The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1892-04-27

yate record and life had never been as
sailed and he had taken pride in keeping
it impregnable. He walked up and down
the Office in violent agitation. There was
q plausible appearance in the charges that,
skillfully handled by his opponents,
would look dangerously near like truth
and would be hard to meet. The Sam
Speckles paper especially would be hard
to explain to the satisfaction of most peo-
pie, but his fret thought was not of his
mother, nor of the effect upon his candi-
dacy, nor even Of poor. injured Babe, but
of Laura-what would che say?-what
would she think?
1t seemed to him as if the whole county
was at this moment reading that cruel
libel and talking about him, and the shock
laid bare the truth to him as he had never
seen il before, that underneath the calm
assurance with which he had dismissed all
hopes of winning Laura was still that love
for her-the growth of years. Hopeless
it might be-probably was, but it was still
there and he cared more for her good
opinion and respect than he did for all the
world besides.
He was called back to the pressing
duties of the present by the entrance of
the village telegraph operator with two
messages. The first he opened was from
the editor of his party's official paper and
read; please telegraph us at once denial
OF libel in today's Bulletin" and the other
was from the chairman of the county com
mittee: "Have telegraphed the press in
YOUR name denial in toto OF the outrage
in today's Bulletin. Will be in Mapleville
by first train"
He mechanically took piece of blank
paper and addressed the editor and wrote.
"See telegraph denial from Mr. Keves."
THAT is all, +" he said, handing it to the tel
egraph operator.
Mrs Huntington came in as the oper-
ator went out. Arthur saw that in some
way she had heard the dreadful news
She was not excited, but her face wore
grim expression that showed that she was
angry. To her mind that Bulletin editor
was only miserable viper, whose malice
was evident but who was powerless to
injure her son; and she was anxious to
know how it affected him.
This is terrible! mother, terrible" he
exclaimed bitterly.
"Well," said she. sharply, "don't you
worry about it. nobody will believe such
a liar''
"Oh. mother, you don't understand it
oil. You don't know what effect such
things will have in politics :"
well, understand one thing II |
had the making of the laws. such men
would be crushed Just as we crush any
other sneaking, crawling snake !" and sine
ground her heel viciously into the floor.
Arthur began his restless walking again.
After few turns he stopped in front of
bis mother, with his back to the door.
Mother he exclaimed, II can't help
i'll must know what Laura thinks about
IL. Will you go and see her, and tell me
what she saysP'
nearly smiled, and her eyes gave start of
pleasure.
Its ali an infamous lie % he continued,
exeitedly, and don't think l would care
that about il" swapping his fingers, IF
only Laura Warren doesn't believe it ~
His mother was looking over his
shoulder. He turned
Laura Warren stood in the room; she
had heard what be said. There was an
embarrassing silence.
Mrs. Huntington, never more pleased
in her life, looked from one face to the
other, and could not tell which blushed
the more deeply, Laura or Arthur.
Laura put out her hand. Arthur"
ehe said 81 came purpOsely to tell YOU
that did not believe one word OF that
horrible lie-I don't believe you have a
friend who does"
Arthur's face lighted with joy there was
gleam of hope in the sparkle of his eve,
and what might have happened there
and then in the presence of his mother
and in sight of Tom Dowdall, who had his
eye to the keyhole of the door, did not
take place, for just then the round, burly
form of Mr.. Keyes, the chairman of the
Il
ling in.
Arthur went out into the hail with the
ladies. "Will you 90 riding with me to-
night?" he asked Laura. eyes, she said
rather family.
Tha: afternoon Aunt Martha decided
that she could not imagine what possessed
her niece, she was that fdgety, She
laughed without any tangible reason, and
sang little, and played on the piano a
little, and did everything but sit still a
minute. She did wonder what allied her,
and the whole village talking about Arthur
so, and he in such trouble-it was a shame
But Laura made no reply but continued
smiling softly, and talked nonsense to her
bird, and worried the old, over-fed cat
and kept up her dancing movements and
acted like a nervous young girl.
the woe-begone expression had left the
Young man : ldCD Niicu llt TtbuIItu 10 lD6
room and shook hands cordially with Mr..
keyes. The gentleman was surprised at
mis- radiant good humor THAT was a
prebious fool Job of that Bulletin man,
now, wasn't it?" said the chairman.
"Whv, er,-yes," said Arthur, absently.
"By the way, let's gee. what is it he
charges?"
Hey" shouted the astoDished visitor
"why. have't you read 'em?"
'Oh, yes, but only glanced them over.
Here's the paper now; let's take them in
detail" and he handed the chairman the
Bui e;in and sat down checrfully at his
desk with his pencil.
The rubicund face of Mr.. Keyes showed
his relief in finding his candidate so
cheerful. and he found the article. and
| following il down with bis short, pu dgy
| finger. he said:
THAT about your mother and father
| don't count. l happen to know your
| fathers war record, and we'll give 'em
! hail Columby on that en- don't you forgit
| it, It's worth five hundred votes to u.s.
| You see it's base attack on a brave old
army boy, and a man who had friends
everywhere. They'd better left that out
| About this DIR. Davies matter, some Of the
best men in the county decided him DAFT
so your connection with that case won'i
cut any figser, il the rests al right. But
what st about this girl business" And
/ the ehrewd old politician looked the