The enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 188?-1899, 1889-01-23

"What do they telli' Allen asked.
"They say as how yer gwine back on me
an, pwine to support Tom Simmons"
"Who told you, Mr.. Strongt
Lots o. people"
Allen was writing. He stopped long
enough, however, to say that lots OF people
were either mistaken or knowingly per-
verting the truth, and then continued 70
write
s'I tell yc, if | kin jist git Tom Simmons
of the track I'll be the next sheriff, sho' as
yer bawn."
"Do you think Tom Simmons is candi-
date for sherih"
"O' course do.n
~ don't believe it,"
81 know it, said Mr.. Strong, hotly vi
he isn't candidate, why is he loafin about
here all the time, an why's he always
dodgin' me on the streetl"
81 know now that he will not be your OPP
ponent: but YOU seem to be again troubled
with doubts as TO my sincerity in support
ing you"
avail, Mister Gray, must say thar's
somethn' kinder queer in yer actions, that's
all. You an that ar feller are alters collogin'
together fur somethin'."
"Now, Mr.. Strong, am going to do what
I would under no ordinary circumstances
begin to do. II YOU will enter into an agree
ment with forfeit of one thousand dollars
TO run for sheriff, will enter into bond IN
the sum of one thousand dollars to support
you"
Mr.. Strong at once saw that he had every
thing on his side He intended to run for
sheriff without any contract or obligation,
and by this one sweep he was sure he would
have the editor safe, and be sure TO beat the
man whom he despsed. Allen had prepared
an article somewhat similar to that when
Simmons had signed, and now presented
to Strong for his signature
MIR. Strong was delighted to sign 1t, and
left the Office cluckling at the assurance
that he had for once proven too shrewd Tor
Simmons.
Allen bowed his head in his hands and
his thoughts reverted, as they invariably
' did. when not pressed with politicians or
poets, 10 that beautiful being in the mys-
y terious old rock house. Ever before hin,
as II gazing from out some mist-like cloud,
: seemed to appear that sad but bewitching
. face in such mute appeal that his heart was
u always heavy. Those sad blue eyes seemed
II always gazing fondly into his.
% "Oh Bertha Bertha, how is all this 10
~ endr' he gasped.
"Copy,i cried Toby, at the sanctum door
~ The demand brought him back 70 the
!, stern realities Of life, and he set TO work
y, driving his pencil at furious rate, dashed
n. of something and handed it in,
mr. "a man in my frame OF mind is not ft t
hi edit paper"
sv Before his mind had had time 10 again re
nj vert 10 the painful subject on which !
NJ. seemed TO love TO dwell, the door opene'
N. and broad -shouldered countryman stalke'
IN unbidden into the room. Allen looked u
". and before him stood towering giant
nr whose face was dark with wrath.
Id "Are YOU the Teller what runs this she
in banolu the modern Hercules demanded.
to 81 am"
"Tren take that fur meddlesome liar,
ed cried the stranger, aiming q olow at Aiiei
,se which he successfully parried. The editc
err, now thanked his stars that in his moi
lir vouthful days he had not neglected u
manly art Of boxing. Though no match
ing strength for this rural giant, his skill mac
him more than his equal.
sp, For several moments Allen had all
could do TO parry those sledge-namiml'
OF blows, which fell thick and fast upon MI
un- But at last he got in welldirected oo
ere from the shoulder, which staggered U
the stranger. This gave him decided 2
vantage over his antagonist. In mi
ons utes time the stranger was down III
ose corner of tho office, yelling murder, VIII
etic the man whom he had assaulted was
laboring him with telling blows.
'ey' Ike Hatchett ran into the sanctum, ar
assisted by Toby, got the men separated
oao "What does this mean" Ike asked.
Allen answering that he did not kno
the stranger struggled to his feet, gro'
,o,. ing:
,,. the paper bout me fur!"
"What piecei have no recollection
,sr, having ever seen you until now' answer
Allen.
ali WBut We lied about me. Ye said stol
corn-knife, an warn't agoin' TO stand
It was George Leeper who sol ye on me
AS soon as the editor could be made TO
derstand what particular article had gi'
offense, he explained that Leeper nad
sured him that the whole thing was q ha
less joke.
q Harmless Joke, thunderationw grow
. uerrin. wiping the blood from his Il
"Accuse feller o. stealin', an then
it's all harmless joke"
Allen, realizing that he had wounded
feelings as well as the head OF the coun
man. promised scathing retraction In
next ISSUE and while he was still mari
under the misrepresentation made
Leeper, sat down and wrote the article
ntly, was much stronger in his denunciatlo
Lecper than he would have written ha'
hinll given the matter sober second thou
D un- but he handed It to Ike, who put II IN
while Herrin subscribed, toread the RAJ
with the paper would give the man he hated
will Allen had allowed himself TO get COZ
erably behind with his work, and he 81
his desk late that night, long sier
printers had gone home.
- His lamp burned dimly, and he Il
II those superstitious horrors with more
1 usual force creeping over him he 10
against the terrible feeling, but all in
"a He grew nervous and started at thes
SlJ est sound.
- When he heard a tmid knock at the
n his heart thumped wildly. he rose
y "a feet and, trembling violently IN every
K went to the door and opened It, Befor'
-H>l stood a woman.
- She entered quickly, closing the
after her, and, her vail thrown asld
yealed the white face Of bertha, mo 81
7 girl Of he mysterioi" house on NE hia
CHAPTER M.
n A STRANGE REQUEST.
al For a moment Allen Gray stood dumt
o,no,onent He could hardly believe