The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1906-11-11

that he had forced himself 10 believe that
his future would be as brilliant as his
past, for arrogance is a measure OF his type
Of political success.
But might not such confidence be the
last stage Of an evil doom, akin to the blind
ness which gives calm until the bandage
is snatChed from the eyes of a victim barely
in time for him to see the pit, but not in
time TO avoid il? l could not keep from
being sceptical, for | felt that, no matter
how high our hopes, no matter how COM
placent the view of the rank and file.
Merrifield remained as irreconcilable, as
memorable as fate.
As l nave said before ! had a private
friendship with Phil Grange, Merrifeld's
secretary, which in no wise affected our
Official obligations. On the morning of the
caucus, a. ] passed Phil in the street. he
breathed a mysterious aside, without even
slacSening his pace.
Count on me to put you next to Senator
Alworthy, Buff. when o lose your job"
were the words that slipped from the nearer
corner OF his mouth.
Senate Alwortby? What did il mean?
| could not ask him. | could do no more
than shout a Thank you" after him, will
ing, perhaps. to have an anchor to wind
ward like many another stancher craft.
knew that the boys all over the State were
loyally holding down what they had already
got; | knew that the party papers kept
demanding that harmony which would
come from the union OF savage and Merri-
field. How, then, senator 4lworthy, I'M
unless
AZ | stood rejecting, rejecting, conjectnr-
ing. Miss Skeed, the shadow of her indomi-
table self, years older and years more bag
gard, cane down the post Office steps.
She started back when she saw me; then
made az il she would pass unnotioing; then
stopped and turned abruptly.
"Mr. Buffuml' she gasped. ~You here,
as IL in answer to my secret ~yearnings?
Come into the entry for a moment; l must
say a word TO you"
I'm sure it is always a high privilege
| began.
Drop it, she commanded. Il want hone
Of your smooth speeches; they can't ease
my distress. Where is your Senator, Mr..
Savage2"
HE must be at headquarters by now.
I replied, receiving his admirers from all
over the State. When the news comes
from the caucus there will be a hot time
In the Old
She groaned like Jeremiah.
Tell him for me TO withdraw from the
contest before IL IL too late" she warned.
Withdraw He would think us both
crazy. Why, why, when the compromise
Ii 50 popular, when"
Il know, I know, " she went or unheedlng.
Isn't Geraldine married to Mr.. Merriheld,
and don't / live with them2 Don't they
think me, God forgive me, even more bitter
and vindictive than they are themselves?
I tell you, / know. | would save him, not
withdrawing all he has done
fairly jumped up and down and stamped
In my nervous suspense.
Save him?- ! repeated, -by such a mes
sage, in the very hour ~ triumph? Pre-
posterous. Why should he believe you,
why should he follow you blindIy, without
a hint or clue u your meaning7 II you
know him at all you know h. will pay no
attention 10 any such stuff"
She stood trembling in her i~ntentnese,
the poor thing. thinking 80 hard, 30 hard:
ut once ludicrous inc pathetic, with her
gray scattered locks, her faded eyes, her
wrinkled face, her l~ovelorn expression.
Il never broke faith in my life" she
fsltered. but I will, I must. Tell your
master for me-, Mr.. Buffum. to read the latter