Putnam patriot., 1908-10-16
Holding
  Bv W. E. BR
Copyrighted. iaas. by Associated
 Literary Press.

&aenfsal race. It was too remote from the center of things to care which of The two Williams occupied the White House. IL was the tail of the ticket that interested Bitter Greek. and inter- esfed il nightly.
 The camp had reached a stage in it's aarelopment where q local sheriff was ef greater importance than a national ruler The fight was to be made strict ly on party lines, but the parties were tbe colcordites and the Myliusites.
 It was agreed that either man would admirably perform the onerous duties of the office. but Ben Colcord and Tom Nyiius both wanted the place, and the contest would be none the less excit- tug because the two men were close friends
 This sure is going to be fight" announced Colcord when he met his chum after the nomination. .'No hard feeling if | beat you. TomY'
 If you can." confirmed Mylius, with laugh. -"I' think see myself wear ing that badge already, Ben"
 Not if . l ( can ilheipi it.. denied Col cord. "Ppe a few ideas as to how to run a campaign myself. and I'm going to try theuf-
 Anything short of shooting. as- sented Mynus. Il hold the trump card, though. Youewait and see"
 Bitter Greek did not have long to wait Colcoed! led from the first and teek the first trick by fitting up the old Bella Union as picture show. In betweeni reels he made speech to the audience. and the audience includ- ed most of the townspeople in the course of the evening.
 The pictures were changed every evening. and even the barkeepers at the new Bella Union and the Yalta We're permitted to take time of to see the new reel run through.
 Business at the faro tables suffered, and Colcord would have become un- popular had it not been that at the con- cusion of each performance he led the audience across the street for drink, patronizing first the Bella Union and then the Yalta.
 It was the general opinion that Col cord had set pace too swift for his rival to follow, but Mylius only smiled.
 This smile grew broader the follow ing week when Myius played and took the second trick. Bitter Creek sadly lacked the feminine element. Save for Mrs. Mulligan. who ran the Golden West .hotel, the census of Bit ter Creek was entered in the male column of the records.
 The arrival of Edna Mylius created nothing less than sensation, and that evening the picture show was deserted. while the voters of Bitter Greek slowly filed past the Golden of the new arrival.
 Edna Mylius was well worth the trouble She was slip of girl with eoronet of silky hair the color of virgin gold She dressed with an art ful simplicity far more fetching than the latest fashion. and her smile was simply irresistible. She was just out of college, in love with the west and delighted to be one of the factors in an election. contest.
 Tom fitted up store near the pie ture show. and waffies, with real hon =ey, vied with the pictures as an at- traction. Waffies were Edna's special ty and with sleeves rolled above her dimpled elbows. with dainty apron and a eoquetish cooking cap, her face flushed from the heat of the fire, she s,t,. nd mo more effective than the. product Of lan- tern and film across the street. Bitter Creek decided that of the two Tom AIylius WAS better fitted, to be sheriff.
 Colcord racked his brains for some thing to ecounteraet tthe effect Of the waffiss and brought dowR to the Creek half ;a dozen minor ,psagiiists. who bat tied for the benefit sf a pere handful of spectators while ,the rest Of the camp watched Edna make fudge.
 Coleord left the fight iand~went over to see what success the fudge maker was having. The roon was packed with men s0lemply plasucating the toothsome compound, while Mylius made a speech.
 They listened. as in duty bound, but all eyes were upon the trim little hg- nre lowering over the stove at tue end of the hall She had impressed Mrs Mulligan as assistant. and the ponder ous figure of the elder woman made an excellent foil for the girl
 Edna looked up, with smile. assCei- cord entered and made his way te the Stove. 1t was by no means his hfst visit, and she had come to like the frank. breezy man who at once WAs her brothers friend and rival.
 I'm perfectly happy" she whisperee hs she offered Golcord plate of the sweets. When we made fudge in chatting dish .usad to say that hoped some dag to be able to make all wanted 4o- I've SDt my wist sooner than expscted''
 T wish 1 Rdght have mine iresorted Colcord
 You can't- was the prompt reply. m going te elect Tom as sherfH- serhaps if you are real ssod I'll eiee' You the next time"
 Its hard to fight fudge" assented Coleord. with q iaugh. but there IS ttill the home stretch to be run on lou wait and zee"
 Edna smiled as she shook her head ih disapprovai Of the claim
 s'fhe way to mems hearts Is through fhaar sfomachs," she reminded
 A issson you have taught me. ne aaml1aa. ~You have dealt me the trump card"