The Montgomery advertiser., 1905-07-25
THE SENATOR'S
 OTHER SELF
BY HoWARD DnvINE.
Copyright, 1905. Daily Story Pub. Go.

BY HOWARD OGvlNE.
 Copyright. 1905. Daily Story Pub. Col
 The Senator 0ttled himself in the depths of his easy chair and lighted a cigar. He was in a most complacent mood and his reveries as he gazed into the glowing coals in the fireplace were very pleasant. He had just returned from a most important conference of brother Senators and potent party leaders who had urged him to accept the nomination for the vice-presidency. Some of the ablest and most powerful of those present had demurred to the plan, pointing out that he was the log ical man for the presidency four years hence and the acceptance of the vice. presidency would prove Q serious ham dicap.
 No decision had been arrived at. but the entire situation demonstrated so plainly the exalted regard in which he was held and the strong grip he had oa fortune that he felt justified in pausing a moment in his busy life to enjoy his thoughts.
 He was interrupted by knock at the door and his man entered with a card.
 Az he glanced at 1t. he drowned and his face wrinkled. Perhaps a trifie of color left his face.
 "H'm, what the deuce does she come here for" he muttered. Show her in. William"
 He rose and stood with an odd mix ture of deference and defiance, as a woman swept into the room. She threw aside her wrap and sank into a chair.
 Quite a surprise party. Senator" she said.
 "A most pleasant one. certainly" re- sponded the Senator. gallantly.
 "Doubtless." she rejoined dryly. When Mahomet won't come to the mountain. you know what the moun- tain must do. You need not feel ap- prehensive: the interview shall be brief and there shall be no mysteries. You did not come last evening in re- sponse to my note. You were not there last Wednesday or on the Wednesday before"
 "Yes. yes," she went on as he made as though to speak. II know you were very busy man-and yet we have dispatched some very important business together in bygone days, Sen ator, in my modest apartments. Well. those days are gone. No. no. don't pro- test. know 1t quite as well as you Now, Senator, listen to me patiently for just one moment. It Is very plain to me that you neither want nor intend to fulfill your pledges to make me your wife. You will remember that these pledges were entirely voluntary and have been repeated at various times after our plans had resulted in your further exaltation. l did not come here to ask you to fulfill your pledges. I would rather abide in the bottomless pit than to become the wife of an unwilling husband. l would have married you only after solicita- ton. which would have convinced me of your earnest and honest desire. l never nave concealed from you that l would have been proud and happy to bear your name and go hand in hand with you to higher and yet higher achievements"
 Her voice faltered just trifie, but she went on.
 T have been thinking it all over. and have determined that I am tired of the game. I am getting on in years. Robert and I see nothing ahead, along | the old lines, but. short, exhausting. | nerve wracking campaigns with long intervals of disappointment. heart ache and loneliness. So l am going to stop now and take up another life. am going away tomorrow. Robert, and | I came to say goodbye" .:- l She arose and held out her hand. Don't do that" he said rising and taking her hand. Where are you go- ins?" .-. .~. "-+ j.. The two sentences irritated her. "Why not?" she rejoined sharply You do not need me now-you know that Is what you are thinking in your heart of hearts. You have always thought that between times Well, am tired of being used as reserve corps to come to the rescue only in times of defeat. I am tired of acting as you nerve. your will, your con- science, your ambition. Where am going? It matters not to you. I am going out of your life"
 She looked at him moment and a flush came to her cheeks and her eyes blazed. She withdrew her hand and stepped back. ..- ..s .* Robert Norris, you have had your day. You have reached the highest plane your path will ever lead to. You have climbed the he!ghts-under the lash of my urging-and hand In hand we might have gone to the peaks. But alone you cannot take another step, nay, you cannot hold your own. I know you think all the forces are moving you on, that you have learned to walk alone, but you are mistaken. You will halt. hesitate and doubt your self as of old, with the first adverse wind. And I will not be there and