Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1902-06-06

fies the hostile feeling which is already
too bitter and vengeful. It is only a
step from our present situation TO
warfare and bloodshed. Twas in grave
peril, East night"
Il was going 10 ask you about that !"
broke in the Colonel, curiosity for the
moment overcoming his resentment.
You succeeded in getting in?"
Yes; and | succeeded in getting out
again and saving myself a rough ex-
perience only through the magnanim-
ity of Mr.. Nlandingham."
"Nlandingham is a knave, sir!''
Mr. Nlandingham is a gentleman,
Col Keever!"
/ He couldn't come Of the stock he
does and be gentleman"
Rot" exclaimed Guy disgustedly.
I'VE won't quarrel, Herbert; il won I
do for us to quarrel. Did you discover
anything at the meeting?"
Nothing of any consequence"
Az that moment the Office door
opened and a man who looked like a
day laborer came into the room. He
had a shifty eye, and unrazored face
and wore red and sweat-stained shirt.
His hands were big and scanned with
toll.
"Who are you, sir?" demanded the
Colonel.
My names Hepburn" replied the
man, rolling his eyes from the Colonel
TO Guy, and then about the room. up
to yesterday l was workin' on the SEQ
ton at Harmony. But got fired yes
terday mornin'."
"Ah, ha!" returned the Colonel.
blinking Here was a deserter from
the enemy, man with a grievance.
What do you want, Mr.. Hepburn"
Il suppose ! can talk before him all
right, answered Hepburn, nodding his
head in Guys direction. "He was the
chap that got out Of Harmony last
night by the skin Of his teeth"
Certainly you can talk before him."
said the Colonel
rs there anyone else 10 hear Us -
Hepburn's gaze continued TO travel
around the sanctum, and his face be-
came anxious.
answered the Colonel impatiently.
Proceed, sir; proceed"
well, then ! want TO sell some in
formation"
What is it about?" queried the
Colonel, warily.
About Harmony"
What's ii worth?"
Its worth hundreds TO YOU. mebbv
thousands. and mcbby il means the
county scat don't know. | want $40
for the information. Got TO have
money 20 get 20 Jimtown. Amt never
going back 10 Harmony no more"
The Colonel laid his cane on top ~
his desk, removed his hat and placed
it carefully beside the cane, aud then
began 10 rub his hands.
What do you say" asked Hepburn.
The Colonel looked toward Guy as
though expecting him 10 foot the bill.
81 say No. said Guy. 81 don't want
your information, Mr. Hepburn, land
decline TO hand over the price OF your
treachery."
Hepburn appeared startled and the
Coloners jaw dropped spasmodically.
Are you mad?" spluttered Keever.
Let me tell you, sir. that if you try
10 run this county seat fight according
o any Sunday-school notions well be ]
beaten hands down" {
"All right" returned Guy cheerfully.
IT'S not all right. sir" cried the {
colonel You with your 200 lots are I
Tot the only man interested. There
re others. In behalf of the others
he drew a bill from his pocket and :
landed il TO Hepburn-"I shall pay s
ir. Hepburn the price Of his treach-
ry, if you please" a
Then look to it that the money
oesn't come out of the Townsite b
ind" warned Guy
Col. keeyer held his head very high h
nd refused 10 take any notice Of these
lords. v
Go on said he 10 Hepburn.
We'll, saide Hepburn, casting
ervouS glance at Guy, zone Of Wand
lgham's hired men is a friend Of b
line. and he told me what am goin' 81
tell you. Cap'n Blue has formed 81
~ t'"HN Va twenty men, winch he calls
be Harmony lnvincibles. They're !
rilling nearly all the time" II
us that alp" II
That's only half. The other half is "
re biggest part of the news. There OF
e two spies in this town They are
the hotel now disguised as Sisters pl
Charity. One of them is Vlanding- in
ms daughter an t'othcr one is a b
ISIS Pinkney." of
\ cold chill swept along Guys er
rves. Had he known what was com p
g he would have reached out and III
oked the section man into silence.
he Colonel let off a roar Of delight u
d grabbed up his hat and cane. tn
' Are you done, Hepburn" he cried. NJ
Amt that enough" asked the in w
rmer, wickedly, his hand on the
or knob. he
'Itll do, it'll do. Mind YOU keep no
is 10 yourself. man" sh
They'd hang me if ever went back alb
Harmony and they found il ont" no
hepburn departed and the Colonel ga