The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-12-27
THE EVENING STORY
Her Gratitude.
(By Annie Hinrichsen.)
Al,Gl

Mr.. Atherford, have come to you,
stranger, to ask your help"
Atherford's eyes were studying the
lines and the color of the charming
face. Il shall be glad to do what can
for you," he answered.
Ford county has two candidates for
the legislature and both are running as
independents. The Democratic and Re-
publican parties in Ford county are so
disorganized by factionaI quarrels that
neither nominated a candidate For
this reason there are two Independents
running and the two Aarties are sup
porting them as individuals regardless
of politics. The contest between them
is close; a little extra influence for
either side would swing the scale.
fred Chester. AS chairman of the state
central committee and manager of the
state campaign. you can secure
Wilfred Chester's election
Chester?" The tone was the clear, in
cisive one of the state chairman. The
interested young man had become
again the experienced politician.
"I realize that I am ding a pre-
sumptuous thing when I ask you to
WELD for my benefit the power of the
state machine. 1 should not do so if
the matter were not to me a vital one.
Years ago the state awarded my father
the contract for building the Ford
county canal. On account of a techni-
cality his bill for the work was not
paid. Year after year he tried to collect
the money, but he did not sue
only property he left his family was
the bill against the state. The lawyers
say that the only way it can be COL
lected is by act of the legislature au-
thorizing the payment. The measure
providing for the payment lust be in
=.
from our county. The man opposing
Wi1fred Chester has declared that our
claim is illegal and that he will not
introduce the measure in the house.
Wilfred Chester says he will introduce
it and work TO- its passage.
Il know she hurried on, that
neither party is participating in the
contest in Ford county. Your party
has safe majority in the House and
you are not carrying tt'e campaign in
to the counties where there are indie
pendent candidates running for office.
But in this case, can't you, won't you,
make an exception and elect Wilfred
Chester? ~
For several minutes the chairman sat
looking over Muriel Brainard's head at
a large map which covered half the wall.
1t was map of the state showing the
division into legislative districts. He
stared steadily at Ford county, then
'I Think he said. that it will be
possible for the state central commit
tee to find excellent reasons for carry
ing the campaign into Ford county and
for electing Wilfred Chester"
When the newly elected legislature
assem- bled, one of the first measures
in the House was an act
the payment of the claim
of the Brainard estate versus the
commonwealth. The measure was in
troduced by Wilfred Chester. an indie
pendent elected by a large majority.
Muriel Brainarf arH George Ather-
ford were in the house when the meas
ure was presented. AS the clerk fin
ished reading the words of the measure
nervous fingers reached toward
Atherford. Under cover of his over
coat, he pressed them tightly. "'The
measure shall be passed. he said in
a low voice. ''It shall be passed If I
have any influence in this house"
Mural Brainard had come to the state
capital at the beginning of the legislative
had seen Atherford frequently. But after
the introduction of the measure he avoided
her both in the hotel and the state Eouso.
The evening before the Brainard meas
ure was to be voted on AtherforI received
an imperative summons from Muriel
''I have lust learned" she said that In |
trying to secure the passage of my bill |
you have been compelled to sacrifice
many of your own plans. I have been
pledges for the passage of this measure s1.a
you have had to promise your influence
For the support of other measures, and by
this support you may place in teoplrdy
your political future
mo man can secure the passage of a |
measure without paying for 1t in pledges |
You are spending your influence for |
me, getting pledges with promises of sup
port for other mems bills. / was told to- |
night that, powerful as you are, you have |
had hard fight to push my bill and that |
you have paid a great price, in influence, |
FOR its passage. You shall not make TINS |
sacrifice Withdraw your support tonight |
and your influence will still be your own. |
shall not accept your sacrifice. I should !
rather be a beggar than-than-
Il shall not Withdraw my support. That |
why have you done this for me? You |
10 not care for me. You avoid me. You |
seldom speak to me. Why are you do |
20 yourself?"
81 am doing it for reasons of my own. |
Tomorrow that measure passes"
During the vote the measure Muriel |
Brainard sat in the private office of the |
speaker of the house. Through the half |
open door she could hear the clerk calling |
he roll Atherford, standing by the door,
recorded on a slip of paper the vote OF |
zach man.
AS the clerks voice announced the pas
'age of the bill, Wilfred Chester rushed
nto the room Passed, Muriel, passed.
re exclaimed joyously. 1.-The money will |
De paid and you will be a rich woman.
-our future, even If the bill had been de-
'eated- 1 have plenty and your home viii
always be with Alice and me-"
''Alice?'' Atherford's voice cracked like a
whip. who's AIice?''
'fMuriel's sister and my fiancee. She
las been in the west for several months.
We are to be married in a few weeks.
hought I told you
When Chester had rushed out of the
DOM Atherford closed with a bang the
ioor into the assembly hall. Muriel, II