Putnam patriot., 1913-12-05

sheets, departed on ms ss..~-----.
most colliding at the door with Tom
Blake, who was coming in.
Hello. dad" hailed Tom. Z Just
dropped in on the way to the club TO
say 'howdy' 10 Grace. Where is shef
Turned in?r
mo. Hasn't even got in. The
trains hours late Washcut en- the
road somewhere. Mark telephoned up
from the station. He's gone back
there. They ought to be here any
time now. Want TO waltz
I'm sleepy" yawned Tom. Gee,
but wish Grace would show up"
$50 does Mark" answered Blake.
Then. after a moment. chuckle of
genuine amusement startled his son.
Whats the joker" asked Tom.
did miss it,"
Yes, you missed ii, all right Both
you and Grace always miss il. But |
never do was just thinkiug-my lit
tie Graee-my kid-keeping the for.
mer governor of New York cooling his
heels in drafty railroad station. And.
forty years ago, her father was bare
foot kid with one suspender. PAN
handling kind-hearted old folks In the
street with dying mother stories and
getting nickels from 'em. And even
as lately as twenty-five years ago.
what was | but Chicago city clerk
making an honest living by Keeping
my eyes shut and my palm open?"
Dad" complained Tom. Il can't
make you out You always seem to
take a savage delight In rubbing in
the fact that everything we've got we
owe to graft"
Well" asked Blake. puzzled, don't
we? If we don't owe II to graft what
do we owe IT to. I'd like to know"
ITO change the subject, dad" broke
in Tom. I've been making some
plans
Have, hey?" queried Blake as
though listening to the prattle of a
somewhat backward child OF six. such
as what. for instance7"
Well" answered Tom. trying not
to show his irritation at Blake's tone.
1.-THE fact isl want to get mar
ried"
The blazes you dol Is that a boast
or a confession?"
81 don't quite understand you." said
Tom stiffiy.
81 mean" began his father, Il mean
oh. never mind all that. Who's the
girl?"
Before tell you" eyaded Tom. I'D
like to get your views on the PROPOSE
ton In general"
I'm general?" repeated Blake. Son.
marriage is never proposition in
general! Because every woman Is an
exception that proves no rule. You
can't classify EN- any more than you
can classify nest of hornets that
you happen to step into. Hells full of
women. Sos Heaven, | guess. But
neither class got to either place by
following any proposition in general
Tell me-" he demanded, his philosoph-
ical mood changing in flash to one
of almost savage intentness. lis this
girl the sort who can help you in get
ting where | want to put your"
How can l tell? You've never told
me just where you intended to put
me-"
Then III tell you now. There's no
real need in your sailing any farther
under sealed orders. Eve made you
pretty fair lawyer. You'll have one
more term as assistant district attor-
ney. Then one as district attorney.
Then as attorney-general. After that
a term or two in the cabinet-just to
get the run of things"
There's only one thing left" said
Tom. almost in awe, as his father hes
itated.
"Yes?" replied Blake grimiy. well.
maybe that won't be left when we get
through. Now you can see why the
girl must be of good family and have
social position and breeding and all
that kind of thing. Those are the
things I'm shy on. And my children
must make it up for me. This girl
you want to marry-can she help you?
Can you take her with copyright up
to the White House?'
Il don't know" returned Tom.
"You see, I've never thought of her as
a political asset. Happiness means a
good deal more to me than position.
I've already told her SO. L"
Told her SO? Then-then. you've
asked her to marry your
she's refused me-so far"
"Well," grinned Blake, vastly re-
lieved. That's far enough, | guess.
Don't go overplaying your luck"
I'm going to stick at it till | win
Quit" declared Tom And I'm"
NO. no. Don't do crazy thing like
that, son." pleaded Blake. Take your
medicine like a man. Don't keep on
Fostering the poor girl BY the way.
you haven't told me who she is"
$3.50 50 Tow, then TAX