Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1913-04-10


shades, and neglected their work to
discuss the disgrace that had fallen
upon them. 1t was task to get any
OF them out in the morning, several
had quit, the rest were quarreline
among themselves, and the bunk
house had already been the scene OF
moro than one encounter, altogether
too sanguinary to have originated
from such a trivial cause as foot
race.
The master Of the ranch sought hie
sister Jean. to tell her frankly what
was on his mind.
See here, Sis" he began, 'T don't
want to cast a cloud over your little
houseparty. but think you'd better
keep your friends away from my
men,"
why, what is the matter?" she de-
manded.
Things are at pretty high ten.
sion just now, and the boys have had
two or three rows among themselves.
lie about The Holy City, said 1t was
"You Can so Gamble It Was Crooked
written as a coon song, and wasn't
sung in good society. If he hadn't
been a guest, l guess Willie would
have murdered him"
ooh, Jack! You won't let Willie
murder anybody, not even Berkeley,
while the people are here. will you?"
IN
What made you invite Berkeley
Fresno, anyhow" was tho rejoinder.
This is no gilded novelty to him He
Is Western man"
Miss Chaplin numbered her reasons
sagcly. I'm the first place--Helen.
Then there had TO be enough men to
20 around Last and best, he is the
most adorable man l ever saw at a
house-party. He's an angel at break.
fast sings perfectly beautifully-you
know he was on the Stanford Glee
Club"
"Humph!" Jack was unimpressed
"If you roped him for Helen Blake to
Speed?"
We'll. you see, Berkeley and Helen
didn't quite hit 1t off, and Mr.. Speed
is--a friend OF Culvers." Miss Cha.
pin blushed prettily.
"Oh, see | thought myself that
this affair had something to do with
you and Culver Covington, but
didn't know it had lapsed into a sort
of matrimonial roundup. Suppose
Miss Blake shouldn't care for Speed
after he gets here?"
"Oh, but she will That's where
Berkeley Fresno comes in. When two
men begin to fight for her, she'll have
sure it will be for Wally Speed. Don't
you see?"
The brother looked at his sister
shrewdly. ut seems to me you
learned lot at Smith"
Jean tossed her head. How alb
surd! That sort OF knowledge is per
fectly natural for a girl to have
Then she teased: But you admit that
my selection OF a chaperon was ex
cellent, don't you, jack"
Mrs. Keap and I are the best OF
friends" Jack averred, with supreme
dignity. I'm not in the market and
man doesn't marry a widow, any
how. It's too old and experienced q
beginning"
Nonsense! Robert Keap is only
twenty-three. Why, she hardly knew
her husband, even! It was one o,
those sudden, impulsive affairs thai
would overwhelm any girl who hadn''
; seen man for four years. Ant
then he enlisted in the Spanish War
and was killed"
"Considerate chap!"
Roberta. you know, is my bes
friend. after Helen. Do be nice te
her. Jack" Miss Chaplin sighed ~
Is too bad the others couldn't come.
Yes. small house-party has IT.
disadvantages. By-the-way, what
that gold thing on your frock?"
TITS a medal. Culver sent 1t t.
me-"
Another"
"Yes, he won the intercollegiate,
championship again" Miss Chapil
proudly extended the emblem on II
ribbon.
Il wish to goodness Covington ha
been here to take Humpy Joe's place,
said the young cattleman as h
turned it over. 1.-THE boys are jus
broken-hearted over losing that pho
nograph."
"IIl get him to run and win it back,
Jean offered, easily.
Her brother laughed. Take my ac
vice, Sis. and don't let Culver mix u
in this game! The stakes are to
high. l think that Centipede cook I
a professional runner, myself, and
our boys were beaten again-well, 20
and mother and I would have to NOV
i, out Of New Mexico, that's all. NJ
we'd better let the memory OF thu
defeat die out as quickly as possible
!. You warn Fresno not to joke about
any more, and I'll take Mrs Keap o
/. your hands. She may be widow, sh
, may even be the chaperon, but I
! do It; / will do it," promised Jack
for my sisters sake"
: CHAPTER II.