The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1911-01-24

tory without fight?'
81 say, nothing" Bob explained
calmly, because there's nothing
more to do. 1t has all been done.
They kept it mighty quiet-they
had to--but l got wind of it night
before last. They overreached
themselves, as Mack generally
does. They made the mistake of
going to Haggin. He led them on,
agreeing to everything they pro-
posed, pocketing their money like
the old CRATER he is, and then
came and told me. We got busy
at once. We have the delegates
back--and the other crowd are
out a barrel of money"
Paul leaped to his feet and
seized Bob's hand. you old
Roman!" he exclaimed in affec-
tionate pride. They can't beat
you, can they?"
His face lighted up. but what
will you do for candidate?"
There's only one thing to do, :"
Bob answered slowly. I'VE must
have man we can count on at
every turn"
Eyes, yes" Paul interrupted
eagerly.
"Who has good nerve"
with the courage to Withstand
all their power"
who won't worry over news
paper attacks"
with a spirit too strong to be
wounded by their malicious lies. :"
and not too much conscience"
Bob concluded dryly. There's
just one ma min the city who fills
the bill. And he is" He
paused, searching Paul's counte-
nance keenly.
Yes, yes" Paul's face shone
with anticipation.
Myself"
Bob turned his eyes away quick
ly, that he might not behold the
disappointment which he knew
was written nPaul's face. For
several minutes they sat thus,
without speaking, while the storm
Outside howled in fierce glee.
Pm sorry, Paul." Bob broke
the silence, gently for him. Il
thought of you the first thing,
but think it better not. 1t would
hurt you more than it could help
you. The mayor of a big city al
ways goes out of office with more
enemies than when he goes in.
There is the crowd of disappoint-
ed job-hunters, who are convinced
that they have been unfairly treat
ed and hate him for ever after
ward. Whatever he does, there
are always lot of critics who be-
lieve he has behaved criminally.
Besides, the next will be no reform
administration. We've got to play
politics. This trouble has shown
up several weak places in the or
ganization. We've got to bolster
them up. And these fellows who
tried to sell us out-we have
them safe now and we'll keep
them so until we're safely in, but
then-they'll wish they hadn't"
Bob's face, as he uttered this
threat, was not good to look upon.
I'm planning several things"
he continued quietly, that will
stir up a big howl. 1t won't hurt
me. I'm used to it. l have no
personal hold on the people any
way; they yell for me now be-
cause they think what I'm doing
is to their advantage-and be-
cause I'm on top. But with you
it is different. You're strong with
them, all over the state, stronger
than you know. You can't afford
to reduce that strength for a mere
mayoralty. You go on building
1t up, and your time will come for
something better. You've been
square with me-" he added awk-
wardly, when you might have
bettered yourself by going over.
And l won't forget it,"
At this, the nearest approach to
|affectionate demonstration Bob
had ever made, the cloud vanished
from Remington face. Impuls-
lively he held out his hand.
Forgive me, old man." he said
with fine humility. you make
me heartily ashamed of myself.
You are the prince of friends, and
L damned migrate. But 1 ask
one favor"
"All right. What is it,"
81 must present your name to
the convention. 1t shall be the
speech of my career. Cad! what
a chance! You say you have no
personal hold on the people," He
began to pace the floor, his eyes
shining brightly. 81 will compel
them to love you. They shall
learn to know you in your true,
heroic proportions. Not a man in
that convention will dare vote
against you"
In the meantime I'll keep an
Ieye on the delegates. Come down
to earth"
Long after Paul had gone, until
the clock had struck the hour of
four, Bob worked and read, close
ly. At last he threw aside his
book and went to the window. A
thick coat of frost had covered it.
He threw 1t open and looked out.
The gale had subsidized. Through
broken clouds filtered the white
radiance of the setting moon,
|silvering snow-encrusted lawn and
trees. The silent beauty of the
might seemed to him uncanny; 1t