The San Francisco call., 1904-10-23
CHAPTER XVII.
The Conspirators.


dencs when the campaign was fairly
opened She put 1t automatically on
the ground OF charity to an exiled
millionaire. temporarily out OF a job;
but her real reason went deeper. From
its inception as a one-man fight against
political chicanery in high places. the
criticism Of the Bucks formula was be-
ginning to shape itself in a readjust-
ment of party lines in the field Of State
politics; and Miss Van Brock. whose
designs upon Kent's future ran far In
advance OF her admissions TO him, was
anxiously casting about for mana
gerial promoter.
A little practice-play in municipal
politics made the need apparent. IL
came in the midst OF things, basing it
self upon the year-gOne triumph OF
agrarianism in the State. In the up
heaval, the capital city had partici-
pated to the extent of electing a ma
jority Of the Aldermen on the Peoples
party ticket; and before long it devel-
oped that a majority Of this alder
manic majority could be counted
among the spOilsmen-was in fact
creature Of the larger ring
Late in the summer an ordinance
was proposed by the terms of which a
single corporation was to be given a
franchise granting a complete monOp-
oily OF the streets for gas and water
mains and transit rights Of way
Thereupon bitter struggle ensued-
Party lines were Obliterated, and men
who Stunned the primaries and other
wise shirked their political duties
raised the cry of corruption, and a
Civic League was formed to fight the
ring.
Into this struggle. as giving him the
chance to front the enemy in a fair
field. David Kent flung himself with
oIT ~,.I~ . q
meetings were held, with Kent as
spokesman for the league. and the out
come was a decency triumph which
brought Kent's name into grateful
public prominence. Hildreth played an
able second. and by the time the OBJ
noxfous ordinance had been safely
tabled, Kent had a semf-politfcal fol-
lowing which was all his own Men
who had hitherto known him only as
corporation lawyer began to proph-
esy large things OF the fiery young ad-
vocate, whose arguments were as
sound and convincing as his invective
was keen and merciless.
Figuratively speaking, Portia stood
In the wings and applauded. Also.
she saw that her protege had reached
the point where ne needed grooming for
whatever race lay before him. Hence.
her urgings, which made a trfumvirats
out of the council Of two, with Brookes
You understand, I'm not interested
little bit in the merits OF the case"
said the newly elected chairman, IN
his first official interview with Miss
Van Brock. so far as the internal
politics Of this particularly wild and
wooIy State are concerned. I'm neither
in them nor of them. But am willing
to do what I can for Kent"
Owing him a good turn ?" said Por-
tia, with malice aforethought.
Ormsby's laugh was an Englishmanas
deep-chested haw-haw.
$50 he has been making you his con-
fdante in that, too, has hep
There was no confdence needed"
she retorted. II have eyes; and, to
use one Of your own pet phrases. I was
not born yesterday. But let that Kos
you are willing TO help us7''
IT said I was willing to haIp Kant.
If you bracket yourself with him, I am
more than willing. But I am rather
new at the game. You viii have to tell
me the moves"
We are only in the opening" she
said. continuing the figure. You will
learn as you go along BY and by you
win have to spend money; but just
now the need Is for a cool head to
keep our young firebrand out Of the
personalities. Where Is he to-nightr'
Ormsby's smile was a grin
i left him at 124 TETON avenue half
an hour ago. Do you think he is likely
to get into trouble there?"
On the porch Of the Brentwood apart
ment house David Kent was answering
that question measurably well for him
self. With the striking OF the City Hall
clock at nine Mrs. Brentwood had COM
planned OF the glare OF the electric
crossing lamp and had gone in. leaving
the caller with Penelope IN the ham
mock on one side OF him and Elinor
In q hockaf hair IN thu Ofhar
Their talk had been OF the late muni-
cipal struggle. and OF Kent's part IN
It; and, like Miss Van Brock. Penelope
was applausive. But Elinor's congrat-
ulations were tempered with depreca-
ton.
II am glad you won for the league.
OF course; everybody must be glad OF
that" she said. But hope the Argus
didn't report your speeches correctly.
If it did, you have made a host OF Bit
ter enemies"
What does a man-a real man-cars
for that?" This from the depths OF
the hammock
II, at least, can AFFORD to be care
less" said Kent Il am not running
for Office. and have nothing to lose,
politically or otherwise"
Can any man say that truthfully7'' 20
Elinor queried.
Il think 1 can I have given no
hostages to fortune"
Penelope lifted the challenge prompt
ly.
Lord Bacon said that. didn't he?-
about men marrying. If he were alive
now he wouldn't need TO say 1t. Men
don't have to be discouraged"
Don't they?" said Kent.
mo, indeed: the are too utterly
selfish for any matrimonial use. as II Is.
No, don't argue with me. please. I'm
hxed-irrevocably fixed
Elinor overlook the runaway CONVEX
sation and drove 1t back into the path
Of her own choosing.
But / do think you owe II to your
self to be more careful In your public
utterances." she insisted. IF these