The Meeker herald., 1919-04-26
THE SURE SHOT
BY WARREN VAIL
icopyriEht. 1913. western Newspaper Union.

swath with the exclusive social set OF
WoodvilIe. Esther Warne belonged to
that group. The plausible. aristocrat.
ic looking stranger had made some
thing of IN Impression upon her. At
least so Philip Dewey fancied.
War conditions had animated the
town. Dewey was one Of loyal
group who had announced their readi-
ness to enter government service. He
and his comrades embraced prepared
ness by forming shooting club.
Steady of nerve and clear of vision.
Dewey had become the champion In
the lists. The newcomer gave his
name as Paul Duroc, alluded to an
uncle who was a count. and courted
the company Of the military boys
shaving seen service myself" as he ex-
pressed 1t.
ave grown, sort of rusty in target
practice" he said, "but I would like
to try a round with Dewey, your ex-
pert marksman here"
"With pleasure" assented Dewey.
feeling none too friendly towards this
dnshing stranger.
1t was three days later and half the
town was attending a war picnic at .
grove near the river.
Esther had fallen In Dewey's way
incidentally upon her arrival. and had
paired of with him In the pleasantest
manner possible. Duroc was buslly
engaged in arranging for the target
contest. He had employed two men to
curry out Its details. He had selected
a spot away from the crowds, clearing
the outskirts for a range about hve
hundred feet In extent. At one end
was one Of the men he had employed.
provided with a repeating rife. Near
the target. just at the edge Of the river.
was his other assistant, who was to
plnce the white paper targets on the
stanchIon In turn.
"Ten shots each." announced Duroc.
as all was ready.
"You first" directed Dewey cour-
teously to Duroc. who was handed the
rife. while the signal placer at the
target and small boy In his company
got behind clump Of trees.
The ten shots echoed out snappily.
as amid Hourishing and much posing
the elegant young gentleman from
abroad delivered his quota. Immedi.
ately the signal placer emerged from
cover. removed the paper target and
q moment later started tho messenger
boy for base. The bulls eye had been
clipped four times and no shot
had missed the target.
"a fine record" pronounced the man
selected as Judge. and Dewey began to
feel some respect for his competitor.
with Justice acquiescing in the general
vertiict.
The great distance did not enable
him to observe where his shots land
ed, but he maintained a steady nerve
and fancied that he was doing quite
well. As the paper record came to
base. he could scarcely credit Its chron-
icle. Every darkened perforation was
more than four inches from the bulls
eye and three Of the ten had gone en-
tirely wild. He managed to control
and conceal his modification and dis
appointment. did not rejoin Esther.
and went home gloomy and wretched
In the extreme.
II have no chance at all with Duroc."
he decided, 'that flashy fellow beats
me as to money. smartneSs, and even
In the field where fancied I was Q
crack shot"
He kept away from Esther. and even
from his chosen comrades. He nursed
bis misery by lonely walks along tho
sequestered bywnys. Ono afternoon he
was trnmping along the river shore
when q scream rang but in familiar
accents. He thrilled and started .
keen run as he realised that Esther
had uttered II. Turning past clump
Of trees he saw her wringing her hands
In distress. rording tho shallow. but
broad water course. aiming to reach
the opposite shore. was q rough look
Ing man. ploushinR through the water.
ankle to waist deep.
ale Ii a tramp. footpad!" cried
Esther frnntically. che has robbed me
Of my necklace"
Everybody in woodville knew Of the
diamond necklace Esther's Grandfath.
er had given her on her nineteenth
birthday. fabulously valued.
"Halti Come back. or nj drsf
shouted Dewey to the fugitive" but
the man splashed on his way.
Dewey drew his revolver. He aimed
ut the knee Of the escaping thief. The
latter uttered a yell Of pain. half fell,
and halted and turned. The leveied
weapon a constant menace. he limped
back to where Dewey stood, flung the
stolen necklace at his feet and sank
to the ground. Dewey was fairly sur.
prised to recognize him a. one Of tho
men Duroc had employed In the tar.
get contest.
"sure shot. sure enough" the fellow
growled out. II say. let me 20. bullet
and all, and nj tell you something 10.
terestinI.~