The Breckenridge news. (Cloverport, Ky.) 1876-1955, 1913-04-16
CHAPTER ".

1 b
RkE/ upon the vine-shaded gal
~ lery at the rear of the
- house, and the conversation
had been largely of athletics, but this,
Judging from the rapt expression of
the girl, was subject of SURPRISING
interest. Speed, quick to take a cue,
plunged on.
81 would have made the Varsity
basketball team myself IL / hadn't
been so tiny" said Helen. 81 have
always wanted to be tall, like Ro-
berta."
"I shouldn't care for that" said the
young man.
"You know she was a wonderful
player?"
$50 I've heard"
do you know" unused Helen, 81
have never forgotten what you told
me that first day we met. About your
friendship for Mr.. Covington. think
it is very unselfish of you"
ooh, wouldn't say that" ventured
the young man, vainly racking his
brain Nobody could help liking Gull
YER"
Eyes; but how many men would
step aside and let their best friend win
prize after prize and never undertake
to compete against him."
Speed blushed family, as any mod
est man might have done.
did tell you that?" he inquired.
Indeed you did"
"Then please don't speak of it to a
mortal soul. must have said a great
deal that first day, but"
"But have spoken of 1t, and said
/ thought it was fine of you"
you have spoken of it?"
Eyes; / told Jean"
The Yale man undertook to change
the conversation abruptly, but Miss
Blake was a determined young lady.
She continued:
"Of course it was very magnanim-
Gus of you to always step aside in
favor of your best friend; but it isn't
fair to yourself-it really isn't. And
so have arranged little plan where
by you can do something to prove
your prowess, and still not interfere
with Mr.. Covington in the least"
Speed cleared his throat nervously.
Tell me-" he said, what it isl
And Miss Blake told him the story
of the shocking treachery of Humpy
Joe, together with the miserable un-
doing of the Flying Heart. "Why,
those poor fellows are broken-heart-
ed" she concluded. Their despair
over losing that talking-machine
would be if it were not so tragic.
told them you would win it back for
them. And you WILL won't you?
Please!" She turned her blue eyes
upon him appealingly, and the young
man was lost.
"I'll take ten chances" he said.
where does the rattle come OFF,"
"Oh, 1t isn't rattle. it's a foot-race.
You must run with that Centipede
cook"
81! Run a racel" exclaimed the
young college man, aghast.
"Yes, I've promised that you would.
You see, this isn't like college event,
and Culver isn't here yet"
But he'll be here in a day or So"
Speed felt as if very large man were
choking him; he decided his collar
was too tight.
ooh, I've talked it all over with
Jean. She doesn't want Culver to
run, anyhow"
"Why not?" inquired he, suspicious
ly.
81 don't know, I'm sure"
IF Miss Chaplin doesn't want Culver
to run, you surely wouldn't want me
to-"
mot at all. If Mr.. Covington knew
the facts of the case. he would be
only too happy to do 1t. And, you
see, you know the facts"
Speed was about 10 shape a gracious
but firm refusal Of the proffered honor
when Still Bill Slower appeared at the
steps. dotted his faded Stetson, and
bowed Imply.
"Mornin'. Miss Blake" To the rear
Speed saw three other men-an In
dian, tall, swart. and saturnine, who
walked with limp; a picturesque
Mexican with spangled hat and hl-
yer spurs, evidently the captor OF
Lawrence Glass on the evening previ-
GUS; and an understood little man
with thick-rimmed spectacles and a
heavy-hanging holster from which
peeped a gun-butt. All were smiling
pleasantly. and seemed a bit abashed
Good morning. Mr, Slower" safd
Helen p'epe' DIV "Th's is Mr. Speed
~ ~ r-' Yesterday"
Slower bowed again and mumbled
something about the honor of this
meeting. and Miss Blake cast her
eyes over the other members OF the
group. saying, graciously: I'm afraid