The Washington herald., 1907-02-17

led by Mr.. Goodnight, Mr.. Crayon. and
their associates, who had gone bodily
into the enemys camp. procedure which
had made much noise Ia the American
world. and none could tell how much il
would cost. The story OF the Philipsburg
conference and Jimmy GraysOn's great
speech al Waterville was known to every
body and now, while the old politicians
applauded his courage and honesty. they
began TO fear its effect. Harley felt the
same thrill OF apprehension, tae momen-
tary timidity, that even the bravest ex-
perience when about to go intO battle.
Those IN the lobby soon knew Harley
and his friends and the nature of their
business, and many questions which they
could not answer were asked them. You
have been with Jimmy Grayson all along;
will he VIM" and whether it was Harley
or another ne was forced to reply that
he did not know.
Harley now looked AZ his watch. some
thing he had been eager 10 90 for time that
seemed interminable to him; il was yet
early, SO the watch told him, but he
looked out next at the heavens, and the
day was unfolding. Il Will go now; J re-
fuse 10 wait any longer" he said to HIM
self, and he slipped away from the crowd.
lie went rapidly down the street, and
the Presidential campaign was not in his
mind at all; the only thought there was
Sylvia Sylvia, He stood presently before
the Grayson door and rang the bell. He
remembered how he had rung that same
bell five months ago. never dreaming that
his fate would answer his ring. And now
that same happy fate was answering il
again, because, when the door swung
back there was Sylvia, her hand upon the
bolt. and the smile Of young love that has
found its own upon her face.
4 knew II was yOu-I knew your ring "
she said, unconscious Of the fact that one
ring is like another.
And you came TO meet me-" said Har-
ley. 1T is fitting; you opened II first 70
me. and you let my happiness in
And you brought mine with you when
you came"
They were young and much in love
Harley stepped inside. and she closed
the door
4 think I shall kiss you" he said.
Uncle James and Aunt Anna are in
the next room"
I don't want 20 kiss either Uncle
James or Aunt Anna"
They might come"
Il defy them-yes. ] bid defiance even
60 a Presidential nominee"
lie put his arm around her waist and
kissed her.
You know that he hasn't had time to
come"
Then / give him another chance. /
defy that terrible man again. Yes,
defy him twice. thrice. and more times.
She struggled a little. and her checks
famed. but she thought how fine, tall.
and masterful he was. and how long il
was since she had seen mint had not
really been long.
sylvia" he said, this is the next
best day"
The next best day." wondcringly.
THE next best day 10 the one on which
we shall be married. ! think ] shall defy
your terrible uncle again
And she blushed redder than ever. As
matter OF fact the terrible uncle. %
hearing a step in the hall. came 10 the
door OF his room and saw this defiance
issued 10 him not only once. but twice.
Whereupon lac promptly went back into
his own room. shut the door. and said
70 his wife. Anna. YOU must not 50 into
the han for at least ten minutes" He
remembered some meetings Of his own.
and Mrs Grayson, although she had not
looked into the hall. understood per
fectly.
Presently Sylvia. keeping herself well
into the background. showed Harley into
the parlor, and he paid his respects 70
Mrs. Grayson. who was sincerely glad To
see him again. She looked upon him now
as one Of the family. King Plummer
came before long. and by-and-by he and
Harley went into the town 10 seek poliu-
cal news. But I'll be back soon he
said e. Sylvia.
And I'll be at the door when you
come, she ID N him.
They did not spend more than an hour
in the town. and when they returned the
other correspondents were with them. The
day had not improved. the lowering
clouds stiiI stalked across the horizon,
and the wind came cold and sharp ouJ
OF the northwest
I've had a telegram from New York
saying that a great vote is being polled.
said Hobart and I've TO doubt it's the
case throughout the East. Yet Jimmy
Grayson is bound 10 sit az home help
less While All this great battle is going on. "
'He has done his WORK already" said
Harley; and now il is the rank and file
who count"
There was no sign Of gloom at the
Grayson home The candidate. refreshed
anu viii Ills Hail -tNaNik ttNllE fAlllll Ell
around him, was unfeignedlv happy. while
Mrs Grayson. lowering near her husband
who had been practically lost 20 her for
ioi these many months. showed the same
joy and relief She received the Srouu
with genuine varmth-her husband
friends We're hers-and babe them make
the house their home until the fight was
over. Sylvia greeted them as old com
radas. which in faCt. they were. a room
with tables for writing was already set
apart for their use.
The children were in holiday attire and
thrilled by excitement; they could not be
suppressed. They were well aware what
it was 20 be President Of the United
States. and they failed % understand
how any one could vote against their
father. IF be is beaten" thought Har-
ley, 1T is not Mr.. Grayson nor Mrs.
Grayson who Will feel the most disap-
pointment. but these little children"
Neither the candidate nor his wife al
luded 10 the Presidential race seeming
10 enjoy this short respite after the long
strain and before the crucial trial Vet
10 come. They talked Of the small affairs
of the home and she gave the news of
their neighbors, as if they would make
the most of this brief hour: yet il was
not wholly natural, there was in it note
of suspense, and Harley knew that, de-
spite the JOY Of reunion, the shadow of
the coming night was already over them
Jimmy Grayson must feel that while he
idled about his own home the ballots were
falling in the boxes off to the East and
to the West by the hundred thousand.
and his own fate was being decided.
Harley and Sylvia, after the greetings
and the casual talk, slipped away from
the others. There was a little GLASGOW
cred piazza at the back of the house. and
there they sat.
Now you must tell me all that you
hu1-a hon dim -inn. L. -