Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1902-07-04

Oul AtAi gou
"And / tell you that / am going"
answered Guy, yehemently.
lie made n spring TO the left with
the intention Of darting past the
sheriff; but the latter was fully as
quick and threw himself sideways,
catching Guys arm and clinging to
him like a leech. Painting, the two
stood for a second and gazed at each
other.
81 don't wish TO hurt you, Petit
bone" said Guy, in a terse tone, but
i assure you l am going out to talk
with Miss Nlandingham. III do moth
ing REASONABLE, l promise you that.
Won't you take the word of a gentle
man?"
just now" was Pettibone's obstinate
rejonder. Here you are and here
you'll stay"
Then look out for yourself"
With these words Guy closed with
the sheriff. The young man had a
splendid muscular development,
which his appearance in a measure
belied. lie was likewise the possessor
of fair amount of fstic science and
wrestling skill which his quiet de-
meanor and modest bearing were far
from suggesting. A knowledge OF all
this was quickly made manifest TO
Pettibone and the realization that he
had met more than his match was
about the last tangible thought he
had for several minutes. In twink
ling he was neatly thrown, and, in
falling, his head came in contact with
a tree root, so that he was stunned
and his hold OF Guy relaxed. After
contracting strongly, his limbs were
flung out with a jerk and he closed
his eyes and lay motionless.
Guy was alarmed al first, but when
he had pressed the tips OF his fingers
through Petitioners thick hair, and
felt the skull at the point where il
had come in contact with the root,
his apprehension vanished. There
was nothing TO worry over and the
sheriff would be himself again very
shortly. Removing Prttibone's coat.
Guy wrapped il up compactly and
placed it under his head; then he
hurried 10 the buggy, and secured the
halter rope that was under the seat.
Coming back, he tied the sheriff's
hands behind him with one end of the
halter and secured the other end
about the tree beside whose trunk the
sheriff had fallen.
lie worked rapidly, only few min
utes elapsing between his attack upon
Pettibone and his. final work with the
halter Without waiting an instant,
Guy pushed through the intervening
thicket and started down the grassy
descent toward the carriage.
Miss Betty, a vexed expression on
her pretty face had just frightened
the lines with one of her gloved hands
and taken the whip from it's socket
with the other, when she saw Guy APP
preaching. The vexed look faded into
a dazzling smile.
well, truant," cried Miss Betty,
"did you remain away purposely 10
punish us for being late?"
His clothing was somewhat disar-
ranged and a wondering light came
into her eyes as she gazed az him. Miss
Pinkney was as reserved as usual al
though she smiled in friendly spirit
and evidently partook Of her compan-
ions curiosity.
II came as quickly as could, Miss
Vlandingham," answered Guy, set
Ting his collar and arranging his
scarf. please pardon my disordered
appearance-it could not be helped"
you did not walk all the way here
from Concord, did you?" she queried.
brought me are over there among the
trees. Your appointment was for four
o'clock, IL I remember"
Yes, and I would have been here
punctually but for Lois. She misun-
derstood that part of our programme
and was late in getting 10 our house
20 accompany me. But here we are. at
last, and IL we have not entirely ex-
hausted your patience Mr.. Herbert,
perhaps I had better proceed at once
with the matter which led me 20 seek
this interview"
Pardon me just a moment" Guy
had advanced 10 the forward wheel on
Miss Betty's side of the buggy He
was very close TO her, and, in the few
times he had seen her. she had never
been more lovely in his eyes than she
was then. The breeze had brought a
fresh. ruddy color 10 her cheeks and
her broad brimmed straw hat was
most becoming. II was going 10 ask
YOU" proceeded Guy, conscious Of an
awkward pause. eff you were al home
all the afternoon up 10 the time YOU
left 20 drive here?"
81 was at home the entire after
noon" answered Miss BETTY.
And did you not receive my mes
sage"
your message?" she echoed.
yes. sent you telegram"
"Then II was not delivered 10 me"
That's strange" murmured Guy.
"What was the message?'
"Nothing very important"
Messages are usually quite impor-
tant if they are telegraphed."
81 should have said that il is not