The evening world. Newspaper, August 29, 1914, Page 9

CRaageight, 1000, by Marver & Beothem.) See Oe CASraCERG CRATERS. a CHAPTER XV. © day of the race dawned bright and fair, without a cloud to mer its splendor. As the golden morning ‘wor: om @ gradual excitement became epperent among the cowboys, in- @reasing as the hours passed, and as they prepared with joy to invade their rival's territory. Neverthe! vigilazt watch upon their champion id not relax. Theirs was an attitude ight that Lawrence Glass had been the Cause of a wild alarm that brought the dentgens of the ranch out in night @pperel, Jack Chapin, awakened by a ory for help, had found him in the hands of Carara and Cloudy, who had been doing night duty in accordance with Stover's orders, What with the treiner’s loud compieints, the excited {| words of his captors and the confu- } @ian reeulting when the bunkbouse empties iteelf of men half ciad, it had taken the ranch owner some time to discover that Glass had been eur- prised in the act of escaping, seemed that the sentries, seeing a Ggure skulking past the white adobe ‘walls of the house, had called upon it ‘ to halt. There had been @ dash for Uberty, then « furious struggle before the tntruder’s identity became clear, and but for Chapin's prompt arrival ‘wpon the scene violénce would inevit- @bly have resulted. owner had difficulty tn restraining his men, who saw in this significant effort a menace to their hope: “T tell you, I'm walkin’ in my sleep,” declared Glass, for the twentleth time, “Caramba! You try for get away,” @tormed the Mexican, “Pig! “Not a bit like it! I've been a son- mambulist ever since I'm a baby.” “Why didn’t you answer when we called?" Cloudy demanded. “How can 1 talk when I'm sound asleep?" “If you couldn't hear us @id you run “Now have a little sense, pal. A sleep-walker don't know what he's call, why 6 there's no harm done, you'd better all go back to bed,” Chapin ad- vised. “Mr. Glass b the liberty of the ranch, boys, night or day, asleep to me like he was tryin’ to elope some.” Stover balanced upon re foot, and undertook to re- @ a sand-burr from the other. In he seemed supernat- that Glass hastened to I @trengthen his story. “I was walkin’ in my sleep as nice as you please lep’ on me. Sa: dangerous; yo him up #0 su \. “There's easier tha poke Willie from the gloom. “It's a yap trick just the same. I | ‘was in the middie of a swell dream, too.’ f “Come, come, Stover, get your boys back to bed! We'll have the whole ranch up with this nol Chapin himself led Glass around the , house, while that gentleman made no » offer to explain the dream which rompted him to pack his suitcase re letting himself out of the trai \ ing quarters. Once safely back in the | gymnasium, he eat up till dawn, a rey to frightful visions which the ptt ¥ light did pot serve to dissipate. ‘Wally Speed slept serenely through i the whole disturbance and was great- comfortable morning Ny | ly amused eo story when he ' awoke. He was sorely tempted to make known his agreement with Skinner, and put an d to his | trainer's agony of mind; but he re. called Skinner's caution, and reflected that the slightest indiscretion might precipitate a tragedy. For the first time since the beginning of the ad- venture he was perfectly at ease, and the Bpenomencn added to bis trainer's dismay. Others beside Lawrence Glass were apprehensive. Culver Covington, for instance, was plainly ups while Roberta Keap pleaded headache and had her breakfast served in ber room, It was shortly afterward that she ai in the gymnasium doorway ere eried in an accusing voice: "You traitor!” 