The Hope pioneer. [volume] (Hope, N.D.) 1882-1964, 1914-06-25

oAosuAneAu6 uIIllSc1l upOu luc Impulse
that had decided him to follow the
training partners upon their daily rou-
tine. He made directly for the corral.
Z.
(Which l don't consider there's no
consideration comm to him what
evex." said Willie that evening. He
aint acted on the level" 4
"Now. see here" objected Slower,
che may be just what he claims he is.
Simply because he don't go skally-
hootin' around in the hot sun amt no
sign he can't run"
What about them empty beer
bottles?" demanded Willie. mo fell
Ter a train on that stuff. l went out
there myself and seen EN-. There was
a Dozen" :
"Mebbe Glass drank it. What I
claim is this: We amt got no proof.
Fresno is stuck on Miss Blake, and
he's a knocker."
Then let's git some proof, and
dam quick" ,
Isl, Se%nores," agreed Carara, who
had been an interested listener.
II agree with you, but We got to be
careful"
Willie grunted with disgust.
we can't 60 at it like we was kill
lin snakes. Mr.. Speed is a guest here
Again the little gun mar expressed
his opinion, this time in violet-tinted
profanity, and the other cowboys
joined in. |
"All the same he is a guest, and no
rough work goes. I'm in charge while
Mr.. Chaplin is away, and I'm RESPONSE
ble."
"Senor Bill" Carara ventured, "the
fat vaquero, he is no guest. He is one
Of U.S."
That's right" seconded Willie
Hes told us all along that Mr.. Speed
was a Merc-ry-footed wonder, and if
the young Teller can't run he had
ought to have told u.s."
Mr.. Cloudy showed his understands
ing of the discussion by aodding s1
lently.
Well put it up to him in the morn,
ing" said Slower.
IF Mr.. Speed cannot r-r-run, wat
you do. eh?" questioned the Mexican.
Nobody answered. Still Bill seemed
at a loss for words, Mr.. Cloudy stared
gloomily into space, and Willie ground
his teeth.
On the following morning Speed
sought a secluded nook with Helen,
but no sooner had he launched himself
fairly upon the subject uppermost in
his mind than he was disturbed by a
delegation of cowboys, consisting Of
the original four who had waited upon
him that first morning after his art
rival. They came forward with grave
and serious mien, requesting a no.;
ment's interview. 1t was plain there
was something of more than ordinary
Importance upon their minds from the
ann in which Slower spoke, but
when Helen quickly volunteered to
withdraw, Speed checked her. :
Stay where you are; l have no se-
crets from you," said he. Then noting
the troubled face of the foreman,
quoted impatiently:
"'You may fire when ready, Grid
ley"
Still Bill shifted the lump in his
cheek, and cleared his throat before
beginning formally.
"Mr Speed, while we honor you q
heap for your accomplishments, and
while we believe in you as a man and
a champeen, we kind Of feel that it
might make you stretch your legs
some If you knew just exactly what
this foot-race means to the Flying
Heart outfit"
Il assured you that the Centipede
cook would be BEATEN" said the COL
lege man, stif1y.
isn't Mr.. Speeds word sufficient"
inquired the girl.
Slower bowed. ut had sure ought to
be, and we thank you for them new
assurances. You see. our spiritual on
rest Is due to the fact that Humpy
Joe's getaway left us broke, and We
banked or you to pull US ever That
hrst experience strained our credullty
to the Dustin point, and-well. in
words of n syllable. we come from
Joplin"
Missouri" said Willie.
MY dear sirs. I can't prove that you
are going to win your wagers until the
day Of the ace. However. If you are
broke to start with, l don't see how
you can expect to lose a great DEAL"
you amt got the right angle on the
affair."" Slower explained. Outside Of
the onbearable contumely of losin'
twice to this Centipede outfit, which
would be bad enough. we have drawn
a months wages in advance. and we
have put 1t up. Moreover, l have bet
my watch, which was presented to me
by the officials of the Santa Fe for
KILN a pair of road-agents when l
was deputy sheriff."
Miss Blake uttered q little scream,
and Speed regarded the lanky speaker
with new interest.
"It's a Waltham movement, solid
gold case. eighteen Jewels. and en-
graved with my NAME"
mo wonder you prize it." said
Wally.
II bet my saddle" informed Carara,