The Spokane press. [volume] (Spokane, Wash.) 1902-1939, 1908-01-27
CHAPTER XVIII.
A Story Spoiled.

] Society veered again. Possibly
sympathy had something to do with
it. Perhaps the attack on Darnell
| convinced 1t that he was still a
| member in good standing. Then,
| too, he had made a fight that had
compelled respect in quarters where
such prowess is most appreciated.
ut has probably taught him a les
son that will keep him out of such
| scrapes in the future" said society,
''but anyway he has proved that
blood will tell"
| So society began to make much of
Darnell again, there being numerous
! inquiries as to his progress toward
| complete recovery. Young men
i called in person, and matrons and
| maids were properly solicitous.
Some of the matrons on familiar
terms with the Darnells sent him
flowers, possibly inspired thereto by
their daughters. and with these
came another deep-red rose, but this
time without any message.
It's quite romantic he told his
mother zone would hardly expect
| to find so dainty a romance in mu-
| nicipal politics. But I like it, and
I'm going to find out who this UNI
| known is somehow or other-when
| the campaign is over and I have a
| little time"
Il thought you knew" said Mrs.
| Darnell, with a smile.
Il thought I did," returned the
| son, until you reminded me that
the Dales have no conservatory. But
l believe I'm right yet" he added,
with conviction, "still, you've made
me just doubtful enough so that I'll
be cautious After a moment of
| thought, he said: GAS soon as l am
able to be out I'll send her a big
box of roses with my card. If she's
the one, she'll understand that She
discovered and will be sure to say
something; if she's not, no harm
| will be done"
But for the time being Darnell
was more interested in the eighth
ward than in anything else-even
roses. He wanted to win and he
expected to win, but victory in his
case was not so important as in
| Mason's. There were two reasons
for this: First, Mason could not af-
| ford to lose; second, the fight had
been made in the eighth and not in
| the twentyfourth, and he was per-
| sonally interested in winning that
fight. 1t was in connection with af-
fairs in that ward that he defad
| the Old Man.
| Mason was discouraged. At OAR
nells suggestion he had tried to get
hold of Duffy, but had failed to find
him. Then he had called on Corbett
what did Duffy know" he had
| asked the latter.
quite a Bit" Corbett had replied
| But 1 don't think you'd better get
mixed up in it. Just leave it to me,
| and l think you are reasonably safe
in considering yourself as good as
elected I'll know to a practical GER
tainty in a day or So"
This was encouraging, but in
| to destroy his peace of mind. His
children had been assailed and his
wife was unhappy. The feeling Of
the elders is voiced by the young
sters in no uncertain way, and at
school the Mason children were
made to feel that their father was
unpopular.
81 tell you, the ramifications of
| politics are simply endless" Mason
| complained bitterly to Darnell one
| day.
| "Have you had any more rough
| experiences asked Darnell
| mo. Everything has been as
| quiet as could be expected. Some
| jeering, of course, but no rows"
| Darnell gave a few minutes to
thought before replying, and then
asked If Corbett was on duty again.
| II believe So" said Mason, but
haven't seen him for day or So"
| See If you can get him on the
te,ephonee." instructed Darnell, land
ask him to come up here"
Corbett was reached at the Office
OF the Recorder, and responded