Going Some

  CHAPTER VI

  "This doesn't look much like our storehouse, does it?" Jeanpaused in her task, and, seating herself upon the summit of astep-ladder, scrutinized with satisfaction the transformationwrought by a myriad of college flags, sofa cushions, coloredshawls, and bunting.

  Roberta Keap dropped her hammer with an exclamation of pain.

  "Ouch!" she cried, "I've hurt my thumb. I can't hit where I lookwhen people are talking."

  "Why don't you pin them up?" queried Miss Blake, sweetly. "Ahammer is so dangerous."

  Mrs. Keap mumbled something, but her enunciation was indistinct,owing to the fact that her thumb was in her mouth. Helen finishedtying a bow of ribbon upon the leg of a stool, patted it intoproper form, then said:

  "It looks cheerful."

  "And restful," added Jean.

  "I think a gymnasium should be restful, above all things," agreedHelen. "Most of them are so bare and strenuous-looking they giveone a headache." She spied a Whiteley exerciser fastened againstthe wall, the one bit of gymnastic apparatus in the room. 'Oh,the puller!' she cried. "I mustn't forget the puller!" Sheselected a pink satin ribbon, and tied a chic bow upon one of thewooden handles. "There! We can let him in now."

  "Oh dear!" Jean descended from her precarious position andadmitted, "I'm tired out."

  All that morning the three had labored, busily transforming thestore-room into training-quarters for Speed, who had declaredthat such things were not only customary but necessary. To besure, it adjoined the bunk-room, where the cowboys slept, andthere were no gymnastic appliances to give it character, but itwas the only space available, and what it lacked in horizontalbars, dumb-bells, and Indian clubs it more than compensated forby a cosey-corner, a window-seat, and many cushions. Speed hadexpressed his delight with the idea, and agreed to wait for aglimpse of it.

  And the atmosphere at the Flying Heart Ranch was clearing. Thegloom of the cowboys had given way to a growing excitement, apart of which communicated itself to the occupants of the house.The lassitude of previous days was gone, the monotony haddisappeared, and Miss Chapin had cause to rejoice at the presenceof her latest guest, for Speed was like a tonic. He waseverywhere, he inspired them all, laughter followed in his wake.Even in the bunk-house the cowboys retailed his extravagantstories with delight. The Flying Heart had come into its own atlast; the Centipede, most scorned and hated of rivals, was duefor lasting defeat. Even Cloudy, the Indian, relaxed and spoke atrare intervals, while Willie worked about the place gleefully,singing snatches of _Sam Bass_ in a tuneless falsetto.Carara had come back from the Centipede with news that gladdenedthe hearts of his hearers: not only would that despicable outfitconsent to run a foot-race, but they clamored for it. They didnot dicker over details nor haggle about terms, but consented toput up the phonograph again, and all the money at their disposalas well. The cook was in training.

  Of all the denizens of the Flying Heart but two failed to enterfully into the spirit of the thing. Berkeley Fresno looked onwith a cynicism which he was too wise to display before MissBlake. Seeing the lady of his dreams monopolized by a rival,however, inspired him to sundry activities, and he spent much ofhis time among the cowboys, whom he found profitable to the pointof mystery.

  Mrs. Keap, the youthful chaperon, seemed likewise mastered bysome private trouble, and puzzled her companions vaguely. Helenreported that she did not sleep, and once Jean found her cryingsoftly. She seemed, moreover, to be apprehensive, in a tremulous,reasonless ways but when with friendly sympathy they brought thesubject up, she dismissed it. In spite of secret tears, she hadlent willing hands to the decoration of the gymnasium, and nownursed her swollen thumb with surprising good nature.

  "Shall we let them in?" she inquired. "We have done all we can."

  "Yes; we have finished."

  In a flutter of anticipation Jean and Helen put the final touchesto their task, while Mrs. Keap stepped to the door and calledSpeed.

  He came at once, followed by Larry Glass, who, upon grasping thescheme of decoration, smote his brow and balanced dizzily uponhis heels. Speed was lost in admiration.

