The Breckenridge news. (Cloverport, Ky.) 1876-1955, 1913-05-07

joined in.
"All the same he is a guest, and nc
rough work goes. I'm in charge while
Mr.. Chaplin is away, and I'm RESPONSE
ble."
"Senor Bill" Carara ventured, "the
fat vaquero, he is no guest He is one
of u.s."
That's right" seconded Willie
Hes told us all along that Mr.. Speed
was Merc-ry-footed wonder, and If
the young Teller can't run he had
ought to have told us"
Mr.. Cloudy showed his understand
ing of the discussion by nodding 81.
lently.
We'll put it up to him in the morn
ing" said Slower.
IF Mr.. Speed cannot r-r-run, wat
you do, eh?" questioned the Mexican
Nobody answered. Still Bill seemed
at loss for words, Mr.. Cloudy stared
gloomily into space, and Willie ground
his teeth
On the following morning Speed
, sought secluded nook with Helen,
! but no sooner had he launched himself
! fairly upon the subject uppermost in
, his mind than he was disturbed by a
! delegation of cowboys, consisting Of
the original four who had waited upon
him that first morning after his ar
! rival. They came forward with grave
and serious mien, requesting mo-
ment's interview. 1t was plain there
was something of more than ordinary
importance upon their minds from the
manner in which Slower spoke, but
when Helen quickly volunteered to
withdraw, Speed checked her.
Stay where you are; / have no Sc
crets from you," said he. Then noting
the troubled face of the foreman,
quoted impatiently:
"'You may fire when ready, Grid
ley"
Still Bill shifted the lump in his
cheek, and cleared his throat before
beginning formally.
"Mr. Speed, while we honor you a
heap for your accomplishments, and
while we believe in you as man and
champeen, we kind of feel that it
might make you stretch your legs
some if you knew just exactly what
this foot-race means to the Flying
Heart outfit"
II assured you that the Centipede
cook would be beaten" said the col
lege man, stiffly.
Isn't Mr.. Speeds word sufficient"
inquired the girl.
Slower bowed. ut had sure ought to
assurances. You see, our spiritual on
rest is due to the fact that Humpy
Joe's getaway left us broke, and we
banked on you to pull us even. That
first experience strained our credulity
to the Dustin point, and-well, in
words of one syllable, we come from
Joplin"
Missouri" said Willie.
my dear sirs, can't prove that you
are going to win your wagers until the
day of the race. However, If you are
broke to start with | don't see how
you can expect to lose a great deal"
you amt got the right angle on the
affair."" Slower explained. Outside of
the onbearable contumely of losin
twice to this Centipede outfit, which
would be bad enough, we have drawn
months wages in advance, and we
my watch. which was presented to me
by the officials of the Santa Fe for
KILN a pair of road-agents when
was deputy sheriff"
Miss Blake uttered a little scream,
and Speed regarded the lanky speaker
with new interest.
its a Waltham movement, solid
gold case. eighteen jewels. and en-
graved with my name"
NO wonder you prize It," said
Wally.
II bet my saddle" informed Carara.
in his slow, soft dialect. Stamp
leather wit silver filagree. 1t is more
dear to me than-well-I love it YER
much. senor!"
Seems like Willie has made the
extreme sacrifice" Slower followed up.
while all our boys has gone the
limit. Willie has topped 'em all; he's
bet his gun"
Indeed! Is IL a good weapon"
tits been good to me-" said the lit
tie man, dryly. Il took 1t off the quiv-
ering remains of a sheriff in Dodge
City, up TO that time the best hip shot
in Kansas"
Speed felt cold chill steal up his
spine, while Miss Blake went pale and
laid trembling hand upon his arm.
"You see 1t amt intrinsic value so
much as association and sentiment
that leads to this interview" Slower
continued. 1T amt no joke-we don't
joke with the Centipede-and we've
relied on you. The Mex here would
do murder for that saddle" Carara
nodded. and breathed something In his
own tongue. Il have parted with my
honor. and Willie is gamblin' Just as
high"
"Rnt notice Mr-Willis still has