Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1908-10-15

luelitl3l race. III was TOO remote from
the center Of things to care which Of
the two Williams occupied the White
House. 1t was the tail of the ticket
that interested Bitter Creek, and inter-
ested it nightly.
The camp had reached a stage in its
development where a local sheriff was
of greater Importance than national
ruler. The fight was to be made strict
ly on party lines, but the parties were
the Colcordites and the Myliusites. 4
1t was agreed that either man would
admirably perform the onerous duties
of the office, but Ben Colcord and Tom
Myths both wanted the place, and the
contest would be none the less excit-
ing because the two men were close
friends.
This sure is going to be a fight"
announced ColcorQ when he met his
chum after the nomination mo hard
feeling If beat you, Tom?
IF you can" confirmed Mylius, with
a laugh. Il think 1 see myself wear
ing that badge already. Ben"
Not if can help it," denied Col
cord. I've few ideas as TO how to
run campaign myself, and I'm going
to try them
Anything short of shooting" as
sented Myths. Il hold the trump card,
though. You wait and see.''
Bitter Creek did not have long to
wait. Colcord led from the first and
took the first trick by fitting up the
V1ninn MO CHI
In between reels he made a 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
were permitted to take time off to see
the new reel run through
Business at the faro tables suffered,
and Colcord would have become I'M
popular had it not been that at the con-
clusion of each performance he led
the audience across the street for a
drink. patronizing first the Bella Union
and then the Yalta.
1t was the general opinion that Col
rival to follow, but Myths only
smiled
This smile grew broader the follow
ing week when Myths 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
ra, In, l.,
column of the records.
The arrival of Edna Myths created
nothing less than sensation, and
| that evening the picture show was
| deserted, while the voters of Bitter
Greek slowly filed past the Golden
West in the hope of obtaining a sight
of the new arrival.
Edna Myths was we'll worth the
trouble. She was q slip of girl with
| a coronet of silky hair the color of
| virgin gold. She dressed with an art
| full 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 pic
ture show. and waffies, with real hon
| ey, We'd with the pictures as an at
| traction. Wafiles were Edna's special
| ty, and with sleeves rolled above hel
dimpled elbows, with dainty apron
and coquetish cooking cap, her face
| flushed from the heat of the fire. she
| fo,
| more effective than the product of Ian
tern and film across the street. Bitte
| Greek decided that of the two Ton
Myths was better fitted to be sheriff.
Colcord racked his brains for some
thing to counteract the effect of TIT
| waffies and brought down to the Creel
half dozen minor pugilists, who bat
tied for the benefit of a mere handful
of spectators. while the rest of TIL
camp watched Edna make fudge.
Colcord left the fight and went owe
to see what success the fudge make
was having. The room was packe'
with men solemnly masticating th
toothsome compound, while Myliu
made a speech.
|
all eyes were upon the trim little fig
ure lowering over tie stove at the en-
of the hall. She had impressed Mr.:
Mulligan as assistant, and the ponder
Gus figure of the elder woman mad
an excellent foil for the girl.
Edna looked up. with a smile, as Co
cord entered and made his way 10 th
stove. 1t was by no means his frs
visit, and she had come to like til
frank, breezy man who at once wa
her brothers friend and rival.
I'm perfectly happy she whispere
as she offered Colcord a plate of th
sweets. "W6en we made fudge in
chatting dish used to say that l hope
some day to. be able to make all
!. wanted to- I've got my wish soons
: than / expected"
:, 81 wish l might have mine," retorte
Colcord.
"You can't was the prompt repl
"1'm going to elect Tom as sheriff