The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1904-05-18
Gregory OF
Hampton
BY ANNA S. RICHARDSON
Copyright, las, by &c. Mcclure

hour in Mrs Gfford's conservatory
last evening =
Yes her orchids are marvels,n re
piled the girl quietly. She returned
her fathers keen scrutiny without
tlinchng Miss Marsden WIS worthy
daughter of the great political leader.
MIR. Gregory was with yon-a |
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
MIR Marsden presided In truth. Greg
CORY of Hampton was thorn In the
wire puller's flesh He was unap-
proachuble, unbrlhable and from MIR
Marsdens point of view hopelessly un-
reasonable
The apportionment bill was strictly
framed by Marsden To give his party
better control of the state Legislative
branches. 1t was not vicious measure,
but knowing that his heart was set
upon II 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 the fight
under instructions from his district
leaders staid, back country farmers TO
whom newfangled politics did not APP
peal. Self reliant and gifted with the
faculty of dominating others. he had
uneonseiously assumed the leadership
of the opposition and was already
spoken of as Mursden's probable sue
cessor.
All this was passing through Mars
den's mind rs he watched his daugh-
ter run through her mornings mail
and wished she would speak. But
clearly she was not in Il communicative
mood
q suppose you help receive ut the
governors reception this afternoon.
Well, 70 where you like, though don't
care FOR that daughter of his Only
remember one thing, there is TO be no
nnnscnse between you and this young
Gregory. The apportionment bin gives
us almost complete control. aud it's
got TO go through. Gregory by his OBJ
stinaey encourages the opposition. I've
started to put 1t through, and I'll do it
if II takes my last dollar"
a hardly think II is worth while for
You 10 waste money on Mr., Gregory.
He's not that sort"
Margaret had risen and now stood
pale and tense. before her father.
whose free had turned livid
"Don't tell me 1t hns gone as far as
TINT! Would you stand by this man
in preference 10 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-
pied the one soft spot in his callous,
schemng heart.
At mcntiuu of her mothers name
Margaret turned swiftly and twined
her arms around Ter fathers neck
Father, dear, you make II SO hard,
You don't know how / loNe him. can't
you two agree and mike me happy"
Her father did not reply. and with
soft rIstlinY Of slEeH 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 langHor
of his step. When the carriage turn
ed the corner. she sat down ut her
desk and wrote:
My Dear Mr.. Gregory-I have thought
and thought all night long. and stil |
cannot give YOU the answer YOU want
1t IL 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 might be-
/ should always feel that had robbed
him Of the reward for his faithful care
OF Inc. Can't YOU understand? lie has
been good to me alHays-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
Your vote will be my answer. II it IL
No" do not see me again. II will be
easier for us both and surely you owe
fully yours. MARGARET MARSDEN
The ladies' gallery of the assembly
chamber was thronged with brilliantly
gowned women The fourth day OF
the deadlock, aud rumor had gone
forth TINT there were prospects OF a
break. Members on the floor bowed
10 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
vision in the background. slender.
gray crowned figure \ 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, ana Il tender smile rested OH his
lips. Then he glanced toward Mars
dens desk. A group of men fnwned
upon the leader, who seemed not to no
tice them. His face was gray white,
his eyes n steely blue. But Gregory of
Hampton read behind the look of grim
determinations the years of inter
minable struggle, to the home life
sacrificed, the wife love neglected. all
for political power. And this same
power lay within his own grasp If the
app0rtionInent bill failed Leadership
OF men or life companionshp and the
love Of pure woman: The plaudits
of the public or the caresses Of love
for which he hungered MS he had new
or hunCpred and longed and yparDed