The Beaver herald. [volume] (Beaver, O.T. [Okla.]) 1895-1923, 1908-03-05


den gate. looked at her with shifty
eyes. but said nothing Lady Henri
etta's car stood in the lane waiting
to take her on to outlying quarters OF
the electoral district where she hoped
10 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 influence?'
"Seeln' 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 must do as yon wish"
That's right Then I'll come and
fetch you tomorrow at five sharp"
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 Il 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 GO" he told her as
they sat down to 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
! am safe, but II they rat" He
broke of in rather despairing tone.
I'm going in the Pullman myself
TO fetch Harris and some of the 9th
ers tomorrow" said Henrietta. II
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 srrape in"
It's as cloee as that, is it?" mur-
INJURED Lady Henrietta, thoughtfully.
Before five on the following after
noon, small group Of free and inde-
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 polln'
station, and We dusn't get there late"
mo fear o. that" derided Harris
She's a comm In that there moo big
motor car o. hern what goes as fast as
a 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
cross agin Mr.. 'Olmes Walkers
name Un'erstand?"
There was a chorus OF affirmation
accompanied by quiet laughter which
was hushed as the car came round n
bend In the lane. Its two big acety.
line lamps were it, 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, II /
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 a
forced enthusiasm about it, too, that
struck her ladyship as curious, Prac-
uce 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 fun"
Lady Henrietta laughed to herself
n 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 ac-
celerator and the car shot forward.
Twenty-25-30 said the speed indl.
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 a question in his eyes.
ITS all right, Belts" said she.
"Im rather In hurry"
Belts dutifully touched his cap and
opened feed valve on the dash.
Inside the car Harris and his
friends We're making merry. The sit.
uation appealed TO them as a Joke
which they could not enjoy too huge.
ly, To be driven, by her ladyshlp her
a., thfo pnIapHiI ,,ahg,to 81. ~