The evening times., 1895-10-23

VOTERS-Ohioans and others going
home TO vote can secure transportation
certificates. good on all roads. one fare foI
round trip, at l 1O6 q st. NV. fIom H. @.
POTTER. Cam Com. oa Transpofia,ion o.
Rep. Assn. oc16. 16. %. "a. % mol
an hour later. and heard her tragic declara
tion, a smile bruke over his lace.
''Cer-rrtainiy III vote fnr your father"
he said, most ss-certainly. hnpeI love you
enough To- do that without your even asking
me. And l will do all 1 can in a quiet
way for his election
II wouldn't have ynu go contrary to your
principles" said Mary Ann, her mouth
twitching little
''Oh, no, nn," he said, easily, political
ties are never SO sacred with me as family
ties. Hiram's friends may accuse me OF
treason. but I shall tell them frankly that
i can't afford IT, vote against my future
father-in-law."
Then he tried to kiss her. but Mary Ann
pushed him away with the sudden and sick
ening realization that she hated him-hated
him with her whole heart.
And this was the man she lad promised
to marry.
"They say Sikey's against me, Jim.' said
Hiram Field the next morning
Already" exclaimed Jim, with O start
which his friend fortunately ascribed to tue
grave political news
''Idon't see why ycu say already"
Hiram. 1T seems to me late enough for
him to make such change, after support
ing me until within a few days of the cleo
ton. Seems mighty queer to me-"
"Oh. 1 anticipated 1t. Oniy-I-I thought
perhaps be wouldn't change before te
morrow"
why didn't you tell me, Jim"
Didn't know il until last night"
"WeiI. don't take it So hard. old man."
news seemed to cut the young man deep,
deeper than even his great interest In
Hiran's election woald justify. Maybe
we can beat 'em anyway" he calculated.
I'VE will make the best fight We can,"
said Jim. land now Hiram, I will tell you
something; on the day after the election, I
am going to take a trip out West. Iexpect
to be gone a year 1T least Just a notion
OF mine; not.ing TO bold me here, and I've
always wanted to see that country"
Wish l could go with you said the
candidate; ''if 1 get beat maybe 1 will."
he added. laughing. He saw his friend was
much disturbed.
1t was two days before the election when
Mary Ann summoned her father into the
parlor for conference. The girl looked as
if she had been seriously sick or broken
with a great sorrow. and the mai jor almost
trembIed ut the hysteric energy With which
she attacked him.
Tell him that it's no use. He needn's
vote for you. / can't marry him-nevcr-s
never"
what do you mean, Mary ANN"
Go to him at once and tell him this
from me-" she ,ried Tell him the trade
is off, entirely Off"
Don't you love him, girl?"
Love him? MOI" she cried, laughing
wildly 81 bate and despise him. Willy you
go, or must 1 go?''
'Oh, I'll CO." said the major. "But this
is no way to play fast and loose with man.
Besides. it'll heat me-
Il can't help it, pa. You ought to be
beat You put me up to wrong and insult
the best man in the world l hope it viii
beat you: indeed, l do. Oh, W hat must he
think OF met" And she paced the floor,
wringing her hands. II wish he could know
how despise myself and how respect him
that he refused to sacrifice his honor for my
whim."
Mayor Gaines got the hysterical girl into
her room. and then, pocseting his pride and
his hopes. went at once to break the ne ws
TO Col Sikey. That esteemed gentleman be-
gan to complain, and not without justice, at
the usage be had received.
OF xf fAd hn mai to-
truly relieved to find somebody he could
vent his feelings upon; mot a word against
that girl. She did right-exactly right.
love and respect her for it, 1 wouldn't
let her marry you, sir. under any circum-
stances. You'll beat NE: Well. beat
and be ID. Who cares? But IL you
ever breathe a word against my daughter.
sir, I'll thrash you like a dog" and
the irate major puffed out his cheeks
and strobe defiantIy away.
The election has been over and Jim has
been gene for Il year. Hiram Field is
sheriff. Col. Sikey has consoled him.
self with 4 widow. who has small beauty
but considerable endowments.
Mary Ann is more subdued, but more
beautiful. To-day she is driving her
ponies along the elm-shaded lane which
leads out from the village. There is a
horsenlan approaching in the distance and
there is something familiar in his outline
that makes her heart beat faster and her
cheek whiten. As he approaches she
clutches the lines with tense hands, bring.
ing the ponies to a standstill
''Jimi" she cried.
Mary Ann!' He reaches on this hand
joyfuily and then stops suddenly and draws
it back. Mrs. Col. Sikey. l suppose?"
he says, in an altered, slightly ironical
tone.
You are mistaken, sir; am still Mary
Ann Gaines"
You didn't carry out your contract.
then: Or was it the colonel?" he asked,
tauntingly.
II deserve all you can say to me-" she
said, humbly. There Were tears in her eyes.
Forgive me, Mary Ann"
1.-THE infamous contract with Col. Sikey
was broken two days before the election.
You were right; did not understand what
was asking you to do"
81 cannot live without you, Mary Ann"
he cried. reaching out his hands .'Teil me
that may come back hume to find happi-
ness"
II have always loved you. Jim," she
said. softly, but never SO well as when you
refused 70 sell your vote to gain an un,
worthy VITA. hope and believe that shs