Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1897-04-22

he only cOlSeHteu w Wv
joined in.
II was in the grey OF the morning, a.
ne was starting, that she caught IL"
moments' conversation with him, leaV
Jog a slip Of paper ana another piece
:, money in his rough palm as she
ost, nsibly, shook hands at parting.
Mr. Lester drove Mr. Kingsman bacF
TO the station the following day, ahe
,.u.s Of their conversation rar
thus.
"No sir. I'd rather see her In hel
grave than the wife Of Clark Mcheh
drie."
| mot such bad fellow when kne"
him"
"rhat amt it, Lester; he ain such
a bad fellow now, only he's beat me IN
one thing and It's my turn now. WhR
honor was there in his running against
me--tbe father OF the girl he was eX-
pecting to marry, running to beat too?
Tell me that II you can! You see, IL
wasn't fair anyhow. He knew should
receive the nomination on our ticket;
but he made excuse that, as their con-
yention came off first, VI was all right
for him to accept on the other ticket;
and then claimed that he was in duty
bound to make the best canvass pos
sibe. Well, It's over now and he has
the Office and | have the girl. See''
ard Mr.. kingsman rubbed his sloved
hands gleefully and triumphantly to-
gether.
but you can't do it, Kingsmdn,
Young folks are not 50 different now
from what they were when we were
young. When | was counting Lou
paternal opposition would have only
whetted my zeal; the same In your
case, no doubt. But ] owe you debt
Of gratitude and II | can serve you at
this time by extending our rude hos
pitality to your daughter, am, as ]
said In my letter, only to glad OF the
chance. She's pretty safe from him
here"
And you will send me all cores
pondencein ease there Is any. Don't
be squeamish -al's fair In love and
politics, He's had his innings; now
it's my turn.
Il hate to NEEDLE with letters, but
since ! am pledged to help you, | sup
pose | must obey orders. | hope he
won't get track of her"
IL don't think she really cares fC'
him anyway" Kingsman went on, with
out needing his companions remark,
IT'S only girlIsh fancy, but Crete Is
n sensible girl and | nm delighted to
leave her In such good spirits. Indeed
the Honorable will find out that there
are two Of us In the game and that
the game amt played out yet" The
gentleman was speaking more pro-
phetIcally than he knew.
The Lester home was an unpre-
tending one four miles from the station
and six miles from other neighbors-
way out on the prairie" The family
consisted Of Mr. and Mrs. Lester, the
latter's aged parents and an adopted
chld--not exactly the place a pretty
young society girl would choose to
spend the winter months; hut the truth
was Crete had been deceived. Worn
ont with hearing her father storm
about her lover and seeing no other
way to pacify him, she had consented,
one evening, to obey him and Ego to
the Testers for the winter" He rep
resented the place as "a charming
rural home near the town" EARLY the
following morning he had announced
that they would start ON the noon train,
and start they did, without n word of
bted-by or explanation to any one. 1t
was lust when picking up" to so that
she accidentally came across letter
nom Mr., Lester, aud seeing her own
meme, read 1t through Here was a
revelation, but shutting her lips tightly
she made no sign
II was heautI'n .ay some tire,
weeks later. The air was balmy, iac
sunlight dazzling and the sleigh'nq
simply perfect. After dinner Mrs. |. -
ter asked Crete to 90 with her to the
station--she wanted some calicoes; and
soon they were Swimming along after
Gen. Custer, Mrs. Testers high spirited
pony.
Spose you'll have to keep an eye
ON her MI Lester had said to his wife
though be blamed II understand
her Indifference. She don't act as II
she knew there Is a world outside
Maybe she wasn't 80 set on McKendrie
MS her father thought He Is politics
crazy any how. Don't ask her in time
for her to write Il letter"
"She does not seem given to letter
writing; has not he'd one mailed since
she's been here"
Queerl
Crete seemed to enjoy the ride. but
showed no desire to escape the eye o
her Keeper as she mentally styled he,
hostess. After the shopping they callet
ON an acquaintance of Mrs. Testers
staying longer than they intended
When they came to start the beauty o
the day was dead Crete could see tn,
grayness and feel the change in the air
but did not In the least comprehen,
I Mrs l.pStcr'S unnosinpSs