The Mena weekly star., 1913-10-09
HejWOMAN l\ lM.zz Albert
 HHO'S1W PaNOn
 TefZ7ZMe> Z /5Wded On ~ NHNam GOe MNcy Ray Eopxeezgz tgts tgts,o,o,x Mushated U1z6 6RQ0Gh0R M~EAv Bo66S7z2RH% "~@O7"'> 1z1 Il>2u177r GI " R2r7Ae
- WLLSZI9fH0 NM
IoDdItu LOZH7 IHVC0UG7W MN| |IdV
 A7d OaNz2@ & XIM2y


 I give the word. A false move just now would be a boomerang that we couldn't stand. Come back as soon as you can we may need you"
 Van Dyke, pocketing the typewriter sheets, departed on his mission ak most colliding at the door with Toni Blake, who was coming in.
 Hello dad," hailed Tom. q just dropped in on the way to the club to say howdy' to Grace. Where is she? Turned in?"
 "No. Hasn't even got in. ThG trains hours late Wash0ut on tho road somewhere. Mark lelephoned up from the station. He's gone back there. They ought to be here any time now. Want to wait?"
 'I'm sleepy" yawned Tom. Gee. but 1 wish Grace would show up!"
 "So does Mark" answered Blake. Then, after a moment, a chuckle of genuine amusement startled his son.
 What's the joker" asked Tom. Did l miss it?"
 "Yes, you missed it, all right. Both you and Grace always miss it. But never do. 1 was just thinking-my lit tie Grace-my kid-keeping the for mer governor of New York cooling his heels in drafty railroad station. And, forty years ago, her father was a bare foot kid with one suspender, pan handling kind-hearted old folks in the street with dying-mother stories and getting nickels from 'em. And even as lately as twenty-two years ago, what was I but a Chicago city clerk making an honest living by keeping my eyes shut and my palm open?'
 Dad" complained Tom, "I cant make you out You always seem to take a savage delight in rubbing in the fact that everything we've got we owe to graft"
 Well" asked Blake, puzzled, don't we? If we don't owe it to graft, what do we owe it to. I'd like to know?"
 "To change the subject, dad" broke in Tom, I've been making some plans"
 Have, hey?" queried Blake as though listening tc tte pratte of a somewhat backward child of six. Such as what, for tance?
 Well" answered Ton, trying not to show his irritation at Blake's tone. 'I-the fact is-I want to get mar. | ried"
 "The blazes you do! Is that a boast pr a confession?"
 'T don't quite understand you" said Tom stifiy.
 'I meal," began his father, ''I mean -oh. never mind all that. Who's the Eirl?"
 Before I tell you" evaded Tom, "Td ike to get your views on tue proposi- ton in general
 Tn general?" repeated Blake. Son, marriage is never a proposition in general, Because every woman is an sxception that proves no rule. You cant classify 'em any more than you can classify a nest of hornets that you happen to step into. Hells full oi women. Sos Heaven, I guess. But | neither class got to either place by following any proposition in general. Tell me-" he demanded, his philOsoph ical mood changing in flash to one of almost savage intentness, "is this girl the sort who can help you in get | ting where l want to put your" How can I tell? You've never told me just where you intended to put me-"
 Then I'll tell you now. There's nc | zeal need in your sailing any farther under sealed orders. I've made you a | pretty fair lawyer. You'll have one more term as assistant district attor' ney Then one as district attorney Then as attorney-general. After that a term or two in the cabinet-just to get the run of things" There's only one thing left" said Tom, almost in awe, as his father hes itated.
 "Yes!" replied Blake grimly Well, maybe that won't be left when we get through Now you can see why the girl must be of good family and have social position and breeding and all | that kind of thing. Those are the things I'm shy on. And my children must make it up for me. This girl you want to marry-can she help you Can you take her with you-right up | to the White House?
 q don't know" returned Tom. You see, I've never thought of her as a political asset. Happiness means good deal more to me than position.