6 “You modern Borgia! Didn't you go and tell Helen everything?” “Didn't you promise to stop Cul- ver “T did. I had him thrown in jail et Omaha. What more could I do?” “You did try? Honestly?” Mra, Keap allowed her indignation to q abate slightly. “If I had known that, I wouldn't have told Helen. I'm you didn’t explain. I was angre—Swriene, And I was frightened 80 Bhe broke down suddenly, “What shall I do about them? | can see what they want to say, and yet bi d@aren't let either speak a “Mra. Keap, are you sure Culver loves you?” “Horribly! And he suspects the truth. I saw him change the moment he found me here.” Rol began to weep; two limpid | This k on the | Stands Will Cost You $1.25. You Get It for 6 Cents. . Chapin st forward with @ look of suspicion, « As it was, the ¢ tears stole down her cheeks, she groped for a chair, and Wally hastened to her assistance. As 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 Mise Blake should moment. She had come enter at the me with Jack and his sister to inquire ing the fitness of her champion and to nerve him for the contest, and whe stood aghast. eee n= going on here?” Miss Blake spoke brightly, tinkling ice in her voice “There's no necessity for an ex- planation, is there? It seems time for congratulations.” X “Oh, see here now! Mrs. Keap’ ed to Culver, you know. “Culv Both the young ranchman and his aister stared at the chaperon with growing horror, while she undertook to explain: but the blow had fallen @o swiftly that her words were inco- herent, and in the midst of thom her hostess turned and fled from the room. “Now don't begin to aviate until you understand the truth,” continued. “While she’s en: to that broken-toed serpent, she doesn’t love him, do you see?” He smiled. “I do not see!" “It was simply a habit Mre. Keap had got Into—I should say it was an impulsive engagement that she has repent: . “No doubt she was repeating when we Interrupted you,” said Mias Blake, bitterly. ‘Then Chapin added, helplessly: {But Culver ls engaged to my sister jean!” "Joan!" Mra. Keap exposed her tra “Then—be deceived mi Oh—h! What wrete! men are!’ The widow commenced to sob. Outside came, Miss Chapin's voice: “So here you are, Mr. Covington! next moment she reappeased dragging the crippled champion be- hind her. Thrusting him toward Roberta, she pouted: “There, Mrs. Ki ! I give him back to you.” “Perhaps you'd better go on with your explanations,” Chapin suggest- coldly, to Speed. can I when Hear ye! gaged to marry Mrs. Keap, discovered what a reprobate There was indistinguishable dis- sent of some sort from Mr. Coving- on. “—and she learned to detest him!" Mra. Keap Iikewise dissented in accents muffied. ‘Well, she would have learned to detest him in a short time, because she's in love with Jack Chapin; so she came to old Dr. Speed in. her troubles, and he promised to fix it all up. Now I guess you four can do the rest of the explaining. Let this be a lesson to all of you. If 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 gone, thelr benefactor sald to Miss Blake: “Wouldn't you like to make that a triple wedding. We might get club rate: For answer Miss Blake hurried to the door and was gone. Over at the Centiped great activity and yet @ certain Id) ness also, as if it had been a holiday. The men hung about in groups listen- ing to the peripatetic phonograph. A dozen or more outsiders had ridden ‘over from the post-office to witness the contest, Out by the corral, which stood clone to the first break of the foothills, Skinner was superintending the laying out of a course, selecting a stretch of level ground worn smooth and hard by the tread of countless hoofs. “Makes a pretty good track, eh?" he said to Gallagher. “Il wonder how fast this feller is? Ever heard?” “They seem to think he's a whirlin’ ball of fire, but that don't worry you Gallagher bent his 3 upon the cook, who shrugged carelessly, and Gallagher miled; he was forced to admit that his man did not appear to be one ea! fly frightened. Kinner’s face wa: hard, his lips thin, his Jaw was not that of a weakling. He had dressed early, then wrapped a horse-blanket about his shoulders, and now, casting this as sprinted down the dirt track for a few yards to tept the foot- ing, while Gallagher watched him with satiafaction—a thing of steel and wire, as tough, as agile and as spir- ited as 4 range-raised cow-pony. He was, unshaven, his running- trunks weré cut from a pair of over- alls, held