The Hope pioneer. [volume] (Hope, N.D.) 1882-1964, 1914-06-18
II didn't know you were a spr,n.

A0A! AuOp0 In MOI 100 curious
"oh no. not at ALI" Speed STAN
mered.
"Or. If it is easier. at what college
games did you first rum" Mrs. Keap
was laughing openly now.
"Why the clear. ringing, ripping
laughter?" asked the young man, to
cover his confusion.
Because I think It is very funny"
"Oh, you do" Speed took refuge be-
hind an attitude Of unbending dignity,
but the young widow would have none
Of 1t.
:" know all about you." said she.
'You are a very wonderful person, Of
course; you are a delightful fellow at
a house-party, and a most suitable in
dividual generally. but you are not an
athlete. in spite of those beautiful
clothes In your trunk"
"Who told you3"
"Culver Covington."
II didn't know you two we're ao-
quainted."
: Mrs. Keap flushed. HE told me all
about you long ago. You wear all the
athletic clothes, you know all the talk.
you have tried to make the team a
dozen times. but you are not even a
substitute. You are merely the Var
sity cheer-leader. Culver calls you
the head-yeller.'"
Columbus has discovered our con-
tinent!" said Speed. you are a very
wise %chaperon, and you must have a
corking memory for names, but even
a head-yeller is better than a glee-club
quarterback" He nodded toward the
'bunk-house. whence they had come.
,"You haven't told anybody"
mot yet"
"'Yet.'" he. quoted. "The futurity
implied in that word disturbs me.
Suppose you and I keep it for a little
secret? Secrets r very delightful
at house-part1es."
Don't you consider your action de-
ceitfulf"
mot at all Ny motto is We strive
to please"
Think of Helen"
That's It; l can't think Of any
thing else! She's mad about athletics,
and I had to do something to stand off
this weight-lifting tenor"
lis it any wonder a woman distrusts
every man she meets1" unused the
chaperon. Helen might forgive you.
l couldn't"
"Oh. it's not that bad. I know. what
I'm doing"
"You will cause these cowboys to
lose q lot more money"
mot at all. When Culver arrives"
"Oh. that Is what I want to talk
over with you." Mrs. Keap broke in,
nervously.
"Then 1t isn't about the f~oot-race?
You are not ansryf" Speed frightened
amazingly.
I'm not exactly angry; I'm sur
prised and grieved. OF course. I can't
forgive deceit dare say I am more
particular than most people"
But you won't teIl1" Mrs, Keap in
dicated in some subtle manner that
she was not above making terms,
w%hereupon her companion declared,
warmly: I'm yours for nfel Ask
me for my watch. my right eye. any
thing! III give it to youi"
Il assure you I sha'nt ask anything
80 important as that, but I shall ask
q favor"
"Name it and 1t is yoursl" Speed
wrung the hand she offered.
"And perhaps I can do more than
keep silent-although I don't see what
good it will do. Perhaps l can help
your suit"
Gracious lady. all I ask is that you
thrust out your foot and trip up
Berkeley Fresno whenever he starts
toward her. Put him out Of the play.
and l shall be the happlest man in
the world"
Agreed"
Nov. In what way can I serve
your
Mrs. Keap became embarrassed.
while the same shadowy trouble that
had been observed Of late settled upon
her.
Il simply hate to ask it." she said,
"but I suppose l must. There seems
to be no other way out of It," Turn.
ing to him suddenly. she said, in a
low. Intense voice: Tin in trou-
BILE. Mr.. Speed. such dreadful trou.
ble!"
"Oh. I'm so sorry!" he answered
her, with genuine solicitude. you
needn't have made any conditions. l
would have done anything I could for
you"
That's very kind. for / don't like
our air Of conspiracy. but"-Mrs. Keap
was wringing her slender hands-"I
Just cant tell the girls. You-you can
help me-"
Speed allowed her time to grow
calm. when she continued:
IL am engaged to be married.
"Felicitations!"
Not at all" said the young widow.
w~retchedly. THAT II the awful mart
of it. I am engaged to two mani" She
turned her brown eyes full upon him:
they we're strained and tragic
Speed felt; himself impelled to laugh
fmmoderateay. but instead be Oh
served. in . tone to relieve her anx.
iety: