The Brookings register. [volume] (Brookings, Brookings County, S.D.) 1903-1971, 1912-01-11
CHAPTER XVI.

composure:
Twice. | believe. | hardly expected
to meet you here. Mrs. Gilbert"
Three times. I'm sure" she said
pleasantly. ITS very stupid. but really
all | can think Of is that trite old
saying that the world is very small.
Mr.. McAdoo."
Bob's sense Of humor came to his
aid as be looked at the woman to cast
whom and her influence out of his life
he had come TO find a weapon. He
laughed.
II should say the worlds size de
pends upon whether you are trying to
find or avoid Il person"
Her face lighted up mirthfully.
Come. Mr.. McAdoo. We are under
the white flag here. | appeal to the
governor. Cousin. TO my rescue. for
the sake Of your households peace.
Mr.. McAdoo and | always quarrel"
Then solemnly declare a truce"
laughed the governor But | doubt
her need Of my protection. | fancy this
young lady is quite capable Of caring
for herself, eh, Mr. McAdoo|"
quite"
THAT'S very generous she smiled.
1T speaks well for a successful truce.
| hope?" And she held out her hand
with pretended hesitation.
His hesitation was genuine: but.
yielding to the necessity. he took her
slender white hand into his big strong
one-the hand. as it flashed across her
mind, that had once snatched her from
a hideous death. Perhaps her smile
became more kindly than she intended,
had been a hot coal.
And now" Mrs. Dunmeade said
promptly, peace having been estab-
lished all around. let us go in to din
ner." She took Bob's arm and led the
way into the dining room.
At dinner Bob sat opposite Eleanor,
to his considerable discomfort at first.
Perhaps Mrs. Dunmeade saw this. for
she guided the talk TO subjects which
allowed him to be the audience. And
S'JttI aNhIIc a hlS1Ohilplt was ~
gotten in his interest in the conversa-
ton and in his covert study Of Flea
nor, especially in his study Of Flea
nor. He watched her critically that
he might learn. if possible, the secret
of her influence over Paul. His study
forced him to admit very grudgingly
that any man might find it hard to
resist her charm.
ANY man Of Paul's temperament,
that U.s." he corrected himself hastily.
And he began to doubt the success Of
his mission to the capital in its ulti-
mate purpose.
Finally Mrs. Dunmeade turned to
Bob. Tell us, how is your campaign
progressing?"
There is considerable opposition
"If your friends good wishes count
for anything" she said kindly, you
will win. We're all anxious to see you
elected"
zone good indication" Murchell add
ed. lis the v~iciousness of the news
paper attacks. They overstep all
bounds, That courthouse story. for
i%nstance-I personally know that you
had nothing to do with it."
mo; | had nothing to do with it."
Surely there must be some way to
stop such stories." said Eleanor.
What business is it of yours?" Bob
wanted to say roughly. Instead he
cold UrinnIu. ts\aS Rrihn thn nUn-
ers."
"Who are the owners Of the paper
that published the courthouse storyY'
she asked. not seeing or not under
standing the danger signals flashed
across to her by Mrs. Dunmeade.
Bob was tempted. To tell her the
truth, to shame and hurt her before
her friends. would have been an in
cense Of sweet SAVIOR to his hostility.
But he caught Mrs, Dunmeade's plead
ing look.
The opposition" he said carelessly.
He was repaid by a grateful look from
his hostess.
How do you arouse a people, Mr..
McAdooY' Eleanor inquired quiZzical-
ly.
"Denouncc the other SIDE" he said
shortly.
Then in politics n depends for
success on the faults of the other side
rather than on ones own virtuesY'
Precisely"
mo, no." the governor protested
kindly. "Mr. McAdoo isn't just to
himself. The truth is while be has
been at the head OF the Steel City or
ganiZation"-
is that a polite name for bossT'
Eleanor interrupted.
I'm afraid it is" the governor re-
turned pleasantly. 81 was going to
say hat under Mr.. McAdoo's leader
ship the district attorneys Office in
your county has been most efficiently
and honestly conducted and the pres
ent city administration is the cleancst.
most economical the city has ever
known"
why are you so sure OF being
electedT" Eleanor asked.