The Dermott news., 1913-10-16
CHAPTER w..
The Clash.


 The telephone girl looked up a min ute later To see Tom Blake Nnging once more over the rail
 T 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 loaiiug around the hote. at thlS hour and she didn't know when either of t1om would be back from the capitol. Says snell he in Wash iugton II eight But, beins a woman or else thinking I'm a mind reader, sho doesn't saf whether it'll be etzht ths evening ar eight tomorrow morn!ae I've been looking oyorywh re. since got if to fad Mark and Excuse me-
 Ex-Governor Robert .On VAS er9sajHg the corridor toward them and Ton hurried 10 meet him with the tste- gram Eo6ertsons cold face as h. read The dispatch. softoued In Wa that would have amazed his political foes
 "Goo1 = he said enphatieally "Rnt why doesn't she tell whether she means tonight or in the morninl Isn't tha1 just like Grace2''
 "WhY Hot call her up on long dls- tauce 1- suggested Tom If she'll ha hero at eight tonight she'll have left New York long before now And il she isn't coming ull morning
 Good .4ea' asscuted Robertson star'ue for the ,elonheue alroye 'SemetiH#es you actually show a eieam ot human intelligence. Tom. in spite Of the N=39 teuN" taccn to incoming around satelf I'll
 He stopped short and the aaaonted louS of hapniness iroze from his lac" He aad FeU. on their My 10 the a cove Nete passing the short flight ot steps ,hat led down from the outa- io}ar To the corridor
 And T nan wIs coming down taos. steps 'all uan whose shoal Ier- vcrc slightly stopped. whose dark hltr was t,nnrns to sri<alo at tlu fem p4,s vhese sWarrhv and someWh ha. hcasT face was lined and hardened hs marks thtt did not seem to hata come frem tunes brush alone
 Nt sssdt ot him Robertson halted His aea aarAened and hIs hands .a ht't ttttti H.' .'.4t' lif't stf It'N O4Il''l glanced across and his eve met th. eN sot,ruore lowering gaze. then passed earelessly on to Tom
 Good evening gentlemen " he said
 Good evening. Mir Stauaish m svered Tom
 Robertson barely returned the oth- ers nod But as Standish made as thouah to pass on. he took an imppl- siYe step toward the insurgent chief
 Well Standish,' he observed ueadyns lis voice by d palpahls ef. fort nto some semblauce Of etyiHty. "I understand the fights on Tor to- nif't
 Yes answered S'anajsh. pauslu. as ttourh merely to wait until the other sfould move from his path An all night session. probably"
 Asdtn. with q nod. he started 'o- ward tbo dining room nut once moro Mark Robertson voice checked him
 "Dld l. ever occur to you. Stauaish. demanded MurA. that ny opposing tho Mullins bill you arc botraz ing the par ty that elected youo"
 Standlsh regarded him moment Nith somter eyes from which aH per. soual emotions seemed long since tO have been burned away Then he saA in the heavy measured vetee that had for years been characteristic of him.
 Did fl ever occur to you. Robert son. tl~at hy trying to force the Mul lins bill through, you are betraylng the people who voted for yono"
 "oh be sens.hle'" urged Robertson. and Tom. who knew his brother in-law noted the mighty effort with which the attempt at concliation was kept up Were both politicians There's no sense in sp0uting 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 iusurEont The Mullins bill touight's battle-means nothing to you hut test of power. There's no prin- ciplc involved r you can kin the blp it will prove only voure strong enough to depose our speaker and put yourself in his chair. That's your game Why pose as roiormer@"
 You're quite wrong. said Standish, with certain irritating patience. "l haven't any pose if had 1 should not bother 10 display lt for your bene. Al am Hot hyrecrife enough te say ] don't want every legitimate political reward l can earn Who doesn't' But thais not why I'm lighting this Mullins bin of yours And at heart you know tt isn't Tn trying 10 kin this bill because fl is an ogtnse to the couu- trys nostrils. The bin ls innocent enough on its face Van Dyke and the rest saw to that. l suppose, But when