Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1902-07-01
shall be a financial wreck and Will
have to hunt around for somebody who


wants bookkeeper. Have . little rea-
son, Pettibone," Guy implored, casting
a hasty glance in the direction of the
ladies and noting that Miss Vlanding-
ham was standing up in the buggy and
looking around perple1edly. "If don't
go out pretty soon they'll think I'm
not coming. Stay here and keep quiet
and TIL give you block, Of lots"
you can't bride me-" answered Pet
tibone; "and you can't go out there
either"
The steely flash shot into Guys eyes
and the lines frightened at the corners
of his mouth.
"You refuse to let me pass?" he de-
manded, as Pcttibone stepped in front
of him.
81 certainly do. Everybody in Con-
cord wanted you locked up, because,
as they said, you were running tho
/ chances of the town with your CAD
ding about. But I says: No. He's O
young gentleman says I, and pair
of blue eyes have fascination for
him. says. I'll take him in tow and
watch him. says, and see to it that
he doesn't communicate with the en-.
envy, with that particular enemy !
says, any more Now, that's what
/ done, Herbert, and here you are,
first jump out of the box, trying to
get me into trouble. You don't go
out there, tell you fiat"
"And l tell you that 1 am going"
answered Guy, vehemently.
He made spring to the left with
the intention of darting past the
sheriff; but the latter was fully as
quick and threw himself sideways,
catching Guys arm and clinging to
him like a leech. Painting, the two
stood for second and gazed at each
other.
II don't wish to hurt you, Petit
bone" said Guy, in terse tone, "but
l assure you l am going out to talk
with Miss Vlandingham. I'll do moth
ing treasonable, I promise you that.
Won't you take the word of a gentle
man?"
I'm not taking anybody's word
just now" was Pettibone's obstinate
rejoinder. Here you are and here
you'll stay"
Then look out for yourself"
With these words Guy closed with
the sheriff The young man had a
splendid muscular development;
which his appearance in a measure
belied He was likewise the possessor
of a fair amount of fstic science and
wrestling skill which his quiet de
meanor and modest bearing were far
from suggesting. A knowledge of all
this was quickly made manifest to
Pcttibone and the realization that he
had met more than his match was
about the last tangible thought he
had for several minutes. In twink
ling he was neatly thrown, and, in
falling, his head came in contact with
tree root, SO that he was stunned
and his hold on Guy relaxed. After
contracting strongly. his limbs were
flung out with q jerk and he closed
his eyes and lay motionless.
F Guy was alarmed at first, but when
he had pressed the tips of his fingers
through Pettibone's thick hair, and
felt the skull at the point where it
had come in contact with the root,
his apprehension vanished There
was nothing to worry over and the
sheriff would be himself again very
shortly. Removing Petitioners coat.
Guy wrapped it up compactly and
placed 1t under his head; then he
hurried to the buggy, and secured tho
halter rope that was under the seat
Coming back, he tied the sheritf's
hands behind HIM with one end of the
halter and secured the other end
about the tree beside whose trunk the
sheriff had fallen.
lie worked rapidly, only a few min.
utes elapsing between his attack upon
Pettibone and his Anal work with the
halter. Without waiting an instant,
Guy pushed through the intervening
thicket and started down the grassy
descent toward the carriage.
Miss Betty, a vexed expression on
her pretty face had just frightened
the lines with one of her gloved hands
and taken the whip from its socket
with the other, when she saw Guy ap-
preaching. The vexed look faced into
dazzling smile.
SWELL, truant," cried Miss Betty,
"did you remain away purposely to
punish us for being late?"
His clothing was somewhat disar-
ranged and wondering light came
into her eyes as she gazed at him. Miss
Pinkney was as reserved as usual al
though she smiled in friendly spirit
and evidently partook of her compan-
ions curiosity.
81 came as quickly as I could, Miss
Vlandingham," answered Guy, set
Ting his collar and arranging his
scarf. please pardon my disordered
appearance-it could not be helped"
"You did not walk all the way here
from Concord, did your" she queried.
mo. The horse and buggy that
brought me are over there among the
trees. Your appointment was for four
o'clock, if remember"
"Yes, and l would have been here
punctually but for Lois. She misun-
derstood that part of our programme
ND la, -. X