The evening world. Newspaper, August 24, 1914, Page 11

(Copyright, 1910, by Harper & Bros.) CHAPTER I. OUR cowboys iaclined their bodies over the barbed-wire fence which marked the Cividing line between the Centipede Ranch and * their own, staring mournfully into a summer night such as only the far Southwestern country knows. Big yellow stars hung thick + +. @nd low—eo low that it seemed they might almost be plucked Ly upetretohed band—and a eilent air blew across thousands of open miles fend lying crisp and fragrant under the velvet dark. , And as the four inclined their bodies, they inclined also their ears, after strained manner of listeners who fee! anguish at what they hear. A voles, shrill and human, pierced the night like a needle, then, with a wail of ® tortured soul, died away amid discordant raspings; the voice of a phono- gregh. It was their own, or had been until one over-confident day, when the Flying Heart Ranch had risked it as a wager in a foot race with the nd@ighboring Centipede, and their own man had been too slow. As It had their pride, it remained their disgrace. Dearly had they loved, and nothin’ ag’inst my judgment nor yours. When Silas says, ‘The girl opened her valise, took out her purse, closed her valis honor, and though 10,000 phonographs, in all the world there wae not one that take ite place. The sound ceased, there was an a gn Aro murmur of men's en the song began: “Jerusalem, Jei Opened her valise, put in purse, closed her valise, give the dime to the conductor, got a nickel in cha: then opened her valise, took out her purse, closed her valise’ gan to rock In his sadd! into a loud guffaw, followed by bis companions, josh! That's awful funny igher it reached again its splitting pitch. Stover stirred uneasily Prog until i ree in the darkness, “Si! si! acknowledged Carara, his “Why 'n ‘ell don't they keep hor te * " wound up? he complained, “Gal. White teeth showing through the gloom. “An’ it's just like a fool woman," tittered Willie. “That's sure one rid- fe'lous line of talk. “Still BUI" wiped his eyes with the back of a bony hand, “I know that hull monologue by heart, but I can’t never Ket past that spot’ to save my Right there I bog down, com- Again he burst into wild laughter, followed by his companions. “I don't see how folks can be a dam’ funny!" he gasped. “It's natural to ‘em, like warts, sald Willie, “they're born with it, the same as I was born to shoot straight with either hand, and the same as the Mex was born to throw a rope. He don't know how he does it, and neither do I. Some folks can say lagher’s got the soul of a wart-hog. It’s criminal the way he massacres that hymn.” From a rod farther down the wire fence Willie answered him in a boy's falsetto: “I wonder if he does it to spite me?" ‘He don't know you're here,” sald ito The other came out of the gloom, @ iittle stoop-shouldered man with Spectacics. “{ ain't noways sure,” he piped, peering up at his lanky foreman, do you reckon he allus lets Mrs. Melby peter out on my favorite record? He done the same thing Inst It looks like an insult.” t's nothing but tnorance tover lied. “He don't want no trouble funny things, some can sing like ith you. None of ‘em do. Missus Melby; some can run foot- “Ta like to know for certain.” The races, like that Centipede cook—— Carara breathed an eloquent Mexi- can oath, “Do you reckon he fixed that race with Humpy Joe?" inquired Stover. ame's Skinner,” Willie observed. Tt sure sounds bad,” m sorry Humpy left us so sud- den,” said Still Bill. “We'd ought to have questioned him. If we only had proof that the race was crooked’ “You can so gamble it was crooked, the little man averred. “Them Centi- vede fellers never done nothin’ on the square. They got Humpy Joe and fixed It for him to tose so they could get that talkin’ machine, That's why he pulled out.” “I'd hate to think It,” sald the fore- man, gloomily; then after a moment, email man legge torn by doubt. only know he done it a-purpo: ra mt hi 1 could do it from gruff as he com- “Forget it! Ain't it bad enough for fellers to hang around like this every night without advertising our idiocy by a gun-play?” “They “ain't “got no right to that Phonograph,” Willie averred darkly. “Oh yes, they have; then won It fair and squar ‘Fair and square! Do you mean to say Humpy Joe run that foot- ton the square?’ “T never sald nothin’ like that what- ever. I mean we bet it, und we lost % two men begin to fight for her, she'll have to begin to form a@ preference, and I'm sure it will be for Wally Speed, Don't you see?” The brother looked at his sister shrewdly, “It seems to me you learned @ lot at Smith.” o tossed her head. “How ab- That sort of knowledge Is pe ctly natural for a girl to have. ‘Then she teased: “But you admit that my selection of @ chaperon was ex- cellent, don't you, Jack?” “Mrs, Keap and 1 are the best of friends," Jack averred, with supreme dignity. “I'm not in the market, and * man doesn't marry a widow, any- ow. There goes Carara’s during which the only feainatinnee old and experienced a piece!" lincntad the ane WHEE wenn th dneeen + “Nonsense! Roberta Keap is only Out past the corral flonted ¢ HL nt ry és twenty-three, Why, she hardly knew Beuncement in & man’s meteilic syle | Humph! Ive Toe use her husband, even! It was one of : gurin hat out, ‘eckon we’ just . x whe Bagreage Coach Ahead, as have to git anothor foot-racer ‘and those sudden, impulsive affairs that sung by Helena Mora for the Echo beat Skinner, He ain't the fastest in New York and the world,” ponograph: oe “That takes coin, We're broke.” from the dusk to the right of the | “Mebbe Mr. Chapin would lend « two listeners now issued soft Span- helpin’ hand.” Laronrise. No chance!" said Stover, grimly. Madre de Dios! ‘The Baggage C.s “He's sore on foot racin'’, Says it dis. ‘Padora Mora! God bless turbs and upsets our equalubrium." "er!'* ‘i ra fetched a p sigh. a ve d ting, Benor, I don’ no worse w'en my gran'mother During the rendition of this affect- ing ballad the two cowmen remained a uncomfortably over — the 1 die.” x er, lost in raptur- The three men loped onward through be ee ph “TWhen the last note the darkness, welghted heavily with vay, Stover roused him- vee bad reluctantiy’ Flying Heart Ranch It's time we was turnin’ In.” He ot all to Jack Chapin's liking. edfied softly, “Hey er since that memorable foot race, “gi, Senor!" more than a month before, @ gloom on, a Ci . Vamos! coded over the place Which even eros 2 #04 Gives atest ‘tee unite “Gobees fe turned his back on the Centipede to mention that of Mr, was unable to dissipfite, The moped about like melancholy a Semobny with Wile meds bis ey and neglected thelr work to onies, ther figures 8 fo the Ponies imuninein amusie discuss the disrace that had. fallen oe baritone the strains of the song Upon them. It was a task to get any of them out in the morning: several see ene out, Mex! They'll hear had quit, the rest were quarrelling net sat among themsclves and the bunk Btover cautioned. ein brek my house had already been the scene of See he Mexicnn, aadig. “it More than one encounter, altogether ort nA the Me aT cea tg ging too sanguinary to have originated from seem like the Senorita Morne knows such @ trivial cause asa foot race. It | phage One tae an’ listen to Was not exactly an auspicious atmos- » phere in which to entertain a houseful her, Ab, I love that Senorita ver or cottege boys and giris, all unversed in the ways of the West ‘The little man with the glasses be- Tne master of the ranch sought his gan to swear in his high falsetto. His sister to toll ner frankly whe ear had caught the phonograph opera- Was on his mind, tor in another musical mistake. “See here, Sis,” he began, “I don't “That horn-toad let Mrs. Melby dl@ want to cast a cloud over your little again to-night,” sald he “It's sure house party, but | think you'd better comin’ to a runnacahoo between him Keep your friends away from my 4 me. If somebody don’t kill him jen," pretty soon he'll wear out that ma- chine before we git tt back.” “Humph! It don't look Ilke we'd ever get it back," sald Stover. ‘One of the four sighed audibly, then vaulting Into his saddle, went loping away without waiting for bis com- panions. “Cloudy’s nore hecaure they didn't said Willie, “Well, T none for omittin’ inch that housed the mae his and ‘Why, what is the matte she de- manded. “Things are at a pretty hich tension just now, and the boys have had two or three rows among themaelves, Yes- terday Fresno tried to ‘kid’ Wille about “The Holy City’; sald it was written as a coon song, and wasn't sung in good society. If he hadn't been a guest, I guess Willle would have murdered him.” “Oh, Jack! You won't let Willle - murder anybody, not even Berkeley, vised to suit the intellect of an Injun, while the people are here, will you?” Perhapn. it nin’t in the runnin’ with coaxed Misa Chapin, anxiously. ‘The Holy City,’ which tune ts “What made you invite Berkeley eweetont and nacredest ever sung.” Froano, anyhow?” wan the rejoinder. Carara