The Montgomery advertiser. [volume] (Montgomery, Ala.) 1885-1982, 1904-07-21

coura cement came into his face.
ITS this way" he said, after a mo-
ment, seeing the unspoken question IN
her eyes, I'D have to have more than
lust the labor vote. Nan. I'd have to
make a canyass-that Is, I'd have to
see every voter in our party and I'd
have to have two or three other TEL
lows help me to get others to vote Tor
me. OF course these fellows would
have to be paid. and then thered be
other expenses-quite lot of other ex-
penses, and-it would cost considera-
BILE. But I amt got any money, Man,.
Mans face clouded
How much-do you think-it would
cost you-Jamie?" she asked, very
slowly. trying to think.
"Oh, I could pull through on hun
dred dollars" he replied. Yes, hun
bred dollars would be plenty. But 1t
might just as well be a thousand, for
I amt got no show of gettin' 1t, that
I can see."
Nan gasped. A hundred dollars
should she let him have It? Should she
stake 1t all upon the turn of a political
wheel?
"Jamiew She spoke suddenly. almost
sharply Are you sure-real sure-you
could get the nomination Tiff you had
hundred dollars.
"As sure as anything on EARTH" he
replied. why, see here. Nan. I'd only
need about 500 votes and I'm sure of
almost 500 at the start-dead sure.
Then II one out of every three of these
500 men got one other vote for me. I'd
be nominated. don't you see?"
You know best. jamie" she said, II
don't. I just wanted to be sure.
would be so glad II you could win
oh, I'd be so proud of you"
She threw her arms around his neck,
then tripped into the room where the
bureau was and laid her hand upon
the knob of the drawer that contained
her precious letter.
moment she hesitated. She did so
want parlor carpet--and few dishes
and besides. If this money was used
and Jim should lose-if he should
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
IL he should win, how nicely we can
get along"
moment later she stood before him,
smiling into his face, her hands be-
hind 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 he smiled
and handed 1T back to her.
But you are to keep the money
et,o and fight
| Highland win."
He shook his head. Il can't take your
money, sweetheart" he said 1T aim
mine. and IL wouldn't feel just righ
| about it."
She locked her arms about his neck
But l want you to-" she cried; "oh
| I want you to win-win-and ther
well buy little home and it will b'
ours, Jamie, ours"
| A light, not unlike that on war
rior's face in the heat of battle. crep
into his eyes.
II will" he cried. God bless you
Mamie girl, I will"
The last of the returns had beel
received and those who had been sue
cessful at the primaries. surrounded b,
their admiring friends, left the hall
until the big room was all but desert
ed
But over in one corner. where tn
light shone dim and indistinct, a ma
fingered. as though loath to leave. Hi
eyes, like those of one who looks, bu
sees not. stared straight ahead, an
upon his face was a hard, resentfl
CLEAN.
The janitor. coming in to turn OF
the lights, saw him.
Hello, Paxton" he said here
where you lose, amt it?"
Here's where / lose" Jim reptile,
grimly, but / can't believe it, Bascon
can't believe I'm defeated. The boy
all promised to stick by me, and-an
1 was so sure"
They are always sure" Bascom re
piled. Cant tell nothin' about poll
tics. Paxton; can't tell who your friend
are either until after the votes ar
} counted"
But 1 came so near. Bascom; why
lacked only 20 votes-and it meant S
much to me. You see it was Mans
He paused. Bascom had moved off In
different and was putting out the light
at the further end of the room.
When Jim turned in at his doc
yard, he saw a shadow on the porcl
which came lightly down the steps I
meet him. 1t was Nan.
AS the light from the window tilt
| Idce, NAN paused. lneI
was no need for him to tell her tn
news. She read 1T in the dull CLEAN
his eyes, and her heart sank With
her. He tried to speak, but his lips RI
fused to move.
, Never mind, Jamie dear" she sal
bravely, seeing the misery, greater tina
her own. in his face.
But your money, Mamie" he crie
cts"
Il know it, DEAR" she said, and ht
l.. words nearly choked her. but you dt
} the best you could. jamie"
Yes, I did, Mamie. l did," he sal
and Gregory only beat me by 20 vote
Oh, was SO sure Mamie, so sure"
Nan put her arm through his an
petted his hand as she would a child
as they entered the house.
why is it, he asked, bitterly. "thi
a man like Gregory, who doesn't nee
1t is always elected, while fellows liz
me, who have hunted everywhere f
something to do and have spent ever
cent we had, are beaten?"
Nan clasped her hands behind h
neck.
But we have each other. Jami
boy" she said.
Yes" he replied, with an effort
cheerfulness. I'VE have each othe
Mamie. girl. and I'll work-Tll e,
som ething to do-and I'll pay it bacl
every cent of 1t. Nan. and we'll"
tramping of feet sounded upon II
porch followed by a heavy knock upo
the door Jim opened 1t and half a do;
en- mill hands swarmed in.
Grasping Paxton by both hands, the
swung him around and around ar
slapped him boisterously upon II
back.