The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1902-04-12

THE IRISH STA
her brows showing her disapproval
of her fathers actions. Mr.. Wan
bingham smiled and winked again.
"Harmony," he resumed, "is my
town, Mr.. Herbert.
"Our town." corrected Miss Betty.
Certainly, my love-" deferred her
father; whatever is mine will some
day be yours" He turned once more
to Guy. Harmony is going to have
the county seat, Mr.. Herbert. and
the moment the result of this spe-
cial election is known lots will go
up with jump" Leaning sidewise
confidentially he tapped Guy on the
knee. "Take my advice. Buy few
lots now before the rise"
"l'll have to think about it," said Guy.
COT course; and while you are think
ing about it you are to accept the hos
pita,ity of my humble home"
Miss Betty shot a quick glance of
protest in her fathers direction.
Really, Mr.. Vlandingham," an
swered Guy, couldn't think of such
thing"
1t was one thing to prevent his for
tunes being wrecked by accommodating
the enemy, but it 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.
"Nonsense!" cried Vlandingham. 81
won't have it any other way. You're
going with me and 1 won't take no for
an answer"
sit is impossible" returned Guy,
firmly.
"By Jupiter, We'll see about that.
In my own town--beg pardon, Betty,
our own town-things go about as L
as we-want them to CO."
81 appreciate your Kindness" said
Guy, embarrassed by the persistent
nature of Vlandingham's hospitality.
"but I cannot impose upon YOU"
"lmpose! Hear that, Betty? He
talks of imposing on NEON us-after
saving your life, my girl! Think of
how you would now be lying crushed
and broken on that ear floor but for his
heroic assistance! Jupiter! Mr.. Her
bert, l owe you a Gebt of gratitude
Buy two lots at the present price and
Ill throw in two more. Now, then!"
Guy was overwhelmed. Miss Betty
bowed her head and her shoulders
moved convu.sively.
"see how my daughter is atfected!"
cried Nlandin2ham. she understands
how much we owe you, Mr.. Herbert,
and
A smothered laugh came from Miss
Betty. She looked up presently,
strengthening her face with an effort.
Guy was chagrined. The more he saw
of Elizabeth Nlandingham the more he
wished they had met under happier
circumstances.
"My father, Mr.. Herbert" re marked
the young lady, sis very anxious to sell
our lots. He has forgotten that there
are none for sale"
"What?" gasped Vlandingham,
aghast.
"After the election the lots will be
worth double what they are now, and
why should we divide our profits with
anyone?'
Miss Betty had a 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.
MIR. 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 Iar-
mony."
The witchcry of her blue eyes made
the temptation a powerful one, yet
Guy shook his head. Then the blue
eyes grew imperious.
you n.ust!" 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 dusl1y setting of
willows. Evening had fallen too dark
| ly for Guy to see very much of this
| rival town, but assuredly there was
nothing in Concord to compare With
| Wilbur Nandingham's palatial home.
| Willowvlew was a manor comprising,
in it's entirety, almost Il thousand
broad acres abutting upon the town
site. The house was large and neat
ness personificd without and within.
Dinner was waiting, and after Guy
had removed the cinders and dust
with which the short iourneyby freight
train had literally covered him, he
Joined Miss Betty and her father in
the dining-room. There was only the
three of them and Guy was not long in
learning that Mrs. Nlandingham had
been dead for several years. The
daughter had taken the mothers place
in the household, and was filling it,
if 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, oranything else that breathed
remotely of business or discord. Guy
forgot for the time the mission he
had undertaken at the Colonel's behest.
He was brought to himself, however,
with something like shock, directly
after dinner, while he and Mr.. Wand.
:ngham were in the parlor listening to
| Miss Betty'S piano playinr.