Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1912-02-17

use liquor in its various forms, and en-
deaver to arrive at some compromise
In this state which shall put stop to
what Is practically civil war? VIII
you agree to some middle ground If it
can be shown that more men can be
made sober and less men hypocrites Z"
Il stand solely for the principle of
prohibition, answering till DEATH" an
nounced the clergyman His partisans
applauded
I'm your case that word prohibition
is simply a fetish-a rally call for
fight. 1t has made liars and thieves
and perjurers and grafters out of men
who would not otherwise have been
tempted"
"I'll see to it," declared Mr.. Prouty
hotly, 'that 500 ministers denounce
you from their pulpits as an enemy to
temperance"
''You don't know what temperance
is" General Weymouth brushed past
them "Your definition ISLANDERS the
word I shall be glad to have your
support, gentlemen, at the polls. But
l am for the state, not for your faction
or any other faction"
He ushered Harlan before him and
closed his door upon the delegation.
Its a sad feature Of public affairs
in this state, my young friend" said
he when they were alone, chat so
large mass of the people, who nat
urally are sane and moderate, allow
those paid agents of so called reform
to serve as popular mouthpieces. I
propose to see whether the people will
not follow the real thing in honesty in
stead of the mere protestation of it,"
On the way to the station the gen
eral preferred his request. 1t was that
Harlan become his executive officer in
the approaching campaign-his chief
of staff, his companion, his buffer, pro-
tecting him from the assaults of the
politicians.
Before the campaign really opens
there will be three weeks or SO in
which you may attend to your own
affairs. You remember that it was you
that dragged me into this, young manr'
1t was the old jest, but it had taken
on meaning within twenty four hours
You have seen with your own eyes,
heard with your ears, how I stand
alone between factions which are will
ing to sacrifice the state in order to
win for their own interests. I need
you with me, for you have been with
me from the start, and you have
shown your fitness Is it yes, my
young friend?"
1T is yes, General Weymouth.
question my ability. 1 know it is
poor. But of my. loyalty there is no
question"
The general grasped his hand They
were at the car steps. TT shall be
boots and saddles three weeks from
today"
Llnton was in the parlors of the no.
tel with the Presson party when Har-
Ian arrived, glowing with his new en-
thusfaSm, confident in his new eleva-
ton in the affairs of men. In the af-
fairs of women he was not quite as |
sure of his desires or his standing, but
his mood was new, and he realized it,
He went straight to Madeleine Pres
son. Twenty-four hours before the
presence of Linton at her side would
have held him aloof
He put out his hand to the young
lawyer. and Linton took 1t.
81 extend my congratulations rather
late, but they are sincere. 1t was a
noble speech You put in words my
own thoughts regarding a noble man"
Perhaps you could have expressed
those thoughts just as well as I did"
Linton was not cordial.
mo, sir, not with a woodsman's vo-
cabulary, though with such a text I
certainly should have felt the true In
spiration."
You'll have to claim considerable
political foresight, even though you
cast doubt on your eloquence," said
Linton rather sourly "I'H confess that
I jumped wrong. But had my inter
ests to protect Let me ask you, Is
General Weymouth offended, very
much SO, because I withdrew my sup
port this morningF
General Weymouth has not made
any comments on the matter in my
hearing"
Il know you can explain to him
Harlan broke in fmpatiently:
81 am not cheeky enough to advise
such a man about picking his political
support 1 beg your pardon, Miss
Presson." He bowed He turned to
Linton. ST hope you won't open this
subject with me again, Mr.. Linton / |
am so loyal to General Weymouth that
you cannot explain satisfactorily to me
any reasons why you should have de-
serted him today You viii see now
why the topic should not be referred
to again between us"
Linton bristled-
IL you take such an unjust view Of