The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1902-09-16

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 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 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"
s.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, l
think you're true as die, and l don't
lay up anything against you on ac-
count of that crack on the head and
your work with the halter. There are
others, though, who won't think as l
do when they"-he nodded his head
toward the little column of dust far
in advance-"str Concord THEY'LL
publish your meeting with Miss
Vlandingham from one end of town to
the other. And what will be the re-
suite" He shook his head seriously.
81 hate to think of it, / do for fact
You mustn't meet tlat girl again, Her
bert-at least not before the cleo
tion.''
"Small chance OF my ever meeting
her again" said Guy in angry discon-
tent. "She sent a 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 within
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, "and when Betty
Vlandingham finds out how she has
wronged you she'll think all the more
of you. Oh, 1 know 'em! Twas that
way with me and Matilda. Why, we
used to quarrel every few days before
We got married, and now look at u.s.!
Hitched. by gee, and quarrelin' all the
time" Pettibone chuck,ed to himself
"You leave Vlandingham'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. She'll snap you up too quick, see
if she don't"
On reaching Concord, Guy went with
| Pettibone 10 put up his horse, and them
they made for the hotel. Passing the
side holding forth to 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,
| Bilkins hushed his discourse, and every
man to whom he had been speaking
turned glazing eye in Guys direction.
cts very evident" remarked Guy,
chat I'm a prophet without honor in
my own town. Before long, however,
every one in Concord will see how
greatly he was mistaken"
81 hope they'll see that before they
do anything to be sorry for" muttered
Pettibone.
Guy did not hear this, and perhaps it
was just as well.
They had supper-a late supper of
the kind which Pedro Smith husbanded
for agglers-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 whirr of wheels
in the street, he sprang up and ran to
the door, returning in few moments
pale and fdgety.
whats the matter with you, Petit
bone?" inquired Guy.
I'm expecting something and am
afraid it's going to come"
"What is it?"
"a delegation of citizens looking for
YOU"
Guy laughed.
"That's giving you more concern
than it is me. Suppose we go to bed
If the delegation arrives after that
hardly think they viii dare to disturb
u.s."
The Indignation committee. if such
it might be called, did not put in an ap
pearance that night, nor the mex,
morning. Late in the afternoon of the
following day, however, as Guy wa;
seated at the writing table in the hote
office, struggling with a letter of ex
PLANTATION which he designed sending
to Miss Betty, five representative cit
liens presented themselves.
"Gee!" murmured Pettibone. despair
ingly: 'here they are, Herbert"
Mr.. Pinney. the druggist, was one o.