Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1904-06-08
Gregory OF
Hampton
By ANNA S. RICHARDSON
,t..th. ,nssl t,,- II 4. NfaFslura

. lUhF IN MTS. biuVEN sSoA'SA @AStJ
last evening"
"Yes-her orchids are marveis," re
piled the gi9. quietly. She returned
Der fathers keen scrutiny without
nnching. Miss Marsden was a worthy
daughter OF the great political leader.
Mr.. Gregory was with you-and |
happen to know that he is not inter-
ested in orchids"
Gregory of Hampton
The words had become the scorn of
the political headquarters over which
Mr.. Marsden presided. In truth. Greg
cory of Hampton was a thorn In the
wire pullers flesh. He was unap-
proachable. unbribable and, from Mr..
Alarsden's point Of view. bopelessly un-
reasonable.
The apportionment bill was strictly
framed by Marsden TO give his party
better control of the state legislative
branches. II was not vicious measure
but knowing that his heart WIS set
upon 1t the younger element. who had
begun TO murmur against the iron rule
Of the boss" had vigorously opposed
the bill.
Its defeat meant the dethronement
of Marsden and the assumption Of par
ty leadership by one OF the younger
men. Gregory had entered tue fight
under instructions from bis district
leaders-staid. back country farmers to
whom newfangied politics did not APP.
peal Self reliant and gifted with the
faculty OF dominating others, be had
unconsciously assumed the leadership
Of the opposition and was already
spoken OF as Marsdens probable sue
+ ceSsor.
! All this was passing through Mars
denis mind as he watched his daugh.
+ ter run through her mornings mail
+ and wished she would speak. But
1 clearly she was not in communicative
mood.
81 suppose you help receive at the
/ governors reception this afternoon.
Well. go where you Ike. though | don't
care for that daughter OF his. Only
remember one thing. there is 10 be no
nonsense between you and this young
/ Gregory. The apportionment bill gives
us almost complete control. and it's
got to go through, Gregory by his oh
| stinacy encourages the opposition. I've
started TO put II through. and I'll do II
If II takes my last dollar"
Il hardly think II is worth while for
| you 10 waste money on Mr.. Gregory.
He's not that sort"
Margaret lad risen and now stood
pale and tense. before her father.
whose face had turned livid
Don't tell me II has gone as far as
that. Would you stand by this man
In preference to your father? Think.
child. think. You're all | have in the
world since-since your mothers
gone
| The lips OF the political leader witch
ed. The girl. who was, the living,
breathing image OF her mother. occu-
| scheming heart
At mention OF her mothers name
Margaret turned swiftly and twined
her arms around her fathers neck.
+ Father. dear, you make II so hard.
You don't know how love him. Can't
| you two agree and make me happyI'
Her father did not reply, and with Il
soft rustling OF silken skirts she slip
ped from the room, closing the door
gently behind her.
From her bedroom window she
watched her father climb into the wait
| ing brougham She noted the increas-
| ing stoop of his shoulders. the languor
| of his step. When the carriage turn
| ed the corner. she sat down at her
| desk and wrote:
My Dear Mr.. Gregory-I have thought
| and thought all night long. and still /
cannot give you the answer you want
| II is useless for me to make false pre-
lenses. useless for me TO deny my love
| for you. And yeti am my fathers all.
| and. no matter how happy We might be.
| / should always feel that i had robbed
him of the reward for his faithful care
| OF me Can't you understand? He has
been so good to me always-and / owe
| him everything. You must make my
answer for me This afternoon. under
| stand. they take another vote on the bill
which stands between me and happiness.
4 Your vote VIII be my answer. II II is
| No" do not see me again. 1t will be
| easier for US both. and surely you owe
| nay love that much consideration. Faith
fully yours. MARGARET MARSDEN.
|
The ladies' gallery Of the assembly
chamber was thronged with brilliantly
gowned women. The fourth day of
the deadlock, and rumor had gone
forth that there were prospects OF a
break. Members on the floor bowed
to acquaintances in the gay array of
butterflies. Gregory of Hampton sent
but one long. searching glance in their
direction, but in that look he caught
u vision in the background. slender.
gray crowned figure. A chiffon veil
hid her features, but under the droop-
ing brim of her hat he caught the
CLINT of bronze gold hair. For an in
slant the hard, set look died from his
eyes. and tender smile rested on his
lips. Then he glanced toward Mars
denis desk. A group OF men fawned
upon the leader, who seemed not TO no