Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1902-05-22

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attempt.
In little while the Colonel ceased
swinging his cane long enough to in
dictate with the point of it letter
which lay open on the top of his
desk.
Read that, Herbert" he said; "by
CAD, you read that
Guy cast his eyes down and read
the following 9:
archibald Keever Colonel so-called-
Sir: / have been appointed a committee of
one to rid this territory of your baneful
presence. You have numbered the earth too
long, and / shall be pleased to oHer you
proof of my distinguished regard with
six-shooter at 20 PAGES, time and place to
be designated by you. My only stipulation
is that the place selected be eQuidistance
from Concord and Harmony. Reply by
post If you do not meet me, shall make
it my pleasant duty to publicly chastise
you and denounce you as the arrant brag-
CART that you are.
ISAAC DINGLE."
'That certainly has a business-like
sound" commented Guy.
The Colonel laughed tragically.
"'Colonel, so-callcd!' he sneered.
"By CAD, l didn't have to move west,
like Dingle, to get title. | won
it on the field of battle, SIR, spilling
my blood for my country. He asks
for an affectionate exchange of pow
der and ball and I shall give him a
heartfelt token of my esteem at the
distance specified. Herbert, [ want
you for my second"
Guy shook his head. The cane
stopped swinging with jerk and a
hard, hard look came into the
Colonies eyes.
"Do I understand you to say, sir,
that YOU will not accommodate me?'
"Idon't believe in duels, Colonel. Ma
ture has endowed every gentleman
with a pair of fists. If these weapons
are powerless to protect his honor, his
honor is hardly worth bothering
about
The pith of this remark escaped the
Colonel entirely.
II am not only protecting my own
honor, Herbert" he said coldly, ''but
the honor of our town as well. Your
1000 lots share in the general igno-
miny, and it is your duty to stand by
me in this little affair. Do | still I'M
derstand you to say that you won't?'
"You do. / want a fair and square
fight for the county seat and I don't
approve of any coarse or gratuitous
filings like that of the weathervane.
Claptrap of that kind merely irItenst-
fes the hostile feeling which is already
too bitter and vengeful. 1t is only a
step from our present situation to
warfare and bloodshed. Twas in grave
peril, last night"
81 was going to ask you about that"
broke in the Colonel, curiosity for the
moment overcoming his resentment.
"You succeeded in getting in?"
eyes; and l succeeded in getting out
again and saving myself a rough ex-
perience only through the magnanim-
ity of Mr.. Vlandingham."
Granddaughter is knave, sir!''
'Mr: Vlandingham is gentleman,
Col. Keever!"
"He couldn't come of the stock he
does and be a gentleman
'Rot!" exclaimed Guy disgustedly.
eve won't quarrel, Herbert; it won't
do for us to quarrel. Did you discover
anything at the meeting?
Nothing OF any consequence"
At that moment the Office door
opened and a man who looked like a
day laborer came into the room. He
had shifty eye, and unrazored face
and wore red and sweat-stained shirt.
His hands were big and scanned with
toll.
"Who are you, sir?" demanded the
Colonel.
my names Hepburn" replied the
man, rolling his eyes from the Colonel
to Guy, and then about the room. up
to yesterday was workin' on the sec
ton at Harmony. But got fired yes
terday mornin'.'
"Ah, hal" returned the Colonel
blinking. Here was a deserter from
+, the enemy, a man with grievance
What do you want, Mr.. Hepburn"
81 suppose / can talk before him all
right" answered Hepburn, nodding his
head in Guys direction. HE was the
chap that got out of Harmony last
night by the skin of his teeth"
Certainly you can talk before him,
said the Colonel.
us there anyone else to hear us?'
Hepburn's gaze continued to travel
around the sanctum, and his face be-
came anxious.
There's no one else to hear us,
answered the Colonel impatiently
| Proceed, sir; proceed"
"Well, then l want to sell some In
formation"
what is it about?" queried the
Colonel, warily.
about Harmony"
whats it worth?"
Its worth hundreds to you, mebby
thousands, and mebby it means the
county seat don't know. want SIC
for the information. Got to have
money to get to Jimtown. Amt never
going back to Harmony no more"
The Colonel laid his cane on top OF
biS dash removed his hat and placed