the kitchen porch with the belle of Corckleville
society.
Suffice it to say that when the Squire arrived
he found that he was in possession of a fine set of
stereoptican views, and that, for the sum of three
dollars per week, de Limberger was to make his
home his head luarters while he canvassed the
surrounding region.
CHAP. 11.
Never in the history of Corckleville had such a
prolonged excitement prevailed among its inhab
itants. Since the events narrated in the last chap
ter, the village had been incorporated into a bor
ough under the pretentious name of Eden Gar
den, and in about three months the election for
the important office of chief Burgess was to come
off. There were two candidates for this
taut position, Squire Jones on the Republican
ticket, and Captain S. Kenks on the Democratic.
Both sides were about of equal strength, and the
whole issue seemed to depend on what way Colo
nel Elderberry, the town grocer, voted, as a large
number of the town people owe him bills, and as a
consequence he controlled a large number of
voters. In a conclave of the Republican leaders
it was decided that, in some way, Colonel Elder
berry must lie secured for their side, and after a
long discussion it was agreed that the clearest way
was to marry Imogene the Squire's fair daughter
to Philander, the Colonel's son.
In vain did the Squire urge upon his daughter
the necessity bf accepting the proffered hand of
young Elderberry. In vain did the picture to
her the honored position which she would occu
py in the county society as he daughter of Bur
gess Jones of Eden Garden. Imogene despite
ccaxing and threats remained true to the promise
which she had given to de Limberger seven
months before, and already she was beginning to
look forward with pleasure to that day when, with
an B. A. attached to his name, he would come
and claim her hand. The Republican cause be•
gan to wane. The Democrats were enthusiastic
and paraded the street continually, headed by the
THE FREE LANCE.
own band under the leadership of young Philan
der Elderberry.
Time passed rapidly. It was now just four
weeks until the election and the day had arrived
when de Limberger was to return to Corkleville.
All day the fair Lnogene waited expectantly for
him. Noon came and yet no sign of him. Imo
gene was getting impatient. Night came and yet
no de Limberger. She was fast giving away to grief,
but still continued to hope. The next day passed
yet no signs of him, and finally, though with a
heavy heart, she was obliged to give him up in
despair.
"Probably," she said to herself, "he goes to a
co-educational institution and—but no, no I That
is not like him."
She was a strong minded person and, though it
cost her a world of pain, she decided that the next
best thing was to comply were her father's wishes
and accept the proffered hand of the colonel's
gallant son.
It would be impossible to describe the joy . that
will caused in the Republican ranks w:len this an
nouncement was made. The wedding day was
fixed for August 3oth, just three weeks after the
faithless de Limberger had broken his promise, and
one week before the election. The •cause of the
Democrats was declining rapidly, and now the Re
publicans were parading the streets nightly, head
ed by the band under young Elderberry. Fur,
when their leader had changed his politics, the
whole band went over with him, with the excep
tion of the base drummer who owed him no bills.
While cake walks and band festivals were follow
ing each other in rapid succession Imogene was
waiting with heavy heart the wedding day.
It was the 3oth of August. A solitary pedes ,
triyn was plodding slowly along the road which
led to the town of Eden Garden. The day was
sunny and warm. He had yet a mile to go, and
as he saw the roofs of the town in the distance, he
quickened his step.
CHAP. 111