Chicago eagle. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1889-19??, 1897-02-27

uncomfortable predicament, and he
was untylng his horse from neishbor.
Ing tree.
Van Vert explained in an injured
tone. adding, with as much dignity rs
he could commands: II am the candi.
date for Superintendent Of Schools, ami
I suppose this ls sample Of the meth.
DDS Miss Smith and her cowboy friends
have adopted to defeat inc. They knew
I was to speak at Meekcr tonight, and
thought that by preventing me from
doing 80 they could gain few votes.
Ill show 'em when get there"
The young woman laughed merrily.
''Polltics IL a funny business, isn't 1T"
she said. 1.-THE idea Of resorting to
such measures! But" she added sol,cr-
~, "you should not blame Miss Smith
for what her over.xealous friends have
done. 1-Miss Smith IL a friend Of
mine, and know she would not sane.
ton such thing. Tit would be most
unfair to accuse her Of II. don't you
think. without being certain OF your
ground?"
Van Vert admitted that II would.
Then a. q favor to me- said his fair
rescuer. do not. please. say anything
about II, at least by way Of connecting
her with the affair. I'm sure no ono
would regret II more than she. II size
knew about IT,"
After some hesitation Van Vert
promised, and presently his rescuer and
her escort left him. branching OF on q
trail that led toward farmhouse that
he could see In the distance.
The candidate noted with q 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 shcepish, hut he
kept his own counsel nnd made no ref.
erence to his adventure. In the course
Of the excellent speech he presently
made he took back" what he had said
about his opponent IN q manner 70
graceful as to win for him rounds Of
applause, and when he sat down 1t was
with the consciousness that he had In
part redeemed himself.
As he started, along with some Of the
other candidates. to leave the hall. ne
noticed for the first time thar the young
woman who had rescued him from the
az" In which the cowboys had left
him had not gone home to stay when
she left him. for there she was, Just
leaving the hail In company with an
older woman In widows weeds.
"Who In that" he asked Of the candi.
date for Sheriff. who was at bis side.
THAT girlY" queried the other. "Why,
boy. that's your hated adversary, Miss
smith. Hadn't you seen her beforc?''
But Van Vert did not hear tho ques.
ton. He hurried to catch up with tho
opposing candidate, who started when
he addressed her, but quickly recovered
herself and smiled sweetly upon him.
"Ailss Smith," he burnt out in,pc:u.
ously, II don't know what you must
think o. me. after all the iow.d0wn
things I've said about you. and the holy
show I made Of myself this evening.
but hope your believe me when I
say I'm sorry for the things I've said
and honestly hope you'll he elected,
after oil. shall vote for you. any way.
and you can count ON hts Of my
friends"
But his boyish enthusiasm In behalf
Of his opponent came too late to be Of
service to her. for the returns showed
that Van Vert was elected by q small
majority, for which he was indebted "a
the miners. On Thursday after cleo
tlon no went to Miss Smith.
II regret this Al much as you do" he
said. earnestly. II wish had met you
earlier In the campaign. But l have q
proposition to make. What are you 60.
Ing to do now?"
II don't know" she said, trying "a
conceal the sadness In her tones. "You
see. had to give up my school. and
there are no vacancies now"
"Well, what was going to propose ID
this: VIII you take an appointment a.
my deputy? Remember, all the work
win devolve upon y0u."
Miss Smith gasped. and her pretty
face grew rosy red. then turned pale
She did not wish to be under Obliga.
tions to this mainland yet. there wal
the mother to be considered. and the
invalid sister In Chicago. whose hos
pital bills were such severe tax on the
family resources. "Yes." she said
finally, ''and thank you. very much, fol
Offering me tho place. You have lifted
q great load from my mind"
There was some comment on this A.
rangement by the voters Of the county
hut II was hardly adverse. aud the dep
uty soon showed that she was tho RICH,
one In the right place. She worked day
and night. and denied herself necessary
sleep that her beloved schools should
not retrOgrade; In fact. In the course oil
a few weeks she succeeded In making
herself almost III. for the death Of the
former superintendent had left the at
fairs Of the Office In rather chaotic con
ditlOn. aud although Van Vert and hii
deputy qualified at once after the meet
Ing OF the canvassing board. It was al
most Christmas before they got natter
Strengthened out.
And 1t was Just at this time. wher
the little deputy. more than half II
from OverwOrk. was spending couple
Of days at home. that she got q briei
note from her superior. which read:
"Nlss Smith: For some time past
have been dissatisfied with you as Dep
uty Superintendent Of Schools. and
your resignation AZ such viii be &C
Il a a n