Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1912-01-13


put the thing out of his mind.
To his surprise Spinney's rooms were
practically deserted The candidate
was there perched on the edge of a
table, nursing his knee in his clasped
hands and talking vigorously TO a few
of his intimates. The detection was
not bothering him apparently. Har-
Ian promptly understood why. As he
stood for a moment, making sure that
neither Linton nor wadsworth was
there, he heard the mellow blare OF
distant band music. Spinney jumped
or the table
'The boys are coming!' cried one of
his friends and stepped out through
the window upon a balcony. wait till
after 1 call for the cheers, Arbar' he
called back. 'Step out when they
strike up Hail to the Chief"
This will make the Everett bunch
sit up and take notice." said a man
at Harlan's elbow. ssThere'n be a
thousand men in line behind that band
when she swings into the square here,
and Spinney badge on every one of
'emr'
He was challenged promptly. The
corridor was full of Everett men.
Ten dollars to a drink that your
man Spinney pays for the band! You
can't scare usr'
This speaker heard Harlan making
inquiries for" his men.
1.-The colonel is down in the Office"
was his informat ton. "over in the far
Their corner, behind one of those palms,
telling war stories to Herbert Linton.
Just came past 'em."
livered his message. Colonel Wads-
worth stood up, gaunt, straight. twist
ing his sparse imperial and blinking
a bit doubtfully at the messenger. But
Linton was not so much at a loss for
reasons He was an earnest young
man. with slow, Illuminating smile.
HAS the committee seen new light
regarding my two planks, Mr.. Thorn
TOM" he asked. And without waiting
for answer he led the way. The three
We're admitted at the private door.
United States Senator Pownal was
there, evidently newly arrived from
the committee room.
The band was just coming into the
square under their windows.
Its deafening clamor beat in echoes
between the high buildings. The mob
blocked conversation.
Thelismer Thornton pulled down the
windows and twitched the curtains to-
gether.
"Let 'em hoorah," he said "With
Spinney's band on tap any fellows that
try to listen at our keyholes will be
bothered. I'm glad his band is out
there. Now, gentlemen, 1 have some
thing to say to you
They listened to him. all standing.
Only General Weymouth kept his seat,
his head tipped back, his finger tips to-
gether.
The duke was brief, but he was CO.
gent and he was emphatic. He ex-
planned what he had done and why he
had done it. He was frank and free
with that selected few. He delicately
made known the generals reluctance,
but stated in his behalf his willingness
to step into the breach at this eleventh
hour for the sake of his party. Then
Thornton went first to Colonel Wads-
worth. drew him along to Linton and
told them what their party asked of
them.
Senator Pownal did not wait for this
explanation to be finished. He was
the first to reach General Weymouth
with congratula atoms and Endorsement.
"You cannot understand how i'm
mensely relieved 1 am to know this
plan,' he declared. 81 have been here
only a few hours, but / was just be-
ginning to realize what the situation
had developed into. 1 hadn't the prop
er perspective at Washington. Thorn
ton Is right. We're on the edge of an
upheaval in this state. I'm afraid
Everett would have plunged us straight
into it."
General Weymouth put out his hand
and checked him. He had stood up to
receive their handclasps.
lone moment, senator he entreated.
'I have a word to say for myself now.
You have just come from room 40.
Have they finished drafting the plat
form?"
Its in shape, practically SOL
"Will you send for it?"
The duke nodded to Harlan. and the
young man arose. Tell Wasgatt L
want him to come down here with the
resolutions" he directed.
And while he was gone there was no
conversation in the parlor. 1t might
have been because the band was play
ing too loudly; it might have been be
cause General Waymouth's visage,
grave. stern, almost forbidding, rather
dampened the recent cordiality of the
gathering
The Hands Are Dealt.