Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-01-12
CHAPTER X-Continued.

be triumphant, and his opponents could
do nothing at present but fight for de-
lay. II was probably because the case
looked so desperate that I became the
leader Of the supporters. nobody else
wanting the place. People generally
spoke of me as Its champion and as II
became a habit with others | began 10
regard myself in that light also.
Thus affairs dragged for about two
weeks, and one afternoon I went for one
of my favorite walks on the hills. II
was still the dead Of winter and the river
yet lay under it's glittering sheet of ice.
but the crisp atmosphere was full Of
vitality and life. I met Judge Wharton
and we walked on together. talking at
first about topics which form the general
food Of conversation. After while he
came to our fight in the house.
i've followed your course there, Mr..
Clarke" he said.
What do you think of itc' / asked
anxiously-I wanted very much 70 have
his good opinion.
1T is what I expected you would do, y
he said. do you know. Mr.. Clarke. that
you have the qualities OF a fighter"
No I replied in some surprise. II did
not know tt
Doubtless you did not. But most peo-
pie with slow tempers are tenacious YOU
won't repeat what I say, but l think you
ought to continue the battle, though that
is superfiuous advice to you. 1t is an
opening for you. You are on the right
side. and you fail you fail in 5000
cause with all the odds against you, but
II you succeed. you will have achieved a
wonderful triumph
What he said sank deeply in my mind
and confirmed me in my course. When
l left him I felt encouraged and uplifted.
because 1t was great gratif1ca alton to me
to have his approval.
We parted at the outskirts of the city,
and I strolled on by the Capitol and then
walked toward the railroad station AS |
approached the latter in the growing twi-
light I saw figure in front OF me walk
ing brisky. The familiar look of the up
right carriage and the shoulders we'll
thrown back told me that 1t was Harri-
son. / should not have paid any further
attention to him. but just then a Louis
alighted from it shook hands with him
warmly.
The rays from the station arc light fell
directly upon the face of the man, and
have turned away at once, but he saw me
and called out In bluff manner that he
meant to be friendly:
How are you, Clarke? say won't you
shake hands with a fellow since you've
got to be great man.
! gave my hand reluctantly and not
liking at all the contact Of his dropped
1t as soon as possible. II seemed to me
that it would have been more BETTING
In him after what had passed and the talk,
to have ignored me. but apparently he
had forgotten it. He was now all for
comradeship and jovialty.
You should be glad to see me, Clarke.
old fellow" he said, because I'm go
ing TO stay in this tight little town of
yours for a while. 1 hear that a man can
ture is in session.
1T depends upon what one calls a good
time" I replied.
I'VE know what a good time Is don t
we?" he exclaimed. thrusting an elbow
into my side with hideous familiarity
/ drew off from him with as much
dignity as I could muster and replied far
from warmly:
No, I do not
But he refused to be repulsed, hooked
and insisted on walking thus to the hotel.
Fortunately Frankfort is not a crowded
place, and 1t was dark I was spared
spectators, save a newsboy or two and
at the steps of the hotel was able to
detach myself. | returned to the lobby
after dinner and found Harrison smoking
In corner alone. I drew up a chair
and sat down near him.
why nave you brought him here?'
asked.
He took his cigar from his mouth. held
it lightly between his fingers and regarded
me with innocent wonder.
Il: 1 brought him here?" he repeated
Yes. l said fmpatiently You know
that you did. We've been frank with each
other so far. Why cease now?''
That's true" he replied medit atively
There IS no reason why we should cease.
You are right I did bring him here
Grey. not having anything else TO do, has
allowed himself to be attacked by the
political mania. He has got the foolish
Idea which some people have that money
can do anything. He is perhaps the rich
est man in the state and he is wild enough
to believe that If he poured out some
scores or thousands he might get the
next nomination for the governorship or
something equally as good. So I've told
him to come down to Frankfort and get
acquainted.
1 looked directly into his eyes and
said:
THAT isn't ALL
I saw faint flush creep into his cheeks
but in a moment it was gone like snow
on the deserts dusty face
No. 1t isn't all" he replied calmly. Il
might have known that you would
guess it. l brought him because he is
going to bring Mrs Grey / want to see
her here. What have you to say about
it7'
l felt a flush in my own cheeks and I
saw him smile.
Il see,'' he said. I'm serving Won as
we'll as myself. Now, Clarke, be frank
and admit to me that either you or I
ought to have her. Such man as that
is not worthy Of the ownership Of Alicia
Grey"
He jerked his finger toward the ceiling
Grey was somewhere in a room above,
But felt the flush on my cheeks deepen
| did not like his way of speaking of
Alicia.
Il don't want to discuss her with any,
body" / said
He laughed again
You needn't" he replied Il know Just
how you stand without your saying a
word But you are more of Puritan
than / am
His smile was hateful to me, but I knew
that he understood me. All. If the whole
truth be told. I should rather have seen
her the wife Of Harrison than Of Grey
He at least was man and he valued her
at her full worth. However. I rose and
with nod left him.
Think It over" he called after me-
Harrison had not exaggerated Grey 9
folly. The man was genuine candidate
for the governorship. that is for the demo-
cratic nomination. which was equivalent
to an election. He engaged large suite
of apartments in the best hotel and began
to entertain lavishly. Harrison. l could
see. was egging him on. and. in a meas
ure holding a restraining hand over him.
but he was regarded, nevertheless. as
what politicians call an easy thing"
While Harrison might modify his politi-
cal propaganda he did not seek to inter