Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1913-04-24

Leave 1t TO me, Boz"
From inside the house came the
strains of Dearie, sung in a sympa-
thetic tanor, and upon the coocluston
Berkeley Fresno's voice inquiring:
Miss Blake, did 7 ever tell you
about the time I sang Dearie to the
mayors daughter in walla Walla?"
Miss Blake appeared on the gallery
with her musical admirer at her ell
bow.
yes" said she. sweetly. You told
me all about the mayors daughter a
week ago" Then spying Speed and his
companion, che exclaimed: "Mr. Fres-
no has a fine voice, hasn't he? He
sings with the Standard Glee Club"
Indeed"
"Sure!" The Native Son Of the
Golden West shook up a hammock.
cushion for the girl. "Tenor!" said he,
sententiously.
Say no more" Speed remarked;
ats all right with us!"
Fresno looked up.
whats wrong with my singing?"
ooh. I've Just told tho girls that
you're going to run that foot race"
Helen interposed. hurriedly, at which
Fresno exploded.
Whats wrong with my running?"
inquired Speed.
II can beat you!"
Larry Glass nudged his employer
openly, and seemed on the verge OF
hysteria. Let him CO." said he. Let
him go; he's funny"
Speed addressed Helen. with a mag.
unanimous smile:
Suppose we allow FREE to sing this
foot race? Wen pull it off in the
treble cleft"
"Oh, / mean III" maintained the
tenor, s%tubbornly. II don't want to
run Skinner. the cook. but I'll run you
to see who does meet him"
Speed shrugged his shoulders indul
gently.
I'm afraid you're a little over
weight"
I'LL train down"
Perhaps If o wait until I beat
this cook, III take you on"
Glass broke out. in husky indigna.
ton: Sure! Get a rep, Gull. get a
rep" Then to his employer; Come
on, Wally, you've got to warm up"
He mounted the steps heavily with his
protege.
When they had gone, Miss Blake
clappeG her hands.
I'm so excited" she exclaimed.
you see, it's all my doings! Oh,
how ! adore athletes!"
Most young girls do" Fresno smil-
ed, sourly. "My taste runs more to
music" After a moments meditation,
he observed: Speed doesn't look like
4 Splinter to me. I'LL wager he
can't do a hundred yards In fifteen
two"
"fFffteen-two' Is cribbage." said
Miss Blake.
Fifteen and two-fifths seconds is
what I mean"
as that fast?"
Fresno smiled. indulgently this
time. Jeans friend Covington can go
the distance in nine and four-flfths
seconds. He's a real Splinter. I think
this fellow is a joke"
Indeed he Is not! If Mr.. C~ovington
can run as fast as that, Mr.. Speed can
run faster. He told me So"
oh" Fresno looked at her curious.
ly. The worlds record is nine and
three-fifths: that's the limit of human
endurance"
Il hope he doesn't injure himself"
breathed the girl, and the tenor wan.
dered away, disguised beyond meas
ure. When he was out of hearing he
remarked, aloud:
I'll bet he runs so slow we'll have
to wind a stop-watch on him. Any.
how, I think I'll find out something
more about this race"
Once in his room, Mr.. ]. Walling.
ford Speed made a search for writing
materials. while Larry Glass over.
hauled a trunk filed with athletic
clothing Of various descriptions. There
were running-suits. rowingsuits, base.
ball and football suits, sweaters, 5er.
seys, and bath robes-all Of which
were new and unstained. At the bot
tom Glass discovered a box full of
bronze and near-gold emblems,
Here's your medals" said he.
Good! I'll wear them"
mix! You can't do that. Those
gals will get wise" He selected one,
and read on the reverse side, Clerk
OF the course" another was engraved
Starter" All were official badges Of
some sort or other. you always we're
strong on the Reception Committee
stuff. There's six of them" said he.
Speed pointed to the bureau.
TRY a nail-fle. See II you can't
scratch of the lettering. How's this?"
He read what he had written for the
wire. "'Culver Covireton, and 30
forth. Come quick. First train. Ma
tive Son making love to Jean.-Wally.'
Ten words. and it tells the whole
story. | hardly explain why I
want him, IA I? He expects to stop
off in Omaha for a day or two, but
he'll be under way in an hour after