The Julesburg grit-advocate., 1912-03-07

the Fort Canibas caucus.
Bring them on" he sneered-"Ivus
Niles and his buck sheep and Enoch
Dudley and the rest Of the petty
rogues that you hired with your cor
pOratiOn money to defeat me-"
you're on the wrong trail" replied
Spinney. Il can hit you harder than
that and in tenderer spot"
He returned Harlan's amazed stare.
i've been keeping my eyes open
down here, Mr.. Thornton, and l kept
my ears open up in Fort Canibas."
Hic face grew hard. "l'll never for
ge- what you lid to me. I'm coming
right out open with you. Id like to
do you in return. 1 can do 1t. But
I'll give you u chance. It's for my in
terest to do so. provided you buy the
let-on. II you don't stand by me in
that tax rebate I'll launch the story.
What l lose in support I'll more than
make up in seeing you squirm. I'm
pretty frank, amt 1? Well, play
strong when I've got enough trnmps
under my thumb"
"Spinney. I've had enough of that
kind of talk. What do you mean"
Don't you have the least idea?'
"Not the slightest"
"A good bluff. Well, l know about
the girl up country. See? It's a bad
story to lie passed up to another girl.
And know how to get the details to
my friend Presson's daughter in time
to spoil your ambition in that quarter.
Now. how about that:
They were in one corner Of the state
house lobby. and the presence of a
hundred men about them probably
saved Spinney from beating there
and then Harlan quivered with rage.
He did not gras- the full purport Of
Spinney's hints. He only understood
that the man had grossly intruded on
his private affairs. He could not
speak. He dared not trust his voice.
"Now do you want to let it go fur
ther?' inquired the lobbyist. He felt
that the proximity Of others protected
him.
"Ill meet you alone. I'll hunt you
out and I'll mash that face Of yours
into pulp" choked the young man and
hurried away before he lost control of
himself. The most he could make out
of the episode was that Spinney was
seeking cheap revenge by offering in
| suit to his face under circumstances
that prevented him from retaliating.
He did not understand the reference
to Glare Kavanagh. His friendship
for the girl was no secret in the north
country.
| Fortunately for his peace Of mind at
that moment he was not allowed to
dwell upon the matter. The COVER
nor's messenger came seeking him.
He followed the man into the pres
ence of his excellency.
i Harlan had not recovered his self
possession, and the governor surveyed
him with some interest.
"Cares OF state, young MANI he ask
cd. And the session still as calm as
a mill pond:"
"That cur of Spinney has just in
suited memo politics, sir, but just
plain. personal insult. Why, he went
out of his way to do it,
You make much out of nothing II
| you ulON ludl " ulSlul
you." said the governor with mild re-
proof. PAY no attention to him. Now
to hy business with you. Id like to
have you dine with me this evening.
have some serious matters to talk
over with you alone, and the execu-
tive chamber here is no place for
quiet talk"
Harlan hesitated moment.
Have You another engagement?
| II was to dine with the PressOns."
II am sorry to, ask you to do 1t, my
boy, but If it is merely social en-
gagement, will you not beg to he ex-
cused. l assure you that my business
is such that it cannot well wait anoth-
er twenty-four hours. l am ready to
leave the state house now. Wen ride
past the Presson door, and I'll wait
while you present your regrets. Tell
the fair Madeleine that duty calls"
He smiled. Il hear interesting reports.
young man. Again I say I'm sorry to
keep you from your engagement. but
] Miss Presson has been near enough to