The silver messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1890-1912, 1908-04-14

sure you're not going to desert him at
a time like this?"
! Josh Harris, leaning over his gar
den gate, looked at her with shilty
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 his
seat in parliament. The outlook was
alarming.
Come, Mr.. Harris" she said. "Sir
John has been a good friend to the
village. You'll not refuse him your
vote and infuence?"
"Seein as 'ow your ladyship's been
kind enough to promise to take us to
the poll" answered Harris, in what
he should sound hearty tone, Il sup
pose l 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 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 had 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.
ITS touch and 60" he told her as
they sat down to a late dinner. Half
a dozen votes will make all the differ
ence between success and failure. If
we can only rely on the village ] think
l am safe but if they rat" He
broke off in rather a despairing tone.
I'm going in the Pullman myself
to fetch Harris and some of the 9th
ers tomorrow" said Henrietta. 81
won't trust to strangers"
That's right, my dear" nodded Sir
John. I'm a bit frightened of Harris.
If he doesn't go against me, l believe
l 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 indie
! 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 dusn't get there late"
mo fear O. that" derided Harris.
shes comm in that there moo big
motor car O. hern what goes as fast as
steam-injun. Well be there in no
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 chorus of affirmation
accompanied by quiet laughter which
was hushed as the car came round a
bend in the lane. Its two big acety.
line lamps were lit, and Lady Henri
eta sat in the driving seat AS she
pulled up she greeted the group with
her sweetest smile.
Eight" she observed to herself.
counting them. "A nice covey. if
can only bag them!" Aloud she said:
You're all solid for Sir John, hope?"
They were "all for Sir John" The
reply was unanimous; there was
forced enthusiasm about it, too, that
struck her ladyship as curious. Prac-
tice in electioneering had made her
keenly observant, and the furtive
glances that passed between the free
and Independent ones did not escape
her
! With the assistance of the chauffeur
the eight conspirators were safely
packed in the brocaded interior of the
Pullman, and Lady Henrietta let in
the clutch. She started without hurry;
she wanted to think.
How much petrol is there in the
tank, Betts?" she asked her chauf.
! feur.
About six gallons, your ladyship.
The tanks half full"
Lady Henrietta laughed to herself
a little nervously. I'm not quite sure
whether it's legal, but I'm going to do
! it" she meditated
With that, her foot pressed the nc.
celerator and the car shot forward
Twenty-25-30 said the speed indi.
Gator as the hand rose on the dial
Two minutes at this pace took them
past the turning that led to the polling
station. Lady Henrietta kept straight
on. The chauffeur looked up at her
with question in his eyes.
It's all right, Belts" said she
I'm rather in hurry"
Belts dutifully touched his can and
opened feed valve on the dash.
Inside the car Harris and bis
friends We're making merry. The sit.
uation appealed to them as a Joke
which they could not enjoy too hinge.
ly. To be driven, by her ladyship her.
self, in this splendid vehicle. at tbis
glorious pace to the hustings to regis