Putnam patriot., 1909-04-30
CHAPTER xXv.
CAROLINA LANeDoN RESUNcIArIi

" ENA TUX A4ANNLVN = SelAsl1l-
 Ice room al the capitol present.
 ed busy scene at an unusual 0 iy early hour the morning after lie entertainment at his home Bud uaiues. reinstateds as secretary was eicking up the thread of routine where he had dropped il the day before. though his frequent thought of Hope and fae words that had thrilled him. T ioye you. love you fondly"- fhjs task unusually difficult He im- nsfientIy wished the afternoon to hasten along. as be knew he would then see her in the senate gallery, where she would go to hear her fa- thers speech.
 This speech had to be revised in some particulars by Bud. and the work be knew would take up much of his morning. The senator's speech was ~The South of the Future" which he would deliver when recognized by the president of the senate in connection with the naval base bill, that officer having agreed to recognize Langdon at 3,30. at which time the report of the naval affairs committee would be re- ceived. Just how Langdon would turn the tables on Peabody and Stevens and vet win for the Altacoola site not even The ex-newspaper man. experienced in politics. had solved. Clearly the sena- tor would have to do some tall think iHg during the morning.
 The junior senator from Mississippi burst into the office with his habitual cheery greeting. his broad hrimmed black felt hat in its usual position on the back of his head. like symbol of undyiRg defiance.
 "A busy day for Us. eh. senator?" cneried Bud,
 Now. look here. my boy. don't be- gin to remind me of work right off, he said. with a humorous gleam in his eye. Go easy on me. Don't forget I'm her father.
 Bud laughed through the flush that rose in his cheeks.
 No. I won't forget that. But have sou decided what to tell Peabody and Stevens as your plan of action if they come in here at 12:3o!"
 'sIf they comeg' exclaimed Langdon. "They1l come Watch 'em."
 Then he ihesitated worriedly.
 "I'll have to ineubate an idea be- tween now and noon somehow. But don't forget this. Bud-wesre worried about them. true enough. but they're worried heap more about us"
 Senator iLangdon stepped into an ad joining room, where he could be alone, to "incubate."
 As Haines resumed his work Caroli- na Langden entered.
 Avoiding the secretary's direct gaze, she asked for her father
 He ought to be back shortly. Miss Langdon." responded Haines. You can wait here. must ask pardon for leav- ing as l must run over to the library"
 As the secretary bowed himself out of the door he almost eollided with Congressman Norton. Both glared at each other and remained silent.
 Carolina" spoke Norton as he en- tered. 'I hope-I know you won't allow your father to influence you against me-because of last night. r.
 Carolina would rather not have met Charles Norton on this morning. She had hardly slept for the night. She had fought battle with herself. Her father had shown her plainly the mis- take she had made. She saw that her influence had not been without effect on Randolph. Probably for the first time she reafiGed that there are glory and luxury. pleasure and prestige for which too big a price can be paid
 The senator's daughter turned slow iy and faced the man she had prom ised to marry.
 Charlie. I have come to a decision. l came here to talk with father about 1t"
 Norton started toward Carolina. a book of apprehension on his face. he gathered from the tsend of .her words and her demeaaor that she had turned against him
 You couldn't be so cruel. Carolina" he protested
 "Charlie," she event on determinedly. 'I will always cherish our friendship. our happy younger days down in Mis- sissippi. but must give up thinking of you as my future husband. We've both made mistake. mine probably greater than yours. but I HOW am convinced that I shouid not marry you. Your way of thinking about life Is all wrong. and you are ts-o deeply eBtangled with the dishonest men in Washington ao draw back cannot love you.
 But am doing it all for your sake. Carolina. Don't Jet an old fashioned