The Caldwell watchman. (Columbia, La.) 1885-1946, 1913-10-17
II don't know" she answered, iayln

are you, dad?"
"Oh," grunted Blake, "as we'll as 9
man may hope to be who never cal
hope to make himself worthy OF such
a wonderful son. l."
Tom" cried Grace in jolly reproof
There's been another explosion
What was it, this time? Tell me-"
Politics." answered Blake before
/ Tom could speak. I'm wicked, hope
less, corrupt old guy. And Toms just
discovered it-for the thousandth
time. It's hurt his feeling something
terrible"
why do you boys quarrel so fool
ishly?" she demanded. Neither OF
you ever quarrels with me. I'm going
to be an arbitration committee and a
dove of peace, all in one, and settle
your grievances | get time
And, speaking of time put in
Mark. 81 ought to be at the Capitol
this very minute. Coming?' he asked
turning to Blake and Tom.
In a little while" said Blake. You
| two run on. | want to speak to
Grace"
Tom led the way from the room
Mark, following, paused an instant on
the threshold.
BY the way, Grace" he called. over
his shoulder, we've asked Standish to
come here 1t wouldn't do for us to
be seen comforting with him at the
Capitol or anywhere else in public
If he gets here before we're back, ask
him to wait, won't you?"
His wife's back had been turned to-
ward him and she was leaning over a
table arranging flowers in vase. Her
voice as she replied was quite indif'
ferent.
Certainly" she agreed. Confer
all night if you want to, so long as
you don't do it loudly enough to keep
me awake"
Robertson closed the door, leaving
Grace and her father alone together
Noting Blake's scowl she asked:
How is the Mullins fight coming
on?"
"Twenty-fourth round" he replied.
Both men groggy."
You'll win, thought! she said; and
there was scarce a note of interroga.
ton in her voice.
IT'S a way I've got" bluffed her ia
Their; loath that the daughter, whose
faith in his powers was so secure,
should know of the straits in which he
was laboring 'Standish Is doing his
best to block us. And he thinks he's
done it. A lot of other folks think so,
too. But I'm fixing up a mine to
spring under him tonight. And after
the explosion | guess the air will clear
for the Mullins bill. But that wasn't
what wanted to speak to you about.
It's Tom
"Tom?"
Eyes. He's in love-" -a4-
rs that all? Oh, l see. The quar-.
rel was about that. He came to you
for sympathy and"
Girl, there's four things no man
can get sympathy for. l don't know
why. but he can't: having his umbrella
stolen; getting his best hat sat on: a
toothache; and falling in love. But it
happens. Tom didn't come looking for
sympathy. He just handed me an III.
timatum. And it didn't ultimate.
That's where | want you to help me-"
who is she? Do know her?"
You've probably seen her here at
the Keswick. though I don't suppose
you've noticed her. You wouldn't be
likely to. She's Wanda Kelly"
Not the phone girl?" asked Grace in
dismay
You win. Real nice, amt It?
Makes an awful hit with me, after all
I've done and planned for that bow, to
have him tumble into an affair like
this
Don't worry" she treasured him
There are other ways of convincing .
man-especially a lover-than nv
storming at him. You know all abont
politics, dad, and you can whip voters
and congressman into line. But Tom
needs a different line of attack And
mes going to get it. From me-"
Say" calculated Blake. you've
taken three,ton load off my mind
by the way, do you know ANYTHING
about this Kelly girl?"
i've spoken to her once or twice
What about herr"
She isn't fool. She's rather nret.
ty, too. She's got strangle hold IN
Tom, with the idea that the Same
strangie hold will choke some of NV
cash out of my pocket. 1t won't. Tell |
Tom so. So long! I've got to chase
over to the Capitol. Well all be hack
IN little while for our confab with
Standish. You'll keep him here If he
comes before we get back?" i
Yes she replied a little YEARLY