Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1902-05-23


of IL. IL you'd like 10 run il over. It's
a mighty warm number-county seat
war is gettin' interestin'."
Pedro pulled the paper ont from un-
der his apron and Guy examined il
lnzily. There was a red-hot leader, in
the Coloners scorchiug style, picking
the county commissioners TO tatters
and then holding these remnants up
to public contumely. The intrinsic
value Of the article did not interest
Guy quite so much as something else.
lie produced the note which Mr.. Wan
bingham had handed him at the town
meeting the night before Bile
was treasuring that scrap simply and
solely because Of Miss Betty's penciled
message 10 her father al the bottom OF
It, Turning the note over, he perused
the writing ON the back. as he had done
once before that morning.
The chirography was blotted
scrawl and the ink was purple in
color. Guy remembered that the ink
which the Colonel had Jared ont Of
its stand on the preceding afternoon
was not all. The writing on the back
Of that note was the counterpart Of a
fraction of the leader. word for word.
comma for comma and exclamation
point for exclamation point. Had Guy
a piece Of the copy" in his hands?
Was here clew TO the identity Of the
broom man" mentioned by Barney?
"Jee-mi-nee," broke from Pedro
Smith, as he got up from his chair.
Here come three passengers from
the west. We don't get many from
that direction"
Guy thrust the note back into his
pocket and looked towards the sta
tion. The train had gone and the cu-
rious citizens were headed back to-
wards the business section Of the
town. Lemuel was carrying the mail
sacks for Mr.. McQuilkin. task which
he performed proudly and regularly
for the mere glory Of it; Sampson, a
little time at his disposal now that
the weeks issue was ont OF the way,
had lighted cigarette and was saun-
tering leisurely: Mr. Glimmer had
been expecting his wife's sister from
Bismarck, ard il cannot be said that
he wore a very disappointed look be-
cause she had failed 10 arrive. Waffle
was Of the party. and his shadow, Bill
Comfort. and several more.
The attention Of the group Of citi-
zens was riveted upon the three ar
rivals who walked in advance and
headed for the hote!. Two 81 these
were women. ostensib'y Sisters Of
Charity. and closely yelled. The third
was man, under medium height and
euveloped from head 20 hee,s in gar
ment that was much too large FOR him.
His hat was drawn down over his fore
head and the collar a his ill-itting
coat was turned up about his ears. The
attire was exceedingly warm for that
season of the year and Sampson
guyed the stranger in frequent asides
10 Lem Bilkius.
The Sisters Of Charity passed into
the hotel. ushered by the obs.quious
Pedro. The little man in the long coat
likewise entered the office and took
seat in one corner rigidly erect and not
deigning TO unbutton his coat. The cit
kens halted In front Of the verands 10
stare and specu,ate-all save Bilkins,
who was due a the post Office.
"Cracky!" exclaimed sampson, look
ing hard at Guy. The printer started
10 say something more, but bit his
words of short.
whats the NATTER" asked Guy,
wondering a the mystided expression
Of the youths face.
"Oh. nothing replied sampson,
backing away.
My dear HERBERT" cooed the famil-
lar voice Of Col, Keever, as that gen.
tleman rounded the corner Of the hotel
and advanced upon Guy precipitately.
you look WEI. added the Colonel, sig
nifcant,y dropping hand on the
Young mans shoulder. Then he
stopped and whispered: How did you
come out?"
Before Guy could answer the little
man Ia The ill-ftting coat plunged out
on the veranda and halted at the
Co.oners side.
"Hai" cried the little man. furiously.
81 have come into the iackal's lair 10
pay my respects 20 the Jackal-in-c chief.
Archibald keever. YOU are n impudent
,cuuudrel. sir, You are an i.l-man-
uered hlackguard. sir! You have not
the first instinct Of gentleman. You
are coward do YOU hear me? a cow
ard and knaye! My hat in your teeth,
sir"
The little man jerked off his slouch
hat revealing TWO eyes, one Of which
r.eamed CLASSIFY az Guy while the other
Travelled mp and down the fun extent
Of CO.. Keever's anatomy; then the
blow fell across the Colonel's face.
i all came about with paralyzing
sudleuness The crowd OF Coucordians
stared and gaped as though under some
banefu, spell The little man was Col.
Diug,e. Of Harmony The next instant
Guy had ,eaped 10 his feet.
\ shuGGer of nightly passion con-
vu.scd Col. Keever His hand tight
eued ccnvu.siye.y at the head Of his
cane.