Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1902-06-24


Its stand on the preceding afternoon
was of that identical hue. Yet this
was not all. The writing on the back
of that note was the counterpart of
fraction of the leader, word for word,
comma for comma and exclamation
point for exclamation point. Had Guy
a piece Of the copy" in his hands?
Was here clew to the identity of the
"broom man" mentioned by BarneY9
"Jee-mi-neeis broke from Pedro
Smith, as he got up from his chair.
"Here come three passengers from
the west. We don't get many from
that direction"
Guy thrust the note back into his
pocket and looked towards the sta
ton. The train had gone and the GU
rious citizens were headed back to-
wards the business section of the
town. Lemuel was carrying the mail
sacks for Mr.. McQuilkin, q task which
he performed proudly and regularly
for the mere glory of 1t; Sampson,
little time at his disposal now that
the weeks issue was out Of the way,
had lighted cigarette and was saun-
tering leisurely; Mr.. Glimmer had
been expecting his wife's sister from
Bismarck, and 1t cannot be said that
he wore very disappointed look be-
cause she had failed to arrive. Waffle
was of the party, and his shadow, Bill
Comfort, and several more.
The attention Of the group of cdti-
zens was riveted upon the three ar
rivals who walked in advance and
headed for the hotel. Two of these
were women, ostensibly Sisters Of
Charity, and closely yelled. The third
was a man, under medium height and
enveloped from head to heels in gar
| ment that was much too large for him.
His hat was drawn down over his fore
head and the collar of his ill-ftting
coat was turned up about his ears. The
attire was exceedingly warm for that
season Of the YEAR and Sampson
guyed the stranger In frequent asides
to Lem Bilkins.
The Sisters Of Charity passed into
the hotel, ushered by the obsequious
Pedro. The little man in the long coat
likewise entered the office and took q
seat in one corner rigidly erect and not
deigning to unbutton his coat. The cit
liens halted in front of the veranda to
stare and speculate-all save Bilkins.
who was due at the post Office.
"Crackyl" exclaimed Sampson, look
ing hard at Guy. The printer started
to say something more, but bit his
words off short.
whats the matterf" asked Guy,
wondering at the mystif1ed expression
OF the youths face.
"Oh. nothing" replied sampeon,
backing away.
| my dear Herbert!" cooed the famil-
lar voice of Col. Keever, as that gen.
tleman rounded the corner of the hotel
and advanced upon Guy precipitately.
"You look WE'LL" added the Colonel, sig
nifcantly, dropping hand on the
young mans shoulder. Then he
stopped and whispered: "How did you
come out2"
Before Guy could answer the little
man in the ill-fitting coat plunged out
on the veranda and halted at the
Colonel's side.
Hal" cried the little man, furi sly.
81 have come into the jackal's Ii; to
pay my respects to the jaclSal-in-ci f.
Archibald Keever, you are an impude4t
scoundrel, sirl You are an ill-man-
nered blackguard, sir! You have not
the first instinct of gentleman. You
are coward, do you hear me? A cow
ard and knave! My hat in your teeth,
sir!"
The little man jerked off his SLOUGH
hat revealing two eyes, one of which
cleaned classify at Guy while the other
Travelled up and down the full extent
of Col. Keever's anatomy; then the
blow fell across the Coloners face.
1t all came about with paralyzing
stared and gaped as though under some
baneful spell. The little man was Col.
Dingle, of Harmony! The next instant
Guy had leaped to his feet.
A shudder of nightly passion con-
vulsed Col. Keever. His hand tight
ened convulsively at the head of his
cane.
"sir," he shouted, "is it your inten.
ton to apply to me those hurting cpl,
thets?"
Come to think of it afterwards, there
was little use of the Colonel's question;
but great minds often wish to be abso.
lutely certain of both horns of a propo.
sition before tackling the conclusion
The little man laughed mockingly.
IT have coupled the word with q
blow!" he cried. SIN order that you
may satisfy yourself I have made nc
mistake, will strike again, so! The
Norther greets the Blizzard"
Again came that swishing blow with
the hat and Col. Keever, dazed for the
moment, famed imaginary flies from
before his face.
"It's Dingle!" gasped Col Keever
hoarsely. "Hold me, somebody! Hold
, me, or shall kill him!"
Mr.. Glimmer hurled himself into the
breach and caught Keever about the
.. waist, while Pedro Smith dashed out Of
i the hotel and threw himself upon Din
+ gle. Then, struggling Intellectually Il
v free themselves, the two Colonel!
: glared at each other.
+ "You are a sneak, sir, and coward
sir!" screamed the editor Of thu
! Norther.
t Hold me tight, Glimmer," Kissed tn
:. editor of the Blizzard through hi
= grinding teeth. 81 am not myself
3 Righteous wrath is making demon Q