The Washington herald., 1907-01-06
CHAPTER XVII.
The SPeIIbinder.


An hour after the smoke of the Salt
Lake train was lost in the blue sky. the
special car bearing the candidate whirIed
of In another direction, deep into the
wonderland of the mountains Now white
peaks We're on one side and mighty
cEasms on the other; then both chasm
and peak were lost behind them. and they
shot through an irrigated valley brown
with the harvest, neat villages smuggling
in the center. But always, whether near
or far, the mOunains were around them.
blue on he middle slopes. white at the
crests. unless those crests were lost in
the clouds and mists-
The people in the car were more quiet
than usual, the candidate absorbed in
somewhat sad thoughts. the state poll
ucians respecting his silence, and the
correspondents planning their dispatches
But all missed Mrs. Grayson and Miss
Morgan. who, whether they talked or
not, always contributed brightness and
a gentler note to their long campaign.
King PlUmmer, too. with his loud
laugh and his large, sincere manner.
left vacancy. Every one felt that there
was now nothing ahead but business
cold, hard business-and so it proved.
Every campaign enters upon successive
phases. in which the contestants ad-
vance, through politeness and considera-
ton. first to wary feint and parry. and
then 10 the stern death-grip Of the battle
which can mean nothing but the victory
Of one and the defeat of the other. They
were now approaching this last stage
and great piles Of Eastern newspapers
which reached them In Utah. reflected all
the progress OF the combat.
It was obvious TO all Of those skilled
readers and interpreters that the breach
within the party was widening. and that
this breach could become a chasm before
the election The Monitor and other
papers, the chosen or self-appoiufed
champions Of vested interests were al
most openly i'm revolt; I'm Harlev,s mind
thelr course amounted % the same thing.
they printed in their news columns r7sr,
things derogatory 90 Grayson. and likely
To shatter public faith in his judgement
ana IN nearly al OF them appeared signed
contributions from members of the
wealthy faction led by the Hon. Mr.
Eoodnlght, attacking every speech made
hy The candidate. and intimating thar
ne was a Ereater danger 90 the country
than the nominee of the other side.
Inc split viii have 10 come" was
Harieys mUttered comment. and tb..
sooner the better for us"
The journals OF the rival partv were
singular contrast o. those Of GravSar's
sue as they expressed unb0unded and
sincere confidence In all that had oc-
CURED they could not read anything but
victory Tor them. and Harley was bound
fed.
But amid all these troubles the cs,5i
Gate preserved his remarkable arDfatiii,,.
Of disposition, and Harley witnessed an
other proof that he was "a man 1rs+ s,,,5
statesman afterward.
The train was continually tbroDgs.4
with local politicians and others
anxious 10 see Mr. Cra,so-,
and at little station in plain tba,
seemed 10 have no end they Dirlxad -
three men. one Of whom attracted ~,
ley's notice at once. He was vorpo
only twenty-four or five, with a briol+
Quick, easer face, and he was NOT dressed
IN the usual careless Western fashion
Ills trousers were carefully creased. his
Whlte shirt was well laundered. and mis-
comhination-nOt so strange west oF ~,
Mississippi sack coat and a silk hat of
the same time
The youth was not AT all sbv and bo
early obtained an introduction to Mr.
Grayson Harley thus learned that his
name was MOOre-Charles Moore or
charlie Moore, as those with him called
him. Most men in the West. unless Of
special prominence, when presented to
Jimmy Grayson, shook hands warmIv
exchanged word or two on anv CON
Nenient topic, and then gave way to 9TH
ers. but this fledgling sought 10 hold him
IN IN long converse on the most vital aues-
tons Of the campaign
That was q fine speech of vo11rs +b,+
You made at Butte, Mr.. Grayson ., be |
sald, IN the most impulslve manner and
indorse every word of il, but are Won |
sure that what YOU said about Canadian |
reciprocity viii help our party in the
great wheat States, such as Minnesota |
and the Dakotas2"
The candidate stared at him at first in |
surprise and some displeasure b,,t /
IN moment or two his gaze was changed /
into kindly smile. He read well fba /
youth before him. his amusing confidence |
MS easerness. and his self-importance
tnat had not yet received rude check
Ihere Is something in what you saw.
Mr. Moore. replied Jimmy Grayson. in /
that tone absolutely without condescen-
sion that made every man his friend.
but L have considered il, and I think If
IS better for me to stick to my text. Be
sides, 1 am right, you know"
An, yes; but that is not the point" ex-
claimed young Mr.. Moore: zone NAV be
right, but one might keep silent on a