paused with a hand upon “This is no gilded novelty to him. He the neck of his cayise, 1s a Western man." “Bet in not so fine as ‘The Baggage = Miss Chapin numbered her rea- Car in Front," he declared, sons sagely. “In the first place "It’a got it beat a mile!” Willle Helen. Then there had to be enough flashed back, harah! i... men to go around, Last and best, “Here you!" exclaimed Stover, no he is the most adorable man I ever arguments, We all have our favorites, saw at n houseparty. He's an angel and it ain't up to no individual to at breakfast, mings perfectly beauti- foree hin likes and dinlikes down no fully—you know was on the other feller’s throat.” The two men stanford Glee Club"-— addressed mounted thelr broncos = “Humph!" Jack was unimpressed, “If you toped him for Helen Blake repeat id Wille ‘The Holy to brand, why have you sent for City,’ as sung by Mrg. Melby, In the Wally Speed?” tume that "ever bit these “Well, you see, Berkeley and Helen didn’t quite hit it off, and Mr. Bpecd is—a friend of Culver's.” Mins Chapin blushed prettily, “Oh, I a I thought myself that this affair had something to do with you and Culver Covington, but I ” in not Carera muttered somethin: Spanish which the others cou! ‘understand. “They're all fine pieces,” Stover ob- gerved, placatingly, when fairly out of hearing of the ranch-houses, “You didn’t know it had lapsed’ into a have each got your preference. sort of matrimonial round-up, Sup- » bein’ Injun, has got his, pose Miss Blake shouldn't care for Speed after he gets here?” “Oh, but. she will! That's where Berkeley Fresno comes in. When would overwhelm any girl who hadn't seen a man for four y » And tl he enlisted in the Spanish war and ed."" you know, is my best friend, after Helen. Do be nice to her, Jack.” Miss Chapin sighed. “It is too bad the others couldn't come,” “Yes, a small house party has its disadvantages. By the way, what's that gold thing on your frock?” “It's a medal. Culver sent It to me,” “Another?* “Yes, he won the intercollegiate championship again.” Miss Chapin proudly extended the emblem on its ribbon. “I wish to goodness Covington had beyn here to take Humpy Joe's place,” said the young cattleman as he turned it over. “The boys are just broken-hearted over losing that phonograph.” ed him to run and win it back, offered, ens! Her brother laughed. ‘ake my ad- vice, Sis, and don't let Culver mix up in this game! The stakes are too high. T think that Centipede cook Is a professional runner, myself, and if our boys were beaten again—well, you and mother and I would have to move out of New Mexico, that's all. No, we'd better let the memory of that defeat die out as quickly as possible. You warn Fresno a to joke about It any more, and I'll take Mrs. Keap off your hands, She may be a widow, do it; T will do it," promised Jack— “for my sister's sake. CHAPTER Il. "LEN BLAKE was undonla- H noon was very long—longer even than Berkeley Fres- no's autoblography, an quite as dry. It wan too hot and the latest “best seller,” and svught out a hammock on the vine-rhaded gallery, where Jean Chapin was writ ing letters, while the disconsolate vaguely injured by hor lack of appre- elation, Abnent-mindedly, the girls dipped into the box of bonbons between ence and essayed conversation, Lut her companton's blond head was bowed over the book In her lap, and the effort met with no reyponse. insects and lazy echoes from afar, Miss Chapin was on the versa of slumber, w her guest rap- idly turn the last pages of her novel, teoth, read wide-eyed to the finish. Miss Blake closed the book reluctnnt- ly, uncurled slowly, then stared out through the dancing heat-waves, her she may even be the chaperon, but I'll bly bored, The sultry after- dusty to ride, so she took refiuse in Fresno, banished, wandered at Jargo, thom, Jean finished her corres,ond- Lulled by the somniferous droning of then, with a chocolate between her blue eyes shadowed with romance. “Did she marry him? queried Jean. “No, no!" Helen Blake ighed, biissfully, “It was infinitely finer. Bhe killed herself. “T like to see them get married.” “Naturally. You are at that stage. hie’ old Da org Tar bb ly Magazin —— Cormplete A Novel Each OOOEC: swirls behind the distant screen of vines, removed his cigarette and whistied thrice, like a quail, then, leaning against the adobe wall, curled hia black silken mustaches to needle- points, “Its that romantic Spaniard!” whispered Helen, “What does he want?” “It's hia afternoon call on Marie- detta, the maid,” anid