The Julesburg grit-advocate., 1912-02-29

pull me away from what l think IL
right7 He wants me to be like the
rest Of 'em, eh? l can be an under
study for Herbert Linton and an er-
rand boy for the state machine!
didn't think, Miss Presson, that you
You'd better not go any further,
Mr.. Harlan Thornton. You are not
asked to betraN Nany one, or desert any
high moral pinnacle, or do anything
else that the moralists say all these
fine things about without knowing
what they mean half the time. You
are reminded Of this: that there's only
one General Weymouth. Folks will
rally around him for little while
it's a sort of revival sentiment. But
you are not General Weymouth.
He'll be excused by sentiment, you'll
simply be branded as one of the COM
mon run Of ramrodders who try to
achieve the impossible with human
nature-a disturbing element in state
politics-and your career will be spoil
ed. Now I've delivered my message
and done what promised your grand
father I'd do"
She turned her horse and started
him back toward town. There was
silence between them for time.
SO IL l weren't Thellsmer Thorn
toms grandson you wouldn't take any
interest In me at all?" he inquired
sourly.
"A very impudent and unnecessary
question, Mr.. Harlan Thornton"
Longer silence.
He was more humble when he spoke
again. II don't want you to think I'm
what may seem to be, Miss Presson.
But what Is there can do in politics,
Just now, different from what I'm do
ing? 1 have taken my side with the
general l propose to stay there, Of
course. But l do not want to have
people think I'm fool. And haven't
heard much else from any one since l
started out" There was wistfulness in
his voice. He suddenly felt drawn to
her. He craved her counsel. 1t was
the mastery of the woman, more
worldly wise. He was bewildered and
ashamed. The image Of Clare Kav-
anagh was not dimmed in his soul. She
| had been with him daily in his
thoughts. He knew that he felt affec-
ton for her. 1t was tenderness. desire
to protect, the real impulse of the man
toward his mate. But the feeling was
all unexpressed and incoherent.
And vet Madeleine Presson, more
than ever before. attracted him power
fully. She had the elements that he
had never seen and experienced in
womankind Just at that moment she
dominated, for his passion had be-
trayed him into rather puerile out
break.
The child of the woods, as he thought
of her, stirred all his tenderness, his
! sympathy. and the soft ties Of long in
timacy and understanding bound him.
| But this girl, with beauty and brains.
on his own level of independence of
thought. stirred new desires and am
bitions in him. She was helpmate and
counselor He wondered il newer
times and conditions did not demand
stronger qualities than mere woman
hood in the wife who was to accom-
pany man into the ,vicissitudes OF
public life.
Still more humbly he asked her, "If
you have been thinking the matter
over, Miss Presson, what advice do
you give meT
~ advise you to have serious talk
with your grandfather. He has had
much experience. Use your own judg
ment, too, but be ready to hear the
evidence. You have not shown that
willingness. yet, 30 far as can de
termine. I haven't any advice Of my
own to offer. I'll not presume. Only
this: be as honest as you can, but
don't be so impracdcally honest that
you chop down all your bridges be-
hind you and neglect to gather timber
for the bridges ahead of you.''
Even in the gloom she understood
that he was puzzled.
Really, you know, l haven't writ
ten any handbook on practical politics,
Mr.. Thornton" she said, her humor
coming to the rescue. II have talked
to you as though l had. But 1 have
only talked to you with a womans in
tuition In such matters-and you re-