The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-03-17

spoken. As- Give Standish passed
through the portiercs into the library
he saw only that it's two occupants
were seated, one reading, the other 7
crochcting in polite boredom, each evil
IDENTIFY quite willing that their prolong-
ed session of dreary small talk should
be interrupted. i8tia
Good evening, Aunt Lefty" said
Give, as he stopped over the excited
woman and Kissed her. II called to
see Mr. Conover on matter OF some
Importance. The footman was not sure
whether he could---or would--see me or
not. So, while was waiting for him
to find out, ! thought ! heard your
voice in here and ventured in. Good
evening. laiss Lanier. You'll pardon
my left hand?"
The right he held behind him. yet In
one OF the mirrors Anice could see the
knuckles were swathed in plaster The
hand he offered. too, was bruised, cut
and dscolored
''I--I had slight accident" he said
hastily. noting her glance Nothing
Of Importance. L"
Mr.. Conover has told us OF IT," an
swercd Anicc. ut was splendid of you,
Give! You riskcd your life to"
ITO get out of fight that my own
folly had brought on. That was all.
I'm afraid my tour wasn't exactly
success. In fact, fear II VIII go down I
in Mountain State annals as the colos-
sal failure of the century. So I'm back"
you've given up?" she asked In
quick interest.
"Why? DO you want me to-"
mo"
Her monosyllable told little. Her
eyes, which he alone could see, told
more. Give was satisfied.
IT have not given up" he said SIM
ply. "and I am not going to- III
"Oh. but. Give" put in his aunt md
ing her voice at last after the shock
az seeing Standish walk thus boldly
into the lions den. you'd really bet
ter give up the whole silly business.
I'm sure Mr. conovcr would be 80
pleased" ~ 80
~ don't doubt It," replied standish.
smiling grirnly at Anice over the old
lady.s bobblng head. but I'm afraid
n is a pleasure that's Mt least deferred.
,rhe kind that Solomon tells MS max.
eth the heart sick I'm still In the
race Very much in It,"
"But then why--why have You come
here, clive?" urged Lefty nerSously.
mfr. Conover and you are sucn pan
friends I'm sure thcrell be an aw-
full scene. just as there was that time
four wears ago. And ] do 80 hate
scenes. After this evening's-
"pm afraid there NAV be a scene,
as YOU call IT," admitted Give. "but y
won't be at all on the order OF the one
four years ago. And hope It won't De
in your presence either. Aunt
Again his eyes met Anice I-anier's.
She nodded ever SO slightly, and he
knew that when the time should come
he could trust her to remove the timid
woman from the danger zone
.'Why do you want to see Mr. Con-
oyer?,' asked Anice, cor is that an i'm
PERTINENT"
mot in the least. ! want to come
to an understanding with him. Affairs
have reached point where that Is
necessary"
IAN Understandings"
Eyes. AS long as he contentcd him
self with ordering his followers to
lampoon and Willy myself and the
League I made no complaint. wa
dirty but suppose 1t was politics
But when he muzzles the press. or
ders the police and the mayor of the
cities to refuse me fair play, and sets
thugs to attack me and illegally steals
the State conventions, it's time to have
1t out with him face to face. Thai
is why I am here, and why shan't
leave until have seen him. hadn
meant to say all this to YOU" hi
added ashamed of his own heat, "bu
ooh, I'm certain Mr.. Conover won
like it!' moaned his aunt I'm quit
certain he won't. Now, if you'd onl.
speak tactfully and pleasantly to hin
-h .gr
'well." came the Ralroader's strid
ent tones from the hall outside. "wher
is he. then?"
The portieres were swished asid
with jerk that set the curtain ring
to jingling, and Caleb Conover. In rid
ing dress, hated, spurred and slash
ing his crop against ono booted leg
filled the narrow doorway. a
Mrs conover gave little gasp o
fear. Anice Lanier let fall over he
bright face the mask of quiet reserv
1t always wore in her employers pres
ence.
Give rose and took step towar
his unwelcomng host.
And so, for ten seconds the rive
candidates faced each other in silenc
"a silence heavy with promise {
storm.