The Lamar register., 1902-07-16

booze far below the depot and pro-
ceeding cross lots" toward large and
comfortable looking group of farm
buildings framed in a dusky setting of
willows. Evening had fallen too dark
ly for Guy to see very much of this
rival town. but assuredly there was
nothing in Concord to compare with
Wilbur Vlandingham's palatial home.
Willowview was manor comprising,
in its entirety, almost a thousand
broad acres abutting upon the town
site. The house was large ard neat
ness personified without and within.
Dinner was waiting. and after Guy
had removed the cinders and dust
with which the short journey by freight
train had literally covered him, he
Joined Miss Betty and her father in
the dining-room. There was only the
three of them and Guy was not long in
learning that Mrs. Vlandingham had
been dead for several years. The
daughter had taken the mothers place
In the household, and was filing it,
II Guy might judge, with eminent
credit TO herself and supreme salts
IacIlOn 10 neF 1aSner.
The dinner was charming, Miss Betty
made herself most agreeable, and
there was no talk of lots, or townsite
matters, or anything else that breathed
remotely of business or discord Guy
forgot for the time the mission he
had undertaken at the Colonel's behest.
He was brought to himself, however,
with something like a shock, directly
after dinner, while he and Mr.. Wand
ingham were in the parlor listening to
Miss Betty's piano playing.
There came sharp ring at the door
bell. followed by a colloquy between the
out. The next moment there WAS a
tread of feet and four gentlemen
marched into the parlor single file,
their hats in there hands.
The gentleman in the lead WAS
very small person. and from the way
his lsft eye focused itself unswerving-
ly on a given point while its fellow
roved at will there was small doubt
that the left eye was glass. Behind
the leader came a gentleman of tow
ering height-he was taller even than
Guy or Mr.. vlandingham-and his
framework was SO loosely put togeth-
er he could not seem to talk without
jarring himself; the third of the quar-
tet had a wooden leg and the sleeve of
the fourth was folded over and tucked
In the front Of his coat.
"Miss vlandingham." exclaimed the
man with the glass eye. your most
obedient!" He bowed and his three
companions bowed with him. The
spokesman executed an 'about faoe,"
and directed his attention at Miss
Vlandinghsm's father. the rest of the
squad participating In the movement.
Evening. SQUIRE" he said. starting q
nod that tilted every head In the row.
Good evening. gentlemen" returned
vlandingham, eourteously.
''It's eight o'clock. Have you for
gotten7"
mot st ALL" Mr.. vlandinghsm con-
suited his watch. 1T IL close 10 eight,
that's a fact Betty and came down
on q freight from Jimtown. Colonel.
30 that I'd be here In time to connect
with the town meeting" vlandingham
turned 70 Guy. "Mr. Herbert, allow me
TO present 70 you Col. Dingle"-the
man with the glass eye bowed-"Maj.
Observation-Disclosures from the
giant-"Capt. Blus"-ditto from the
gentleman with the wooden leg-"and
Mr.. Boomer" The man with the empty.
sleeve ducked amiably. THE Colonel"
continued Mr.. vlandingham, conducts
our paper, the Harmony Norther"-
Guy wondered II all the colonels in
Dakota conducted papers-"the Major,
by the grace of the republican admin
istration, hands US our mail; the Cap
tain il proprietor of the Bee hive
store, and Mr.. Boomer-er-er-wha
the nation do you do, Boomer, any
howf"
just hang around. squirs,~ smiled
Mr.. Boomer.
That's IT," said vlandingham. "Nr.
Herbert. gentlemen, will probably in
vest In some Harmony lotA." Guy
raised his hand in protest. after the
election" supplemented Mr.. vlanding-
ham. 1--WE have a town meeting to-
night. Mr.. Herbert, and you might go
along with us and rub up against some
of our best citizens.
squirrel" exclaimed the man with
the glass eye, crooking his finger.
Vlandingham bent down, and Col.
Dingle whispered to him earnestly.
"Nonsense!" said Vlandingham, in a
low tone. which nevertheless reached
Guys ears. an vouch for him."
When the six of them finally started
for the meeting, Guys conscience was
sadly troubling him. He would rather
q thousand times have remained be-
hind and spent the evening with Miss
Betty.
CHAPTER III.
The town meeting was held In n VA