Omaha daily bee., 1900-11-25

known DR.. Holt not once during the visit
had he permitted himself to hint al the
topic that he could not but see was giving
his host the kcenest most painful anxiety.
Yet here was young alien, 30
to speak, a stranger to the sell and, up
to within forey eight hours. to both father
and son, who did not hesitate, as he ficked
| the ashes off his cigar, to call upon the
young Kentuckian for an ayowal of his
intentions. Time had been in the recent
past when Lane, journeying in the south,
found himself getting hot under the col
lar when some total stranger on steam
boat, train or hotel veranda would range
alongside and occasionally, with menace
In look or tone, demand, what are your
polltics2' But this came never from men
OF education or social standing in the
south. Now, a man who mingled, how
ever undeserving, with the best In Ohio
society, sought TO probe the politics Of
one whose name and lineage were OF the
best in all Kentucky. Lane and Holt senior
were men who held a mans politics to be
as sacred as his religion, 30 solemn were
the Issues Of the day. Lane would have
checked the questioner could he have fore
seen the question, for in no mans eyes
was Malloy so eager TO appear unlmpeach-
able. But here was opportunity to en-
barrass, annoy, perhaps damage a rival
In tho estimate Of the father OF the girl
whose favor he would win and the eager
boxer forgot his guard in the greed to
strike q blow.
For an instant there was no answer. The
words that would have sprung to Norman's
lips-a rebuke to the impertinence Of the
stranger-were stifed by the instant awak-
ening OF the thought that this was still
p1ip rhA la nj ant, t,plyx
hospitality forbade resentment of act or
word OF him who came accredited to q
Kentucky hresIde. The silence was so
marked, so long, that in q sense Of eager
triumph Malloy was On the point Of per-
sisting In his question when Norman spoke
1T will be time enough for us to say
when Kentucky has decided. Mr.. Lane, can
you see the time by your watch?"
"At all events" persisted Malioy, chat
ing under the implied rebuke, your states
decision involves yours That you probably
admit" and he turned significantly to the
lawyer as though demanding that he note
the point, II surprised him to see that
Lane busted himself almost ostenta atiously
with the watch, as though he would not
listen.
"Can you strike a match, Mr.. Malloy7"
asked the lawyer, adding instantly, How
iur iroul buTustOWn now, NorHhuG dnu
Malloy was again rebuffed, He found and
struck a match, almost Ave-" said Lane.
We'll make It easily, won't we?"
by over an hour. There'll be abund-
ant time for breakfast" Then before NAL
10y could return to the attack, Holt half
turned, looked over his left shoulder and
deliberately said. "Kentucky's decision
involves rather more than you imagine,
Mr.. Malloy, so say our elders and advisers,
and they also counsel--slence."
There was no handshake between the
younger men at the railway station that
frosty morning Lane noted that Norman
purposely avoided Malloy. who, for his
part, was ponderlng over the words, treas
uring them and the events OF that night ride
for future use against his adversary, even
though little dreaming what opportunity
the future might speedily bring forth.
CHAPTER ".
April had come, soft and balmy, over
the Kentucky shores, Birds and buds and
even blossom were everywhere along the
lower Ohio. sweeping, bsnkful, 10 It's con-
fuence with the Mississippi. Nature
spoke in the carol OF song birds OF Joy,
peace and plenty, yet there came dread
and omen in every days dispatches from
the capital. There were days when no dis
patches came from the massive fortresses
In Charleston harbor, where the nag still
aoated. though menaced by scores Of hos