Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1902-07-03


back in his seat with low whistle.
'.Miss Vlandingham is far above any
such double-dealing as that"
The sheriff shook his head hope
lessly.
''That's exactly the way it strikes
in" he muttered. 81 had the same kind
of a spell and got so ethereal | didn't
want to eat or do blessed thing but
write poetry. If Matilda had told me
grasshoppers were butterflies or that
iimson pods were lilies of the valley,
I'd have fought with the man who
called 'em by their right names. That
was before we got married, though;
now it's different"
t.What are you talking about, Pet
tibone?" The sheriff laid a hand on
his heart and winked.
"That little chap with pair OF
wings and a bow and arrow has been
getting in his work on you, and he's
| hit YOU so fair and square that every
| body can see it,
"Pshaw!" exclaimed Guy, coloring.
'Don't talk nonsense"
"I'n not. Betty Vlandingham is
fine girl, but she's on the other side
| O. the fence. She bosses her father
/ and her father bosses the town, con-
sequently things go about as she
SAYS over in Harmony. But looket
here. Herbert" the sheriff dropped
his hand lightly on Guys knee
"'twon't do for you to be meeting her.
| AS far as I'm personally concerned,
think you're true as die, and | don't
| lay up anything against you on &C
| count of that crack on the head and
| YOUR work with the halter. There are
| others, though, who won't think as
| do when they"-he nodded his head
| toward the little column of dust far
in advance-''s trike Concord. They'll
/ publish your meeting with Miss
| Vlandingham from one end Of town to
the other. And what will be the re-
sult?" He shook his head seriously.
ST hate to think of it, do for fact.
You mustn't meet that girl again, Her
bert-at least not before the cleo
| ton"
"Small chance of my ever meeting
her again. said Guy in angry discon-
| tent. 'She sent line TO me, as told
YOU, asking me to come alone and
meet her and Miss Pinkney. Now she
thinks I'm a treacherous hound, who
| disregarded her request and brought
YOU and Glimmer and Bilkins-con-
found them-along with me-"
Much bitterness of spirit was mani
tested in Guys voice, and the sheriff
gave him his earnest attention.
you'll have plenty of chances to
explain" said he, land when Betty
Vlandingham finds out how she has
wronged you she'll think all the more
of YOU. Oh, know 'em! Twas that
way with me and Matilda. Why, we
used to quarrel every few days before
we got married, and now look at US!
| Hitched, by gee, and quarrelin all the
time" Pettibone chuckled to himself.
sYou leave Vlanding chants girl alone
until we win this election, then waltz
over to Harmony and tell her you want
to give her a dover interest in your
town. She'll snap you up too quick, see
| If she don't"
On reaching Concord, Guy went with
/
they made for the hotel. Passing the
Emporium, they saw Mr.. Glimmer in
side holding forth to small and select
/ gathering of citizens. Farther on, in
! front of the drug store, was Lem Bill
kins. likewise engaged. When Guy
and Pettibone passed the second group,
Bilkins hushed his discourse, and every
lii
turned glazing eye in Guys direction.
cts very evident" remarked Guy,
"that I'm prophet without honor in
my own town. Before long, however,
every one in Concord will see how
/ greatly he was mistaken"
ST hope they'll see that before they
! do anything to be sorry for" muttered
| Pettibone.
Guy did not hear this, and perhapsit
was just as well.
They had supper--a late supper OF
the, kind which Pedro Smith husbanded
for agglers-and during the meal,
and afterward as they sat smoking In
the office, the sheriff continually mani
tested the nervousness of his state or
startle him. Once, at whirr of wheels
in the street, he sprang up and ran toy
the door, returning in few moments
pale and fidgety.
'What's the matter with you, Petit
bone?" inquired Guy.
! "rm expecting something and am
afraid it's going to come"
'What is it?"
"a delegation of citizens looking for
you"
Guy laughed.
''That's giving you more concern
than it is me. Suppose we go to bed?
If the delegation arrives after that |
hardly think they will dare to disturb
u.s."
The indignation committee, if such
it might be called, did not put in an APP
pearance that night, nor the next
morning. Late in the afternoon OF the