The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1912-10-31
enough to keep burning

v ren Blake found time to contribute to the gayety of the ridge-that is to say, he was frequently to be found on the Hampden terrace, an inconspicuous, often half forgotten listener to the nfmble gossip and badinage. Had he been more obtrusive it is proba ble that he would have been snubbed into stay ing away. But one does not greatly resent the attentions of a shadow, and one day he proposed to Katherine and was rejected.
 "Why don't you marry John Dun meade?" he asked abruptly
 She turned on him angrily. War ren! That is an"-
 "An imperfinence,' he. interrupted again evenly AYou will allow me this time. Pm not likely to bother you much again You were in love with him last summer. And you aren't the sort that forgets. Nor is he, I think He will go further than any of us he'll go better. He is what you need With me-with Gregg-you would be merely a pleasant incident You know that yourself. I think you're fighting against that knowledge. Don't do it' It was the longest speech she had ever heard from his lips.
 When they were nearing home she turned to him again. tT didn't know you and he were friends"
 we are not he replied simply. 'sHe doesn't care for me-"
 "You are mistaken about him and me-" she said steadily. 'tBut that you could plead for him when you Oh, I calls that fine, Warrenp' she ended impulsively.
 "I'm thinking of you," he said. 'Since I can't have what I want I want you to have what you need''
 When he left for more than an hour she sat, chin cupped in one hand, gag ing out over the green hills. Once Its just jumble.'' she sighed What want T wish weren't SO I wish he"- She did not indicate what she wished, and she was not re- ferring to Warren Blake.
 Senator Murche1l, after several weeks absence, had returned to his legal residence" On his rounda bout journey homeward he had been interviewed by many reporters concerning a rumored revolt in the organization.
 A few days after the senator's re- turn New Chelsea was visited by monarch. But he came incognito. with notable absence of regal splendor. To Silas Hicks, at the station. appeared a short. square whiskered. alert man who asked to De taken to Senator MurcheIrs home.
 Senators out to the farm,'' Silas re- sponded in the omniscience of hack men,
 'tThen take me to the farm
 Arrived at the farm, he received an other comInand-to wait. A hired man was repairing a broken place in the fence. From him royalty demanded to know the whereabouts of the prime minister and was told to seek him in the potato patch
 In the middle of the potato patch the visitor beheld the figure of his minister, l arrayed in pair of the hired mans 1 overalls and a straw hat of enormous 1 brim, busiIy hoeing. Toward this truly rural figure Sackett-for our monarch 1 is no other than the president of the great Atlantic railroad-made his way, l considerably to the damage of the vines beneath his feet.
 @tCareful!'' adnnonished the senator. l ssWalk between the hilIs.''
 Sackett became more careful. How are you, senator?"
 How're you, Sackett?''
 Their hands met. to part instantly,
 What" -Sackett demanded, lis the matter with Sherrod?''
 1He wants too much" Murchell an- swered briefly.
 s'I was talking to him last week.
 Murchell turned on him suddenly. 1 'sTold you I ought to get down from the head of the organization, didn't he? Told you that Adel6hia and the Steel City are turning against me. that he wants to be governor and that the Steel | people want Parrott for my job in the senate, didn't hep
 You fellows Sackett exploded ir- ritably, had better settle your squab- bles or you'll give some incendiary the l chance to step in and raise Cain. The l trouble is Sherrod is close to the Steel l City organization, and the Michigan is i trying to get into the city" The secret l of the royal irritation is out. com 1 Eeting monarch is making ready to in- 1 @ade his doninion!
 Murchell smiled bitterly .'So that's i it? For twenty years Eve been doing your dirty work. And now at the | first threat of competition you're ready l to throw me over without scruple- if you think it's safe!~ It isn't safe | Sackett.'' l
 Sackett's eyes snapped angrily. 'sIve l my duty to my stockholders, of whom you are one. Can you keep the Mich l igan out?'
 q don't know, so I won't promise. l But have I ever failed you yet?''
 tI don't believe you can do it. You're l too unpopular with the organization. l You've been too strong handed. Things 1 are ripe for a revolt Why, you can't 1 even control your own county!"
 When give up hope for this coun- 1 ty,'' the senator answered sharply, i ''you can talk. All that's been said l before. How do you expect me to keep | these hungry coyotes in Hne-by quot 1 ing Golden Rule Scripture at 'em? Do | iar nlxA ,IA ,.s