The Madisonian. (Richmond, Ky.) 1913-1914, 1913-11-04

and to nerve him for the contest, and
stood aghast. Chaplin stepped for
ward with a look Of suspicion, inquir-
ing:
What's going on here?"
Miss Blake spoke brightly, tinkling
ice in her voice.
There's no necessity for an expla-
| nation is there? 1t seems time for
! congratulations"
"Oh, see here now! Mrs. Heaps
really engaged to Culver, you know"
"Culver!"
"Culver!"
Both the young ranchman and his
sister stared at the chaperon with
i growing horror, while she undertook
to explain; but the blow had fallen
so swiftly that her words were inco-
herent, and in the midst of them her
hostess turned and fed from the
room
Now don't begin to aviate until
you understand the truth" Speed con-
| tinued. While she's engaged to that
broken-toed serpent, she doesn't love
him, do you see?" He smiled
Il do not seei"
at was simply a habit Mrs Keap
had got into should say it was an
impulsive engagement that she has
repented Of
No doubt she was repenting when
we interrupted YOU" said Miss Blake,
bitterly.
Then Chaplin added, helplessly:
But Culver is engaged to my sister
Jeanl"
"Jean!" Mrs. Keap exposed her
tragic face ''Tben-he deceived me!
Oh-h! What wretches men are!"
The widow commenced to sob.
Outside came Miss Chapin's voice:
$50 here you are, Mr.. Covingtonn'
And the next moment she reappeared
dragging the crippled champion be
hind her. Thrusting him toward Ro-
berta, she pouted: There. Mrs. Keap!
l give him back to you"
Perhaps you'd better go on with
your explanations" Chaplin suggested
coldly, to Speed.
How can when you won't listen
,, to me? Hear yer Hear We! Culver
was engaged to marry Mrs. Keap, but
she discovered what a reprobate he
is"
There was indistinguishable dissen'
of some sort from Mr.. Covington.
; and she learned to detest him!'
Mrs. Keap likewise dissented in &C
cents muf1ed.
well, she would have learned II
detest him in a short time, because
she's in love with Jack Chaplin; 81
she came to old Doctor Speed in he
troubles, and he promised to fix it al
up. Now l guess you four can do thu
rest of the explaining. II you eve
!, get in trouble, come to the match
making kid. I'll square it,"
They were four happy young people
and they lost no time in escapini
elsewhere. When they had gone
their benefactor said to Miss Blake
wouldn't you like to make that
triple wedding? We might get clul
rates"
For answer Miss Blake hurried u
the door and was gone.
Over at the Centipede there was
great activity andlyet certain idle
ness also, as if it had been holiday
| The men hung about in groups lister
| ing to the peripatetic monograph. !
dozen or more outsiders had riddle
over from the post-off1ce to witnes
| the contest. Out by the corral, whic
| stood close to the first break Of tn
| foothills, Skinner was Superintendent
| the laying out Of COURSE selectin
| stretch of level ground worn smoot
| and hard by the tread of counties
] hoofs.
Makes a pretty good track. Ell?
he said to Gallagher. 81 wonder ho1
fast this Teller is? Ever heard?"
s They seem to think he's a whirlir
t ball of fire, but that don't worry yo
none, does it," Gallagher bent hi
b lead-blue eyes upon the cook, VIII
t. shrugged carelessly, and Gallaghe
e smiled; he was forced to admit tina
o his man did not appear to be one cal
b lily frightened. SINNERS face wa
L hard, his lips thin, his jaw was nc
d that of a weakling. He had dresse
It early, then wrapped horse-blanke
= about his shoulders, and now, castin
e this aside, sprinted down the dill
e track for few yards to test the foo
E. ing, while Gallagher watched him wit
s. satisfaction thing Of steel an
wire, as tough, as agile, and as spil
e tied as a range-raised cow-pony. H
n was unshaven, his running-trunk
e were cut from pair OF overalls, hel
d up at the waist by section of vii
n. dow-cord, and his chest was scantil
le covered by an undershirt from whic
Y, the sleeves had been pulled Blu
when he returned to pick up his blal
yet Gallagher noted approvingly tia
he was not even breathing heavil.
With a knowledge confined mainly
u livestock, the foreman inquired:
SLOWS your laigs? like to Sc
l. ,ern hairy, hathaway; it's a sign {
stren'th. / bet this college boy is a
II pink as a maiden's palm! He don
look to me like he could run"