The Irish standard., 1910-05-21

autumn air. There was fever in his
veins that needed cooling; there were
doubts and fears in his mind that
needed clearing. He wanted that
sense of physical exhaustion which
makes a man Indifferent to mental
blows.
The day passed and the night came.
Election night! The noisy, good-na-
tured crowds in the streets, the jost.
ling, snail-moving crowds! The illum-
mated canvas-sheets in front Of the
newspaper offices! The blare Of
horns, the cries, the yells, the boots
and hurrahs! The petty street fights!
The stalled surface cars, the swearing
cabbies, the vendors of horns and
whistles; the newsboys hawking their
extras! 1t is the greatest of all spec
tacular nights; humanity comes out
into the open.
The newspaper offices were yellow
with lights. 1t was a busy time
There was a continuous coming and
going of messengers, bringing in re-
turns. The newspaper men took off
their coats and rolled up their sleeves.
Figures, figures, thousands of figures
to stft and resift! Filtering through
the various noises was the maddening
click of the telegraph instruments.
Great drifts of waste paper Uttered
the floors. A sandwich man served
coffee and sandwiches. The chief dis
tributed cigars. Everybody was writ
inc T}v0 N,,t $@ hun
for Newcomb, but none could find him.
His mother refused to state where he
had gone; in fact, she knew nothing
save that he had gone horseback rid
ing. 49,
At nine there was gathering at the
club. Willard was there, and all who
had charge of the wheels within
wheels. They had ensconced them.
selves in the huge davenports in the
bow window facing the street, and
had given orders to the steward to
charge everything to Senator Gordon.
A fabulous number of corks were
pulled but gentlemen are always or
derby.
Willard, however, seemed any
thing but happy. He had dined at the
senator's that evening, and something
had taken place there which the gen.
eral public would never learn. He
was gloomy, and tie wine he drank
only added to his gloom.
The younger element began to wan
der in, carrying those execrable
rooster-posters. A gay time ensued.
Newcomb had ridden IL miles into
the country. At eight o'clock the tenn
perature changed and it began to
snow. He turned and rode back to-
ward the city, toward victory or de-
feat, Sometimes he went at canter,
sometimes at trot. BY and by he
could see the aureola from the electric
lights wavering above the CITY, Once
he struck wind-match and glanced
at his watch. Had he lost or won?
A whimsical inspiration came to him.
feat from the lips of the girl he loved.
The snow fell softly into his face and
melted. His hair became matted
over his eyes; his gauntlets dripped
and the reins became slippery; a
steam rose from the horses body, a
big-hearted hunter on which he had
ridden many mile.
Good boy!" said Newcomb; well
have it from her lips"
Finally he struck the asphalt Of the
city limits, and he slowed down to a
walk. He turned into obscure streets
l.
it.
It was ten o'clock when he drew up
in front of the Gordon home He tied
his horse to the post with the hitching
chain and knotted the reins so that
they would not slip over the horses
kerchief, and walked bravely up to
the veranda There were few lights.
Through the library window he saw
the girl standing at the telephone.
He prayed that she might be wholly
alone. After moments hesitation he
pressed the button and waited.
Betty herself came to the door. She
peered out.
what is it," she asked.
II did not expect that you would
recognize me-" said Newcomb, laugh
Ing,
John? Where in the world did you
come FROM" taking him by the arm
and dragging him into the hall. Good
gracious!"
"The truth is. Betty, took to my
heels at six o'clock, and have been
riding around the country ever since"
He sent her penetrating glance.
Come in to the fire." she cried, i'm
pulsively. "You are cold and wet and
hungry"
only wet" he admitted as he en-
tered the cheerful library. He went
directly to the blazing crate and
spread out his red, wet, aching hands.
He. could hear her bustling about; it
was pleasant sound. A chair rolled
up to the fender: the rattle Of tea.
table followed. It was all very fine.
II ought to be ashamed to enter a
house in these reeking Clothes" he
said; "but the temptation was too