Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1902-06-17

Ii1aGIER Nl-keever learns of pres
once OF Miss NlanGingham and friend. He
Is Tor having them arrested and held as
hostages. but Herbert says he will take
care Of them and warns Keever not to dis
turb them.
CHAPTER VI-Continued.)
VI am not only protecting my own
honor, Herbert" he said coldly, "but
the honor of our town as well. Your
1900 lots share in the general igno-
miny, and it is your duty to stand by
me in this little affair. Do / still I'M
derstand you to say that you won ?'
"You do. want fair and square
fight for the county seat and l don't
approve of any coarse or gratuitous
filings like that of the weathervane.
Claptrap of that kind merely intense
fies the hostile feeling which is already
too bitter and yengeful. 1t is only a
warfare and bloodshed. Twas in grave
peril, last night"
II was going to ask you about that"
broke in the Colonel, curiosity for the
moment overcoming his resentment.
@4ou succeeded in getting in?"
Yes; and succeeded in getting out
again and saving myself rough ex-
perience only through the magnanim-
ity of Mr.. Vlandingham.''
"Vlandingham is knave, sir!''
Mr.. Vlandingham is gentleman,
Col. Keeyer!"
He couldn't come of the stock he
does and be gentleman
''Rot!'' exclaimed Guy disgustedly.
''We won't quarrel, Herbert; it won't
do for us to quarrel. Did you discover
anything at the meeting?"
Nothing of any consequence"
At that moment the office door
opened and man who looked like a
day laborer came into the room. He
had a shifty eye, and unrazored face
and wore red and sweat-stained shirt.
His hands were big and scanned with
toll
"Who are you, sir?" demanded the
Colonel.
my names Hepburn" replied the
man, rolling his eyes from the Colonel
to Guy, and then about the room. Cup
to yesterday was worlsin' on the sec
ton at Harmony. But got fred yes
terday mornin'."
"Ah, hal" returned the Colonel,
blinking. Here was "a deserter from
the enemy, man with grievance.
'What do you want, Mr.. Hepburn"
II suppose I can talk before him all
right" answered Hepburn, nodding his
head in Guys direction. "He was the
chap that got out of Harmony last
night by the skin of his teeth"
Certainly you can talk before him. -
said the Colonel.
IS there anyone else to hear us? ~
Hepburn's gaze continued to travel
around the sanctum, and his face be.
came anxious.
"There's no one else to hear u.s.
answered the Colonel impatiently
Proceed, sir; proceed"
swell, then l want to sell some in.
formation"
what is it about?" queried the
Colonel, warily.
About Harmony"
whats it worth?"
TITS worth hundreds to you, mebby
thousands, and mcbby it means the
county seat don't know. / want $2(
for the information. Got to have
money to get to jimtown. Amt never
going back to Harmony no more"
The Colonel laid his cane on top Of
his desk, reno I'd his hat and placed
it carefully hcf the cane, and the1
began to rub Ii ,ands.
what do you -" asked Hepburn
The Colonel looked toward Guy al
though expecting him to foot the bill
81 say No. said Guy. "Idon't wan
your information, Mr.. Hepburn, "ant
decline to hand over the price of YOU
treachery."
Hepburn appeared startled and TIL,
Colonel's jaw dropped spasmodically.
"Are you mad?" spluttered Keever
LET me tell you, sir, that if you tr,
to run this county seat fight according
to any Sunday-school notions we'll b
beaten hands down.
'All right" returned Guy cheerfully
"It's not all right, sir" cried tn
Colonel. "Yop with your 1900 lots ar
not the only man interested. Their
are others. In behalf of the others
he drew bill from his pocket an
handed it to Hepburn-"I shall pa
Mr.. Hepburn the price of his treacf
cry, if you please"
''Then look to it that the none
doesn't come out of the Townsit
fund.-" warned Guy.
Col. Keever held his head very hig
and refused to take any notice of thes
words. 4;
go on said he TO Hepburn. 81