  "Its wonderful!" ejaculated the young athlete. "Those collegeflags give it just the right touch. And see the cosey-corner!"

  Glass regained his voice sufficiently to murmur, sarcastically,"Say, ain't this a swell-looking drum?"

  "We've used every bit of bunting on the ranch," said Jean.

  "See the Mexican shawls!" Mrs. Keap added.

  "And look," cried Miss Blake, "I brought you my prayer-rug!" Shedisplayed a small Persian rug, worn and faded, evidently a thingof great age, at which Speed uttered an exclamation. "I alwayscarry it with me, and put it in front of my bed wherever I happento be."

  Berkeley Fresno, drawn by the irresistible magnetism of MissBlake's presence, wandered in and ran his eyes over the room.

  Speed took the rug and examined it curiously. "It's an old-timer,isn't it? Must be one of the first settlers."

  "Yes. It's thousands and thousands of years old. Father picked itup somewhere in Asia."

  "How does it work?" queried Glass, feeling of it gingerly.

  "It's a very holy thing," Helen explained. "The Mohammedan standson it facing the East and cries 'Allah!'"

  "Alley!" repeated the trainer. "No. Allah!"

  "'Allah' is the Mohammedan divinity," explained Speed.

  "I've got you." Glass was greatly interested.

  "Then he makes his prayer. It is such a sacred thing that whenone's feet are on it no harm can come to one."

  "Well, what d'you think of that?" murmured the trainer.

  Fresno laughed pleasantly. "It's too bad it isn't long enough torun this footrace on."

  "Do you believe in the charm?" inquired Speed of Helen.

  "Of course I do," she answered.

  He laughed sceptically, whereupon Larry Glass broke in with huskyaccents:

  "Nix on the comedy! I bet it's a wizard!"

  His employer gazed warmly at the owner of the priceless treasure,and, taking the rug tenderly, pressed his lips to it.

  Fresno shook his head in disgust; the brazen methods of thisperson were unbearable.

  "Why all the colors?" asked he. "You can sing best where there isa piano. I can train best under the shadow of college emblems. Iam a temperamental athlete."

  "You'll be a dead athlete if you don't beat this cook." TheCalifornian was angry.

  "Indeed!" exclaimed his rival, airily.

  "That's what I remarked. Did they tell you what happened to HumpyJoe, your predecessor?"

  "It must have been an accident, judging from his name." At whichMiss Blake tittered. She was growing to enjoy these passages atarms; they thrilled her vaguely.

  "The only accident connected with the affair was that Still Billand Willie didn't have their guns."

  Glass started nervously. "Did these rummies want to shoot him?"he inquired.

  "Certainly," said Fresno. "He lost a foot-race."

  In spite of his assurance, J. Wallingford Speed felt a tremor ofanxiety, but he laughed it off, saying: "One would think a foot-race in this country was a pearl necklace."

  "These cowboys ain't good losers, eh?" queried Glass.

  "It's win or die out here."

  During the ensuing pause Mrs. Keap took occasion to call Speedaside. "I have something to contribute to the training-quartersif you will help me bring it out," said she.

  The young man bowed. "Most gladly."

  "We'll be back in a little while," the chaperon announced to theothers, and a moment later, when she and Speed had reached theveranda of the house, she paused.

  "I--I want to speak to you," she began, hesitatingly. "It wasjust an excuse."

  Wally looked at her with concern, for it was plain that she wasdeeply troubled.

  "What is it?"

  "I have been trying to get a word alone with you ever since Iheard about this foot-race." The young man chilled withapprehension as Mrs. Keap turned her dark eyes upon himsearchingly.

&nb
sp; "Why do you want to run?"

  "To win back the cowboys' treasure. My heart is touched," hedeclared, boldly. Mrs. Keap smiled.

  "I believe the latter, but are you sure you can win?"

  "Abso-blooming-lutely."

  "I didn't know you were a sprinter."

  Speed shrugged his shoulders.

  "Have you had experience?"

  "Oceans of it!"

