Lawrence democrat. (Lawrenceburg, Tenn.) 1884-1925, 1913-10-22
CHAPTER ".


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 loalng 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
OF else thinking I'm a mindreader, sho
doesn't say whether It'll be eight this
evening or eight tomorrow morning
I've been looking everywhere, since I
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. Robertsons cold face. as he
read the dispatch, softened in a 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
tance?" suggested Tom. IF she'll be
here at eight tonight she'll have left
New York long before now And il
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
He and Tom, on their way to the al
cove, we're passing the short flight Of
steps that led down from the outer
foyer to the corridor.
And a man was coming down thos,
steps. A tall man, whose shoulders
we're slightly stopped, whose dark hail
was beginning to grizzle at the tenn
pies, whose swarthy and somewha
heavy face was lined and hardened
by marks that did not seem to hav,
come from times brush alone.
At sight of him Robertson halted
His face darkened and his hands In
voluntarily clenched. The newcome
glanced across and his eye met tn
ex-governor's lowering gaze; the
passed carelessly on to Tom.
Good evening, gentlemen" he said
Good evening, Mr.. Standish." al
swered Tom.
Robertson barely returned the OIL
ers nod But as Standish made a
though to pass on, he took an impu
sive step toward the insurgent chief.
We'll, Standish," he observed
steadying his voice by palpable e
fort into some semblance of civilit,
Il understand the fights on for t
night"
Yes answered Standish, pauslh
as though merely to wait until til
other should move from his path. "a
all.night session, probably"
Again, with a nod, he started t
ward the dining room. But once MOI
MhEh AODul lbOu . NOlSO Cu0ChGu ulHt
did 1t ever occur to you, Standish
demanded Mark, that by opposing ii
Mullins bill you are betraying the pa
ty that elected your"
Standish regarded him momel
with somber eyes from which all pc
sonal emotions seemed long since
have been burned away. Then he sa
in the heavy measured voice that hs
for years been characteristic of him:
did 1t ever occur to you, Rober
son, that by trying to force the MI
Inns bill through, you are betrayir
the people who voted for your"
"Oh. be sensible!" urged Robertson
and Tom, who knew his brotherin-la'
noted the mighty effort with which Il
attempt at Cancellation was kept u
We're both politicians, There's l
sense in spouting noble sentiments (
my benefit Keep them for your pa
sons. was promised the speakC
ship. And to get it away from me y,
turned insurgent The Mullins bill
tonight's battle-means nothing to "
but test of power. There's no pr
ciple involved. II you can kill the b
1T will prove only you're stro