The Twin City star., 1918-06-22

ueSS.
Bob's answer was another question
on quite a different subject. Back Of
his participation in the dialogue his
simple mind had been busy with the
affairs of the great political party Of
which he was devoted member. The
young man before him was the leader
Of small but dangerous conservative
faction in Vista county. This faction
had made trouble In the past and were
supposed to be concocting trouble for
the county convention nearly at. hand.
If Vista's delegation to the state con-
ventiOn, to be chosen by this county
convention, should be divided, it would
mean danger to every plan and prin-
ciple and candidate of the Peoples
party all the way up the line in the
county, state and nation.
"Dave," said BObbie, cautiously, but
looking squarely up in Dawes eyes,
"what are you over-the-liver fellows
goin' to do at the convention next
month? Slavin O. your township was
in Saturday, and he talked as ram
bunXiOus as ever. Now I"
christopher Moses, Bob! I've got
no time to talk politics this morning.
Can't you see?"
"Dave, you're wastin' your own VAL
able time. Now just you let me man.
age this confab and you and your
lady'll be on the move in minute, pro-
vided-" H....
"Oh, hush your provided Bob, let
us over"
The lanky Populist raised his eye
brows and set another nail for driving.
The girl turned in the direction they
had come. The sun was lifting above
the ridges, and through gap where
the road began it's long winding de-
scent to the river third rider came
into view. The girl uttered a little
suppressed scream, 'Father!' she
gasped.
Keep cool, my children, he's two
miles away yet. Keep cam and trust to
Bobbie Grant. Now, look here, you
Dave, you're too darned good fellow
to be left kickin' against the counsels
of the party. If you weren't such a
bright, poplar chap, you couldn't do
us any harm. But as she stands, my
boy, if I help you out now, you've got
to help me later, do you see?" Dave
was desperate. "Well, anything, only
hurry"
"There's no hurry. Blu: what I was
gettin' at was just this: you carry the
votes O. three townships in your over
alls' pocket" Bob began laying the
boards loose over the repair gap.
"Now, I want you fellows to behave
when you come down here to this con-
vention. 'Taint for my good-you can
see that-it's for the party's good"
"Well, choke that stump speech, Bob,
I can hear the old man on the far end
of the bridge. He'll be up with us in
half giffy. Hurry up and get the last
board laidw
"Now, Dave, don't get excited, and
remember, this old bridge-built by
our old party, and the bye-is clean
mile long. And there's just one other
little matter. I'll have to fine YOU two
for breaking the regulation about walk
ing your horses over the bridge"
Dave protested.
"I've got to do it, my boy. When
BObbie Grant is road commissioner the
regulations have got to be enforced, do
you see? But you can pay the fine
$1O-when you get back from the
honeymoon-you'l need what you've
got about you, Dave, for the preacher.
1 guess. Do you seer"
Young Morton groaned. "'Fraid
you've killed that part of it, Bob" said
he, sullenly. 'The old mans got us
now, for certain"
"Never you worry about the old
man. This bridge amt fixed yet. I'll
let him wait exactly one hour by the
sun, and if you two amt hitched by
that time, you don't deserve to be,
that's ALL"
"Oh, you beautiful mani" cried the
young woman, beaming down upon
Bob's rough face. "And if you will
just convince him that It's all right,
and that Dave is just the man for me,
you'll be simply an angel"
Bobbie cast his eye deliberately
along the bridge, and adjusted the last
board. "Clip-pit now!" he commanded.
stepping to one side.
The riders were past him before the
words were out of his mouth, and the
same instant q white prairie orchid,
tossed from somewhere, lodged in the
folds of his crossed arms. In Nebraska
the wild orchid Is the brides flower In
its season. He took up the blossom and
placed the stem between his lips, be-
ginning to whistle "Cotton-Eyed Joe"
and watched the runaways until they
left the bridge at the townwards end
and disappeared around the bend, be-
hind grove of cottonwoods. Then he
heard hOof-beats behind him. Without