Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1902-07-11

in" he muttered. 81 had the same kind
of n spell and got so.ethereal i didn't
want TO eat or do a blessed thing but
write poetry. If Matilda had told me
grasshoppers were butterflies or that
iimson pods were lilies OF the valley.
ia have fought with the man who
called 'em by their right names. That
was before we got married, though;
now it's different"
"What are you talking about, Pet
tibone?" The sheriff laid a hand on
| his heart and winked.
That little chap with a pair Of
wings and 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'm not. Betty Nlandingham is n
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
/ saws over in Harmony. But looket
/ here. Herbert" the sheriff dropped
his hand lightly on Guys knee
"'twon't do for YOU 20 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 ac-
count of that crack on the head and
YOU 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-"strike Concord. They'll
publish your meeting with Miss
Nlandingham from one end Of town to
the other. And what will be the re-
suite" lie shook his head seriously.
81 hate 10 think Of il. do for fact.
You mustn't meet that girl again, Her
| hert-at least not before the cleo
ton"
Small chance of my ever meeting
her again" said Guy in angry discon-
| tent. "She sent line 10 me, as told
YOU. asking me 10 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 EN-! Twas that
way with me and Matilda. Why, we
used 70 quarrel every few days before
we got married, and now look a us!
Hitched. by gee, and quarrelin' all the
time Pettibone chuckled TO himself.
"You leave Nlandingham's 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. Shell snap you up too quick, see
if she don't"
On reaching Concord. Guy went with
Pettibone TO put up his horse, and them
they made for the hotel Passing he
Emporium, they saw Mr. Glimmer in
side holding forth 20 a 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,
Bikins hushed his discourse, and every
man 10 whom he had been speaking
turned a glazing eye in Guys direction.
It's very evident" remarked Guy,
that I'm q prophet without honor in
my own town. Before long however,
fr. 4
greatly he was mistaken"
81 hope they'n see that before they
DO anything 10 he sorry for" muttered
pettibone.
Guy did not hear this, and perhaps 1t
was just as well.
They had supper-a late supper OF
the kind which Pedro Smith husbanded
for stragglers-and during the meal,
and afterward as they sat smoking in
the Office the sheriff continually mani
Tested the nervousness OF his state Of
mind The slightest noise would
startle him. Once, at a whirr Of wheels
in the street, he sprang up and ran TO.
the door, returning in few moments
pale and flgety
What's the matter with you, Pettl'
bone?' inquired Guy.
I'm expecting something and am
afraid it's going 10 come"
"What is it?'
"a delegation Of citizens looking for
you"
Guy laughed.
That's giving you more co.rern
than it is me. Suppose we 20 e d., 4?
If the delegation arrives after THAI
hardly think they viii dare to disturb
us"
The Indignation committee, IL such
IL might be called, did not put in an sp-
pearance that night, nor the next
morning Late In the afternoon Of the
following day, however, as Guy was
seated at the writing table in the hotel
Office struggling with a letter Of ex-
PLANTATION which he designed sending
10 Miss Betty, five representative Cit
liens presented themselves.
"Gee!" murmured Pettibone, De pair
ingly; "here they are, Herbert"
Mr. Pinney. the druggist, was one OF
them. and Mr.. Icfinrweu. prOurietor