Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-10-11

offered her his chair, and the big man
kindly invited her to stay. Il was telling
Mr.. Vaughn's friends just what he will
have to agree to before will support
him for mayor" he explained.
Il heard your proposition, but-will you
mind telling me what you representa-
The big man smiled. 1T will be little
hard on US. madam, for it's likely you will
think us bad lot. We are the keepers of
pool rooms and wine rooms, the committee
from the Saloon Keepers League and the
Brewers Association. ! represent class
made up of various professions, all tnclud-
ed in the word gambler"
Mabel listened quietly. Her own inno-
cence and single-mindedness saved her,
and she went on quietly:
Il can't understand how a mayor could
keep the promise you are asking. Isn't
there an early closing law, and isn't the
license fixed by law? Has any mayor ever
kept a promise like that?"
mo. miss" the big man answered, and
his colleagues smiled. But the mayor
could allow the laws which trouble US to
remain dead letter by not requiring the
police to see and report infringements.
Then he can be deaf to the clamor of
preachers and temperance societies.
DO you not have to spend money in the
other way. L mean in bribing?" she asked.
No one resented the ugly word; all seemed
to respect her evident sincerity.
yes was the answer. I'VE spend an
immense amount in that way. For instance
we pay the police not to any infringe
iilciit VI the laws Weopdy the OmCerS TOT
allowing us to pay the men. and We pay the
board for the privilege Of paying the off,
GERS. Oh, yesi we pay all right! If we win
In game with greenhorn we pay to es-
cape prosecution and to be allowed to con-
tinue business. If there's a street fair or
an encampment we pay for concessions
bride the officials to let US play, and bribe
lot of fellows to keep the secret. Then,
usually, we have to pay all around again to
keep out the foreign gamblers There's no
business in the world where the profit be-
longs to so many people as in gambling
Il think it's a shame!' and this sweet
daughter of strictest Presbyterian stock
flushed with sympathy at the hardships of
the gambling profession. And yet no man
there saw the humorous side Of the situa-
ton.
II don't see how the promise Won ask
from Mr. Vaughns friends could make
things easier for you-and he would never
keep It," She looked bravely into the big
mans eyes she spoke. HAS he author
lied you to speak for him?" he asked
sharply.
NO. l am only one Of his-one Of his
friends, but I have known him very well,
and am sure l know how he would feel
about this" For the first time she dropped
and was embarrassed. But these gentle
men and his friends-they are his campaign
COMMITTEE, and he would be bound by their
promise" he replied.
For long time Miss Rothven had been
suspicious of the quarantine which left
Lyndall Vaughn SO completely at the mercy
of these friends, and for some woman's
reason she was suddenly perfectly certain
of their treachery, and rose to resent It.
Would you call 1t friendship to put mans
reputation and honor into a deal such as
you have proposed? No man who knows
Mr.. Vaughn supposes for a moment that
he would bind himself to ignore the law.
What Is petty office compared to his repu-
tation? He would scorn your support at
such a price,
Had 1t not been for this sudden outburst
Of indignation the girl might have been
strong enough to fight her battle to the
end with the unaccustomed weapon Of logic
but here she was carried out of herself.
unnerved and ashamed. The tears rolled
down her cheeks as she struggled to regain
her composure.
II think meant to make you a PROPOSE.
tion. not to scold." she smiled appealingly