El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1911-09-27


/ assumed the responsibilities Of friend
ship. In other and uglier words. since
/ I was placed here in the eternal
( scramble by a power over which
had no control I proposed to get on
/ top, no matter over whom I had TO
/ scramble. And didn't propose to put
/ myself IN relations where 1 should
hesitate to trample over any one when
desirable" J
And does the theory satisfy" she
asked. You put it in the past tense,
I notice"
He frowned impatiently. It should
lie to any one but you, Kathleen That's
the worst of it. It brings the desired
results, but It doesn't satisfy-yOu're
Irish enough to understand that
hope-because the struggle is so ridicu
lousy easy. Sometimes long for
real struggle, one that would test my
muscles to the limit"
For some time Kathleen stared
thoughtfully into the fire.
Il suspect the only force that viii
give you the supreme test you desire
is-yourself.' she said at length and
then demanded abruptly: why don't
you abandon your theory7 You admit
It doesn't satisfy"
He laughed unpleasantly. I'm as
confidential as a sentimental girl to
day. may as well go the whole
length-because Pm afraid"
Bob McAdOO afraidT' Kathleen's
irony never carried a sting.
''Yes-of Bob McAdOO."
She arose and looked down on him
pityingly.
Bob. you make me understand, as
/ could never understand before. the
horror in the meaning OF a certain
word"-
Don't mind me. Pm in a humOr for
truth telling just now"
"Loneliness!'
Without waiting for his reply she
left the room. Bob stood gazing at the
door through which she had disap-
peared.
Loneliness! I didn't expect that
But It hits close. God! I am lonely
And yet-that woman is a living de
NAL Of my theory. Hers is the exact
Opposite-service, always service. And
she gets far more out Of life than /
with all my brutality OF a thousand
Remingtons with the love Of sensation.
Nevertheless am far Humph!- How
trite phrases viii slip into a mans
thoughts! was about to say far
from the kingdom Of GOdP
For that evening Haggin's back room
had assumed its official habit. This
was accomplished by consolidating the
three small tables into one. Around
this oblong sat a dozen men. They
leaned forward over the table, silent,
amazed, intent on the words that fell
from the lips Of a very handsome
young man in evening dress-the first
garment Of that sort to penetrate the
Businesses Of Irishtown, as one may
well suppose. This young 'siIkstock-
ing had dared to defy the 'old man"
and his nerve had shown no diminution
when confronted by the boss in person.
Across the table from the young man
sat Bob McAdOO. motonless and in
scrutable as the sphinx. his mouth
twisted in a peculiar, WY smile.
The plea ceased An eyes were turn
ed to the boss. els that auP' He
spoke quietly, but the words somehow
carried a perceptible sting. The young
man flushed and sprang impulsively
to his feet again.
NO" his voice rang out. 1T Is not
all There's one thing more-for you,
Boss McAdoO! You've given your
orders that Smith be set aside and
StOughtOn be given his place. for no
good reason. but wholly arbitrarily,
Just because it happens to please yoI.
These other fellows may obey your
orders. They almost certainly will
But so long as 1 am on this committee
my ward votes for Smith. You prom
tsed to crush me If I stuck to this. All
right You'll ind 1 can take a lot Of
crushing. Your brutal threats don't
frighten me-you bully"
Bob rose slowly to his full height
The rest Of the committee, too, stood
up involuntarily. Bob's eyes were
glued to the handsome flushed face
across the table. The others glances
we're fastened on his big right fist,
'HaF they breathed as they saw it
clinch convulsively. Moro than one
face went pale. They expected moth
ing less than to see a murder done.
But Bob's hand unclinched immediate
".
Put the notion" he commanded !
quietly. maintaining his steady gaze.
'It has been moved and seconded |
that this committee indorse Stoughton /
for the legislative nomination" the /
chairman repeated mechanically. IAN !
In favor
aye" said all but Remington and |
Bob. The chairman paused.
"An opposed" The suggestion came
from Bob.
Nor Remington's voice rang out
~ guess that settles It, Remington"
at settles the immediate question" /
vas the defiant answer.
Meetings. adjourned" Bob motion