that you
thrust out your foot and trip up
Berkeley Fresno whenever he starts
toward her. Put him out Of the play
and I shall be the happiest man in
the world"
Agreed"
Nov. in what way can l serve
your"
Mrs. Keap became embarrassed
while the same shadowy trouble that
had been observed Of late settled upon
her.
II simply hate to ask It," she said
'but l suppose must. There seems
to be no other way out OF It," Turn
ing to him suddenly. she said, in q
low, intense voice: Tin in trou
BILE, Mr.. Speed, such dreadful trou
ble!"
"Oh, I'm so sorry!" he answered
her. with genuine solicitude. "You
needn't have made any conditions.
would have done anything l could fol
you"
That's very kind, for I don't like
our air of conspiracy. but"-Mrs. Kear
was wringing her slender hands,
just can't tell the girls. You-you can
help me-"
Speed allowed her time to grow
calm, when she continued:
IL am engaged to be married."
"Felicitations!"
mot at ALL" said the young widow
wretchedly. THAT is the awful part
OF it. I am engaged to two men!" She
turned her brown eyes full upon him