New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-08-11
LOVE AND POLITICS.
STORIES OF THE ENGLISH
ELECTIONS.
THE MEMBER FOR EXFORD.

In a first-class compartment Of a fast train
going west was young man OF about eight or
nine and twenty-Jack Fanshawe. II was but
the night before that he had rushed into the club
on the news of the resignation Of the Ministry
and found all shouting together. Through
the crowd had come a man for whom every one
made way Smithson who held every Liberal
candidate in the country In leash. And Smith
son. who had for some time mad his eye on Fan
shave. a rising barrister and effective platform
orator had told him that he was to contest
Exford.
'Exfordw cried Fanshawe But it's hope
less"
Not bit. Go down tomorrow. I'll see you
have help. You might take Fraser down with
you"
Fraser was a barrister friend of Fanshawe's,
and shared his chambers.
well. I'll do my best. said Jack.
lone thing more" said smthson. as he turned
10 60. Don't forget the women. It's the women
who pull the strings at Exford.'
Jack Fanshawe. rushed back TO his chambers
spent half the night in composing his address
and discussing it with Fraser, who promised to
come down in a day or two. and the other half
in pulling it to pieces in his head. In the morn
ing he threw some things into bag. himself into
q CAP, and just caught tne carry tfdln
The journey began to grow little tedious
He had forgotten in his hurry TO put book into
his bag and there had been time to buy a
paper at Paddngton So ne put up his legs and
began to map out his plan of campaign. After
all. it relief to be alone and undisturbed
after the excitement of the night
What was ii that Smithson had said about
conciliatng the women? How was it to be done?
hid uonoen care ahouf pofics2 And what did
they really want? And then his thoughts slid
back into the past until they .ested upon Eleanor
Denton. who certainly had cared about politics
and knew what she wanted when he had known
her at Girton. What a pretts girl she was then!
Jack settled himself aga nst the cushions and
lazly contemplated the image Of Eleanor Denton.
How triumphant she had locked that day on the
river when she prophesed that in twenty years
women would be In Parliament. That was six
years ago. He had seen her now and again since
at crowded receptions or at private views; but
the thread OF those old talks had not been
gathered up again
Six years! Eleanor had said twenty years and
her dream had been realized in six For this
election was to be like no election that ever
held in England before.
For the last four years and more the women's
associations all over the country had been
gathering strength At every by-election. at
every meeting. at every private house in season
and out of season. the Women's unions had made
their voices heard. The question Of women's suf-
frage swallowed up all others. At last the
Liberal party took it up. and brought in a bill
in its favor The Conservatives, seeing their
chance gathered all the forces of prejudice and
defeated the bill. Then they brought in and
passed bill Of their own. not only giving every
over the age of twenty-one vote, but
enabling women TO sit in Parliament This was
the first election held under the new act
No one knew what going to happen.
Events had moved so suddenly that no one could
foretell what use women would make Of their
windfa. There rumors from several parts
Of the country that women were coming for
ward candidates.
Yes. smithson was quite right" thought Jack
And he determined that it should not be his
fault II he failed to find favor in the eyes of the
ladies Of Exford He had Just reached this con-
clusion when the train began to slow down.
"Hulloi here are he exclaimed, the
train drew into the station.
There a good many people on the plat
form-mosty ladies. There general air
of expectation. Suddenly young and rather
pretty woman. who had been peerlng into one
compartment after another along the train.
stopped at the window of Jacks carriage just as
he was unfastening the door.
Here he is. here he ISL she cried, in unmis-
taxable tones of delight.
Jack was a 1t pleasant to be well
coined by a pretty girl. even If she a
stranger.
We're so glad to you." she said, as Jack
stepped from the carriage with smile half OF
pleasure and half Of embarrassment
I'm delighted to see you," said Jack, pleas
antly. May Ask
"Oh. how stupid of me, or course, you don't
know me. I'm Miss Dolby one Of your COM
mittee. Here are the rest, waiting TO shake
hands with you. Come along. Miss Thyme;
come and be introduced to member.
An unexpected situation. much as singing
nettle. loses most of its strangeness when it is
grasped boldly. Jack Fanshawe. became a
rising politician adapted himself easily to cir
cumstances. The position quaint-even un-
precedented But before he had time to realize
its quaintness. he found himself in his COM
mttee-room. 1t a pleasant apartment in a
literary institution, and had evidently been pre-
pared for his coming. Chinese mating covered
the floor, and here and there rugs strewn.
Easy chairs were placed in careful disorder. and
on side table placed the materials for
afternoon tea. Jack discovered himself seated
at one end Of long table, with vague wish
that he had had time to change his tie and brush
his hair. Opposite him Miss Dolby. the
young lady who had greeted him at the station
She had snatched the seat Of honor by quick
and sklfui manoeuvre from an overblown lady
Mrs Parftt. and a faded lady Miss Thyme
who had moved upon 1t from opposite directions
Round the table were ranged the other ladies OF
his committee.
Now, Mr.. Fanshawe. what are you going TO
do for us?' said Miss Dolby
We'll ladies'" began Jack. my political views
will already be familiar TO you. ! am on essen
tial points in full accord With party leaders.
take my stand on the great principles which