Western Kansas world., 1912-02-10

was not especially interested
ES55SS5SN! in the practical side OF plain
- politics, yet 1t was part of
her social methods to make tame cats
of men of state influence as far as she
was able She did this instinctively,
rather from the social viewpoint than
the political. Luke Presson did not
take her into his confidence to the ex-
tent that he desired her to cultivate
men of power for his own purposes.
He only dimly and rather contemp-
tuously recognized that women had
any influence in political matters.
Mrs Presson came to him directly
the convention had adjourned. The
few men who were lingering in head
quarters lodged out, for they perceiv-
ed that the chairman's wife had some
thing on her mind
He endured her indignant reproaches
for some time. She taxed him with
betrayal of her personal interests.
I've never tried to pry into your
schemes. 1 don't care about them.
But when you make a fool of me in
regard to the next governor of this
state you shall answer for it to met'
Il did no such thing" he protested,
wanting to placate her for private rea-
sons of his own.
II say you did. You're chairman of
the state committee. You knew which
man would be nominated. You must
have known it all along. You wouldn't
be state chairman if you didn't know
| that. Here's a legislative session at
hand, and you've allowed me to stay
entirely out Of touch with the next
first gentleman of the state. I'm like
n I4 vast Of 4Io T--on
haven't any prior social claim on him.
And 1 can't even find him at this late
hour to offer my congratulations Luke
we must have him at lunch with US.
It's his place to lunch with US. You
are the chairman of the state commit
tee. You must haye him therer' She
| hurried away to where the ladies were
waiting for her.
PreSson, the politicians instinct of
self preservation now getting the bet
ter of his rancor, promptly determined
that his own interests would be help
ed by his wife's luncheon party, pro-
vided the victor could be cajoled and
corralled. He put on his hat and hur-
ried to the street. Inquiry at the cab
stand afforded him the information
that General Weymouth and his COM
| panion had not given a definite desti-
nation. But there's the man who
| took them," said the manager. Hes
| just back. Ask him.
| The driver said that he had dropped
| them at the park at their request, and
the chairman jumped into the carriage,
directing that he be conveyed to the
same place.
He found them sitting democratical-
| ly on a bench, taking the air.
Without preliminary the chairman
| extended Mrs. Presson's invitation.
''There will be a very small party of
US, and it may save you from the an
noyances of the public rooms" added
| Chairman Presson humbly.
The general arose and accepted with
cordiality, somewhat to Harlan's sur
prise, for his unbending youth could
not yet understand how political hatch
cts could be buried so quickly.
ST want to congratulate you, gener-
| al" said the chairman on the way to
| the carriage. "And 1 want to tell you
| that the state committee will swing
into line behind you for the campaign.
You'll find US loyal
'Tn meet you frankly on that plane,
Mr.. Presson. 1 have too much ahead
OF me to waste time In quaTels. It
| isn't my nature to retaliate. I have
understood the situation better than
some men would"
While the general was entering the
| carriage the chairman offered rather
embarrassed apology to Harlan. "But
| you introduced some original special.
ties In politics that took me on my
feet, young mani" he added, with a
sickly smile.
Harlan was still a little stif. II
was not easy for him to get into the
state of political pliability that he saw
others assume so readily.
I'm a countryman and pretty awk
ward in most everything I undertake.
he said st have no business meddlinf
In the big affairs of this state. I'll
take my place where L belong aftel
this, Mr.. Presson- II 1 don't I'll no
have a friend 1eft-not even my OWL
grandfather"
The chairman glanced at him curl
ously, scentfng something ike duplici
ty under this bitter frankness. HI
was not used to seeing men throw
aside such advantages as this young
man had gained
The three. entered the hotel through
the side door, and at the generals re
quest the chairman accompanied hin
j and his young lieutenant to thei
: headquarters. = was near the lunch