The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1912-08-08

AOOAiIk WIS tHluUllHuttls llAtTtulltl
many things were ignored by them
Paul went on the staff of Bob's news
paper. The Bugle's editorials arr
often quoted IN other newspapers OF
note.
Many have often tried to initial,
them I'm vain. perhaps because they
breathe spirit that cannot be smu
lated convincingly. He is no longer q
public figure In the Steel City. Few
now remember his sensational dis
avowal of McAdoo. fewer still his
equally sensational amende. Some
times there have been struggles with
burning appetite. At such times he
has fed TO Kathleen. He tells her II
is she who has conquered.
Both Kathleen and Paul are happy
At least they have achieved content.
The train that whirled Paul toward
the Steel City was passed by another
bearing Mayor McAdoo 10 the death
bed of man who had come very close
TO him.
Bob saw much OF Murchell during
the two years following the Steel City
mayorality election. He came to feel
a mighty admiration and affection for
the great general who had created q
new political era, who had shackled q
nation to the service of vast, vora.
eious system. who had lifted at least
one nonentity to the presidents chair
and who in the last years of his life
was struggling to undo the work of his
prime.
when man reaches his threescore
years and ten." Murchell said to him
one day. "he has learned that the evil
or good q man does concerns himself
least of all. The balance must remain
heavily against me. | must strive not
to atone. but to make the way ready
for other men who will undo what
have done"
Murchell's lofty self ignoring gave
him an example that he strove to emu.
late
Many other things Of less abstract
kind he learned from the master
Murchel revealed to him the secret
intricate inner workings of the vast
machine that gripped the state az in a
wise. II was not all pretty More
than once he saw reDellious bosses en-.
ter the presence of the master to leave
shaking, stunned by the knowledge
that they were inextricably in the
power Of Il man who seemed TO know
everything Many things Murchell
and Bob did of which they said naught
to the gentle Dunmeade that they
might save his heart from burning.
Gradually Bob came to understand.
too. why the secrets and sources of
Murchelrs power were revealed to
him. He was being prepared to take
Murchell's place. Upon him. not upon
Dupmeade, the masters mantle was
to fall. l5s'a:l'E .J.a;-e ssS'i- -'~.'-s
And now Murchell was dying.
Bob knew as the train bore him
swiftly to the east that he was going
10 assume that mantle.
Years before IL will be master of the
state before der ambition had cried.
Now he said, II am not yet forty,
and am master Of the state"
Master OF the state! He had dream
ed OF power. Now power, tremendous,
farreaching. almost unlimited power,
would be his II he could retain what
Murchell would very soon place in his
hands.
II can! ! willl' His teeth clinched,
his muscles frightened in the stress of
his determination. IL will be true to
my trust. will use my power for
the good OF this people. So help me
Godw
His words were prayer, not an
oath. There was no exultation In his
heart, neither was there humility. Self
was forgotten. His task loomed large
before him. self obliterating, filling his
horizon as he hurried toward the gov
ernor's mansion. In the library some
one was playing the piano very softly.
the gentle. soothing chords lingering
In the air. Thither the servant show
ed Bob.
On the threshold Bob halted sharp
ly. Death, power, battle, We're In an
instant swept from his mind. His
heart leaped convulsively.
The players back was toward him.
She did not notice his entrance. He
did not move. lest he might disturb
her Then her voice rose. full and
clear and plaintive in song that not
all the street pianos in the world can
rob of its appeal. Bob listened in rapt
attention. Once before he had heard
her sing that song, on the night when.
on that very spot, he had dealt her
the cruelest blow a man could give
woman.
At the last line her voice shook
slightly; once II faltered.
''To kiss the cross. sweetheart--to
kiss the cross"
The last long quivering note died
away. she turned and arose to face
him. For long minute they regsrs
ad each other upwaveripRiy 1t Eas