The Breckenridge news. (Cloverport, Ky.) 1876-1955, 1913-06-25

were better TO lose foot than q foot
race. under present conditions, so he
began to unlace his shoe. Then real
izlng the value OF circumstantial evi
dence, he paused. MOI His disability
must bear all the earmarks of an acct
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 a 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 a second time
lie wondered IL the shock might, by
any chance, numb him into uncon-
seriousness. II so, he might bleed to
death before assistance arrived. But
he had nothing to do with that. The
only question was, which foot. Here.
/ 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 a dastardly deed to take
advantage OF them thus, but--he ad-
vanced the revolver until IL pressed
firmly against the outside of his left
foot, then closed his eyes, and called
upon his courage. There came a
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, a
mans figure appeared silhouetted
against the window.
The figure dropped noiselessly to
the floor inside the room, and cried, in
strange voice:
Lock those doors! Quick!"
Finding that it was no hallucination,
Speed rose, calling out:
who are you?"
"Sh-h-h!" The stranger darted
across the room and bolted both
doors, while the other felt a 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 Drowned.
his clothes were ragged, his overalls
were patched; instead of coat, he
wore a loosely tapping vest over
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.'
"The man / racer"
''Not so loud" Skinner was strain
won't, Ell? Who is boss here, I'd like
to know?"
They've bet a lot of money. And
you know how they feel about that
photograph"
ITS the most idiotic thing ever
heard of. Whatever possessed you,
Wally? If the men make row, I'll
have to smuggle you and Glass over
to the railroad tonight"
I'm for that" came the voice of
Larry.
II suppose it's all my fault" Miss
Blake began wretchedly, whereat the
object of their general solicitude took
on an aspect of valor.
Say, what is all this fuss about? |
don't want to be smuggled any
where, thank you'll"
81 may not be able to square my
men," Chaplin reiterated. at may have |
gone too far"
Square! Square! Why should you |
do any squaring? I'm not going to
run away" Miss Blake casped her |
hands and breathed sigh. 1--WE got |
to stay here and run a foot-race to-
morrow"
Don't be a fool. Wally" Coving-
ton added his voice to the others.
Speed whirled angrily. 81 don't |
need your advice-convict!" The
champion hobbled instantly out of
range. II know what I'm doing. I'm
going to run tomorrow, and stand a
good chance to win"
Mr.. Fresno. If he had been a girl,
would have been said to have giggled.
"All right Dearie! I'll bet you five
hundred dollars" as there emerged |
from the darkness, whence they had
approached unseen, Slower, and be-
hind him the other men.
"Evenin'! What's all the excite
ment?" greeted the leader. softly.
The master OF the ranch stepped
forward.
See here. Bill. I'm sorry. but l
won't stand for this foot-race."
why not?" queried the foreman.
Il just won't, that's all. You'll have
to call 1t Off"
I'm sorry, too"