The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1912-09-12
BY ANNIE HNRICHsEN.

Cipyright. 1912, by the Associated
Literary Press.
Elsa Dryden opened the library
dc or, Then she raised her hand sud
denly 10 wave Kent Bane, who was
behind her, back into the hall. She
held the door half open for mo-
ment and then softly closed it. Her
face. which moment before had
been flushed and laughing.s.was. very
white.
What is it" Bane asked.
ut is Notwithstanding. Come in
here" She led him into q room
acros the hall Father has guests
n the library"
Very terrible guests, | think. They
nave frightened you"
Il am not frightened. l ami am
|. n little worried; that is ait,
Her anxiety was reflected in his
face. Elsa. what Is it, lie there any
thing l can do to help you? You
know that what hurts you must also
make me unhappy.
Il cant tell YOU about tn. Kent.
l. IL something that--that--- Oh,
, can't speak of it 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 90
Mr.. Dryden stared at her. Yes. ~
he said, coolly, he will
But father. have YOU no thought
FOR Kent and for me -
Mr.LDryden SLOWLY lighted a. cigar,
, 4 trb ina - "a
watched 1t flare and turn TO cinder
before he answered his daughter.
Why should / consider Kent" he
asked deliberately. What is Kent
TO me? And what he added. after
a significant silence, what is Kent
10 you?"
Kent is--he is Her eyes dropp-
ped before her fathers keen ones. .tnts
the words were almost inaudible
Kent is not your atfianced has-
hand There Is no engagement be-
tween you two
But father, / 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 / opened the library door.
did not Know there WAS any one in
the room You and the governor and
Mr..Greene were there. heard YOU
say. Wen Dust Bane from his pres
ent Ttace. 1t is the best plan. /
closed the door and heard no more
You control the governor. Every one
knows that If he dismis~es Colonel
Bane every one will know that II is
your work. and-well. Kent and T.
We can't be friends II my father is
his fathers enemy.
! Elsa" The curtness was gone from
Mr. Dryden's voice, and he ~ 1Se
gently, III you and Kent really care
for each other, my action lis dismiss
ing his father will not separate N.st'-
But the colonel shall leave the canal
board AS you know. desire TO br
reelected chairman Of the Starr cen
trail committee. The governor also
desires my reelection. Mr.. 'ireen is
my one formidable opponent He met
the governor and me tn consultation
tonight and agreed to withdraw
from the race If the governor would
place MIN at the head of tho canal
board. The governor agreed. Colonel
Bane will be asked to resign. You
can't expect me to allow the frieni-
ship between you and Kent, a friend
ship which is not an engagement, 70
interfere In the plans of a governor
and his State machine
The newspapers announced tf1r rt'~-
ignation Of Colonel Bane from the
presidency OF the canal board and the
appointment Of MIR. Greene in his
place The papers which were an
tagonistic to the governor Informed
the public that the governors action
In dismissing Colonel Bane and APP
pointing Mr.. Greene was prompted by
Horace DRYDEN: that Mr.. Greene had
been made president Of the canal
board in order that he might not np-'