Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1902-08-19

Betty" cried Miss pinkney,
you're IA modern Tarpeia. The
idea of you-you of all the others
being happy because Concord won"
Miss Pinkney began drawing on her
gloves in an angry flutter.
Lois returned Miss Betty, "you
do not understand, dear. I am not
happy because Concord won, but be-
cause Mr.. Herbert las come out of
the east, burdened with his inexperi-
ence. and worsted clique of old
campaigners like my father and
yours"
care you proud of me for going
into the open market and buying
votes?" asked Guy.
"Hush!" she returned, raising an
admonitory forefinger. "That is too
hard name for something which
the great political parties never scru-
pie at doing. 1t was case of dia-
mond cut diamond. You interested
the Amityville people in your town
even as my father had interested
them in ours-only you were shrewd
enough to be more liberal The game
of politics is selfish one, at best,
and you"
just then the squire storned in.
MY condolences, Herbert" he ex-
claimed, in gay mood, waving a slip
of yellow paper above his head.
"What?" asked Guy, startled.
II sympathize with you, but a town
Il 1nI
know. Harmony carries the day, and
the deciding votes come from Con-
cord itself. Five, Betty! We have a
majority of five! Here, read this
telegram"
The squire threw himself into
chair and Guy turned mechanically
toward Betty. She had taken the
message from her fathers hand and
now read as follows:
Concord casts 20 votes for Har-
mony. Conservative estimate gives
you five majority. Riot here. Town
in turmoil. Hard to tell what will
happen. BIGGs.'
"Hurrah!" cried the excited Miss
Pinkney, waving her handkerchief.
where in the world did those 20
Harmony votes come from?" asked
Miss Betty.
Her father pursed up his lips,
looked at the ceiling and twirled his
thumbs.
"Victory is perched on our BAN
ners. Betty he observed, finally. "I
don't know how it got there any
more than you do, but what's the
odds?"
What's the odds? That is plainly
what Miss Betty thought, for the mo-
ment.
Now what do you think, Mr.. Her.
bert?' she asked, turning on the
amazed young man and shaking the
telegram before his eyes.
81 think l shall have to return the
congratulations which you gave me
few moments ago." laughed Guy.
mot only that, but l think, too, that
l shall have to return to Concord at
once"
"oh, no!' said Miss Betty.
ut would be suicidal!" declared
the squire. Didn't you hear the
message? Riot here-town in tur-
moil.' Don't go back there until
matters quiet down."
"They could spare me in case Of
victory" said Guy, "but it's cow
ardly to remain away in time of de-
feat. must go Immediately. Per-
haps Barney will take me?"
TN take you myself if you're
bound to CO." answered the squire,
promptly. Il don't want to persuade
you against your convictions. YOU
know, and l have the greatest re-
spect for your courage, but really
I'm afraid you'll be in some danger
if you go over there just at pres
ent. Wait till morning, anyway"
mo. squire" returned Guy, firmly.
II must go tonight"
And go he did, needless alike of
the protestations of Miss Betty and
her father.
AS he and the squire Travelled
quickly out of Concord, bells were
ringing, horns were blowing, guns
were firing and the joy was spon-
taneous and unconfincd
When the travellers first glimpsed
the twinliling lights of Concord they
likewise discovered blot of shadow
lowering in the road directly ahead.
On drawing nearer. the blot was re-
solved into horse and carriage with
q man in silhouette on the carriage
seat. The rig was at a standstill and
looked most ominous,
"Why, it's Pettibone!" exclaimed
Guy, as they came in line to pass.
He had recognized the high stopper
and its driver by kind of instinct.
stop moment, squire"
Mr.. Nlandingham drew rein.
"ls that you, Herbert?" inquired
the sheriff.
YES"
slow are you?"
Nearly as good as new"
Glad to hear it. Never had any
thing break me up quite so much as
that skirmish and seeing you tum-
BILE into the road. Where are you
bound for?"
Concord"
"Take my advice and turn back"
''Why?"
at won't be healthy for you to go
there, that's why. There are all
kinds of stories afloat about you. In
their present temper the people
wouldn't like anything better than
to string you up, OF course, know
you better, and don't take any stock