Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-03-16

for at least one hour indulge in carefree
confidential chat. This, Caleb mentally
argued, was a capital opening wedge IN
the incubation of the true home spirit
which had been his lifelong dream.
The household obeyed the order, even as
all Conover's orderS-at home and abroad
were obeyed The session usually began
in laborious efforts at small talk. Then
an unfortunate remark of some sort from
Mrs. Conover, or an impertlnence or sheer
from Gerald, and the storm would break.
The pleasant evening hour oftener than
not ended in a sea of weakly miserable
tears from Mrs. Conover cowed or sotto
voce profane exit on Gerdld's part. and in
Calebs stamping off to his study or else
around to the kerrigans' for blissful,
shirt -S.eeved. oldtime political argument
in front of the saloons Darkroom stove.
On this present evening Caleb had Just
received Shevlins report of the Standlsh
tour. He was full of the theme and strove
to interest his three hearers in it. In Anlce
he found as ever an eager listener. But
Gerald yawned in very apparent boredom,
while Mrs. Conover shed few delightfully."-
easy but irritating tears at the account of
the opera house fight. Caleb had silently
resented these moist Signs of interest and
his glare had called forth an unusual pro-
test from his weak little spouse.
I'm sure she went on, nervously taxing
advantage of the rare fit of courage that
possessed her, I'm quite sure somebody
else must have put this governorship idea
into poor Gives head He'd never have
thought of such rash thing by himself
don't believe that at heart he really wants
to be governor at all. He"
IF he don t." remarked COnOVer, Il guess
that makes it unanimous. 1 wish that idiot
Shevlin hadn't given him the chance to play
to the gallery, though, in INST hight. It'll
mean votes for him. Folks have sort of
liking for a man who can scrap. BY the
way, Jerry. if you go around to headquar-
tiers tonight, tell Bourke 1 want him to run
to Matawan for me tomorrow on that float
er business. He
II don't believe they can spare Bourke at
headquarters just now began Gerald, with
a faint show of interest. You see
If he was the sort of man they could
spare, he wouldn't be the sort of man I'd
want to send on ticklish job like this. Has
Brayle showed up at any of our rallies
yet?'
NO. And 1 don't believe he will. He's
done with politics, Shevlin tells me. Got re-
igion, Billy says, and
IF Pete Brayle's got religion, you can
gamble he's got it in his wife's name, like
every other asset of his. Done with politics,
Ell? Well, politics amt done with him. I'll
see Shevlin about 1t in the morning"
L thought Mr.. Brayle was an atheist"
put in Lefty. It's an awful thing to be.
How do you suppose he ever became one?"
by thinking too hard with a mind that
was too small; same as most atheists do
suggested Caleb. Say, jerry" he added, ut
won't do you no harm to know m rather
tickled at the way you've took hold at head
quarters this past week or so. You won't
lose by it,
"she wrote to me-" answered Gerald,
flushing. You owe it to her. Not to me-"
"She?'
Yes. My"
UGH 1 might a known it! Well, so
where the inspiration comes from. 1 ain
too finicky to hit straight blow with a
crooked stick. Why'd she tell you to hus-
tle?'
hard heart Wait, and I'll read you what
She"
mo, you won't. My hardness of heart
isn't patch on my hardness of hearing
when it comes to listening to that sort Of
pink paper drivel /"
Now. father" whined Mrs. Conover, per-
suasively, why be 80 hard on the poor boy !?
Perhaps"
a yeller- haired high-kicker would make the
ideel daughter-in-law for the next governor
of the Mountain state. But his golden elo-
quence hasn't caught me yet. So, as long
as there's one sane member of the Conover
child"
"Yes!' snorted Caleb my own children
have right to expect fine line of treat
ment from me. haven't they? Blanche and
Jerry. both. What is it Ibid says about a
serpent's tooth and a thanklessE'"
THAT was Shakespeare" contradicted
MRS. ConoVer, with the tact that was her
chief charm. And you've got 1t all wrong.
There's no such person as"
II tell you 1t was Ibid growled Caleb,
always tender on the subject Of his learn
ing. 1T says SO In the Famous Quotation
book. Maybe you can look down on my
education. But I guess I can stand pat all
right ON the things have learned. And
The butler entered with a card, which he
carried to Caleb. After one glance at the
pasteboard Caleb crushed 1t IN his fingers
and threw 1t to the door.
Turn her out!'' he ordered.
why. who is lit" squeaked his wife in
high excitement.
Its some woman for Jerry. Gaines
brought me the card by mis-"
For me?" cried Gerald. jumping up. his
face ahame. why, tit can't"
Yes. 1t can. And 1t 10, or rather 1t was.