Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1909-01-15

Holding
Trunps
BY w. F. BRYAN.
Copyrighted, 1905, by Associated
Literary Press.

Bitter Creek cared little for the pres
idential race. 1t 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 Greek, and inter-
ested 1t nightly.
The camp had reached a stage in its
development where 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.
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 IL going to be fight"
announced Colcord when he met his
chum after the nomination. mo hard
feeling IL l beat you, TomT
IF you can" confirmed Myths, with
a laugh. 81 think l see myself wear
ing that badge already, Ben"
mot IL l can help It," denied Col
cord. give n few ideas as to how to
run campaign myself, and I'm going
to try them"
Anything short of shooting" as
scented Myths. II 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
old Bella Union as picture show.
In between reels he made 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 1t not been that at the con-
clusion of each performance he led
the audience across the street for u
drink. patronizing first the Bella Union
and then the Yalta.
1t was the general opinion that Col
cord had set Il pace too swift for his
rival to follow, but Myths only
smiled
This smile grew broader the follow
ing week when Mylius played and
took the second trick. Bitter Greek
sadly lacked the feminine element
Save for Mrs. Mulligan, who ran the
Golden West hotel. the census of Bit
ter Creek was entered in the male
column of the records
The arrival OF Edna Mylius created
nothing less than II 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 sight
of the new arrival.
Edna Myths was well worth the
trouble. She was 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
uellRnItu 10 Dt Oile VI tllt iH'toio ~
nm election contest.
Tom fitted up store near the pie
ture show, and waffies, with real hon
ey, We'd with the pictures as an at
traction. Wnfiies were Edna's special
ty, and with sleeves rolled above her
dimpled elbows, with dainty apron
and coquetish cooking cap. her face
flushed from the heat of the fire, she
was n picture a moving one--far
more effective than the product Of Ian
tern and film across the street Bitter
Greek decided that OF the two Tom
Mylius was better fitted to be sheriff.
Colcord racked his brains for some
thing to counterfeit the effect OF the
wafiies and brought down to the Creek
half dozen minor pugilists. who bat
tied for the benefit Of mere handful
of spectators, while the rest Of the
camp watched Edna make fudge.
Colcord left the fight and went over
to see what success the fudge maker
was having The room was packed
with men solemniy masticating tho \
toothsOme compound, while Myths
made a speech.
They listened, as In duty bound, but
all eyes were upon the trim little hg-
ure lowering over the stove at the end
OF the hall. She had impressed Mrs.
Mulligan IA assistant. and the ponder
GUS figure OF the elder woman made
an excellent foil for the girl.
Edna looked up, with smile, az Col
cord entered and made bis way to the
stove. It was by no means his first
visit, and she had come TO like the
frank, breezy man who at once was
her brothers friend and rival.
T'm perfectly happy" she whispered
as she offered Colcord a plate Of the
sweets when we made fudge in a
chatting dish ! used to say that hoped
some day to be able to make all
wanted to. I've got my wish sooner
than / expected"
81 wish I might have mine" retorted
Colcord.
."You can't" WAS the prompt reply.
"I'n going to elect Tom as sheriff.
Perhaps II you are real good III elect
you the next time"
cts hard to fight fudge" assented
Colcord, with laugh, but there II
still the home stretch to be run OF.
You wait and see"
Edna smiled as she shook her head
In disapproval Of the claim.
"The way to mems hearts Is through
their stomachs," she reminded.
a. lesson you have taught me-" he
FARMS FOR SALE.