Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1902-06-26


his apprehension vanished. There
was nothing to worry over and the
sheriff would be himself again very
shortly. Removing Petitioners coat,
Guy wrapped it up compactly and
placed it under his head; then he
hurried to the buggy, and secured the
halter rope that was under the seat.
Coming back, he tied the sheriff's
hands behind him. with one end of the
halter and secured the other end
about the tree beside whose trunk the
sheriff had fallen.
He worked rapidly, only few min
utes elapsing between his attack upon
Pettibone and his final work with the
halter. Without waiting an instant,
Guy pushed through the intervening
thicket and started down the grassy
descent toward the carriage.
Miss Betty, a vexed expression on
her pretty face had just frightened
the lines with one of her gloved hands
and taken the whip from it's socket
with the other, when she saw Guy APP
preaching. The vexed look faded into
dazzling smile.
"Well, truant," cried Miss Betty,
"did you remain away purposely to
punish us for being late?"
His clothing was somewhat disar-
ranged and wondering light came
into her eyes as she gazed at him. Miss
Pinkney was as reserved as usual al
though she smiled in friendly spirit
and evidently partook of her compan-
ions curiosity.
81 came as quickly as I could, Miss
Vlandingham," answered Guy, set
Ting his collar and arranging his
scarf. "Please pardon my disordered
appearance-it could not be helped"
'You did not walk all the way here
from Concord, did you?" she queried.
"No. The horse and buggy that
brought me are over there among the
trees. Your appointment was for four
o'clock, if I remember"
eyes, and I would have been here
punctually but for Lois. She misun-
derstood that part of our programme
and was late in getting to our house
to accompany me. But here we are, at
last, and if we have not entirely ex-
hausted your patience, Mr.. Herbert,
perhaps had better proceed at once
with the matter which led me to seek
this interview"
Pardon me just moment" Guy
had advanced to the forward wheel on
Miss Betty's side of the buggy. He
was very close to her, and, in the few
times he had seen her, she had never
been more lovely in his eyes than she
was then. The breeze had brought a
fresh, rudy color to her cheeks and
her broad brimmed straw hat was
most becoming. 81 was going to ask
you," proceeded Guy, conscious of an
awkward pause, "if you were at home
all the afternoon up to the time you
left to drive here?'
ST was at home the entire after
noon," answered Miss Betty.
"And did you not receive my mes
sage?"
'Your messenger" she echoed.
eyes. I sent you telegram"
'"Then it was not delivered to me-"
"That's strange" murmured Guy.
"What was the message!'
"Nothing very important"
Messages are usually quite impor-
tant if they are telegraphed."
81 should have said that it is not
very important now, so we need not
concern ourselves any further about
it. AS you said moment ago, you are
here, and I'm here, and we can talk
over the matter about which you
wished to see me. What is it, Miss
Vlandingham?"
Possibly I am acting reasonable
part she answered, thoughtfully,
'but I have already told you how
abhor any show of force, or suggestion
of violence. The Concord people have
not taken a course calculated to mol
lifv the bitterness inseparable from
contest of this kind"
ST know that very well, said Guy, as
Miss Betty paused. "Much of the evil
was done before reached Concord
and, during the short time have been
in town, have had no influence with
the citizens whatever" Guy smiled as
he said this, wondering what Miss Bet
tv would think if he told her the plain
truth of his situation. IF | wish to do
anything that's really commendable,"
he added, I'm obliged to resort to
force and violence myself"
Miss Betty raised her eyebrows in
terrogatively, but Guy would not an
swer her unspoken question. In
few moments he cursed his folly for
not doing so while he had the oppor-
tunity. A woeful misunderstanding
would thus have been avoided.
81 hope no unpleasantness has re-
suited from the timely aid you gave
those two Sisters of Charity?" said
Miss Betty, demurely.
81 have only pleasure in the thought
that I was able to assist them," an
swered Guy, gallantly.
AS he spoke he fancied he heard a
noise in the underground behind him
and looked around hastily. He could
see nothing to arouse his suspicious