The Julesburg grit-advocate., 1913-12-18
chAprER ".
The Clash.


The Clash.
The telephone girl looked up Q min
ate later to see Tom Blake hanging
once, more over the rail.
Il got . telegram from Grace" said
he. "She sent It to me. suppose, in
stead Of to dad or Mark because she
knew I'd be loaflng around the hotel
at this hour and she didn't know when
either Of them would be back from
the capitol. Says she'll be In Wash.
tngton at eight. But. being 4 woman
or else thinking I'm 4 mind reader. she
doesn't say whether it'll be eight this
evening or eight tomorrow morning.
rye been looking everywhere, since
got 1t. to dnd Mark and Excuse mel"
Ex-Governor Robertson was crossing
the corridor toward them and Tom
hurried to meet him with the tele-
gram. Robertson's cold face. a. be
read the dispatch. softened In q way
that would have amazed his political
toss.
Good" he said emphatically. but
Why doesn't she tell whether she
means tonight or in the morning :!
Isn't that Just like Grace!"
why not call her up on long dis
tance?" suggested Tom. IF she'll be
here at eight tonight she'll have left
New York long before now. And II
she isn't coming till morning"
Good ideal" assented Robertson,
starting for the telephone alcove
Sometimes you actually show CLEAN
Of human intelligence, Tom, In spite
Of the way you've taken to incoming
around lately. III"
He stopped short. and the unwonted
look of happiness froze from his face.
He and Tom. on their way to the a.
cove. were passing the short fight Of
steps that led down from the outer
foyer to the corridor.
And . man was coming down those
steps. A tall man. whose shoulders
were slightly stopped. whose dark hair
was beginning to grizzle at the tenn
Piles. whose swarthy and somewhat
heavy face was lined and hardened
by marks that did not seem to have
come from times brush alone.
At sight Of him Robertson halted.
His face darkened and his hands in.
voluntarily clenched. The newcomer
glanced across and his eye met the
ex-govcrnor's lowering gaze; then
passed carelessly on to Tom.
Good evening, gentlemen" he said
Good evening, Mr.. Standish." an
swered Tom.
hor
er's nod. But as Standish made as
though to pass on. he took an impul-
sive step toward the insurgent chief
well, Standish," he observed,
steadying his voice by a palpable ef-
fort into some semblance Of civility,
Il understand the lights on for to-
night"
YES" answered Standish, pausing
a. though, merely to wait until the
other should move from his path. AN
all-night session. probably"
Again, with nod. he started to-
ward the dining room. But once more
Mark Robertsons voice checked him.
Did 1t ever occur to you. Standish," +"
demanded Mark, that by opposing the
Mullins bill you are betraying the par
ty that elected you?"
Standish regarded him \ moment
with somber eyes from which all per-
sonal emotions seemed long since to
have been burned away. Then he said
in the heavy measured voice that had
for years been characteristic of him:
did It ever occur to you. Robert
son. that by trying to force the Mul-
Inns bill through. you are betraying
the people who voted for your"
''Oh. be sensible!" urged Robertson;
and Tom. who knew his brother-in-law
noted the mighty effort with which the
attempt at conciliatioh was kept up.
We're both politicians. There's no
sense in spouting noble sentiments for
my benefit. Keep them for your par
= sons. was promised the speaker
ship. And to get it away from me you
turned insurgent. The Mullins bill
tonights battle-means nothing to you
but test of power. There's no prin-
ciple involved. II you can kill the bill
1T will prove only you're strong
enough to depose our speaker and put
yourself in his chair. That's your
game. Why pose as reformer?"
You're quite wrong" said Standish.
with certain irritating patience. Il
haven't any pose. II had should
not bother to display it for your bene-
At. am not hypocrite enough to say
don't want every legitimate political
reward I can earn. Who doesn't! But
that's not why I'm fighting this Mullins
bill of yours. And at heart you know
1t isn't. I'm trying to kill this Dill
because 1t is an offense to the coun-
try's nostrils. The bill is innocent
enough on its face. Van Dyke and the
ssss cav TO that suppose. But when