The Washington herald., 1907-02-24
CHAPTER XXIII-Continued.

He walked about the streets while Il
steady himself and then looked at his
watch. Il was past noon there, but later
ip the East and earlier I'M the West; yet
the bulk of the ballots were east already
Ia three or four hours more the tabu-
lated vote I'm the States farthest Eas5
would begin 20 arrive. and they would
listen to the opening chapter Of the story
story which he feared To hear.
Absorbed in his thoughts, he had
strOlled UncOnsciOusly toward the c0Un-
Try. There. at a turn of the road. he met
two people in "a light wagon. and they
were the candidate and his wife-Mrs
Grayson driving. Harley looked up in sur
prise at their calm. cheerful faces. How
could they assume such an air with the
combat ut its heght2
I'm sorry YOU ana Sylvia We're not witt
us, said Mr. Grayson; Mrs. GTaysOT
has been taking me to see the changes in
the country since I went campaigning
There are a half-dOzen new residences in
the suburbs out yonder. and they've built
new fOotbridgc, too over the river Oh
our city is looking up
They drove cheerfuly on. and Harley
went back TO town. All the arrangements
for the night were made; the two great
telegraph companies would handle their
dispatches In equal proportion. and would
send bulletins of the count. as fast as
they came, to the candidate. Headquar-
tiers would do the same and there would
be no lack of news
Harley rejoined his comrades at the ho-
tel. but stayed with them only a little
while. because he, of course. was to dine
with Sylvia and the Graysons, All the
others had been invited. but they did not
al,
day of all days. and none except King
Plummer would go.
Lucky fellow" said Hobart, as Har-
ley walked away.
But not lucllier than he deserves. sale
Blaisdel
After dinner Hobart looked at his
watch. then shut it, and with quicl, mo-
ton thrust it into his pocket
THE polls have closed in -fourths
OF the States he said. and proba bly,
somebody is elected. I wonder who il is?''
Nobody replied. but on their way TO
Jimmy Grayson's house they passed
through the party headquarters The
rooms were 50 crowded that they could
scarcely move but they managed to ap-
proach the blackboard, and they saw
written upon IL:
Goodnight. Crayon. and others claim
decisive defeat of Grayson Assert that
he viii not get one-third the vote of
the electoral college"
What nonsense exclaimed Hobart
who felt a thrill OF anger. why. they
have not begun the count of the vote any
where,
They left the rooms and went INTO the
street The November twilight was com
ing earlier than ever under the shadow of
the thickening clouds. and already lights
were beginning 10 shine from many VIM
oows. Uniformed messenger bows were
passing
The wires VIII soon be talking" said
Churchill.
The candidates house was not inferior
10 any Ia the number of its lights. In the
cold, dark twilight it reared a cheerful
front and the candidate himself when
ne received them. was steady and calm
Some of our friends arc here already. 80
he said, and hc had them shown into Tho
large room, where She tables for tl,cir
Use had been placed
Il was brilliantly Illuminated. and a
dozen men were sitting about sDecuIat-
ing on the events of the day and hoping
FOR happy result. Among them was old
senator Curtis. who had come ali the
way rom wyoming, and he was loudly
uttldiltis titdL 1T MI GFaESon We're not
elected he would never take any interest
in another Presidential election. The
others made no comment on his declara-
ton.
Harley came in late At dinner with
the GraysOas he had been thinking. when
he looked at Syivia's lovely face across
the table, that it would always be lust
across the table from him now. and the
thought WAS such a happy one thar il
chung 10 him.
The correspondents disposed themselves
about the room. and placed pencil and
paper on the tables; yet there would be
nothing for them to write for a long
time. They We're only to tell the story OF
how the candidate took it. after the story
itself was told. Their business was with
either paean or a diTge
Harley looked around at the group. all
OF whom he knew
Have you fellows thought that this is
our last meeting%' he asked
There was a sudden silence in the room
All seemed to feel the solemnity Of the
moment Out in the street some happy
men. who had helped 10 empty the bowl
were singing campaign song, ana lis
sound came family 10 the group
A wager To YOU boys that none of Won
can name the State from which the arst