The silver messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1890-1912, 1911-03-28

the girl who had sat on his lap
Coombs fancied that she blushed.
Now that he could get a good look
at her. Coombs realized that she was
very pretty. He wondered idly who
she was. Probably the daughter OF
some wealthy farmer OF the neighbor
mood, who had been able to give her
advantages beyond the ordinary. Her |
good looks and her becoming dress
were OF the city rather than the |
country. He speculated whether her
eyes were dark gray or brown.
Coombs arose to make his speech
The audience applauded the hand
some, boyish-looking candidate. They
listened closely while he sketched
national affairs and conditions in
thelr own state, then in their own
district The moment had come for
the attack on Congressman Scott. but
Coombs did not make it. He looked
into the eyes of the girl on the front
seat. Doubtless she thought him like
all politicians-ready to climb at the
expense of another; anxious to tear
down that others reputation that he
might build up his own. Well, he
would show her he was not an ordi.
nary politician.
The Bristow neighborhood was
rather disappointed in the tameness
OF the speech; the chairman and sec
rotary were grumpy. But Coombs
didn't care; he walked out with tho
girl
, you will ride back with u.s." he
, asked.
, She shook her head, and held out
her hand. mo; but thank you for
what you did not say tonight"
What do you mean" asked
: Coombs. He was oblivious OF the fact
} that two score voters. whose ballots
3 might elect him. were also waiting to
/ shake hands
. Il mean" she said. that l am
= Frank SCOTS daughter"
a The campaign drew to close.
!. Coombs was scheduled to spend the
:. last week in this county. and he man
aged to see a good deal of Beth Scott
between meetings. They avoided
d politics, but found many other sub
1ects to talk about. They had read
the same books and admired the same
plays. There were SO many things
to discuss that Coombs took to run
! ming over to the home of Miss SCOTS
uncle, where she was visiting, morn
| ings or afternoons O. evenings
| whenever the hardwo-ked party
motor car could be spared. and he
| had an hour to himself.
| Election day came, and Coombs
i was beaten. He made good run
/ better than shrewd- politicians had
u expected, for Frank Scott was de
! servedly strong
| Coombs. somehow. did not mind
! the defeat; there was no sting in 1t
Demott .ile glored in his good show
ing, and received him almost as g
hero wien he came home. He be
came. almost in night, prominent
citizen. In two weeks his law bust
ness doubled. He had arrived"
l Miss Scott was going home. ani
| Coombs had come to say goodbye
| Likewise he planned, as he had beer
planning for a month. to say some
| hing else But It was hard to get 1
out; Beth was so unconscious o
| what was going on beneath the sur
face of his mind.
At last he plucked up courage tt
speak:
lg Ever since that night at the Bris
~ tow school I've been wondering hov
III you'd like Demottville."
as Its a pretty little city. isn't it?
II, she asked. with interest.
gu Eyes have little hom
AZ there. surrounded by fifty-year-ol
naples. There's a fireplace in tn
~ living room and deep-padded leatf
"a err chair that like to draw up befor
Sc the fire. That chair would hold tw
d. Just as easily as-as an automobil
seat"
ne Oh" breathed Beth Scott, comprt
Vi hendingly.
8 But there's no use talking abou
g. it | suppose" went on Coombs. wis
fully. your father has won. an
le' YOU are going back to Washington
he the most wonderful city in the cou1
l try. That's the only reason I'm so
ry / lost. III Ia peeu sueee'9iu
III there'd have been something to one
,aJ you"
Id "Do YOU think" said the girl sof
'h- w "that would make any dine
III ence If one-cared? And I've see
Washington. But I've never seen IN
~ nottvile and-and that chair!'
no When the next session of c'ngres
~. Napoleon of politics by his co
20 leagues. They had tried man
III schemes to retain the magic letter
M c." after their names. But
% marry ones daughter to ones mo-
va dangerous opponent-that was MOI
80, scbemiug. It was genius.