The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1909-08-06
Guests from Altar
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stancy. Even her aunt. with whom
she lived. had expressed doubts of Ell
mer's faithfulness. At least, she had
told Elinor that she would do well to
think twice before she let any good
chance TO marry slip away from her
And there had been chances, more es
pecially that thrifty farmer, John Tor.
rington. II was this middle-aged
wooer. sturdy and respected, whom
her aunt especially favored.
But Elinors heart was not to be
shaken in its cOnstancy TO her first
lover. the lover who declared himself
when she was still schoolgirl and
who had gone into the Far Western
wilderness TO win the fortune that was
to bring them together. A chance had
been offered him by distant relative
he had eagerly accepted It, He hoped
70 return In year at the latest. But
fortune was elusive and five years had
passed.
And is Elmer going TO stay here ?"
her aunt asked. after she had heard
the momentous tidngs.
Why. yes, Elnor replied.
Here in Clintville?"
"Of course"
1T isn't much OF a settling down
place for a man who has seen the
world her aunt suggested, in her ex-
asperating slow way.
Elinor flushed.
That is all understood" she said.
Elmer knows that would never con-
sent to leave my old home and friends
ana go away among those wild strang-
ers."
Such things have been done" said
her aunt, sententiously, as she turned
away.
IL was a little early for the train.
but every detail in the simple pro
gram OF welcome had been arranged.
The pretty cottage was swept and gar
nished. the appetizing luncheon was
prepared, and now the gentle Elinor.
her heart beating with authorization. !
sat on the shaded porch with her ex- |
pectant gaze on the road among the |
willows
And then she saw a group OF men
there were five OF them-standinr bv /
the roadside as IL not quite sure OF
their bearings. Presently they came
forward and disappeared behind the
high hedge.
A moment later Elinor saw them at
the gate. One OF them pointed toward
the house. Then the gate was opened
and they came up the pathway in sin
gle file
IL was quite evident they were
strangers. Elinor had time to inspect
mem before they reached the porch.
FOR moment she was alarmed
We're these strangers the bearers of
BAD tidings? She quietly arose and
stepped forward.
BUT. no, they were smiling as they
lalted and drew up in line. And then
very hat came of as IL at a concerted
lgnal
II was the youngest man who spoke.
We are friends of the colonel. from
Montana, Miss Barnes"
From Montana" she cried. and
ooked at him wildly.
The colonel is all right Miss
'arnes. the youngest man hastily an.
wered her. We managed to get here
little ahead of him" !
The colonel?" Elinor repeated
Colonel Morse" the youngest man
Explained '" '
Everybody back yonder calls him
olonel, said the stout man.
Elinor gave a little gasp. :
And you-you have come All tho :
'sy from Montana" she cried. and
ut out both her hands
lie glanced about at his comnanione !.
Shaving given you his promise the =
oungest man resumed. "the colonel
asnt the man TO tell you what he :
as sacrificing. That wouldn't be like !.
I'm. lie wouldn't tell you what a foot. :
old he had gained out there and what y
power for good he had become and
DIV we all need him. He wouldn't q
u you that Nature had fitted him for =
man OF action. pioneer, a builder. a =,
ader of men. He never limited that
e confines of this little town would
to him like prison bars. And. of
'urse. he didn't tell you that we want
m for our Governor that our state W
eds him and that he's the only man d,
e friends OF reform can elect" fc
He paused and drew a quick breath m
he girl was softly crying. Somehow "
e words OF this earnest vounp vi
ranger hurt her. and yet they filed NJ
r with pride. 81
III was because Elmer Morse wouIs m
I tel you these things" the young.
man went on. that we are here sa
y sbu w huOW tie truth. We HN
re the colonel and we need him
iy. We have come here to ask Won TO
give him back to us. And we want m
u. too" an
lie paused again. The girl had
med and was looking toward the sc
idway do
And then without a word she fnt.
ed down the steps and the pathway II
d disappeared behind the hedge AZ cl'
: roadside.
The colonel has come" said Scottv fol
You should have talked faster en-
rvard.' said the second man. SIX
You said II beautifully" added the
rd man, but dunno as twas right loo
make the girl cry sal
II you'd said another blamed word" ba
In the fourth man. you'd had me on
fin. too az
'cotty looked at the younger man
liously res
What do you think, Harvard"
he youngest man refused To ven.
Q any opinion. .
You can tell as well as I can" no sto