The midland journal., 1913-02-07

GAN A<@SA ~ CUAuPAS1lEA{
No, sir, said Hewett, looking full
at the smiling visage Of the dnancier.
Too bad!" sighed Pleat "Of course;
your unfortunate afiiliation with the
opposing party would preclude me, II
should win the election. from con-
sidering your interests. II you were
offered the nomination as state sur
Eeyor, now you wouldn't change your
coat? No, Of course not. But. Mr..
lHewett, understand that Mr.. Blake
Is resigning from the water commits
sion, strictly non-partisan body.
Suppose you were appointed to sue
ceed him at once by Governor
Briggs?'
Hewett's heart leaped The salary
was 5000 a yearl
That would involve no sacrifice Of
principle on my part?r be asked, mois-
tening his dry lips.
None whatever, answered Pleat.
''You would simply lay down your
present ONCE forthwith and step into
your new one during the. course Of
day or two. OF course your successor
would take over all your duties"
Hewett knew what was coming.
For instance. you would probably
be willing to recall your report of yes
terday Upon the survey Of White
street, which will not be acted on
officially until the next meeting Of the
survey board?"
Hewett rose up.
You can't buy me that way or any
way. Mr.. Pleat.' he answered, taking
his hat, and he saw Pleat's face grow
purple Foria q moment the financier
hesitated; then he came forward with
the agility Of a boy. He was trem
bling, too.
For $2o,000,'' he whispered. and
began plucking at his sleeve. Come
here It's In my desk! Don't be
fool and cut your own throat, young
man, Who's backing you in this? MY
God, it will cost me quarter OF mil
lion II that report goes through. Your
last chance! and I'll make It $4,000.
$4,000. any price within reason. Look
here! It's all in bills and gold. Come
and let me show you!s
Somehow Hewett escaped from the
room. His last view was Of the old
man standing before his desk and
tossing great bundles Of bills hither
and thither like an infuriated child.
Men came to see Hewett that after
noon and the next day and the next,
and. In guarded language. unfolded
various propositions to the effect that
he should make peace with P1eat.
Hewett showed them to the door. On
the third day the Indemnity company
served him with a foreclosure notice.
Then he told Mary everything.
.'You have done right. dear" she
said you couldn't have done other
WISE And I'm proud Of you. couldn't
live here happily If you had sold your
soul to Pleat. Wen make another
home somewhere but one can never
make honor of dishonor."
They packed their things and en-
gagged q couple OF rooms in a poorer
part Of the city. Hewett knew that
his occupation was gone. He did not
even go down to his ONCE. But that
afternoon. going to the convention
from his new abode, with the reek Of
new paint in his nostrils and his heart
weighed down with bitterness. he
made his last speech for Benton.
It was the last day OF the session
and the nomination would be made
that afternoon. AS Hewett mounted
the platform he became aware that
there was an indefinabIe unrest in the
air. The delegates were watching him
and whispering together; something
was brewing, someone had mooted
something everyone in the hall knew
It except Hewett.
He did not know now bitterly he
spoke. nor the impassioned nature OF
his plea for purer politics. a cleaner
civic spirit He thought that he was
urging Benton's election ON these
grounds, but In reality he was plead
ing for his lost home and the homes Of
all who had to choose between dis
honor and the happiness Of those they
loved.
He did not wait for the nomination,
but, his duty done. left the hall. Out
side the representatives OF three pa
pers were waiting for him. ''Mr.
Hewett!" one of the men began. He
shook him on and left him. He tramp
ed two miles through the rain. went
up to his rooms. and sat down dis
mally upon the unpacked furniture.
Men were tramping up the stairs.
The door was thrown open. Mary
stood there; with her were a half
dozen men. He knew their faces; he
had seen them at the convention. His
brain was whirling. Who were they?
The well-known names escaped him.
.Mr. Hewett." said somebody. ''the
convention has rendered you the nom
nation for the legislature"
Hewett looked up vacantly.
"Will you accept? Wen win, with
you there isn't doubt. You've seen
the Evening Dispatch?'" He held up
F1Na-I-