The Bridgeport evening farmer. [volume] (Bridgeport, Conn.) 1866-1917, 1913-10-01
(Continuedl

(Continued)
Blount passed q busy Saturday, put
ting in most of his time at his desk
Calling up the hotel in the afternoon,
he found that his father had taken
Patricia and Honoria for a drive in
the roadster. and at dinner time the
automobile party had not yet return
ed ,Blount went back to his office
after a hasty dinner and worked late
into the night. The eve of battle had
arrived. and he was striving to clinch
the nail of argument as well as he
could by writing many letters to the
political friends he had made in going
up and down the state
The Sunday proved to be a very
quiet day. though the lobby of the In
ter-AIountain was still the assembling
place for the gathering clans of poll
ricians. Blount went to church in the
morning 4. because Patricia insisted
upon it. and his appearance in the pew
as n member of the Honorable David's
family would have caused fresh COM
ment II there had been any church
gOers among the visiting politicians.
After luncheon he borrowed the
roadster and took Patricia for drive.
The day was perfect, and the roads
were in good condition. When he
had put distance between them and
the Sunday quiet of the city streets
he told Patricia of his experience with
Kittredge's special train
'Do you think it was intended" she
asked when he had finished his story.
"I haven't the slightest doubt of it
now More than that, I think the
telegram bearing Mr.. McYickar's
name was a bold forgery. But I am
bringing them to time,'' he went on,
exulting over his one small victory.
There is TO be an evening up of
freight rates, and one more room of
the railroad house will be clean.
believe Mr. McVickar has meant to be
fair all along, but the overzealous
subordinate is always the hardest man
70 handle"
Il am glad,' she said. And in the
sunshine Of her approval the young
man spent a very happy afternoon.
At breakfast Monday morning Evan
Blount again made the senator's party
Of three a party of four and at table
found puzzling surprise lying in wait
for him
The criticals day Of days in the cam
paign had arrived, and it was sup
possible on every hypothesis that the
commander OF an army would choose
any other day rather than this to be
absent from his post But at the
breakfast table he heard his father an
nounce calmly that he was going to
drive out to Wartrace, for no better
stated reason than purely routine
purpose of having a talk with his
ranch manager about the shipment of
n trainload of beef cattle.
While Blount sat in open eyed as
constituent the day was planned for
there and then. The arrangement
made was one that left Patricia free
TO keep an engagement at the Wealth
erfords' while the senator drove to
Wartrace in the roadster. The little
car, which Patricia had been told to
call her own, was to be left at the
garage and she was to drive out in
the afternoon. bringing Evan with her
II he cared to come
Il was Mrs. Honoria who made this
arrangement, and in the midst of his
ustonishment Blount acknowledged a
warm kindling of gratitude If the
little lady whom he was trying so con-
Eistently to dislike had seemed to do
her best to keep him and Patricia
apart during the early part Of the
girls visit she now appeared to be
doing what she could to atone. Blount
ventured one question ard one only,
as it was addressed to his father.
do you happen to remember that
this is the final day before election?''
be asked
$50 it is; so it is, son." was the even
toned reply.
II thought maybe you had forgotten
e." said Evan quietly.
IN Ie.I he
boss, ''and If you'll take my advice
youu forget it too The political spell
binder who hasn't said his say and
done his do before sunrise this morn
Ing needn't expect that he's going to
be able to dig the tree up by its roots
between now and tomorrow morning"
1t was not until the younger man
was leaving the table, excusing him
self on the plea Of business, that the
senator's wife clinched the arrange
ment for the afternoon
you'll come out with Patricia,
won't your" she said, putting it fairly
MP to him to consent or refuse.
~Of course" he stammered. 'I shall
be delighted -.
asYou don't say it quite as if you
meant it." laughed the one who was
10 drive him out to WartTace, ''but I'll
be charitable and give you the benefit
e the doubt Where can pick you
I'D. say, between 1 and o'clock? Mrs.
WeatherfOrd's luncheon is to be really
e French dejeuner, and I shall be
able 70 get away early"
IF it wouldn't be too much trouble
for you to stop by for me at the Tenn
pie court" Blount began, and when
abe nodded her acquiescence he went