Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1902-05-09

voice OF masculine timbre, so deep III
was almost n roar.
Guy discovered the second speaker
instantly. He was a large man wear
ing black slouch hat and was sitting
on seat that ran along the side OF
the car, his eyes close 10 window
and eagerly observing the town.
The other speaker was not SO easily
located. but Guy found her at last.
She was perched on a stool up in the
lookout" or cupola, and was also
studying the main street with eager
gaze.
81 was going 10 catch a glimpse Of
the gallant Colonel" continued the
girl, with a ripple Of laughter. Sub
tract him from Concord and the re-
suit is naught."
"Huh!" exclaimed the father, with
out looking around. "Keever is the
biggest cipher in the whole layout.
Everybody will know that one Of these
days"
81 can't understand" went on the
down TO see that the train arrives and
departs properly"
Pardon me-" put in Guy, whimsic-
ally. hating below the young lady and
looking up at her, "the people here do
not manifest the same interest in a
freight that they do in n passenger.
Besides, there are two men and dog
behind the depot whom you have over
looked.
la To- ~ q 10. IL. r ..
switched around and fixed his eyes on
the speaker. The girl also turned in
her seat in a startled way and looked
down.
She was a very handsome girl. her
fine, clean-cut features possessing the
charm of womanly resolution and
frmness. Symmetry was the keynote
of face and form, and the eyes, the
lips and the square, dimpled chin all
told of underlying strength. From
the viewpoint Of a hysiognomist she
delighted Guy, and II may be that the
Joy Of his character study betrayed IT.
self, for the young lady suddenly as
sumed a naughty air which became
her amazingly. She vouchsafed him
n frigid stare, tossed her head disdain-
fully, and then-well, just then the
train gave a terrific Jerk in the un-
comfortable manner that all freight
trains have, and the young lady was
precipitated from her perch fairly and
squarely into the young mans arms.
Guv was a good sailor and able to keen
his feet in the hardest kind OF blow,
SO he remained upright, and was able
TO save the young lady from any i'll
effects that might have accompanied
her fall. Undoubtedly She was crate
full, but she did not show IT, Her face
was in a fame as Guy released her. and
her white teeth closed bitingly on her
red under lip.
Jupiter, but that was neatly
done" exclaimed the large man,
heartily. Betty, why don't you
thank him? That drop might have
hurt you. my girl"
Had he not attracted my atten-
ton" fared Miss Betty, II would
not have lost my hold. These freight
trains are simply insufferable and
this is the very last time l shall ever
ride on one"
ALLOW me-" said Guy.
STOPPING he picked up chain
bracelet which had become unclasped
from Miss Betty's dainty wrist. She
took il from him. replaced il around
her glove, and then seated herself on
one Of the side seats Just where the
last flicker of sunlight touched her
reddish hair into gold. A very pretty
picture she was. too. sitting stifly
erect in her injured dignity and look
ing neither to right nor left. The
large man shifted his twinkling eyes
from her and gave Guy wink.
What's your line?" he asked.
II don't understand you" returned
Guy.
Drummer, / take it?' The large
man squinted about Guys vicinity as
though searching for sample cases.
Guy was annoyed, especially as
Miss Bettys sense OF the ridiculous
prevailed over all and allowed a smile
TO twitch at the corners of her
mouth.
you are mistaken. sir" said Guy.
az am not n drummer"
Been long in Concord?"
"A few hours only"
THAT was as long as you could
stand il, l suppose. Well, I don't
blame you. II you want TO make
little money during this boom you've
got TO buy lots in a live town like
Harmony. My names Vlandingham,
young man"
Guy had been on the point of say
ing that he already had more lots
than he knew what TO do with. but
the large mans announcement Of his
name caused him TO take another
course Here undoubtedly was the
very Nlandingham who had the coun-
~ commissioners under his thumb
and was the ringleader Of the con-
spiracy 10 steal the county seat
away from Concord. Guy became
wary on the instant.
MY name is Herbert, Mr.. Wand
ingham." said he. II am going over