Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1902-06-27
His Friend, The Enemy
BY WILLIAM WALLACE COOK,
Authof Of Rogers 'Ths Spur Of Necessity
Mr. Fitt, Astrolossr," etc.
tcopyrlsh., 1901, b. tho 9. 4 Mcclure CO..


now standing with his eyes fixed on the
door. The next moment he stepped
back into the hall, pulled the door shut
/ and all could see that there was letter
fastened to one of the panels with a
pin. The crowd surged forward
eagerly. :
"'For that arch-conspirator, Keev-
er, with the compliments of Col. Din
gle,'" read Mr.. Glimmer as he jerked
the note from the door and handed II
to the Colonel.
"Read it, Colonel" chorused the
crowd, palpitating with curiosity.
The Colonel tore off the end of the
envelope and drew out the inclosed
sheet. His eyes flashed fire as he
swept over the few lines the note con-
tanned, his face became convulsed with
I.passion and his breast shook with his
labored breathing.
"Read it, read it!" clamored the by
ISLANDERS.
mol" roared the Colonel. "This is
for me alone, for me. 1 have borne
with this contemplate cur beyond en-
durance. The villain! The rascal!
Let him look to himself now if he
cant"
The Colonel spun about on his heel
and made off ragefully as fast as he
was able. Sampson shot after him
and then the crowd disintegrated by
twos and threes and drifted in the d.
rection of the post Office, discussing
the exciting events of the morning
and asking each other what that note
could possibly have contained to set
the Colonel off at such tangent.
A favorable moment presenting
| itself, Guy drew Pedro into the par
lor on the second floor.
"Those two Sisters of Charity are
staying in this hotel, aren't they, Mr..
smith,?" asked the young man.
"Yes," replied Pedro.
where did they come from? Do
you know"
81 don't know thing about them.
They haven't spoken half a dozen
words to me-"
Have you made any guess as to
what they are here for?"
Some charity or other, I suppose"
.Please ask them to come to this
parlor. Tell them that gentleman
who is charitably disposed would like
q short interview with them"
Pedro's eyes opened wide as he went
away to carry out Guys, request.
Presently there was rustic of gar
ments along the hall and the two la
dies, still deeply yelled, entered the
parlor. Guy bowed. They acknowl-
edged the greeting with slight
courtesy. Pedro was standing in the
| door.
81 will join you in the Office in,
few moments, Mr.. Smith," said Guy,
significantly, and Pedro went away
disappaintedly.
The young man waited until he
heard the proprietor's footsteps de-
scend the length of the stairs and
then advanced to one of the ladies and
handed her the chain which he had
found n short time before.
You must have the clasp repaired,
Miss Vlandingham," he said, in low
tone.
Both ladies' started back instructive
ly; and then a low laugh came from
Miss Betty as she switched her veil
aside and revealed her smiling face.
you are very kind, Mr.. Herbert"
said she, taking the bracelet. She
turned to her companion. "Lois, this
is the gentleman of whom was tell
ing you. We are discovered, you see,
In spite of all our precautions, and
that proves that the best laid plans
OF mice and maids gang aft agley. Mr..
Herbert, Miss Pinkney."'
Miss Pinkney was treasured by her
companions confident manner and
likewise dropped her veil She was .
darkly beautiful girl and, although
she seemed tribe frightened, her
gaze was steady and her lips were
rigidly firm. She bowed formally.
''Miss Pinkney," resumed Miss Bet
| ty, 'is very dear friend of mine,
and quite as determined to assist in
winning the county seat as lam"
4You have both been very reckless"
said Guy, gravely. 'The citizens Of
Concord are exceedingly wrought up
over the events of the morning, and
trembls to think of your position II
you CHANGED to be discovered"
"We shall not be discovered" an
swered Miss Betty, pertly. "That is,
not unless you see fit to reveal our
identity" :;
s'You know I would not do that"
retorted Guy, Indignantly
i "But we are hero in the interests Of
HARMONY vo,, knov0 !,
IT have no doubt Of that"
i ''It would be to your interest to have
~ apprehended and-and made pris-
I cners."
E Miss Lois paled and flashed star
tied glance at her companion.
II would rather have Concord lose
the county seat said Guy.
Miss Betty fixed her melting blue
eyes upon him Cor q space.
Concord will be ruined when Har-
mony gets the county seat, 'oshe went
on. IT suppose, however, that you are
very wealthy and would conaider as 9
more bagatelle the depreciation in
value of a thousand or more Iots.''
Guy started to tell her that he had
hardly q dollar He could call hih own
outside Of the town. but he BIT hi
Zip and kept the words back. 70
.'Miss Vlandingham.. he said, In
stead, ..yop and Miss Pinkney must
return at once tn Harmony. I swill