The Lamar register., 1902-10-08
CHAPTER XVII.

moment happened. The doctor came
regularly and Mr.. Vlandingham occa-
.ionalIy came with him. The squire
was at all times his jovial self. al
though Guy fancisd that an undercur-
rent of restraint permeated his good
nature, at times. During those seven
days the young man neither saw nor
heard anything of Miss Betty. Her IA
ther avoided mention Of fher-studidus-
ly, us Guy imagined-and pride re-
strained the inquiries which Guy often
had at the end of his tongue.
This rtticence and seeming neglect
hurt him, for he yearned to set Miss
Betty right concerning that fnteful
meeting on the shore of Lake Eliza
beth. While Guy fretted much over
the devious course his true love was
taking. yet this did not interfere with
his rapid improvement.
The following Saturday found him
able to sit up and walk with a cane
about the house and out of doors,
where Whitaker always had n com
Portable chair ready in the shade OF
the house. Barney was gone, by this
time, and Whitaker himself was at
tending to the wants of his guest.
On this particular Saturday two in
cidents occurred which effectually re-
heved the tedium of Guys con-
valescence and took his brooding
thoughts from Miss Betty.
The first of these incidents had to
do with Abe Landy, ,ofAmityviIle. Mr..
Landy was cousin of Sile Whittak ker's
and drove over regularly once week
70 argue the political question.
Mr.. Landy was fiorid man with
fringe of carroty whiskers about his
plump face. Guy and Whitaker were
seated out of doors when he drove
along in his two-wheeled cart.
"Howdy. Sile?" said Mr.. Landy.
Same to you, Abe" answered Whit
taker.
Game over to see if you weren't
about ready to i've on tbs other side
of the farm. Sile."
'lf that's all you came for don't
stop; just keep movin'."
mo, SIR" said Landy, jumping down
and tying his horse. "I think too
much of you, Sile, to abandon you to
your foolishness."
Landy came forward, was intro
duced to Guy and another chair was
brought from the house. In vain did
Whitaker seek to divert the CONVERSE
ton to the weather, the crops, the do
ings of the territorial legislature, or
what not; Landy always swerved back
to the county question.
1.-THE work I've laid out for myself"
observed Landy, ''is winnin' you over
a. Ii 4 l.,
comm, Sie; and l don't want you to
throw away your vote"
you're the worst man ever see to
stick and hang" returned Whitaker,
petulantly. "If I'm going to throw
away my vote by casting it for Con-
cord, what do you carer'
IT don't want to see you do thing
you'll be sorry for. Look here" pro-
ceeded Landy, growing confidential,
''vote for Harmony and I'll see that
you get three good lots for doing it,"
did Vlandingham send you to me"
mot exactly; but I've got an under
standing with him."
There's a pointer for you, Mr.. Her
bert" said Whitaker, winking at Guy.
Don't you know, Abe" he added, ad-
uEesSAlR Ills couSlH, Lilat uE. lSib beA Y
is a Concord mani"
Heard he was." replied Landy.
nibbling at plug of tobacco. I'll
see that he gets three lots, too, if
he'll only vote for Harmony"
Guy smiled.
"Why," said he, 1--WE got about
twelve hundred lots in Concord, Mr..
Landy."
$50 I'm told" responded the un-
rutfied Landy. But the hull twelve
hundred won't be worth three Hhr-
mony lots after the election"
81 don't think I can accept your
offer even if that is a fair statement
of the case" just then Guy had a
bright thought. There are IS voters
In Amityville, aren't there, Mr.. Lam
dy?" he asked.
Fifteen" corrected Landy, land
I carry every vote In my pocket.
The population of the village is 35.
countin' men, women and children"
How many Harmony lots did Mr..
Vlandingham give you for turning
these votes to his side7"
Landy jumped.
"What makes you think he gave
me any?" he asked. warily.
"I'm sure he did. He must have
given you a good many, it strikes me.
for Amityville is the key to the situ-
alton"
You're right about our town be-
ing the key to the situation. Our
votes Will settle the county sent
business-no doubt about that"
"Now 1 should think" resumed
Guy, that Mr.. Vlandingham gave
you a whole block in return for the
Amityville vote"
"a block!" gasped Landy.
yes, or more"