Western liberal. (Lordsburg, N.M.) 1887-1919, 1902-05-09
HIS VOTES
AND INTEREST
BY Gerald Brcnan
Copyright, 1902, by the
9. s. Mcclure Company


u AAE AAAAAA ANAAAnN y AM - w
millions. Il am sensible of the honor
conveyed In your offer. but before
answer l must ask certain questions"
The duke bowed.
"You know that papa, like most poo
pie who have made money suddenly, is
an ultra Tory"
we arc Tories ourselves" observed
the duke.
"Oh, yes, but faineants in Toryism,
according - papa she retorted. with
a d%eprecatory gesture. You must do
something TO convince him that you
are as intensely anti-Radical as he Is
himself. How many votes are you en-
titled to cast at the coming general
electionT'
The duke produced a betting book
and hastily made a calculation.
"well." he said, there is the vote in
Daleshire. and In Shropshire, and in
Devon on the Rivers Court estate, and
In the boroughs OF Moreton, Dalehamp-
ton and Middleton, and in the London
constituencies
Angela began TO look appalled,.
"How many In all in ~Englandf' she
interrupted.
Thirteen. And then in Scotland
one In Inverness. The Lowland estates
give me one in Lanark. Dunfries, the
Lothians"-he caught her look Of
appeal and fnished-"seven In all.
Then In Ireland-but all these details
must tire you. Summing them all up.
I have thirty-six vOtes-nO; thirty-sev-
en-. I forgot that | have one vote in
the island Of Orkney"
Miss Danny sank hack IN her chair
with a little sigh. The duke stared in a
puzzled manner alternately at her and
al bis betting book.
Finally she broke the silence.
"Only last night papa was saying
that II at the next election any Tory
gentleman failed to vote to his utmost
capacity be would consider him as a
traitor to the cause. Duke. you ask
what you can do to win me. Vote for
the cause In every one Of the constitu-
encies where you possess suffrage"
The poor duke stood aghast.
But. Miss Dandy" he protested,
shave you considered? have thirty
seven constituencies. Many OF the
elections happen In these places on the
same day. They are often hundreds
Of miles apart. 1t is impossibler
Miss Dandy rose from her chair as
abe said firmly. Il have answered
you"
The duke had also risen. he looked
her full in the eyes. Angela" he
said, with the awkward dignity which
is a characteristic OF the st. Giles fam.
lily. III ! do not vote legally from ev-
cry one Of those constituencies you
shall never see me again"
And he took his hat and bis depar-
ture.
1T is madness. your grace" expostu.
lated Mr.. Lastwill Of Lastwill & Tesla.
ment.
Il suppose | can afford to be mad
the duke replied coolly.
"Oh, certainly. your grace. The es-
tates are In a most n%ourishing condl-
ton. and, OF course. the prospect of
your winning the Danby Millions
Il don't cAre twopence for the Dan
by millions. 1t is the girl want"
And then, as II ashamed of his show of
feeling, he went on hurriedly. And
now tell me what has been doneT'
well, your grace. | have had the
schedules made out, and II is possible
barely posslble-for you to the
ground in time. But It will cost-spe
eial trains and all that-!t will cost
hundreds Of pounds"
Il will risk thousands. but" half Il
himself. II must win the girl. BE gooC
enough to show me an Itinerary for m!
Journey"
A touch OF a bell brought the heaC
clerk With a series of especially print
ed lists. They were the way bills, ex
penses. list Of stopping places, relay
OF horses and similar tables. All tn
preparations for the carrying out 0
the dukes daring experiment had bee
made.
That evening found the duke speed
ing nOrthward, and next morning h
recorded the first vote OF his long 81
ries. Then a special whlrled him int
the west county. where he voted b
fore dinner time at 10 less than thre
borOughs. At every stopping poir
stood a barouche and four waiting {
bear him at a gallop to the votin
booths And that was only the FIRST
many days
Presently the word spread far an
wide OF the wanderings OF the INA
Duke Of Daleshlre." Many jeered. bl
old Mr.. Dandy chuckled %dellghtedly.
That's a a after my hear
have done him an injustice, but
will make amends for II by and b.
Perhaps Angela has told him sOm
thing"
The two weeks OF election we
drawing TO a close. and the crisis
the dukes experiment was at han
He had voted In thirty-6ve constitue
eieA Only two remained. but thei
elections occurred on the Hme da
aud one was In the north Of ScotlaI
and the other IN the south OF Ireland
The duke arrived At bis seat Of b
lengulch castle on the ~ Of elecuo
Next morning the polls were scarce
opened when bis carriage came daB
a