Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1902-05-28
~ &,
His Friend,
The Enemy
~ WILLIAM WALLACE COOK
Author Of Rogers Of Butte4" 1.-THE Spur Of
= Necessity, Mr.. Fit, Astroloeer," etc.
copyright. 1901, by the s. 8. Mcclure Coz
CHAPTER IU-Covr,x,7rn


wouldn't be where he could watch
you, he insisted on having you come
mere. That was also his reason for
taxing you to the meeting and
ne had not the slightest notion
ne was harboring an enemy" Miss
Betty laughed again. "At heart" she
resumed, my father is one of the
noblest men in the world, but can
not remember that he ever cham
pioncd losing cause. Whenever he
enters fight he goes in to win.
With my aid he is going to be vic
torious in this county seat affair."
She spoke decisively. I don't know
your real motive for coming here,
but l presume you wanted to look
over the rival town and find out what
chance there was for Concord retain
ing it's prestige"
That was partly it," admitted GUY.
but l also wished to attend the meet
ing and find out, if I could, what
move your side intended to make"
"Coi. keever suggested that, did he
not?"
IL was suggested to me-"
"And you endeavored to follow out
this counsel against your better judg-
n1.nt? ~
Il am very sorry now that I acted
on the suggestion at all.''
You are too much of a gentleman
for this sort of work, Mr.. Herbert. A
county seat contest of this kind is a
very disagreeable affair."
why should there ever have been
a contest?"
THAT was because Concord stole
the county seat from Harmony in the
first place. The vote was close and
the canvassing board bought by Col.
keever. threw out sufficient number
OF llar1 oNy votes to give the county
seat to Concord" The blue ewes
snapped and the thin nostrils dilated.
FOR this reason the question has
been reopened, Mr.. Herbert, and it is
for this reason. also. that l am heart
and soul in the conflict. I will have
no violence but Col. Keever may have
to be met with his own weapons in
order that right and justice may pre-
vail. We can be good enemies and
good friends as we'll, and after the
election" she smiles-''we will try
to forget the disagreeable incidents
Of the campaign"
with all my heart!" declared. Guy.
She offered him her hand and he
pressed the little palm cordially.
At that moment they heard running
feet along the road by the gate, an
CRY shouts and now and then the re-
port of revolver. Betty sprang up
and hurried to window.
'"There's a mob in 'front.' she said,
quietly, "but you need have no fears,
Mr.. Herbert. You are just as safe
under this roof as you would be in
Concord"
Guy greatly admired her calmness,
but she underestimate his courage
if she thought for moment that he
was frightened. Before he could ne
: ply, Mr.. Elandingham hurried into
the room, coming from the rear of
the house.
''I've got horse at the barn, Her.
bert, all saddled, bridled and wait
ing" ne said, quickly. II don't want
to alarm you, but some of those ras-
calls out there are drunk and Barney
has told them everything. You'd bet
ter go. I might be powerless to pro-
tect YOU"
Some one jingled the bell furiously.
A scuff1ing of feet and muttering of
hoarse voices came from the porch.
There they are" said Betty. "You
talk with them at the door, father,
while I show Mr.. Herbert where he
can find the horse"
Vlandingham started for the hall,
but paused to reach out his hand to
Guy.
II don't believe you knew what kind
of hornets nest you were going to
get into over here, Herbert. You've
got Betty on your side, can see that
and 1 don't lay up any hard feelings.
I'd advise you, though, to give this
burg a wide berth in future. You see.
I hold the winning cards in this fight
and can afford to be magnanimous."
Guy wrung Vlandingham's haad and
followed Betty outside to post where
horse was hitched. Untying the hal
ter he~vaulted into the saddle. Betty
directed him how to go.
II hope shall see you again, Miss
Vlandingham," he observed.
"You may see me when you least ex'
pect it," she answered.
II will send the horse back to-mor'
row."
"Any time that you find it convenient
will be soon enough. Remember, we
. are enemies on county seat matters"
"And friends on all others?"
eff you wish it,"
IT do wish it. Good-by." ).
She waved her hand and he sped away
! into the night.