Staunton spectator and vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1896-1916, 1908-09-25

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 weddins
present will be that house on Maple
street, and you can furnish it as you
like. I'll take your husband into tn,
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 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 he
father seconded it, asking that tn,
nomination be made unanimous
There was derisive boot from tn,
opposition at this. and some one nom
mated Dudley Foster, and some ont
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.
county had been one of those men
toned AS Graves rose i'll his plac,
men moved forward Oh the edge o
their chairs and iiarian's face wen
deadly white.
For a moment Graves stood unstead
lily regarding the blur Of faces, IL
which Marian's stood out distinctly
that she was intensely interested, an(
the thought that she counted on hi
treachery hurt for a moment, ever
though he realized that it was natura
that she should be interested In he
fathers success.
To him the time seemed an hour; t.
others 1t seemed full minute, though
1t was not one-quarter of that time
Then with u steady voice Graves an
swered
Crosby county casts eleven votes
for the Hon. Dudley Foster"
For a moment there was the still
ness of house Of death. Then thu
ringing cheers broke out, and a mo
ment later Damon county, one Of thu
uncertain quantities, followed Graves
lead and the stampede was started
but not at all in accordance will
Woodlands plans.
The hall was still ringing with thu
cheers Of the triumphant Foster root
ers when telegraph boy approached
Graves with message that he wa:
wanted outside. Quickly he made hi
way through the jubilating crowd tt
the hall to come face to face will
Marian
"Forgive me-" he said brokenly. 20
tried my best to answer your appeal
but my vote was not my own. It was
trust Of the people who sent me
here and I could not be false t.
them"
"My appeal" Marian clapped bel
hands softly. you old darling,
was so afraid that you would vote fol
Mr.. Bailey! Do you suppose l would
care for a man who had been false t.
his trust? / knew only this morning
why father sent for me. Poor old dad
1t will break his heart! But, all tn,
same, you were in the right and
was SO foolishly afraid that you nigh
be tempted"
81 was for q moment" he confessed
when I saw how anxious you were
Then I realized that If I bought you
fathers consent it would be with m,
own self respect, and that l Eevel
could look you in the face again"
Robert Woodham came YEARLY from
the hall. In the last hour he had aget
ten years. Marian caught his arm.
dad, dear" she said gently, 81 sen
for Mr.. Graves to tell him that would
marry him, no matter what you said
"Revolt is in the very airp' criet
the old man. II guess will have tt
drop out of politics when even my
daughter electioneers against me-"
81 didn't work against you. 1 jus
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 lef1
the new found son who had stood the
test, and In his heart Woodham was
glad that he had.
Off With tho Old Love.
"A prominent Chicago lawyer tells Of
an amusing incidant which ha wit