The Prince George's enquirer and southern Maryland advertiser. (Upper Marlborough, Md.) 1882-1925, 1913-12-12
that no one could force crippled man

BY hARPER G. BRSIt7EIS
that no one could force crippled man
to run.
"By Jove," he exclaimed. "I'll do it,"
He crossed quickly to the bunk
house door and looked in. The room
was empty The supper-bell pealed
out, and he heard the cow-men answer
it. Now was the appointed moment;
he might have no other. With cat-like
tread he slipped into the sleeping
quarters, returning in moment with
a revolver. He stared thankfully at
the weapon--better this than dishonor.
why didn't 1 think of it before?
It's perfectly simple. I'll accidentally
shoot myself-in the foot!"
But even as he gaZed at the gun he
saw that the muzZle was as large as
a gopher-hole. A bullet of that size
would sink ship, he meditated In
panic, and as for his foot---what fright
full execution it would work! Butt
were better to lose foot than foot
race, under present conditions, SO he
began to unlace his shoe. Then real
izing the value of circumstantial evi-
dence, he paused. No! His disability
must bear all the earmarks of an acci-
dent. He must guess the location OF
his smallest and least important toe.
and trust the rest to his marksman-
ship Visions. of blood-poisoning' be-
set him, and when he pressed the
muzzle against the point of his shoe
his hand shook with such palsy that
he feared he might miss. He steeled
himself with the thought that other
men had snuffed out life itself in this
manner, then sat down upon the floor
and cooked the weapon second time.
He wondered If the shock might, by
any chance, numb him into uncon-
sciousness. If so, he might bleed 20
death before assistance arrived. But
he had nothing to do with that. The
only question was, which foot. He re-
garded them both tenderly. They
were nice feet, and had done him
many favors He loved every toe;
they were almost like innocent chill
dren. 1t was dastardly deed to take
advantage of them thus, but-he ad-
vanced the revolver until it pressed
firmly against the outside of his left
foot, then closed his eyes, and called
upon his courage. There came
great roaring In his ears.
How long he sat thus waiting for
the explosion he did not know, but
he opened his eyes at length to find
the foot still intact, and the muzzle
of the weapon pointing directly at his
instep. He altered his aim hurriedly,
when, without warning of any sort.
mans figure appeared silhouetted
against the window.
The figure dropped noiselessly to
the floor inside the room, and cried, III
a strange voice:
Lock those doors! Quick!"
Finding that it was no hallucination,
Speed rose, calling out:
who are your"
"Sh-h-h!" The stranger darted
across the room and bolted both
doors, while the other felt chill of
apprehension at these sinister precau-
tions. 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 coat, he
wore 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
week." announced the mysterious Wis
itor hoarsely.
"W-what do you want? Who are
you?"
I'm Skinner, cook for the Cent?
pede."
THE man l racer"
mot 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 MUIR
der by running on, rapidly:
Listen, now! Hump and | 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"
Nov 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
20 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 | 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 we'll
split there
"Is that all ] have to do?"
Certainly. What's the matter with
you, anyhow" Skinner cast a suspi-
cious glance at his companion.
IL guess I'm rattled-it's all SO