Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1902-05-08

chance there was for Concord retain
ing it's prestige"
''That was partly it," admitted Guy.
"But I also wished to attend the meet
ing and find out, if I could, what
move your side intended to make"
"Col. Keever suggested that, did he
not?"
"It was suggested to me-"
"And you endeavored to follow out
this counsel against your better judg-
ment?"
II am very sorry now that l acted
on the suggestion at ALL
"You are too much of a gentleman
for this sort of work, Mr.. Herbert. A
county seat contest of this kind is
very disagreeable affair."
"Why should there ever have been
a contest?"
''That was because Concord stole
the county seat from Harmony in the
first place. The vote was close and
the canvassing board bought by Col.
Keever, threw out a sufficient numb
of Harmony votes to give the county
seat to Concord" The blue eyes
snapped and the thin nostrils dilated.
"For this reason the question has
been reopened, Mr.. Herbert, and it is
for this reason, also, that / am heart
and soul in the conflict. I will have
no violence but Col. Keever may have
to be met with his own weapons in
order that right and justice may pre-
vail. We can be good enemies and
good friends as well, and after the
election she smiles-"we will try
to forget the disagreeable incidents
of the campaign"
with all my hearth" declared Guy.
She offered him her hand and he
pressed the little palm cordially.
At that moment they heard running
feet along the road by the gate, an
gry shouts and now and then the re-
tort of revolver. Betty sprang up
and hurried to window.
''There's a mob in 'front.'" she said,
quietly, ''but you need have no fears,
Mr. Herbert. You are just as safe
under this roof as you would be in
Concord"
Guy greatly admired her calmness,
but she underestimate his courage
if she thought for moment that he
was frightened. Before he could re-
ply, Mr.. Vlandingham hurried into
the room, coming from the rear of
the house.
Give got horse at the barn, Her
bert, all saddled, bridled and wait
ing ne said, quickly. II don't want
to alarm you, but some of those ras-
calls out there are drunk and Barney
has told them everything. You'd bet
ter go. I might be powerless to pro-
tect YOU"
Some one jingled the bell furiously.
A scuff1ing of feet and muttering of
hoarse voices came from the porch.
There they are" said Betty. you
talk with them at the door, father,
while show Mr.. Herbert where he
can find the horse"
Vlandingham t27ted for the hall,
but paused to reach out his hand to
Guy.
81 don't believe you knew what kind
of hornets nest you were going to
get into over here, Herbert. You've
got Betty on your side, I can see that,
and l don't lay up any hard feelings.
I'd advise you, though, to give this
burg a wide berth in future. You see,
I hold the winning cards in this fight
and can afford to be agnanimous."
Guy wrung Vlandingham's hand and
followed Betty outside to post where
horse was hitched. Untying the hal
ter he vaulted into the saddle. Betty
directed him how to go.
81 hope I shall see you again, Miss
Vlandingham," he observed.
"You may see me when you least ex-
pect it," she answered.
81 will send the horse back to-mor-
row."
"Any time that you find it convenient
will be soon enough. Remember, we
are enemies on county seat matters"
"And friends on all others?"
'sIf you wish it,
'I do wish it. Good-by."
She waved her hand and he sped away
into the night.