Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1912-01-27


The ladies were rising from the
table
Harlan did not reply. He did not
remain He stepped aside and allowed
the ladies to pass and followed them
from the alcove. Presson stared after
him angrily. Linton, obeying his re-
quest. sat down after Mrs. Presson
and her party had retired.
you've got q fool, there, for a
grandson. Thelismer.'' stated the chair
man. with decision.
He doesn't seem to be politician"
returned the old man. gazing after
him. There are a few Joints in n
man that he ought to be able to, bend
in politics. but Harlan seems to be
afflicted with a sort Of righteous ossi-
fcation. He'll have to have his lesson,
that's air.
The young man was not in the mood
to accept Miss Presson's invitation to
accompany them TO the hotel parlor.
In the corridor he refused so brusquely
that she stood and gazed at him, al
lowing the others to go on without her.
You seem to be taking politics very
seriously. Mr.. Harlan Thornton
I'm taking honesty and my pledges
seriously, that's ALL
position to my father, does it, sir?'' 1t
was said with spark of resentment.
do you realize how that sounds:"
Il do not say so. Miss Presson.''
But ! have heard queer rumors
this morning. Take a woman's ad-
vice once, Mr. Thornton. it may be
worth something, because 1 have seen
more of this game than you have.
| Don't kill your career at the outset
| by trying to realize an impossible ideal.
| It's bad enough in love, but it's much
worse in politics!' She hurried away.
Harlan paced the corridor inpatient
| ly, waiting for Linton to come out.
! Few men of the hundreds thronging
past recognized him, and he was not
accosted.
He caught fragments of talk. 1t was
! evident that the rumor concerning
Spinney had found as many disbeliev-
ers as believers. The buzz of gossip
showed that the situation was badly
| mixed.
duke and the chairman in conference.
He took Harlan by the arm and
walked to the end of the corridor They
were alone there.
'Of course you know how 1 came to
be in on the Weymouth side,'' he be-
gan promptly. "Once l was in l didn't
propose to quit so long as there was
any hope. But it's hopeless. The thing
has turned completely over"
Harlan did not speak At the break
fast table he had been ashamed of that
little gnawing feeling of rancor when
he looked across at the young couple
who seemed SO wholly contented with
their conversation. Now he INDUCED
himself. He began to hate this young
man cordially. He excused the feeling.
on the ground that it was proper
sentiment on behalf of the general
Il don't want you to think that I'm
disloyal or a deserter in this matter,
Mr.. Thornton. But I'm going to the
next Legislature, and I'm interested in
certain measures that will help this
state if they're adopted. 1 can't help
General Weymouth now; you can't
help him. He has no one behind him,
as the thing has turned
Hes got the square deal behind
him.
Meaning nothing in a political mix
up such as this is. I'm going up and
tell the general exactly how 1 feel
about the thing. l advise you to do
the same. You'll be very foolish to butt
your head against every political in
huehCe III liiIS Sldto Unit counts
anything. l told your grandfather
Il don't want your advice in poll
tics" blazed Harlan. letting his grudge
have rein, land / don't thank YOU to
tell me how to get along with my own
grandfather
He hoped that young Mr. Linton
would resent that manner of speech
Young Mr.. Linton, as stalwart as he
raised his black eyebrows, pursed his
lips and was not daunted by the out
burst.
Il beg your pardon, Mr.. Thornton"
he said, but l fear you did not have
enough sleep last night"
He started for General Waymouth's
room, and Harlan followed him. There
seemed to be no other haven for the
latter just then. He was hung be-
tween the political sky and earth. He
had no hope left that the general
could prevail over the conditions that
had so suddenly presented themselves.
But his loyalty was not shaken Now
it had become unreasoning loyalty.
logged determination to stick to his
choice, and as he looked at Linton
back preceding him along the corridor
he was more firmly determined than
; ever. Suddenly he was glad of the
feet that this young man was on the
other side. and he did not stop to an
alyZe why he was glad it was so.
General WaYmouth's parlor was
crowded with men The size of that