Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1902-08-15

and requested the sheriff 10 send him
bills for the lumber and hardware
used in the Inflated courthouse. Guy
said that he intended 10 pay these
bills and would do SO in time He
wrote no woro aoouJ Miss DcIuy,
eager though he was 20 hear from
her. But Pettibone knew. His reply
would be filled with information
concerning the owner OF the blue
cy-a, Guy was certain.
After posting the letter he waited.
The days passed without bringing n
reply and chill of disappointment
swept through the young mans soul.
His round of duties became irksome.
He was beginning 10 realize how
hard il would be TO face the future
without Miss Betty. The desire with
in him TO run down TO Concord some
Saturday night was very strong.
During Sunday forenoon he could
take an inventory and ascertain how
much of the town had been carted
away, and in the afternoon he could
drive 10 the other side of the county
and find out how much of his town
Harmony had already absorbed lie
even pictured himself at Willowview
indulging in persifage with the
squire over the county-seat contest.
lie would not reveal the true state
of his affairs, but would pose as the
wealthy son of Montfort Herbert. \
business plea would take him from
Willowview Sunday night so that he
could get back 20 jamestown in time
TO begin his weekly grind in the
loan Office Miss BETTY should never
know the straits 10 which he was
put until he had wrested a fortune
from the clutch Of fate and had laid
it at her feet, together with his
heart.
Just as Guy. bending mechanically
over his ledger. had figured the mat
ter TO suit his eNacting fancy, he
heard a voice in the outer Office. lie
dropped his pen, startled, and his
heart leaped into his throat.
us this the office of the Jarvis
Loan and Investment company in
quircd the voice.
ut is madam returned the OBJ
sequious senior partner. II am Mr.
Jarvis"
rs there a Mr.. Herbert connected
with your frm?'
Connected with the firm. Guy
shivered and pressed one hand 10 his
throbbing temples.
There is no such person connect
ed with our firm, madame" returned
Mr.. Jarvis. I'VE have an assistant
bookkeeper in our employ whose
name is Herbert"
Miss Betty there! Guy would have
given worlds to effect an escape. He
could not even get his coat for that
was in the closet beyond the private
Office
Il would like to see him a moment,
please" said Miss Betty, after a
pause.
Herbert" called Jarvis in the
arrogant tone that is part and par
eel of the moncy-lender. This way,
Herbert"
Guy was wearing clothes which he
had discarded in his better days. lie
was in his shirt-sleeycs and had alb
sently picked up the pen with his
ink-stained fingers and placed it be
hind his ear. In passing the office
mirror he halted for peep at his
tumbled hair and careless appear
ance.
Herbert, I say!" came from Jar
Wis, impatiently.
The next moment Guy was in the
senior partners private room.
What 10 it, Mr. Jaryis?" he asked.
"a lady TO see you" was the short
answer.
The ysung man turned TO Miss
Betty. Patrician she was from the
toe Of her daintily shod foot TO the
feather that crowned her hat.
She gave a start and an amazed
look oyerspread her face. Guy
bowed What did those blue eyes
hold besides surprise? Pity? He
would have none of that. In an in
slant he became ridiculously
naughty.
at last" murmured Miss Betty
Fastening toward him. AT last the
lost is found" She extended a
gloved hand which he accepted in a
perfunctory way. why did you fold
your tent and steal away in such
nomadic fashion. Mr.. Herbcrt?" she
asked.
II did not know that any one
would care" he said, lamely.
you did not care anyway, that is
certain. | am a very persistent per-
son. however. as you must know by
this time. / found that Mr.. Petit
bone had heard from you and have
come TO see you on very important
business. | am staying with my
friend Mr.. James Mortimer. Will
YOU come 20 see me there, this even
ing
"I hall be most happy"
She :. ave him n quick, penetrating
glance and then turned hastily with
little bow and left the Office.
"Who is that lady, Hcrbert?" in
quired Jarvis.
Miss Elizabeth Vlandingham," re-
piled Guy.
What Wilbur vlandingham's