Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1906-05-04
A WoMAN'S VOTE

plimentary notes relating to the voters
whose names and addresses appeared up
on them. doubtful described some,
Against" others, while several bore such
remarks as HE will support no candidate
who does not promise to legislate against
fogs."
To his somewhat inarticulate question
the young parliamentary candidate re-
ceived an answer in the affirmative, and
was shown by a pretty housemaid across
the hall into delightful drawing room
with French windows opening upon a
shady veranda hung with Virginia
creeper.
who shall l say, sir?" inquired the
girl.
Lord Edmund ouinton." he answered,
and was glad to note the look OF pleased
intelligence in her eyes
At election times even a waiting maids
approval must not be despised, especially
II she Is pretty, for then she may have
more than one admirer with the needful
vote.
Left alone, Lord Edmund looked APP
provingly round the room. The morning
was hot, and his canvass had not been
very successful among the "doubtfuls'
and "againsts" This voter was described
as the latter, but the drawing room had
anything but an antagonistic air about 1t.
He sat down in a great chintz-covefed
chair and wondered what the next week
would bring forth. He was the sixth son
OF the Duke Of Cariyon and a distant
cousin OF the noble Earl who had just
appealed to the country on a momentous
question and II was a cause OF much in
terest to Lord Edmund's family whether
or not he should be returned for the
borough of SANFORD. as his only chance
Of ONCE in his cousins government should
Lord Hotham again be given a majority
in the house depended on his having a
seat in parliament. Each side in the divi-
sion declared that they were sure Of
victory. and both sides were horribly
afraid OF the other carrying the day.
Although there was not much fear that
the Earl OF Hotham would not get his
majority in the country. yet In this par
ticular instance personality counted for
much in that Mr.. Rayner Lord Edmund's
opponent. had been nursing the consti-
tuency for years, had a house in the
district and was locally popular, while
Lord Edmund was comparatively I'M
known and was only sent down by his
party a few weeks previously when the
first rumors Of a general election began
TO disturb the surface OF official calm
and the member for Sanford announced
his intention Of retiring from parliament
airy life.
IF I get in / must take a house In
the place." unused Lord Edmund, land
II the owner will sell Il win have this
one" and he idly watched a little foun-
tain on the smooth lawn sparkling in the
sunshine.
He was not kept waiting long when the
door opened and a pretty girl came in.
She was about 23. but her assured car
riage gave a suggestion OF more years,
perhaps. She came forward smiling and
shook hands.
ut is very courageous OF you to go
about boarding lions in their dens In this
fashion. but I am sure n little rest from
canvassng win do you no narm. At the
last election this house was the centre
Of the opposition, and your life would
not have been safe" she said laughing.
but I will promise to protect you II dan
ger should arise. was just going to
lunch. Won't you Join me? am all
alone today. Manly has gone TO London
for the day"
Really you are too kind" Lord Ed
mund, said, smiling but / SHOULD not
have presumed within your hospitable
door II your servant had not told me
the voter was at home, yet I am so
famished ] really think I viii accept your
kind invitation"
That's all right. I told Edith to lay
your place. but would like to know who
the voter Is" and her white row OF teeth
flashed out as she laughed.
why. why" the name on the card
had slipped his memory, "the gentleman
you just now said had gone to town"
Again the girl laughed.
she Is not n man. but the most
womanly woman or old maid ever created.
She is really Miss Manly. my companion.
but l call her Manly because 1t is so in
congruous.'
But. surely" gasped Lord Edmund.
hauling out his canvassing cards In sheer
desperation at the situation "surely-yes,
let me see. Surely Sydney Forrest lives
here"
yes" she said, with another scream OF
laughter. IT am Sydney Forrest; you
don't mean to say that woman's suffrage
has become law and that really have
a voter"
The young man looked obviously at the
piece of pasteboard ne held in his hand
as II there was something uncanny about
1t.
"You have certainly got on the register
in some mysterious way" he said looking
at her whimsically, and they both laugh
| ed in unison.
70 what funv' she cried; "can really
vote? How shocked Manly will be?"
II am afraid that the vote will be dis
allowed II the other party object" he
said doubtfully.
would you object?" she said with
questions.
How could my hostess ask such a
tning?" he replied. politics sinking out OF
view for the first time for weeks"
''Well, the other side won't, OF course,
she said "for you see my father was one
Of the strongest supporters they had, but
ne died three years ago and so l got a
companion to live with me >here, as was
so fond Of the house"
But surely my opponents agent must
have known who you were? Our agent is
new man, think, since the last cleo
| ton"
Perhaps he did know. Men always
believe women inherit their politics from
their fathers"
"And don't they7" the young candi-
date asked with just a degree more in
terest in his tone than the question
seemed to demand.
Let me see," she replied, going to a
| table piled with papers, now / know
why / have been inundated with party
literature during the last few weeks ]
think your opponents portrait is here
and she pulled out two cards with the
pictures of the candidates upon them.
yours does not do you justice" she said
seriously. examining the original with
mock severity, "but Mr.. Rayner's Is de-
cidedly fiattering. You can't see that his
hair is red and his figure rotund. don't
| like him." she went on thoughtfully; che
called me little missile at the last cleo
ton"
Lord Edmund laughed again; IT really
think ! must support woman's suffrage
II / am returned"
at should - she replied. 1--WE would have