Morgan County republican. (Versailles, Mo.) 1906-1914, 1909-05-06
CHAPTER I.

Amelia came running eagerly down
the wide stairs, and though she was
smiling with the Joy of Vernon's com
ing, she stopped on the bottom step
long enough to shake out the skirt of
the new spring gown she wore, with a
manner that told she had 1t on that
evening for the first time. Vernon
fastened to meet her, and 1t was not
until he had kissed her and released
her from his embrace that she saw the
h~ressing-case he had set down in the
hall.
whats that for?" she asked in
alarm. Her smile faded suddenly, leav.
Ing her face wholly serious.
II have to 90 back tonight" he re.
piled. almost guilty.
Tonight"
Yes; ! must be in Springfield in
the morning"
"But what about the dinncr?"
Well he began. helplessly. 81
guess you'll have to get somebody in
my place"
Amelia stopped and looked at him in
amazement.
II thought the senate never met
Mondays until five o'clock in the after.
oon?" she said.
ut doesn't, usually; but | had a tel
egram from Porter an hour ago:
there's 10 be a conference in the morn
ing"
They started toward the drawing
Amelia was pouting in her dis.
appointment.
II knew something would spoil it,"
she said, Enthusiastically. And her she
added. presently: 81 thought that Mon.
a afternoon session never lasted
longer than a minute. You never went
down before until Monday night"
81 know. dear" said Vernon, apollo
getically, but o that the session Is
nearing it's close, we're buster than we
have been"
Cant you wire Mr.. Porter and get
him to let you OFF, she asked.
Vernon laughed.
He isn't my MASTER" he replied.
well, he acts like It," she retorted,
and then as If she had suddenly hit
upon an u~nanswerablc argument she
went on: "If that's so why DO you
pay any attention to his telegram"
ut isn't he, dear" Vernon explained.
its the party. We are to have a very
imDOrtant conference to consider a sit.
uation that has just arisen. | must not
miss it,"
We'll, II ruins my dinner, that's
ALL" she said, helplessly. 81 wanted
you here"
Vernon had come up from Spring
field as usual for the weeks end adj
%journment, and Amelia had counted on
his waiting over, as he always did, for
the Monday night train, before going
back to his duties in the senate. More
than all, she had counted on him for a
dinner she had arranged for Monday
evening.
What time does your train leave?"
she asked, In the voice Of one who sue
cumbs finally to a hopeless situation.
ELEVEN twenty he said. But |
brought my luggage over with me, so
l could start from here at the last
minute. III go over to the Twenty.
third street station and catch 1t
there"
Amelia had had the deep chair Yer.
non liked so well wheeled into the
mellow circle of the light that fell
from a tall lamp. The lamp gave the
only light in the room, and the room
appeared vast In the dimness; an ef-
feet somehow aided by the chill that
was on 1t, as II the fires of the Ansley
house had been allowed 10 die down
In an eager pretense of spring. 1t was
spring. but spring in Chicago. Sunday
morning had been bright and the lake
had sparkled blue in the warm wind
that came up somewhere from the
southwest. but by night the wind had
wheeled around, and the lake resumed
It's normal cold and menacing mood.
As Vernon sank into the chair he
caught a narrow glimpse of the boule.
ward between the curtains of the large
window; In the brilliant light OF a
street lamp he. could see a cold rain
slanting down on to the asphalt.
"How much longer Is this legislature
to last, anyway" Amelia demanded, as
she arranged herself in the low chair
before him.
Three weeks" Vernon replied.
Observation-Disclosures" The girl
drew The words out.