Clearwater Republican. [volume] (Orofino, Idaho) 1912-1922, 1914-07-24

0A2U ] 10 ABOUT them! ! can ~
Whist they want to say, and ~ I
daren't lot either speak . word"
MRS. KeaD. are you sure 'O11vsP
loves your"
Horribly! And he suspects Tie
truth. saw him change the moment
he found me here" Roberta began
to weep; two impid tears stole dewn
her cheeks. she CROPPED for a chair.
and Wally fastened to her assistance.
Az he supported her. she gave way
completely and bowed her head upon
his shoulder.
It was in perfect keeping with the
luck Of things that Miss Blake should
enter At the moment. She had come
with Jack and his sister to inquire
regarding the fitness Of her champion
and to nerve him for the contest, and
stood aghast. Chaplin stepped fer
ward With = look of suspicion, inquir.
Ing:
WHATS going on here?"
Miss Blake spoke brightly, tinklins
ice In her voice.
There's no necessity for an expla-
nation is there3 1t seems tine for
congratulations"
"Oh, see here now! Mrs. Keap's
really engaged to Culver. you knew"
"Culver!"
"Culver!"
Beth the young ranchman and his
sister stared at the chaperen with
growing horror, while she undertook
to explain; but the blew had tallea
50 swiftly that her words were inee-
herent, and in the midst Of then her
hostess turned and ned from the
roen.
Nov don't begin to aviate until
you understand the truth" Speed con-
tinued. while she's engaged to that
broken-toed serpent, she doesn't love
him. d yeu sect? He smiled.
II Do net see!"
1T was simply . habit Mrs. KeaD
had got into-I SHOULD say it was N
impulsive engagement that she has
repenteA Of"
NE doubt she was repenting when
We interrupted you" said Miss Blake,
bitterly.
Then Chaplin added, helplessly:
"Dut Culver is engaged to NY sister
Jean!"
"Jean!" Mrs. Keap exposed her
tragic face. "Then-he deceived mel
Oh-h! What wretches men arel"
The widow commenced to sob.
Outside came Miss CAapin's voieo:
so here you are, Mr.. Covingtenl"
And the next moment she reappeareA,
dragging the crippled champion ~
hind her. Thrusting hin toward Re-
berta. she pouted: There, Mrs. KeaDi
give him back to you"
Perhaps you'd better 60 on with
yeur explanations" Chaplin suggested,
celdly. to Speed.
How can l when you won't listen
to me? Hear ye! Hear ye! Culver
was engaged to marry Mrs. Keap, but
she discovered what . reprebate h
is"
There was indistinguishable dissent
Of some sort from Mr.. Covingtcn.
and she learned to detest hini"
cents muf1led.
well, she would have learned -
detest him in shert time, because
she's in love with Jack Chaplin; -
she came to old Doctor Speed IN her
troubles. and he promised to hx It AL
up. Now guess you four can d the
rest Of the explaining. II you ever
get in trouble, come to the match
making kid. I'll square It,"
They were four happy young people,
and they lost No time IN escaping
elsewhere. When they had ssAs,
their benefactor said to Miss Blake:
Wouldn't ysu like to make tAaA ..
triple wedding? We might get club
rates."
For answer Miss Blake hurried -
the door and was gone.
Over at the Centipede there was .
great activity and yet q certain idle
ness also, as If it had been . holiday.
The men hung about in groups listen
ing to the peripatetic photograph. A
dozen or more outsiders had ridden
over from the post-office to witness
the contest Out by the corral, which
stood close to the first break Of the
foothills, Skinner was experimenting
the laying out Of course, selecting
a stretch Of level ground worn smooth
and hard by the tread Of countless
hoofs.
Makes pretty good track, eh?"
he said to Gallagher. II wonder hsw
fast this Teller is? Ever heard?"
They seem to think he's a whirlin'
ball of fire, but that don't worry you
none, does it?" Gallagher bent his
lead-blue eyes upon the cook, who
shrugged carelessly, and Gallagher
smiled; he was forced to admit that
his man did not appear to be one cas-
lily frightened. SINNERS face was
hard. his lips thin, his jaw was not
that Of weakling. He had dressed
early, then wrapped q horse-blanket
about his shoulders, and now. casting
this aside, sprintsd down the dirt
track for few yards to test the foot
ing. while Gallagher watched him with
satisfaction-a thing Of steel and
wire aa tough M a11lA and a. amir.