The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1911-09-21
7 RUSSELL MILLER
' BOBRS HE RRILL CO.,,


 From the library below came voices. They were talking about him. and he listened frankly. In this case he knew the eavesdropper would hear nothing unkind.
 To-day" said Paul, ga man took me up into high place and showed unto me all the kingdoms of the earth and offered to give them to me-" "And what were those realms T Kathleen laughed idly. And would the crown fit?''
 "The kingdoms were very cleverly suggested congressional. guberpatorial, senatorial possibilities, even. cabinet portfolios. rich. juicy plums transfer red from the public pie into my wa | tering mouth. In short, all those things that are most desirable to an ambitious but poverty stricken state senator.''
 "And for whatY'
 sThe consideration was that I should bow down and worship and serve the tempter. To make these honors mine all l must do is to give over my inde- pendenee. sell my soul into perpetual bondage and betray Bob into the hands of his enemies"
 "Betray Bob-how?'
 "Oh he didn't put it with such bru- tal frankness. I was merely to induce Bob to make an alliance with the men he is now fighting. The offer was an insult to my intelligence. They don't want an alliance with him. Their ally must be their servant. Fancy Bob any one's servantp'
 "And the temptation-did' it temptY'
 He hung his head. $, The man up- stairs strained his ears to catch the answer.
 "Yes,s Paul said bitterly. "Oh, he was very crafty, was Sanger. He had evidently studied my case. Very slyly he hinted that my reward hasn't been in proportion to my services, that I'm 1t for higher things than mere state senatorship. And it's true." He flung his head back sharply. "It's true. The crown would it. know my worth, and I'm ambitious. At times when see Bob outstripping me so rapidly my ambition literally hurts me"
 'Then why did you say no?'
 "Because," he answered simply, "as long as I have his friendship l must be true to him, for I am the victim of my own plot. I set out to like him as matter of policy, to climb in his trail. And now"- He hesitated.
 "And now?"
 q love him as my own brother"
 The man upstairs felt his heart give quick, sharp throb. He had schemed an existence in which love should nev- CT fetter mind or heart. At an ac-, knowledgment of affection from one whom he had called friend. hardly knowing the meaning of friendship. strange. unaccustomed joy flooded his heart, revealing the hold that friend ship had taken on him. A new pur- pose came to him. His power took on a new and higher value. With it he would royalty endow this friend, de- lending Paul from the weakness of his own temperament, and make him great and honored in the land.
 "It has been day of fate," Paul said, '.for today saw her once more" |. Surely not the dream lady? I sup posed you had forgotten her.'
 '"The same. I was walking along the street. There was a carriage block ade. had the feeling one has when another's eyes are fastened on one. I looked into the carriage beside me. It was she She turned away quickly. but not before I had looked full into her eyes for moment. She will know me when we meet, as we shall soon. No; have not forgotten. shall new or forget her. can't, wouldn't if could"
 Bob muttered savage oath, Then he broke into a mirthless, ironical chuckle
 'Me, Bob McAdoo. the man of iron -save the mark-apostle of self suf1- ciency! Jealous of a woman-of a dream! Bound! Helplessv'
 Resolutely striving to put away dis turbing thoughts, he closed the door and set himself to work.
 Later Paul went up to Bob's library and began to discuss the coming may orally convention, set for three days thereafter. Under the provisions of the ripper bill the Steel City was to choose new mayor in February. The Republican primaries had already been held, resulting in the choice of dele gates from majority of the pre- cincts instructed for Bob's candidate. Hemenway.
 "Bob," said, Paul, whats upw
 "What's upY'
 There's something in the air. Can feel it. I was at headquarters today, and every one who came in had caught the fever of restlessness. But no one could fathom it. You and Haggin haven't been visible for two days, and Hemenway is at home sick, no one al- lowed to visit him. Whats up? My guess is an independent candidate. backed by the old MacPherson crowd"
 Worse" Bob answered coolly. "Hemenway has sold us out. He is to withdraw the day of the convention giving i'll health as the excuse-and leave his delegates urpledged."
 My Godr' Paul gasped. falling limp