Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1902-05-14
or brows showing her disapproFal

"Harmony," he resumed, sis my
town, Mr.. Herbert, =
"Our town." corrected Miss Betty.
"Certainly, my love-" deferred her
father; 'whateversis 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 a jump" Leaning sidewise
conidentially he tapped Guy on the
knee. Take my advice. Buy few
lots now before the rise"
"I'll have to think about it," said Guy.
"Of course; and while you are think
ing about it you are to accept the hos
pitality of my humble home"
| Miss Betty shot a quick glance of
"Really, Mr.. Vlandingham," an
swered Guy, I couldn't think of such
thing"
It 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 won't take no for
an answer"
1T 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 cannot impose upon YOU"
Impose! 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 car floor but for his
heroic assistance! Jupiter! Mr.. Her
bert, I owe you a debt of gratitude.
Buy two lots at the present price and
I'll throw in two more. Now, them"
Guy was overwhelmed. Miss Betty
bowed her head and her shoulders
moved convulsively.
"See how my daughter is affected!''
cried Vlandingham. "She underst ands
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 Eliza beth Vlandingham the more he
wished they had met under happie,
circumstances.
my father, Mr.. Herbert" remarked
the young lady, 'is very anxious to sci
our lots. He has forgotten that there
are none for sale.'
"What?" gasped Vlandingham
aghast.
''After the election the lots will bt
worth double what they are now, ant
why should we divide our profits will
anyone?"
Miss Betty had a delightfully."- con
trary nature. Had Guy accepted he1
fathers hospitality she would hav,
been set against him; but now that h
had determined not to accept, she wa!
equally determined that he should.
''Mr. Herbert" she went on, "allov
me to second my fathers invitation
We shall be glad to have you stay a
Willowview while you are in Har
mony."
The witchery of her blue eyes mad
the temptation a powerful one, ye
Guy shook his head. Then the blu
J eyes grew imperious.
"You must!" declared Miss Betty
and Guy yielded under mental pro
r test.
A few minutes later they were il
Y Harmony, descending from the ca
!, boose far below the depot and pro
. ceeding "cross lots" toward large an
2 comfortable looking group of farm
buildings framed in a dusky setting O
= willows. Evening had fallen too dark
l ly for Guy to see very much of thi
+ rival town, but assuredly there wa
l nothing in Concord to compare witt
r Wilbur Vlandingham's palatial home
Willowview was manor comprising
in it's entirety, almost a THOUSAND
, broad acres abutting upon the tow
I site. The house was large and neat
. ness personified without and within
! Dinner was waiting, and after Gu,
, had removed the cinders and dus
. with which the short journey by freigh
r train had literally covered him, h
y joined Miss Betty and her father il
y the dining-room. There was only tn
three of them and Guy was not long il
= learning that Mrs. Vlandingham ha
been dead for several years. TIL
daughter had taken the mothers plac
in the household, and was filling il
J if Guy might judge, with eminen
credit to herself and supreme salts
faction to her father.
The dinner was charming, Miss Bett
. made herself most agreeable, an
there was no talk of lots, or townsit
. matters, or anything else that breathe
. remotely of business or discord. Gu
forgot for the time the mission h
had undertaken at the Colonies behest
He was brought to himself, however
: with something like a shock, directl
after dinner, while he and Mr.. Vlan6
:ngham were in the parlor listening t.
Miss Betty's piano playing.
ITO Be Continued
q Sweetly Innocent.
e The ten-year-old daughter of a port
e ly lady seemed overjoyed when he
!, mother promised to take her to
concert on the following evening, an6