The Dolores star., 1909-08-20

CHAPTER I.-During a reform orc
"nsro, republican. a rich young man
ana Newcomb. Democrat a rising voung
swyer' were opponent candidates for
"a poth were chums for many years
sho ooth were In love with Senator Cor
10ns 9i daughter. Betty. Gordon supported
WnIaro Tor mayor. Willard talked with
6ettY of his candidacy
CHAPTER H-Newcomb refused TO
put CRATER in his prospective city hall
cabinet Newcomb was told that his ac-
uoh against the corrupt Murphy would
cost him the mayoralty but he persisted
IN ms stand He made much progress In
1ne oattie for votes. Election day came
The results were being counted. AT VII
iards club. his friends gathered about
MIN. predicting success He had gloomy
interview with Betty. Eewcomb heard of
his defeated candidacy from Betty's lips.
and he told her he loved her.
willard, however, seemed any
thing but happy. He had dined at the
senator's that evening, and something
had taken place there which the gen
eral public would never learn. He
was gloomy. and the wine he drank
only added to his gloom.
The younger element began to wan
der in. carrying those exeerable
ASOoN~a PooSSAc' n Soy tAiuS ChouCu.
Newcomb had ridden IL miles into
the country. At eight o'clock the tenn
perature changed and 1t began to
snow. He turned and rode back to-
ward the city. toward victory or de-
feat. Sometimes he went at q canter.
sometimes at trot BY and by he
could see the aureola from the electric
lights wavering above the city. Once
he struck q wind-match and glanced
at his watch. Had he lost or won?
n whimsical inspiration came to him.
He determined to hear victory or de-
feat from the lips Of the girl he loved.
The snow fell softly into his face and
melted. His hair became matted
oyer his eyes; his gauntlets dripped
aid the reins became slippery:
steam rose from the horses body, a
big-hearted hunter on which he had
ridden many a mile.
Good boy" said Newcomb: well
have 1t from her lips"
Finally he struck the asphalt OF the
city limits. and he slowed down to q
Whenever he saw a bonfire, he evaded
it.
1t was ten o'clock when he drew up
In front of the Gordon home. He tied
his horse to the post with the hitching
chain and knotted the reins SO that
they would not slip over the horses
head, wiped his face with his hand
kerchief. and walked bravely up to
the veranda. There were few lights.
Through the library window he saw
the girl standing at the telephone.
He prayed that she might be wholly
alone. After a moments hesitation he
pressed the button and waited.
Betty herself came to the door. She
peered out.
What is it," she asked
Il did not expect that you would
recognize me-" said Newcomb, laugh
ing.
John? Where in the world did you
come from?" taking him by the arm
and dragging him into the hall. Good
gracious!"
THE truth is. Betty. took to my
heels at six o'clock. and have been
riding around the country ever since"
He sent her penetrating glance.
Come in to the fire." she cried. i'm
pulsiyely. You are cold and wet and
hungry"
only wet" he admitted as. he en-
tered the cheerful library. He went
directly to the blazing CRATE and
spread out his red, wet. aching hands.
He could hear her bustling about; 1t
was a pleasant so.lnd. A chair rolled
up to the fender; the rattle of tea
table followed. 1t was all very fine.
81 ought to be ashamed to enter a
house in these reeking clothes" he
said; but the temptation was too
great"
You are always welcome, John"
softly.
His keen ear caught the melancholy
sympathy in her tone. He shrugged.
He had lost the fight. Had he won,
she would already have poured forth
her congratulations.
sit down." she commanded. while
l get the tea Or would you prefer
brandy?
THE tea, by all means. do not
need brandy to bolster up my cour-
age" He sat down.
She left the room and returned
shortly with biscuit and tea. She
nlled cup. put in two Jumps Of sugar
and passed the cup to him.
You've . good memory" he said.
9ntMnR h~e vfco IN haVn