The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1912-02-24
THE PERFECT TEST

the widest Bedlam the old ha!s
he'd ever held, George Allerton re-
ceived the vote OF the entire Dene-
cratic faction and OF the insursent
band and was declared the successful
candidate for the Senate.
Katherine pushed her way through
the crowd toward the elevator. A
lard touched her arm. Deane Car
ter, the leader of the insurgant band.
almost as great q hero in tina. nour
as the man whose election he had
sccGred. stood beside her. He drew
her into n committee room and closed
the door against clamo-ing mob c.
admirers.
You know now why l could rct
come to see you His voice was
cold. He spoke hurriedly rs II III
haste to dispose of an unpleasant
topic. Your uncle, 1t was known.
was using every mears to secure
those five votes. The DSfnocratic
oiodidate was also doing his best to
get them. Both. men are grafters
and hribcrs. We five stood out to
elect "A good man. ! was made chair
Was watched by the spies ct each
side. Had II been known that was
Ga:ng to Benton. Sheriff. Vace's home.
to see his niece should have hesn
suspected of secretly favoring hts can
didacy. l could not have made any
one understand that he and Your
father are bitter enemies because
your father despises his political
methods. My connection VIA BIS
family would have made my men sns-
picious OF my sincerity and they
might have been won by one or tho
Other faction.
-. ct Gf0 Tn
little glory for ourselves. We were
fighting to compel the assembly TO
elect a great man instead Of hood
ler Last night the Democratic lead
ers agreed. since they could not elect
their candidate. to share with us tho
honor OF electing Allerton.
Now you understand my reason.
When l refused to tell you and you
refused to trust me. the candidates
had not been nominated. and our
plans to refuse to support vane. II he
should be nominated. were stiil &C.
cret. I could not In honor tell you
tae plans Of my, asseeiaaes.''~ 20. '-a>
II understand, Doane. and I am
sorry--I can't tell you how sorry
am---how much l regret my unkind-
ness. II you were to as,k me again to
're 4 s sSall not. Since | have been
proved honorable you are willing to
trust me. I have given you the ex-
PLANTATION promised you. I do not
ask you to love me. What sort OF
wife would you be? A woman who
wauid have no confidence In her aius-
band. who would not believe his word
or honor unless 1t was supported by
affidavits." He opened the door to
allow her to pass out. Good morn
ing" he said CURLY.
In the rotunda she met her uncle.
the defeated candidate. For the first
time in her life he spoke to her.
-Doane Carter sold out for price,"
ne said deliberately. Ills price was
Allertons daughter He expects TO
marry her. She In the reason he
formed an insurgent band and elected
her father
THAT is not true" There was con-
viction In katherine's voice. "He
elected Mr.. Allerton because he was a
great man. an honor to the State. and
not a boodling politician. Doane Car
buy"
Good for you," laughed Carter be-
hind her. Il hurried after you." he
went on when her uncle was out Of
hearing. ito ask you to forgive me
for being such a brute and to love me
IL you can. I've loved YOU all the
time. Kate, dear. but my pride had
been awfully hurt by your lack Of
In me-.
Lack Of confidence Did I not
prove that my trust in YOU II abso-
lutte. when Uncle Sheriff. could not
mako me suspicious or jealous by
saying You loved another woman.
Have ! not stood the perfect test?
Aren't YOU sure now that trust you
and--and love you2.