The Washington herald., 1906-11-18
CHAPTER TX.
Jimmy Grnxson.s sneiI-


night after a beautiful. brown Octo-
Der day. came on dark and rainy. with
fierce winds off the Rocky Mountains: and
Harley, who was in the first carriage with
the candidate, could barely see the heads
OF the horses, gently rising and falling as
they sDlashed through the mud. Behind
him he heard family the sound of wheels
amid the wind and rain. and he knew
that the other correspondents and the poI-
iucians, who always hung on the trail of
Jimmy Grayson, shifting according to 10
cality. were following their leader in sin
gle file
Mrs. Grayson and Sylvia had remained
on the special car, and expected to foin
them on the following day. although
Sylvia was quite prepared 10 take the car
riage journey across the country and dare
all the risks Of the darkness and possible
bad weather. Indeed. with the fine spirit
OF the West and her own natural high
courage she wanted TO 20. saying that
she could stand as much as "a man. and
only Mrs. Grayson's refusal to accompany
her and the consequent lack of chaperon
compelled her TO abandon the idea. Now
Harley and Mr.. Grayson were very glad
that she was not out in the storm.
Although the hood of the carriage was
down and the collar Of Harley's heavy
coat was turned up 10 his ears. the cold
rain, lashed By the wind, struck him in
the face now and then
You don't do anything by halves out
here on these Western plains" he said.
No replied Jimmy Grayson. we don't
deal in DISCUSSES; when were hot we're
hot, and when We're cold we're cold
Now. after a perfect day, were having the
widest KIND Of night. It's our way"
IT was then ten o'clock. and tbev had
expected TO reach SoeedweH at midnight,
crossing the Platte River on the big
wooden bridge; but the rain. the dark
ness. and the singUlarly sticky quality of
the black Nebraska mud would certainly
delay them until one o'clock in the morn
ing, and possibly much later. II was not
cheerful prospect for tired and sleepy
men.
Mr.. GraysoH" said Harley "without
seeking 10 discredit you. 7 wish / had
gone 10 another war instead of coming
out here with you. That would have been
less wearing.
The candidate laughed
But you are seeing the West as few
men from New York ever see IL" he said
The driver turned. and a little stream of
water ran of his hat-5rim into Harley's
face.
It's the wind that holds us back. SIr.
GTayson,' he said; If we leave the road
and cut across the prairie on the hard
ground IL VIII save at least an hour"
By ali means turn out at once" said
the candidate, "and tine others will fol-
low"
Wise driver; considerate man." re-
marked HarleT
There was marked relief the moment
the wheels Of the carriage struck the
brown grass. They rolled easily once
more, and the of horse, lifting up his
head. neighed cheerfully
1t means midnight. and not later. Har-
ley, said the candidate, in a reassuring
tone.
Harley leaned back in his seat. and
trusted all now 20 the wise and consider /
ate driver who had proposed such a plan /
1 he night was just as black as your hat I
4nd the wind and the rain increased /
over the bleak and lonesome plains 4
they were tar out i'm Nebraska, and. al !
though they were near the Platte River 4
II was one of the most thinIv inhabited I
sections Of the State. They had not seen /
a light since leaving the last speaking /
place al sundown. Harley wondered at 4
AllE N0Ai nSN vi lltF pioneers VINO crossed !
the great plains amid such a vast Ioneli- /
ness. He and the candidate were tired. /
and soon ceased TO talk The driver. con-
fined his attention TO his business Har- /
ley fell into a dOze, from which ne was /
awakened after n while by the sudden 1
stoppage of the carriage. The candidate /
awOke at the same time. The rain had
decreased, there was a partial moonlight.
and the driver was turning upon them
g shamefaced countenance.
What's the natter" asked the candi-
Gate
ITO tell you the truth, AR Gvayson."
replied the driver. in an apologize tone.
I've gone wrong somehow OF other and
] don know just where were at
''Lost?% said Harley.
IF you wish 10 put it that way.
reckon you're right, said the driver. with
a touch of offense.
What has become OF the other car
riages?r asked Harley. looking back fo-
them.
II reckon they didn't see US when we
turned out, and they kept on along the
road"
There vas no doubt about the plight
into which they he'd got themselves. The