But nearly everybody in the grand stand knew that Bannister had
been discriminated against because of his unpopularity. The
judges were not local men, and had nothing to fear from the
outlaw. Therefore they penalized him on account of his
reputation. It would never do for the Associated Press dispatches
to send word all over the East that a murderous desperado was
permitted, unmolested, to walk away with the championship belt.
"It ain't a square deal," declared McWilliams promptly.
He was sitting beside Nora, and he turned round to express his
opinion to the two sitting behind him in the box.
"We'll not go behind the returns. Y'u won fairly. I congratulate
y'u, Mr. Champion-of-the-world," replied the sheepman, shaking
hands cordially.
"I told you to bring that belt to the Lazy D," smiled his
mistress, as she shook hands.
But in her heart she was crying out that it was an outrage.
CHAPTER 15. JUDD MORGAN PASSES
Gimlet Butte devoted the night of the Fourth to a high old time.
The roping and the other sports were to be on the morrow, and
meanwhile the night hours were filled with exuberance. The
cowboy's spree comes only once in several months, but when it
does come he enters into the occasion with such whole-hearted
enthusiasm as to make up swiftly for lost time.
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