Going Some | Page 7

before, and hesitated.
"I--I don't think he would. You see, he is an amateur--he might be out

of training--"
"The idea!" exclaimed Miss Blake, indignantly. "If Culver won't run, I
know who will!" She closed her lips firmly, and turned to the foreman.
"You tell your friends that we'll see you get your trophy back."
"Helen, I--"
"I mean it!" declared Miss Blake, with spirit.
Stover bowed loosely. "Thank you, miss. The very thought of it will
cheer up the gang. Life 'round here is blacker 'n a spade flush. I think
I'll tell Willie." He shambled rapidly off around the house.
"Helen dear, I don't want Culver to get mixed up in this affair,"
explained Miss Chapin, as soon as they were alone. "It's all utterly
foolish. Jack doesn't want him to, either."
"Very well. If Culver doesn't feel that he can beat that cook running, I
know who will try. Mr. Speed will do anything I ask. It's a shame the
way those men have been treated."
"But Mr. Speed isn't a sprinter."
"Indeed!" Miss Blake bridled. "Perhaps Culver Covington isn't the only
athlete in Yale College. I happen to know what I'm talking about.
Naturally the two boys have never competed against each other,
because they are friends--Mr. Speed isn't the sort to race his room-mate.
Oh! he wouldn't tell me he could run if it were not true."
"I don't think he will consent when he learns the truth."
"I assure you," said Miss Blake, sweetly, "he will be delighted."

CHAPTER III
It was still early in the afternoon when Jack Chapin and the youthful

chaperon found the other young people together on the gallery.
"Here's a telegram from Speed," began Jack.
"It's terribly funny," said Mrs. Keap. "That Mexican brought it to us
down at the spring-house."
Miss Blake lost her bored expression, and sat up in the hammock.
"'Mr. Jack Chapin,'" read the 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 daisies nod to me.--J. Wallingford Speed.'"
"Park, eh?" said Fresno, dryly. "Telegraph office, water-tank, and a
cattle-chute. Where does this fellow think he is?"
"Here is a postscript," added Chapin.
"'I have a valet who does not seem to enjoy the trip. Divide a kiss
among the girls.'"
"Well, well! He's stingy with his kisses," observed Berkeley. "Who is
this humorous party?"
"He 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. Speed's
levity made no impression upon the Glee Club tenor. "He hates to talk
about himself, doesn't he?"
"I think he is very clever," said Miss Blake, warmly.
"How well do you know him?"
"Not as well as I'd like to."
Fresno puffed at his little pipe without remarking at this.

"Well, who wants to go and meet him?" queried Jack.
"Won't you?" asked his sister.
"I can't. I've just got word from the Eleven X that I'm wanted. The
foreman is hurt. I may not be back for some time."
"Nigger Mike met me," observed Fresno, darkly.
"Then Nigger Mike for Speed," laughed the cattle-man. "I've told
Carara to hitch up the pintos for me. I must be going."
"I'll see that you are safely started," said the young widow; and leaving
the trio on the gallery, they entered the house.
When they had gone, Jean smiled wisely at Helen. "Roberta's such a
thoughtful chaperon," she observed, whereupon Miss Blake giggled.
As for Mrs. Keap, she was inquiring of Jack with genuine solicitude:
"Do you really mean that you may be gone for some time?"
"I do. It may be a week; it may be longer; I can't tell until I get over
there."
"I'm sorry." Mrs. Keap's face showed some disappointment.
"So am I."
"I shall have to look out for these young people all by myself."
"What a queer little way you have of talking, as if you were years and
years old."
"I do feel as if I were. I--I--well, I have had an unhappy experience.
You know unhappiness builds months into years."
"When Jean got up this house-party," young Chapin began, absently, "I
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.
"I thought perhaps it suited your convenience." His companion watched
him gravely. "Are you quite sure that your sister's guests have not--had
something to do with this sudden determination?"
"I am quite sure. I never liked the old Flying Heart so much as I do
to-day. I never regretted leaving it so much as I do