Savannah courier. (Savannah, Tenn.) 1885-1979, 1901-09-13
strengthen every purchased vote and
rob the affair Of half the scandal 1t
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not throw herself at Raymond nor
in any open way lead him into closer
relations. But situations occurred
and things happened, by the sheerest
accident, of course, which threw him
more and more into her company, and
appealed more and strongly both to
his physical and intellectual nature.
The finale came one soft spring
evening during reception at the
governors mansion, when, after a
dance and few moments of sparkling
repartee at the refreshment table,
they had wandered out under the
great trees and among the velvety
lawns and fragrant flowers of the
great grounds surrounding the house.
The affair had begun to be noticed,
and many were the whispered Won
ders that Treat should remain obliv-
ious to the apparent infatuation of
Raymond for Mrs. Treat, and the
equally apparent acquiescence on her
part to his eager pursuit. For Treat,
with all his reputation as an un-
scrupulous lobbyist, carried always
the part of self-respecting gentle
man, and it was generally believed
that his wife played no part in his
political schemes. This was borne out by
the child-like ingcnuousness displayed
by the woman at all times regarding
the case in hand. She had time and
time again, when talking to the OPP
ponents Of the Consolidated Electric
bill, asked, with eyes filed with Won
der and reproach, how it could be
that men trusted and honored by their
fellow-citizens could think of betray-
ing their trust by voting for such a
horrid measure.
Down among the great oaks, through
which the twilight struggled with its
proverbial seductiveness, and with
the scent of the springtime in the
air, Raymond paused suddenly in the
promenade, and turning impetuously
to the woman, cried out:
II cannot stand this longer. Your
presence intoxicates me beyond con.
troll. There can be but one meaning to
the favors you have shown me-that
you are drawn to me, as / am drawn
to you. Before l met you thought
had met many women. Now know
that you are the only woman I ever
saw. The rest were shadows. There is
nothing in life to me but you. know
you are married. What of it? There
is no marriage but the union of kin
dred souls. l have money. Twill sac
rifice my reputation, my friends. Come
with me to-night-now, this moment!
We will go to Italy, to Spain, Pata-
gonia-anywhere, so that we are to-
gether. And we will live, live, live
not merely exist. Sinking all else into
complete union to ourselves, we will
forget the world, its ideals and stand
ards, its condemnation or commenda-
tion, and live and love forever"
He had grasped her hand during
this passionate speech, and his face
was close to hers, and his eyes were
looking into hers with an expression
so intense that it lacked little of hyp-
notism. In all her life she never had
felt her pulses throb as they did un-
der the spell of this masterful man.
In an instant her passionate nature
realized the difference between this
man and the cold, intellectual person
ality of Harold Treat. But she was
not a creature of impulses, and she
recovered herself with an effort.
"Do you love me so entirely?" she
asked.
"What more can do to prove it?''
he replied, still retaining her hand.
"I am willing to give up friends, ambi-
tion, the respect of my people, and
the world-all the reputation acquired
by the labor of a score of years. No,
not ready, but eager. 1t is all there is
in life for me-"
SENATOR" she said, steadily, "it is
of the utmost Importance TO my hap
piness that the Consolidated Electric
bill is passed You can accomplish It,
Will you do that for me? 1t is all
ask, and surely so great love can
concede that much" In an instant she
realized how cheap speech it was
and she hid her flushing face in her
hands.
Then Henry Raymond rose to the
height of the splendid powers with
which he was gifted, and which had
made him his reputation.
81 see il ALL" he said. "You think
you are stool-pigeon for Treat. But
you are not. You are so much strong.
er than he is, that there is no com
parison. What If ! do vote for this in
famous bill, and it is passed? You will
go on leading life that is lie every
minute you live. There is nothing in
money, excepting what money will
buy. can give you all that-and
more, life of love, instead
of one of slavery to clever
and perfectly cold-blooded man
whose only god is money. You
are better than you think. Come!
we will leave this place. Let the bill
meet its fate; let the legislature ant
the state and all the world go on in
their own way. Tomorrow we will
be on our way to paradise"
She swayed toward him, recovered
herself partially, and drew back, then
lifting her eyes to his, caught tho
spark of passion, and her emotiona
nature exploded. She fell into his
arms.
The next day was the most exciting
ever known in the capital. 1t is doubt
full which created the greatest com
ment, the fan of Henry Raymond ol
that Of Amy Treat. 1t broke Treats
heart and his spirit. The Consolidated
Electric bills failed to pass, and Trea1
4 A