The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1908-08-04

pede some of the Foster delegates to
Bailey the uncertain delegates would
probably follow the lead Of the Ce-
serters.
AS for the hundredth time his eye
ran down the column his hands clinch-
ed nervously. His glance rested for
moment on Crosby county with its
eleven votes.
Crosby county stood committed to
Foster. Could Woodham induce them
to change 1t would mean a difference
Of twenty-five votes for Bailey, the
eleven votes added and the eleven TAX
en- away from the Foster adherents.
The head Of the Crosby delegation was
Howard Graves The others would
vote as he voted. And only few days
before Graves had asked consent to
marry Marian Woodland
At the time Woodham had refused
because Graves was a young attorney
still struggling for recognition at the
bar, while Woodham was ambitious
for his daughter Now he drew a
sheet of paper toward him and wrote
rapidly for a moment. Then he thrust
the sheet into an envelope and called
a messenger.
An hour later Howard Graves, rest
ing In his room at the hotel for the
battle of the morrow, received the
missive and read it dozen times be-
fore he placed 1t in his pocket.
1t was automatically worded. 1t
did not openly bribe, but suggested
that the writer had learned that he
was mistaken as to Graves political
affiliations. If it was true, as he now
had reason to believe, that Graves and
the Crosby delegation were In reality
supporters of the Bailey boom, he beg
ged to withdraw his opposition to the
match Graves had suggested.
Graves was still uncertain when he
went into the convention hall the fol-
s9wing morning. From his place In
the Skeene county delegation Wood
ham nodded pleasantly to him and
with glance directed the young attor-
ney's gaze into the galleries.
These ran from the four sides Of the
hall, and directly above the chair
mans desk sat Marian Woodham. She
bad 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
I'll forhf hod hnn0 hnr FL.
theirs admonition. Your wedding
present will be that house on Maple
street, and you can furnish it as yor
like. I'll take your husband into the
firm too"
1t was heavy bride. The house
alone was worth $4,000, and a part
nership with Woodham, Gala 6
Creagh would save Graves a weary
struggle. 1t was scarcely to be won
dered at that her face was white an6
wan as she leaned over the balcony
rail and tried to smile at Graves.
She heard as in dream the pre-
liminaries. The state chairman placed
Bailey's name In nomination, and hel
father seconded it, asking that tht
nomination be made unanimous
There was a derisive boot from th'
opposition at this, and some one nom
mated Dudley Foster, and some on'
else made the seconding speech
There were no other nominations, ant
| 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 whel
the name of his county was called
and the lifeless voice of the clerl
| began
From the first it was apparent tina
the contest would be close, and a
Crosby county was called there was |
stir through the hall. All the morn
ing there had been rumors that SOM
Of the Foster delegates would go owe
to the ring candidate. and Crosb!