Rocky Ford enterprise., 1909-05-14
CHAPTER III.-contInued.

CHAPTER Iil.-Continued.
Vernon scarcely knew what to re
ply: such objections as he might have
found at other times-the old mascu
line objections to women's voting ant
meddling in politics-had all disap
peared at sight OF this remarkable
young woman who wished to vote her
self: he could not think OF one Of
them. try as he would. His eyes were
on the rose.
Perhaps your objections are mere
y prejudices." she ventured boldly. In
her eyes latent twinkle that dis
turbed him.
Il confess. Miss Greene" he began
trying to get back something Of his
senatorial dignity. such as state sena
torial dignity is. that l have not de-
voted much thought to the subject;
am indeed rather ashamed to acknowl
edge that I did not even know the
amendment was coming up to-day. un'
I'll was-ah-so delightfully."- re.
minded by your rose
He raised the rose to inhale its fra.
grance. She made no reply. but she
kept her eyes on him. and her gaze
compelled him to go on. 1t was hard
for him to go on. for It was now but
= struggle against the formality Of n
surrender that had been inevitable
from the beginning. But his mans
pride forced him to delay 1t As long as
possible.
what assurances have you from
other scnators?" he asked. Though
perhaps, ! need not ask-they have
unanimously mounted your colors.'
He looked at his colleagues, sporting
their roses. Miss Greene gave a little
exclamation of annoyance.
DO you think I don't know" she
said; that | don't understand all that ?
] might have known that they would
not take II seriously, And ! thought
II fhouSht-to put the matter so cas-.
!ly to them that should be spared the
necessity of buttonholing them,"
1T was n novel way OF buttonholing
them" he laughed.
oh" she exclaimed. catching her
breath, they wear the roses-and
laugh at mel"
Her eyes flashed through the rnists
OF yeSation that suggested tears.
You are all alone them"
Vernon said this In low, solicitous
tone. as II he were dealing with some
deep grief
''All alone
And you represent no one-that is.
no society. no club?'
Il am not paid lobbyist" ;" she said.
though ! believe It is not beyond the
properties of our profession. do
what do only from a love OF prInci.
pie. ] represent only my SEX" She
said Ii impressively. and then with a
quick little laugh that recognized the
theatrical that had been in her atti.
tude. she added: And that, suspect
without authorization"
The ladies'. generally. do not seem
to be interested" Vernon acquiesced.
No" she shook her head sadly, mo.
on the contrary. l suppose most of
them oppose the measure"
Il have generally found them of that
feeling" Vernon observed.
THE slaves, before the war. often
peutioned congress not to set them
free. you will remember"
Miss Greene spoke with a bitter.
ness. Then quickly she collected her.
self.
But your objections. Senator Yer.
non?" she said. Really. we must get
down to business"
She raised the little chatelaine
watch that hung at her bosom and
looked down at II. And then sudden.
ly. without waiting for his objections
as II she had quite forgotten them in.
deed. she impulsively stretched forth
hand and said:
You will help me. won't your"
Vernon looked into her eyes. His
gaze. after an instant, fell. He tried
to run the stem OF the rose through
his buttonhole. The thorns caught in
the cloth.
You'll have to do it," he said, help
lessly.
From some mysterious fold of her
habit she took a pin. and then, lean
ing over. she pinned the rose to his
coat, pinned It with its long stem
hanging. as a woman would pin flow
or TO a mans lapel.
Thank you" He was looking into
her eyes again.
Rather let me thank you" she said
IT'S so good of you to vote for my
measure"
His eyes widened suddenly. He hat
quite forgotten the resolution. She
must have perceived this. for she