The Pioche weekly record. [volume] (Pioche, Nev.) 1877-1900, 1897-04-08
Dads HdrklnS' W6ddlDO
By VIOLA R0sEB0R0.
Copyright, 1895, by American Press Associa
ffon I

Overtonia was a new coal mining town
built on the foundation Of an old noun
tain village
When the white front gate clicked
and the thin bent figure of the coal
company's president came slowly up the
walk. everybody on the gallery shifted
position a little as an unconscious ex-
preston of Difference, and as the dignita-
~ drew nearer the two young men Of
the party rose to their feet, but though
the apparent difficulty Of his movement
might have seemed to sanction such a
courtesy they did not offer him an arm
up the steps. They well knew that the
colonel would not appreciate such at
tention. The colonels clean shaven
dark face wore an odd characteristic ex-
preston, because his brows were knit,
and his lips and keen blue eyes were
family and quizzically smiling. When
he reached the top of the steps, he lift
ed his broad soft hat to the ladies and
took look at everybody. I've got some
news for you. he said.
''L-w, pawW
Colonel, you' a godsend.
''Tell us, quick.
The replies to this beneficent state
ment tumbled over each other
You're all invited to party, " said
the colonel, seating himself slowly in
the shock bottom chair negro girl
placed for him in front of the rest of the
party. The excitement of the ladies,
young and old, rose to dramatic heights,
and even the young men could not pre-
vent their countenances frightening. A
pretty, crinkly headed, brown hued girl,
all ribbons and bangles, fell upon the
colonel bodily.
Jaw, paw" she cried again, tell
us, is it over at the Alpine House?''
more likely it'sdown at thecollege,
said another lady.
''Tell us, colonel" said one of the
young men, with an effort at insouci-
ance.
Charley" said the colonel to his
daughter, who, despite her failure to be
boy, had been named for himself, get
away from my lame shoulder. Sit down,
and III tell you all about it. Ireckon
none of you guess in month.
The suspense intensified and in several
minds became Swallowed with doubt as
to whether anything SO inconceivable
could be desirable.
Art Harkins has girl who is going
to get married Wednesday night He's
going to give her big wedding and
invites everybody in the house to-
The colonel got no further. A shrill
vocal storm broke over his head, and he
tilted his chair back against wooden
pillar and waited for it to subside.
All his audience were sufficiently in
terested and informed in the affairs of
the mine to know that just now an in
vitation from Art Harkins resembled in
one way similar attention from royal
ty. 1t had the force of command. Art
Harkins was mountaineer who could
not read nor write, but who, by astute-
ness, energy, and, as was generally be-
lieved cunning unscrupulousness, had
actually contrived to get rich, rich not
merely for mountaineer, but rich even
in the opinion of the impressive, imagi.
native and influential bankrupts who
formed the majority Of the mining COM
company and large stock owner, and
all the women i'll the hotel knew that fol
weeks their various masculine relative!
had been hanging in midair in some in
comprehensive but terribly real bust
ness uncertainty, from which only Ar
Harkins could deliver them. And nov
this homespun diplomat invited them t.
axroddinu ,,ortxI Tho eyro,,y, on tho co
lery grew so vocal that feminine re-en
forcements hurried out of the house t
see what was the matter. Under the cir
cumstances, after little bewilderet
wavering, it was soon agreed that MOTH
ing could be more amusing, more fun
more novel and generally delightful
than to go to Dade Harkins' wedding.
"And then" said Mrs. Peytee, IN
one but ourselves, no one that matters,
mean, need know anything about it
'Tisn't as if we were over at the Alpin
House and had to explain things som
way to half the gulf states. -
Mrs. Peytee was a round little bru
nette widow who was often called 'ver
taking She was cousin of Charlie
Overman's, through Charley's mother
side of the house, and in a very easy &C
ing way, which was all the way the
knew, she was chaperoning the girl. Sc
cially she shone the more for her cor
nection with the Overmans.
The colonel was considered an impol
tant man throughout the state, ant
moreover, he was counted charming, g
fine conversational and a good speal
er." In her heart of hearts Mrs. Peyte
had come to the conclusion that it wa
most desirable that he should marry
good wife, have somebody better than
giddy slip of girl to take care of hii
and let somebody get the good of til
distinguished position awaiting hi
wife, Mrs. Peytee had faith in the fl
ture of the mines, and she liked the cole
mel
Several ladies among the summer CO
onists at Overtonia OWNED the exis
ence of these views in Mrs. Peytee
mind-by the power of kindred symp'
thies perhaps-although she had new,
confded in them. Charley, howeve
was unsuspicious. Just now she was d
voting all the thought she gave the SUI
jects of love and marriage to their mo-
important aspects as connected wit
herself She was in love with one
the young men on the gallery. and !
was in love with her.
His name was Harry Williams, an
he was the son of another member
the mining company. Itwas q desirab
and suitable thing that these two shoul
marry, and as nobody had the least o
lection or threw the slightest obstac
in the way of their courtship, but, {