The Democratic advocate., 1909-07-09

man. "Its IN flrst chance I've had
to talk. Harvard there Is our spokes-
man, miss. an I'll tell you why. He's
college man an handy with his
tongue. An IN the second place he
stands near 10 th colonel. lie came
out there 10 Montana two years ago
to die An the colonel got hold Of
him an brnced him up an nnraed
him an watched over him like a
mother-~an' there he is. miss, worth
a hundred dead men--ain't you Har-
vardy'
The youngest man smiled bravely.
What scotty says II all true, Miss
Barnes" he told the girl Il can
never hope to have better friend
than the colonel. And because cir
cumstances brough, ua close together
he has honored me with his conf
dence. He has told me about you,
Mise Barnes. I know how very dear
your wishes are 10 him. I know how
willingly he Yields 70 your desire 10
stay IN the East. know bow sacred
he holds promise.
Be paused n moment The girl was
lntsntly regarding him
Go on. she murmured
Tie glanced about at his compan-
Ions
Having given you hla promise, =
! the youngest man resumed, the colo.
mel wasn't the man 10 tell you what
he was sacrificing That wouldn't be
! Ike him. lie wouldn't tell you what
foothold he had gained out there
I and what n power for good he had
become and how we all need him
BE wouldn't tell yos that nature had
I httcd him for man OF action, d
/ pioneer. builder, leader of men
Z lie never hinted that the confines oI
I this little town wohfi be- 10 him llks
/ prison bars. And. OF course. he didu1
tell sou that he wanted him for oui
7 governor. that our state needs him
( and that he's the only man the friend,
I ~ reform can elect"
! lie paused and drew a quick breath
The girl was softly crying. Somehow
the words OF this earnest younJ
I stranger hurt her, and yet they fiIlet
her with pride
The stout man looked AZ her Ant
ihen he quickly turned to the young
est man.
Every word you say IL true. Har
ward" he muttered, "but you dom
need 60 be 30 dern rough about Il.
And after that he did not look a
the girl, but turned HIS gaze across
the sunny fields.
II was because Elmer Morse woul,
not tell you these things" the young
est man went on, that we are hers
We wanted you 10 know the truth
We love the colonel aud We need him
lady. We have come here 10 aak yo,
10 give him back 10 uB And We wan
you. too"
lie paused again. The girl ha,
turned away and Was looking towar,
the roadway.
And then without a word she fiut
tered down the steps and the pathwa,
and disappeared behind the hedge a
the roadside.
"The colonel has come" said Scot
~
You should have talked faster
Harvard" said the second man.
! You said II beautiful" added tn,
third man, but ! dunno as twas righ
To make the girl cry"
III you'd said another blamed
word" put In the fourth man. "you't
had me snifiiIn', too"
Scotty looked at the younger mar
anxiously.
What do you thinkl Harvard?
| The youngest man refused 10 ven.
ture any opinion.
You san tell as well aa | can" ht
said.
III looks pretty duberous to me.
| ScOtty muttered.
Here they come" said the second
man In hoarse whisper. Brace up.
Up the pathway came the tall colo
mel and the girl
His arm was around her waist and
he was SO absorbed by her presence
that he did not see the waiting group
on the steps.
When he looked up he gave quick
start and rubbed his hand across his
eyes.
Where am I7p he cried. Then he
suddenly laughed and gripped the
hands that were thrust at him
Welcome to our fair village" said
the irrepressihle Scotty.
At khit AptbHti ultW buCk ana
stared at the group IN puzzled way.
This is very good of you, boys" he
said,
Then he looked back at the girl.
Her face was pale, but her eyes
were shining.
Il am afraid l haven't made II
clear to our wedding guests how very
welcome they are she said. Per
haps | can make amends later on.
Because / think they are going to
know me much better" She laid her
hand on the colonel's arm in a pretty
way. you see, Elmer, you and our
friends here are going back to Mon
tana together-and I'm going with
you Her voice shook little. And
because Montana needs u.s." she added
with little laugh, I'VE are all--ali
going to stay there"
There was moments silence.
GLORY bel" shouted Scotty and he
tossed his hat high In the air.