  Mrs. Keap mused for a moment. "Tell me," said she, finally, "atwhat intercollegiate game did you run last?"

  "I didn't run last; I ran first." It was impossible to resent theboy's smile.

  "Then at what game did you last run? I hope I'm not too curious?"

  "Oh no, not at all!" Speed stammered.

  "Or, if it is easier, at what college games did you first run?"Mrs. Keap was laughing openly now.

  "Why the clear, ringing, rippling laughter?" asked the young man,to cover his confusion.

  "Because I think it is very funny."

  "Oh, you do!" Speed took refuge behind an attitude of unbendingdignity, but the young widow would have none of it.

  "I know all about you," said she. "You are a very wonderfulperson, of course; you are a delightful fellow at a house-party,and a most suitable individual generally, but you are not anathlete, in spite of those beautiful clothes in your trunk."

  "Who told you?"

  "Culver Covington."

  "I didn't know you two were acquainted."

  Mrs. Keap flushed. "He told me all about you long ago. You wearall the athletic clothes, you know all the talk, you have triedto make the team a dozen times, but you are not even asubstitute. You are merely the Varsity cheer-leader. Culver callsyou 'the head-yeller.'"

  "Columbus has discovered our continent!" said Speed. "You are avery wise chaperon, and you must have a corking memory for names,but even a head-yeller is better than a glee-club quarter-back."He nodded toward the bunk-house, whence they had come. "Youhaven't told anybody?"

  "Not yet."

  "'Yet,'" he quoted. "The futurity implied in that word disturbsme. Suppose you and I keep it for a little secret? Secrets arevery delightful at house-parties."

  "Don't you consider your action deceitful?"

  "Not at all. My motto is 'We strive to please.'"

  "Think of Helen."

  "That's it; I can't think of anything else! She's mad aboutathletics, and I had to do something to stand off this weight-lifting tenor."

  "Is it any wonder a woman distrusts every man she meets?" musedthe chaperon. "Helen might forgive you, I couldn't."

  "Oh, it's not that bad. I know what I'm doing."

  "You will cause these cowboys to lose a lot more money."

  "Not at all. When Culver arrives--"

  "Oh, that is what I want to talk over with you," Mrs. Keap brokein, nervously.

  "Then it isn't about the foot-race? You are not angry?" Speedbrightened amazingly.

  "I'm not exactly angry; I'm surprised and grieved. Of course, Ican't forgive deceit--I dare say I am more particular than mostpeople."

  "But you won't tell?" Mrs. Keap indicated in some subtle mannerthat she was not above making terms, whereupon her companiondeclared, warmly: "I'm yours for life! Ask me for my watch, myright eye, anything! I'll give it to you!"

  "I assure you I sha'n't ask anything so important as that, but I_shall_ ask a favor."

  "Name it and it is yours!" Speed wrung the hand she offered.

  "And perhaps I can do more than keep silent--although I don't seewhat good it will do. Perhaps I can help your suit."

  "Gracious lady, all I ask is that you thrust out your foot andtrip up Berkeley Fresno whenever he starts toward her. Put himout of the play, and I shall be the happiest man in the world."

  "Agreed."

  "Now, in what way can I serve you?"

  Mrs. Keap became embarrassed, while the same shadowy trouble thathad been observed of late settled upon her.

  "I simply hate to ask it," she said, "but I suppose I must. Thereseems to be no other way out of it." Turning to him suddenly, shesaid, in a low, intense voice: "I--I'm in trouble, Mr. Speed,such dreadful trouble!"

  "Oh, I'm so sorry!" he answered her, with genuine solicitude."You needn't have made any conditions. I would have done anythingI could for you."

  "That's very kind, for I don't like our air of conspiracy, but"--Mrs. Keap was wringing her slender hands--"I just can't tell thegirls. You--you can help me."

  Speed allowed her time to grow calm, when she continued:

  "I--I am engaged to be married."

  "Felicitations!"

  "Not at all," said the young widow, wretchedly. "That is theawful part of it. I am engaged to _two_ men!" She turned herbrown eyes full upon him; they were strained and tragic.

