Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1913-12-31
CHAPTER w
The Clash.

uC Atdaus
The telephone girl looked up min
ute later to see Tom Blake hanging
once more over the rail.
Il got telegram from Grace" said
ne. She sent it to me, suppose, in
stead of to dad or Mark because she
knew Ia be loafng 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
ington at eight. But. being woman
or else thinking I'm mind reader, she
doesn't say whether it'll be eight this
evening or eight tomorrow morning.
I've been looking everywhere since
got 1t. to find 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. as he
read the dispatch, softened in a way
that would have amazed his political
foes.
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
6ance?' suggested Tom. IF she'll be
here at eight tonight she'll have left
New York long before now. And if
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 I'll"
He stopped short. and the unwonted
look Of happiness froze from his face.
He and Tom, on their way to the al
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. = tall man, whose shoulders
were slightly stopped, whose dark hair
was beginning to grizzle at the tenn
pies, 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 clen6hed The newcomer
glanced across and his eye met the
ex-goVernor's lowering gaze: then
passed carelessIy on to Tom.
Good evening. gentlemen he said.
Good evening. Mr. Standish." an
swered Tom.
Robertson barely returned the 9th
er's nod But as Standish made as
though 10 pass on, he took an impul-
siye step toward the insurgent chief.
Well Standish." he observed,
steadying his voice by a paIpable eff
fort into some semblance of cIvility.
q understand the fights Gil for to-
night"
Yes" answered Standish, pausing
as though merely to wait until the
other should move from his path. "An
ailnight session. probably"
AgaLg, with a nod, he started to-
ward the dining room. But once more
Mark Robectson's voice checked him.
Did it ever occur to you, Standish,"
demanded Mark, that by opposing the
Mullins bill yen are betrayIng the par
~ that elected your"
Standish regarded him a moment
with sombsr eyes from which all per
sonai 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 II ever occur to you. Robert |
son, that by trying to force the Nal |
Tins bill through, you are betraying
the people who voted for you?"
ooh. be sensibIei" urged Robertson. |
and TON. who knew his brother-in-law
noted the mighty effort with which the
attempt at Cancellation was kept I'D.
Were both politicians There's 40 |
sense IN spouting noble sentiments for
my benefit. Keep them for your mar
sor.s. was promised the speaker
ship. And to get it away from me YOU
Surned insuzgent. The Mullins hill
Sonights battle-means nothing to you
out test OF power. There's no prin-
cipie 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 I should
not bother TO display 1t for your bene-
at am not hypocrite enough to say
] don't want every legitimate political
reward l car earn. Who doesn't? But
that's not Why I'm fighting this Mullins
otH OF yours And at heart you know
1t isn't I'm trying to kill this bill
because It is an offense to the coun-
try's nostriis. The bin is innocent
enough or its face. Van Dyke and the
rest Jaw to that. suppose But when