The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1911-01-19
THE EVENING STORY
Proctor's PecuIiarities.
by Ned K. Morgan.l

Nan Hartwick shook her head OBJ
stinately- Il have a right to my
career. Jimmie. Can't you wait?
Waltz He looked at her yearn-
to marry you and take care OF you.
And what career is there open To
you?"
Mr.. Proctor will surely be elected
go to the city hall with him.. See
the opportunities I will have to 90
good, There will be poor families 10
help, and hungry men to set 70 W gs,s.
and wrongs that can set right. inis
is a big city, Jimmie: I will be In
position to make life brighter for
many people" :,
Il don't like this man Proctor"
said Jimmie Marquis. frowning.
Mr.. Proctor is a gentleman re-
turned the girl quietly, but with
flashing eyes.
ooh, he's all right-that way" jim
mie fastened to concede; but some
times think the fellows crazy. his
father and two of his brothers you
know, were confined in asylums at
different periods Of their lives. He GER
tainly looks queer, himself, when ne
gets to yelling about the rights or the
people and waving his arms. that long
hair in his eyes
IF the professional politicians had
given more attention to the rights OF
the people, interrupted Nan, tartly,
IAN obscure lawyer wouldn't now be
on the verge of election as mayor or
the biggest city of the state. They are
all against him; every newspaper is
hostile, even. He has no one but him.
self to fight his battles
beg pardon, Nan; the Eagle isn't
hostile to Proctor. We may poke
little fun at him, but L have my in
structions to give the peoples can
didate' a square deal And I'm do
ing it,
'But let Proctor take care of him.
self; won't you marry me, darling?
Nan answered him firmly: Not as
long as there are such opportunities
before me. Can't you wait two or
three years, Jimmie?"
Gloom could not long maintain an
abiding place on the sunny face or
Jimmie Marquis; even now, when he
had never been more serious, ne
smiled Waltz he cried. of codrse
I'll wait, sweetheart! And I may not
have to; there will be no career for you
unless Proctor becomes mayor And he
hasn't been elected yet
Jimmie, political reporter on the
Morning Eagle went to Rudolph
Proctor the next afternoon to get his
views on the municipal ownership of
certain utilities. incidentally, he ex-
pected to pick up and embellish in his
own clever fashion some of the mans
peculiarities. These little sidelights
were eagerly read. for tn peoples
candidate" was sweeping everything
before him, and there was keen inter-
est in his personality, hitherto I'M
known And then, of course, he would
see Nan, who was secretary and
stenographer to the candidate.
The candidate had been working at a
tremendous strain for several weeks
and against strong opposition. 1t was
beginning to tell in his manner and APP
pearance. Jimmie found the tall,
1ar Ia
thin, orators mouth, pacing back and
forth across his private office. He was
gesticulating. freely and holding forth
on his favorite topic, politics, to Nan.
His black eyes were glistening with ex
citement; his hair tunbled about his
forehead in confusion.
He received Marquis with stiff dig
nifty, but thawed when the reporter had
explained his Grand With a weighty
clearing of his throat, he began to ex-
pound his views, which were original,
to say the least
Hadn't you better dictate that, Mr..
PROCTOR" interrupted Nan.
Jimmie started in establishment. In
the first place, such a suggestion was
almost an aspersion on his good faith
and ability as reporter; and in the
second place she spoke very differently
from the assured, cheerful Nan he was
accustomed to see.
Jimmie looked at her curiously. Her
face was almost as white as her shirt
waist, and her hands were trembling
violently. There was something in her
eyes that brought Jimmie half out of
his chair with question on his lips.
But the question was not asked. She
shot him a look of warning and en-
treaty that sealed his lips. He sank
back again, silent, but watchfuI and
unsatisfied.
All this byplay had taken but a sec
ond or two. While 1t was being en-
acted Proctor glanced keenly, almost
suspiciously, from one to the other.
scrutiny, he agreed.
"A very good idea, Miss Hartwick;
no possibility of mistakes, then. And
a good many mistakes have been
made this campaign"
The interview was soon given and
Transcribed. While Jimmie was still
marveling at Mans peculiar actions,
Proctor read the typewriter sheets,
nodding his head with satisfaction
But when he held them out to Jimmie,
it was Nan who took them from his
hand
Let me write on here what it is"
she said, with pitiful ghost of a
smile.
Jimmie, more mystfhed than ever,
took the manuscript and bowed him
self out; but in the general office,
where three clerks were busy with
campaign literature, he stopped. The
last appealing look which Nan had
given him impelled the reading of that
sentence And this is what it said:
.'P. wildly insane; revolver in pocket;
says he is going to kill all of u.s. Please
help me-
Jimmie, summoning a whistle to his
stiff lips, turned back to the private
office again. He longed to run, but
did not dare to do so: precipitate ac-
ton might result in tragedy. He
walked carelessly back. and thrust
ia witt L
tor was striding up and down, talking
about "the rights of the people," and
those who would cruelty the peoples
leader" Nan, huddled in her chair.
watched him fearfully
The candidate swung on his heel
sharply when Jimmie entered; but he
was given no time for protest. "Oh.
Mr.. Proctor he said, easily, "I forgot