Jean, “They meet there twice a day, morning and afternoon. “A lovers’ tryst breathed Mise Blake, eagerly. Isn't he graceful and pteturesque! Can we watch them?” ““Sh-h! There she comes" From the opposite direction ap- peared a slim, swarthy Mexican girl, an Indian w -jug balanced upon her shoulders. She was clad in the straight-hanging ative garment, belted in with sash; her feet in and she moved as silently as a shadow. During the four days since Mise Blake's arrival at the Flying Heart Ranch ie had seen Mariedetta filtting notselessly here and there, but had never heard her speak. The pretty, pressioniess face beneath Its stre it black hair had ever re- tained {ts wooden stolidity, the velvety eyes had not laughed nor frowned nor sparkled. She seemed to be merely a part of this far south- western picture; a bit of inanimate ot breathing local color. Now, jowever, the girl dropped her ju and with a low cry glided to he lover, who toased aside his cigarette and took her in his arms. From this distance their words were indii tinguishable. “How perfectly romantic!" said the Eastern girl breathlessly. “I had no idea Mariedetta could love any- body, “Bhe is @ volcano,” Jean answered. “Why, it's like a play!" “How gentle and sweet he is! T think he is charming. He is not at all lik he?’ Whi two witnesses of the scene were eagerly discussing it, Joy, the Chinese cook, emerged from the kitchen bearing a bucket of water. his presence hidden from the lovers by the corner of the bi eee Carara languildly released his inamorata from his embrace and lounged out of sight around the building, paus- ing at the further corner to waft But I think suicide is more glorious, her a graceful kiss from the ends of in many cases. Miss in yawned openty. his fingers, as with a farewell flash “speaking of sulcliem isn't this ranch of hinswhite teeth he disappeared. the deadest place? Mariedetta recovered her or jug “Oh, I don't think so at all.” Miss and glided onward into the court In Blake picked her way fastidiously front of the cook house, her face through the bonbons, nibbling ta- masklike, her movements deliberate tively at several before making her ag usual. choice, Joy, spying the girl, grinned at her. “Oh, yes, you do, and you needn’ She tossed her head coquettishly and polite just because you're a guest.” “Well, then, to be as truthful as a boarder, it is a little dull. Not for our chaperon, though. The time does not seem to drag on her hands, Jack certainly is making it pleasant for her.” “If you call taking her out to watch a lot of bellowing calves get branded, entertainment,” Miss Chapin sighed. “I wonder what kes widows #0 fascinating?” observed the youthful Miss Blake. ry “l hope I never find out. Jean clutched nervously at the gold medal slackened, whereupon the sly glance Lapa tapped an 3 her step NK, 1” indignantly exclaimed isa Blake from her hammock. Mint Marledetta was not offended. In- ad miled over her shoulder as she had smiled at her lover an instant \id 7" Joy fore, “Me like you fine. You like nodded toward the door to the cullns ary department, as o mal ree his hospitality, at the Instant that Carara, who had circled the building, on her dress, “Wouldn't that came into view from the opposite side, dreadful a fresh cigarette between his lips. His “My dear, Culver seems perfectly janguor vanished at the first glimpse healthy. Why worry of the scene, and he strode toward the “l—I wish he were here.” Misa Blake leaned forward and read the inscription on her compan- jon’s medal, “Oh, isn't it heavy!” feeling it reverently. Pure gold, like himself! You should have seen him when he won it. Why, at finish of that race all the men but Culver were making the most horrible faces. They were simply dead. Miss Blake's hands were claaped in her lap. “They all make faces,” said she. “Have you told Roberta about your engagement?” “No, she doesn't dream of it, and I don't want her to know, I'm vo afraid she'll think, now that mother has gone, that I asked her here just as a chaperon. Perhaps I'll tell her when Culver comes.” “LT adore athletes. I wouldn't give for a man who wasn't ath- white clad Celestial ho dove through the open door like a prairie dog into its hole. Carara followed at his le. “It serves a, na Posty Nb hag) ¢, rising, “I hope Mr. Carat borer of failing pots and pans tesued from the cook-house, mingled with shrill cries and soft Spanish impro- cations; then, with one long-drawn wall, the pandemonium ceased as sud- denly as it had commenced, and Car- ara issued forth, black with anger. 