The Irish standard., 1902-08-02

"Mr. Herbert" she continued,
earnestly, Il came here to find you
and to assure you that [ knew noth-
ing of the transaction that lost Com
cord the county seat. If could undo
the wrong, if the election might be
recalled and held over again, believe
me, Concord would hold it's own.
Neither 1 nor my father knew any,
thing of that despicable affair until
late Tuesday night"
II was sure of it," returned Guy.
why were you sure of it?" she
asked, looking at him steadily. "Had
not told you that it was case of
diamond cut diamond? Did you not
see me actively concerned in the
stealing of your courthouse? Why
should you think we'll of me after
that?"
"But for you, Miss Vlandingham,"
he replied, gratefully, "that contest
would have been a sanguinary one.
l had no influence; you threw the
weight of yours, into the scales and,
by diplomacy as rare as it was
sllillful, warded off the violence that
seemed bound to come. The loss of
one life would not have paid for
dozen county scats.'
There was Il strange something in
the blue eyes as they bent upon him,
and why could he not read their
mystery?
81 am glad you think that" she
said, simply. 81 was afraid you had
gained wrong impression. Mr..
Pinchbeck paid those 20 Jamestown
men and took Harmony lots for the
amount. My father has also paid for
the courthouse"
This was the nearest she had vet
come to striking the blow he feared.
''lt is all very well for the pay
mcnt of the jamestown men to come
out of HARMONY" observed Guy,
! "but I shall pay for the courthouse
myself"
She saw that he was determined.
"You may do so some time" she
answered. II don't think you should,
but / shall not attempt to set my
Judgment against your own.''
lie thanked her for that. Saving
ten dollars per week it would take
him little less than two years to
pay for the pile of ashes on the
Harmony square. Nevertheless. he
thanked her mentally and heaved u
sigh of relief.
"1lave all the Concord people
moved over, to your town. Miss
Vlandingham?" he queried, smilingly.
"The county officials have Joined
us-Mr. Pcttibone and Mr.. Biggs. If
Mr.. pettibone had not been in Har-
mony I presume I should not have
discovered your whereabouts
''Are the rest of the townspeoplc
going to remain in Concord, do you
know"
81 understand that there will be
no radical change. To be frank, Mr.,
Herbert, although Harmony is now
the county seat and is enjoying the
benefits of a boom as they call it,
yet Concord is nearer the center of
the county and has more good farm
ing land tributary to it. My father
says so and l have confidence in his
Judgment"
$50 have T." returned Guy, hope
fully.
MY father, Mr.. Herbert" she pro-
cceded, hesitatingly, "would like to
+, purchase your interest in Concord"
GLOW much would he give?"
''lIe wished me to ask you if you
would consider $5,OOO."
There it was! Guy reddened. Tact
full as ever, Miss Betty was seeking
to bestow her charity in the way
least calculated to wound his feel
ings. His pride was exaggerated, Of
course, but had he not loved the fair
girl who was seeking to aid him he
would not have felt so keenly. He
got up.
II am working for the munifcent
salary of $50 per week, Miss Nlund-
ingham," said he, coldly. "If i am
properly attentive to business l am
to receive $25 per week after two
years. Notwithstanding that, | am
altogether too rich to sell for $1,000
a number of lots that would be dear
at $500. l will send you money for
= the courthouse" he added, drawing
himself up grandly and haughtily.
''Possibly can borrow it. If not, I
will send my note. ! have the honor
to bid you very good evening""
He strobe to the door and laid his
hand on the knob. He was not going
to look back, but she did not speak,
and he heard something very like Il
sob. Then he turned. Poor Betty
had her face in her hands and was
| weeping forlornly.
Guy felt sudden pang of remorse.
He was a brute to act in that silly
way. lie had imagined that she
would flare out at him, would give a
sharp word and rctaliate in kind.
Instead of angerng he had only
wounded.
Miss Nlandngham!"
There was no answer, no lifting of
the bowed head, and he walked to
her quickly.
"Hetty," he murmurcd, his words
coming in a torrent, 81 am a wretch.
I did not mean what l said! Forgive
me. Take those worthless lots and
give me $1,000, or S5OO,000, or $1,000
600 for them, il you want to. 1t
was not the proposition so much as
the fact that it came from you. ]
have loved you ever since we first
met-ever since you fell into my
arms from the cupola of that freight
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