The searchlight. [volume] (Culbertson, Mont.) 1902-current, 1909-06-04


took = few steps, toward the door.
"I1l give you an answer tomorrow
damn you!" he said, and went out,
slamming the door AFTER him.
PuIkerson pulled . yellow telegraph
blank from his pocket and inscribed
thereon several words In cipher code.
Translated. literally, from Pulkerson's
thoughts at Ibis moment. these would
have read: sHsGk:ns = nailed to the
koO"
The last named gentleman. ~ this
message was speeding over the wire.
entered, q cosy parlor in the suburbs
Of the capital. It was dangerous. he
knew, to mix sentiment with politics.
But. on the brink Of his first diverg-
ence from that stern and robust recti-
tnde which, with him. was q distaste
for evil. rather than a victory over
temptation. he felt imbued with a sud-
den subjective recklessness that knew
no law.
In the soft light OF a woman's eyes,
he forgot, temporarily. the vicissitudes
OF a career" It seemed very far
away-the other life-as he held both
her hands for a moment and then
sank, in comfortable WEAKNESS. into
an easy chair at her side.
Margaret Hasiage had been some
thing vaguely between friend and
sweetheart to James Haskins for
many years. Once, in the Long Ago
1t seemed long ago. because he had
lived rapidly since then-he had want
ed her solely in the latter capacity.
Failing In this, he had grown almost
used to accepting her in the former.
but, though he did not realize 1t him.
self. he had never ceased to hope.
There was an atmosphere of sane.
tity in the little room. into which
thoughts Of the political and moral
maelstrom from which he had fed for
a momentary respite. could not enter.
Margaret's eyes were troubled as
she looked at him. Hers was that
rarer intuition which blends sympathy
with understanding and merges both
in practical helpfulness. Beyond the
commonplaces of greeting neither had
spoken.
rs your campaign going wrong.
JIM" she questioned, presently.
Aren't you going to VIM"
Manlike. he misconstrued. Was he
going to win? She wanted him to.
and she was disappointed by the pres.
age of defeat which must. somehow,
have come into his face. The features
of Pulkerson looked before him. II
recalled the opening scene of Faust"
Marguerite and Margaret! Almost
Identical names! That seemed odd.
But he wasn't going to win her. II
that were the stake. there would be
no hesitation. he decided. However.
he would hesitate no longer.
YES he said, slowly. and with in
creasing emphasis on each succeeding
word. -going-to-win."
Margaret regarded him curiously.
You say that. as though you were
sorry" she smiled.
Haskins turned away. "You don't
understand these things, little WON.
an" he replied. when one gets any.
thing-one pays"
She arose and. leaning over the
back OF his chair, placed her hands
lightly upon his bowed shoulders.
"Jim." she cried anxiously, unbe.
lievingly. "Jim-you don't mean that
that"
I've sold myself?" he finished
harshly. "No-not yet"
You mustn't" she cried out, start.
Ing backward. "Oh, Jim! You would
not do that"
The reproach in her tone stung him.
He arose and stood before her, de.
faint.
It's hard to give up everything" he
said with bitter meaning. Every hard.
You don't know. You're a woman"
Margarefs eyes blazed with quick
scorn. IF you do this thing" she
said with deliberate distinctness, 81
shall never speak to you again."
Haskins' teeth met with a snap. He
knew 1t was not an idle threat, and.
also. he knew what this would mean
TO him. But be was not used to be-
Ing dictated to. and this night he had
been the shuttlecock of conflicting
purposes. The woman's ultimatum
acted like a goad.
Very WELL" he answered. coldly
It's part Of the price, suppose.
Goodnight"
In another moment he would have
gone. But suddenly. the spark of an.
ger died from Margaret's eyes and
something else replaced 1t. With an
impulsiye movement she hurried aft.
er him and flung both arms about his
neck
JIM! she cried. In a last appeal
DO you want to break my heart? Do
you! Do you? jim won't you let II
go-and be satisfied with me?"
with you?" he repeated wonder.
ingly. a strange light in his eyes
With you? Why-yon-said-"
She hid her face on his shoulder
Il said that | didn't love rou-orca !.