The Fort Sumner review., 1909-07-31
Doys, correspondents ana page boys,

rushed always across from one house
TO the other, swinging hurriedly
around the brass railing of the ro-
tunda. 1t seemed that the tide of
legislative life was just then setting
in toward the senate.
"Oh, Morley" whispered Amelia,
forgetting his offense. and clinging
close to him, Il cant go in there,
really l can't
Nonsense" said Vernon, come on
IN deliver you to Mrs. Hodge-La-
throp in a minute; then you'll be per
fectly safe. Besides, you have your
lobbying to do"
They reached the senate entrance,
and the doorkeeper. seeing a senator
opened a way through the crowd for
their passage. There was confusion
everywhere. the nervous and excited
hum of voices from the floor, from the
vestibule. from the galleries. from all
around. And just as they stepped up
to the raised floor whereon the desks
of senators are placed, the gavel fell,
and Stiffness with it. They saw the
lieutenant governor leaning over his
desk, studying a slip OF paper he held
in his hand.
"On this question:" he said, "the
yeas ere 80 and the nays are II; and
two-thirds of the members-elect hav-
ing failed TO vote in the affirmative,
the resolution is lost"
Vernon stood transfiXed The whole
thing was borne in upon him: he saw
Mrs. Overman Hodge-L Lathrop, and the
expression of calm and lofty satisfac-
ton that had settled on her face told
him that it was the Ames amendment
that had been lost. But some new
thought seemed to strike her, for when
Senator Porter looked around with
something like a smile of congratula
tion, she beckoned him, and he has
tened to her side.
Move to reconsider and to lay on
the table," she said, and with look
of admiration he turned and made
the motion 1t was put, it was carried
Of course, and the amendment was
lost irrevocaby.
well, that's attended to-" said Mrs
Overman Hodge-Lathrop. "Ah, Nor
ley" she said calmly, you here? And
Amelia?"
She's here" he said. land II did
not get here on time." The shame and
modification on his face were pitiable
though they could not have touched
Mrs. Overman Hodge-Lathrops heart
"And | didn't get here on time"
he repeated, ruefully
"Why. my dear boy" said Mrs.
Overman Hodge-Lathrop, 81 didn't in
tend that you should"
He locked at her fercely. angrily,
a second.
80 that was the game, was it," he
said. He whirled. with another fierce
lock, on Amelia.
THAT was the game, yes, Morley
said Mrs. Overman Hod~eLathrop
but you needn't look at Amelia SO
she was utterly innocent, the deal
little thing
Amelia came up. She had seen Yer
mons expression.
What is it-what has happened?'
she inquired
well, l got here too late, that's all"
said Vernon. Il was detained, and
Mrs. Hodge-LathrCp has just now
kindly told me that she had arranged
that | should be. I'm ruined, that's
all; I'm lost"
mo Morley" said Mrs. Hodge-La-
throp, you're saved. You're saved
from yourself" She still smiled at
him sweetly. You might have made,
don't you know, another one Of your
speeches"
Vernon bit his lin and walked away.
He encountered Martin, but could only
look at him helplessly. Martin re-
turned his look with one of surprise.
you here?" he said.
"Wen, yes replied Vernon. AT
last-too late, it seems"
The surprise had not left Martins
face; to it was now added perpleX-
ity
"lf we'd known" said Martin; but
we thought, that is, we heard, that you
had ducked"
Vernon shook his head as with a
main that would not let him speak. He
was looking disconsolately across the
chamber to where Miss Greene stood
talking with Full Burns. AS in a
dream, he heard Mrs. Overman Hodge
Lathrop excialm
"Ah, there is that Greene woman!'
Mrs. Oyerman Hodge-Lathrop was
lifting her gold glasses again. Vernon
was wondering how he was to face
the Greene woman. But at Mrs. Over
lnaa Hodge-Lathrop words an idea
came to him.
TN go bring her and introduce
her." he said He boltel away and
went toward her. She was cold and
distant Fortunately, Burns fed at
his approach
Can you forgive me-" he said. I'll
explain it all in an instant"
And how?" she asked with a chill
rise in her tone.
Have you ever met Mrs Overman
HodgeLathrop?' he asked signifi-
canty.
No" she answered.
"Then permit me- he said. She
went with him. Mrs. Overman Hodge
I Lathrop had withdrawn her delega-
tion to the rear of the chamber, and
{ there awaited NPrnon's return