up at the waist by a sec- tion of window-cord, and his chest was scantily covered by an undershirt from which the sleeves had been pulled, But when he returned to pick up his blanket Gallagher noted ap- provingly that he was not even breathing heavily, With a knowled¢e confined mainly to live stock, the foreman inquired: “How's your laige? I like to see ‘em halry, that-a-way; it's a eign of stren'th, I bet this college boy is as pink as a maiden's palm! He don't look to me like he could run,” “They fool you sometimes,” said Skinner, "By the way, what have you bet?” “We laid the phonograph agin their treasures and trappin' “But how much money?” “We got three hundred pesos down, but they sent word they was comin’ loaded for b'ar, ao we rustied five hundred more.” Skinner's eyes gleamed. “I wish | had a couple of hundred to bet on myself.” “Broke, eh?” 'm as clean as @ hound's tooth.” “I'm sorry y'all tossed off your wages, but"—Gallagher started sus- Piclously—"say! I reckon that won't affect your runnin’ none, will it?” Skinner admitted that he could run beat when he Rad something to run for. “You might advance me a month's wages,” he reflected. “I'll do it. Hello! Say, ain't that one of them Flyin’ Heart city visit- ors?" From the direction of the ranch buildings Berkeley Fresno was ap- proaching. “Good afternoon! You are Mr. Gal- lagher, I believe? I rode over with our crowd just now." Fresno looked you won't lis lear ye! Culver back. ‘Let's step around other side talk to you.” He led the way inquired, “Is this your runner “That's him, His name's Skinner, and that's a promisin’ title to bet on. roll of bank notes Gallagher slipped from bia pocket. “Unhook! I'll bet you. “No, no! 1 think myself Mr. Skin- ner will win, “Strip your hand, savvy.” And Fresno explained. son. I “You see, I'm a guest over there; but there's no sentiment with me in He produced a wal- let, and took from it five one-hun- “Bet this for me, and don’t let on where it came from. money matters.” dred-dollar bills. I'll see you after the race. you, not a word!" .. “'m dumb ae the Spinks.” “This race means a lot to me, Mr, The guest of the Flying Heort Ranch turned to its enemy, Understand?” The cook showed the gleam of his “If you win I'll send you some wedding cake and—a box of cigars.” “Thanks,” said the other, “but I've got a bum tooth and I don’t smoke.” ‘As Fresno left there approached in a surging group the opposing side. Stover came within “Here we come ther in the Skinner,” “There's a girl in it. teeth. "Good evenin', Gabby!" called loudly as he speaking distance. en massay and with ladies to embarrasa and degrade you hour of your defeat!” “We ain't defeated yit! Mr. Chapin.” “Did you get our message?” “Yes. of y'all's money.” “Mr, Speed borrowed five hundred dollars from me and said he might in volunteered, want more,” C! “Is that all “ALL?” jeered Still Bill. “Why, this mangy layout ain't never saw that much money,” upon which Gallagher carelessly displayed a corpulent roll of bills, remarking “Count a thousand, Bill, It all goes on Skinner.” “{ ain't heard of no train robbery,” muttered the lanky foreman of the Flying Heart, “nor I don't alm to handle no tainted money.” And Sto- ver and Gallagher faced each other hard before turning. Jean saw it and whispered to Cha- I'm terribly Blake, who her companions and “Oh, Jack, dear, in: kr But Helen frightened!” overheard, left went straight to Gallagher. honor of the Flying Heart.” Both Skinner stared at her nonplussed. “You don't look like a bettin’ lady, the latter managed to remark Jo larly. Gallagher lowered his eyes. a ou aim to risk, miss mar gone Xnow what the rules are, but IT think our side ought to bet as That is the way much as your side, {t is done, Isn't It?" bi ean that you aim to cover ae Mr. Hf The girl what Mr. don't?” nodded. Speed Gallagher spoke admiringly, “You're right game, miss, but T reckon we don't want your money.” “Why not?” “I suppose there ain't no partic'lar “If Mr. Speed can beat Mr. Coving- ton, who ts the