The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-03-03

Caleb bowed, reseated himself and
swallowed another glass OF champagne
ut gulp. He was not Ill pleased with
himself. He had risen merely to thank
his guests for their presence. Little
by little he had drifted further than
he had at hrst intended. Yet. he was
glad ne had yielded to this unprcce-
dented, unaccustomed yearning to ex-
pand; to show himself at his best be-
fore these people with whom he now
firmly believed himself on footing
OF friendly equality. Yes. on the whole,
he was convinced OF his success.
He glanced about him. The buzz
to him more loudly, moro intcrestedly.
with less OF constraint than before.
Dozens OF eyes were upon him, not
with the bored coldness of the earlier
G evening, but with curiosity and open
interest. He had put people at their
one OF themselves. and behaving as he
mad heard they did at other functions.
Caleb was glad.
Ihen his compiacent glance fell on
his wife. She was very red In tho
face. and was bending over her plate
eating fast
Proud OF the old man. poor little
thing" unused Conover, a twinee of
affection for his scared. Invertebrates
spouse sending q softer light into his
strenuous, lean face. His gaze next
travelled to Blanche. his daughter. She
too, was red OF face and was taking
nara. as II against time. Somehow
Caleb was less assured as to the cause
OF her flush. Perhaps In Europe such
speeches were not customary. He
could explain to her later
Anice Lanier, alone. met his eve with
the frank, honest unafraid look that
was her birthright, and which made
her the only living person he instinc.
tiveiy felt he could not bully. In her
look he read, now. mute question He
could not fathom the expression.
Caleb left his place and made his
way among the tables to where she sat.
How'dsit go?" he asked. TT seemed
to take 'em"
Il think 1t did," she replied. noting
the Aush on his cheek and the bright
ness OF his gaze, and wondering there.
at
Wasn't too long to hold their In
No They seemed Interested"
You think SO? Good! Do you know.
II ID had time to think. I'd rather
nave made fifty campaign speeches than
That one. I'd have been ratified to
death. But 1t was easier than any
speech ever made. GooE climax Ell.
that announcements"
How long ago did you make up your
NINA 70 run for Governors"
Think it's quer that, as my secre-
tary, you hadn't heard of it? We1l
III tell you. decided 1t just about
seven minutes ago. It came to me like
flash, plumb in the middle Of nv
speech. figgered out all at once that
II there was any flaw In my plans SO
! ar the goyernorchip was dead sure
TO cinch- me in society. Folks'll think
twice before they turn up their noses
at Governor. It came as an inspi-
ration. A genuine bunch. I never
nave one OF them but what 1t wins.
Why. when"
but can you get the nomination."
Can get 1t? Can I get it? Saw.
Miss Lanier. haven't you learned Vet
mat there isn't thing in the city of
granite or in the Mountain State that
caleb Conover, Railroader, can't get
he wants 1t bad enough? Tonight
ought to have showed you that. Whv
With the Legislature and every news.
paper. and the railroad system and
very decent State job right here safe
between my fingers all I've got to do
8 to turn the wheel. ana the little
'all VIII drop into the Governors chair
~ right, all right
The girls big brown eyes were
aguely troubled. The reserve hnbitnoI
Q her when In her employers society