Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1902-08-20

how incompatible she would be-
come in his eyes! As Pettibone had
said, he could go to her and offer
her a "dower" interest in his town.
And then, if she would accept! His
heart leaped at the thought and his
mind winged skyward in sweeping
| dreams.
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 to
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 it
plain that while he was their guest
there was to 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. If 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! fre!" and the squire
leaped from his chair as his daugh-
ter and Guy hastily left the piano.
''Can it 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 quick look at the surround
ings. II can't just make out what
building it is, but it's near the
square, that's evident"
He ran to 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. II 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 peaceable election, but now
it is impossible"
"The best laid plans of mice and
maids gang aft agley, you remem-
her," observed Guy. "For my part,
I hope that ill-fated courthouse will
be burned to 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-like
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 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 minute" they
heard the squire say. I''You can leave
your wheel at the gate.'
They entered the house, whittier
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, it
could be seen that Lemuel was very
much agitated and frightened.
"A fellow-townsman of yours, Mr..
Herbert" remarked the squire, a
grim smile fitting across his face.
''This young man, he laid his hand
on Lemueps shoulder, "came over
from Concord and burned the court
house. He was caught while at
tempting to escape. The people were
strongly tempted to make an exam
pie of him, but reminded them of
our new policy
"Of my new policy, father" inter-
rupted Miss Betty.
"Quite so, my dear. I 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 brave thing, as his
people will look at it. That was a
very bright idea of yours, Mr.. Bill
| kins."
There was sarcasm in the squire's
voice, but Lemuel could not detect it.
'It was the Colonel's idea," an.
swered Lemuel, falteringly but
proudly. "He said if I'd do it Icould
have Simpsons place in the Office
''Has Sampson left Keever's EN-.
ploy?" queried the squire, with sud.
! den interest.
"Why," returned Lemuel, che set
on the Colonel like a tiger an if the
| Colonel hadn't held himself in he'd
jest naturally have killed Samp."
''This is news indeed!" exclaimed
Guy.
II have brought the young man
here, Betty" resumed her father, $50
that you might tell him what you in.
tended doing with the courthouse to-
morrow. He will see, then, that the
building was sacrificed to no pur.
pose."
won't you sit down, Mr.. Bilkins -
asked Miss Betty.
std ruther stand" returned Lem.
uel, fdgiting. IF it's all the same
to you, I'd ruther go right off, too.'
'You are in no danger, Mr.. Bilkins, y
went on Miss Betty. II give you my
word. Stand if you like, for I will