Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-07-05

Clcant ecOrd. and he deserved 10 go ~ NoAi
gress. The women pronounced him nara
taskmaster and husband, skinfiint I'M
worthy of the wife who had helped him to
make him WHAT ne was, the political auto
crat of NiUbrara county. But Grimes cared
little enough for the latter opinion. Women
could not vote. The greed for votes, for
political advancement and power. was upon
him and the morrow would mark the first
great crisis of his life.
From justice of the peace to congressman
IN eight years, His first election had been
a walkOver. The Office of sheriff had fairly
fallen into his lap, and he had gone to the
state Legislature backed by the solid vote
of his party. But the office of congressman
WAS the gift not only of his own county, but
of Rock Creek also. and then there was
young Jameson of Chadron to be consid-
cred. Well. tomorrow's conference would
settle the question, Smythe. manager of
the great land syndicate and irrigation
company. which controlled mile after mile
of redee mabIe property and hundreds of
votes was coming from Omaha to attend
the county celebration at Chadron on indie
pendenee day. TO inspect the companys
broad farms and to take a hand in the po-
litiCal game.
And David Grimes was to be orator of
the day, Flags would fiutter, bands would
play. cheers would fellow his great speech.
A strange thrill passed over this usually
cold. calculating and self-containe3 man.
Then his momentary enthusiasm died
light touch rested on his arm.
David, if you don't mind, I'd like to go
over to the celebration with you tomorrow.
/ amt been TO Chadron in three years. and
] amt never heard you speak in public.
/
Grimes glanced superciliously at the slen-
der figure beside him. then down the al
kaii-sPrinklsd street TO Morgan's store.
where row of ranch teams announced the
presence Of voters.
.Chadron won't he any place for women
folks tomorrow. ThereIl be more politics
than skyroCkcts in the air. and I'll be too
busy 10 bother with you. I've promised
Brooks superint endent of the North farm,
the extra place in my buggy-besides one
woman from the family will be enough. I'm
thinking. and I've written Effie to stay over
for the celebration, being as her teaching
there this winter has given her something
of a standing with the board / need all
the help | can get just now, and EheH
make a better appearance than you would.
You amt much on style, Mandy nor on
making up 10 folks" He said this with the
brutal frankness of the self-centered. alb
sorbtd individual. and. without waiting for
her reply. he strobe off toward MorSans
store
But there would have been no reply. Pa
tient. dOCie Mandy had long since learned
the futility of arguing against fate in the
form of her masterful husband Her frst
lesson had come twenty years before, when !
after brief wedding journey to see ''Da- |
vid's folks" they had stopped off at Chad |
ron TO buy the simple furnishings for their |
new home. Mandy. STEPPED in the fairy |
land of furniture. had been brought |
back suddenly to realities by the brusque !
tones of her husband.
That red plush sofa amt going into my |
parlCr. You might as well understand now |
and for good that so long as l pay the bills !
j expect to run my own house
Even IN the midst of her pain and dis |
appointment. Mandy had noted with a |
sense of relief that the clerk was out of !
hearing Later there had come brief mutt |
MES when woman's faithful weapon. tears. |
had missed the mark; then days of depres- |
sion and nights of wide-eyed staring into !
inky blackness, or silvery moonlight, and !
at last. broken pride. hopeless yielding |
to the inevitable The idea that her bonds !
might be loOsed had never entered 'Mandy's |
head. nor had she considered it within |
her province 70 lay the burden Of her dis |
appointment and grief at the feet of her |
gentle mother or her impetuous. generous |
Old father. And so. in time. the man of |
decided opinions had developed into the |
domestic tyrant. and the pretty girl he had |
wooed and Won down in knepper coun-
ty became a silent shadow in her own |
house hold. mere bearer OF homely, uBre- |
hitting burdens.
Mandy closed the door and dropped de-
1ectedly into the nearest chair She !
glanced at the mirror opposite and mist |
swan before her eyes. Yes she was get |
ting cid and haggard. II David went TO |
dSNlHStON. Efne must ACCOMPANY him. |
Yet It was her own efforts to save. her |
daily drudSery that would provide the |
means In vague way Mandy realized |
that 10 the honest man politics is not al |
ways a profitable vocation.
Her revery was interrupted by voices in /
the front yard. girlish treble asking |
eager Gtstions then a boyish falsetto ex- |
Claiming excitedly:
Say, Effie. won't YOU give me a ana rtero
There's going 10 be circus in town tomor-
TOW ana Dad says | can't 90, and he won't |
take me To Chadron. nor"
me door flew open. and Mrs. Grimes all |
a-tremble with mingled delight and appre- |
hension drew her daughter inside
. Ci' E.ii4t. utar IL 5 so good TO see YOU.
% On Sog re lookin' just fine. not bit as |
II YOU q been worryin' with them children
through this hot spell But what viii vour
1a'htr say? Hes eXpectin' you to wait |
over IN Chadron for the celebration an |
near him speak He'll be dreadful mi ont |
about ycur comm. Dear me VIII = ]Ht
or bundles, I'm 'fraid you've been wastIn:
your hard- earned money an Your farmer
won be pleased at all"
THY lines formed around .bs ,ir,,s
mouth. but her voice was gentle.
Lei go up to my room. mother dear
~ We open the packages. / have so !
nuch 10 tell you"
But once within the shelter of the dor
Intr-"iIcowed room Fife Grimes turred |
strangely silent 1t required several rni1
q. - 70 move htr hat and replace the pins
a. tne proper angle; then she unpacked her |
small handbag and arranged with eIaborate |
care her fsw toilet articles or the crochefed !
bureau mats Her mother watched cor |
move with anxious eyes.
Fine. she asked in tremulols tones "I |
hope u ain young Jameson Your father
Is most eternsalIy set against him an vonr
halln T;hing TO do with him. An Won |
know your father?" " ~"
hihe was hidden in the closet II tool !
Per some time TO find just the right corner
n which TO tuck her handbag When she |
hnalIy emerged her face was quite naIe bnt
her voice was quiet and even
Yes, ] ought to know father I've Ii,,ad
IN the same house with him long ennngb -
ihen. seeing that her bitter tones Rad
brought the old shadow TO her notbrr'S
race she continued gently: I'VE won't taIk
any more about Ed mean Mr. Jaues0r
want you TO see the new dress | bonght
you" "OuSht
Inc color flew TO Mrs. Grimes face. She |
clasptd her hands together uoryouslv as
f;fhe united the package. and a proud light
shGne IN her eyes. Effie. her eldest horn |
hdo gwen first thought TO her-had bougbt
her dress with the first money she nd
ever earned Yet force of habit promnted |
the next words RP'eu
on hadn't ought to- dear. an. Your
rather Won like it. He was lust ss,fn.
TINS mOrnln' he expected you'd have a nica
NJ : 81 in h.