Daily Arizona silver belt., 1909-03-17
CHAPTER XIV.

| SAlhi Al WHEN DAUGHTER BETRAYs HER | FATHER l nUD returned to find Miss Lang l don and Norton still in the \ room. New buoyancy. new
 A> courage. thrilled in his veins. He would give this congressman the battle of his life for this prize. of that he was confident "I have an engagement with Mrs. Holcomb Senator Holcombs wife" she said. ''so l must hurry away. but I expect to be back to see father"
 ''I think I'll just wait" suggested Norton. T have 10 see the senator as soon as possible, and he ought to re- turn from that ways and means com mittee meeting pretty soon.' l When Carolina had gone slight feeling of constraint settled over the two.
 "The senator's pretty busy these days with his naval base matter com ing up, isn't he?" Yes; keeps him pretty busy receiv- | ing delegations from Altacoola and Gulf City and batting them both on | the back" said Haines. Had d man from Gulf City in this morning with some pretty strong arguments" The secretary watched Norton keen. ly to note the effect of this hint in | favor of Gulf City. Gulf City!' Norton sneered. "Shucks. Who'd put a naval base on bunch of mud flats? I reckon those Gulf City fellows are wasting their time."
 Think so:" suggested Haines. Are you absolutely sure% Norton started.
 Why, you don't mean to tell me-" he exclaimed, that Senator Langdon would vote for Gulf City for the naval EsseY'
 "I dol:t mean to tell you anything. congressman" was the cool rejoinder Its not my business. The senator's the one who does the talking" An ugly sheer wrinkled the congress- mans face.
 "Well, I'm glad he attends to his own business and doesn't trust too many people," he said pointedly. The secretary smiled in puzzling fashion
 That's exactly why don't talk. congressman" he said pleasantly. ''The senator doesn't trust too many people, If he did, there might be too much money made out of land specu- lation. Senator Langdon doesn't hap pen to be one of those senators who care for that kind of thing"
 'I suppose you think you're pretty strong with the senator" ventured the Mississippian.
 ''Tell you the truth. I haven't thought very much about it," replied Haines, but if you come right down to it. I guess am pretty strong"
 Suppose you've influenced him in the naval base business, then"
 Still the secretary smiled. keeping his temper under the adroit attack.
 "Well, think he'd listen to me with considerable interest"
 But you're for Altacoola, of course"
 Haines shook his head
 "No, can't say that I'm for Alta coola. Fellow who was in here this morning put up pretty good argu- ment. to my mind. for Gulf City. In fact, he made 1t pretty strong. Seem- ed to show 1t was all to my interest to go in with Gulf City. Think I'll have to investigate little more. l tell you, Norton" spoke Haines in a conflden- tial manner, this land speculation ae. yer is frightful thing. While I wag talking to this fellow from Gulf City l almost caught it myself Probably If met the head of the Altacoola spec ulation I might catch the fever from him too.'
 "Why don't you put your money into Gulf City and lose it, then?" repllcd Norton, noddlng his head scornfully. '.That'd be good lesson for rising young politician like you
 Senator Langdon's secretary peered straight into Norton's eyes.
 Because, congressman" he said, If were to put my money in Gulf City perhaps wouldn't lose it."
 The southerner took step forward, leaned over and glared angrily at Haines. His face whitened.
 You don't mean that you could | swing Langdon into Gulf City?" he gasped.
 Haines smiled
 Il can't say that, Norton, but guess l people interested in Altacoola would hate to have me try"
 T didn't know you were that kind, Haines," said Norton, his virtue
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