Clearwater Republican. [volume] (Orofino, Idaho) 1912-1922, 1914-07-17
that no ono could force crippled man

IL aARI&E q nRoTAERS
that no ono could force . crippled man
70 run.
by Jove," he exclaimed, 'I1l do I'll"
He crossed quickly to the bunk.
house door and looked in. The room
was empty. The supperbell pealed
out, and he heard the cow-men answer
It Now was the appointed moment;
he might have no other. With catlike
tread he slipped into tho sleeping
quarters. returning in a moment with
revolver. He stared thankfully at
tho weapon-better this than dishonor.
why didn't think Of 1t before?
It's perfectly simple. I'll accidentally
shoot myself-in the footi"
But even a. he gazed at the gun he
saw that the muzzle was - large -
. gopherhole. A bullet Of that size
would sink ship. he meditated in =
panic. and 40 for his foot-what fright
ful execution 1t would work. Butt
were better to lose foot than . foot
race, under present conditions. SO he
began to unlace his shoe. Then real
Using the value Of circumstantial evil
dence, he paused. No! His disability
must bear all the earmarks of an acct
dent. He must guess the location OF
his smallest and least important toe,
and trust the rest to his marksman-
ship. Visions of blood-poisoning be-
SGT him, and when he pressed the
muzzle against the point Of his shoe
his hand shook with such . palsy that
he feared he might miss. He steeled
himself with the thought that other
mon had snuffed out life itself in this
manner, then sat down upon the floor
and cooked the weapon q second time.
He wondered II the shock might, by
any chance, numb him into uncon-
seriousness. II SO, he might bleed to
death before assistance arrived. But
he had nothing to do with that. The
only question was. which foot. He re-
garded them both tenderly. They
were nice feet, and had done him
many favors. He loved every toe;
they were almost like innocent chill
dren. It was a dastardly deed to take
advantage Of them thus, but-hs ad-
vanced the revolver until 1t pressed
firmly against the outside of his left
foot, then closed his eyes, and called
upon his courage. There came .
great roaring in his ears.
How long he sat thus waiting for
the explosion he did not know, but
he opened his eyes At length to find
the foot still intact, and the muzzle
of the weapon pointing directly At his
instep. He altered his aim hurriedly,
when, without warning Of any sort, q
mans figure appeared silhouetted
against the window.
The figure dropped noiselessly to
the floor inside the room, and cried, In
. strange voice:
Lock those doors! Quick!"
Finding that 1t was no hallucination,
Speed rose. calling out:
WHO are your"
"Sh-h-h!" The stranger darted
across the room and bolted both
doors. while the other felt . chill Of
apprehension at these sinister precau-
tons. He grasped his revolver firmly
while his heart thumped. The fellows
appearance was anything but rsassur-
ing: he was swarthy and sun-browned,
his clothes were ragged. his everalls
were patched; instead Of . coat, 10
wore . loosely Mapping vest over .
black sateen shirt, long since rusted
out to nondescript brown.
1--WE been trying to get to you for .
week." announced the mysterious Wis
itor hoarsely.
"w-what do you wanti Who are
your"
I'm Skinner. cook for the Cent?
pede."
The man l racei"
Not so loud" Skinner was strain
Ing for the faintest sound from the d.
rection Of the mess-house.
IN kill him!" exulted the Eastern
lad. But the other forestalled q muir
der by running on. rapidly:
Listen. now! Hump and l jobbed
this gang last month; we're pardners,
sect He's got another race framed
at Pocatello. and I want to make
Yes! yesl y-you needn't stay here
-on my account"
Nov don't lets take any chances
tomorrow, see? We're both out for
the coin. What do you want to do
win or Loser" Skinner Jumped back
to the door and listened.
"What?"
Don't stalli" the stranger cried.
impatiently. will l win or will you!
What's 1t WORTH" He clipped his
words short. his eyes darted furtive
glances here and there.
Can win?" gasped Speed.
You can II there's enough in II for
me. I'm broke. sect You bet flve
and well cut It two ways."
IL haven't that much with me-"
Borrow II. Don't be . boob. Meet
mo in Albuquerque Sunday. and ven
split there"
"Is that al have to dot"
Certainly. What's the matter with
you, anyhow Skinner cast . Ouspi.
clnna vlanna ~ hea rnvn - ulnu