Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1913-08-08
CHAPTER lX.-Continued.

You said just now you'd answer
for him with your life Well, we aim
to make you! We amt a-goin to lose
this foot-race under no circumstances
whatever, so we give you complete
authority over the body, health, and
speed of Mr.. Speed. It's up to you
to make him beat that cook"
"Ss-suppose he gets sick or sprains
his ankle?" Glass undertook to move
his body from in front of the weapon,
but it followed him as if magnetized.
There amt a-goin' to be no acct
dents or excuses. It's pay or play.
money at the tape. You're his trainer,
and it's your fault If he amt fit when
he toes the mark. Understand"
Willie lowered the muzzle Of his
weapon, and fired between the legs of
Glass, who leaped into the air with all
the grace of a gazelle. 1t was due to
no conscious action on his part that
the trainer leaped; his muscles were
stimulated spasmodically, and pro-
PEELED him from the floor
Did you hear what | said?" de-
manded Willie, in voice that sound
ed like the saving of meat bone
Glass opened his mouth, and when
no sound issued, nodded.
And you understand"
Again the trainer bobbed his head.
Then l guess that's all. It's up to
you" Willie replaced his gun, and
the fat man threatened to fall. Come
on, boys" The cowboys filed out ST.
lently, but on the threshold Willie
paused and darted venomous
glance at his enemy. Don't forget
what l said about Mr. Colt and the
equality of man"
Yes, sir!-yes, ma'am!" calculated
the frightened trainer nervously.
When they were gone he collapsed.
They are rather severe, aren't
they?" ventured Fresno
Severed" cried the unhappy man.
why, Speed can't" He was about
to explain everything when the mem
ory Of Willie's words smote him like
a blow. That fiend had threatened to
kill him, Lawrence Glass, without pre-
liminary if it became evident that a
fraud had been practiced. Manifestly
this was no place for hysterical con-
fidences. Larry's mouth closed like a
trap, while the Californian watched
him intently. At length he did speak,
but in strangely softened tone, and
at utter variance with his custom.
Say, Mr.. Fresno! Which direction
is New York;"
THAT way" Fresno pointed to the
east, and the other man stared long
ingly out through the bunk-house win
dow.
Hts quite walk, amt it?"
Walk" Berkeley laughed. TITS
two or three thousand miles," Glass
sighed heavily, why do you ask"
"Oh, nothin Jest gettin' home
sick" He Gained himself with an eff
fort, entered the gymnasium as if in
search of something, and then set
forth to find Speed
That ecstatic young gentleman
wrenched his gaze away from the blue
eyes of Miss Blake to see his trainer
signaling him from afar.
What is Lawrence?"
Got to see you"
Presently"
Nix! | got to see you now!''
Glass rudy face was blotched, and
he seemed to rest in the grip of some
blighting malady Beneath his arm
he carried tight-rolled bundle. Sens
ing something important back of this
unusual demeanor, Speed excused
himself and followed Larry, who did
not trust to speech until they were
alone in the gymnasium with the
doors closed. Then he unrolled the
bundle he carried, spread it upon the
floor, and stepped into its exact cen
ter.
Are you standing on my prayer
rug?" demanded his companion, an
grily.
81 am! And from this on I'm goin
to make it work itself to death. She
said Teller couldn't get hurt If he
stood on it and said Allah Well
I'm goin' to wear it out"