The Celina Democrat. (Celina, O. [Ohio]) 1895-1921, 1912-03-22
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The Perfect Test
By ANNIE HINRICHSEN

By ANNIE HINRICHSEN

one morning Katherine Vane sat
In the gallery of the house OF repre-
sentaives. The balloting began.
Amidst the widest bedlam the old hall
had ever held, George Allerton re,
ceived the vote Of the entire Demo,
cratic faction and Of the insurgent
band and was declared the successful
candidate for the senate.
Katherine pushed her way through
the crowd toward the elevator. A
hand touched her arm. Doane Car
ter, the leader Of the insurgent band.
almost as great a hero IN that hour
as the man whose election he had
secured, stood beside her. He drew
her into a committee room and closed
the door against a clamoring mob OF
admirers.
you know now why ! could not
come to see you" His voice was
cold. He spoke hurriedly as If in
haste 10 dispose OF an unpleasant
topic. "Your uncle. It was known
was using every means to secure
those five votes. The Democratic
candidate was also doing his best TO
get them Both men are graiters
and bribers We FIVE stood out 10
elect a good man. l was made chair
man of our band. Every act OF NINE
was watched by the spies OF each
side. Had It been known that ! was
going to Benton. Sheriff. Vane's
horne. to see his niece I should have
been suspected of secretly fayorlng
his candidacy. / could not have made
any one understand that he and your
father are bitter enemies because
your father despises his political
methods. My connection with his
family would have made my men sus-
piSous of my sincerity and they
might have been won by one or the
other faction.
There was more. at stake than
little glory for ourselves. We were
fighting to compel the assembly to
elect a great man instead Of a bood-
Ter. Last night the Democratic lead
ers agreed. since they could not elect
their candidate, to share with us the
honor Of electing Allerton.
Vow you understand my reason.
When l refused to tell you and you
refused to trust me, the candidates
had not been nominated, and our
plans to refuse TO support Vane, Il ne
should be nominated, were still Sc
cret. could not in honor tell you
the plans of my associates.
81 understand, Doane, and ! am
sorry-I can't tell you how sorry
am-how much l regret my unklnd-
ness. If you were to ask me again 10
trust you"
II shall not. Since have been
proved honorable you are willing TO
trust me. / have given you the eX-
PLANTATION l promised you. do not
ask you to love me. What sort OF
wife would you be? A woman who
would have no confidence in her hus-
band. who would not believe his word
of honor unless it was supported py
afidavits." He opened the door TO
allow her to pass out. Good morn
ing" he said curtly.
In the rotunda she met her uncle
the defeated candidate. For the first
time in her life he spoke to her.
"Doane Carter sold out for a price y
he said deliberately. His price was
Allerton's daughter. He expects to
marry her. She is the reason he
formed an insurgent band and elected
her father"
THAT is not true" There was CON
viction in Katherine's voice. He
elected Mr.. Allerton because he was a
great man, an honor to the state and
not a boodling politician. Doane
Carter is a man whom no price can
buy"
Good for you" laughed Carter be-
hind her. 81 hurried after you" he
went on when her uncle was out OF
hearing. ito ask you to forgive me
for being such a brute and to love me
If YOU can. I've loved you all the
time, Kate, dear, but my pride had
been awfully hurt by your lack OF
confidence in me-"
Lack of confidence? Did not
prove that my trust in you is abso-
lutte when Uncle Sheriff. could not
make me suspicious or jealous by
saving you loved another woman?
Have I not stood the perfect test!
Aren't YOU sure now that | trust you