The Washington herald., 1911-08-31

X
Der, my dear HOratior'
But between now and tomorrow is
rather a brief period. We have not yet
invented means Of travelling through the
air. I could not well carry of this fair
lady by main strength. My own plans
unfortunately require some attention.
And think that. even were the trifling
difficulty Of the lady's consent overcome,
could not easily assume the role OF
savior of my country before the. time of
the departure of the next ship for Eu-
rope-eVen granted my enemies, the
wings. will give a mission to an ex-
Democrat and a Free Soiler like myself
Not that l should not experience the
most pleasurable emotions both in saw
ing the country. my dear SIR he sa-
luted with his glass, "and OF saving II in
the company of so charming a person as
this young lady is reported to be- The
years have laid US under a certain han
diCap, my friend. Yet were this lady
quite unattached, or her duena not who'll
ly impossible. one might consider the
distinguished role Of disinterestedly saw
ing ones country in the capacity at least
of chaperon.'
They looked at each other and broke
into laughter. Yet minds so keen as
theirs long before them had read be-
tween lines On the printed page, under
the outward mask Of human counte-
nance.
Stranger things have happened"' said
the gentleman from kentucky.
My soul and body. My dear sir, you
do not speak Seriously" His surprise
was feigned. and the other knew II.
Il was never so serious in my life. My
friend, II seems almost as though fate
had guided me to your side tonight. At
this time. when our diplomacy abroad is
none too fortunate, and when our d.
nj n 10 f1r Aa1f
and dangerous, you yourself. known the
country over as a man of tact and del
icaCy, are the one man IN the world
to handle this very mission. 1t is the
Old Fox of the North, after all, Free
Soiler or not, who alone can smooth down
matters for US. Our country had su-
preme confidence in you. This admins
tration has such confidence still 1t
will give all that is seemly for one of
your station to accept. 1t will not ask
aught of party lines. this or that"
DO you speak with authority other
than your own
1t is not yet time for me TO answer
that"
Yet you dare approach one who is
in the opposing camp"
But one whose camp we either hone
to join, or whom We hope later to have
In our own. Who can tell where party
lines will falF in the next three years?
All the bars may be down by then, and
many fence past mending."
For the sake Of harmony, much
should be ventured."
Excellent words, sir"
"One owes a certain duty to ones
country at any time
still more excellent"
And political success can be obtained
best through union and not disunion of
political forces
nP
h 2r the voice of New York speaking
in the old way"
My faith, I believe you are serious
in this. Have you really formulated
any plans?" He was sare in the trap,
and the other knew it.
Sir, will not discredit you by choos-
ing methods. As to the results desired,
1 say no more"
Yet We sit here and discuss this mat
ter as though we contemplated a simple,
proper and dignified act.'
Murder is perhaps not legal, even for
the sake of ones country. But suppose
We halt this side of murder. Suppose
that by means known only to yourself,
and not even to myself, you gained this
young woman's free consent to accom-
pany you, say. to Europe-that would
be legal, dignified, proper-and ah, so
useful"
And rather risky"
And altogether interesting
And quite impossible"
altogether impossible. Oh, utterlyT'
"Quite utterly"
They spoke with gravity. What the
gentleman from New York really
thought lay in his UnvOiced question:
Gould it by any possibility be true that
the Fillmore administration would give
me support for the next nomination If
agree to swing the Free Soil vote
nearer to the COMPROMISED" What the
gentleman from Kentucky asked in his
own mind, was this: VIII he play fair
with us. or will he simply make this
an occasion to break into our ranks?"
What they both did was to break out
into laughter at least feignedly hearty.
The Kentuckian resolved to put every
thing upon one hazard.
Il was just saying" he remarked,
that we have been told the adorable
countess perhaps Contemplates only a
short visit to America after all. She
might be easy to lead back to Europe.
II necessary, you shall have a dignIfied
errand made for you aoroad-entirely
what you yourself would call fitting.
You must see to that. Your reward
will come somewhere this side Of
heaven"
CTO BE CONTINUED TOMORROW