best runner at Yale, I'm sure he can defeat Mr, Skinner, college at all. They have all turned against him, who never went to hehe is s0 brave!” an Blake's indignation was tearful, and Gallagher spoke hurriedly: “He may be brave all right, miss, but he can't win unless Skinner dies You save your money to buy choco- i! an’ bon-mots, miss. Why, Iigten” (the stock man softened hin voice in a fatherly manner): Fresno party is wise; of this coin ia his.” Helen uttered a he is betting agal “Nothin’ el ‘Deapicable breathed “Walt a moment, please!" ry to the ff the corral; I want to That's why I'm her don't Egyptian Hoy. do, But we ain't seen the color should like,” she said, “to wager a few dollars on Mr. Speed and the and his foreman “i'm not; I never made a wager be- fore in all my life; but, you see, Mr, Gallagher, I believe in our man; five hundred “Do you mean at Mr, Speed?" the girl. Helen bans Ot World Daily Magasine: Saturday: A GOING SOME. A Cormplet Nov “Why no.?. There's no sentiment in financial affairs.” Speed shrugged. “Our tonor fri will sing his. way back to Californt He turned with his thanks to Helen. “The talkin'-maohine!” interrupted Still Bill suddenly. A group of men ‘was-approaching, who bore the phon- LD ograph upon a dry goods box and de- posited it In beside the race course, ‘Say, Gabby, a'pose you give us a tune, just to show she's in good order.” “Suspicious, eh?” “You bet! There’ admire to hear. “We'll have ‘Th Willie positively. priate.” So, with clumsy fingers, Gallagher fitted a record, then wound up the machine undor the jealous eyes of ti! Flying Heart cowboys. . @ monologue Id calied”-— ped to the chin in his bi toward the crowd, affordin, sight of his face for the ‘The latter started aa if breath, * employer id, pointing a ‘et, id Giass rat time, le. finger, hy “Skinner, the man I run.” Glass groaned. “His name ain't that's ‘Whiz’ Long. Six yea I saw him win the Shef- field Handicap from scratch tn nine- three.” Then, as Speed did not seem to be particularly pressed, “Don't you understand, Wally? thie in his game! To which the younger man serenely and happily, “It's fixe, Vhat'a fixed?” The race, It's all arrang framed.” “Who framed It? How? When? "Sh-h! I did, Yesterday; by at T fixed it.” “You win from ‘Whiz’ Long, and you can’t run under fifteen?” Wally nodded. “I told him that~ 1 right.” ‘ou told him?’ Glass staggered. s allright? Say! Don't you know he’s the fastest, crookedest, cheating~ est, double-crossingest—why, he Just came to feel you out And Speed turned dizzy, “And you fell for that old stuff!” Larry’s voice was trembling with anger and disgust. “Why, that’s part of his ‘work.’ He's double-crossed every runnin’ mate he ever had, He'd cheat his mother, Wait!" . Skinner had left the crowd and wi seated now in the shade of the corral fence. He glanced upward from be- neath his black brows as Larry reached and greeted him. = “Hello, burried back to Chapin, while Galla- gber muttered something like “I ain't takin’ no orphan’s money.” “Jack!” (the girl was trembling with excitement), “you told me on the way over that you had five.bun- dred dollars with Y deta Let me have it, please. I'll give you my check whiz! I just ‘made’ you"—— Then Fa YS et pom he shook his head. to MY, (eof sith you aren't going ‘4, haven't got you. My name le ode a ° Skinner.” “Yes, I am.” kt “Don't do that!" Nix on that monaker,” Glass smiled, indulgently. “I had @ man in that Sheffield Handicap six years from afar. “You're, in bad,” asserted the cook, class to that gal!” was what he sald, agent ‘but assuming that my name which. proved that he was @ person eee didn't say your name was SOE HOEY nes ED eR, ‘tong’ 1 called you ‘Whit:" Giana chuckled at the point as he ecored it. For answer she natched the poo- ketbook from hii “Mr. Gallagher!’ CHAPTER XVI. PEED leaped down from the buckboard in which Carara had driven hifh and Glass “Now come in; be good.” Skinner darted a look toward Gal- lngher and the Centipede men gath- ered about ‘the shrilling phonograp! b stooped and tied his shoes ant over to the Centipede cor- ftoored, and | ral. sathed ; ; “I told you to jump out when we “This little feller I'm trainin’ —does 1 im re. he win?” ee eee ee ary ere. “Without an upward glance Skinner proach to him, "You could have y,Wvirna: broke your arm. Now-1t's too late.” “Did the man you trained for the But Speed joined nis friends with Shettield Handicap win? “Never mind. that, Does this the OSE CmNOTSUL SE: Ervel Dee: frameup go through?” It happened They responded nervously, shocked frameup £0 VCMIENT osiatibly, had at his flipp: it assurance, “This, Mr. Speed, is the scene of your defeat!" Gallagher made the in- troduction. “And this Is Mr. Skinner, no doubt?” Wally shook hands with the Centi- pede runner, who stared at him, re- fused to recognize his knowing wink and turned away. “You think pretty well of yourself, don’t you?!**suggested Gallagher un- pleasantly, and Speed laughed. There was no reason why he should not Jaugh. Either way his hour had como, “L s'pose that money ?" Bultcase, come forward to hang upon every word, and now chose this moment to interrupt. Mite all right, Mr. Skinner"—— But Skinner leaped to his feet. “Don't try anything Ike that!" he cried in a terrible voice that brought Gabby Gallagher atrid! toward them, “What's goin’ on@here? Are thoy tryin’ to fix you, Skinner?” “Not a bit like it,” Glass protested stoutly. “lL only asked him which de he'd rather run on, and now he calls for police protection.” “Don't try it again, that’s all!” the cook warned, sullenly, mt “LT reckon I'll take @ hand in this! Gallagher was in would have fallen upon the offender had not Stover stepped 4n his path. “[ reckon you won't!" he said, easily. The two glared at each other and were standing thus when Speed and his trainer moved gently off. They made their way to the house in com- tive allence, “I—I made a mis- take,” eaid Wally. You've been jobbed like you was watchel is full of Gallagher pointed to the “On the contrary, it 1s full of It is who contain the He thrust a cold palm into »cket as Covington dragged him aside to advise him not to be an ut- ter idiot, to throw his money away if he must, but to throw It to charity or to his frfends, “Yes " Glass seconded, lugubriously, ‘d hold out enough to buy me # & baby,” said Glass, “There ain't but Gates Ajar in Immortelles.” But he one thing to do: now. Ge tata the sald alsc, an if to himself, Le may be house sana peaks yous cite: ane snor ae the burr, but he's @ game en eee tyour life—and mine” ‘As the Centipede foreman counted _ Over on the race course Gallagher the money, Helen came forward, an- inquiring: ‘Who's goin’ to send these y'ere athaletes away?" “T am! announced Willle without hesitation. “Rein' perhaps the handt- est man present with a weepon, I'm goin’ to start this journey.” He looked his foes squarely in the eyes, “Has anybody got objections to me?” The silence *was flattering, and more loudly now, so that Skinner might hear, he added: “If your man tries to beat the gun, I'll have him wingin’ his way to lands celestial before he makes his second jump.” nouncing: “You'll have to win now, won't you, Mr. Speed? L've wagered five hun- dred dollars on you. I bet against Mr, Fresno.” “Fresne at last, en?” “T haven't been under cove: up the Californian, all_ along.” Chapin wheeled. “Does it seem to you quite the thing to bet against our man, Fresno?” he inquired, bis glance full In the other's eyes So he’s out from cover spoke “I've been wise Are You Going Away for Vacation? When you go out of town for vacation you may find it Is diff. cult and costly to provide yourself 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 ie lorsiings living authors. jear this in mind, not only for yourself but for any of your frit who expect to spend their Yacatlons in the country, ial leis fine rage and fu — +. Gallagher acknowledged the fajr. nese of this proposition. ‘Thi "" anid he. “We're Speed ste out of jothes and into his silken run- sult, He was numb and cold. hands performed