Ottumwa semi-weekly courier., 1902-07-29

to get you and is it possible that you
will refuse to go back with me?"
There was laughter in her eyes as
she added: "You need apprehend no
danger, now. A Concord man, I am
happy to say, may walk the streets
of Harmony without the slightest
fear"
'It isn't the danger that deters
me-" answered Guy 81 am not such
a coward as that l hope!"
Aren't you well enough?" She
eyed his stalwart form archly.
Richard is himself again-almost.
But tomorrow, you know, is the
election.
"The returns will reach you more
quickly in Harmony than they viii
here"
Il shall not stay here. My post
of duty is Concord and Mr.. Whit
taker is going to take me there in
the morning.
From the way the Concord people
treated you," she said, her eyes
glowing resentfully, 81 shouldn't
think you'd ever want to set foot in
the place again.
Irrespective of the feelings Of the
Concordians," he smiled, there is my
financial interest. 1 cannot abandon
those 1.2OO lots"
'What are 1900, or $4,000 lots to
the son of Mr.. Montfort Herbert?"
she returned. ga mere bagatelle! I
know perfectly we'll that it isn't the
ot cfob in &c
it in mine. 1t is the excitement of
the contest" She threw back her
shoulders and tossed her fair head.
"a stout heart, fair fight, and the
rigor of the game! The end of our
plots and our counterplots is now
at hand. Either success or defeat
will prove equally glorious and you
can learn the worst, or the best, at
Willowview just as well as you can
in Concord. Please don't keep me
. waiting, Mr.. Herbert"
Evidently she thought the son of
Mr.. Montfort Herbert had compe-
J tence in his own right! No one had
informed her of the real condition
: of Guys fortunes and he was not
the one to lay bare the truth.
Guy reflected. He might do more
| harm than good in Concord if he
. went there during the crisis. He had
no vote, anyway, as two weeks in
the territory would not give him the
right of franchise. Besides, had he
not, in quiet way, gained strateg-
ic advantage which would keep the
county seat at Concord?
"Very well, Miss Vlandingham," he
said. "It is kind of you to come for
me, and if you really care for my
company at Willowview / shall be
most happy to return with you" Is
He went into the house for his
satchel and then started for Har-
mony with snap of, the whip and
jingle of chains. Very shortly they
passed Mr.. Whitaker, at work by
the road, and there was brief halt
while Guy explained matters. Mr..
Whitaker said little but smiled in
knowing way, and they could see
him lean on the handle of his shovel
and watch until they were out of
sight.
Only the pen of poet could fit
tingly describe that wondrous ride.
A sentimental journey it was, every
| step of the way from Whittaker's to
, the squire's; a delicious faring across
, the sunny plain, through a drowsy
odor of wild flowers and under such
> skies as smile over the Fortunate
: Isles. Touched by the spell, neither
E of the two young people wasted
? much time in conversation, and the
long lapses of silence into which
, they fell were rhythmic intervals
/ wherein their hearts echoed back the
8 melody of a song as old as the days
: of man. Arrived at their destina-
ton Guy heaved a sigh of regret.
2 The calends of his love had lifted
e a white stone to mark passing
t hour, and he was more securely a
: captive if that could be.
< Guys sojourn at Willowview was
!. very brief. Both Miss Hetty and her
{ father eXerted themselves to the ut
| most to make his stay enjoyable, but
/, he was i'll at ease. His negotiations
t with Mr.. Landy had certainly won
D the county seat for Concord, and it
4 seemed to him as though he were
acting double part. When the re-
turns came in, and when the genial
t squire and the adorable Miss Betty
e discovered how willy and tactful he
had been. he feared that there would
j. be an upheayal and that they would
g deny him their hospitality, and send
i him forth in scorn.
d (To Be Continued.)
$ THE ROCK ISLAND EXCURSIONS