Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1909-04-09

10 the servant.
'S'o" up az t'' 0'd You keep that
o'S" note until 1 ring
for you, then bring 1t to Senator Pea
body. Understand? No matter how
urgent It's marked"
The man bowed.
Yes, sir"
Now tell Mr.. Norton. Miss Langdon
and Mr. Randolph to come here"
The senator turned back to his sec
rotary.
II expect I'm going to be pretty busy
the rest Of the evening. Bud. 80 in
case l forget to mention It again re-
member to show up at your old desk
in the morning"
81 will Thank you, sir"
"You sent for us, senator" said Nor
ton. approaching with his two dupes.
you are interested in Altacoola
lnds," the senator angrily charged.
Il am. sir" he said.
"And you told >fr Haines that was
interested In AltacOola lands?"
The schemer hesitated, and the SEN
ator broke In on him in rage.
Speak out, mani Tell the truth. II
you can"
Il did" admitted the congressman
finally.
Was there any particular reason for
your not telling the truth?" demanded
the Mississippiap In threatening tone.
fold m " rny,1ia1 Marian
You are Interested In them"
For an instant I.ansdon seemed
about to step toward him, then he con-
trolled himself.
Il didn't know it." he said
you have several things to learn,
senator" declared the congressman.
IL have things to learn and things
to teach" he said. but go on. Why
am interested?"
you are interested. senator" replied
the trickster making his big play.
Through your son Randolph. who In
vested $50.UO0 If your money In Alta
coCla. and also through your daugh-
ter. Miss Carolina. who. acting on my
advice. has put her own money-$o5.-
OO0-in Altacoola land also"
For moment I.angdon was speech
less 1t was too much Mt first for the
honest old southerncr to comprehend.
You mean." he gasped at last. that
you induced boy to put $4,000 In
Altacoola land when you knew l had
to vote on the ILL? Ard you even
let my daughter put her money in the
same schemes?
"Of course l did. 1t was Il splendid
chance. and | let your son In for
friendship and your daughter because
she has done me the honor to promise
to become my wife"
What. You have my daughters
promise to marry you. you
"She admits 1t herself"
Then l reckon here's where I lose
prospective son-in-law." sneered
Langdon But that's unimportant.
Now, Norton, who's behind your
Il must decline to answer that"
Langdon looked Mt him sternly.
Every WELL" he said. You are too
small to count. I'll find out for myself.
Now you go to my study and wait
there until l send for you. must be
alone with my children"
When Norton and Haines had left
them, LangdOn turned sadly to the two
children who had disgraced him.
Can you understand" he said. do
you know what you've done to meT
"What. father? We've done nothing
wrongT protested Carolina.
They told ME 1t was perfectly legiti-
mate" urged Randolph. They said
everybOdy-PeabOdy and Stevens and
the rest-were in 1t, and Peabody is the
boss Of the senate"
"Yes, my boy" assented the old
planter, "he's the leader In the senate,
and that's the shameful part Of all this
that a man Of his high standing
should set you so miserable an exam
ple."
| Randolph I.angdon was not q vicious
lad. not q youth who preferred or chose
wrongdoing for the increased rewards
1t offered. lie was ut heart chival-
rous, straightforward. trustful south
ern boy who believed In the splendid
traditions OF his family and loved bis
father rs son should a parent having
the qualities Of the old hero Of Craw-
louisville Jealous Of his honor, he had
been n victim Of NOrtOn's wiles because
Of the congressmnn's position and pur-
suasiveness. because this companion of
his young days had won his confidence
and had not hesitated to distort the
lads idea Of what was right and what
| was wrong.
Randolph began an indignant protest
against his fathers reprOof when the
senator cut him short.
Don't you sect" said the senator.
Il can understand there being rascals
In the outside world and that they
should believe your careless. foolish
old father lawful game. but that he
should be thought a tool for dishonest
thieving by members Of his own fam
lily Is incOmprehensible.
Randolph, my son, Carolina, my
daughter. through all their generations
the Langdons have been honorable.
Your mother was Randolph, and this
from you! Oh. Carolina! And, you,
Randolph! How could you? How
could you betray or seek to betray your
father. who sees in you the image of
your dear mother. who has gone|
CHAPTER XXX.
| THE CALL TO ARMS.
~ 9TH Randolph and Carolina were