The Eureka sentinel. [volume] (Eureka, Nev.) 1902-current, 1911-12-16

the war eagle." shouted Niles. de
claiming after his accustomed man.
ner. And all to put you into a seat
In the statehouse. where you can keep
stealing the few things that your
grandfather amt had time or strength
to stealI'
Harlan dropped or his horse and
strobe to Niles.
Enough Of that, Niles. Was I
chosen in the caucus today7 I want
yes or no."
"Yes-and after three-quarters Of the
voters had been stampeded to fight
that fire that was sweeping down on
their property. And you
Harlan pushed him to one side, leap
ed upon his horse and rode away. The
girl jumped her roam to his side.
Its wicked. Harlan" she gasped-
wicked! heard him. What are you
going to do?"
That was another of her questions
that he found it hard to answer. I'm
going to find my grandfather, Glare,
and I'm going in a great hurry. Come.
I can't talk now, little girl"
They gaIloped down the long hill to
the bridge. their horses neck and neck.
They drew rein at the end of the
bridge.
"It's only a bit Of a run for you now,
little girl. I'll keep on home"
She put her hand out to him and held
him for a moment.
I'm afraid you'll 60 away to be a
big man, after all. Harlan she said
dolefully.
go in this way? What are you
talking about, child?' he demanded,
choking, his fury getting possession of
him. I've been disgraced-abused.
Tll-but l mustn't talk to you now.
The wicked words might slip out"
But she would not loose his hand
just then.
Il sent for you to come home because
I heard father say that politics is wick
ed business. But l didn't know 1t was
as wicked as this. It's no wonder they
can't get the good men like you to go
into 1t. II they could it would be bet
ter. wouldn't it?"
Even in his distress 1t occurred to
him that out of the mouth of this child
was proceeding quaint and uncon-
scious wisdom.
Il wish it wasn't wicked" she went
on wistfully. i've been thinking as
l rode along that I've been selfish, I'd
like to see you a big man like some of
those I've read about.
Il couldn't be one" he protested.
Even a foolish little girl up here in
the woods has got faith that you can,
and men who are really big don't for
get their old friends" she said.
That's real grown up talk, child"
he said.
as it," The wan little flicker Of a
smile that she mustered brought tears
to his eyes. Maybe it's because I'll
be sixteen tomorrow. Good night,
big boy!' This new, womanly serious
ness was full of infinite pathos. She
had not released his hand. She bent
forward suddenly. leaning from her
saddle, and kissed his cheek. And
goodby, my playmate!" she whispered.
While his fingers still throbbed with
the last pressure of her hand the
black mouth of the big bridge swal-
lowed her. He listened to the ringing
hoof beats of her horse till sudden ST.
lence told him she had reached the
soft soil on the other shore.
He did not gallop to meet his grand
father. He walked his horse for the
long mile past the scattered houses Of
the village till he came to the barracks.
When he was still some distance
away he saw in the gloom Of the
porch the red coal Of the dukes cigar.
Even then he did not rush forward to
protest and d~enounce.
He slipped off his horse and led him
toward the porch. Then he gave him
over to the hostler and went to the
house,
Thelismer Thornton heard him COM
ing.
pretty heavy on his heels, the boy
is" he observed to the state chairman.
Hes been licking his dander around
in a circle till he's got it rearing"
The young man halted, erect before
his grandfather, but the old man got
in the first word.
SOAhS " ~ yO4 oA thC tAA40
to talk in you want. bub. / was a lit
tie short with you today when I was
stirred up, but no more of that. Say
all you want to. And I'm going to
give you a little advice about starting
in. Now-now-now hold on. / know
just how you feel. l don't blame you
for feeling that way. But 1t had to
be done just as l did it-all Of It.
Now, start in easy, bub. and work up
to your climax. ! know just how you
feel"
I'm glad I've had half an hour to
think it over since l first heard about
what happened in that caucus. I
won't say the things to you I intended
to say. I'll simply say this: I'm going
to write a letter declining this nominal
ton. I'm going to publish that letter.
and I'm going to say In that letter