The Sauk Centre herald., 1909-05-13

girl: but she sighed.
II.
That same evening Newcomb and
McDermott, the Democratic leader,
met by appointment in McDermott's
law Offices. McDermott was a wealthy
steel-manufacturer who had held vari-
Gus state and national Offices. AS q
business man his policy was abso-
lutte honesty. He gave liberal wages,
met his men personally, and adjusted
their differences. There were as
many Republicans as Democrats in his
employ. Politics never entered the
shop. Every dollar in his business
had been honestly earned. He was .
born leader, kindly, humorous, intelli-
gent. But once he put on his silk hat
and frock coat, metamorphosis,
strange and incomprehensible took
place. He became altogether a differ
ent man; cold, purposeful, determined,
bitter, tumbling over obstacles with
out heart or conscience, using all
means to gain his devious ends;
scheming, plotting, undermining this
man or elevating that, politician in
every sense of the word; cunning,
astute, long-headed, far-seeing. He
was not suave like his old enemy, the
senator; he was blunt because he
knew the fullness of his power. But
for all his bluntness, he was, when
need said must, a diplomat of no mean
order. If he brought about a shady
election, he had the courage to stand
by what he had done. He was re-
spected and detested alike.
The present incumbent in the city
hall was no longer of use to him. He
was wise enough to see that harm to
his power would come about in case
the reform movement got headway; he
might even be dethroned. So his gen.
erals eye had lighted on Newcomb,
rs the senator's had lighted on Will
lizard; only he had mistaken his man,
whereas the senator had not.
my boy" he began, I'm going to
lecture you"
go ahead" said Newcomb. 81
out Mr.. Murphy's name from the list
you fixed up for my inspection"
And his name must go back" smil-
ing. I'VE can't afford to turn him
down at this late day"
Il can," said the protege, impsr-
turbably and firmly.
For moment their glances met and
clashed.
You must always remember the
welfare of the party" gently.
And the people," supplemented the
admonished one
"Of course" with thin lips But
Murphy's name must stand. We de-
pend upon the eighth ward to elect
you, and Murphy holds 1t in his palm
Your friend Willard will be forced to
accept Matthews for the same reason.
It's a game of chess, but . great
game"
Matthews? l don't believe 1t. Will
lard would not speak to him on the
street. let alone put him on the
ticket"
walt anu see.
Hes a blackleg, a gambler, worse
than Murphy"
And what is your grievance against
Murphy? He has always served the
party WELL"
Not to speak Of Mr.. Murphy"
What has he done?"
He has sold his vote three times in
the common council. He sold it once
for $4,000 in that last pavement deal.
I have been rather observant. Let him
remain alderman; l cannot see my
way clear to appoint him to position
in the city hall"
McDermott's eyes narrowed. your
accusations are grave. If Murphy
learns, he may make you prove it. I"
Newcomb remained silent for q few
minutes, his face in thoughtful re-
pose; then having decided to pursue q
certain course, he reached into a
pigeon-hole of his desk and selected q
paper which he gave to McDermott.
The latter studied the paper carefully.
From the paper his glance travelled to
the face of the young man opposite
him. He wondered why he hadn't
taken more particular notice of the
cleft chin and the blue-gray eyes. Had
he made q mistake? Was the young
J fellows honesty greater than his am
bition? McDermott returned the pa