The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1902-05-08

is no sign I do not know my rights.
I've broken no law and if you try any
hlgh-handed measures I'll make this
county too hot to hold you fellows.
If necessary, I'll have company of
soldiers here to protect me-"
THE Harmony 1nvincibles, I sup
pose," sneered Pettibone. -
"No, sir; company of regulars
from Standing Rock or Fort Totten.''
''Think you didn't break any law
when you knocked my head against
that tree root and tied me up with a
halter, eh?''
Pettibone rubbed the back of his
head as he said this and assumed such
an injured air that Guy had to laugh
in spite of his vexation.
Lem Bill1ins te-he'd once more, Glim-
mer unbent himself so far as to smile
and Pettibone, who always had laugh
lurking somewhere close to the sur
face was caught in the general
hilarity.
Anyway" qualified the sheriff
"there amt going to be much fun
in this for you, Herbert. OF course,
you haven't broken any of the statutes,
but the Concord folks won't stop to
think of that"
"Well, I've an idea that can take
care of myself" said Guy. II have
told you once or twice and tell you
again, I haven't done anything trea-
sonable and I'm just as loyal to Con-
cord as Col. Keever himself"
Glimmer and Bilkins exchanged sly
chances and Uttered suggestively.
Guy kindled at this but said nothing
and went with Pettibone to help him
back the horse and carriage out of
the brush. BY the time they were
started, Glimmer and Bilkins were two
galloping specks on the horizon.
you're pretty powerful in set to-"
observed Pettibone, driving with one
hand and stroking the back of his head
with the other. "Your looks are de-
ceivin', Herbert.''
'Perhaps the rest of the Concord
people will find that out if they take
too arbitrary a course" said Guy, sig
nifcantly.
II was only. trying to do my duty
and you treated me little bit rough"
continued Pettibone, "but I know how
it is. A pair of blue eyes have be-
witched more than one young fener,
and I'm not going to lay up anything
against you. I don't think you'd be
such fool as to help Harmony at the
expense of Concord, knowingly, but
Miss Betty is pretty cute. SHE'S cod
dim you along just to find out what
our side is doing, and"
you're mistaken!" cried Guy so
sharply and suddenly that Pettibone
gave startled jump and then settled
back in his seat with low whistle.
miss Vlandingham is far above any
such double-dealing as that"
The sheriff shook his head hope
lessly.
"That's exactly the way it strikes
in he muttered. 81 had the same kind
of a spell and got SO ethereal didn't
want to eat or do a blessed thing but
write poetry. If Matilda had told me
grasshoppers were butterflies or that
jimson pods were lilies of the valley,
I'd 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 Vlandingham is
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
says over in Harmony. But looket
here, Herbert" the sheriff dropped
his hand lightly on Guys knee
"'twon't do for you to be meeting her
AS far as I'm personally concerned, I
think you're true as die, and don't
lay up anything against you on &C.
count of that crack on the head and
your work with the halter. There arc
others, though, who won't think as
w WITCH Cucy lie nOOucu MS neaO
toward the little column of dust far
in advance-"strike Concord They'll
publish your meeting with Miss
Vlandingham from one end of town to
the other. And what will be the re-
sult?" He shook his head seriously.
II hate to think of it, do for fact.
You mustn't meet that girl again, Her
bert-at least not before the cleo
ton"
Small chance of my ever meeting
her again." said Guy in angry discon-
tent. "She sent line to me, as told
you, asking me to come alone and
meet her and Miss Pinkney. Now she
thinks I'm 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