The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1908-08-27

had come down in answer to her IA
theirs telegram the night before. and
they entered the convention hall be-
fore he had explained to her the rea-
son he had sent for her
You keep your eye on Graves and
he will vote right" had been her IA
theirs admOnition. your wedding
present will be that house on Maple
street, and you can furnish it as you
Ike. I'll take your husband into the
firm too"
1t was a heavy bride The house
alone was worth $4,000, and a part
nership with Woodham, Gala &
Creagh would save Graves a weary
struggle. 1t was scarcely to be Won
dered at that her face was white and
wan as she leaned over the balcony
rail and tried to smile at Graves.
She heard as in a dream the pre-
liminaries. The state chairman placed
Bailey's name in nomination. and her
father seconded it, asking that the
nomination be made unanimous
There was a derisive boot from the
OPl'Slllbh at lLlS, anu SOIlle one HOIll-
mated Dudley Foster and some one
else made the seconding speech.
There were no other nominations. and
the chairman of the convention direct
ed that the balloting begin.
1t was the custom In the conven-
ton for the spokesman of each dele
CATION to announce the vote when
nf l.
and the lifeleSs voice of the clerk
began.
From the first it was apparent that
the contest would be close, and as
Crosby county was called there was a
stir through the hall All the morn
ing there had been rumors that some
of the Foster delegates would 90 over
to the ring candidate, and Crosby
county had been one of those NEIL
toned. AS Graves rose in his place
men moved forward on the edge of
their chairs and Marian's face went
deadly white.
For Il moment Graves stood INSTEAD
lily regarding the blur Of faces. in
which Marian'S stood out distinctly.
Even at that distance he could see
that she was intensely interested, and
the thought that she counted on his
treachery hurt for moment, even
though he realized that it was natural
that she should be interested in her
fathers success
To him the time seemed an hour: TO
others it seemed a full minute. though
1t was not one-quarter of that time
Then with a steady voice Graves an
swered:
Crosby county casts eleven votes
for the Hon Dudley Foster"
For moment there was the still
ness of a house Of death. Then the
ringing cheers broke out, and mo
ment late Damon county, one Of the
uncertai4 uantities, followed Graves
lead and the stampede was started.
but not at all in accordance with
Woodlands plans.
The hall was still ringing with the
cheers of the triumphant Foster root
ers when a telegraph boy approached
Graves with a message that he was
wanted outside. Quickly he made his
way through the jubilating crowd to
the hail to come face to face with
Marian.
Forgive Me- he said brokenly Il
tried my best to answer your appeal,
but my vote was not my own. 1t was
a trust Of the people who sent Ire
here and l could not be false TO
them.'
My appeal" Marian clapped her
hands softly. you old darling. |
was so afraid that you would vote for
Mr. Bailey Do you suppose l would
care for a man who had been false to
his trust? l knew only this morning
why father sent for me. Poor old dad.
1t will break his heart. But, all the
same, you were in the right and |
was 50 foolishly afraid that you might
be tempted"
Il was for moment" be confessed
when | saw how anxious you were
Then | realized that if | bought your
fathers consent it would be with my
own self respect. and that | never
could look you in the face again"
Robert WOOdham came YEARLY from
the hall. In the last hour he had aged
ten years. Marian caught his arm.
Dad, dear" she said gently, 81 sent
for Mr.. Graves to tell him that would
marry him, no matter what you said"
"Revoit is in the very air." cried
the old man. Il guess l will have to
drop our of politics when even my
daughter electioneers against me"
Il didn't work against you. l just
left It to Howard" explained Marian.
He stood the test"
Woodham nodded, and with an arm
about the shoulders of each he led the
way to the committee room. On his
right was his daughter and on his left
the new found son who had stood the
test and in his heart Woodham was
glad that he had.
Off With the Old Love.