The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1913-02-18

weren't you Why" he asked In sud
den curiosity, didn't you marry some
one Of themT'
Because" she said simply. '.you
were too busy being in love with Anne
Dunmeade to notice me-.
Eth? I-why, Roberta He stared at
her blankly. Then his manner quickly
softened- She perceived the change
and drew herself up even more stiffiy.
IL that were possible. Her lips straight
ened in severe. thin line.
You needn't be sorry for me. |
have been glad | escaped. ever since
l found out the kind Of man you were.
I'd have made man out OF you
Il guess" he smiled grimly. you'd
have found it a hard job. as you seem
to measure men But | guess you
could have. if any one could
She turned on him in little unex-
pected gnst of fierceness. But not
the kind of man you are. Not a cow
ard TO quit lighting the very first
time you are beaten. | thought you
were one when you left your regiment
before Gettysburg. but | excused you
on the plea that we needed men at
home too. But now Her unfinish-
ed sentence was eloquent
His establishment was genuine. Eth.
| believed you thought me bad man.
You ought to be glad | was beaten"
But John says you're a better man
than Sherrod."
Only MurcheIl amended. shrewdly
guessing. he put it that Sherrod is
worse man than | am. didn't he?
don't believe I'm a coward. few
months ago did intend to quilt was
very tired and my sickness was COM
ing on. But now-Roberta. can you
keep a secret?
'I've kept one for forty years"
$50 you have. Well. the other day
got my doctor to tell me the things
alive as long as possible and then told
him to go to the devil. Roberta, it was
the first time I've sworn since | Joined
the church.
Miss Roberta kept her smiles for rare
occasions Il wish could have heard
you Which concession she imme-
diately negatived by adding. 81 sup
pose you're going to do the same kind
OF thing over again
Roberta. you're the most consistent
~ Inconsistent person in the world.
You mean am | going to turn reform
er? You can't teach an old dog new
tricks"
Not if he doesn't want to learn. ]
expect"
She rose to go. He followed her ex-
ample. though urging her to remain.
She went few steps toward the door.
then suddenly turned and walked back
to face him.
why don't you help John?''
1t was his turn to stiffen angrily.
"You ask that after the way be at
tackled me and created a sentiment
against me that paved the way for
Sherrod to beat me? He's responsible
for Sherrod's getting on top. do you
know that? | gave him chance five
years ago. and he wouldn't take it,
will do nothing for him.
And besides" he added more mild
| ", "he wouldn't let me help him in the
only way L could"
Il wasn't thinking of him. He doesn't
need you. You need him."
His establishment was genuine as she
left He went to a window where he
could watch her, still stiffiy upright as
grenadier. breasting the March gale
He tried to recall how she had ap
peared when she was young, for she,
too. all unknown to him. must have
marked phase in the life of the young
man who once had been. When she
had passed out of sight he returned to
his chair
!, His book was forgotten.
The Hon. g. Washington Jenkins had
been of the faithful at time when
heresy was profitable; hence his tall,
Lincoln-like figure was one Of the few
that were not turned inhospitably away
from Murchell's door
He was in New Chelsea a few days
after Miss Roberta's neighborly errand.
WASH asked the senator abruptly.
"how'd you like TO be candidate for
goyernor?"
I'D like it, said Wash honestly.
Suppose Murchell suggested. you
begin a campaign for delegates. We
could use the delegates, even If we
couldn't use you." he added thought
fully.
The congressman smiled family.
They discussed the matter at length.
As jenkins was leaving his host re-
marked earnestly. Hereafter consult
only with Greene. Don't come here.
I'm out of politics"
Neither gentleman smiled.
When the Honorable Jenkins re-
turned to Washington. he reluctantly
admitted to an interrogative reporter:
mo. I'm afraid the senator is in a
bad way. | don't think he'll ever go
back into politics"