The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1902-04-24
CHAPTER III-Continued

ing "a spy?'' asked Guy, impatiently.
why should I denounce you? Con-
cord is your town, Mr.. Herbert, and it
is right for you to do what you can to
hold the county seat, Harmony is our
town, and we shall do what we can
to take the county seat away from
you. I'm sorry for you, for yours is a
losing fight.".
Yet there are means you would not
countenance even in struggle of this
kind?''
II will have no violence. That is why
l added a line to the note which Bar
ney brought from Concord"
THAT line" had escaped Guy. He
took the note from his pocket and saw
penciled dimly at the bottom the
words: "See that no harm comes to
Mr.. Herbert, Betty" He drew a deep
breath.
''Then I have you to thank for my
present safety" said he, replacing the
note in his pocket.
'Please don't misunderstood me,
Mr.. HERBERT" returned Miss Betty.
MY fathers ruling passion is real es-
tate. He wanted to sell you some
lots in Harmony, and, for fear you
wouldn't be where he could watch
you, he insisted on having you come
here. That was also his reason for
taking you to the meeting and
he had not the slightest notion
he was harboring an enemy" Miss
Betty laughed again. "At heart" she
resumed, ''my father is/one of the
noblest men in the world, but I can
not remember that he ever cham
pioned a losing cause. Whenever he
enters fight he goes in to win.
With my aid he is going to be vic
torious in this county seat affair.""
She spoke decisively. I don't know
your real motive for coming here,
but I presume you wanted to look
over the rival town and find out what
chance there was for Concord retain
ing it's prestige.'
THAT was partly it," admitted Guy.
But I also wished to attend the meet
ing and find out, if I could, what
move your side intended to make"
"Col. Keever suggested that, did he
not?'
1T was suggested to me.s
And you endeavored to follow out
this counsel against your better judy
ment?'
II am very sorry now that I acted
on the suggestion at all.''
You are too much of gentleman
for this sort of work, Mr.: Herbert. A
county seat contest of this kind is
very disagreeable affair.""
why should there ever have been
a contest?"
THAT was because Concord stole
the county seat from Harmony in the
first place. The vote was close and
the .canvassing board bought by Col.
Keever, threw out sufficient number
of Harmony votes to give the county
seat to Concord'' The blue eyes
snapped and the thin nostrils dilated.
For this reason the question has
been reopened, Mr.. Herbert, and it is
for this reason, also, that am heart
and soul in the conflict. l will have
no violence but Col. Keever may have
to be met with his own weapons in
order that right and justice may pre-
vail. We can be good enemies and
good friends as we'll, and after the
election" she smiles-''we will try
to forget the disagreeable incidents
of the campaign"
with all my hearth" declared Guy.
ha off L;
pressed the little palm cordially.
At that moment they heard running
feet along the road by the gate, an
CRY shouts and now and then the re-
port of revolver. Betty sprang up
and hurried to a window.
There's mob in 'front.'" she said.
quietly, but you need have no fears,
Mr.. Herbert. You are just as safe
under this roof as you would be in
Concord''
Guy greatly admired her calmness,
but she underestimate his courage
if she thought for moment that he
was frightened. Before he could re-
ply, Mr.. Vlandingham. hurried into
the room, coming from the rear of
the mouse.
i've got a horse at the barn, Her.
bert, all saddled, bridled and watt
ing" ne said, quickly. II don't want
to alarm you, but some of those ras-
calls out there are drunk and Barney
has told them everything. You'd bet
ter go. I might be powerless to pro-
tect you.''
Some one jingled the bell furiously.
A scuff1ing of feet and muttering of
hoarse voices came from the porch.
There they are" said Betty. "You
talk with them at the door, father,
while L show Mr.. Herbert where he
can find the horse"
Vlandingham started for the hall,
y but paused to reach out his hand to
Guy.
II don't believe you knew what kind
OF hornets nest you were going to
get into over here, Herbert. You've
got Betty on your side, 7 can see that,
and u don't law IN anv hard foo1;nre