The Ekalaka eagle. [volume] (Ekalaka, Mont.) 1909-1920, 1909-06-11
The Turning
Point
Copyright, by Daily Story Pub. Co..
By LOUIS nm

less activity among his henchmen, be-
slowing here a whispered order, there
an expressive smile or nod and every
where handshakes. accompanied by
we'll measured words of that seeming
ly spontaneous geniality which makes
the recipient feel he is an intimate
friend on first sight-instead of a
man with that valuable commodity, a
vote-an art known only to the &C.
complished politician.
From a corner OF the crowded hotel
corridor the "Party's Choice eyed
him askance. James HaSkinS was am
bilious to succeed himself as a nation.
al representative Of his district. En-
perience had laugh him how to Judge
had noted. with ever-increasing alarm,
an ireXplicable turn in the tide which
had promised to land him, high and
dry. on the shores Of victory but a
short time before. Sansome's ascend
ancy was something he could not un'
derstand or explain by any of the va
rious standards that govern political
conditions. 1t seemed as though some
nseen power was using the sack"
the contents and purpose of which are
defined in cartoons by a large dollar
mark. Yet he knew Sansome to be
almost fanatically honest; that San
some. himself, possessed no great
means and that, with the policy he
favored and would doubtless carry
out, it would be directly against the
interests Of any of the great CONNER
cial powers to back him.
Haskins. however. was too thor
oughly schooled in political methods
to voice his disquietude, eve to his
nearest lieutenant. He knew the value
of manifested confidence and smiled
cOndescendingly on his opponents eff
forts. with the unconscious assurance
Of the political favorite who disre-
CARDS, on the surface, all undercur-
rents and trembles, inwardly. Resolu-
tons OF premature withdrawal were
forming in his mind. 1t was either
that or defeat, Or
Pulkerson, upon whom Haskins had
frowned all evening and for many pre-
vious days as we'll, caught his eye at
this j%uncture and noted the faint wa
yering line in Haskins' mouth. Pulk-
erson was the trusted agent of a great
corporation. He had waited for this
sign, patiently and u%nrebuffed, ever
since he was commissioned to insure
the passage of a certain measure, "at
9nv nncfp Nnuy no croi1oH in corInr
&c triumph, deep within himself. Out.
wardly his face was expressionless.
Come, and have a drink" he said
to Haskins.
The two left the corridor and en-.
tered a private compartment labeled
Club Room" Pulkerson, who en-
tered last, closed the door after him.
= WELL" he said to his companion.
you see how it's goin'."
Haskins faced him angrily.
rs this some of your work." he
asked.
The other smiled in quiet &C
q~uiescence. He was not a mar of
words.
Again the w~avering line came to
Haskins' mouth. why are you boost.
ing Sansome?" he asked, puzzledly.
Don't you know he won't stand for
any of your 'legislating?' Eh?"
Hes a new man. replied the 9th
er. He doesn't know the ropes like
you, and, if it to a choice OF
evils, he'll be easier to circumvent."
We'll, I'll be damned!" exclaimed
Haskins. He could not think of an.
other thing to say.
Il don't know about that" returned
Pulkerson, with a laugh, but you'll
be beaten-unless-"
The rattle of poker-chips came tc
them from an adjoining compartment
Shut up" Haskins broke in. Don't
talk so loud. | know what YOU mean
Do you think you can buy me at pub
lie auction?"
It's your nerves" said Pulherson
with a touch Of contempt. II WASH,
speaking above a Whisper"
IIashins did not seem to hear him
After all he remarked, with ex
cellent Discrimination, Il don't care
much. You might be at me and yol
might not, but I've got MONEY
enough"
to want more" finished the 9th
er, grimly. You want this election
worse than ever-ten times worse
Ard it's yours for q little"
He paused, impressive.y. While Has
kius bit off the end of a black ciyal
AMI applied a match with nervous fiji.
gers. He puffed away in silence 70,