The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1913-08-06
CHAPTER w.
The Clash.

The Clash.
The telephone girl looked up a min
ute later to see Tom Blake hanging
once more over the rail.
Il got a telegram from Grace" said
he. She sent it to me, l suppose, in
knew I'd 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 a 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 1
got it, 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 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
lancer" 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.
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
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 clenched The newcomer
glanced across and his eye met the
ex-governor's lowering gaze; then
passed carelessly 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 to pass on, he took an impul-
sive step toward the insurgent chief
Well, Standish," he observed,
steadying his voice by palpable eff
fort into some semblance Of civility,
81 understand the fights on for to-
night
Yes" answered Standish, pausing
as though merely to wait until the
other should move from his path. IAN
all-night session, probably"
Again, with a nod, he started to-
ward the dining room. But once more
Mark Robertson's voice checked him.
Did it ever occur to you, Standish, .
demanded Mark, that by opposing the
Mullins bill you are betraying the par
ty that elected your"
StdnQ1Sl regarded MIN a 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 betrayin,
the people who voted for you?"
''Oh, be sensible!" urged Robertson
and Tom, who knew his brother-in-law
noted the mighty effort with which tn
attempt at Cancellation was kept ur
Were both politicians. There's n
sense in spouting noble sentiments TO
my benefit. Keep them for your PAL
sons. was promised the speaker
ship. And to get it away from me 20
turned insurgent The Mullins bill
tonight's battle-means nothing to yo1
but test of power. There's no prir
ciple involved If you can kill the bill
it will prove only you're stroni
enough to depose our speaker and pu
yourself in his chair. That's you
game. Why pose as reformer?"
You're quite wrong" said Standist
with certain irritating patience, e
haven't any pose. If I had l Shout
not bother to display it for your benz
fit am not hyDocrite enough to sa