Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1902-08-19

81
II HAVE THE HONOR TO BID YOU A
VERY GOOD EVENING"
the wrong, if the election might be
recalled and held over again, believe
me, Concord would hold it's own.
Neither l 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
that?"
"But for you, Miss Vlandingham,"
he replied, gratefully, chat contest
would have been sanguinary one.
had no influence; you threw the
weight of yours, into the scales and,
by diplomacy as rare as it was
skillful, warded off the violence that
seemed bound to come. The loss of
one life would not have paid for
dozen county Seats
There was strange something in
the blue eyes as they bent upon him,
and why could he not read their
mystery?
IT 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
ut is all very well for the pay
ment 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"
He 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
sigh of relief.
Have all the Concord people
Vlandingham?" he queried, smiling1y.
"The county officials have Joined
us-Mr. Pettibone and Mr.. Biggs. If
Mr.. Pettibone had not been in Har-
mony I presume I should not have
discovered your whereabouts
care the rest of the townspeople
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 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 I have confidence in his
judgment"
$50 have l." returned Guy, hope
fully.
"My father, Mr.. Herbert" she pro-
ceeded, hesitatingly, would like to
purchase your interest in Concord"
Glow much would he give?"
He wished me to ask you if you
would consider $5,ooO'
There it was! Guy redeemed. 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.
81 am working for the munificent
salary of $40 per week, Miss Wand
ingham," said he, coldly. eff / am
properly attentive to business 1 am
to receive $25 per week after two
years. Notwithstanding that, / am
altogether too rich to sell for $4,000
a number of lots that would be dear
at $500. I will send you money for
the courthouse" he added, drawing
himself up grandly and haughtily.
Possibly can borrow it. If not, L
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 a
sob. Then he turned. Poor Betty