  Speed felt himself impelled to laugh immoderately, but instead heobserved, in a tone to relieve her anxiety:

  "Nothing unusual in that; it has been done before. Even I havebeen prodigal with my affections. What can I do to relieve thecongestion?"

  "Please don't make light of it. It means so much to me. I--I'm inlove with Jack Chapin."

  "With Jack!"

  "Yes. When I came here I thought I cared for somebody else. Why,I wanted to come here just because I knew that--that somebodyelse had been invited too, and we could be together."

  "And he couldn't come--"

  "Wait! And then, when I got here, I met Jack Chapin. That wasless than a week ago, and yet in that short time I have learnedthat he is the only man I can ever love--the one man in all theworld."

  "And you can't accept because you have a previous engagement. Isee! Jove! It's quite dramatic. But I don't see why you are soexcited? If the other chap isn't coming--"

  "But he is! That is what makes it so dreadful! If those two menshould meet"--Mrs. Keap buried her face in her hands andshuddered--"there would be a tragedy, they are both sofrightfully jealous." She began to tremble, and Speed laid acomforting hand upon her shoulder.

  "I think you must be exciting yourself unduly," said he, "Jean'sother friends didn't come. There's nobody due now but Culver Cov--"

  "That's who it is!" Roberta raised her pallid face as the youngman fell back.

  "Culver! Great Scott! Why, he's engaged--"

  "What!"

  "Nothing! I--I--" Speed paused, at an utter loss for words. "Yousee, he'll discover the truth."

  "Does he know you are here?"

  "No. I intended to surprise him. I was jealous. I couldn't bearto think of his being here with other girls--men are sodeceitful! That's why I consented to act as chaperon to Helen.And now to think that I should have met my fate in Jack Chapin!"

  "I see. You want me to break the news to Culver."

  "No! no!" Mrs. Keap was aghast. "If he even suspected the truthhe'd become a raging lion. Oh, I've been quite distracted eversince Jack left!"

  "Well, what am I to do? You must have some part laid out for me?"

  "I have. A desperate situation demands a desperate remedy. I'velost all conscience. That's why I agreed to protect you if you'dprotect me."

  "Go ahead."

  "Culver is your friend."

  "We're closer than a chord in G."

  "Then you must wire him--"

  "I have--"

  "--not to come."

  "What!" J. Wallingford Speed started as if a wasp had stung him.

  "You must wire him at once not to come. I don't care what excuseyou give, but stop him. _Stop_ him!"

  Speed reached for a pillar; he felt that the porch was spinningslowly beneath his feet.

  "Oh, see here, now! I can't do that!"

  "You promised!" cried Mrs. Keap, fiercely. "I have tried to thinkof something to tell him, but I'm too frightened."

  "Yes, but--but I--want him here--for this foot-race." Wallyswallowed bravely.

  "Foot-race!" stormed the widow, indignantly. "Would you allow aninsignificant thing like a foot-race to wreck a human life? Twohuman lives? _Three?_"

  "Can't you--wire him?"

/>   Mrs. Keap stamped her foot. "If he dreamed I was here he wouldhire a special train. No! It must come from you. You are his bestfriend."

  "What can I say?" demanded the bewildered Speed, unhappily. "Idon't care what you say, I don't care what you do--only do_something_, and do it quickly before he has time to leaveChicago." Then sensing the hesitation in her companion's face:"Or perhaps you prefer to have Helen know the deceit you havepracticed upon her? And I fancy these cowboys would resent thejoke, don't you? What do you think would happen if theydiscovered their champion to be merely a cheerleader with atrunkful of new clothes, who can't do a single out-door sport--not one!"

  "Wait!" Speed mopped his brow with a red-and-blue silkhandkerchief. "I'll do my best."

  "Then I shall do my part." And Mrs. Keap, who could not beardeception, turned and went indoors while J. Wallingford Speed, aprey to sundry misgivings, stumbled down the steps, his head in awhirl.