The San Juan islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1898-1914, 1914-01-30
At this point the speaker fell init

/
rocking back and forth, Shaping his
thighs and hiccoughing with enjoy
ment. Willie followed him, as did
Carara. Even Cloudy showed his teeth.
and the two young people on the porch
i found themselves joining in from in
lection. 1t was patent that here lay
some subtle humor sufficient to con-
vulse the Far Western nature beyond
all reason; for Slower essayed repeat
edly to check his laughter before gasp
ing, finally:
"Gosh lmighty! I never can get
past that place. He! He! He! Whoo-
hoo! That's sure ridiculous, for fail"
He wiped his eyes with the back of a
sun-browned hand, and his frame was
racked with barking coughs. II know
the whole blame thing by heart, but
1 can't recite it to you. bog down
right there. Seems like some folks is
the darndest fools!"
"You see what the phonograph
means to these gentlemen" said Miss
Blake. 81 think it's crying shame
that they were cheated out of it, don't
your"
Speed began to outline a plan hast
lily in his mind.
81 assured them that you would win
it back for them, and"
eve sure hope you will" said VIII
lie, earnestly.
"Amen!" breathed the lanky fore
man, his cheeks still wet from his
tears of laughter, but his face drawn
into lines of eagerness.
please! For my sake!" urged
Helen, placing a gentle little hand up
on her companions arm.
Speed closed his eyes, so to speak,
and leaped in the dark.
Cali right, I'll do it,"
"Yow-ee!" yelled Slower. eve knew
you would" Willie was beaming be-
nignantly through his glasses, while
both Carara and Cloudy showed their
heartfelt gratitude. Thank you, Miss
Blake. Now we'll show up that shave
tail Centipede crowd for what it isl
"Wait!" Speed checked the out
burst. '1'll consent upon conditions.
I'll run, provided you can arrange the
race for an unknown"
what does that mean?" Helen
asked.
cit means that I don't want my
name known in the matter. Instead of
arranging for Mr.. Whatever-the-
Cook's-Name-Is to run race with j.
ha fN "a
against representative of the Flying
Heart ranch, name unknown"
81 don't think that is fair!" cried
the girl. think of the honor"
Eyes, but I'm an amateur. I'd lose
my standing
"That goes for u.s." said Slower 1--WE
don't care what name you run under.
Well frame the race. Lordy! but
this is glorious event"
eve can't thank you enough" Will
lie piped You're a true sport, Mr..
Speed, and we aim to see that you
don't get the worst of it in no way.
This here race is goin' to be on the
square-you hear me talkin'. No dou-
ble-cross this time" Unconsciously
the speakers hand strayed to the gun
at his belt, while his smile was grim.
Speed started.
what day shall we set?" inquired
Slower.
Wally rapidly calculated the date of
| Culver's arrival, and said:
"A week from Saturday." Coving-
ton would soon be en- route, and was
due to arrive few days thereafter
Zone week from Saturday goes" an
nounced Slower, "and we thank you
again." Turning to Carara, he direct
ed: "Rope your buckskin, and hike
for the Centipede. Tell 'em to- un.
timber their coin. I'll draw months
wages in advance for every SON. of-a.
gun on the Flying Heart, and we'll ar.
range details tonight"
"Si," agreed Carara. II CO."
"And don't waste no time neither
directed Willie "You tear like q
jackrabbit ahead of a hot wind"
Carara tossed his cigarette aside
and the sound Of his spurs was lost
around the corner Of the house.
'.This makes a boy OF me-" the last
speaker continued. IT can hear the
plaintiff notes Of Madam-o-sella Melby
once again"
i CHAPTER v.