their duties to be sure, but his brain was tdie. All he knew was that he ha@ been betrayed and all was lost. He heard Glass panting Instructions into his ear, but they made no impression upon him. In a dull trance he followed his train- er back to the track, his eyes staring, his bones like water. Not until he ‘d the welcoming shout of the Flying Heart henchmen did he realize that the worst was yet to come, He heard Larry still coaching earnestly: if you can’t bite him, trip him up,” And some one said: Bd ‘wo ready?" jaas held out his hand. “Goodby, ir. 8 Chapin came forward and Ke with artificial heartiness, “Good luck, Wally; beat him at the start,” and bab Nm Sige gopewes. Remember,” he cautioned, sadly, ‘what I told you about the start—its your. aly, chance.” “Why don't you fellows think about the finish of this rdee?” faltered the runner. ‘Then, tn @ voice broken Pd ment, Helen Blake spok pity begs her hand for @ goodb; Mr. Speed,” she said, remember thi fore he does, up to you you'll win,” ‘This magnificent display of con! dence nerved the athi and amiled at-her. He wished to speak, but dared not trust himself. Gallagher was calling; so he went to the starting point, whence he surveyed the course. There it lny, no more than a lane leading down between ranks of brown-faced meh whose eyes were turned upon him. On the top rail of the corral perched Willie, re- volver in hand, The babble of voices ceased, the strident laughter stilled, Speed heard the nervous rustle of fem- inine sk! Skinner was standing lke a his toe to the mark, bis eyes averted. “You'll start bere and run a bun- dred yards out yonuer to the tape,” Gallagher announced, “T refus said speed firmly. For one breathless instant there was a hush of amazement, then a cry of rage. Still Bill Stover hurled the nearest man out of his path and strode forward, his lean face ablaze. He wheeled and flung up his hand as if to check some nidden move- ment of Willie's. ‘No voylence yet, Will! What d'you mean, Mr. Speed?” Speed uttered what he knew was his final joke on earth. “I mean that I refuse to run straightaway. I'm an all-around athelte, and I must Tun all-around something.” Amid shouts of confusion, those who had taken positions along the course came crowding back to the starting point. Willie wrapped his legs about the top rall of the fence and drew a second revolver, while the two foremen bellowed = indis- tinguishable threats at each other. Chapin lost no time in withdrawing his guests out of the turmoll, but Helen kept her place, her face chalky but her eyes very bright. “What are you tryin’ to hand us?” roared Gallagher. Atl Bill was k to take a cut. “Don't get heetic!” sald he. “There's nothin’ In the articles about runnin’ straight. Let ‘em run around the corral.”” But at this suggeation every voice seemed to break out slmultaneously “Humpy Joe ran straightaway,” ‘emem| id don’t let him catch If you do that, I just know “You, he kept it," piped ‘Willie, “I favor the t of bs eed runners comin’ back whero they start from.” “Listen, all of you,” Speed an- nounced. “I am going to run around and around and around this corral If Mr. Skinner chooses to accompany me, he may trail along; otherwise I shall run alone.” “Never heerd of such @ thing!” Gallagher was dancing in his ex- citement, but Skinner calmed him by announcine curtly: “4'll beat bim any way he wants to “You couldn't beat a rug," retorted Wally, and Glass suddenly smote his palms together, crying, blankly: “I forgot the rug!” “We don't want no arg’ment after. wards, Does tho Centipede accept its fate?” Stil! Bill glared at the faces rin od spit him, ‘© do if Skinner says ao." “Twice around the corral i2 Skinner, “But no accidents, wtand. If he falls, I keep goin, Instantly there ensued a scramble for grandstand seats; the cowboys swarmed like insects upon the stout fence of the corral. “Then you'll start and finish here. Once y'all pass we'll stretch a string to yonder post, and the first man to buat it wins, Who's got a string?” “Mr. Gallagher, won't