Yellowstone monitor., 1913-05-01

" ~ SainS " Tie pOlnI 1 cOulQn't t
| say it. That's ALL Sheehan and the
, organization will probably knife me
under cover and beat me if only as a
| horrible example to the next young
man who happens along with a work.
ing conscience"
Why" she exclaimed incredulously.
that would elect your opponent,
wouldn't it? Senator MurchelI won't
allow It, surely"
Senator Murchell will be the first to
recommend the knifng," he laughed
shortly. II begin to suspect that the
senator is a false god"
What have you against the candi-
dates?'
Its rather against the forces behind
them. Bad methods and general sus-
picion, guess. | probably couldn't
make it clear"
Just that? I do not think" she said
slowly, that I like it, after all. I'm
disappointed in-for you"
would you have me lie? For that's
what it would amount to-"
"Oh." she cried, that's not a fair
way to put it. I'm so ambitious for
you! That's unwomanly, too. l sup
pose, but / don't care. am ambitious
for you. And | do SO admire the men
who get along. And in. politics you
could go so far. You have Senator
Murchell's friendship. You don't know
how much he admires you. And you
have brains and popularity. Do you
know what l would do if were a man
like you? | would go into politics seri-
ously. l would master methods and
conditions and adapt them to my pur-
pose. ! would keep on until the organ
ization was mine. And then when my
power was secure l would remove, lit
tie by little, the evils saw, and when
l had finished and measured my com
know the balance would be in my ia
yOr''
But he merely smiled bitterly. "And
l suspect that by the time I'd got the
power in the fashion you describe, I'd
have become the sort OF. man that
doesn't use his power for good"
What are you going to do about it?''
about the election?' He shrugged
his shoulders in Indifference. Let 'em
beat me, suppose. haven't thought
ahead as far as tomorrow"
"Now that it's all over | can admire
your refusing to make that speech. 1t
was splendid in a way. You see, !
can appreciate unselfishness in the alb
stract Or when it can't be remedied.'
II told you that wasn't unselfish. 1t
was Involuntary" be insisted. But
/ can add to the evidence-your kindly,
even IL mistaken, interest in me and
my future And you mustn't sneer at
YOURSELF" he added gravely.
She turned to look fairly into his
eyes. "Do you still think it necessary |
to let me down easily?" she asked |
quietly.
His body became rigid. nails biting |
into palms in the effort not to take
her in his arms For. without reason
ing, he knew that to accept now what |
she unasked had offered would be to
place himself in her power. And that
he dared not! For long moment their
eyes clung, then at the same instant |
they both looked hastily away.
The silent minutes heightened as the
cob drew them slowly up the face OF
East ridge Behind them lay the val
ley, always beautiful, never SO won
drous as in the pallor Of night: but
they looked steadfastly ahead.
To his credit be it written John did
not think carpingly of her bOldness-
let US use the word he used. courage |
His longing was not lessened because
she had abandoned the woman's weap- |
on OF indirection for the mans frank
ness Yet his hold on himself did not
relax-it became even the more secure. |
And he wondered at the strength now
revealed within him, able to resist the
OF her. He knew all that
she was, and he knew, too. that he de-
sired. would always desir her above
all good things that life holds. yet De-
tween them stood an ideal that was stu
essential to him. And he believed that |
he had strength to put her-the tempta-
tion-away from him.
He put aside his self measuring.
From what? What was he to do that
made impossible the taking OF this girl
nv his side, his to take?
He had said in answer to her ques-
fion. Il don't know. Let them beat me.
7 suppose.' He suddenly knew that
was not true. He must make his fgnt
A warm glow enveloped him, his blood
ouickened He spoke aloud.
II will fight them"
She turned to look at him again
"You have thought as far ahead as TO-
she said steadily.
"Further than that"
When he had helped her to alignt at
her home both her hands were In MS
He did not release them. nor did sne
seek rs disturb his clasp. She met MS
gaze unfalteriEsly.
"Iistenr he said gently. i didn,t
know that you cared l, too, care-Iar