Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1902-08-08
His Friend,
The Enemy
ny WILLIAM WALLACE COOK
Author Of Rogers Of Butte The Spur Of
Necessity, Mr.. Fit Astroloeer." etc
Copyright, 1901, BY the s. S. Mcclure CO..

Copyright 1901, By the 5. 5. Mcclure Co..
That night they were in the coy
parlor just as they had been exact.
ly two weeks before. Miss Betty
was at the piano and Guy stood be-
side her turning her music. The
squire was engaged with his paper
Since the young man had come 20
the house that second time the coun-
ty seat question had not once been
mentioned. As during his first visit,
father and daughter were making il
plain that while he was their guest
there was 20 be no discordant note
TO jar their friendship. Guy was de-
lighted at this, for there was a
charm in observing Miss Betty as
the light and center Of her fathers
home. II her shrewdness and cour-
age had pleased him in the political
field how much more was he attract
ed by her domestic accomplishments.
Guy was watching Miss Betty's
white fingers fit over the keys, and
now and then exchanging soft
word in which his passion throbbed
dangerously near the surface, when
there came a sudden interruption.
A lusty voice outside gave an alarm
of Fire! fire." and the squire
leaped from his chair as his daugh-
ter and Guy hastily left the piano.
Can il be this house, father in
quired Miss Betty, nervously.
mo, it's in town" replied the
squire, who had drawn back the cur
tain for a quick look at the surround.
ings. 81 can't just make out what
building it is, but it's near the
square, that's evident"
He ran 20 the hall, secured his hat
and opened the door. a mellow glare
was cast over the scene without, and
man was discovered Fastening along
the road.
"Hello!" cried Mr.. Vlandingham.
What's burning"
The courthouse." was the start
ling answer flung back by the man
as he sped on.
"oh, dear" cried Miss Betty, with
a sharp note Of regret. Il had
planned TO do something in the morn
ing, before the polls open-something
which would have knit Concord and
Harmony in closer bonds and have
insured a peaceable election, but now
it is impossible"
THE best laid plans Of mice and
maids gang aft agley, YOU remem-
ber," observed Guy. For my part,
! hope that Inflated courthouse viii
be burned 10 the last stick. 1t has
caused trouble enough"
Together they sat on the porch
watching the yellow flames leap high
and toss their sparkling, star-iike
cinders. Then gradually the fiery
tongues sank down and down, the
glare faded out Of the sky and they
knew that the courthouse had ceased
TO be q factor in the contest.
The squire returned, by and by,
and with him walked a youth who
was wheeling bicycle.
Let us go in for a minute" they
heard the squire say. you can leave
your wheel at the gate"
They entered the house, whithe'
Miss Betty and Guy had preceded
them, and Guy then discovered that
the youth who was accompanying
the squire was none other than Lem
uel Bilkins. Notwithstanding GER
tain air of bravado and triumph, Il
could be seen that Lemuel was very
much agitated and frightened.
"a fellow-townsman of yours, Mr..
Herbert" remarked the squire.
grim smile fitting across his face
This young man he laid his hand
on Lemuels shoulder, "came over
from Concord and burned the court
house. lie was caught while at.
tempting to escape. The people were
strongly tempted 10 make an exam
pie Of him, but I reminded them of
our new policy"
"Of my new policy, father" inter
rupted Mis- Betty.
quite so. my dear. | reminded
them Of your new policy and the in
cendiary was turned over TO me. His
name is Lemuel Bilkins and he has
probably done n brave thing. as his
people Will look at IL. That was n
very bright idea Of yours, Mr.. Bill
kins."
There was sarcasm in the squire's
voice, but Lemuel could not detect Il.
ut was the Colonel's idea" an
swered Lemuel. falteringly but
proudly. "He said IL I'd do il could
have SIMPSONS place in the Office"
HAS Sampson left Keever's en-
ploy?" queried the iquire, with sud
den interest.
why" returned Lemuel, che set
on the Colonel like tiger an IL the
Colonel hadn't held himself IN he'd
lest naturally have killed samp."
~