The Meeker herald., 1919-08-02
THE SURE SHOT
BY WARREN VAIL.
icopyrisht. 1918. western Newspaper Union.i

A new conner WIS CuttthS "
swnth with the exclusive social set OF
Woodville. Esther Warne belonged to
that group. The plausible, aristocrat-
ic looking stranger had made some
thing of an impression upon her. Al
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 MS
name ms Paul Duroc, alluded to nm
uncle who wns count, and courted
the company Of the military boys
shaving seen service myself" as he ex-
pressed 1t.
"Tve grown sort of rusty in target
practice" he said. "but I would like
to try round with Dewey. your ex-
pert marksman here"
"WIth pleasure" assented Dewey,
feeling None too friendly towards this
dashing stranger.
1t WINS three days later and half the
town WINS attending 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 busily
engaged In arranging for the target
contest. He had employed two men to
cnrry out Its details. He had selected
spot away from the crowds, clearing
the outskirts for range about Ave
hundred feet In extent. At one end
was one Of the men he hnd employed.
provided with 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
stanchlon in turn.
"Ten shots ench," announced Duroc,
as all was ready.
"You first" directed Dewey cour-
teously to Duroc. who was handed tho
rife, while the signal placer Mt the
target md small hoy In his company
got behind clump Of trees.
The ten shots echoed out snappily,
as amid fourIshlng and much posing
the elegant young gentleman from
abroad delivered his quota. Immedf.
ately the signal placer emerged from
cover. removed the paper target and
q moment Inter started the messenger
boy for base. The bulls eye had been
clipped four times and no shot
Ind 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
verdict.
The great distance did not enable
him to observe where his shots land
ed. but he maintained a steady nerve
and fanciet 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 md three Of the ten had gone en-
tirely wild. He managed to control
and conceal his modification and dis
appointment. did not rejoln Esther.
and went home gloomy and wretched
in the extreme.
II have no chance at all with Duroc, "
he decided. 'thnt fiashy fellow beats
me rs to money. smartncss. and even
In the field where fancled I was q
crack shot,"
He kept nway from Esther. and even
from his chosen comrades. He nursed
his misery by lonely walks along the
sequestercd bywnys. One afternoon he
was trnmping along the river shore
when scream rnng out In familiar
accents. He thrilled and started q
keen run ms he realized that Esther
had uttered II. Turning past clump
Of trees he saw her wrinEing her hands
In distress. Fording the shallow, but
broad wnter course. aiming to reach
the opposite shore. WINS rough look
Ing man. ploughing through the water
ankle to whist deep.
ale Is a tramp. footpad! cried
Esther frantlcally, "he hns robbed me
Of my necklace"
Everybody in woodville knew Of the
diamond necklace Esthcr's grandfath.
er Ind given her on her nineteenth
birthday. fabulously valued.
"IIaitl Come back, or I'll IRE r.
shouted Dewey to the fugitive" but
the man splashed on his why.
Dewey drew his revolver. He aimed
ut the knee Of the escaping thief. The
latter uttered yell Of pain. half fell,
and halted and turned. The leveled
weapon a constant menace, he limped
back to where Dewey stood. flung the
stolen necklace Mt his feet and sanh
to the ground. Dewey was fairly sur
priscd to recognize him as one OF the
men Duroc had employed In the tar
get contest.
"Sure shot, sure enough" the fellow
growlcd out. II say. let me 20. bullet
and all. md I'll tell you something In
| karo~kIpnu