Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-03-24

lowing. The railroad wards and Sums
Of Granite and Of other towns were with
him to a man, prepared on election day to
hurl mighty cohorts OF the unwashed to
the polls in their idols behalf. Loyalty.
material forms Of pressure were binding
throngs Of others besides these underworld
denizens to the Conover standard. Not
even the shrewdest nonpartisan dared fore
cast the result of the contest.
Caleb. colder, harder, less human than
ever. gave no outward sign Of the silent
warfare that had torn him during that
study-f1re vigil on the night Of Anice La
nier's detection. Beyond CURLY stating
that the secretary had left his service of
her own accord, he gave no information
concerning her. He had heard she was lv
Ing with an aunt in another part of town;
and twice. with stony face and unrecog-
nizing eye, he had passed her on the street.
walking with Give. He had also received
from her brief, business-like note telling
him that her brother had instructions to
deliver to Conovers representative, any
time after noon on election day, the DEM
low letters.
It was on the eve of election. The cam
paign work was done. One way or another,
the story was now told. The last instruc-
tons for the next days duties had been
given Conover, returning home from his
headquarters, felt as though the weight of
weeks had rolled of his shoulders. Now
that he had done all mortal man could, he
was not like a weaker soul, troubled about
the morrow That could take care of itself.
LIS willy ihS VI NOl COulu HOt III
feet the result. Hence, he did not worry.
AS he turned into Pompton avenue and
started up the long slope crowned by the
garlsh white marble Mausoleum, his step
was as strong and untired an athletes.
On his frame of steel and inscrutable face
the untold strain of past weeks had left no
visible mark.
A few steps in advance of him. and go
ing in the same direction, slouched a lank,
enervated figure.
The Railroader by the CLEAN of street
lamp, recognized Gerald. and moved faster
to catch up with him. At such rare inter-
walls as Ne had time to think of domestic
affairs, Caleb was more than a little con-
cerned of late over the behavior of this only
son of his. Since the visit of his wife to
Granite, Gerald's demeanor had undergone
acute mind. He had waxed listless, tact
turn and unnaturally docile. No command
seemed too distasteful for him to execute
uncomplainfngly. No outbreak of rough
sarcasm or wrath from Caleb could draw
from him retort nor so much as show
of interest. Conover knew the lad had
taken to drinking heavily and frequently.
but also that Geralds deepest potatons
apparently had other outward effect
than to increase his listless apathy.
Partly from malice, partly to rouse the
youth. Conover had thrown upon him many
details of campaign work. To the older
plished every task with quiet. wholly I'M
Interested competence that was so unlike
his old self as to seem the labor of another
man. More and more, since Anice's depar-
ture, Conover had come to lean on Gerald's
help. And now it no longer astonished
him to find such help capably given. Yet
the father was not satisfied.
1T amt natural" he said to himself. as
he now overhauled his son. .Ain't like
jerry. Something's the matter with him.
He's getting to be some use in the world.
But he'll go crazy, too, If he keeps up
those moony ways of his. He needs a
shaking up"
He instituted the shaking-up process in
literal form by a resounding slap between
Geralds narrow shoulders. But even this
most maddening of all possible salutations
evoked nothing but a listless Hello
father from its victim.
Start Weaver off for Grafton?" queried
Caleb. falling into step with his son.
you to frame up for me?'
I've just finished it. Here it is"
why. for chap like you that lists
days work by itself! Good boy!"
No reply. Caleb glanced obliquely at the
taciturn lad The sallow, lean face, with
it's dark-hollowed eyes, was expressionless
dull, apathetc
'say!" demanded Conover, what's the
matter with you, anyhow"
Nothing"
Amt sick. or anythng?"
mo"
Still grouching over that grip?
my wife? Yes"
Amt got over it yet? I've told you
you're well out of it. If she'd cared any
thing for you she'd never have settled with
my New York lawyer for 100000 and with
drawn that fool alienation suit she was
starting against me: or signed that general
release. You're we'll out Of it, I'll send YOU
up to South Dakota after the campaigns
all over and let you get divorce on the
quiet. No one around here'n ever know you
was married, and in the long run the ex-
perience won't hurt you. You've acted
pretty decent lately, Jerry, and I'm not half
sorry l changed my mind on that heavy
father stunt and didn't kick you out.
more of an accident than failing, so long
as folks don't let it get to be a habit You
acted like an idiot. But bygones are by
cones, so cut out the sulks Cheap chorus
girls weren't made for grown men to
marry"
'1ll thank you to say nothing against
her." interviewed Gerald stih1y, with the
first faint show of interest his father had
observed in him for weeks.
Just as you like assented Caleb, in
high, good humor, glad to have broken even
so slightly into the others armor of apathy
I'm her case, maybe least said the better.
So you're still homescking for her-and for
New York, eh?"
yes"
"Still feel your own city amt good enough
What place is for man who has lived
in New York;"
Rot. What place tsp About ten thou
sand Places And some seventy million
Americans living in those places are as
good and as happy and stand pretty near as
good chance Of the pearly gates as If they
had the heaven-sen blessing of living be-
tween the North and East rivers"
"Yes?"
There was no interest and only absent
minded query in Gerald's monosyllable.
Listlessness had again settled over him.
Word and mental attitude Jared on the
Railroader.
New York." reiterated Conover "Tve
took some slight pains to learn few
things about that place these last couple of
months. Before that 1 took your word for
1t that it was hectic. electric-lit whirlpool,
where nothing ever was quiet or sane, and
where young cub who could get arrested
for smashing up hotel lobby was looked
up to a pillar of gilded society. Since
then I've bothered to find out on my own
account. New York's a city with about
two millions of people living on Manhattan
Island alone. We out-of-town jays are told
these two millions are a gay, abandoned |
fashionable lot that spend their days in the |
congenial stunt of pilng up fortunes and
their nights in every sort of high Jinks that |
can cost money and keep EN- up till dawn. |
'All-night fun. all-day fortune grabbing |
Great place! Come see It,! Well, have seen |
1t. Along around or p. m. about 90 per cent |
of those two million people stop work |