The Pioche weekly record. [volume] (Pioche, Nev.) 1877-1900, 1897-03-04

luE true.
Van Vert explained In an Injured
tone. adding. with as much dignity as
he could command: Il am the candI,
date for Superintendent Of Schools, ami
/ suppose this Is a sample of tue meth
DDS Miss Smith and her cowboy friends
have adopted to defeat me. They knew
was to speak at Meeker tonight, and
thought that by preventing me from
doing so they could gain a few votes.
III show 'em when | get there"
The young woman laughed merrily.
Politics Is funny business, isn't it,
she said. "The idea Of resorting to
such measures. But" she added sober
ly, '.you should not blame Miss Suitl
for what her over-zealous friends have
done. Miss Smith is a friend OF
mine, and know she would not sane
ton such thing. lit would be most
unfair to accuse her of II. don't you
think, without being certain OF your
Groundp
Van Vert admitted that It would.
Then as favor to me-" said his fair
rescuer, do not. please, say anything
about 1t, at least by way of connecting
her with the affair. I'm sure no one
would regret 1t more than she, II she
knew about It,"
After some hesitation Van Vert
promised, and presently his rescuer and
her escort left him, branching or on a
trail that led toward farmhouse that
he could see in the distance.
The candidate noted with a grim
smile, on his return, the CONSERVATION
his appearance created In certain part
of the room, and concluded that two or
three men whom he knew to be friends
of his looked rather sheepish, but be
kept his own counsel and made no ref
erence to his adventure. In the course
or the excellent speech he presently
made he "took back" what he had said
about his opponent IN manner SO
graceful as to win for him rounds OF
applause, and when he sat down it was
with the consciousness that he had In
part redeemed himself.
AS he started. along with some Of the
J other candidates, to leave the ball, he
noticed for the first time thar the young
woman who had rescued him from the
AK" in which the cowboys had left
: him had not gone home to stay when
/ she left him, for there she was, just
D leaving the hall in company with an
Z older woman In widows weeds.
: "Who is that?" he asked of the candi
e date for Sheriff, who was at his side.
THAT girl?" queried the other. "Why,
II boy, that's your hated adversary, Miss
h Smith. Hadn't you seen her before"
n But Van Vert did not hear the ques
$ ton. He hurried to catch up with the
J. opposing candidate, who started wher
g he addressed her, but quickly recovered
d herself and smiled sweetly upon him.
d Miss Smith," he burst out inpetu
Is ously, II don't know what you mus
I'd think OF me, after all the low-dowI
Or things I've said about you, and the holl
D. show l made of myself this evening
r But hope you'll believe me when
ne say I'm sorry for the things I've said
40 and honestly hope you'll he elected
ut after all l shall vote for you, any way
Ell and you can count on lots or N
II. friends"
ne But his boylsh enthusiasm in behal
ne of his opponent came too late to be G
service to her, for the returns Shove
as that Van Vert was elected by n sma
to majority, for which he was indebted
as the miners. On Thursday after ele
en- ton he went to Miss Smith.
elf ST raore+ this nc mncb as Won do" |
al said, earnestly. 81 wish had met yc
d. earlier in the campaign. But l have
al proposition to make. What are you g
80 ing to do now"
yer Il don't know" she SAID trying
ear conceal the sadness in her tones. "Y'
zed see, had to give up my school, al
there are no vacancies now"
led well, what l was going to propose
10 this: VIII you take an appointment
al my deputy? Remember, all the wo
will devolve upon you"
one Miss Smith gasped. and her pref
inu face grew rosy red, then turned pa
linl She did not wish to be under oblit
o lions to this mainland yet, there W
the mother to be considered, and
eli Invalid sister In Chicago, whose h
my pital bills were such severe tax on
tne family resources. YES" she 81
finally, "and thank you, very much,
dnt offering me the place. You have llf
leiu great load from my mind"
LheF There was some comment on this
lore rangement by the voters of the couI
yr but It was hardly adverse, and the d
uty soon showed that she was the ri
nan, one in the right place She worked
vain and night, and denied herself necess
t ye sleep that her beloved schools sho
fool not retrograde in fact, IN the course
We few weeks she succeeded in max
herself almost Ill, for the death of
Vert, former superintendent had left the
leal. fairs of the office In rather chaotic I
ting dition, and although Van Vert and
MOST deputy qualified at once after the m
ing of the canvassing board, it was
{ his most Christmas before they got mat
light Strengthened out.
as 1t And It was Just at this time, "
make the little deputy, more than hall
hool- from overwork, was spending co
stan of days at home, that she got
e ye note from her superior. which read
e git Miss Smith: For some time pa
7 we | have been dissatisfied with you as
e an uty Superintendent of Schools,
your resignation as such win be
ne as cepted. l will do myself the hone
The calling upon you and explaining
ropes ters more fully tomorrow night.
ented truly yours,
lat in JAMES VAN WEIR
were Miss Smith burst into tears. "Ju
> dis think. mamma! After have VIC
IN the co bordt What shall we do2"