The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1908-02-18


den gate, looked at her with shifty I
eyes, but said nothing Lady Henri. /
ettas car stood in the lane waiting |
to take her on to outlying quarters Of
the electoral district where she hoped |
to stimulate the waverers.
Every vote was Of consequence. Sir |
John was fighting hard to retain bis
seat in parliament The outlook was
alarming.
Come, Mr.. Harris. she said. "sir
John has been good friend to the
village You'll not refuse him your
vote and infuence7"
"seein' Us ow your Iadyship's been
kind enough to promise to take us to
the poll" answered Harris, IN what
he should sound hearty tore, T sup
pose I must do as you wish"
That's right Then I'll come and
fetch you tomorrow at five sharp,
she smiled as she got into her car
Mind, | shall expect to find at least
half a dozen Of your neighbors waiting
for me-"
Although Lady Henrietta smiled she
had grave suspicious Of the genuine
ness of Harris promise. The worst
of it was that he could influence
good many votes in the village, and
therefore tad seriously to be reckoned
with.
Lady Henrietta had heavy days
work, and her canvass was not alto
gether satisfactory Sir Johns own
efforts had likewise been unencourag-
ing.
IT'S touch and 60 he told her as
they sat down to a late dinner. Hall
a dozen votes wiz make all the differ
ence between success and failure. If
we can only rely on the village / think
| / am safe, but if they rat-yv He
broke off in rather despairing tone
I'm going in the Pullman myself
TO fetch Harris and some of the 9th
ers tomorrow said Henrietta 4
won't trust to strangers"
That's right, my dear" nodded Sir
John. I'm a bit frightened Of Harris.
II he doesn't go against me. believe
shall just scrape in"
Its as close as that. is it," muir
INJURED Lady Henrietta, thoughtfully.
Before five on the following after
noon. small group Of free and inde-
A pendent electors stood expectantly
outside Josh Harris cottage They
wore an expression Of suppressed glee
You be sartin sure her ladyship's
a-comin', Josh?' one Of them was ask
ing. 1T be fower mile to the pollin
station, and We dusnt get there late.
No fear d that. derided Harris
Shes a comm in that there moo big
motor car O hern what gees as fast az
a steam-iniun. Wen be there in nc
time. All we've got to do Is to let
her think we're votin' for Sir John
and never let on different or other
wise. and when we gets TO the poll put
a cross agin Mr. Dimes Walkers
name Un'erstand?"
There was q chorus of affirmation
accompanied by quiet laughter which
was hushed as the car came round Q
bend in the lane It's two big acety
line lamps were lit, and Lady Henri
eta sat in the driving seat. As she
pulled up she greeted the group witt
her sweetest smile.
Eight" she observed to herself
counting them. "A nice covey, If
can only bag theml" Aloud she said
you're all solid for Sir John, hope2'
They were all for Sir John" Ths
reply was unanimous. there was
forced enthusiasm about it, too. tina
struck her ladyship as curious Prac
tice in electoneering had made he
keenly observant. and the furtiyt
glanees that passed between the frel
and Independent ones did not escapl
her.
With the assistance Of the chauffeur
the eight conspirators we're safel.
packed in the brocaded interior of tn
Pullman. and Lady Henrietta let il
the clutch. She started without hurry
she wanted to think.
How much petrol is there IN tn
tank, Betts?' she asked her chaui
, feur.
About six gallons, your ladyshiT
The tanks half full"
Lady Henrietta laughed 10 hersel
a little nervously. I'm not quite sur
/ whether it's legal. but I'm going to d
It, she meditated
i With that, her foot pressed the az
celerator and the car shot forward
J Twenty-25-so said the speed ind
Gator as the hand rose on the dia
} Two minutes at this pace took thef
past the turning that led to the pollin
! station Lady Henrietta kept straigh
] on The chauffeur looked up at he
I with question Ii bis eyes.
} "lt's all right Belts. said shs
r I'm rather In a hurry"
Belts duufuily touched his cap an
s opened a feed valve on the dash.
Inside the car Harris and hi
friends were making merry The ST
9 uation appealed to them as iok
: which they could not enjoy too hugi
q Is. TO be driven, By her ladyship hel
: SELF in this splendid vehicle, at thi
8 glorious pace to the hustings to regii
I ter their votes IN favor OF Sir John