The Ekalaka eagle. [volume] (Ekalaka, Mont.) 1909-1920, 1909-06-11

xom"
Inc last named gentleman, as this
message was speeding owe the wire,
entered a cosy parlor in the suburbs
OF the capital. 1t was dangerous, he
knew, to mix sentiment with politics.
But, on the brink of his first diverg-
ence from that stern and robust recti-
tude which, with him, was a distaste
LOT 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,
ne forgot, temporarily, the vicissitudes
OF a career" 1t seemed very far
away-the other life-as he held both
heT hands for a moment and then
sank. in comfortable WEAKNESS, into
an easy chair at her side.
Margaret Haslage 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 ha6
lived rapidly since then-he had want.
ed her solely in the latter capacity.
Failing in this, he had grown almoet
used to accepting her in the former,
but. though he did not realize it him.
self, he had never ceased to hope.
There was an atmosphere Of sane.
tlty In the little room, into which
thoughts CT the political and moral
maelstrom from which he had fled for
a momentary respite. could not enter.
Marsaret's eyes were troubled as
Il 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. 1t
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, ana with in.
creasing emphasis on each succeeding
word. "I-am-going-to-win."
Margaret regarded him c~uriouslv,
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 a%nxiously, unbe.
lovingly. "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. ooh, jim. You would
not do that"
The reproach in her tone stung him
He arose and stood before her. de.
fant.
It's hard to give up everything," he
said with bitter meaning. VERY hard.
You don't know. You're a woman"
Nargaret's eyes blazed with a quick
scorn. IF you do this thing" she
said with deliberate distinctness, 81
shall never speak to you again."
Hasklns teeth met with a snap He
knew it was not an Idle threat, and,
also, he knew what this would mean
to him. But he 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 Wel,' he answered, coldly
It's part of the price, I suppose.
GoOd-nioht."
In another moment he would have
gone. But Suddenly, the spark of an.
ger dice FROM Margaret's eyes and
something else replaced it. With an
iMpnlsive 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? Dc you? jim won't YOU let it
gC-and be satisfied with me?"
with you?" he repeated Wonder
!ne!y, a strange light in his eyes
with yOuo Why-yOu-said-"
She hid her face On his shoulder
Il said that l didn't love you-once."
1 . II ~.