Polk County news-gazette. (Benton, Tenn.) 190?-191?, 1913-10-23
CHAPTER ~.

The Clash.
The telephone girl looked up 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, | suppose, in
stead of to dad or Mark because she
knew I'd be loafing 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 it, to find Mark and Excuse met"
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 a CLEAN
of human intelligence, Tom, in spite
of the way you've taken to incoming
around lately. Ill"
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 flight 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.
We'll, Standish," he observed,
steadying his voice by palpabe eff,
fort into some semblance of cvility,
Il understand the fights on for to-
night."
Yes" answered Standish, pausing
as 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 Robertson's 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 1t ever occur to you, Robert.
son, that by trying to force the Null.
Inns bill through. you are betraying
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 the
attempt at Cancellation was kept up.
Were 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 {
tonight's battle-means nothing to you
but test of power. There's no. prin. \
ciple involved II you can kill the bill {
lit will prove only you're strong
enough to depose our speaker and put |
yourself in his chair. That's your {
game. Why pose as a reformer?" |
You're quite wrong" said Standish,
with a certain irritating patience. II
haven't any pose If had | should
lot bother to display II for your bene-
it. am not hypocrite enough to say
don't want every legitimate political, v
'eward ] can earn. Who doesn't? But a
hats not why I'm fighting this Mullins r
ill of yours And at heart you know s
{ isn't. I'm trying to kill this bill Il
because 1t is an offense to the coun- L
RVS nostrils. The bill is innocent o
nough on its face. Van Dyke and the a
- -. A.. ,t,,t I ,unnoya mt xxhan n