The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1913-03-27


over losing that tall1ing-machine
would be if it were not SO tragic I
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.
''Tl take ten chances" he said.
"Where does the rattle come OFF,
''Oh, it isn't rattle. it's foot-race.
You must run with that Centipede
cook"
II! Run race" 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
~.
"If Miss Chaplin doesn't want Culver
to rum you surely wouldn't want me
to-"
mot at all If MI. Covington knew
the facts of the case. he would be
only too happy to do It. And, you
see. you know the facts"
Speed was about to 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
dian. tall. swart and saturnine, who
walked with & limp; picturesque
Mexican with a spangled hat and sill
yer spurs. evidently the captor of
Lawrence Glass on the evening previ.
Gus; and an undersized little man
with thick-rimmed spectacles and a
heavy-hanging holster from which
peeped gun-butt. All were smiling
pleasantly, and seemed bit abashed
Good morning, Mr.. Stover,' said
Helen, pleasantly. This is Mr. Speed
Of WHOM, "-olit 20 YOU YESTERDAY"
Slower bowed again and mumbied
something about the homer of this
meeting. and Miss Blake cast her
eyes over the other members of the
group. saving. gracious!y: I'm afraid
I can't introduce your friends; l
haven't met them"
The loquacious foreman came
promptly to the rescue rejoicing in an
opportunity of displaying his oratori-
cal gifts.
"Then I'll make you acquainted
with the best brandin' outfit in these
parts He waved long. bony arm
at the Mexican who flashed his white
teeth. This Greaser is Aurelio Maria
Carara. Need I say he's Mex, and a
premier roper" Carara bowed, and
swept the ground with his high-peaked
head-piece. 1.-THE Maduro gent yonder
is Mr. Cloudy. His mother being
Navajo squaw, named him accordin' to
the rights and customs of her tribe,
selecting the title Of Cloudy-but-the-
Sun-Shines, which same has proved
misnomer. him bein' a pessimist for
fair"
Miss Blake and her companion smil-
ed and nodded, at which Slower, en-.
couraged beyond measure, elaborated.
Hes had hist'ry, too. When he
reaches mans real-estate the Injun
agent ropes, throws, and hog-ties him,
then sends MIN east to be cultivated.
He spends four years kickin' a foot.
ball" Speed interrupted, with an
exclamation of genuine interest.
ooh, it's true as gospel" the fore.
man averred. when he goes lame
in his off leg they ship him back, and
in spite of them handicaps he has be-
come one rustlin' savage at round
up"
What college did you attend?" in
quired Speed, politely. The question
fell upon unresponsive ears. Cloudy
did not stir nor alter the direction of
his sombre glance.
"He dom talk none," Slower explain
ed "Conversat ton, which I esteem as
a gift devine, is lost art with him.
1 reckon he don't average word
week. What language he did know he
has forgot, and what he amt forgot
he distrusts."
Turning to the near-sighted man
who had been staring at the college
youth meanwhile, the spokesman
took a deep breath. and said, simply
yet proudly. as if describing the piece
de resistance of this exhibition:
"The four-eyed gent is Willie, plain
Willie. born range rider, and the
best hip shot this side of the Santa Fe
TRAIL"
Speed beheld an understood man of
indeterminate age, holiow-chested,
thin-faced. gravely benignant. 1t was
not alone his glasses that lent him
scholarly appearance; he had the
stopped shoulders, the thoughtful in
tensity of gaze, the gentle, hesitating
backwardness of book-raised man.
Speed acknowledged the Introduction
pleasantly, while the benevolent little
man blinked back of his lenses.
Slower addressed himself to Miss
Blake. @
81 told the boys what you said,
miss. and we four has come as dele