1 said he, scowling at Marie- detta, who had retreated, her hand upon her bosom. He exhaled a lung- ful of cigarette smoke through his rile flercely. “You play wit’ me, “No! No!" Mariedetta ran to him, and, seizing his arm, cooed amorously in Spanish. “Bah! Vamos Carara flung her from him, and stalked awa, “Well, of all the outrageo said Miss Blake. “Why, actually flirting with that C thing: she wai hinaman, “Does Mr. Speed go in for that sort of thing “Rathe The day we met at the r ‘ “Mariedetta flirts with every man Ae seen ee ae rate alt over sho can find,” sald Jean, calmly; out used the most wonderful athletic lan. She doesn't mean uny harm, She marry Carara some time — if he Ruage—we could scarcely understand Ary, Virare him. Mr. Covington must have told 9°° fy aaa Was you all about him; they are chums, soon A Srp pA Aida you know, “Indeod, yes. He In Mise Chapin furrowed her brows ho has a terrible temper.” meditutively. Miss Blake sank back Into the “I have heard Culver speak of him, hammock. “How perfectly dreadful! but never oa an athlete. Have you And yet—it must be heavenly to love and Mr. Speed settled things between «4 man who would kill you.” you, Helen? I mean, has he~suld — stiss Chapin lost heraelf in medi- anything? tation for an instant. “Culver ja al- Miss Blake flushed, most like that when he Ie angry. “Not exactly.” She adjusted & Hello, here comes our foreman!” cushion to cover her confusion, then “grover, a tall, gangling cattleman leaned back complacently, “But he with drooping’ grigzied rmustache, has stuttered dangerously several came shambling up to the steps. His times.” weather-beaten chaps were much too A musical tinkle of silver spurs short for hix lengthy limbs, the col- jar of his faded flannel shirt lacked n inch of meeting at the throat, Its Jeeves were shrunken until his hairy sounded in the distance, and around the corner of the cook-house dy site came Carara, the Mexican, wide, spangled sombrero tipped rak- hands hung down like tassele, lie ishly over one ear, a corn-husk ciga- was loose and spineles his move- rette drooping from his lips, Evident- ments tempered with the slothfulness ly his presence was inspired by some of the far Southw His appear. special motive, for he glanced sharply ance gave one the Impression that about, and failing to detect the two ready-made garments are never © Are You Going Away for Vacation? When you go out of town for vacation you may find it Is diffi. cult and costly to provide yourseif with the right sort of reading matter. Why send to the city for novels at $1.25 or $1.50 each or buy them at a fancy price in some country store? You can supply yourself with the best, most delightful summer reading for six cents a week. By subscribing to The Evening World for the rest of the summer you will secure a complete novel each week. Not some old book a country dealer has not been able to sell, but the finest up-to-date fiction by the foremost living authors. Bear this in mind, not only for yourself but for any of your friends who expect to spéd their vacations in the country. This Book on the Stands Will Cost You $1.25. ou Get It for 6 Cents. OODDOQODHGHODGHIOHHHHHHOGIGOOOHVOWOODHOVOOS. 300V01GWHWI}VGHHHH609908O3O90090OC000066 The STOENBERG AFFAIR in a Drama of European a eek A Farce- Romance of the Bi The Story of an American’s Dashing Role War Politics Jong enough. Ho dusted his boots with his sombrero and cleared his throat. “"Evening, Mit Mr. Chapin around? “I think you'll find him down by the spring-house. Can I do anything for you “Nope! Stover sighed heavily, = got his frame gradually into mo- 0 ain, "You're not Ar Jean, Is looking well, Stover, you 11?" inquired Miss Chapin, jot physical,” said the foreman, checking the movement which had hot yet communicated itself the en- tire length of hia frame, “L reckon my sperret's broke, that's all," “Haven't you recovered from that foot race?” “I have not, and I never will, so long as that ornery Centipede outtt has got It on us.’ “Nonsense, Stover!" “What have they done?” Miss Blake, curiously, heard about any foot race. “You tell her,” said the man, with another sigh, and @ hopeless gesture that told the depth of his feelings. ‘Why, Stover hired a fellow a couple of montha ago as a horse- wrangler, The man aaid he was hungry, and made a good impression, #0 we put him on.” Here Stover slowly raised one booted foot and kicked hia other calf, “The boys nicknamed him Humpy inquired haven't Joe"—— ‘Why, poor thing! Was he hump- backed?" inquired Holen, Stl Bil, “Hump. back is lucky. We called him Humpy Joe because when it came to run- ning he could sure get up and hump himaeif.” “Soon after Joseph went to work,” Jean continued, “the Centipede out- At hired a new cook. You know the Centipede Ranch—the one you ae over yonder by the foothi “It wasn't ‘soon afte simuletaneous,” said Stover, darkly. “We're beginiin’ to see plain at inst.” that was gnawing him. “One day we hear that this grubslinger over yonder thinks he can run, which same is as welcome to us as the amell of flowers on a spring breeze, for Humpy Joe had amused us in his idle hours by running jackrabbits to earth" — “Not really?" said Miss Blake. “Well, no, but from what we see we Judge he'd ought to limp a hundred yards in about Sothing. and three- fifths seconds, so we frame race between him and the Centipede cook.” “As & matter of fact, there has been a feud for years between the two outfits,” Jean offered, ‘With tumulchous joy we bet our and all the loose wo have, in @ burst of childish enthusiasm we put up—the talking machine. “A phonograph?” ‘ea, An Echo phonograph,” said Miss Chapin, “Of New York and Paris,” added Stover. “Our boys won it from this very Centipede outfit at a bronco busting tournament in Cheyenne.” ba Stover made the loca- 0. “The Centipede crowd took their defeat badly on Frontier Day, and swore to ket even.” “And wan Humpy Joe defeated?” iked Helen. “Was he?" Btill Bill shook his head sadly, and sighed for a third time. “It looked lke he was running ekward, miss.” J ces at college.” kered her brows try- ing to think, “Joseph,” she raid. think I have seen him." Stover's lips mot grimly, "I don't reckon you have, miss. Since that race he has been hard to decry, Ho passed from view hurriedly, so to Speuk, headed toward the foothills, and leaping from crag to crag like the hardy shamrock of the Swiss Yelps.” Miss Biake giggled. “What made him hurry ao?" Lisi Stover gazed at her solemn- ly. "We ain't none of us been the same alnce that foot ra it ain't the fina E phonograph ‘double cross’ that hurts; It's the f that the mangiest outfit in the Territory has trimmed us out of the ono thing that stands for honor and and ‘scientific attainment, “No, I don't judge sald when we won It. That talking machine meant more to us than you Eastern folks can under- stand, I reckon,” \y “If I were you I would cheer up,” sald Miss Blake, kindly, and with some importance, “Mina Chapin haw 4 college friend comin this week, and he can win back your trophy." Stover glanced up at Jean quickly. “Ia that right, Miss Chapin?” “He can If he will,” Jean asserted, “Can he run?" “Tle Js the intercollegiate cham. pion,” declared that young lady, with proud dignity, “And do you reckon that \o'd run for us and the Echo phonograph of New York and Parla, if we framed a race? It's an honor!" But Miss Chapin suddenly recalled her brother's caution of the day be- fore, and hesitated “I-T don't think he would, You » he Is an amateur—he might be out of training’ "The iden! indignantly, * xciaimed Misa Plako Culver won't run. know who wil She closed her lps firmly und turned to the foreman “You tell your friends that we'll see you get your trophy back,” “Helen, I"'— e"I moan it!" dectared Miss Blake, with spirit. Stover bowed loosely. “Thank you, miss. The very thought of it ‘will cheer up the gang, Life round sere ix blacker'n a spade flush, [think I'll 1 Willie.” ambled rapidly off Helen dear, I don't want Culver to get mixed up in this affair,’ ax plained Miss Chapin, as soon as they were alone. “It's ail utterly foolish. Jack doesn't want him to, either. “Very well, If Culver dooan't feat that he can beat that cook running, I know who will try. Mr. Speed will do unything Lask, It's a shame the way th men have been treated ut Mr, Speed isn't a sprinter.” "Indeed!" Mins Brake bridied . haps Culver Covington isn't the only athlete In Yale College, I happon to ayl'Augaat 2 In The Evening World t th By Ralph A.Goodwin 8 a 24: 1914 know what Ir talking about. Natur- ally the two boys have never com- peted against each other because they are friends—Mr. Speed tan't the sort to race his room mate. Oh! ho wouldn't tell me he could run if it were not true.” “IT don't think he will consent when he learns the truth.” “I assure you,” Miss Blake, sweetly, will be delighte: CHAPTER Ii. T was still early in the after. noon when Jack Chapin and the youthful chaperon found the other young people to- gether on tho gallery. “Here's a telegram from Speed,” began Jack. “Its terrible funny,” Keap. “That Moxican brought it to us down at the spring house.’ Miss Blake lost her bored expres- ‘Mr. owner of the Flying Heart Ranch. “‘Dear Jack—I couldn't wait for Covington, so meet with brass band and fireworks this afternoon. Have flowers in bloom In the little park beside the depot, and see that the nod to me—J. Wallingford eh?" @ald Fresno dryly. peed." “Park, “Tolegraph office, water tank, and a cattle chu think he “Here le @ postecript,” added Cha- pin. “IT have @ valet who does not seem to enjoy the trip. Divide a kiss among the girls’ * “Well, weil! He's stingy with his kisses,” observed + “Who is this humorous party? je was a freshman at Yale the year I graduated,” explained Jack. “Too bad he never got out of that class.” It was evident that Mr. ity made no impression Glee Club tenor. “He to talk about himself, doesn’t he?" “I think he | very clever,” said Miss Blake, warmly. “How well do you know him?” “Not as well aa I'd iike to.” Fresno puffed at his little pipe with- out remarkin, this. “Well, who wants to go and raoeet him?" queried Jack. “Won't you?” asked his siste: “I can't. I've just got word trom the E) n X that I'm wanted. foreman is hurt. for some time. Where does this fellow IT may not be back “Nigger Mike met me,” odserved Fresno, darkly, “Then Nigger Mike for 8 peed, laughed the cattle man. “I've told Carara to hitch up the pintos for me. 1 must be goin, “T'll seo that you are safely started,” said the young widow; and ben thon | the trio on the gallery they en’ the house. When they had wisely at Hi “Roberta's such a thoughful chaperon,” she whereupon Miss Blake giggied. As for Mra. Koap, she was inquiring of Jack with genuine solicitude: “Do you really .nean that you may be gone for some time?" @ Jean smiled 5 “I do, It may be a week; it may be lonwer; I can’t toll until | «et over there, "I'm sorry.” Mrs, Keap's face showed nome disappoirtment. “Bo am LL" “T shall mare $9. look ba for these roung people by myself.” ” Whitt A queer little way you have of talking, if you were years and years old,” “L do feel an if I were. IT have had an unhappy experience, You know = unhappiness builds months into years.” “When Jean got up this house- party,” young Chapin began, absent- y. thought I should be bored to death, But—I haven't been. You know, I don’t want to go over there?” He nodded vaguely toward the south, “T thought perhaes it suited your conventence.” Hi companion watched him gravely, “Are you quite sure that your sister's guests have not--had something to do with sudden determination?” “Iam quite sure. I never liked the old Flying Heart #0 much as I do to-day. so much as I do at this moment.” We may be gone before you re- turn. “Young Chapin started. don’t mean that, really?” Mrs, Keap nodded her dark head. “It was all very well for me to shape eron Helen on the way out from t! Fast, but—it isn't exactly regular for me to play that part here with other young people to look after.” But you understand, of course— Jean must have explained to you, Mother was called away suddenly, and she can't get back now. You surely won't leave—you can’t." Chapin added, hopefully: “Why, you would break up Jean's party. You johody around here to “You This is an unconven- country, What's wrong with you as a chaperon, anyway? Nobody out here even knows what a chap- eron is, And I'll be back as soon as T can.” “Do help?” orously, “I'm not thinking of the other, I'm thinking of myself," declared’ the young man boldly, “I don't want you to go before [ return. You must not! If you go, I—I shall follow you." He you really think that would Roberta's eyes laughed hum- grasned her hand impulsively. "Oh!" exclaimed the chaperon, “Tht 4 It even more Impossible, Hhe pushed him away, her color surging. "Go to your old Bleven X Ranch right away." “Tut I mean tt." he declared, ear- neatly. Then, as she retreated farth- er: “It's no use, I sha'nt go now untt"—- “You have known me less than a week!" “That in long enough. Roberta"—— Mrs, Keap spoke with honest em- ent. “List Don't you a situation this is? If Jean a jelen should ever discover" ——~ an planned It all; even this. Mra, Keap stared at him in horrl- fled allence, "You do love me, Roberta?” in undertook to remove the girl's banda from her foce, when a siieht courh in the hail behind caused him Chap- 5 ae y Rex Beach sald Mra. hoat ‘The Pan! I—I—well, 8 I never regretted leaving it foo to turn suddenty in time to see Metiee , eley Freano “There! face was tragic. “You seet” turned and fied, leaving the of the ranch in the middie of a Tapicered, but a bit the lo appy. moment |i Plump face of Berkeley Fresno abs peared cautiously around the di > jamb, coughed again gravely, "I happened to be passing," he. “You will pardon me?” “This is the most thickly settled in New Mexico!” Chapin de« clared, with an artificial laugh, choke in his indignation, Fresno slowly brought bis round body out of concealment. oF "I came in to get a nviteh,” “Why don't you carry matches!” «y Fresno pufte omplacently upom — his pipe. “This,” he mused, hie, departed, “eliminates th eron, and that helps some.” Still Bul Stover loa no tl breaking the news to the boys here's something comin’ off," he advised Willie, “We've got another foot-runner!” It had hoped for an outburst rapture on the part of the little man he was disappointed, for shifted his holster, smiled @ through his glasses and inqul with ominous restraint: “Where is he?” Being th man on the Ft; Heart who had occasion to wear n, Willle seldom smiled from. sense of humor. Here it may be that, deceived at first by his ac! Appearance, his follow-laborers Jibed at Willie's affection of a aw! ing holster, but the custom languished ‘abruptly. When it ame known who he was, the ranch-handa had volubly deel that this was a free countty, er A man might exercise a wide tion in the choice of personal adorme ment; and as for them, they avo unanimously that th packing a Colt was one which with their most cordial approbateny In time Willie’s shooter come accepted as a part of the scenery, and, like the scenery, no one thought of remarking upon it, least of all those who best knew lack: of humor. He bad come to them out of the Nowhere, some four years previously, and while he never of himeelf, and discauraged rei cence in others, it became ives Sata es uaa aot n that back in the handle there was a limpii men’ were other men who had a super- — atitious dread of undersized cow- with spectacle 4. stories of lonesome owing to Willie's secretive: the permanent silence of the rtictpants, never became Mike'a bringing bim over Lig railroad, He's a guest.” “Oh! ‘ep! He's in:-reollegit champeen tT repeated the near-sigh' man. “Don't know'’s ever there. Much of a town haired girl say in the world, I figgered we mi! up eomething with the Cen! 1 Bill winked sagely. you reckon h ‘@ friend of the vel, too, can't be nothin’ like Humpy.” If he ts, I'll git him,” said the cow- boy. “Oh, I'll git him aure, guest oF no guest, But how about the phone. wreper’ “The Centipede will put it ough; there ain't no sent it outfit.” “Then it sounds good.” “An' it'll work. Gallagher's anx! to trim us in, Some folks stand prosperity. t unerringly at a » "Lord!" sald he, “I It don't sound possible.” “Well, it is, and our man will Be here this evenin’, Watch out for Nigger Mike, and when drives let's give this party a welcome warm his heart on the jump, Thervay nothin’ like a good impreasion.” “I'll Deon the job." assured “Rut I efate right here and now, we do get a race there ain't to be no chance of our losin’ for aq senona time.” ‘i And Stover went on his way tex Spread the tidings. up eal 8 @ It growing dark when the rat. tle of wheels outside the ranch house brought the occupants to the pores time to see Nigger Mike halt ‘at buckboard and two figures prepare te? descend, é “It's Mr, Bpoed!" cried Miss Blake, ‘Then she uttered a scream as the vel-& vet darkness was ront by en tongues of flame, while a shrill yelp-? in a of Apache war party, the boys,” said Jean,‘ t rth has possessed them?" But Stover had planned no ordinary reception, and the pandemonium did not cease until the mea had emptied their weapons. Then Mr. J. Wallingford 8 stumbling up the steps and into the arms of his friends, the tails of dustcoat streaming. “Really? This im more than I ex- pected,” he gasped: then turning, doffed his straw hat the ha'f-re~ veaied figures beyond the light and cried, gayly: ‘Thank you, gentiomen! « Thank you for missug me!” “Yow—ee!" responded the cowboys... “How do you do, Miss Chapin!" Speed shook hands with his hosteos,3 it his face was and In the radia doorway she saw round and boyish and his smile pe cullarly engaging, & She know, Mr. Speed, that we hi us a friend of you Bho drew Helen forward, Mrs. Keap, who ts inoking after va 4 bit while ‘mother is away. Noberta may I present Mr, Covington'’s . and ask. you to be food to hint? (To Be Continued.) ie Complete Novel in THE EVENING WO.