The Arvada enterprise., 1911-12-11
CHAPTER ~,
The Clash.

Inc Clash.
The telephone girl looked up a min
ute later to see Tom Blake hanging
once more over the rail.
i got telegram from Grace" said
ne. She sent 1t to me- suppose, in
stead OF to dad or Mark because she
knew I'd be loafing around the hotel
at this hour and she didn't know when
either of them would be back from
the capitol. Says she'll be in Wash.
lngton at eight But, being a woman
or else thinking I'm a mind-reader. sho
doesn't say whether it'll be eight this
evening or eight tomorrow morning.
i've been looking everywhere, since |
got 1t, to find Mark and Excuse me!"
Ex-Governor Robertson was crossing
the corridor toward them and Tom
hurried to meet him with the tele-
gram. Robertson's cold face. as he
read the dispatch, softened in a way
that would have amazed his political
foes.
Good" he said emphatically. But
why doesn't she tell whether she
means tonight or in the morning i?
Why not call her up on long dis
tance?' suggested Tom IF she'll be
here at eight tonight she'll have left
New York long before now. And If
she isn't coming till morning"
Good ideal" assented Robertson,
starting for the telephone alcove.
Sometimes you actually show CLEAN
OF human intelligence, Tom, in spite
OF the way you've taken to incoming
around lately. I'll"
He stopped short, and the unwonted
look of happiness froze from his face.
He and Tom, on thein way to the al
cove, were passing the short flight of
- that led down from the outer
- to the corridor
And man was coming down those
steps. A tall man, whose shoulders
were slightly stopped, whose dark hair
was beginning to grizzle at the tenn
pies, whose swarthy and somewhat
heavy face was lined and hardened
by marks that did not seem to have
come from times brush alone.
At sight of him Robertson halted.
His face darkened and his hands in
voluntarily clenched The newcomer
glanced across and his eye met the
ex-governor's lowering gaze; then
passed carelessly on to Tom.
Good evening. gentlemen" he said.
Good evening. Mr.. Standish." an
swered Tom.
Robertson barely returned the 9TH
er's nod. But as Standish made as
though to pass on, he took an impnl-
sive step toward the insurgent chief
Well Standish," he observed
steadying his voice by a palpable eff
fort into some semblance of civility,
II understand the fights on for to-
night"
Yes" answered Standish, pausing
as though merely to wait until the
other should move from his path. AN
all-night session. probably"
Again, with a nod, he started to-
ward the dining room. But once more
Mark Robertson's voice checked him.
Did it ever occur to you, Standish," !"
demanded Mark. that by opposing the
Mullins bill you are betraying the par
ty that elected your"
Standish regarded him a moment
with somber eyes from which all per-
sonal emotions seemed long since to
have been burned away. Then he said
in the heavy measured voice that had
for years been characteristic Of him:
"Did It ever occur to you, Robert
son, that Ny trying to force the Mul.
lins bill through, you are betraying
the people who voted for your"
"Oh. be sensible!" urged Robertson;
and Tom. who Knew his brother-in-law
noted the mighty effort with which the
attempt at conciliation was kept I'D.
We're both politicians. There's no
sense In spouting noble sentiments for
my benefit Keep them for your par.
sons. | was promised the speaker
ship And to get it away from me you
turned insurgent. The Mullins bill
tonights battle-means nothing to you
but Attest of power. There's no prin.
ciple involved. II you can kill the bill
1T will prove only you're strong
enough to depose our speaker and put
yourself in his chair. That's your
game. why pose as reformer?"
you're quite wrong" said Standish
with certain Irritating patience. II
haven't any pose. II had | should
not bother to display It for your bene-
Mt am not hypocrite enough to say
i don't want every legitimate political
reward ! can earn. Who doesn't? But
that's not why I'm fighting this Mullins
Dill OF yours. And at heart you know
~ Isn't. I'm trying to kill this bill
~ecakse 1t is an offense to the coun-
trys Nostrils. The bill is innocent
enough on its face. Van Dyke and the
FN0a aAV To that I suppoAs. But vhen