The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1911-02-16

Three times, I'm sure" She
said pleasantly. Its very stupid
but really all | can think of is that
trite old saying that the world is
VERY small, Mr.. McAdoo."
Bob's sense of humor came to
hi aid, as he looked at the woman
to cast whom and her influence on,
of his life and plans he had come
ito find a weapon. He laughed.
81 should say that the worlds
size depends upon whether you are
trying to find or avoid a person. y
Her face lighted up mirthfufly
I"Come, Mr.. McAdoo. We are I'M
der the white flag here. l appeal
to the governor. Cousin, to my
rescue, for the sake of your house
holds peace. Mr.. McAdoo and
always quarrel"
"Then | solemnly declare a
truce" laughed the governor. "But
doubt her need of my protection.
fancy this young lady is quite
capable of caring for herself, eh,
Mr.. McAdoo?"
"Quite!"
That's very generous" she
smiled. at speaks we'll for a sue
cessful truce, l hope?" And she
held out her hand with pretended
hesitation.
His hesitation was genuine, but,
yielding to the necessity, he took
her slender, white hand into his
big, strong one-the hand, as it
flashed across her mind, that had
once snatched her from a hideous
death. Perhaps her smile became
more kindly than she intended, for
he dropped her hand as though it
/ had been hot coal.
"And now" Mrs. Dunmeads
said promptly, peace having been
established all around, let us go
in to dinner She took Bob 9
arm and led the way into the din
ing-room.
At dinner Bob sat opposite
Eleanor, to his considerable dis
comfort at first. He may have
possessed, as Mrs. Dunmeads had
said, the American trait of adapt
ability, but to sit in the friendly
intimacy of a dinner table, facing a
woman to whom he felt extremely
unfrlendly, was an experience to
which he found it difficult to re-
concile himself. Perhaps Mrs.
Dunmeade saw this, for she guided
the talk to subjects which allowed
him to be the audience. And after
a while mis- discomfort was forgot
ten in his interest in the CONVEX
sation and in his covert study of
Eleanor. Especially in his study
of Eleanor. He watched her crit
ically, that he might learn, if pos
sible, the secret of her influence
over Paul. His study forced him
to admit, very grudgingly, that
any man might find it hard 10
resist her charm.
ANY man of Paul's tempera-
ment, that u.s." he corrected him.
lself hastily. And he began 10
doubt the success of his mission
to the capital in it's ultimate pur-
pose.
Finally Mrs. Dunmeads turned
to Bob. Tell us, how is your
campaign pregressing?"
"There is considerable opposi-
ton"
"If your friends good wishes
count for anything" she said
kindly, you will win. We're all
anxious to see you elected"
Bob looked at her in genuine
surprise. There was no doubling
the sincerity of her words; nor
was her interest to be attributed
solely to her husbands ambitions.
Also he was surprised to feel a
faint stirring of gratitude for her
lfriendliness.
THANK you,', he said simply.
you will win," Murchell put
in confidently.
Il expect to-" Bob replied with
equal confidence.
"One good indication" Murch-
ell added, lis the viciousness of
their newspaper attacks. They
overstep all bounds. Thatc curt
house story, for instance. l per-
Isonally know that you had nothing
to do with it,"
mo. 1 had nothing to do with
it,"
"If necessary" Murchell volun-
teered. I'll be glad to give an
interview TO that effect"
What's the use? The people
who believe the story won't be-
lieve my denial, or yours either for
that matter"