The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1902-03-23
THE LEOP ARDS SPOTS
Continued from Page Nine.)


ter week, 1 don't care what the gen.
eral says"
There was a sob and another kiss and,
Sallie cried on her breast-"Dear, sweet
mama!''
In answer to her, first letter CASTOR
was thrilled with a new inspiration He
sat down that night and answered it in
verse All the deep longings of his soul,
his hopes and fears, his pain and dreams
he Set in rhythmic music. Her mother
read all his letters after Sallie. And
she cried with sorrow and pride over this
poem.
"SalIie l don't blame you for being
proud of such a lover. Your life is richly
hallowed by the love of such man.
Your father is wrong in his position. II
| were girl and held the love of such
man. I'd cherish it as l would my souls
salvation. Be patient and faithful.
Sweet, sweet mother hearth! she
whispered as she smoothed the grey head
tenderly
Allan Mcleod had arrived in Boston
the day before and the mornings papers
were full of an interview with him on
his brilliant achievement in breaking the
ranks of the Bourbon Democracy in
North Carolina, and the certainty of the
success of his ticket at the approaching
election.
Mcleod sent the paper to Mrs. Worth
by special messenger, lest she might
not see it, and that evening called. He
asked Sallie to accompany him to the
theatre and when she refused spent tic
evening.
When her mother had retired Mcleod
drew his seat near her and again told
her in burning words his love.
Miss SalIie, l have won the battle of
life at its very threshold. l shall be
United States Senator in a few months.
/ want to lead you, my bride. into the
gallery of the Senate before 1 walk down
it's aisles to take the OATH l have loved
you faithfully for years. l have your
fathers consent to my suit. l asked him
before leaving on this trip. Surely you
will not say no?''
ALLAN Mcleod, 1 do not love you. I
do love another. 1 hate the sight of you
and the sound of your voice.
eff you do not marry CASTOR, will you
give me chance?"
IF 1 do not marry the man of my
choice, 1 will never marry. Now CO."
Mcleod returned to the hotel with the
fury of the devil surging in his SOUL He
determined 10 return 10 f1dmDIlSHl, anu
if possible entrap CASTOR in dissipation
and destroy his faith in Sallies loyalty.
He wrote to the general that he had
been rejected by his daughter, who still
corresponded with Castor. When Gem
eral Worth received this letter he wrote
in wrath to his wife, peremptorily for
bidding Sallie to write another line TO
CASTOR and closed saying:
L,1 {o1 fn
dear, now I take it out of your hands !
l forbid another line or word to this
man.
CASTOR watched and waited in vain for :,
the letter he was to receive next week.
Again his soul sank with doubt and fear.
What fend was striking him with an
unseen hand. He felt he should choke
with rage as he thought of the infamy Of i,
such warfare.
His mother said to him shortly after
McLeod's arrival:
Charlie, L have some bad news for
you
ut can't be any worse than 1 have, the
misery of an unexplained silence of two
weeks"
Il feel that l ought to tell you. 1t is
the explanation of that silence, | fear"
What is it, mother?" he asked sober
ly.
II hear. that Sallic has plunged into
frivolous society, is dancing every night
at the hotel at Narragansett Pier, where
they are stopping now, and flirting with
i half dozen young men,
Il don't believe it," growled CASTOR.
I'm afraid it is true, Charlie, and I'm
furious with her for treating you like
this. l thought she had more charac-
ter"
I'll love and trust her to the end"
I've declared, as he went moodily to his
office. But the poison of suspicion ranked
in his thoughts. And his heart grew
heavier from day to day with the awful
feeling that she was slipping away from
him.
Mcleod returned home to find his plans
of political success in perfect order. The
program went through without a hitch.
In 81 tic of the most desperate efforts
of the Democrats, he carried the State
by large majority, and made, for the
Republican party and it's strange allies,
he first breach in the solid phalanx of
Democratic supremacy since Legree left
his legacy of corruption and terror.
'he Legislature elected two Senator'S
To the amaZement OF he world the day
before the caucus of the Republicans
met, Mcleod withdrew. He had no op-
position so far as anybody knew but ,
curious thing had happened. The Rev !
John Durham discovered the fact that ;
Mcleod kept a still and had established
his mother as an illicit distiller years s
before. One of his deputies, who had be-
come an inebriate, confessed this to the
doctor who had informed the preacher.
The preacher put this important piece
of information into the hands of n daring
young Republican, who had always been
one from principle. He went to Raleigh
and interviewed Mcleod At first Nc
Leod denied, and clustered and swore.
When he produced the proofs, he gave
up. and asked sullenly:
What do you want?'
Get out of the race
''All right. Is that all? You're on
top"
mo give me the nomination"
Never" he yelled with an oath.
Then I'll expose you in tomorrow