The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1912-05-13
Papa Politics

door. linen Sn6 raised QeT 0auO SUI
denly to wave Kent Bane. who wal
behind her, back into the hall She
held the door half open for a moment
and then softly closed it. Her face
which a moment before had been
flushed and laughing. was very white
What Is it," Bane asked.
1T is nothing-nothing. Come in
here" She led him into q room across
the hall Father has guests In the
library"
Elisa. what is It? Is there anything
can do to help you? You know that
what hurts you must also make me
unhappy"
II can't tell you about this Kent
It is something that-that- Oh, l
can't speak of 1t to you-tO you, OF
all people. Let US talk about some
thing else"
When Horace Dryden, after accom-
panying his guests to the door. re-
turned to the library he found his
daughter waiting for him.
Father, will Colonel Bane lose his
position as president OF the canal
bOard?"
Mr.. Dryden stared at her. yes"
he said, coolly. he will"
"But father, have you no thought
for Kent and for me?"
Mr.. Dryden slowly lighted a cigar.
why should consider Kent?" he
asked deliberately. What is Kent
to me? And what" he added. after
. significant silence what is Kent to
you?"
Kent is-he Is" Her eyes dropped
before her fathers keen ones. and the
words were almost inaudible.
Kent Is not your afiianced hus-
band. There is no engagement BE-
tween you two"
But, father, I care IA great deal
for him, and he-l believe he cares for
me-"
How did you know that his father
Is to be ousted from the canal board?"
Tonight l opened the library door.
I did not know there was any one In
the room. You and the governor and
Mr.. Green were there. l heard you
say, Wen Dust Bane from his pres.
ent place. It is the best PLAN"
Elsa" the curtness was gone from
Mr.. Dryden's voice. and he spoke
gently, III you and Kent really care
for each other, my action in dismiss.
ing his father will not separate you.
But the colonel shall leave the canal
board. You can't expect me to allow
the friendship between you and Kent,
q friendship which Is not an engage
ment, to interfere In the plans Of q
governor and his state machine"
The newspapers announced the res
ignation Of Colonel Pane from tho
presidency Of the canal board and the
appointment Of Mr.. Greene In his
place.
A few hours after the announce.
ment Kent Bane went to the Dryden
home
Elsa" he exclaimed M she came
into the room. I'm the happiest man
In the world"
Happy. Kent? And your father"
Father is quite unconcerned about
his retirement. He has plenty Of
money and many other interests. His
retirement affects me more than It
does him. It makes me free to tell
you how much love you and to ask
you to marry me. could not do so
while my father held his position
through your fathers influence"
Elsa stepped away from him. "Why
couldn't you?"
Because the whole world would
hvae said that was marrying you in
order to retain Mr.. Dryden's influence
for my father"
"And now. when people can no long.
er say that. you are ready to marry?
You loved me SO little that you allow.
ed your pride-your silly vanity-to
stand between us. don't want the
insignificant. poor little gift you offer
your love"
A week later Mr.. Dryden handed
paper across the breakfast table to
his daughter. It contained the an.
nouncement Of Colonel Bane's ap-
pointment to one Of the highest Of.
faces in the gift Of the governor.
what does It mean, father"
when We decided to Gust Bane
from the canal board We also decided
to give him something better. I asked
him not to mention the new appoint.
ment to any one. not even to his son.
thought that II Kent's love for you
could be shattered by my dismissal
Of his father II should have the
chance. But your pride took nre at
the boys conduct and"
Kent Bane strobe into the room.
He paid no attention to Mr.. Dryden.
He caught Elsa's hands. crushing the
newspaper she held.
I've come back to you again." he
said. before she could speak. you
showed me that I had acted like q
weak cad. am thoroughly ashamed
Of my attitude. Won't you forgive
the pride-silly vanity you called IT.
that stood between u.s."
A chair scraped on the noor as Mr..
Dryden rose from his seat. II wish
ho eald to the two raAisnt marianne