Clarke courier. [volume] (Berryville, Va.) 1869-1997, 1903-01-14


found IL more tolerable on the whole
not TO dwell upon ways and means.
he simply marked time, and his hair
grew whittier and something came I'D
every day TO remind him that he was
not young any longer.
Ordinarily the coarse Establishments
OF the lobby had no terrors for Archi-
bald But when you come To the love
or woman. nice sentiment about
marriage settlements. a mountain Of
debt and dizzy sum of money In q
plain brown envelope. and the bill Is a
good one perhaps anyway. and no one
cares copper whether you go up or
down. why. that is another thing.
Only that morning Archibald had
taken the girl for a drive In a fancy
cutter behind a pair OF thin danked
bays. II might have been chance. but
II looked like fate. that as they dashed
past the steps OF the capitol the LIBBY
king. on the topmost step, had lifted
his hat TO them.
oh. by the way" said the girl. I'm
coming over at 3 to hear the contest
on that horrid canal bill II will be
exciting"
Don't. dear" said Archibald.
"NhyF pOuted the girl. whose face
shone tcmptingly pink and white over
gray fur boa.
Because" stammered Archibald
very intent upon the restive bays. the
struggle Is all over. There is nothing
left but voting"
When the girl. with a bevy or other
g..s
afternoon. Archibald did net look up NJ
once. but he knew that she was there
as we'll as IL he had had eyes In the
top or bis bead
A strange calmness fell upon the
buzzing senate chamber as the clerk :
shrill voice took up the first syllable OF
his reading Debate had been exhaust.
ed In weeks OF turmoil. and nothing
now remained but the formal ballot.
which had been made a SPECIAL order
or the day. In the nervous tension OF
the minutes some OF the men most in
terested sat with faces working de
spite strong efforts at self control
some grinned fOOlishly and others tore
up strips OF blank paper and fold d
them with care. Many eyes turned TO
bic but not unusual telepathy the
knowledge had spread that his might
be the casting vote. and Archibald's >
name was the third on the list.
The clerk viii now please call the
roll" said the lieutenant governor. rap
ping smartly on the desk. There was
the audible rustling OF a leaf. aud then
the clerks shrill call:
John 7. Aldridger'
Aldridge voted aye" as IL had been
conceded that be would.
Thomas 5. Allen
NO shouted Allen. with the full
strength OF his lungs. There was a lit
tie handclapping. which the chairman
suppressed immediately.
George d. Archibaldr' called the
clerk.
The king or the lobby caught his
breath for the fraction OF a minute.
and patriarchal senators stroking their
white boards leaned over anxiously 10
hear the voice or the hale, quiet man
from Cook.
Aye" said Archibald clearly. and
there was a slight uprOar or mingled
Kisses and applause.
The king OF the lobby folded his arms
and smiled little. After that. silk hat
In hand, he stood 20 hear the vote
through with the born expression OF q
man who anticipated every move or the
game.
He turned when the vote was an
nOuneed and bumped into a page who
had been waiting at his elbow 10 hand
him stuffy brown envelope Ii had
been ripped open and banknctes were
sticking out OF the end audaciously.
Returned with the compliments OF
| George d Archibald" ran the indorse
ment on the back. The king OF the
lobby. with a muttered oath. whipped
the bills into the inside pocket or his
coat
Meantime the girl In the gallery was
saying 20 a friend how horrid il was
i OF Mr.. Archibald TO vote on the side
that people hissed; which. OF course. i.
/