The Ward County independent. [volume] (Minot, Ward County, N.D.) 1902-1965, 1912-02-15

the real McAdoo."
+"And what did you di%,oTe:"
She shook her head. Il can't tell
yet," she answered gravely, then she
added abruptly, Mr.. McAdoo, will
you tell ME what you think of my
Ausband-honestly?"
Bob looked her straight in the eyes.
Il used to think him merely a shall
NV demagogue. That was before l
knew him. Now l believe him to be
q sincere but very foolish man. He
has the knack Of getting hold Of the
popular heart. He could make almost
anything Of himself if it weren't for
A1s reform notions. He's ahead of his
0me.''
~There must always be a pioneer"
And the pioneer is generally sacri-
1ced to his cause.'' Bob said senten-
0lOusiy. He does the work and sees
another reap the glory"
"Yet Murchell, the shrewdest politi-
Olan we have ever had. has Joined
forces with my husband"
THAT merely proves my statement.
2urchell has been considered invinci-
BE. Lately. since his open alliance
With your husband. his organization
has been falling to pieces. He is like
y to lose his hold on the railroad
port what he loses among US politi-
cans"
Mrs. Dunmeade raised protesting
hand please don't say us politi
cans Because-one must speak
right out to you. mustn't one?-1
brought you in here to ask you to join
1prces with u.s.
In my city they would call that a
IKE. Mrs. Dunmeade"
1T iss't a joke to you. is itY'
"A Steel City newspaper once re-
marked editorially," he answered grim
y. that could be explained only on
he hypothesis that l am totally lack
ing In moral sensibility."
"You are willing that the world
should hold that opinion"
"Reaily. Mrs. Dunmeade, I never
bother about what the world thinks
She studied him gravely. III it be
tue that you frankly, deliberately
choose the career Of corruption-the
editorial was wrong: you are not
moral idiOt-what monster, what an
abnormaiity. you are! l can't believe
that Of any man. You haven't an
swered my proposal that you join with
us."
IF that is all you need to set you
right" he said quietly, mo-"
But you said my husband is sin
cere."
'.He Is. or. rather. he thinks he is
Bob answered, all his brutal cynicism
finding expression. HE really desires
reform. but not for the reforms sake.
He'll never be content unless it Is
Worked out through him.
"Ah." she cried. chow you misjudge
HIM! tell you John Dunmeade
would gladly smash the god of self to
atoms for the sake of his great pur
pose. He has already made the Bit
tsrest sacrifice possible for man like
him. He has gone along with the old
ocder, compromising and dealing, ac-
eepting little - infnitesimal - better
nents. to make a beginning, to pave
de way for the sweeping reforms he
thinks necessary. You wonder why
I talk to you, a total stranger, in this
fashion. It Is because I have marked
you out as one who can be ire
nnendous help to us-to him. lit is
part of my atonement. Even when he
was a boy in college he was an en-
thusiast. worshiping high ideals. And
he fought hard to make politics clean.
Then he loved me. was ambitious
for him to RISE In small, careless
way / shared your philosophy then,
and l tempted him with the sophistry
q expediency. Because of me be
John Dunmeade trickster. | was
wrong, and he was right. All can
10 to make up for it is to win posi-
ton where he can force some of his
dear reforms. I've done a little. ]
made Murchell his friend. Murchell
has made him governor. You could
help US so much she added. looking
ut him wistfulIy.
Bob smoked slowly and thoughtfully
for few minutes. Then he threw his
cigar into the fire and rose.
'I'm keeping You too long" he said
Mrs. Dunmeade rose too.
You're not TO be moved, / see, by q
personal appeal" she said II have d
very definite purpose in telling you of