The Eureka sentinel. [volume] (Eureka, Nev.) 1902-current, 1911-12-23

e. A@Ao ~
@X0 to men at their doors. in
their shops, over the fences of their
fields. He knew that some sneered at
him behind his back. Some even dared
to arraign him boldly and angrily and
flung his motives in his face, accus-
ing the grandfather of melting the
grandson to this attempt to catch
votes.
He realized that most of the voters
did not understand him Alright. They
did not understand sincerity in poll
tics. But his own consciousness of
rectitude supplied his consolation and
provided his impetus. His frank ear
nestness impressed those with whom
he talked. He began to win his way,
and he knew it. The knowledge that
Harlan Thornton was a square man
in business needed no herald in that
section.
That this integrity would extend to
his politics grew into belief more and
more as he went about.
The distrust of him because of his
associations. a suspicion fostered by
the paid agents of the opposition, be-
gan to give way before his calm, ear
nest young manhood. But in every
Knot of men he found a few bitter ir-
reconcilables still. They were those
whom change invites and the estab-
iished order offends.
Fighting MacCracken OF the 10
Quacca neighborhood, smarting ever
since that day in the yard Of the
barracks, jealous of his prestige as a
man of might, offered brutal insult to
the name of Thelismer Thornton in
the hearing of his grandson. 1t had
been limited previously along the bor-
Thorntons was a handy man in a
| scrap. but now his prowess was sure
ly established. MacCracken went
about, a living advertisement of how
effectually righteous anger can back
up two good fists.
Therefore respect attended on good
humor and went with or ahead of the
candidate.
With his own opportunity now thrust
upon him Harlan Thornton determined
to make candor his code. honesty his
system. He entertained no false ideas
of his personal Importance. But his
lack of experience did not daunt him.
He simply made up his mind that he
would go forward. keeping soul and
heart open as well as eyes and ears.
He believed that the square deal could
not be hidden from those who entered
public life in hat manner.
- N ali. Ia kfa
grandfather. If he had Thelismer
Thornton would have been vastly in
terested. He might have been amused.
Probably he would have been more
amused than interested, for hot youth
and glowing ideals have humorous
phases for the man who has lived
among men for more than eighty years.
But that he had Embossed a bottle
imp in his w family would not have
occurred to the old man ever after he
had listened. for he still had the cyni-
cal belief that circumstances must con-
troll, interest convert and personal
profit kill the most glowing ardor in
reform.
Lacking the gift of %divination. The
lismer Thornton watched the rapid de-
velopment of this bottle imp with
much complacency. whispering" Ur-
ban Cobb brought him reports from the
field. T~alleyrand Sylvester was trying
to place bets on Harlan Thornton, but
there were no takers. 1t was even
stated that Enoch Dudley was finding
it hard work to secure pledges enough
to warrant his running as an indie
pendent candidate.
Harlan Thornton. looking liz from the
outside. had found politics, as managed
for him, an abhorrent mess. Now.
plunged in. he was embracing his OPP
p~ortunity and fndilg good in the con-
test.
On the other hand, Harlan Thornton,
making his own plea and his
pledges as a candidate. was embraced
by the voters. He was not a mere
legatee forced on them by a boss; he
was speaking for himself. and the sim
certify of the young man made itself
felt.
At the end of the appointed two days
he knew that his prospects were safe.
He was riding home in the evening of
the second day past the end Of the long
bridge when a white figure framed in
the black mouth of the bridge startled
rider and horse.
Its only Clare" she said 81 heard
you were up the river today, and I've
been waiting for you-'
He rode closer. 1t was a new and
strange Clare who was revealed to him
in the dim light. She was gowned and
gloved. and her broad hat hid her boy
ish curls.
ITO be c~ontinued.1