Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1913-03-19

III -
"ThIs Llttis Teller I'm Trainln-
Does He WIn7"
He wheeled and flung mp his hand az
If to check some hidden movement OF
WiIlie's.
mo voylence yet. VIII! What d'you
mean. MI. speed?"
| Speed uttered what he knew was
his final joke on earth. Il mean that
refuse to run straightaway. I'm an
all.around athlete, and must run all
around something"
Amid shouts Of confusion. those who
had taken position along the course
came crowding back to the starting.
point. Willie wrapped be legs about
the top rail Of the fence and drew a
second revolver. while the two fore.
men beloved indistingu 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 u.s."
reared Gallagher.
stiu Bill was quick to take . cue.
Don't get hectic!" said he. There's
nothin' in the articles about runnin'
straight. Let 'em run around the cor
raj"
| But at thu suggestion every voice
/ -
''Humpy Joe ran stFaightaway." Do
clared Gallagher.
EYES. an he kspt at t." piped VIII
lie. II favor the idea Of them runners
comm back whore they start from"
"Listen, an 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 l
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
run"
you couldn't beat a rug" retorted
wally. and Glass suddenly smote his
palms together. crying. blankly:
II forgot the rug!"
I'VE don't want no arH'ment after
wards. Does the Centipede accept it,
fate?" Still Bill glared at the faces
ringed about him.
I'VE do II Skinner says Co."
Twice around the corral" agreed
Skinner. ''But no accidents, under
stand? II he falls, keep going"
Instantly there ensued q 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 q string to
yonder post, and the first man to bust
it wins. Who's got a 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 q 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 II ct
the Centipede ~ remembrance. Ar
| the runners ready?'
Those near the starting-point save
room. Skinner stepped quickly out
from his blanket. and stamped his
spikes into the soil: he raised and low
|. cred himself on his toss to try his
muscles. Speed drew his bath.robe
from his shoulders and thrust 1t to.
ward his trainer. who shook his head.
GIVE It to Covington, Bo; won't
be here when you come back
'Qet 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 "a
Skinner. That gentleman straighten-
ed up, whereupon Willie cried for .
second time:
ION your marks!" ana again Skin.
ner crouched-
"G0t set!"
The crowd filled it, lungs and wait,
cd. Helen Blake buried her nails a
her rosy cold palms. Chaplin and hla
friends were swayed By their heart
beats, while even Fresno was bal
anced upon his toes, his plump feoe
eager. The click Of WilliS's gun sound.
| "a sharp q he cooked Il.
Into the ear close BY his cheek