The Minneapolis journal., 1901-05-25
ROSALYNDE'S LOVERS
BY MAURICE THOMPSON
AUTHOR OF ALICE OF vINcENNEs TALLAHASSEE GIRL
SWEETHEART MANETTE" ETC
Copyright. 1901,
CHAPTER XII.

At the last moment MS young competitor
for the nomination shook a political trump
card out of his sleeve with irresistible effect;
the Banderet forces were surprised to such
a degree that, within the time at command,
they could not rearraDge themselves 10 meet
the new issue, and all was lost
At about three in the afternoon the first
news Of the catastrophe reached Hawford by
wire from indianapolis. Breyten had ar
ranged to have an early message, but 3
clique of local politicians were ahead OF
him, and the rumoF passed along the street
before his frs. dispatch arrived He heard
men telling one another; some were swearing
Ticiously and some were rejoicing. His first
thought was of Rosalynde, whom he hao
not seen since leaving the Banderet home
Just before he went TO Indianapolis TO open
what he spoke of as his headquarters al
2 hotel, General Banderet had called upon
Breyton, ana what he said took the young
man somewhat by surprise The general was
nothing if not warm in his manner and ne
professed great embarrassment.
u could not get up the courage 20 men
ton il while you were at my house ne
said; "and then, as you know, was at home
very little during your convaleseence- Thls
deyilish campaign took all Of my time. But
l feel in honor bound 10 tell you that when
the doctors though you were going TO die,
l looked into your papers, and so discovered
who you are" lie hesitated q moment, as
il expecting Breyten 10 speak. then added:
But I've kept your secret from everybody.
Not soul but myself knows ii. l hope, sir,
that you'll not think ] did wrong"
You did exactly right, general said Brey-
ten, as soon as he could pull himself To-
getnc~ Il am glad that you were 50 thought
fu!, and can never repay your 6isintcresIed
and noble kindness. ! have been iiFicS 70
see you ever since I came away from yoar
house. 7 wanted 10 tell Won --''
My dear sir, no-it was nothing, less than
no.hing. My granddaughter's earelessness in
running against you was the cause OF II all,
sad the very least that I could do was the
most that could do. which was poor
enough
Miss Banderet did net run against me,
Breyten replied with emphasis Il dashed
right over her, and. besides, l was on the
wrong side Of the road scorehing like blind
.diat. She was not in the least to blame; she
couldn't have got out Of my way ~ save
her lfe"
You are generous. and wont argue the
pcint, the general said sEavely; Il only
say what she reported ROsalynde-Tny grand
daughter-said that you were not in tie least
to blame. She said that she was riding
as fast as sho could so and paying no earthly
attention TO what or who might be coming.
But let tha. &C I'm so glad that you're both
out OF il so we'll thai l don't care whose
fault il was"
We'll. l do care Breyten insisted. 1t
IS IN abominable injustice to lay the slight
est blame upon Miss Banderet and it shan l
he done.
The old man smiled in his most bland and
gracious way-the smile had always been his
chief political attraction, and long practice
had arranged the wrinkles in his face ready
70 spring II with the least possible EFFORT OF
MS part.
= had but a moment before going to my
train the general said, rising and lifting
his great smile with him. and l ran in TO
say just q word or two" He extended his
hand as Breyten rose also, i must hurry
away. Only four days until the convention
sits; and l have hot, hard work before me.
I dread II"
y heartily wish you success said Brey-
ten is there anything that l can possibly
do TO aid you? II so. command me, general;
I am yours for all I am worth
The young mans transparent sincerity was
so different from what General Banderet's
experience with political friends had kept
before him that it sent something like a
watt OF refreshment through him. His smile
changed, his eyes softened. He said: Thank
you. sir, thank you No. it's with the party
leaders now, and / think I'm all right From
this on the struggle will be along the line
OF secret combinations with the candidates
for the other Offices But l must be off See
you again when l come back
On his way to the railway station General
Banderet stepped into the bank to get some
money. and was informed that another credit
of ten thousand dollars had been surrepti-
tiously added to his account He drew a
small amount and went his way in g fever
OF delight, for now he felt sure the money
came from the Golfers Of an enormously rich
presidential candidate, who, in his own in
terest, wanted him nominated; and il this
were so, it would follow that the deus ex
maehina, which, according to political eug-
tom, had TO be let down in the convention 6
midst to control things at the last moment
must be favorable 10 the Banderet cause.
Breyten was not surprised when the ru-
NOR of General Banderet's defeat reached
him; he had expected it; yet he could not
guard against 4 stroke Of unreasonable dis
appointment and II irTitated him to hear the
hotel loungers making their brutal comments
somehow Resalynde seemed 10 him so closely
connected with her grandfather's fate thai
X was as if her name and fame were being
handled by the political rabble.
What would be the effect upon her? HI;
hrst impulse was TO so forthwith TO her witt
q goodly burden OF cheer to lavish upon her
Certainly a bright and Hght-hearted girl Of
her character would not take matter Of this
SORT toe seriously; and would it not be {
proper thing for him to help her turn the
optimistic side OF the incident firmly out
ward?
Then suddenly his heart sank as ne thought
CT Rayle standing IN his way and forbidding
every gentle and tender act. The girls ac-
cepted lover had the exclusive right TO WhA
he. Breyten. was turning over in his MIND
as q raYishing anticipation.
He sat there scarcely aware Of the CAB
bling crowd OF excited and beery politicians
1T, l.
was wrestling with himself.
II is not n the nature OF a bold hearted
young man to doubt MS ability to win tbs
girl he loves over all corners. Breyten fel
sure he could make Rosalynde love him lt
the utter destruction OF every claim tha
Rayle had upon her. He even fancied tha
already he had stirred her heart. But eoult
he honorably go g single step farther? Was
not complete and unconditional abandonment
ef the Geld the imperious demand OF duty
Duty. That is a cap CT wormwoed offerel
INSTEAD OF the wine for which our whole be
ing rhirstE. lie made a Ery face at Ii.
thought And then there was q fresh stir
with broken CALCULATIONS and quick group
ing of the men around the desk, where mes
sages we're being received.
Dead. General Banderet? Howfs that?'
Dropped dead on The platform in the con
Tention hail"
The devil you say"
Breyten was listening with suspended
breath.
How'd # happen?"
Read that Dispatch
Hen tiptOed TO look oTer one another
shoulders. while some person in the centel
OF the compact group read aloud:
Indianapolis, 3:12 p. m.-General Lucier
Bsnderet fell in an apspletie At while at
tempting to mcVe the unanimous Endorsement
Of the nominee. He died before medical aiG