Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-04-17

the nah Of argument as well as he
could by writing many letters to the
political friends he had made In going
up and down the state.
The Sunday proved to be a very
quiet day. thorgh the lobby OF the In
ter-Mountatn was still the assembling
place for the gathering clans Of poll
ticiaas. Blount went to church In the
morning because Patricia insisted
upon IT, and his appearance In the pew
as q member OF the Honorable David's
family would have caused fresh COM
ment II there had been any church
goers among the visiting politicians.
After luncheon he borrowed the
roadster and took Patricia for a drive.
The day was perfect. and the roads
were in good condition. When he
had put distance between them and
the Sunday quiet OF the city streets
he told Patricia Of his experience with
Kittredge's special train.
do you think it was intendedT' she
asked when he had finished his story.
81 haven't the slightest doubt of 1t
now. More than that, l think the
telegram bearing Mr.. McVickar's
name was q bold forgery. But i am
bringing them to time" he went on,
exulting over his one small victory
There Is to be an evening up OF
freight rates, and one more room OF
the railroad house win be clean.
believe Mr.. MoVickar has meant to be
fair all along, but the overzealous
subordinate is always the hardest man
to handle"
"1 am glad" she said. And In the
sunshine of her approval the young
man spent a very happy afternoon.
At breakfast Monday morning Evan
Blount again made the senator's party
Of three party of four and at table
found puzzling surprise lying in wait
for him.
The critical day OF days Tn the cam
paign had arrived, and it was sup
possible on every hypothesis that the
commander of an army would choose
any other day rather than this to be
absent from his post. But at the
breakfast table he heard his father an
nounce calmly that he was going to
drive out to Wartrace, for no better
stated reason than n purely routine
purpose of having a talk with his
ranch manager about the shipment OF
a trainload of beef cattle.
While Blount sat in open eyed as
constituent the day was planned for
there and then. The arrangement
made was one that left Patricia free
TO keep an engagement at the Wealth
erfords' while the senator drove to
Wsrtrace in the roadster. The little
1x-hja pofr tote hnd al 81
call her own, was to be left at the
garage, and she was to drive out in
the afternoon, bringing Evan with her
If he cared to come.
1t was Mrs. Honoria who made this
arrangement, and in the midst of his
establishment Blount acknowledged a
warm kindling of gratitude. If the
little lady whom he was trying 50 con-
sistently to dislike had seemed to do
her best to keep him and Patricia
apart during the early part of the
girls visit she now appeared to be
doing what she could to atone. Blount
ventured one question and one only,
as it was addressed to his father.
do you happen to remember that
this is the final day before election|'
he asked
$50 it is; so it is, son." was the even
toned reply
Il thought maybe you had forgotten
it." said Evan quietly.
81 have in a measure" smiled the
boss, land if you'll take my advice
you'll forget it too. The political SPELL
binder who hasn't said his say and |
done his do before sunrise this morn
ing needn't exDect that he's going to |
be able to dig the tree up by it's roots
between now and tomorrow morning"
1t was not until the younger man |
was leaving the table, excusing him
self on the plea OF business, that the |
senator's wife clinched the arrange |
ment for the afternoon.
you'll come out with Patricia, |
won't your she said, putting 1t fairly |
up TO him to consent or refuse.
"Of course" he stammered. 81 shall
be delighted"
you don't say It quite as If you
meant it." laughed the one who was
to drive him out to Wartrace, but I'll !
be charitable and give you the benefit
of the doubt Where can ] pick you
up, say, between and O'Clock? Mrs.
Weatherford's luncheon is to be really
a French dejeuner, and 1 shall be
able to get away early"
IF it wouldn't be too much trouble
for you to stop by for me at the Tenn
pie court" Blount began, and when
she nodded her acquiescence he went
away, still wondering at his fathers
calm Indifference on the very hour
striking eve of the great battle.