The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1909-07-30
Guests from Altar

~ .

ssoHNs- Even neI aunt. Win VINO
she lived. had expressed doubts of ri
mers faithfulness. At least. she haC
told Elinor that she would do well Il
think twice before she let any good
nan 10 marry slip away from her
And there had been chances. more es
pecially that thrifty farmer. John Tor.
rington- IL was this middle-aged
wooer. sturdy and respected. whom
her aunt especially favored.
But Elinor's heart was not TO be
shaken in its constancy TO her first
lover. the lover who declared himself
when she vas still a schoolgirl and
who had gone into the Far Western
wilderness 10 win the fortune hat was
TO bring them together. A chance had
been offered him by a distant relative.
tie had eagerly accepted IL. He hoped
70 return In a year at the latest. But
fortune was elusive and five years had
passed.
And is Elmer going 10 stay here?"
her aunt asked. after she had heard
the momentous tidings.
Why. yes Elinor replied.
Here in Clintville?"
"Of course"
II isnt 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
and 20 away among those wild strang-
ers."
Such things have been done" said
her aunt, sententiously. as she turned
away.
II 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 anticipation.
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 DEMONSTRATING by
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 al
The gate. One OF them pointed TOWARD
The house. Then the gate was opened
and they came up the pathway In sin
gle file.
1t was quite evident they we're
Elinor had time 20 inspect
hem before they reached the porch.
For a moment she was alarmed
these strangers the bearers az
lad tidings? She quietly arose and
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
II vas the youngest mar who smoke
We are friends OF the colonel. from
iontana. Miss Barnes"
From Montana" she cried and
ooked al him wildly.
The colonel is all right Mics
'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
Everybody back yonder calls him !
olonel. said the stout man. !
klinor gave a little gasp. :
And you-you have come all tho s
from Montana" she cried. ana :
out both her hands. .
he glanced about az his comnanions .
Having given you his promise . the .
unges man resumed. the colonel :
asht me mar TO tell you what he :
as sacrificing. That wouldn't be like /.
m. lie wouldn't tell you what a foot !
DID ne had gained out there and what >
power for good he had become and i,
Nv We all need him. He wouldn't =
u you that Nature had fitted him for ;
OF action. a pioneer. a builder. a 7
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 Tor our Governor. that our State v
eds him and that he's the only man q
g friends Of reform a elect" 4
He paused and drew a quick breath. n
girl was softly crying. Somehow &
e words OF this earnest Young u
ranger hurt her. and yet they filled N
II with pride. 81
III was because Elmer Morse would N
I tell you these things" the young
man went on. that We are here 5;
e wanted you TO know the truth. We h'
fe the colonel and we need him
~. We have come here TO ask Won fo
give him back to US. And we want N
u. too" al
He paused again. The girl had
ned and was looking toward the SC
d.
And then without a word she au,.
ed down the steps and the pathway Z
q disappeared behind the hedge al cl
roadside.
The colonel has come" said Scotty. 10
You should have talked faster en
said the second man. SIX
You said II beautifully" added the
man. but I dunno as twas right 20
make the girl cry" sa
III you'd said another blamed word ba
IN the fourth man. you'd had me ou
fin. too" az
'cotiy looked at the younger man
re.
do you think. Harvard?"
he youngest man refused to ven
Q any opinion.
You can tell as well as I can" he st,