Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1911-07-27

do our best to, stay on earth"
Naturally" said Blount. And my
f%ather-how does he stand?"
THE idea Of your having to ask
me-" exclaimed Gantry. "But really
I wish l could tell you. There are a
good many people in our neck of
woods who would like to know. It
will make all the difference in the
world when it m to a showdown"
"Why will it?"
Because, apart from the railroad
and the anti-railroad factions, there is
a very complete and smooth running
machine organization"
And my father is identified with
the machine?"
Again Gantry choked over the sin
gular lack of information discovering
itself in Blount's question.
Land Of gloryv" he circulated.
where have you been burying your
self, Evan? Didn't I just tell you that
he is the biggest man in the state?
Oh, no"-with heavy irony-'he isn't
Identified with the machine; he merely
OWuS IL anu iuLS II.
"Ah," said Blount, and a little
later, "Thank you, Dick; 1 am pretty
badly out Of touch, as you've discov-
cred" Then he changed the subject
abruptly. "How long will your traffic
meeting last?"
eve practically finished today. An
hour or wv on Monday will settle it,"
"After which you'll go west?"
"By the Monday noon train, if I can
make it."
Silence for a time until Blount broke
in upon Gantry's tapping of the dance
music rhythm with: eff 1 can get
ready 1 may go with you, Dick. Would
you mind?"
Eyes; l would mind so much that
I'd willingly miss a train and worry out
a few more of the chilly Boston hours
rather than lose the chance of having
you along. Ever meet your fathers
er-the present Mrs. Blount, Evan?"
he asked suddenly.
"No."
"She is a fine woman" Gantry ven
tured.
$50 l have understood" This time
Blount's reply was icy. But now Can
try's eyes We're twinkling, and he
pressed his advantage.
You'll have to reckon with her if
you go to the greasewood country,
Evan. Next to your father, she is the
court of last resort. Indeed, there are
a good many who say that she is the
court"
Blount said nothing. Nevertheless
Gantry tried once more:
Not interested, Evan?"
Blount turned and looked his COM
panion coldly in the eyes.
mot in the slightest degree, Dick.
Will you take that for your answer
now and remember it hereafter?!"
"Sure!' laughed the railroad man.
II didn't know it was a sore spot with
you"
He found a match and relighted his
cigar. When he began again he was
still thinking of the apron string
clause in the senator's telegram.
Il can't understand how any mar
with western blood in his veins could
ever be content to marry and settle
down in this overcivilized neck of
woods" be said.
Cant you" Blount smiled, with
large lenience.
mo, 1 can't" asserted the western
er, adding: "Of course 1 don't know
the eastern young She may
be all that is lovely and enticing'-
"She is" declared Blount, with the
air of one who had lived long enough
to know.
You say that as if you'd been TAX
ing a few lessons" Gantry laughed.
Then, with the friendly impudence
which only a college comradeship could
excuse, SIS she here tonight?'
mo"
"Tell me about her." Gantry begged.
81 don't often read a love story, but l
like to hear EN-"
There isn't much to tell, Dick" said
Blount. 'Pve known her for a year
and I've loved her from the first day.
That is chapter 1, and chapter 2 ends
the story with one small word. She
says No"
THE dickens she does". said Gan.
try in hearty sympathy. Tough, isn't
it, old man? What's the obstacle?"
1T is Miss Anners' career She has
been studying at home and abroad in
preparation for social settlement work
in the large cities. Of course I knew
about it. But 1 thought hoped
"You hoped it was only a young wo
mans fad, which it probably is" Gan
try cut in.
yves, I'm afraid that was just
what l did hope, Dick. But I couldn't
talk against it. Confound it all, you
can't go about smashing ideals for the
people you love BEST"
It was quite late when Gantry, plead
ing WEAKNESS on the score of his hard
weeks work at the railroad meeting
went to bed.
In the long talk with Gantry Bloun1
had learned many things about the po
litical situation in his native state