Waterbury evening Democrat., 1904-09-07

precious letter.
 A moment she hesitated. She did so want parlor carpet-and a 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 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, land I'll give you something"
 He lifted her chin with a big, rough hand and kissed her, awkwardly, and she handed him the letter.
 As he read 1t, his eyes frightened and renewed courage crept into his face. But when he had finished he smiled and handed it back to her.
 But you are to keep the money" she said. Keep it, Jamie and fght-fght- and win.''
 He shook his head. T can't take your money, sweetheart" he said. Tt ain't mine, and I-I wouldn't feel just right about it-'
 She locked her arms about his neck
 "But want you to-" she cried: 'oh, want you to win-win-and then we'll buy little home and it will be ours, Jamie, ours!"
 A light, not unlike that on a warriors face in the heat of battle, crept into his 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 full 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 indistinct, man fingered, as though loath to leave. His eyes, like those of one who looks, but sees not. stared straight ahead, and upon his face was hard, resentful gleam.
 The janitor, coming in to turn off the lights, saw him.
 Hello, Paxton," he said, here's where you lose, atn't it?''
 Heres where I lose,, Jim replied, grimly, "but can't believe 1t, Bascom, II can't believe I'm defeated. The boys all promised to stick by me, and-and I was so sure"
 They are always sure" Bascom re- piled Cant tell nothin' about poli- tics, Paxton; can't tell who your friends are either until after the votes are counted"
 'But I came so near, Bascom; why, lacked only 20 votes and 1t meant so much to me. You see it was Nan's--" He paused. Boscom had moved off fn- different and was putting out the lights at the further end of the room.
 When Jim turned in at his door yard, he saw shadow on the porch, which Ecame lightly down the steps to meet him. lit was Nan.
 As the light from the window illu- mined his face, Nan paused. There was no need for him to tell her the news. She read 1t in the dull gleam of his eyes. and her heart sank within her. He tried to speak, but his lips refused to move.
 Never mind. Jamie dear," she said, ibravely, seeing the misery, greater than her own, in his face.
 "But your money, Nannie." he cried. "it.s--''
 T know it, dear." she said, and her words nearly choked her, "but you did the best you could, Jamie" Yes, I did, Mamie, did" he said. 'and Gregory only beat me by 20 votes. Oh, was so sure, Mamie, so sure. Nan put her arm through his and pet they entered the house.
 ''Why is 1t, he asked, bitterly, "that 8 man like Gregory, who doesn't need 1t 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 cheerfulness We have each other, Nan nie, girl, and I'll work-I'll get some thing to do-and I'll pay 1t back, every l cent of it, Nan, and we'll-" 1 A tramping of feet sounded upon the I pOTCH IOllUWSu " q uS&Ny hAOch upOH the door Jim opened 1t and half dozen l mill hands swarmed in.
 Grasping Paxton by both hands. they swung him around and around and l slapped him boisterously upon the back You're elected, old man!" they cried s"There was mistake in the Sixth ward and you're 1t.
 Jim stood moment silently looking at them.
 "You say-I'm- elected?" he asked al Hast.
 That's right" said one. 'There was a mistake of hundred in the count, and i you have 80 majority" l "You are-not-fboling me--boys?' ? I Jim asked, very slowly, the color com. ing and going in his face, his lips trem. l bling.
 "Sure not" they said Tt is the truth I You didn't think we'd go back on you l Idid you, Jim?" I Jim turned slightly and rested a rougf I ihond tandarlv 1lnon tha head If Mar