Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1902-05-30

of mice and maids gang aft agley. Mr..
Herbert. Miss Pinkney."
Miss Pinkney was treasured by her
compan mons confident manner and
likewise dropped her veil She was a
darkly beautiful girl and, although
she seemed trife frightened, her
gaze was steady and her lips were
rigidly firm. She bowed formally.
Miss Pinkney," resumed Miss Bet
and quite as determined 10 assist in
winning the county seat as am"
you have both been very reckless"
said Guy, gravely. THE citizens Of
Concord are exceedingly wrought up
over the events of the morning, and
/ tremble TO think Of your position il
you CHANGED TO be discovered"
1--WE shall not be discovered" an
swered Miss Betty, pertly. THAT is,
not unless you see fit TO reveal our
identity"
You know I would not do that"
retorted Guy, Indignantly.
"But we are here in the interests OF
Harmony, you know"
81 have no doubt OF that"
at would be 10 your interest 10 have
us apprehended and-and made pris-
oners."
Miss Lois paled and flashed a star
tied glance at her companion.
81 would rather have Concord lose
the county seat" said Guy.
las IL
for space.
Concord will be ruined when Har-
mony gets the county seat" she went
on. 81 suppose, however, that you are
very wealthy and would consider as
mere bagatelle the depreciation In
value of thousand or more lots"
Guy started TO tell her that he had
hardly a dollar he could call his own,
outside of the town, but he bit his
lip and kept the words back.
Miss Nlandingham," he said, in
stead, you and Miss Pinkney must
return at once TO Harmony. l will
get a conveyance and drive you back"
Not for worlds would | allow you
10 do that, II the Concord people ever
found out what you had done they
would turn against you"
I'll chance it,"
perhaps you would, but we won't"
Miss Betty tossed her head.
Guy was desperate.
Really, Miss Vlandingham," he said,
earnestly, 81 must insist that you let
me drive you back 10 Harmony"
Really" exclaimed Miss Betty,
laughing at him with her eyes. We'll,
sir. we insist on staying here until we
accomplish the work that brought us.
You will not deport US against our
will?"
You are pair of madcaps!"
averred Guy helplessly. IF you came
over here 10 assist Col. Dingle-"
eve did not come for that" she in
terrupted, hastily. II am sorry you
have such a poor opinion Of us as TO
think we would bear hand in such
matter. Had I been informed of Col.
Dingle's purpose he would never have
come here this morning"
Yet found vour bracelet close 10
the room from which Col. Dingle es-
capped"
I'VE are quartered across the hall
After Col. Dingle got into such
predicament we could do no less
than help him. out Of it, While YOU
and your fellow townsmen were
wrangling in the Office, l left by n
rear stairway and rear door and
had the liveryman saddle and make
ready the horse you rode over from
Harmony last night. The animal
was hitched near the building you
propose 10 use for courthouse.
When Col. Dingle escaped from the
room the coast was comparatively
clear, as nearly all the inhabitants
were at the hotel. For that reason
he had no difficulty in getting away.
In my haste lost my bracelet and
did not discover that ii was gone I'M
til the angry citizens came focking
up the stairs. Then, Of course, il
was too late 10 recover il. l am
very much obliged 20 you, Mr.. Her
bert, for proceeding so secretly in
the matter. You had seen that
bracelet before and you knew who
the owner OF IL must be, so you had
only TO raise your voice and direct
the whole pack against us. We're
grateful, aren't we, Lois?"
Very" said Miss PinLney in
constrained voice.
you are under no obligation TO
me-" returned Guy. "The account IS
more than balanced by your kind
ness of last night. Miss Vlanding-
ham"
At this juncture Guy heard some
one coming up the stairs three steps
at time.
Quick" he murmured; replace
your wells"
Miss Pinkney's hands trembled as
she once more folded the gray cow
ering across her face. But there was
no trace of alarm in the actions of
Miss Betty. She was as cool and
naoSaoSod nc though nracidiprv