The Mathews journal. (Mathews C.H. [Court House]) 1903-1937, 1911-06-22

called his car and started for home.
But once out in the bracing air he
! was loath to begin a repetition of the
preceding night, and so taking the
direction away from the city he drove
the machine along one of the long,
| smooth roads of the Willmar suburbs
He was home by midnight and soothed
by the drive, was soon asleep.
Refreshed in body and brain. he
| arose Sunday morning, and with a
| determined effort to forget his care.
at least for the time being, he rang
for his car. Unconsciously he chose
I the river road, and FIVE minutes later
| he came upon the scene OF the pro-
| posed dam. A party of surveyors
had established a camp on the beach
and a few PAGES from the tent stood
man. A cursory glance confirmed
Carmon's suspicion 1t was Murphy.
Like an overwhelming flood the strug-
gle Of the day before returned, and
with a curse for the man and his
methods, Cannon reversed the engine
! and swung the heavy car around, not,
however, before Murphy had seen him.
To him Carmon's trip TO the dam
was a signal Of his success, and he
was pleased. But Cannon, again in
the throes of his mental conflict, paced
his room.
Scarcely less pretentious than the
Cannon home was that occupied by
the Winstons, recognized leaders of
Willmar society and reputed to be
phenomenally wealthy Bob Cannon
and Catherine Winston had been
| chums since their school days, and
as the natural elimination their en-
| gagement was soon to be announced.
AS was his custom on Sunday even
ings, Carmen drove TO the Winston
house. Katherine greeted him at the
door, and for a moment they stood
on the piazza
oh" exclaimed the girl, catching
sight of the machine, your new car
Let's try til. Edgewater road"
The cold." suggested Cannon,
smiling.
Bother the cold" she retorted, and
in a moment the speedy motor car
was bowling along the macadamized
roadway. The night was delightful
Although the moon had not risen,
the myriads of stars cleaning with
a frosty brightness threw a glistening
luster over the snowy fields and be-
meath the wheels a steady crunch told
of a half-formed snow-crust The
conversation turned to politics. She
loved to talk with him Of his plans,
and he, in turn, delighted to confide
in her.
Bob" she said suddenly, Il read
the papers religiously last week"
Bad policy if you want any in
formation" he returned, laughingly
She smiled her appreciation of the
joke. Il have been following up the
trial of that Granville comptroller
who used his influence TO divert the
city's money into questionable chan
nels." Cannon started. Giving
thieving contractors work was his
/ game, l think" she continued, I'M
conscious of the storm she was rails
ing in the heart of the man beside
! her. You wouldn't do that, would
| you, Bob?" she Queried, half in jest.
His hand trembled on the wheel.
and he was on the verge of replying
! eVaSively, but the directness of the
question struck home, and when he
turned TO answer a new light-the
! slight OF determinatiOn-shone from
his eyes.
! NO sweetheart" he answered sim
ply. Il would not" For a second
his hand stole from the wheel. but
the girl never knew that that pressue
of her hand was the sign of a victory,
victory when defeat seemed immi-
nent-a mans victory over himself.
The trip home was made in silence
To Cannon the universe had suddenly
grown brighter, and the girl, happy in
her lovers happiness, understood.
Monday morning found Murphy at
the city hall. He toiled up the long
flight of stairs that led to the board
room and found Cannon in his office
IL strange contrast to his mood on
Saturday, Cannon was whistling
brightly. Murphy looked him square
ly in the eye, but could read neither
victory nor defeat. Morning" he
said at length. Il trust you have at
last come to your senses"
Il have that, Mr.. Murphy" he said,
still smiling
Again Murphy eyed him narrowly,
but his face revealed nothing.
Order for supplies for the dam,
said Murphy, nonchalantly rendering
the long list of material needed to
Cannon.
Sorry, Mr.. Murphy" he said brisk
ly, without glancing at the sheet; i'm
possible to fill it."
Murphy's face went white. why
err" he stammered. But Cannon in |
terrupted him.
by the way" he continued, "Auld !
& Co. are to get that contract Good
morning"