The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1909-01-08

, Jimmy, have you heard anythin from Harrison? Is he taking any par
 in the campaign?"
 Warfeld gave me comprehensiv
 look and then smiled
 Il was expecting that question iron you he replied, "and I'm a little bi surprised that you haven't asked i
 sooner. He made great professions o loyalty, but l haven't heard yet of hi
 doing anything"
 Then you call upon him to speak, said. You're one of the committe, and you have the right He ought tc do his part"
 Tt shall be done," replied WarfielG decisively. I'm glad to see that you're taking the bull by the horns, or rather Harrison by the hair. We must know whether his crowd are going to sup port you or sulk?''
 I was in Covington a few days later and I read there in a Cincinnati paper that Harrison had made two speeches for me. I knew that it was a bitter Dill for him, but I did not see any req son why he should not take it; he was a party man, and if Grey had secured 1 the nomination, he would have ex. 1 pecteu me to speak for him.
 We stayed in Covington only day and then we went southeast into the mountains, where for about a week we were cut off from railroad or tele-
  turned to the railroad station, coming 1 on horseback, I naturally looked with much interest at the few newspapers 1 that we could obtain. It was a Re- l publican organ that I secured first and ! it devoted much space to the cam palgn. Partisanship Is still rather strong in our State, and it jeered at my speeches, which did net mind, and l also had some personal ridicule for me which I did not mind either, but a short editorial paragraph claimed my startled attention. It was frivolously worded, but 1t sent a shiver through me. It read:
 |, Where was Harry when the light went out? We know MT. Clarke's rec ord since he suddenly reappeared at his old home, but where was he for three or four years before that time? Who will answer"
 looked at the words, common black ink on a common white paper, but as l looked they seemed to burn like red fire. They say the wicked flee when no man pursueth, and I was not gull ty, but there was hidden page in my life that I intended should remain hid- den, and, whether the question was me turn cold. My thoughts reverted to Harrison, but to Peden and the oth- CTS l affected unconcern, and said that all the news of the campaign was most favorable.
 We passed westward and the query about the blank space in my life was repeated. It began to grow in circu- lation and volume; some secret agency seemed to keep it going and to be con- tinually breathing new life into 1t. In itself it was not important to the pub lie, but 1t was made to appear so, and my opponents were now after me about it in full cry. I will not deny inf ments, my past life was vulnerable and as little thing may grow into q big one, the opposition, press and spe akers were making the most of what they chose to call "The Great Mystery in the Life of the Democratic Cs ncidate." The very fact that it remained unanswered and unexplained CT sed it to grow.
 I came to Louisville at last and I spoke there to great audience which was enthusiastic and which cheered me picntifully, but toward the close some one raised the foolish cry, Where was Harry when the light went out?" which the opposition had now turned into a catch word. I took no notice of it, and it soon died, as the crowd was friendly, but I did not fail to remember it, and felt that I must soon take action to stop it.
 Another thing that made me ignore
 
 moving cry, was the presence of a pale, lovely, but infinitely sad face in the gallery. I had not seen it until near the close of my address and then I felt a sudden thrill of pride and joy be- cause Alicia had come to hear me. She too, must be troubled by the question they were raising and I would not have her to think it frightened me. l mo- ticed that she was with Mrs. Guthrie and under the cover of her friend I re- solved to speak with her later on if I could find a good opportunity.
 The audience went out slowly after the speech, and as I fingered in the rear I caught glimpse of the smooth ly-shaven, earnest face of the young Member of Congress from the city, MT. Guthrie. I knew that his wife and Alicia would be near, and letting the just as he joined the ladies. He gave me 8 hearty welcome spoke we'll of my speech, and told me that I had two devoted political followers in Mrs. Guthrie and Mrs. Grey.
 These were but the commonplaces of the meeting and I uttered my own in a similar vein, but I waited mean while to speak with Alicia, unheard by the others. It came presently. Guth- rie went on ahead with Mrs. Guthrie, and I came behind with Alicia
 You heard that cry,'' I said. '"They wanted to know where was in all the years before I came back to Carlton
 ''Yes I heard" she replied, as her lips trenbled and her face, if possible, grew winter than ever, land I under stood. Some one suspects, some one instigates this cry, I have seen it be- fore in the papers Oh, Harry, how much better it would have been if you had never seen me again! I always wish you the best of fortune and I can never bring you anything but misfor tune!''
 "You have brought me all of good that I have,'' I replied, "and there is nothing to lament. Without that in- cident in our lives I should have gone straight tC ruin.''
 "If it is about to become known sfa said, eff they are about to learn where you were, I shall tell the whole truth I shall tell how I, weak cow ard, let you suffer for me. But liar ry, I have been awfully punished!"
 Her hands c1inched and unclinched, and I saw that she had a touch of .hysteria.
 T am going to explain I said gen. tlv.
 "Nct that you were therein that horrible place?'
 "No but I will say what I was be- fore I came back, that I was in the West that was a degraded, dissipat- e1 Crcature.
 "Dissipated, you might have been,