The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1901-08-16
nVI7 ELL, it's all of; we win."

nVI7 ELL, it's all off; we win."
: w The party at the extreme
end of the bar turned from their
glasses and regarded the newcomer
with questioning glances-an but
one. The latter, . TALL lanky man
with strong features, keen and shl1ty
eyes and smooth side face with long
chin whiskers from the heavy mus
tache down, gave swift look about
the bar room and then turned to the
speaker with something of disgust In
his face. y. !.
"Haven't you learned yet, Joe, not
to talk in public room? Forget It,
'::But-"
"But nothing. Take drink; the
changes not made yet; it will STEADY
your nerve"
The black-haired young fellow who
had Joined the. party in. state OF ex'
citement became a. clam and silently
threw down the drink handed him ny
the bar tender.
"Come to NV room at nine," said the
long man with the chin whiskers IN a
low voice. Then louder: swell, good
night, boys, I've got to 60 over that
reapportionment bill tonight.
An hour later the same party were
gathered in Maj. Franklin's room
They had dropped in one at time IN
A. quiet way and the major had rung
for an ample supply OF liquor ana
cigars.
'Now, Joe, what is it?" asked the
major. ,
"it's all off. The Consolidated Elec-
trio people have sent to Washington
for Harold Treat, and that means the
bill will go through. So 1 guess we
don't lose out on this session."
"Ain't that a sign of weakness?"
suggested the heavy-faced man WIN W.T.,
the gray eyes. "Looks to me like
the drowning man grasping at a
''. mot on your +intype," replied Joe.
"Treat never yet lost measure when
he tried to put it through. Heavens
knows what they had to pay him, but
it's q sure thing that the bill goes
through" g." =,
In due time Harold Treat; famed
4hroughout the country as lobbyist
Of boundless resource and marvellous
tact. arrived at the state capital. he
was accompanied by his wife, wom-
an of great charm of manner and q
personality so strong as to win from
the start those with whom she came
in contact. Treat went to work
nuietlv to round up enough members
to pass the Cons olidated Electric bill.
He first went over the ground care
fn1lv and learned what had been done.
The newspapers were full of the mat
ter and everywhere, throughout the
state. the bill was denounced as an
outrage upon the public. The fegis-
lators were frightened atsthe' w'de7
spread opposition and, ma4y> Who or
dinarily, could have been reached IN
one way or another, were AFRAID TO
brave the storm.
Treat remained cool and confident
and within two weeks it was given out
uuietly that four members had been
added to those formerly pledged to
support the measure. There was stlll
one vote lacking, and it seemed tnat
It was impossible to get it. Treat
smiled imperturbably and said ne
would. How he expected to do 1t the
Oldest politicians at the capital could
not guess.
Meantime Mrs. Treat had remained
wholly oblivious to the great contest.
Her brilliant attainments, her modest
demeanor, her charming and ingen-
nous manner and her pervading per-
sonalitv won her friends everywhere
in the society of the capital. She
dressed with the most exquisite taste
and at once upon her appearance in
the functions of "the official set" at
4racted the attention and admiration
of all men. Among those was Henry
Raymond, one of the most brilliant
and conspicuous members OF the leg
;slature: q man of unusual, gifts, who
had won pronounced success in his
profession and who came from dis
tinguished family. Raymond was
classed among the few members who
were acknowledged on all sides as be-
ing absolutely incorruptible. Pos
sessed of an ample income from his
profession, he had accepted the nom
ination to the legislature at consider
able personal cost, solely from con-
viction that it was his duty to the
state. Back of this there may have
been an ambition reaching far out and
upwards into the future, but ii so his
nearest confdants did not know it..
In any event, his public career had
been dominated by the highest ideals,
md he was the boast and pride of the
better element among the citizens of
his district.
It happened about the time that the
Consolidated Electric bills needed
only one vote to insure their passage,
q veritable battle ersued between this
strong, powerful man, and this KEEN
adroit and resourceful woman. She
was the trump card in the hand OF
her clever and unscrupulous husband.
When he had accomplished all that