The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1906-07-19

graceful talent with which to prloge
the wide gaps between the stubborn
heights of his professional erudition.
He was profoundly versed on rates.
grades ballast, motive power and roll
ing stock, but this solid information
was of no avail. He could on occasion
talk to a swearing section boss with a
grievance and brogue in a way to
make that man his friend for life. He
also possessed the happy gift of in
sense of duty, but his social RESPONSE
bilities numbed his faculties and left
him bankrupt for words.
The others gave him no assistance.
Mrs. Emory, smiling and good humor-
ed, but silent, bent above her sewing.
She was not an acute person. and the
situation waselost upon her, while the
doctor took only the most casual part
in the conversation.
Oakley was wondering how he could
make his escape when the doorbell
rang. The doctor slipped from the par
lor. When he returned he was not
alone. He was preceded by a dark
young man of one or two and thirty.
This was Griffith Ryder, the owner of
the Antioch Herald.
my DEAR" said he, "Mr. Ryder"
Ryder shook hands with the two ladies
and nodded carelessly to Oakley. Then,
with an easy, careless compliment he
lounged down in the chair at Miss
Enory's side.
Constance had turned from the
strenuous Oakley to the newcomer
with a sense of unmistakable relief.
Her mother, too. frightened visibly.
but he was always entertaining in a
lazy, Indifferent fashion of his own.
II see, Griff," the doctor said, that
you are going to support Kenyon l
declare it shakes my confidence in
you,' and he drew forward his chair.
Like most Americans. the physician
was something of politician, and, as
is also true of most Americans not
professionally concerned in tie hunt
for office, this interest fuctuated be-
tween the two extremes of party en-
thusiasm before and nonpartisan dis
gust after elections.
Ryder smiled family. Yes, we
know just how much of rascal Ken
yon is, and we know nothing at all
about the other fellow except that he
wants the nomination, which is bad
sign. Suppose he should turn out a
greater scamp! Really it's too much
of a risk" he drawled, with an affecta-
ton of contempt.
Your politics always We're a shock
to your friends, but this serves to ex-
plain them" remarked the doctor, With
latent combativeness. But Ryder was
not to be beguiled into argument. He
turned again to Miss Emory.
Your father is not practical poll
tician or he would realize that it is
only common thrift to send kenyon
back, for | take it he has served his
country not without profit to himself.
Besides, he is clamorous and persist
ent, and there seems no other way to
dispose of him. It's either that or the
penitentiary."
Constance laughed softly. 't4And so
you think he can afford to be honest
now? What shocking ethicsv'
''That is my theory. Anyhow I don't
see why your father should wish me to
forego the mild excitement of assisting
to re-elect my more or less disreputable
friend. Antioch has had very little t.
offer one until you came" he adde,
with gentle Difference. Miss Emory
accepted the compliment with the ut
most composure. Once she had beer
rather fattered by his attentions, hui
four years make a great difference
Either he had lost in cleverness or she
had gained in knowledge.
He was a very tired young man. A
one time he had possessed some eX
pectations and numerous pretensions
The expectation had faded out of hi
life, but the pretense remained in thu
absence of any vital achievement. HI
was college bred and had gone in TO