The united opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1881-1970, 1909-03-12
CHAPTER XIV.
WHEN DAUGHTER BETRAYs HER
FATHER


WHEN DAUGHTER BETRAYs HEl
FATHER
~ I'D returned to find Miss LAM
don and Norton still in tn
room. New buoyancy, ne'
- courage, thrilled in his veins
He would give this congressman tn
battle of his life for this prize. of tina
he was confident
Il have an engagement with Mrs
Holcomb. Senator Holcombs wife,
she said. 80 | must hurry away, bu
/ expect to be back to see father"
81 think I'll just wait" suggested
Norton. Il have to see the senator a
soon as possible, and he ought to re
turn from that ways and means com
mittee meeting pretty soon"
When Carolina had gone Sigh
feeling of constraint settled over thu
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 patting them both or
the back" said Haines Had a mar
from Gulf City in this morning with
some pretty strong arguments"
The secretary watched Norton keen.
~ to note the effect of this hint in
fave Of Gulf City.
Gulf Cityw Norton sneered.
''Shucks! Who'd put a naval base on
a bunch of mud fats? reckon those
Gulf City fellows are wasting their
time"
think soY suggested Haines. Are
you absolutely surep
Norton started.
'Why, you don't mean to tell me-"
he exclaimed, that Senator Langdon
would vote for Gulf City for the
naval base?"
II don't mean to tell you anything,
congressman" was the cool rejoinder
"1t's not my business. The senator's
the one who does the talking"
An ugly sneer 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.
1.-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"
81 suppose you think you're pretty
strong with the SENATOR" ventured the
Mississippian.
Tell you the truth, | haven't thought
Very much about IT," replied Haines, /
but if you come right down to it, .
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
mo. | can't say that Pm for Alta F.
coola. Fellow who was in here this /
morning put up pretty good argu-
ment to my mind. for Gulf City In
fact he made Il pretty strong Seem
ed to show il was all to my interest to /
go i'm with Gulf City Think III have /
TO investigate n little more. | tell you.
N.~'"1" spoko Haircs In conhdpn- .
dial manner, this land speculation fe-
yer is a frightful thing While | was
talking to this fellow from Gulf City
! almost caught it myself. Probably /
II met the head Of the Altacoola spec |
.ulation | might catch the fever from !
him too"
why don't you put your money into I
Gulf City and lose it, then?" replied .
Norton. nodding his bead scornfUlly. /
"That'd be a good lesson for a rising
Joung politician like you"
Senator Langdon's secretary peered
straight into Norton's eyes.
Because. congressman" he said, IF
i were to put my money in Gulf City
perhaps l wouldn't lose It,"
The southerner took a step forward,
leaned over and glared angrily at
Haines. His face whitened.
"You don't mean that you could
swing Langdon into Gulf CityT he
gasped.
Haines smiled.
81 can't say that. Norton, but guess
people interested in Altacoola would
hate to have me try"
Il didn't know you were that kind,
Haines," said Norton. his virtue