The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1908-08-05

had come down In answer to her "a
theirs telegram the night before, ant
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 ant
he will vote right" had been her IN
theirs admonition. Your wedding
present will be that house on Mapl,
street, and you can furnish It as yo,
like. I'll take your husband into the
tirm too"
1t was heavy bribe. The hous,
alone was worth $4,000, and a part
nership with Woodham, Gala 4
Creagh would save Graves wear,
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 dream the pre-
liminaries, The state chairman placed
Bailey's name In nomination. and hcl
father seconded 1t, asking that the
nomination be made unanimous
There was derisive hoot from the
opposition at this, and some one nom
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
the name Of his county was called
and the lifeless voice of the CLERK
began.
From the first II 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 go over
to the ring candidate, and Crosby
county had been one of those men
toned. AS Graves rose in his place
men moved forward on the edge of
their chairs and Marian's face went
deadly white.
For moment Graves stood unstead.
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 a moment, even
though he realized that 1t was natural
that she should be interested In her
fathers success.
To him the time seemed an hour; to
others it seemed full minute, though
1t was not one-quarter Of that time.
Then with q steady voice Graves an
swered:
Crosby county casts eleven votes
for the Hon. Dudley Foster"
For moment there was the still
ness Of house of death. Then the
ringing cheers broke out, and q mo-
ment later Damon county, one Of the
uncertain quantities, 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 telegraph boy approached
Graves with a message that he was
wanted outside Quickly he made his
way through the jubilating crowd to
the hall to come face to face with
Marian.
Forgive me-" he said brokenly. 81
tried my best to answer your appeal,
but my vote was not my own. 1t was
trust of the people who sent me
here and 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 would
care for man who had been false to
his trust? 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 so foolishly afraid that you might
be tempted"
Il was for q moment" he confessed
when l saw how anxious you were
Then l realized that If l bought your
fathers consent it would be with my
own self respect, and that l never
could look you in the face again."
Robert Woodham came wearily from
the hall. In the last hour he had aged
ten years. Marian caught his arm.
Dad, DEAR" she said gently, Il sent
for Mr.. Graves to tell him that would /.
marry him, no matter what you said"
"Revolt is in the very air!' cried .
the old man. 81 guess I will have to !,
drop out of politics when even my !
daughter electioneers against me-"
~ 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