Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1901-12-31

sponded Ainsworth, "the smartest jour-
nalist in the state
''And the man who would have married
Schuyler Herold's daughter if you hadn't
stepped in" said Harrow. 1.-The man
who may get her yet, for Herold is the
last man to approve of your conduct.
His views Of politics are much like mine"
Il am afraid there is some truth in
what you say" answered Ainsworth, his
forehead very red and deeply lined, ''but
we will have no further reference to Miss
Herold, if you please. As to the two
men whom you have named let me tell
you that anticipated your threat and
have sent for both of them"
The Boss eyes, habitually half closed,
opened wider than Ainsworth had ever
before seen them.
"You have committed political suicide"
ne said. Don't you see that If You get
these two men here you will force my
hand? You can't mean TO do this"
Il mean to start the new year fairly"
replied AinswOrth. This pledge to you
is the ball and chain upon my leg. If L
can't get rid of it, L will at least wear it
openly. 1 will drag it around with me
throughout my administration, but it
shall not coerce me to do one act, how
ever small, that is not honest"
Il will not be a party to such folly"
exclaimed Harrow. at may be neces-
sary in the end for me to use this weapon
for your destruction, but / will not run
amuck with ii. l won't stay here to abet
this madness"
"You can't help it." said Ainsworth
81 insist upon your remaining. 1t is n
matter Of five minutes probably. Ray
mond - staying at the Carrollton across
the way, and it is but a stones throw to
the Herold residence. All, alreadyw
The bedroom door opened and Horace
-.
side with the slow, careful tread of in
herited servitude and spoke In n whisper.
Ainsworth turned to Harrow.
HE has found Raymond said he. land
has sent a messenger for Mr.. Herold.'
The Boss was about 20 speak when
there was Il knock upon the hall door,
Ainsworth opened it, and a young woman
entered, hasty, breathless and trembling
with anxiety. She turned suddenly to
Ainsworth.
Jack" she exclaimed, "what has hap
pened? 1 was so frightened, was at
the door when the messenger came. 1
thought you were hurt and had been
brought here"
Ainsworth took both her hands.
Its all politics." he said. There's
nothing hurt except my future. and really
nobody can hurt that except you, so it's
safe. 1 sent for your father"
III was IOOllSh OF me 10 De sliaFilleu.
said she, but the messenger made such
a mystery of it,
There were tears in her pretty brown
eyes, and as she stood with her hands
clasped in Ainsworth's and her pale face
upturned to his young man came softly
in by the door which still stood open.
Miss Herold was unaware OF his en-
trance, but Ainsworth looked over her
head into the mans eyes, which were
light gray, cold and shrewd.
"You sent for me?" said the young
man, and Miss Herold turned hastily at
the sound of the familiar voice. Morton
Raymond looked at her for some seconds
infently. and then slowly bowed his head.
RAYMOND" said Ainsworth. there is
piece of news for your paper, and for the
whole syndicate Of my enemies who take
their cue from you. Previous to my cleo
ton l pledged myself in writing to Har-
row that l would appoint Steve Langford
commissioner of banking, and now I've
decided not to do it because the man is
not honest. 1t is only fair, however, to
say that l knew that he wasn't when l
made the pledge, but L believed that l
could keep him straight while he was in
Office / have decided on the eve of the
new year that that sort of thing won't do.
/ have resolved to give public Office to no
man who isn't clean"
Raymond stopped him with an impa-
tient gesture. Then he pushed back the