Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1902-08-01

y
people have got their heads so full of
other things they won't be able to
think of you for awhile, and I'd advise
you to go some place-Jimtown, or
Bismarck. or anywhere else you want
to-and stay for few days until the
suspicious and hard feeling against
you have a chance to blow over
'1'll do it," said Guy, and shook Waf-
Hes hand gratefully "f you hadn't
released me, though. I'd have gotten
out OF here before many hours had
passed. I'm going to Amityyille to see
it can't win a few votes for Concord"
you'll take the risk for nothing,
I'm afraid"
"What risk is there?"
"Well Abe Landy rules the roost In
Amityville, and Vlandingham has made
himself so solid with Landy that
they're all red-hot for Harmony. II
you go there, however, take my advice
and stop with Landy. He's miserly
old sinner, but he's the most fair-mind-
cd OF any one in the town"
"Thanks. I'll remember the name"
Guy followed the judge from the
room, down the stairs and out into the
street. The wild clangor of the bell
had ceased and the excited shoutings.
the grind Of carriage and wagon wheels
ana the fierce tattoo of hoofs had given
place TO churchyard quiet There
were many people on the street, but
their hats were pulled moodily down
over their brows and they conyersed
with one anotherin hushed tones. The
stunning effects of the calamity had
set in.
= Going over to the Lisbon House, GUY
passed through the deserted office to
the dining-room. A waiter served him
his breakfast in an agitated and alb
eent-minded manner, and when the
young man had finished his meal he
went up to his room, packed a few ar
ticles in satchel and then left the
hotel and made his way to the livery
stable. There were many citizens clus-
tered about the site of the courthouse.
but they vouchsafed Guy no attention
whatever. lem Bilkins was there, sit
ting sorlornly on one of the four posts
that had supported the stolen build.
Ing, Mr.. Biggs, the register of deeds,
was eireling sadly about the spot. be-
wailing the loss of his records. Mr..
Glfmmer, reposing on the steps of the
Emporium. was cleaning huge, old
fashioned horse pistol pausing now
and then in his work to glare across
the street through his heavy-rimmed
glasses. Children were as hopelessly
cast down as were their elders, and
even the dogs took upon themselves the
general air of detection.
Another stable hay had been ems
Boxed in the place OF Barney. His
name was Herkimer and he had wan
dered into Concord, as he expressedit,
ION his uppers." Leffingwell had i'm
mediately hired him and put him to
work. Being newcomer, Herkimes
had not had tins to acquire any of the
prajudiees Of the town. Not knowing
auy from Adam, he made ready n sad
die horse without question. and the
young man. after swinging his satchel
from the saddle-horn, mounted and
gathered up the reins.
please tell Mr.. LeffingwelL that
may not be back for two or three DAYS"
said he, "as I am leaving Concord on
business appertaining to the county
seat"
What name?' inquired the new
hand.
Herbert"
:Waitl Stop. 1don't think you can
have that horse!' cried the hostier,
who was familiar with Guys name if
not with his face.
But Guy was we'll away by this time
and gave no heed to Herkimer's SUM
R3S s:rs x.x. =. roads ,.,,,n. :
Amityyil.e. The shortest road paral-
leled the railroad track and led directly
through Harmony. In order to follow
this route it would have been necessary
for Guy to traverse the main street of
Concord and bear west from the depot.
He did not care to do this, or to run
the risk of being halted in Harmony,
SO he debouched southwark along the
other raad and angled toward Amity-
vile by way of Lake Elizabeth.
This latter course had been the one
taken by the men who had spirited
away the courthouse and GYy saw.
stretching out before him, the broad,
deep wheelm marks of the gigantic truck
which had been improvised by the Har-
monyites.
When near Lake Elizabeth he sud-
deny glimpsed half a dozen horsemep
galloping rapidly toward him. II vas
too late to beat retreat, or 10 gain
unnoticed the friendly shelter of the
trees on the bank of the lake. He had
been so deep in his thoughts that the
horsemen were within short quarter
of mile of him before he discovered
their approach.
He was soon ahle to distinguish Pet
tibqne. and Pinney, and Le1fingwell,
but the remaining three We're unknown
to him. Drawing rein, he quietly watt
ed.
"Thunder!" shouted the sheriff; "it's
HERBERT"
The next moment Guy was surround
ed by six angry and baffled men.
"Well, gentlemen. said Guy, his eyes
twinkling, "did you find the court
house?'
"You be b,amed!" returned Petit
bone, sourly. How did you get out?"
THAT doesn't matter, Pettibone.
I'm out, and that's enough. AS you
gentlemen appear to be il, anything but
an agreeable frame of mind kindly
ride out of my way and let me pass OF"