The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1913-05-15

|
mans 6gure appeared Silhouette
against the window.
The figure dropped noiselessly I,
the floor inside the room, and cried, il
. strange voice:
Lock those doors! Quick!"
Finding that it was no Authorization
Speed rose, calling out:
who are your"
"Sh-h-h!" The stranger dartes
across the room and bolted boil
doors, while the other felt a chill o.
apprehension at these sinister precau
tons. He grasped his revolver firmly
while his heart thumped. The fellows
appearance was anything but reassur
ing: he was swarthy and sun-browned
his clothes were ragged, his overalls
were patched; instead of a coat, he
wore a loosely tapping vest over a
black sateen shirt, long since rusted
| out to a nondescript brown.
1--WE been trying to get to you for a
| week." announced the mysterious Wis
| itor hoarsely.
"W-what do you want? Who are
your"
I'm Skinner, cook for the Cent?
pede."
1.-THE man I race?"
''Not so loud" Skinner was strain,
ing for the faintest sound from the di,
rection of the mess-house.
I'll kill him!" exulted the Eastern
lad. But the other forestalled a muir
der by running On, rapidly:
Listen, now! Hump and I jobbed
this gang last month; we're pardners,
see? He's got another race framed
at Pocatello, and l want to make a
getaway"
Yes! yes! y-you needn't stay here
on my account"
Now don't let's take any chances
tomorrow, see? We're both out for
the coin. What do you want to do
win or lose?" Skinner jumped back
to the door and listened.
"What?"
Don't STALL" the Stranger cried.
impatiently. will l win or will you?
What's it WORTH" He clipped his
words short, his eyes darted furtive
glances here and there.
Can l VIM" gasped Speed.
You can If there's enough in it for
me. I'm broke, see? You bet five
hundred, and We'll cut it two ways"
Il haven't that much with me-"
Borrow it. Don't be a boob. Meet
me in Albuquerque Sunday, and Well,
split there"
lis that all l have to do?"
Certainly. What's the matter with
you, anyhow" Skinner cast a suspi.
cious glance at his companion.
II guess I'm rattled-it's all so
sudden" -
"of course you'll have to run fast
enough SO we don't tip off,"
How fast is that?"
"Oh, ten-four," carelessly. that's
what Humpy and did"
"Ten. and four-fifths-seconds?
Certainly. Don't kid me! They're
liable to break in on u.s.
Mr.. Skinner, IL can't run that
fast. Fifteen is going some for me-"
What" Skinner stared at his Cd
ponent strangely.
That's right. I'm a lemon"
Amt you the Yale champ? The
guy that goes under even time'?"
Wally shook his head. "I'm his
chum. I couldn't catch a cramp."
The brown face of the Centipede
Splinter split into a grin, his eyes
cleaned. "Then I'll win," said he.
I'm the sucker, but I'll make good.
Get your money down, and I'll split
with you"
mo, no! Not you! Me! I must
win!" Speed clutched his caller des,
perately.
"All right, I'll frame anything; but
l can't run any slower than did with
Joe and make live of it. They'd
shoot us both" -
But there's girl in this-a girl I
love. 1t means more than mere life. 81
Skinner was plainly becoming nerv-
GUS at the length of the interview.
Couldn't you fall DOWN." inquired
the younger man, timidly.
The cook laughed derisively. all
could fall down twice and beat you in
fifteen" After an instant's thought:
Say, there's one chance, if we don't
run straight away. There's a corral
out where we race; you insist on run.
ming around it, see3 There's nothing
IN the articles about straightaways.
ThatH kid 'em on the time. II / get
TOO far ahead, I'll fall down."
"B-but will you stay down? Till II
catch up?"
Sure! Leave It to me-"
You. won't forget. or anything like
that?"
Certainly not. But no rough work
in front OF the cowboys, understand?
Sh-h!"
Skinner vaulted lightly through the
window, landing in the dirt outside
without sound. Somebody coming
ne whispered. Understand: Mer.
chants Hotel. albuquerque, noon, Sun.