Heppner gazette. [volume] (Heppner, Morrow County, Or.) 1892-1912, 1908-11-05
A p / Polliitiical Vendetta
WELDON J. COBB


STRAW" w"-indcation of precinct oil
county.
All were fairly hilarious as they al
first watched the flashlight figures.
But in half an hour each man of the
group was silent, anxious.
And then-stupefed
1t was incredible. preposterous Pre-
cinct after precinct, county after county
rolled in opposition gains, or opposition
majorities.
Kane, it looks bad :" observed a seri-
Gus faced ringster, coming up to him.
"Yes, unless the tide turns, we are
beaten"
"Mr. Kane! ~
The old professional had arisen fro;a
! the table, unsteady, but not at all maud
lin. His tab was in his hand.
DO you want an estimate?" he in
quired.
Il am beginning to form decidedly
adverse one myself
Il can give you almost exact figures"
And they tell?"
The State will swing round to the
opposition by over 6O,OOO majority"
A kissing curse left Percy Kane's grim
lips, for he had confidence in the predic-
ton.
He stepped out upon the balcony, to
get a reviving breath of fresh air, to be
alone. to cast up the chances as they
now faced him, and-act.
Slowly he buttoned up his coat, and
shook off the insidous lethargy provoked
by the liquor he had drank.
Il need a clear head he muttered.
Il must get to the treasurers vault, |
must see her, arrange for the marriage.
flight at once, if this last hope is indeed
failing me-
Again he glanced at the bulletin-like
snapshot reproductions the returns were
flashing out cheering mob in the street
below. Every new set of figures empha-
sized the fact that Doodle and bribery had
sustained telling defeat
Give it up?' abruptly spoke voice
at his elbow.
Yes" short, definite
Its queer, though-all the work we
did. so sure were We"
There's been a mistake somewhere
drily observed Kane.
"Wrong-there's been slick, secret work
of the finest description by some master
hand at politics ~ retorted the other
In politics as in finance. mused one
the full force of realization overcame
him
Who had been undermining him-and
why?
As he stood thinking this over, it seem
ed as if he coud vaguely trace power and
method behind the double assault on the
the company and the company's political
interests
Directed at me personality" he NUT
-ered. ''Pshaw. why? and by whom:
Only a turn in the tide-well, I've had
my show. ~
Out from the balcony a form had
stolen, noiselessly as had it glided through
he crowded room.
1t was the "disguised' man-Gideon
Hope.
He kept in the shadow, his eye fixed
strangely upon one.
Then, abruptly, he struck a match on
he balcony railing-it flashed, went out
1t was a signal to a man watching the
balcony from the street below, who now
IL luGH SlSudltl " the ptISOu NuO vas
lirecting the stereopticon.
Absorbed, Percy Kane had not noticed
he flash of the match, not even the in
rusion of the stranger upon the balcony
His glance was turned for final view
IF the bulletin, ere he left the spot and
he hotel.
It was no returns that met his eyes
now, but portrait
The portrait of a man, of a face he re-
eognized was expected to recognize. by
he man tumultuously watching him two
feet away.
As an accusing wrath it confronted |
Percy Kane-as if a reply to the query
what the motive of "the hidden hand" |
that has brought to him disaster.
From the canvas it looked upon his |
guilty face.
From the dead-that man. murdered |
Everett Hope" gasped Kane, reelng |
Dack like one stricken by a thunderbot.
Guilt, dread, horror, were in his tones, |
his face, his pose.
He turned to fly. for just avenging |
Heaven seemed at his door at last.
At that moment he was checked.
From his concealment sprang Gideon |
Hope, his hands encrcing the criminals |
hroat stoutly as bands of steel