The Blackfoot optimist. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1907-1918, 1913-11-06

becond revolver, while tho two fore.
men beloved indistins uishable threats
at each other. Chaplin lost no time In
withdrawing his guests out of the
turmoil. but Helen kept her place, her
face chalky but her eyes very bright.
What are you tryin' to hand us?"
roared Gallagher.
Still Bill was quick to take a cue.
Don't get hectic!" said he. There's
nothin' in the articles about runnin'
straight. Let 'em run around the cor
raj"
i But at this suggestion every voice
seemed to break simultaneously.
"Humpy Joe ran straightaway," de-
clared Gallagher.
yes. an he kept at It," piped VIII.
lie. Il favor the idea of them runners
comm back where they start from"
Listen, all of you," Speed an.
nounced. II am going to run around
and around and around this corral.
II Mr.. Skinner chooses to accompany
me. he may trail along; otherwise !
shall run alone:'
Never heerd of such thing!"
Gallagher was dancing in his excite
ment, but Skinner Gained him by an.
nouncing, CURLY:
I'LL beat him any way he wants to
rum.
"You couldn't beat a rug" retorted
Wally. and Glass suddenly smote his
palms together. crying, blankly:
Il forgot the rug!"
I'VE don't want no argument after
wards. Does the Centipede accept its
fate?" Still Bill glared at the faces
ringed about him.
1--WE do IL Skinner says So"
Twice around the corral" agreed
Skinner. But no accidents, under
stand? If he falls. I keep going"
Instantly there ensued a scramble
for grand-stand seats; the cowboys
swarmed like insects upon the stout
fence Of the corral
"Then you'll start and finish here
Once y'all pass we'll stretch string tc
yonder post, and the first man to bust
1t wins. Who's got string?"
"Mr. Gallagher, won't you use my
sash" Helen quickly unfastened the
long blue bow of ribbon from her cot
ton gown, and Gallagher thanked her
adding:
Moreover, the winner gets it,"
For the first time, then, Skinner ad
dressed Miss Blake
Hadn't you better make that the
loser, miss? The winner gets the
coin," and the assent came in a fash
ing smile from the sky-blue yes.
Then the loser gets the ribbon!'
Gallagher announced loudly, and made
one end fast to the corral. which
call handsome treatment for Mr.. Speed
an only wish we might retain it al
the Centipede as q remembrance. ART
the runners ready?"
Those near the starting-point gave
room. Skinner stepped quickly Out
from his blanket, and stamped hif
spikes into the soil; he raised and low
cred himself on his toes to try hi
muscles. Speed drew his bath-robt
from his shoulders and thrust it to
ward his trainer, who shook his head
"Give it to Covington. Bo; won
be here when you come back
Get on your marks!" The starter
gave his order.
. Speed set his spikes into the dirt
brought his weight forward upon his
hands. He whispered something t.
Skinner. That gentleman straighten
ed up, whereupon Willie cried for I
second time:
ION your marks!" and again Skin
ner crouched.
Get set!"
The crowd filled it's lungs and wait
ed. Helen Blake buried her nails IL
her rosy cold palms. Chaplin and hii
friends were swayed by their heart
beats, while even Fresno was bal
| anced upon his toes. his plump fact
eager. The click Of Willie's gun sound
| ed sharp as he cooked it.
Into the ear close by his cheel
, Speed again whispered an agonized-
} Don't forget to fall down."
: This time the cook Of the Centiped'
/ leaped backward with an angry snarl
/ while the crowd took breath.
|. Make him quit talking to met
cried Skinner.
Gallagher uttered an imprecatiol
I and strobe forward. only to have hi
3 way once more barred by Still Bill
3 Slower. "He can talk II he wants to.
! There is nothing" Speed pointe,
;. out with dignity. "in the articles t
y forbid talking. II wished to. coul,
l sing. Yes. or whistle. If I felt lik
Q It,
ION your marks!" came the raspinl
voice of Willie as Wally murmured Il
Skinner:
Q Remember, trust you"
d Skinner ground his teeth; the tendon
d In his calves stood out rigidly.
/: "Get sell"
b Once more the silence Of dealt
Q wrapped the beholders, and Willi'
d raised his arm.
6 Speed cast one lingering farewell
n glance to the skies, and said. devout