The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1917-10-15

both ways at once" said sister Belle,
when the campaign was in full swing,
but, goodness, Bruce, 1t does seem
splendid to have Farraday fighting
for his own again. II you let that
snake Wallace Gally win, I'll never
speak to you again. Nance is holding
her head so high, her necks stiff. l
heard it said down in the village
that she'd promised Wallace she'd
marry him, II he beat you election
time"
Bruce looked at her oddly.
II don't see what she's got against
me-" he said.
Belle laughed, shortly.
You don't? Well, you're Farra.
day for one thing, and for another
you called her redhead, and the name
stuck to her. She'll never forgive you
for either one"
you know it seems so queer"
Bruce said ito come back here and
find all these foolish backwards no.
tons holding the people like laws.
OF course. want to win the election,
but I haven't anything special against
Wallace, except that he did me up
once in boy fight, and l would like
a few fair rounds with him sometime
on the quiet"
You'll never beat him by fair
MEANS" Belle returned There are
only 234 votes in the section, and
nearly every able-bodied man in the
lot depends on work through the win.
ter up in the Gally lumber camps. If
they don't vote for Gally, they lose
their chance"
Tho next day there was a confer.
ence between Bruce and Matt Craw.
ford. Briefly Bruce outlined his plan
of action. On the Farraday property
there was large old mica mine. uu
worked since the death of his father
Ever since his arrival he had secret.
~ been probing its possibilities, and
felt fairly sure of his ground.
Matt he said, 81 know a chan
with capital. who went to Rudemier
with me. He'll back the old mica
mines when ! say so. Let's open
them now, and hire all the available
men. Get them on one.year contracts,
WIN ppLlOI Dl renewal.
Matt grinned approximately.
81 think I'm looking at orS next
representative" he said.
The mine was a success. Bows and
men from all districts through the
valley and mountains focked to work
instead OF remaining idle through the
summer and autumn, waiting for the
Gally mills to open. In vain did Wal
lace take the stump, and tell them it
was only political subterfuge that
would not last The old mine was
turning out results, and they knew
their contracts were safe.
Election day told the story. When
the votes were counted in the little
room back of the postoffice, old
Judge Pinkus stroked his Vandyke
happily.
Il reckon you're beaten, Wally,' he
remarked through the little glass
grating at the stamp window. Nance
heard the words, too, as she stood
by the window. With a muttered
oath, her cousin rushed past her out
into the little square where men were
cheering for Ferraday Blind with
fury, he shot out his fist at Bruce.
but fell as Bruce caught him on a
counter blow on the point of the
chin.
Nancy laid her forehead on her
arms as she saw the finish from the
window. But oddly enough she was
not crying. 1t was only to hide from
the curious the look OF joy on her
face. She was glad. glad that Bruce
mad won. He had leaped to the old
oak stump and his voice reached
her.
"Fellow.citizens of the Gap, this is
the end Of the Gally feud. Right
here Wallace and l have settled old
scores, and want to tell you, it's
time the Gap Joined the march of
progress and buried the feud forever.
You shake hands with me, Gally. if
you don't I'll beat you UP until you
do, for we're going to be friends from
this day on"
Wonderingly the Gap beheld the
two shake hands as Bruce left the
stump. A minute more, and he was
beside Nance, where she stood apart
from the others.
Can 1 help you on your horse?"
he asked. I'm going to see you
home"
Nance lifted her tear.wet face to
his, capitulation in her eyes.
I'm mighty glad you won, Bruce"
was all she said
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