The Caldwell watchman. (Columbia, La.) 1885-1946, 1913-09-26
CHAPTER w.


The Clash.
The telephone girl looked up a min
ute later to see Tom Blake Alnging
once more over the rail.
II got telegram from Grace" said
he. She sent 1t to me, suppose, in
stead Of to dad or Mark because she
knew Id 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 mindreader, 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 me-"
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
Goes.
Good" he said emphatically But
why doesn't she tell whether she
means tonight or in the morning e?
Isn't that just like Grace?"
why not call her up on long dis
tance?" 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 a 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,
Il understand the fights on for to.
night"
eyes," answered Standish, pauslng
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 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 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.i n-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-nleans nothing to you
but test of power. There's no prin.
ciple 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 a reformer?"
You're quite wrong" said Standish
with q certain irritating patience. 81
haven't any pose. II had should
not bother to display it for your bene
flt. | am not hypocrite enough to say
don't want every legitimate political
reward can earn. Who doesn't? But
that's not why I'm fighting this Mullins
bill Of yours. And at heart you know
It isn't. I'm trying to kill this bill
because 1t is an offense to the coun
try's nostrils. The bill Is innocent
enough on its face Van Dyke and ths
rest saw to that, suppose. But wher