The Elbert County tribune., 1909-05-13
CHAPTER III.-continued.


CHAPTER iII-continued.
Vernon scarcely knew what to re-
ply; such objections as he might have
found at other times-the old mascu-
line objections to women's voting and
meddling in politics-had all disap-
peared at sight of this remarkable
young woman who wished to vote her
self; he could not think of one of
them, try as he would. His eyes were
on the rose.
Perhaps your objections are mere
ly prejudices." she ventured boldly, in
her eyes latent twinkle that dis
turbed him.
II confess. Miss Greene" he began,
trying 10 get back something of his
senatorial dignity, such as state sena-
torial dignity is. that have not de-
voted much thought to the subject; /
am indeed rather ashamed to acknowl-
edge that / did not even know the
amendment was coming up to-day, un-
til l was-ah-so delightfully."- re-
minded by your rose"
He raised the rose to inhale its fra
GRANGE. She made no reply. but she
compelled him to go on. 1t was hard
for him to go on, for 1t was now but
. struggle against the formality of a
surrender that had been inevitable
from the beginning. But his mans
pride forced him to delay 1t as long as
possible.
What assurances have you from
other senators?" he asked. Though,
perhaps. I need not ask-they have
unanimously mounted your colors."
He looked at his colleagues. sporting
their roses. Miss Greene gave little
exclamation of annoyance.
DO you think l don't know" she
said; that don't understand all that
/ might have known that they would
not take it seriously! And / thought
II thought-to put the matter SO cas-
fly to them that should be spared the
necessity of buttonholing them!"
TT was novel way of buttonholing
them." he laughed.
"Oh!" she exclaimed catching her
breath, they wear the roses-and
laugh at mel"
Her eyes flashed through the mists
Of vexation that suggested tears.
You are all alone them"
Vernon said this in low, solicitous
tone. as If he were dealing with some
deep grief.
"All alone"
"And you represent no ons-that Is,
NO society, no club?"
Il am not paid lobbyist" she said.
though / believe 1t is not beyond the
properties of our profession. do
what do only from a love of princi-
PIE. represent only my sex" She
said 1t impressively. and then with a
quick little laugh that recognized the
theatrical that had been in her atti-
tude, she added: And that, I suspect,
without authorization"
THE ladies, generally, do not seem
to be interested" Vernon acquiesced.
No" she shook her head sadly, no,
on the contrary. l suppose most of
them oppose the measure"
Il have generally found them of that
feeling" Vernon observed.
The slaves. before the war, often
petttioned congress not to set them
free, you will remember"
Miss Greene spoke with q bitter.
ness. Then quickly she collected her.
self.
But your objections, Senator Yer
nonr' she said. Really, we must get
down to business"
She raised the little chatelaine
watch that hung at her bosom and
looked down at 1t. And then sudden.
y. without waiting for his objections,
as II she had quite forgotten them In
deed. she impulsively stretched forth
hand and said:
you will help me. won't your"
Vernon looked intb her eyes. His
gaze. after an instant, fell He tried
to run the stem of the rose through
his buttonhole. The thorns caught in
the cloth.
You'll have to do It," he said, help.
lessly.
From some mysterious fold CT her
habit she took pin. and then, lean.
ing over. she pinned the rose to his
coat. pinned 1t with its long stem
hanging, as woman would pin q now.
q to a mans lapel
Thank you" He was lookinG iuto
her eyes again.
Rather let me thank you," she said.
ITS so good Of you to vote for my
measure"
His eyes widened suddenly. He had
Quits forgotten the resolution. She
Aast havs perceived this. for shs