The labor argus. [volume] (Charleston, W. Va.) 1906-1915, 1909-03-11
CHAPTER XIV.

CHAPTER XIV.
WHEN A DAUGHTER BETRAYs HER
FATHER.
HUD returned to find Miss Lang
don and Norton still in the
y room. New buoyancy, new
49, courage, thrilled in his veins.
He would give this congressman the
battle Of his life for this prize, Of that
he was confident.
II have an engagement with Mrs.
Holcomb, Senator Hdcombs wife,"
she said, $50 1 must hurry away, but
1 expect to be back to see father"
81 think I'll just wait" suggested
Norton. 81 have to see the senator as
soon as possible, and he ought to re-
turn from that ways and means COM
mfttee meeting pretty Soon."
When Carolina had gone slight
feeling of conStraint settled over the
two.
1.-THE senator's pretty busy these
days with his naval base matter COM
ing up. ISN'T hc?"
Yes; keeps him pretty busy receiv-
ing delegations from Altacoola and
Gulf City and pattinG them both on
the back" said Haines. Had II 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 n naval base on
bunch of mud flats? 1 reckon those
Gulf City fellows are wasting their
time"
''Think soT' suggested Haines "Are
a 1,Sr, tr,Ixy
Norton started.
he exclaimed, that Senator Langdon
would vote for Gulf City for the
naval basc?"
II don'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 wrinklcd the congress
mans face.
"Well. I'm glad he attends to his
own business and doesn't trust too
many people, he said pointedIy.
The secretary smiled in puzzling
fashion.
That's exactly why I 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 he one of those senators who
care for that Kind of thing"
Il suppose YOU think you're pretty
strong with the SENATOR" venturcd the
MissiSSippian.
Tell you the truth. L 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
"Wcl. l think he'd listen to me with
considerable interest,"
But you're for Ihtacoola, of course"
HaincS shook his head.
NO, l can't say that I'm for Alta
coola. Fellow who was in here this
morning put up pretty good nrgu-
ment. to my mind. for Gulf City In
fact he made it pretty strong. Seem
ed to show it was all to my interest to
go in with Gulf City. Think I'll have
to investigate Il little more l tell you,
Norton" spoke EIaines In a confiden-
tial manner. this land speculation fc-
Yer is Il frichrful thing. While l was
talking to this fellow from Gulf Citv
/ almost caught it myself. Probably
If l met the head of the Altacoola spec
ulation l might catch the fever from
him too
ny don't You put your money into
Gulf City and lose il. them replied
Norton. noddinG his head scornfully.
"Thatd h" II good lesson for rising
young politician like YOU
Senator LanGdnn'S secretary pcered
straight into \orton'S eyes