Under Handicap

Book Excerpt: ...to him to spread over everything."I say, Greek," Roger was insisting, sufficiently interested to sit up straight, his cigarette dangling from his lip, "that little country girl, dressed like a wild Indian, is pretty enough to be the belle of the season! What do you think?"Conniston laughed carelessly."You're an impressionable young thing, Hapgood.""Am I?" grunted Roger. "Just the same, I know a fine-looking woman when I clap my bright eyes on her. And I'd like to camp on her trail as long as the sun shines! Say"--his voice half losing its eternal drawl--"who do you suppose she is? Her old man might own about a million acres of this God-forsaken country. If she goes on through to 'Frisco--""You wouldn't be strong for stopping off out here?" the fat man put in genially. Hapgood shuddered. And to Greek Conniston there came a sudden inspiration."Anyway," Roger Hapgood went on in his customary drawl, "I'm going to find out. It's little Roger to learn somethin...