The united opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1881-1970, 1909-03-19

| nOle uUlu TluB
for you, then bring it to Senator Pea,
body. Understand? No matter how
urgent it's marked"
The man bowed.
Eyes. sir"
"Now tell Mr.. Norton, Miss Langdon
and Mr.. Randolph to come here"
The senator turned back to his Sec
retary.
81 expect I'm going to be pretty busy
| the rest of the evening. Bud, so in
case ! forget to mention it again re-
member to show up at your old desk
in the morning"
II will. Thank you sir"
"You sent for us. SENATOR" said Nor
ton, approaching with his two dupes.
"You are interested in Altacoola
lands" the senator aG@rily charged
Il am. sir" he said.
"And you told Mr.. IlaineS that was
Interested in Altacoola llrCa:"
The schemer hesita, d. and the SEN
ator broke in on him in rage
speak out. man! Tell the truth. If
you can"
81 did" admitted the congressman
finally.
WAS there any particular reason for
your not telling the truth?" demanded
the Mississippian in threatening tone.
81 told the truth" replied Norton.
"You are Interested in them"
For an instant Langdon seemed
about to step toward hini then he con-
trolled himself.
81 didn't know it," he said.
"You have several things TO learn,
senator" declared the congressman.
81 have things to learn and things
to teach" he said. "But go on. Why
am l interestedT'
"You are interested, SENATOR" replied
the trickster, making his big play,
Through your son Randolph. who in
vested $4,000 Of your money in Alta
coola, and also through your daugh-
ter Miss Carolina, who, acting on my
advice, has put her own money-$25,-
000-in Altacoola land also"
For moment Langdon was speech
less. IT was too much at first for the
"You mean," he gasped at last, that
you induced a boy to put $4,000 in
Altacoola land when you knew | had
to vote on the bill? And you even
let my daughter put her money in the
same schemeT
"Of course did. II was n splendid
chance. and I let your son In for
friendship and your daughter because
she has done me the honor to promise
TO become my wife"
what! You have my daughters
promise TO marry you, you
"She admits Il herself"
"Then | reckon here's where I lose
prospective son-in-law." sneered
Langdon. "But that's unimportant.
Now, Norton. who's behind your
81 must decline TO answer that"
Langdon looked at him sternly.
Every WELL" he said. you are too
small to count. I'll find out for myself
Now you 20 10 my study aud walt
there until send for you. | must be
alone with my children
When Norton and TIaines had left
them, Langdon turned sadly 10 the two
children who had discraccd him.
"Can you understand 2" he said. do
you know what you've done to mef"
what. father; We've done nothing
wrongT protested Carolina
'They told me IL was perfectly legiti-
mate" urged Randolph They said
verybOdy-Peabody and Stevens and
the rest-were In q. and Peabody Is the
boss Of thR senate"
"Yes. my boy" assented the old
planter. hes the leader IN the senate.
and that's the shameful part Of all this
that a man Of his high standing
should set you so miserable an exam
Pile"
Randolph Langdon was not a vicious
lad. not a youth who preferred or chose
wrongdoing for the Increased rewards
Il offered. lie was az heart chival
rous. Straightforward. trustful south
ern boy who believed On the splendid
traditions Of his family and loved bis
father as a son should a parent having
the qualities 81 the Old hero 81 Craw- /
louisville. Jealous II his honor. De had
been a victim ~ Norton's wiles because .
u the congressmln's position aud Ugr
sulsirencss. because this companion 90 /
bis young daFs had won his ConEieacr |
and had not hesilated 20 distCu ile I