The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1906-10-14
THE CANDIDATE
APoIical Romance By Joseph A. Altsheler

people. worthy no doubt. but merely
forming a chorus for those who had the
speaking parts.
The course Of Harley's life confirmed
him IN this opinion. which. perhaps. was
due more 20 literature than 90 anything
else With his eyes fixed on New York.
the desire to go there followed. and when
he succeeded, early. and became the cor
respondent OF a great journal. he was
soon Immersed In the affairs Of that
world which seemed the world OF action
10 him; and, being so much occupied thus,
he forgot tho regions which apparently
lay IN the shadow. including the greater
portion of his own country.
Hence the two great Presidential con-
VentiOns in each OF which Western In
fiuences were paramount, and in each OF
which a Western man was chosen.
created upon him a new and surprising
impression. He found himself I'm the
presence OF unexpected forces; he be-
came aware that there was another way
OF looking at things. and this power
full sensation was deepened by the per
sonality of Mr.. CTaysOn. in whom he saw
intuluvely that there was something
fresh. original. and strong: he seemed less
hackneyed and more joyous than the types
that no found in the old States of the
Union or the Old World. and. because
Of this, the interest Of Harley, whose
mind had a slhgularly keen and inquir-
ing quality, was aroused: the regions that
apparently lay In the shadow might have
enough light, after all. and. seeing before
him a campaign not less exciting than q
war, he resolved TO stay in II until the
last battle was fought
He took out the telegram from his editor
and read It over again with keen salts
faction. "Out Of one war and into an
other" he murmuVed. The conventions
had been held early; IL was now only the
first week in June. and the election would
be IN the first week Of November; before
him lay five months OF stress and perhaps
storm, but he thought of 1t only VIZ,
pleasure.
Harley always travelled light. carry
ing only two vdlises. and an hour sufiiccd
for his packing. Then. like the old cam.
paigner that he was. he slept soundly
and early the next morning he went again
70 the hotel at which the Graysons were
staying. He felt a little hesitation II
sending up a card so soon, knowing what
! swarms Of people Mr.. Grayson had beer
compelled 10 receive and how badly hC
must stand I'm need OF rest. but there
was no help for-it
While he sat in the huge lobby wait
ing the return Of the boy tho hum OF
many voices about him rose almost 10 a
roar. varied by the rustling of many
newspapers. The place was filed with
/ men, talking over the thrilling events OF
Jhe night before, the nomination and the
NOMINEE, while every newspaper bore upon
. &c FrrH.
new candidate.
/ The boy came back with a message
/ that Mr.. Grayson would see him; and
/ Harley, a minute later, was knocking al
/ the door, which the candidate himseli
opened This man. who was his own
usher, was the nominee Of great party
! he might become the President Of thl
/ United States-Of ninety million people
/ Of what was in nearly every material
sense the first power in the world and
lyet Harley when IN Europe. seeking in
/ formation from the youngest and least
attachc Of a legation. had been com
PEELED to go through an infinite amount
/ Of form and flummery. The contrast was
/ lasting.
Come in" said Mr.. Grayson. cour.
I te0Usly, and Harley at once acted upon
the Invitation. Mrs. GraySou at this
]
quiet and self-contained. and Harley
bowed with respect
Il dare say there is nothing you wish
10 ask me which a lady should not hear,
said Mr.. Grayson, with Slight smile
/ Mrs. GTayson is my chief political ad
wiser"
/ ct Is no secret replied Harley. alsC
I smiling. II have merely come TO tell yOl
that the Gazette. my paper. has instruct
/ cd me 70 keep watch over you from now
until election night. and TO describe al
/ once and at great length for its reader,
| every one Of your wicked deeds. So I an
4 here 10 tell you that I wish 10 go alOnl
with you. You are public property, yol
know, and you cant escape"
I know that" said Jimmy Grayson
! heartily; and I 90 not seek 20 escape
I am glad the representative Of the Ca
Zette IS 10 be you. 7 do not know wha'
/ course your paper viii take. but I an
sure that we shall be friends"
/ THE Gazette Is independent; its editor
! Is likely 10 attack you for some thing,
and praise you for others. But l an
4 hero 10 tell the news"
/ Then We are comrades for a long jour
ncy." said Jimmy GraysCn
/ Thus il was settled simply and easil,
/ by the two who We're most concerned. anC
/ Harley throughout the little interview
was struck by the difference between thi
man and many other famous men Will
whom IN the course of business he had he'll
journalistic dealings Here was a lacl
Of conventionality. and an even stronge
note Of simplicity and freshness. TIL
candidate. with his new honors. sti,
held himself as one of the people; /
never occurred to him that he might as
sumo a pose and the public would &C
cept it; he was democracy personified
and he was such because he was uncon
scious OF il. His perfect freedom of man
ner. which Harley had not liked at first
now became more attractive.
1--WE leave at II o'clock for my home,
said Mr.. Grayson, "and arrive there TO
morrow morning. I have some prepare
ri1ns &c make. but I shall begin the cam
paign dav or two later"
II intend TO go with you TO your town,
said Harley. You know the compact;
cannot let You out of my sight"
Mrs Grayson a grave. quiet woman
spoke for the first time.
you shall come along, net merely a
a sentinel but as one Of our little party
if you will. on one condition, she said.
What is that?"
TRUST IN DAFFoDILS,