Kingsbury County independent. (DeSmet, Kingsbury County, S.D.) 1894-1929, 1911-05-05
HALF A ROGUE
BY HAROLD MAC GRATH
Author Of The Man on the Box, The Puppst Crown, Hearts and Masks Etc
Copyright Bohbs Merrill Co. Indianapolis
BY HAROLD MAC GRATH

ened to become very popular. The
younger element began to call her Mrs.
Jack.
For the a-st time 81 her career Mrs.
Franklyn-Haldene saw her position
menaced. The younger set no longer
consulted her as formerly. When, like
Mrs. neutrality-suspicious., q woman has
nothing more serious to live for than
TO organize social affairs, the slightest
detection from her ranks is viewed in
the light Of a catastrophe. She had
called on Mrs. Bennington the second,
armed with all those subtle cruelties
which women OF her caliber know so
we'll how to handle. And behold! she
met a fencer who quietly buttoned the
Tolls before the bout began. She had
nnally departed with smiles on her lips
and rage in her heart. This actress,
whom she had thought to awe with the
majesty Of her position in Hercula-
neum, was not awed at all. 1t was dis
concerning; it was humiliating. She
had condescended to tolerate and was
tolerated in turn. Katherine adored
Patty, and Patty had told her that she
mated Mrs. FranklYn-Haldene. Natur-
ally Katherine assumed the defensive
whenever she met the common enemy.
But Mrs. Haldene could wait. She
had waited before this. She had made
certain prophecies, and II embittered
aASAN ~ ldI llOIlG OIL
prophecies had come true. She could
wait. something was destined to hap
pen' sooner or later. She knew human
nature too well not to be expectant.
To Mrs. Haldene the most gratifying
phrase In the language was: II told
you SOL Warrington had d~isappoint-
ed her, too. He behaved himself He
GO Hot run after young Mrs. Benning-
ton; he never called there alone: he
was seer more frequently at the old
bennington place. The truth is, PATTY
was busy reforming the hayward dra-
matlst, and Warrington was busy
watching the result. There were those
VINO nodded and looked wise whenever
they saw the two together.
Warrington found himself taking
more h normal interest in
the political situation. Occasion
ally, on Monday nights, he wan
dered into the city hall and lis
tened to the impassioned speeches OF
the aldermen. Ordinances were passed
or blocked, pavement deals were rushed
lnrougn or ~sidetracked. And once,
Wnen the gas company was menaced
with dollar-gas, the city pay roll was
neld up for two months by the lighting
company's cohorts.
The democrats had remained I'm now
er for six years, and Herculaneum was
essentially a republican city. ON the
democratic side was McQuade, on the
republican was ex-senator Henderson.
Fhese men were bosses OF no ordinary
type. The first was from the mass
the second from the class, and both
were millionaires.
The present mayor was a shrewd
democrat who understood the dipIo-
macy OF petty politics. He shook the
grlmy hand OF toll In preference to the
sloved mad OF idleness. He was thor
oughly a politician. He never disre-
garded public opinion openly. He never
sailed close to the wind, but spent his
time in safe tacks to whatever harbor
ne desired. He was McQuade's man
just SO long as McQuade made the
business worth while. He had opened
up many new streets, abolished need
less nuisances, and these concessions
gave hin a strong hold on the indie
pendent voter. He was a king over
frogs which had changed much since
Aesop's time, for now they let well
enough alone.
McQuade had an able lieutenant in
Alderman Martin, whom the sporting
fraternity followed Loyalty. Martin
owned and ran the most disreptuable
hotel in the city.
This gambling den was frequently
the bone OF contention between ener-
gettc ministers OF the gospel and the
police department. Regularly the police
swore that gambling did not exist In
town. and regularly the ministers went
on a still hunt for proofs. Singularly
enough, they never found any.
Martin was a power in the common |
council. He could block or put through
any measure. He always carried a roll
OF gold bills In his pockets-for what
no one had the temerity to In
quire. His following was large and
turbulent; 1t came from the shops and |
the factories and the streets. In his
ward no candidate had ever beaten
him. Nice people" had very little to
do with Mr.. Martin; the laborer who |
was honest had little to do with him,
either. He was a pariah, but a very
formidable one. Yet, no one, though |
many accused him. caught him In a dis |
honest deal.
On the other hand. Senator Hender-
sons party a the cloak OF aspect
ability on Its shoulders. His lieuten-
ants were prominent business men who
went into politics as a light diversion, |
young men OF aristocratic families who !
were ambitious to go to Albany or
Washington, and lawyers.
n May evening the senator called
on Warrington. He found the dramat-
list In the club reading room, and
greeted him pleasantly.
MY boy, / want half on hour Of
time. Come into a private dining
room" once seated at the table, the
senator reached W and touched War
rington mysteriously on the arm.
Young man. i heard you speak the
other night at the Chamber of COM
merce banquet. You're a born orator, |
and what Is better thar that, you've
common sense and humor. How would
you like to be mayor OF H-erculaneum
next fall?"
Mayor" gasped Warrington.
Yes
I'D make a fine mayor with forced
daughter. but thinking rapidly. Aren't
you Joilying me. SENATOR"
Tn dead In earnest, Warrington.
There Is not another available mar In
sight. By available I mean a man who
can pull p party out OF the bog. There
are a hundred I could nominate. but |
the nomination would be as far as they
could CO. We a a man who is fresh
and new &c the people. SO far as poii- |
tics goes: q man who can not be In
fuenced by money or political emolu~
mentS." |
.Tn take the night to think 1t over. =
said Warrington.
Take q week, my boy. take q week.
Another thing. You are intimate with |
young Bennington. Hes a hard-headed !
chap and doesn't countenance politics |
In his shops. The two OF YOU ought 10
brfnx the hands 10 their ~cnun- ~ we