Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1902-06-17

the enemy, but 1t is quite another thing
to sit at table with the general of the
hostile camp and carry the espial into
his very household. Guy drew line
at that.
"Nonsensei" cried Vlandingham. II
won't have It any other way. You're
going with me and won't take no for
an answer"
ut is impossible" returned Guy.
firmly.
by Jupiter. we'll see about that.
In my own town-beg pardon, Betty.
our own town-things 60 about IS L.
- we-wsut them to Co."
II appreciate your hndness," said
Guy, embarrassed by the persistent
nature Of vlandingham's hospitality.
"but cannot impose upon you"
Impose! Hear that, Betty? he
talks of imposing on neon us-after
saving your life. my grill Think Of
how you would now be lying crushed
and broken on that car floor but for his
heroic assistanoel Jupiter! Mr.. Her
bert, owe you debt of gratitude.
Buy two lots at the present price and
I'll throw in two more. Now, then!"
Guy was overwhelmed. Miss Betty
bowed her head and her shoulders
moved convulsively.
"See how my daughter is Affected"
cried vlandingham- "She understands
how much we owe you, Mr.. Herbert,
and"
A smothered laugh came from Miss
Strengthening her face with an effort.
Guy was chagrined. The more he saw
of Elizabeth Vlandingham the more he
wished they had met under happier
circumstances.
"My father, Mr.. Herbert" remarked
the young lady, sis very anxious to sell
our lots He has forgotten that there
are none for saba"
"WhatP" gasped vlandingham,
aghast.
after the election the lots will be
worth double what they are now, and
why should we divide our profits with
anyone9"
Miss Betty had delightfully."- con.
trary nature. Had Guy accepted her
fathers hospitality she would have
been set against him; but now that he
had determined not to accept, she was
equally determined that he should.
"Mr. Herbert" she went on, "allow
me to second my fathers invitation.
We shall be glad TO have you stay at
Willowview while you are in Har.
mony."
The wtchery of her blue eyes made
the temptation powerful one. yet
Guy shook his head. Then tho blsls
eyes grew imperioue.
"You must!" declared Miss Betty.
and Guy yielded under mental pro-
test.
A few minutes later they were in
Harmony, descending from the ca
boose far below the depot and pro-
ceeding ''cross lots" toward large and
comfortable looking group Of farm
buildings framed in a dusky setting Of
willows. Evening had fallen too dark
ly for Guy to see very much of this
rival town, but assuredly there vas
nothing in Concord to compare With
Wilbur Vlandingham's palatial home.
Willowvsew was manor comprising,
in its entirety, almost thousand
broad acres AUDITING upon the town
site. The house was large and neat
ness personified without and within.
Dinner was waiting, and after Guy
had removed the cinders and dust
with which the short journey by freight
train had literally covered him, he
Joined Miss Betty and her father in
the dimng-room. There was only the
three of them and Guy was not long in
learning that Mrs. Vlandingham had
been dead for several years. The
daughter had taken the mothers place
In the household, and was filling it,
ii Guy might judge, with eminent
credit to herself and supreme salts.
faction to her father.
The dinner was charming, Miss Betty
made herself most agreeable, and
there was no talk of lots, or townsite
matters, or anything else that breathed
remotely of business OF discord. Guy
forgot for the time the mission he
had undertaken at the Coloneps behest.
He was brought to himself, however,
with something like shock, directly
after dinner, while he and Mr.. Wand
tngham were in the parlor listening to
Miss Betty's piano playing.
There came sharp ring at the door
bell followed by colloquy between the
maid and some person or persons with
out. The next moment there was
tread of feet and four gentlemen
marched into the parlor single file,
their hats in there hands
The gentleman in the lead was
very small person, and from the way
his left eye focused itself answering
ly on given point while its fellow
roved ut will there was small doubt
that the left eye was glass. Behind
the leader came a gentleman of tow
ering height-he was taller even than
Guy or Mr.. Vlandingham-and his
framework was SO loosely put togeth-
er he could not seem to talk without
Earring himself; the third of the quar-
tet had a wooden leg and the sleeve of
the fourth was folded over and tucked
!, in the front of his coat.
Miss Vlandingham," exclaimed the
man with the glass eye, your most
obedient!" He bowed and his three
companions bowed with him. The
spokesman executed an '.about face"
and directed his attention at Miss
Vlandingham' father, the rest of the
squad participating in the movement.