The Irish standard., 1902-05-17

i The Colonel began to roll up hi
coat sleeves, and Barney, coolly eye
ing him, made wry grimace. Lay
ing the shotgun down on the seat
Barney attempted to turn the car
riage and drive off. BY this time
however, the Coloners words hat
had an effect on his followers ant
two of them caught the horses
heads. Pettibone, seeing that Their,
was nothing for him to do but t.
act in his official capacity, ordered
Barney to get down. Barney obeyet
without any show of resistance ant
pettibone marched off with him
while Mr.. Glimmer took the team
and carriage back to the livery
stable.
During all this time Guy had beer
overlooked. He remained in the vi
entity long enough to note the out
come of the exciting little dram;
and then slipped quietly away tt
the hotel.
He was there an hour later. deep
ly engaged in a st. Paul paper, whe1
Il nervous little gentleman, wearing
Il pair of nose glasses, was led VI
to him by Pedro Smith.
MIR. HERBERT" said Pedro, "Mr
Pinchbeck. Mr.. Pinchbeck has re
Gently interested himself in our lit
tie city and he wishes to talk will
you concerning the outlook"
Guy shook hands with Mr.. Pinch
beck, and the latter seated himsel
at the young mans side while Pedro
drifted away toward the kitchen.
~ understand that you own near
ly all the vacant lots in this town
Mr.. Herbert" observed Mr.. Pinch
beck, catching his glasses as they
dropped from his nose.
Guy nodded.
Have you bought here recently?'
he asked.
"Guite recently"
every much?"
"a b.ocli-conditiona Mr.. Pinch
beck caught his glasses again, fitted
them carefully to the bridge of hi
nose and wrinkled his brows time OF
two to satisfy himself that they would
ho,d. 81 am to pay 1000 for the block
providing this town wins the count.
seat fight
"Ah, see. Your money is to be pait
back if we lose"
"Well--er-it hasn't really been pait
over. as yet. have merely contrac
fora deed. It's this way, Mr.. Herbert
When the ballots are counted if the,
show good safe majority for Concord
am to pay So 900 to the workmen who
have been brought here to build roads
bridges, etc. and | am also to pay 81 ,00'
for that wooden she'll which is ulti
mately to be the court house."
This was reveal ton to Guy. Herr
was the "tenderfoot" about whom tn
Colonel had told him. The Colonel
hcwever. had said nothing of q condi
tionai bargain.
"In case we lose the county seat, Mr.
Pinchbeck." said Guy, "what wou.t
happen?"
MIR. Pinchbcck smiled. The mirthfu
wrinkles disconnected his glasses ant
they evaded his hands and dropped int
his lap. The smile faded into a loci
of vexation as he picked up the glasse
and iammed EN- back on the bridge o
his nose.
"rhat's all right. Mr.. Herbert.
have contract with Viandingham TO
block at the same figure in case hi
town wins"
Guy was startled.
"Has Mr.. Vlandingham also inporte'
some voters?" he asked.
"Um-I don't know as ought to sa,
so, but he has run in a lot of fellow
from Bismarck-the same number a
Kecver brought in from Jimtown
They're working somewhere aroun'
Harmony, and will be in evidence OF
election day."
''In case Harmony wins, you are go
ing to pay Vlandingham's workmen. l
that it?"
CHATS it,"
"Col. Keever said you were tender
foot, Mr.. Pinchbeck, but you certainl
do not act like one. No matter from
which direction the breeze comes, 20
have an anchor to the windward."
cts Just plain business, that's all,
returned Mr.. Pinchbeck, dashing hi
hand to his face just in time to keep hi
glasses there.
SIS Mr.. N.andingham also buildin
a court house,"
"N-no. drove over from Harmon
this morninga and saw Vlandingham be
fore started. He's got something II
his sleeve. hardly know what. though
Tie told me hat fools build courthouse
and Wise men occupy them. | don
know as ought to tell you this. bein
non-cnmhatant. as you might say. b,
] guess i, won't do any harm. Nlar
bingham is n deep one, but his daughte
is deeper STILL
"Wlla, do you know about Miss Vlar
dingham?'" asked Guy. with sudden il
,arest. Mr. pinchheck started to al
swer. but had to pause to grab hi
glasses again, "Why don't you &c,
cord?" nsked Guy. somewhat testify.
"Eh?"
"rie EN- on" continued Guy. poin
iny to the glasses. "lf they were min
they'd give me nervous prosration,
, don't know hu, ihey will anyhow"
ITO Ee Continued
, E.gDNEss SUPERIOR TO BLOW