The Holbrook news., 1911-08-25

| G1AC DLRPC0 uR lAC naAAOW OCAAA4OA to the rear of the senate chamber. through a maze of committee room passages. until she stood just outside a doorway a few feet from the raised desk of the lieutenant-governor.
 Evidently the warm summer sun had its effect on the senate. There was general air of somnoIency in the great room. Her father, lounging in his leather chair, seemed on the verge of holding; the senators were yawn- ing. reading. or gazing out the win dows; the pages moved on leaden feet.
 The clerk was droning over a roll call. which he started just as she reached the doorway and caught the eye of the nearest page.
 Senator Callendar. please" she whispered to the boy.
 The clerk was calling the "B's" when Callendar received her message. He rose and sauntered up the aisle. whispering to the clerk as he passed. In a moment he was before her.
 His pale, preoccupied face bright ened wonderfully at sight of her. You're early" be said. extending his hand; welcome to our humble abode"
 As she heard his voice and took the pronered hand, all the misgivings and doubts slipped away. No one could look or speak as Robert Callendar looked and spoke and be dishonest A sense of peace was with her.
 You look tired" she said. impuL siveIy.
 T am" He frowned absently. and then shook himself together. "Pm tired. of it all I want to get back home again. and stay there. I feel these seven months have been almost wasted"
 'I am sure your constituents will not say so." she defended.
 He smiled with wry humor. They'll say I might better have stayed there and paid the mortgage on my farm.'' he said, frankly They'll pretend to think mothers starving before now"
 You have your record she ob- served, loyally.
 They think it's as poor as the next ones," he shrugged. But don't care what they say. I'm through with politics I've just been casting up what it's cost me. brought some money when I came-not much, but quite little for poor man. That's all gone, and my salary. too.
 'I don't regret the time I've spent here. though" he continued thought fully. Its been a play spell. and never had one before. There were many things which I learned that will l. kEa boyish face lighted with the smile that unconsciously won him friends. I've met a lot of real people-your mother and father among the rest. and-you."
 There was no mistaking the accent on the last word Alice Maitland's face flushed and her heart beat quick ly. But she fought down the agita- ton which the caressing tone aroused.
 After all." he unused. when the tumult and the shouting die away. that's all there is to politicsl the friends one makes. the people one learns to-love," he finished softly.
 What about the Alderman bill?" asked Miss Maitland.
 We've handed the C. 6 2. some thing that will hold them for awhileI" he replied triumphantly. That's one reason I'm glad I've been here. Ac- herman and I were boys together, and he presumed on that old friendship. He tried to bribe me this morning"
 The face of the young attorney hardened into sternness. offered me the job of railroad attorney at S3,000 a year if I'd vote for his bill"
 You refused" replied Alice. with happy certainty.
 Well, told him I'd move to table the bill this afternoon. If he didn't consent to its dying that way. threatened to tell the senate of his offer. He gave nat least he said he would I made the motion just be- fore you came. and gave the clerk my vote as I passed. Boy!" He beckoned a dawdling page. What was the vote on the motion to table?"
 "Seventy-six for, six against" re- piled the youngster. Say, the re- porters are looking for you. senator. You got a big rep for killing the bill"
 Apparently the senator did not hear for a moment He was looking into the eyes of Alice Maitland. reading what he saw mirrored there-reading with love and reverence and a touch of awe.
 Then he reused himself. Tell the reporters I won't be back this after noon"
 And they went away together.