Kingsbury County independent. (DeSmet, Kingsbury County, S.D.) 1894-1929, 1911-05-26
HALF A ROGUE
BY HAROLD MAC GRATH
Author Of The Man on the Box, The Puppet Crown, Hearts and Masks, Etc.
Copyright Bobbs Merrill Co, indianapolis.
By HAROLD MAC CRATE

Warrington. He walked in the COLDER
glow of his first that romano
which never leaves us till life itself de-
parts.
John and Kate watched them APP
provingly. They knew the worth OF the
man; they were not at all worried over
what was past.
One evening Kate and John sat or
the veranda from where they could
easily watch Warrington and Patty In
the music room.
What do you think of It, JohnT"
There's not a finer chap in the
world. But ! don't think Patty realizes
yet"
Dear Patty" Kate reached over and
took his hand in hers. laying 1t against
her cold cheek. What Is II, John
Nothing; nothing to bother you
with"
The shops? It worries me when you
don't confde in me in everything"
We'll, dear, the trouble I've been ex-
pecting for months is about to come,
You know young Chittenden, the Eng
lish inventor, has been experimenting
with a machine that will do the work
Of five men. They have been trying to
force him to join the union, he has
refused, having had too many examples
Of unionism in his own country to risk
his independence. Well, / received a
letter from the general manager this
morning. Either Chittenden join
or co.; otherwise the men will go out
September 1st."
What shall you do"
81 shall keep Chittenden. 1 am
master there" striking the arm Of his
chair; master In everything. II they
go In September. II will be for
good. 7 shall tee down the shops
and build model tenements."
"John!"
1T am sick and tired, dear. I have
raised the wages all over the district;
my men work less than any other
hands In town. l have built a gym
nasium for them. given them books,
pool tables and games. to say moth
ing Of the swimming tank. / have
arranged the annual outings. / have
established a pension list. But all this
seems to have lone no good. / am
at the end OF the rope. oh, the poor
devils who work are all right; it's the
men outside who are raising ell this
trouble; It's h union, not the men.
There's no denying the power these
men can WELD, for wrong or right.
Ignorance cannot resist the temptation
TO use 1t at all times and for all pur-
poses. But / am master at the Ben
nington shops: injustice shall not die
tate to me. They'll use 1t politically,
too. After all, I'm glad I've told you"
But, John, I'm afraid for ou. They
may hurt YOU"
John answered with a sound that
was more of a growl than a laugh.
She kissed his hand. She knew that
no pleading could move him; Inc be-
sides, he was in the right.
"I don't understand the lukewarm-
ness Of the party papers," he said.
They ought TO hurrah over Dick. But
perhaps the secret machinery Is being
set to work, and they've bsen told that
there will be trouble at khe conyen-
ton. The senator never backs down,
and I've never seen anybody hat could
brighten Dick. There'n be some inter-
esting events his fall. Herculaneum
will figure in the newspapers from
Maine to California, for everybody is
familiar with Warrington's name and
work. It's a month yet before the
delegates get together"
A quarter or an hour later John and
Kate interrupted Patty and Warning
ton In the music room.
"A telegram for you, Dick" John
announced.
Warrington opened II carelessly and
read 1t. He read 1t again, slowly; and
Patty, who was nearest to him, saw
MS race turn gray unQer the tan and
his lips tremble. He looked from one
to the other dumbly, then back at the
sheet In his hand.
Richard" said Kate, with that
quick intuition which leaps across
chasms of doubt and arrives definitely.
My aunt died this afternoon" he
said, his voice breaking. for he had
not the power to control II.
Nobody moved; a kind Of paralysis
touched them all.
"She died this afternoon, and
wasn't there" There is something ter
ribly pathetic in a strong mans grief.
"Dick!" John rushed to his side.
Dick, old a there must be some
mistake"
He seized the telegram from War
rington's nerveless fingers. There was
no mistake. The telegram was signed
by the family physician. Then John
did the kindliest thing in his power.
do kou wish to be alone, Dick?"
Warrington nodded. John laid the
telegram on the table, and the three
OF them passed out Of the room, A
gust OF wind, coming down from the
mountains, carried the telegram gently
TO the floor. Warrington, leaning
against the table, stared down at 1t.