The Blackfoot optimist. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1907-1918, 1913-10-30

Ing for the faintest sound from the di
rection of the mess-house.
I'll kill him!" exulted the Eastern
lad. But the other forestalled q muir
der by running on, rapidly:
Listen, now! Hump and l jobbet
this gang last month; we're pardners
see? He's got another race framed
at Pocatello. and l want to make 6
getaway"
Yes! yes! y-you needn't stay here
on my account"
Nov don't let's take any chance,
tomorrow. see? We're both out fol
the coin. What do you want to do
win or lose?" Skinner jumped bacl
to the door and listened.
"What?"
Don't stall!" the Stranger cried
lmpatiently. ".Will l win or will you
What's 1t WORTH" He clipped his
words short, his eyes darted furtive
glances here and there.
Can I win" gasped Speed.
You can II there's enough In 1t 70,
me. I'm broke, see? You bet five
hundred. and we'll cut it two ways"
Il haven't that much with me-
borrow it. Don't be boob. Meet
me In Albuquerque Sunday, and well
split there"
rs that all have to do?"
certainly. What's the matter with
you, anyhow" Skinner cast a suspi.
cious glance at his companion.
Il guess I'm rattled-it's all &C
sudden"
"Of course you'll have to run fast
enough SO we don't tip off,"
How fast is that?"
"Oh, ten-four," carelessly. "That's
what Humpy and l did"
Ten and four-fifths-seconds? ?"
Certainly. Don't kid me! They're
liable to break in on u.s."
"Mr. Skinner, IL can't run that
fast. Fifteen is going some for me. >
What" Skinner stared at his Cd.
ponent strangely.
That's right I'm lemon"
"Ain't you the Yale champ? The
guy that goes under even time'?"
Wally shook his head. I'm his
chum. I couldn't catch cramp."
The brown face of the Centipede
Splinter split into grin, his eyes
cleaned. 'Then I'll win,"a said he
I'm the sucker, but I'll make good
Get your money down, and I'll split
with you"
mo. no! Not you! Me! l must
win!" Speed clutched his caller des.
perately.
All right, I'll frame anything; but
l can't run any slower than l did with
Joe and make a live of it. They'd
shoot US BOTH"
But there's girl in this-a girl l
love. It means more than mere life. "
Skinner was plainly becoming nerv.
Gus at the length of the interview.
Couldn't you fall DOWN." inquired
the younger man, timidly.
The cook laughed derisively. 81
could fall down twice and beat you in
ifteen." After an instant's thought:
Say, there's one chance, If we don't
run straight away. There's corral
out where we race; you insist on run.
ming around 1t, see? There's nothing
In the articles about straightaways.
Thatn kid 'em ON the time. If / get
too far ahead. I'll fall down."
"B-but will you stay down! TIL ]
catch up?
Sure! Leave 1t to me-"
You won't forget. or anything like
that?"
Certainly not. But no rough work
In front Of the cowboys, understand?
Sh-h!"
Skinner vaulted lightly through the
window, landing in the dirt outside
without sound. Somebody coming"
he whispered. "Understand: Mer
chants Hotel, Albuquerque, noon, Sun
day." And the next instant he had
vanished into the dusk, leaving be-
hind him q youth half hysterical With
hope.
Out Of the blacklist gloom had come
J. Wallingford Speeds deliverance
and he did not pause to consider the
ethics involved With light heart he
fastened to replace the borrowed re
volver in the bunk-room just as voices
coming nearer betokened the arrival
of his friends from the house. As he
stepped out into the night he came
upon Jack Chaplin.
Hello. Wally!"
Hello, Jack!" They shook hands,
while the owner of the Flying Heart
continued.
"I've just got in, and they've been
M