The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1911-06-07
THE EVENING STORY
Crafts Ugly Shadow.
(By NJ. J. PhilIips.)

10y 1As D. ul44kS.J
I'm afraid they've got to young
governor, as he sat at lunch with his
family.
Just what do you mean by got to-
Alfred ?" asked Mrs. Maitland.
The acknowledgements smiled,
Politics is death to grammar" he
owned. What I mean is. that the
railroad crowd has won him over
Alice Maitland looked up quickly.
REALLY, papa?"
$50 it seems. I heard Alderman,
whose notorious 'pie-bi1l' comes up this
afternoon, tell the railroad attorney,
Banks, that he could handle Calendar,
because they went to school together.
Later surprised Calendar and Ack-
erman in close conference.
IF the bill passes, it means millions
TO the c. & q. system. And they are
spending money like water to pass it."
And Mr.. Callendar-" The girl
started to ask question. and paused.
The ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS nodded his
head regretfully. That's the way it
looks. Politics has spoiled him, as it
has many another young man who was
thrust into public life without proper
testing and preparation.
Robert Calendar was a country
lawyer when an accident sent him to
the State Senate. He got into q much
more expensive way of living since he
came here. He owns a dress suit now,
and has rooms in a good hotel. He's
spent all his salary
but, papa, has all that hurt him 2"
asked his daughter. Hasn't his ex-
perience here broadened him, taught
him something about the world. fitted
him to be better lawyer"
Mr.. Maitland smiled trifle grimly.
Hes learned the bad as well as the
good. He wanted to go back home, I
imagine, with something to show for
his seven months In the Senate. When
your salary's gone, there's only one
way to get it-graft."
Graft 2" echoed Mrs. Maitland.
Alice started at the ugly word. But,
papa, are you sure? ''
He shook his head. mo, I'm not
sure; but appearances are against him.
They are buying votes right and left.
What Alderman said about handling
him, and then what harpened-"
His daughter spoke spiritedly. "I
don't care. He'll have to tell me him.
self before I'll believe they can buy
Senator Calendar Surely, it isn't a
crime to speak to Mr.. Alderman.
That's all he has done.''
Despite her brave words. Alice
Maitland noted in herself desire for
a good cry" when she rose from the
table. The discovery of her fathers
belief in CALENDARS unwcrthiness had
moved her more than she 7emed pos
sible.
She liked Robert Calendar. She had
met him soon after the session opened.
And row, if it were true, his career
was cut off, his character Destroyed, by
the blighting shadow of graft. The
tears could hardly be choked down at
the thought. For he had been coming
rather frequently to the home of the
acknowledgements, of late; had fallen
into the habit of walking home with
her after the session, and calling in the
evening to see, at first, her father, then
herself.
She had learned to like him. she said
defiantly to herself-to ike him, that
was ALL
But she trusted those she liked, and
she still liked Robert Calendar. Sure
ly it was no crime to speak to Senator
Alderman! That is all he had done.
father for keen, shrewd observer,
charitable, too, in his judgments.
A resolution came to her and she
acted on it swiftly. She would go
down to the capitol-it vas but a step
away. Perhaps if Calendar were wav-
be time; she had learned the ms and
outs of legislation, and guessed there
would be some hypocritical oratory for
the consumption of suspicious constitu-
ents at home
How shall bring it up?" she asked
no, almost sure"
She slipped up the narrow corridor
to the rear of the Senate chamber,
through a maze of committee room
passages until she stood just outside a
doorway a few feet from the raised
desk of the acknowledgements.
Evidently the warm summer sun
had its effects on the Senate. There
was a general air of somno1ency in the
great room. Her father, 1ounging in
his leather chair, seemed on the verge
of nodding; the senators were yawn-
ing reading, or gazing out the win
dows: the pages moved on 1eaden feet.
The clerk was droning over a roll
call, which he started just as she
reached the doorway and caught the
eye of the nearest page.
Senator Calendar, please" she
whispered to the boy
The clerk was calling the BIS
when Calendar received h message
He rose and sauntered up the aisle.
whispering to the clerk as he passed.
In a moment he was before her.
His pale, preoccupied face bright
ened wonderfully at sight Of her.
You're early" he said, extending his
hand; welcome to our humble abode"
AS she heard his voice and took the
proffered hand, all the nisgivings and
doubts slipped away. No one could
look or speak as Robert Calendar
Hooked and spoke and be dishonest. A
sense of peace was with her.
you look tired she said, impul-
siveIy.
IT am" He frowned absently, and
| then shook himself together. I'm
tired of it all. I want TO get back
home again, and stay there. I feel
these seven months have been almost
wasted
Il am sure your constituents will
| not say So" she defended.
He smiled with Wry humor They'll