The Monticellonian., 1904-09-08

| ", tNlDE to tnlnK.
 "oh, I could pull through on hun. dred dollars" he replied Yes. hun. dred dollars would be plenty. But ii might just as well be thousand. fol l aint got no show of gettin t, that can see"
 Nan gasped A hundred dollars should she let him have il? Should she stake it all upon the turn of political wheel?
 "Jamie," She spoke suddenly. almost sharply. Are you sure-real sure-you could get the nomination riff you had g hundred dollars.
 As sure as anything on earth he re- piled. Why. see here, Nan. q only need about 500 votes and I'm sure of almost 600 at the start-dead sure Then fl one out of every three of these 600 men got one other vote for me, I'd be nominated don't you see?"
 You know best, Jamie, she said l don't. just wanted to be sure would be so glad if you could winch, l be so proud of you.
 She threw her arms around his neck, then tripped into the room where the i bureau was and laid her hand upon the knob of the drawer that contained her precious letter
 A moment she hesitated She did so want parlor carpet-and few dishes and besides, if this money was usea and Jim should lose-if he should i there was no telling
 Her glance wandered to the kitchen and she saw Jim leaning against the table his chin resting in his hand
 Jamie knows, she said to her heart "dear old Jamie. he is so anxious and so sure He cannot be mistaken. And If he should win, how nicely we can get along.
 A moment later she stood before him, smiling into his face, her hands behind her back
 Kiss me. sir" she said. "and I'll give you something" He lifted her chin with big rough hand and kissed her, awkwardly and she handed him the letter
 As he read it, his eyes frightened and renewed courage crept into his face But when he had finished be smiled and handed 1t back to her.
 But you are to keep the money she said Keep it, Jamie and fght-hgnt- and win
 He shook his head T cant take your money. sweetheart 7 he said .It ant mine. and Fl wouldn't feel just night about it.
 She locked her arms about his neck.
 But l want you to. she cried, 'os I want you 10 win-win-and then we'll buy a little home and il wiil te CUTS, Jamie. ours.
 A light. not unlike that on warriors fsce in the heat of battle erept into hia eyes.
 T will" he cried. God bless you, Mamie girl. will.
 The last of the returns had been re- ceived and those who had been success ful at the primaries, surrounded by their admiring friends. left the hall until the big room was all but deserted.
 But over in one corner, where the light shone dim and indistinet man fingered, as though loath to leave. His eyes. like those of one who looks but seSs not, stared straight ahead. anG upon his face was hard. resentful gleam.
 The janitor, coming in to turn eff the lights. saw him.
 Hello. Paxton, he said. heres where you lose, ain't it?'
 Heres where l lose, Jim replied, erimly. ebut 1 can't believe t. Baseom, l can't believe I'm defeated The boys all promised to stick by me. and-and I was so sure
 They are always sure, Baseem re- piled Can't tell nothin' about poll tics, Paxton; can't tell who your friends are either until after the votes are counted.
 But came so near, Baseom; why, lacked only 20 votes-and 1t meant so much to me. You see it was Nan as-" He paused. Boscom had moved off in different and was putting out the lights at the further end of the room
 When Jim turned in at his door yard, he saw a shadow on the porch, which came lightly down the steps to meet him It was Nan
 As the light from the winGow illu- mined his face, Nan paused There was no need for him to tell her the news. She read it in the dull gleam of his eyes, and her heart sank within her. He tried to speak. but his lips refused to move
 Never rind, Jamie dear, she said, bravely, seeing the misery. greater than her own, in his face.
 But your money, Mamie he cried, its"
 T know it, dear" she said, and her words nearly choked her, but you did the best you could, Jamie.
 Yes, l did, Mamie. l did" he said, and Gregory only beat me by 20 votes. Oh, l was SO sure, Mamie, so sure
 Nan put her arm through his and pet ted his hand as she would child's, as they entered the house.
 Why is it, he asked, bitterly, that man like Gregory, who doesn't need it is always elected, while fellows like me, who have hunted everywhere for some thing to do and have spent every cent We had, are beaten?"
 Nan clasped her hands behind his neck.
 But We have each other Jamie, boy" she said,
 Yes he replied with an effort at eheerfulness We have each other Nan nie. girl, and I'll work-l'll get some thing to do-and I'll pay ii back, every