Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-04-22
CONGRESSMAN
HAS CO.
HAS GOT TO GO.

farmer they had known and loved He
stepped toward Selkirk and put his flushed
face close to his.
You can't strike no guest on my place"
he repeated, and you can't come within
hundred feet of my daughter-you amt
good enough
Selkirk. bewidered, hurt. torn by conflict
ing feelings, started to speak, but Cooper
stopped him.
No" he interrupted, Il don't want you
to explain. 1t would take you too long.
You go your way, that's all. and me and
mine'N go another
The old man, in his excitement. quivering
with the intensity of his emotions, stretched
one arm behind him as if to hold his daugh-
ter away from even the possibility OF con-
tact with this man whom he scorned she
put her hands on it and hid her face in its
sleeve.
Selkirk gazed at her in the dim light, with
agony in his eyes; but his pride was COM
ing to his rescue. He spoke reproachtully,
making no further effort to approach her.
And Mercy" he said, slowly, have you
nothing to say to me-?
raised her head and silenced him.
She still held fast to his arm; but II was
evident that she was determined to be
heard. She spoke bravely and calmly, but
her face was so white that even the Kicker
ing red light of the distant lanterns ana
torches almost failed to give it any color.
In way, father, you are right, she
said in a low voice for them only. "A man
who will sell his friends for money has no
right to speak to good woman. But, al
the same time, there is something which L
wish to say to him before he goes away
from me forever
Her voice broke. but she pulled herself to-
gether bravely. Cooper nodded. He was
proud of his daughter then-proud OF her
bravery proud of her beauty, which had
never seemed to him to be so great pe1ore,
proud of her determination. He did not in
terrupt She looked steadfasty toward Sci
kirk
Selkirk" she said slowly and distinctly,
but not loud enough to be heard Deyohu
their little circle, and l know that you
hesitated before you did IT, know thaI
you must have been greatly tempted and l
think that you are sorry now that you
yielded 10 the temptation. l believe that
YOU loved me, you said you did give
you the benefit of that confidence-and be-
lieve that now you suffer for your act and
that you will suffer more You ought TO. l
send you away but l Will not wrong my
self by letting even you suppose that do
IL lightly If you-who have earned your
| misery and have doubtless been paid for it
| in some way-if you, being guilty. suffer,
| how much more must |. being innocent. feel
my pain? You have killed my love for you,
| but | must mourn for It. l want you to
know that besides having traded in the con-
| fdence of an honest man, you have wound
! ed trusting woman's heart-my heart-to
| its very depths. ! believe the knowledge
| l hope 1t will. l want 1t to be portion OF
| your punishment.
| Selkirk spoke excitedly.
/ But you judge without hearing me-
he began.
Cooper looked at him, frowning with
anger
Il wouldn't try to make things clearer
| than they are If l was you he said.
! II went away to save my paper Selkirk
| said. 81 have saved II. l came back to-
night full of JOY because 1 have. and this is
! the greeting that l get"
| To save your paper" exclaimed Mercy.
! you only make it worse"
| She showed signs of breaking down. She
| looked at him appealingly and hid her face
| again. She sobbed.
ION. Jack she pleaded. "go! go now!'
Selkirk Strengthened himself proudly. 1t
/ was all a puzzle to him. but they would
| neither make things plain nor give him a
! chance for explanation.
VERY WELL" he said. He dropped his
head to show the pain that showed upon
! his face. Il will
| He turned away.
| In the meantime, back there in the
/ shadow Hubbard was with Billy. The lad
| was unaffectedly glad TO see the foreman,
| and Betsy Robin left them alone together
for a few moments 10 go where Mrs.
| Sucker and Bess were looking after the
| voters wives and daughters on the porch
| and out before the lantern.
| Selkirk had no wish to pass among the
crowd again, and, hurt, astonshed. hui
| inflated. he made his way along the path
| leading TO the side gate. His only desire
| was to get away from the place without
being seen, and make his way to the Ex-
press office. where ne might sit in peace
ana think about the wreck his life and
hopes had come 10. But Billy saw him as
he passed and called to him. No one had
| told him that Selkirk was in disgrace.
| Selkirk was involuntarily pleased by the
sound of the boys voice. even in the midst
of his unhappiness. He paused as he heard
IL, and when, in the light that streamsd