River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1908-02-13

den gate. looked at her with shifty
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 wayerers.
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 youf
vote and influence"
Seem as 'ow your ladyship's been
kind enough to promise to take US to
The poll" answered Harris, in what
he should sound a hearty tone, I sup
pose | must do as you wish"
That's right Then III come and
fetch you tomorrow at five sharp"
she smiled, as she got into her car
Mind, / shall expect to find at least
'laIf dozen Of your neighbors waiting
tor 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 lad seriously to be reckoned
with
Lady Henrietta had a heavy days
work, and her canvass was not alto
gother satisfactory. Sir Johns own
efforts had likewise been unencourag-
ing
Its touch and CO. he told her as
they sat down to a late dinner. Half
dozen votes will make all the differ
ence between success and failure. IL
we can only rely on the village | think
/ am safe, but if they rat" He
broke off in rather despairing tone.
I'm going in the Pullman myself
to fetch Harris and some Of the 9th
crs to morrow" said Henrietta. Il
won't trust to strangers"
That's right, my dear" nodded Sir
John. I'm bit frightened of Harris
II he doesn't go against me, | believe
| shall just scrape in"
It's as close as that, is to- muir
INJURED Lady Henrietta, thoughtfully.
Before five on the following after
noon, a 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', Josh2" one Of them was ask
ing. 1T be Tower mile to the pollin
station and we dusn't get there late. :"
mo fear o. that" derided Harris.
"Shes a comm in that there moo big
motor car q hern what goes as fast as
a steaminjun. Wen be there in no
time All we've got to do is to let
her think we're votin for Sir John,
ard never let on different or other
wise. and when we gets to the poll put
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 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 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. | HOPPER
They were 'all for Sir john The
reply was unanimous; there was a
forced enthusiasm about it, too, that
struck her ladyship as curious. Prac-
tice in electioneering had made her
keeaiy obseryant, 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-
four
About six gallons. your ladyship.
The tanks half full"
Lady Henrietta laughed to herself
a little nervously. I'm not quite sure
whether its legal, but IN going to do
it," she meditated
With that, her foot pressed the &C
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.
ITS all right, Belts said she
I'm rather in a hurry"
Belts dutifully touched his cap and
opened a feed valve on the dash.
Inside the car Harris and his
friends were making merry. The sit
uation appealed to them as a joke
which they could not enjoy too huge
II. To be driven, by her ladyship her
self. in this splendid vehicle, at this
glorious pace to the hastings to regis
ter their votes in favor of Sir Johns
opponent was, indeed, something to
crow about-a sell of the frs
water,
An to think as she'll never know
it! It do seem rare waste of a gooC
joke." cfuckled one of them.
You be satisfied wi gettin' tothel
CHAP in, an keep your tongue still.
enioined Harris.
'Ay, it won't do to talk" agreed az
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