The Brookings register. [volume] (Brookings, Brookings County, S.D.) 1903-1971, 1911-12-07

determined upon"
"Ah!' she said regretfully. Then it
was all planned beforehandT'
Every stepl"
Even TO your speechY
He nodded smilingly. You know,
Mrs. Gilbert. there never was a speech
worth giving that wasn't prepared be-
%forehand. Every word of hat speech
was written out and memorized verba-
tim"
Then all those burning words were
a sham, all that display of splendid
passion a theatrical trick to save q
man not worthy
mo, no." he broke in eagerly. "All
] said was true-true as life and death.
And Bob-you don't know him. He is
magnificent. worthy Of
spare me-" she impatiently inter
rupted. II heard that once before-in
/ your speech. | am frankly disappoint-
ed. | believed you a genuine master
spirit. compelling us to see the truth.
Now. | see you are only a clever actor,
trucking us into ignoring the truth"
She drew a deep breath.
please don't go yet" he begged.
II have something to say to you. DO
you believe in pre- eXistenceSg'
Decidedly not. I'm fairly healthy.
And, besides. the present existence
demands all my attention"
What would you say if | were to
tell you that although | have just met
you and have seen you but twice be-
fore so far as | can remember | seem
to have known you alwaysT"
She shrugged her shoulders again, a
fashion she had. I'm sorry-you will
forgive me, Mr.. Remington?-Tm not
deeply impressed-and a bit incredu-
lous."
Il didn't expect you to be impressed
he answered quietly, land I'm not pro-
posing-yet. But. Mrs. Gilbert"-his
head went up, eyes lashing-"Im not
q sentimental fool. | am to be taken
seriously"
''Why don't you go on the stageT"
she 6eered.
Paul looked at her uncertainty for a
moment; then his gravity was cast
aside as a cloak. He made some incOr-
sequent answer and promptly led the
talk into other and lighter channels,
whittier she followed him carelessly.
She was not quite free from the spell
he had woven about her during his
speech. Something in the man broke
down her habit Of cold indifference to
men, and put her on her mettle. She
strove to meet his occasional witty
| sallies in kind. sometimes with a sue
cess that delighted them both. Once,
when their badinage assumed a more
personal tone, she protested.
"We're talking as though we were
old friends" she said.
"Of course" he responded calmly,
1--WE are. That was written long ago."
"You have many friends?" she
queried ~curiously.
II have been lucky in the matter of
friends"
And do you give them all the same
romantic appreciation and return you
profeSsed for Mr.. McAdOo, or was
that part OF the play acting too? |
can't see what you find in common
with one who, my brother tells me, is
typical Of the very worst in our poll
tics"
II forgot you are of the enemy" he
laughed and added more soberly:
"Your brother is wrong. There may
have been regrettable things in Bob's
earlier career. But in the six years
/ have known him | have seer little
of the dirty politician. His victories
have been won chiefly by his courage
and resourcefulness and the fact that
men, whether they like him or not, in
stinctively trust him and follow him.
If he has resorted to questionable tao
tics it has been only to meet similar
methods Of the opposition. And his
victories have been very much to the
advantage of this city"
And to the advantage of his loyal
friend. | suppose" she suggested in
quiringly. You are NJ doubt-IIn
very ignorant of politics-some one
very important. a high officer. con-
gresham. at least?"
"Oh, &c. I'm only a senator Of the
common or garden variety. a very un-
important member of our state iegis-
lature."
while he has become boss" she
added, ut seems
Don't, Mrs. Gilbert, l beg Of you"
he interrupted gravely. ut would be
disloyal for me to listen to such sug-
gestions even from you. The least !
can do is to trust him. | could fill a
higher position. and / often chafe over
my slow climb. If | were to insist he
would help me to the best in his power
to give. But his judgment and his
heart are to be trusted. You shall
know him, and then you will under
stand why | trust him so absolutely"
Thank you, nor she said indiffer.
emily. Il approve Of your loyalty, of
course. But l saw your friend this
afternoon. and, frankly. | don't think
i should like him. | don't care to