you use my sash? Helen quickly unfastened the jong blue bow of ribbon from her cot- ton gown and Gallagher thanked her, adding: “Moreover, the winner gets it! For the first time, then, Skin addressed Miss Blake, “Hadn't you better make that the loner, miss? The winner gets the coin,” and the assent came in a flash- Ing smile from sky-bi under. one end fast to the corral. “Which I call han'some treatment for Mr. Speed, an’ only wish we might retain it at the CenUpede as a remembrance. Are the runners ready Those near the starting ne gave room. Skinner stepped quickly out from hia blanket spikes into the soil ered himself on toes to try his muacles. Speed drew his bathrobe from his shoulders and thrust It et trainer, who shook his ead. and stamped his raised and low- ve it to Covington, Bo; I won't be here when you come back” det on your marke ‘The starter e his order, eed set his spikes int. the dirt, brought his wein*t forward upon his hands. whispered something to Skin: That gentleman straightened up, Whereupon Willie cried for a sec- ond time: “On your marks! and again Skin- ning World A Farce- Romance of the Big Outdoors 29: 1914 By Rex Beach } t ner ci crowd filled ite tunge waited, Helen Biake buried ber in her rosy cold palms. Chapin his friends were swayed by heart beats, while even Fresno balanced upon hia toes, his face eager. The click of Will sounded sharp as he cocked it. Into the ear close by his cheek Speed in whispered an agonized— ‘Don't forget to fall down!” ‘Thia time the cook of the Centipede les backward with an evarl, while the crowd took breat! “Make him quit talking to mei” cried Skinner. Gallagher uttered an im and strode forward, only to way once more barred by Stover. “He can talk if he “There ia nothing, out with dignity, “in the to forbid talking. I wished to, I could sing. Yes, or whistle, if I felt like it.” “On your marke!” came the voice of Willie a# Wally murmured to Skinner: “Remember, I trust you.” Skinner ground hie teeth; the ten- donn in his calves stood out rigidly. “Get set!" Once more the silence of death wrapped the bebolders, and Willie raised his arm. Speed cast one Loos yshra d farewell glance to the skies aad rest “What a beautiful, beautiful dey!” Now the starter was ebaking in an 6 of fury. ‘Listen, you!” he chattered, sbrilly. “I'm goin’ to shoot twice this time— Berk once in the air, and the next time at the nearest Hated precation ‘have his et Bill wants to.” ited iw You never was ao He turned to Hi iS double vandful of bask notes ae buried hla baeee Instantly a full-lunged roar went ¢ up that rolled away to the foot-hilla and. the runn out of th pandemonium, thelr legs twinklin Inst the dust-colored prairie, Dow! to the turn they raced. Speed was leading. Fright had acted upon him as rie chi + his terror lent pos white-hot fame of youth, and no’ Mige Blake's with less fear to spurn him with sweetness and with pity: Soung ‘animal Would. rua. “At the Mr. Skinner Toure e soon eee: young ani would run. Ir, Skinner. You's spleadia rest second turn Skinner hed not passed ner! paket : ‘Never mind the job, m| him, but the thud of hie feet was something to remember it ‘nf polnted to a sash which lay rm close behind. This unparalleléd phenomenon sur- = r gets the ribbomy: © mins," tai va on My tie ined gallantly. pa | an prised Lawrence Glass perbaps most of all. He bad laid bis plans to slip ) Ee there came a oe to the quietly out of the crowd under cover of the first confusion and lay his man in white nel was doubling ané of two poreammes, tina abeea own course eastward; but when beheld hig protege actually in the lead he Ined rooted to his tracks. Was this a miracle? He turned to Covington, to find him dancing madly, his crutches waving over his head, in his eyes the stare of a maniac. His mouth was distended, and Glass reasdied that he must be rf shouting violently, but could not be 4: sure. Suddenly Covington dashed to Pigeon the turn whence the runners would Difwom oF tp mao be revealed as they covered the last run. He