The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1910-01-19

contained an lncfaccabIc photograph OF
the whole. Then he threw tho manu-
script INTO the fire and whcu th" last
fragment was burned nc went to bed.
Tho fight over the school bill came
rapidly 10 its climax, and the interest
was all the more keen and thrilling on
that account. The committee 10 which
il had been referred made divided
report, a majority for the bill aud a
minority against II. Many of the lead
ing members who would speak upon the
question declined 10 state their views
In adancc; owing TO the complete lack
of party politics in the matter there
was no necessity OF committing them,
selves so carly. and they enjoyed
rare freedom. When people asked
Barker how he was going TO speak and
vote he would shake his head and say.
while his eyes lighted lup with hnc
twinkle, "Old man. don't press mo;
this is Il hard question and J may
change my mind at the very last mo-
ment. -
The fatcful day came Mt last. and
The bill was brought mp In the house.
EVERYBODY was present: the crush IN
the lobhics was so great that all were
brcathless and the whole chamber
glowed with tho vivid colors of the
ladies' dresses Evelyn was there. near
the front. where she could look down
..
could meet Whitney every time nc
looked mp. She was bright eyed, eager
and full of confidence. In the corner
sat Mr.. Harkins, quiet and watchiul,
vet not without genial words for old
friends. ON the floor of the house was
Mr. Barker, bent somewhat over his
desk. and never looking once at the
balconies.
Tho pages fiptocd about, tho members
moved but little, there was throughout
the house the intent, eXpectant silence
that bctokens the expected coming of
some great event, Despite the report
of the committee nobody knew what
he fate of the bill was gong To be;
they could not even guess.
The speeches began. two or three OF
minor Importance were made, and then
no sprang Mr.. Barker, who was prompt
Iv recognized by the speaker. 4 thrill
ran through the assembly. Mr.. Barker,
il was known, had the gift of oratory,
and lately il was reported that he, too,
like Whitney. would make a great
speech. Tho skirmishers were out of
way and the big guns were opening
fire.
Mr.. Barker made skillful Use Of the
preliminary pause that is OF so much
! value TO IN orator, demanding, as IT
were. the attention Of the audience and
kpylUG IL up W lut Pioptl li''H' II p.
eve rested a moment on Whitney, and
then passed quickly on. before the look
could be returned.
He lifted his hand slightly, and then
began The best speech that Alfred
| Barker ever made The house was
amazed and delighted; the members
had expected beautifully spoken words
from Mr Barker and the musical tones
of voice that could express every
range of emotion, but not tic keen and
powerful logic that ne now showed
not the convincing sentences that
he piled one upon another until his
argument grew weighty aud over
! whelmine, How Barker has grown.
muttered more than one member under
his breath; but The deepest sigh OF
content was uttered by Mr.. HDrkins
down in his obscure corner.
When the first sentence was uttered
| Evelyn Carter started look Of sur
prise. then of stupefaction. came into
her ewes Her face turned white, hcI
| lips were pressed closely together. and
she stared nj Mr.. Barker with sort OF
| fascinated horror. Then her gaze
turned. and. aghasr. she looked at Whit
ncy. who was looking mp Mt her. his
face expressing much the Same emo
| lions as hers
Mr. Barker spoke on, his speech in
creasing alike in beauty and power; hc
not only thrilled his audience. but
| thrilled himself as we'll, and he grew il
confidence and strength. BY and by
nc turned his eyes from the speaker tC
the audience about him and behind him