Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-01-18
: THE RECOVERY;
STORY OF KENTUCKY
BY JOSEPH A. ALTSHELER.
Ene erred served. 4

that he must feel the sting of defeat, but
| admired the skill with which ne hid il
1 glanced again at the lobby, and meeting
AlicIa's calm smile that told me much.
1 felt more than repaid for all the long
struggle and its heartburnings- Harri-
son eyes followed mine. and he frowned
but he said nothing, quickly recovering
his equanimity. \ few minutes later
| saw him leaving the house just behind
Pauline Harmon.
Alicia and her mother departed the next
day for Louisville. and. knowing the time
OF their departure. I appeared at the rail
road station. If by chance. Grey was
there. too although he intended to come
back the following morning to Frankfort.
but | approached them boldly-any casual
acquaintance had the right-and wished
the ladies a pleasant journey to Louisville.
with a speedy return to Frankfort If they
found it possible. Mrs. Warren replied
formally, but Alicia put her small gloved
hand In mine for a moment. Grey made
a Sur1y acknowledgment with a word or
two. and then the train went away with
them.
I watched the cloud of white smoke fol
lowing the train long after the train itself
was out OF sight. and. although l was glad
Alicia was gone. / knew that her pres
ence in Frankfort had been a support anil
inspiration to me. But II was a bitter
pain to see her go away with that man
Grey. his by right. while l who would
have protected and defended her. who
was left behind. and alone.
AS / walked away l met Jimmy War
field. He knew what had happened. and
think he knew my feelings. too, as he
said nothing, but with the silent and in
stanctive sympathy that is so precious
went on by my side. He did no: speak
for full five minutes. and then he said:
The newspapers that have come in
today. Harry, are full of you. Your
name has spread throughout the state
His news would have gratified me great
ly at another time. but at present my
thoughts were elsewhere, and I thanked
him, somewhat absently, l fear. Yet he
told only the truth, as / found later,
when my mind returned to the subject.
I received a credit from the press far be-
yond anything that i deserved. and. in
private. I often blushed for myself when I
read those fattering accounts. Yet [
found myself forced into certain conspic-
uous position from which I could not
escape, and which seemed to endure.
But the legislature was now quickly
approaching adjournment. We separated
at last with mingled pleasure and regrets.
and on a glorious day in early May I
left the train at Carlton just as I had left
it two or three years before. but now I'M
der circumstances SO different.
When l alighted from the train Aunt
Jane walked straight up to me. kissed
me-which was much for her-and said.
Harry. we are glad to have our boy
back again, and to know that he is a
great man now A MEMBER OF the regis
lature was a great man to Aunt Jane.
Uncle Paul merely shook my hand but
what shake it was! Uncle Paul's hands
are made of a sort of tempered iron.
not flesh and bone. and his muscle is
renowned throughout the country.
l rambled about the estate and the
neighborhood for nearly a week. usually
going to bed just after dark and rising
at the earliest dawn. ! scorned work.
I did not look at q book. did not unfold
a newspaper, but I trod all the ancient
haunts of my childhood. Aunt Jane and
Uncle Paul did not disturb me: they
were too happy to have me with them.
and I think they would have been, con-
tent to have me go on in that way in
definitely.
One evening as the three Of us sat in
the dusk on the porch. Uncle Paul and
What are your plans for the summer,
Harry
II haven't any, I replied, except that
next month 1 shall go down to the con
vention at Lexington to see the democrats
nominate a candidate for the governor
ship"
1t had been decided that the convention
should be held at Lexington early in
June. and I expected to be chosen a del
egate.
Uncle Paul smoked thoughtfulIy and
looked out at the line of the forest on
the far side of the fields could just
see his grave. meditative face in the dusk.
Aunt Jane was knitting, and the click of
her needles was regular music.
Who'll be the man. Harry" asked
Uncle Paul after a long pause.
Il haven't the least idea 1 replied.
"Greys after it hot and hard"
Maybe SO. but he'll never touch it,
II should hope not said Uncle Paul,
with deep emphasis.
(To be continued tomorrow