was hea half lap, for nothing was distinguish- wy able through the fence, burdened by human forms, Larry lumbered after him, plo his way through the crowd and colliding with the box upon which stood the Echo Phono- graph of Now York and Paris. a Ho hurled Marledetta out of his 1004 path with brutal disregard, but even before he could reach his noint of van- sprinters burat into the Larry Glass saw it all was weakening, whi Nature had done her utmost; could not work the impossible. As thee tore past Skinner was ahead. ihe air above the corral became blackened with hats as if a flock of vultures had wheeled suddenly; the shriek of triumph that rose from the Centipede ranks warned the trainer 0 that he had tarried too long. Heavily he ast off across the tor New 0. The memory of that race awakened Speed from his slumbers many times in later years. When he found the brown shoulder of hia rival drawing past he realized that for bim the end t hand. And be it sald to gediy to his his waning strength with renewed determination. Down through the nolsy crowd he pounded at the heels of his ant nist, then out upon the second But now his fattgue increased rapid- ly, and ae it Increased, so did Bkin- ner's lead. At the second turn Wally was hopelessly outdistanced and be- gan to sob wity fury in auticipation of the last, 1dng, terrible stretah. Back toward the final turn they came, the college men dei ly laboring, the cook striding on ke a machine. Wally saw the rows of forma stand- ing upon the fence, but of the shout- ing he heard nothing. Skinner was twenty yards ahead now, and flung @ look back over his shoulder, As he turned into the laat straightaway he looked back again and grinned tri- umphantly. Then—J. Wallingford Speed gasped, and oalling upon his uttermost atom of strength, quickened the strides of his leaden legs. Skinner had fallen! A shriek of exultation came from the Flying Hoart followers; it died as the unfortunate man struggled to his feet, and was off again before his opponent had overtaken him. Down the alloy of human forms the two came; then as their man drew ahead for an instant or two, such a bediam broke forth from Gallagher's crew that Lawrence Giase, well started on his overland trip, judged thet the end had come. But Skinner wavered. His ankle turned for a second time; he seemed about to fall once more. Then he righted himself, but he came on hob- bling. The last thirty yards contained the tortures of a lifetime to Wallv Speed. His lungs were bursting, bis bead every step required @ Neentrated effort of knew he was wobbling and felt his knees ready to buck! neath him, but he saw the blu stretched ribbon just ahead tinued to lessen the gap bet! self and Skinner until he felt reach out wildly and grasp other man's clothing, Helen's face stood out from the blur, and her lips cried to him. He a, veg, Chink he Could ever aus apprehended thet . tes Suspicion, ve « " nly!" eald he “Daas gf PE RR o wome Lp netainl bia. s ‘That eve: J. Wallingford : ook, ani time ‘ bend wes fn he of the 9-59 ‘rom junkhouse across the courtyard floated the voice of the s fovea Boho paenonren®, a) iow gay; now ee ee waking ech 7 esiae Ch sedge ot allan “ont venue.” spellbound audienss Eaiteres close beside it it wee . ut deep as was their he # could not compare with that ; tired young son of EM, peace and contentment were whole wide world was full of “And now that I've told you &@ miserable fraud I am, you op ioving Rey, Be Questioned. fi len ni close! shook her~ head, There was ‘nO gin for wi aj Jack Chapin came out upon the roh with the chaperon, - no caught bis train,” be tubs them, “And we had such a coming back! ‘The night of the machine, he murmt tonately: “By Jove, there goes Baggage Coach Ahead’ once mt wie natal thi ten's “It's @ ui 7 a aS eae “T—' eve I'm learn! te it myself,” her lover . . Freal” = . ‘The bridesmaids wore white of. wandie and carried violets, THE END. ma OENBERG A FF AIR The Story of an American’s Dashing Role Drama of European War Politics By Ralph A.Goodwin