Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1902-06-13
CHAPTER VIII.

] tHNtd IL stlst OF great TelleI at the
escape of Miss Betty and her friend
and kept himself as much in the
! background as possible when the
irate citizens rushed forward and as
sisted Pettibone 10 set their leader
upright and dust him off.
III have the law on you, sirl"
ragged the Colonel, breaking through
the ranks that surrounded him and
shaking his fist at Barney. Threat
en- me. hey? Egad. it makes my
/ blood boil"
Don't get excited, Colonel" shout
ed Barney from the carriage.
Excited, you impudent puppy!
Excited! Pettibone, arrest that man.
| I'm surprised that you stand there
without raising a finger against the
/ young scalawag.'
The town had only one fault TO
find with Dick Pettibone. and that
was that he was too easy going, too
good natured. There were Spartan
fibers running through his makeup,
but they were in evidence only on
extreme occasions.
"Oh. | wouldn't make him any
trouble, Colonel" returned Petit
bone, soothingly. Hes young, you
know, and all young men are more
or less headstrong"
Hes traitor" fumed the
Colonel "If it hadn't been for him
Nlandingham' daughter wouldn't
have slipped through our fingers"
81 think she would. Colonel"
NO, sir" raved the Colonel. Ar
rest that young rapscallion or I'll
chastise him here and now"
The Colonel began to roll up his
coat sleeves, and Barney, coolly eye
ing him, made a wry grimace. lay
ing the shotgun down on the seat,
Barney attempted 10 turn the car
riage and drive off. BY this time,
however, the Colonel's words had
had an effect on his followers and
two of them caught the horses
heads. Ps~ibone, seeing that there
was nothing for him 10 do but TO
act in his official capacity, ordered
Barney 10 get down. Barney obeyed
without any show of resistance and
Pettibone marched off with him,
while Mr.. Glimmer took the team
and carriage back TO the livery
stable.
During all this time Guy had been
overlooked. lie remained in the vi
cinity long enough TO note the out
come Of the exciting little drama
and then slipped quietly away 10
the hotel.
He was there an hour later. deep
~ engaged in "A ST. Paul paper, when
a nervous little gentleman, wearing
a pair of nose glasses, was led up
to him by Pedro Smith.
Mr. Herbert" said Pedro, Mr..
Pinchbeck. Mr.. Pinchbeck has re-
Gently interested himself in our lit
tie city and be wishes 10 talk with
you concerning the outlook"
Guy shook hands with Mr.. Pinch
beck, and the htter seated himself
at the young mans side while Pedro
drifted away toward the kitchen.
Il understand that you own near
~ all the vacant lots in this town,
Mr.. Herbert" observed Mr.. Pinch
beck, catching his glasses as they
dropped from his nose.
Guy nodded.
Have you bought here recently?"
he asked.
Quite recently"
Very much?'
a Extraordinarily" Mr. Pinch
beck caught his glasses again, fitted
them carefully 10 the bridge Of his
nose and wrinkled his brows time or
TWO 10 satisfy himself that they would
hold. Il am t o pay So, 600 for the block
providing this town wins the county
seat fight"
"Ah, I see. Your money is to be paid
back Il we lose"
"Well-er-ith hasn't really been paid
over, as yet. have merely contract
for deed. It's this way. Mr.. Herbert.
When The ballots are counted IL they
show good safe ma jority for Concord
l am to pay $1,000 to the workmen who
have been brought here 10 build roads,
bridges, etc, and | am also TO pay 81 900
for that wooden shell which is ulti-
mately TO be the court house"
This was a revelation 10 Guy. Here
was the "tenderfoot" about whom the
Colonel had told him. The Colonel,
however, had said nothing Of eondi-
tional bargain.
"In case we lose the county seat, Mr..
Pinchbeck," said Guy, what would
happen?"
Mr.. Pinchbeck smiled The mirthful |
wrinkles disconnected his glasses and !
they evaded his hands and dropped into !
his lap The smile faded into look !
Of vexation as he picked up the glasses
and iammed them back on the bridge Of |
his nose.
That's all right, Mr.. Herbert. l |
have a contract with Vlandingham for |
a block at the same figure in case his |
town wins"
Guy was startled.
"Has Mr.. Nlandingham also imported /
some voters?" he asked.