Argosy All-Story Weekly, Vol. 123, No. 4 — page 25: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

BING, BANG, BOOM! the sixty-six ballots in question were re- jected accordingly. “ Of these sixty-six, twelve had been cast for Mr. Warren and Mr. Spigot, and fifty-four for Mr. Hill and Mr. Dyer. Subtracting these rejected ballots from the total returns, we find that Mr. Warren and Mr. Spigot have received a final total ma- jority of twelve votes, and are elected!” He stopped, turned abruptly, and dis- appeared into the polling-place, leaving behind him a silent crowd, floundering in a maze of figures and legal technicalities; ° not silent for long, though, for of one thing —the vital thing—they were certain: that Warren and Spigot, the men for whom the majority of their number had voted, had been elected. There was a brief moment of cheering: and then, because the curfew—whieh was as mandatory as military taps—was pro- foundly tolling its nine-o’clock warning, the crowd broke up and hastened homeward. Bert left the porch of the Palace Hotel, fram. which vantage-point he had witnessed the: proceedings, and walked across the rapidly emptying street to meet Fred Pat- terson, who had just emerged from the barber-shop. Two men accompanied Fred—he intto- duced them to Bert as Messrs. Hill and Dyer—and the three of them were in low spirits indeed. Turner had snatched the fruits of victory fron» ¢heir very mouths, and they were left diseonsolate.. “Twelve votes!” exclaimed Fred, mop- ping the perspiration from his flushed! face. “ And if it hadn’t been. fer tise feat mis- takes in the registration, we'd bave heater them. Just Turnen’s Teck that his. share of the less was enly twelnt whi: we got hit fear fifty-four!” ‘It seenws ta close errough. to: warrant a recount.” Fred shook his head. ‘“ What’s the cood? We haven’t any kick coming atsout. the outside returns, and as fer Selma’s poll, we're satisfied that it’s all right. It’s those sixty-six. rejected votes that hits us.” Bert grunted. ‘‘ You’re sure they should have been rejected?” ‘* Positively,” Dyer replied gloomily. ‘* Law’s law, and we got to abide by it.” mm,” saieé Bent, “ that it’s. 531 “It’s a turn o’ the cards,” interposed Hill, summoning a wan smile. “ Ain’t no use cryin’ over spilt milk, as they say. We're much obliged to you fer throwin’ yer hat in the ring with us, Boom.” “Tm afraid I didn’t do much good,” replied Bert. _ “You didn’t?” cried Fred. “ Don’t you fool yourself! You got us enough extra Selma votes to beat ’em, if fifty-four of our regulars hadn’t been thrown out!” A surrey, drawn by a team of ‘black mares, came down the street, described a semicircle before the erstwhile polling- place, and came to a stop at the curb, a few yards from the spot where Bert and his friends were standing. The rear seat of the vehicle was empty, and the front seat was occupied by two. girls, one of whom Bert recognized a Ruth Warren. Her companion, who was driving, was a fluffy, golden-haired creature who ' reminded Bert, even: in his momentary in- spection of her in the dim light, of a. dainty gobict, filled to the brimming with bub- bling, amber wine. They were evidently in high spirits, and were laughing in concert—the younger girl m a tinkling crescendo, Ruth more softly and with greater reserve. Neither seemed to notice the four men who stood near by,-: rar did they acknowledge their polite salu- tations. “The Wanren girls,’ whispered Fred. ‘Suppose they’pe calling for their dad. The younger sister is named. Sara.”’ Bert learned later that Frea was deeply smitten with the vivaciam: Sara; but since fre Kat returnea from college: and estab- Tishedt The Punch, taking sides se strenu- ously agaims$ Tumner’s party, amomg whese numer was her father, she had not spoken a@word to him.” “Wonder why they: don’t come out,” Bert heard Sara remark; and then, placing her fingers ta her laughing lips, she emitted a shrill whistle. “Sara!” her sister exclaimed reprov- ingly.. ‘Silly! What’s the difference? That Il fetch them.” As if in answer to her prophecy, the door af the barber-shop opened, and three Original fron 10 STATE UNR RIE — me THE C DOOK CO