The St. Mary banner. (Franklin, Parish of St. Mary, La.) 1889-1931, 1913-12-06

might make you stretch your leg.
some if you knew just exactly what
this foot-race means to the Flyirs
Heart outfit.
| Il assured you that the Centipede
cook would be beaten" said the col
lege man, stifly.
Isn't Mr.. Speeds word sufficient -
inquired the girl.
| Slower bowed ut had sure ought to
be. and we thank you for them new
assurances. You see, our spiritual on.
| rest is due to the fact that Humpy
| Joe's getaway left us broke, and we
! banked on you to pull us even That
| first experience strained our credulity
| to the Dustin point, and-well, in
| words of one syllable, we come from
Joplin"
Missouri" said Willie.
my dear sirs, can't prove that you
| are going to win your wagers until the
| day Of the race. However, if you are
broke to start with. don't see how
you can expect to lose great deal"
"You amt got the right angle on the
affair."" Slower explained. Outside of
the onbearable contumely of losin'
twice to this Centipede outfit, which
would be bad enough, we have drawn
a months wages in advance, and we
have put it up Moreover, l have bet
my watch, which was presented to me
by the officials of the Santa Fe for
KILN a pair of road-agents when
was deputy sheriff"
Miss Blake uttered q little scream
and Speed regarded the lanky speaker
with new interest.
ITS a Waltham movement, solid
gold case, eighteen jewels, and en-
graved with my name"
mo wonder you prize It," said
Wally
II bet my saddle" informed Carara,
in his slow, soft dialect. Stamp
leather wit silver filagree. 1t is more
dear to me than-well-I love it yer
much, senOr!"
Seems like Willie has made the
extreme sacrifice" Slower followed up.
while all our boys has gone the
limit, Willie has topped 'em all; he's
bet his gun
Indeed. Is it a good weapon?"
Its been good to me-" said the lit
tie man, dryly. II took it off the quiv-
ering remains of sheriff in Dodge
City, up to that time the best hip shot
in Kansas"
Speed felt a cold chill steal up his
spine, while Miss Blake went pale and
laid a trembling hand upon his arm
you see it amt intrinsic value so
much as association and sentiment
that leads to this interview" Slower
continued. 1T amt no joke-we don't
joke with the Centipede-and we've
relied on you. The Mex here would
do murder for that saddle" Carara
nodded, and breathed something in his
own tongue. Il have parted with my
honor, and Willie is gamblin' just as
high"
But l notice Mr.-Willie still has
his revolver"
Sure l got it," Willie laughed, alb
ruptly. And l don't give it up till we
lose, neither. That's the under
standin'." His voice was surprisingly
harsh for one SO high-pitched. He
looked more like a professor than
ever.
willie has reasons for his caution
which we respect" explained the
Spokesman.
J. Wallingford Speed, face to face
with these serious-minded gentlemen.
began to reflect that this foot-race
was not thing to be taken too
lightly.
Il can't understand" he declared,
with a touch of irritation, why you
should risk such priceless things up
on friendly encounter"
"Friendly!" cried Willie and Slower
in a tone that made their listeners
gasp. 1.-THE Centipede and the Flying
Heart Is just as friendly as a pair of
wild boars."
you set, it's good thing we wised
you up" added the latter.
Carara muttered fiercely: "Senor, |
I worka five year for that saddle. |
am a good gambler, 81, 81! but l keel
biffore / lose it to the
Centipede."
"And is that Echo photograph worth
all this? % inquired Helen.
);nu