Waterbury evening Democrat., 1906-04-04

brOck'S table the other evening tell ing us about our experience with tn
 politicians, I kept saying to mysel that I didn't know you-that I had nev CT known you"
 "I wish knew just how to talk that" he said dubiously.
 T wish knew how to make yo, understand" she returned; and then q could have made the other Davit ; Kent understand
 You are in duty bound to try tt make this one understand, don't vol think? You spoke of danger whicf was not the violent kind, such as Lo 1 ring fears. What Is it?"
 "You have had two whole days, she rejoined. Haven't you discovered , it" 4.
 T haven't found anything to feal but failure" was his reply
 'That is it; you have given it [ name-its only true name-failure."
 But am not going to fail.
 You mean you are going to take our railroad away from these men who have stolen it?"
 "That is what I mean"
 "And you will do it by threatening to expose them?"
 "I shall tell Governor Bucks what I know about the oil field deal, assur- ing him that I shall publish the facts If he doesn't let the law take it's course in busting Judge MacFarlane and the receiver"
 She rose and stood before him, lean ing against one of the vine-clad porch pillars with her hands behind her.
 David Kent, are there any circum- stances in which you would accept a bribe?"
 He answered her in all seriousness.
 ''They say every man has his price: mine is higher than any bid they have yet made-or can make. hope"
 Why don't you let them bribe your" she asked coolly "Is it because it is inexpedient- nt-because there is more success the other way?"
 He tried to emulate her coolness and made failure of it.
 Have I ever done anything to make you think had thrown common hon. esty and self-respect overboard?" he demanded.
 Her answer was another question, sharp-edged and we'll thrust home.
 'Is it any worse to take a bribe than it is to give one? You have just admitted that you are going to buy the governors neutrality. you know"
 q don't see it in that light at all"
 ''The other David Kent would have seen it. He would have said: These men are public criminals. If I can not bring them to justice, I can at least expose them to the scorn of all good men. Therefore have no right to bargain with them"
 Kent was silent for a long time. When he spoke it was to say:
 Why have you done this, Elinor?"
 ",'eacuse I had to. David. Could do less?"
 q suppose not. It's in the blood in your blood and mine. Other folk call 1t the Puritan virus of over righteousness, and scoff at it. I don't know: sometimes I think they have the best of the argument"
 'I can't believe you are quite sin cere when you say that" she asserted.
 "Yes, am. One cannot compromise with conscience; that says itself. But I have come to believe latterly that ones conscience may be morbidly acute. or even diseased. I'll admit I've been taking treatment"
 That sounds very dreadful" she rejoined.
 Tt does, doesn't it? Yet it had to be done. As I intimated few min- utes ago, my life has hitherto been sort of transformations failure. I used to think 1t was because was out l know now it has been be- cause I wouldn't do as other men do. It has been a rather heart-breaking process--.to sort out the scrupTes, ad- hitting the just and overriding the others-bnt 1 have been given to see that it is the price of success"
 "I want you to succeed" she said.
 Pardon me; I don't think you do. You have reopened the door to doubt, and if admit the doubt shall fail"
 The sonata Penelope was playing was approaching its finale. and Eli nor was suddenly shaken with trem- bling fit of fear-the fear of conse- 7uences which might involve this mans entire future. She knew Kent was leaning on he-, and she saw her self as one who Lad ruthlessly thrust !. an iron bar among the wheels of delicate mechanism. Who was she to | be his conscience-keeper-to stand in | he way and bi,l him go back? Were I her own motives always so exalted? | Had shP not once deliberately debated ! .his same question of expedieney, to 1 .he utter abasement of her own ideals7 | Penelope had left the piano. and Lor- Ing was looking at his watch. Kent saw them through the open window and got upon his feet
 "Grantham is saying he had no idea f was so late.' ho hazarded. If I thank you for what you have said nm afraid it must bc as the patient | hanks the surgeon for the knife 'troke which leaves him a cripple for fife"
 It was the enc word needed to break her resolution.
 ''Oh. forget it: please forget it."