The St. Mary banner. (Franklin, Parish of St. Mary, La.) 1889-1931, 1914-02-07

Wen bring it in
tits PRESENT." exclaimed the ath-
lete. brightly, when the three had gone
out. They seem more friendly this
morning."
Yes" Glass laughed, mirthlessly
"They think you're going to win"
We'll, how do you know can't
win? You never saw this cook run"
Il don't have to-; I've seen you"
Just the same, I'm In pretty good
shape. Maybe l could run if l really
tried"
Send yourself along. kid. 1t won't
harm you none" The speaker famed
himself, and took a seat in the cosey-
corner.
"Ah! Here they come, bearing
gifts" Speed rose in pleased expec-
fancy. 81 wonder what it can be?'
The three who had just left re-en-
tered the room. carrying trsyload of
thick railroad crockery.
We've brought your breakfast to
you," explained Slower WED like. you
to eat alone till after the race Still
Bill began to white what appeared to
be a blood-rare piece of flesh, while
Willie awkwardly arranged the dishes.
You want me to eat as we'll as sleep
here?"
Exactly"
"Oh, l can't do that! I'm sorry,
but"
Don't make us insist" Willie looked
up from his tray, and Glass raised
moist hand and said:
Don't make 'em insist"
With fascinated stare Speed drew
nearer to Slower and examined the
meat bone.
"Why-why, that's raw!" he ex-
claimed
Does look rar'." agreed the fore
man.
Then take 1t out and build fire
under 1t. I'll consent to eat here, but
won't turn cannibal. even to please
YOU"
I'm sorry" Slower did not inter
rupt his carving.
your diet amt been right" ex-
planned Willie. You amt wild enough
to suit u.s."
lis this joker"
I'VE amt never joked with you yit,
have WEI"
mo. But"
This breakfast goes as she lays!"
Glass broke abruptly into smothered
merriment. when laugh nowadays
it's funny joke" he giggled.
That grown men could be SO stupid
was unbelievable, and Wally. seeing
himself the object of senseless
prank, was reused to anger.
I've been bullied enough; I'm going
up to the house." When Slower only
continued whiting methodically. he
burst out: stop honing that shin
bone! If you like it you can eat it!
I'm going now to swallow a stack Of
hot cakes with maple syrup!"
"Mr. Speed" Willie impaled him
with a steady glare. you'll eat what
we tell you to, and nothin' else! If
we say grass, grass it'll be. You're
goin' to beat one Skinner II it takes
a human life. And If that life hap
pens to be yours, you got nobody but
yourself to blame"
Indeed"
you heard me! I've been set to
ride herd on you daytimes. the other
boys II guard you nights. We been
double-crossed once-it won't happen
again"
"You intend to make me eat this
disgusting stuff, whether l want to or
not?" Even yet the youth could not
convince himself that this was other
than joke. 4.
NO" Willie shook his head. 1--WE
just aim to make you want to eat It,"
Then Larry Glass made his fatal
mistake.
Say, why don't you let Mr.. Speed
buy you new photograph. and call
the race Off" he inquired.
Slower, stricken dumb, paused. knife
in hand; Willie stared as if bereft of
motion. Then the former spoke SLOW
ly. Looks like we'd ought to smoke
up this fat party, WILL
Willie nodded, and Glass realized
that the little mans steel-blue eyes
were riveted balefully upon him.
1--WE had a bunch it would come to
that" the near-sighted one replied.
Every time l look at him see a
bleedin' bullet hole in his abominable
region, about here" He laid finger
upon his stomach, and Glass felt a
darting pain at precisely the same
SPOT