Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1914-06-26
who's goin' to send these yer
n fh n af

athaletes away?"
II ami" announced Willie without
hesitation. "Bein' perhaps the handi-
est man present with a weepon, I'm
goin' to start this Journey" He
looked his foes squarely in the eyes.
Has anybody got objections to me?"
The silence was fattering, and more
loudly now, so that Skinner might
hear, he added: "If your man tries to
beat the gun, I'll have him wingin'
his way to lands celestial before he
makes his second jump"
Gallagher acknowledged the fair
ness OF this proposition. This race
Is goin' to be squar," said he. Were
ready when y'all are"
]. Wallingford Speed stepped out OF
his clothes and into his silken run.
ning-suit. He was numb and cold.
His hands performed their duties to
be sure, but his brain was idle. All
he knew was that he had been be-
trayed and all was lost He heard
Glass painting instructions into his
ear. but they made no impression upon
him. In dull trance he followed his
trainer back to the track, his eyes
staring. his bones like water. Not un.
til he heard the welcoming shout OF
the Flying Heart henchmen did he
realize that the worst was yet tc
come. He heard Larry still coaching
earnestly: "lf you can't bite him, triI
him up" and some one said:
Are We ready?"
Glass held out his hand. "Good-by
Mr.. Speed"
Chaplin came forward and spok,
with artificial heartiness, "Good-luck
Wally; beat him at the start" ant
Covington followed.
Remember" he cautioned, sadly
what | told you about the start-it'
your only chance"
why don't you fellows think abou
the finish Of this racer" faltered tn
runner.
Then. in voice broken with excite
; ment. Helen Blake spoke, holding ou
her hand for a good.by clasp. "Dea
Mr.. Speed" she said, will you tr
to remember this to ru
before he does. and don't let hir
catch up to you. II you do that, I jus
know you'll win"
This magnificent display OF conf
dence nerved the athlete, and h
smiled at her. He wished to speal
, but dared not trust himself.
Gallagher was calling; SO he 'wer
. to the starting point. whence he su
veyed the course. There II lay, n
more than q lane leading down b.
tween ranks Of brown.faced men who's
eyes were turned upon him. On tn
top rail Of the corral perched Will
revolver In hand. The babble {
. voices ceased, the strident laughtt
: stilled. Speed heard the nervous ru
tie OF feminine skirts. Skinner wa
standing like q statue. his too to th
mark. his eyes averted.
You'll start here and run a hui
dred yards out yonder to the tape
Gallagher announced.
1 itiuots bhlu opttu HTUlly.
For one breathless instant thei
was a hush OF amazement. then a CT
OF rage. Still Bill Slower hurled n
nearest man out OF his patch. an
strobe forward. his lean face ablaz
He wheeled and flung up his hand {
II to check some hidden movement
willie's.
mo voylence yet. VIII! What dye
mean. Mr.. Speed?"
Speed uttered what he knew WI
his final joke on earth. Il mean thi
I refuse to run straightaway. I'm O
allaround athlete, and must run a
around something"
Amid shouts OF confusion, those wi
had taken position along the couri
came crowding back to the startln
point. Willie wrapped his legs abo,
the top rail OF the fence and drew
second revolver. while the two for
men beloved lndistinguishable threa
at each other. Chaplin lost no time
| Withdrawing his guests out OF Il
turmoil. but Helen kept her place. h,
face chalky but her eyes very brigh
what nre you tryin' to hand US
: roared Gallagher.
still Bill was quick TO take a Gu
=. Don't get hectici" said he. There
. nothln' In the articles about runni
straight. Let 'em run around the CO
n raj"
But at this suggestion every vol,
" seemed TO break simultaneously.
d "Humpy Joe ran straightaway," d
r clared Gallagher.
!, Yes. an ho kept at IT," piped w
;. lie. II favor the idea OF them runne
a comm back where they start from"
d Listen. all OF YOU" Speed a
y nounced. II am going to run arour
!. and around and around this CORR
, II Mr.. Skinner chooses TO accompar
me. he may trail along; otherwise
n shall run alone"
Il Never heerd OF such q thing
70 Gallagher was dancing In his crcit
d ment. but Skinner calmed him by q
y nouncing. curtly:
"T1l beat him any way he wants
" run"
L