New Ulm review., 1912-12-25

1
presented to him by his campaign, bu
he fet blindly that It was leading hia
into paths whittier she would not fol
Ioy Into which he, II he yielded to hi,
lQgtng. would not-could not-gt
6one He had sometimes thought he
1elt In her that which would carry he,
to great heights; yet he knew she was
now Of the earth. earthly. She was q
creature of luxury. He thought of his
last years income and laughed un'
pleasantly.
''Why this sudden hilarity?'; she de.
4 manded.
ITS joke I've just thought of-you
wouldn't appreciate It."
"Was it." she pressed him-"was 1t
about your speech tonight?"
"1ndirectly. suppose" he replied.
"Will you tell me about that? 1t was
the reason-one reason-why l wanted
you to come home with me. I'm of
two minds about it OF course. didn't
understand what 1t was all about. ex-
cept that you were expected to say far
more and something different. Any
one could see that the men on the
platform were angry. But one had the
feeling that somehow you were finding
and asserting yourself-doing some
thing rather splendid. / know it made
Aunt Roberta begin to snuttie-she said
1t was cold In her head. l heard one
man near us-a big, hulking farmer
say. BY Joshua! always thought
there was considerable Of man under
that white skin Of Johnny Dun
meade's.' He didn't mean to be funny.
I think. Another. different sort of
man. laughed and said, Now that's
the cleverest move yet. It's a grand
stand play. but it'll make him If he's
big enough to follow it up. It'll get
him following"
She looked up at him inquiringIy.
He saw again the eager interest in her
eyes. ...
1T was neither splendid nor crafty"
he said grimly. Il was expected to
rant and lie about the virtues of can
didates I've no faith in. cover up a lot
OF things that, it seems. can't be an
swered. l had that speech ready. But
when It came to the point l couldn't
say 1t. That's all. Sheehan and the
organization will probably knife me
under cover aud beat me If only as a
horrible example to the next young
man who happens along with work.
ing conscience"
why" she exclaimed incredulously.
''that would elect your opponent.
wouldn't it? Senator MurcheIi won't
allow it. surely"
Senator Murchell will be the first to
recommend the kni6ng." he laughed
shortly. Il begin to suspect that the
senator is a false god"
What have you against the candi-
dates%'
Its rather against the forces behind
them. Bad methods and general sfs-
piciOn. guess. probably couldn't
make it clear" .....~..-. ..--
"Just that? do not think" she said
slowly. that like it. after all. I'm
in-fOr you"
would you have me lie? For that's !
what it would amount to-"
"Oh." she cried. that's not a fair !
way to put it. I'm so ambitious for
you! That's unwomanIy. too. sup
lose. but don't care. am ambitious
or you. And | do so admire the men
Who get along! And in politics you
ould go SO far. You have Senator
friendship. You don't know,
low much he admires you. And you
ave brains and popularity. Do you
now what would do if were man
Ike you? l would go into politics seri-
usly. would master methods and
onditions and adapt them to my pur-
ose. l would keep on until the organ
.ation was mine. And then when my
over was secure would remove, lit
e by little. the evils I saw. and when
had finished and measured my COM
against the good had done
now the balance would be in my ia.
or
But he merely smiled bitterly. "And
suspect that by the time I'd got the
over in the fashion you describe. I'd
ave become the sort Of man that
oesn't use his power for good"
"What are you going to do about it?''
"About the eIection?" He shrugged
Is shoulders In Indifference LET 'em
eat me. suppose. haven't thought
head as far as tomorrow"
"Now that it's all over I can admire
our refusing to make that speech. 1t
as splendid in way. You see.
IN appreciate unselfishness in the ab-
ract or when It can't he remetlied."
II told you that wasn't unselfish. 1t
IA Involuntary" he insisted. "Rut
ran add to The evidence-your kindly.
EN- if mistaken. interest in me and
Y future. And you mustn't sneer at
urself." he added gravely.
She turned to look fairly into his II
es. do you still think it necessary 81
let me down easily?" she asked "
ietly.