The Hattiesburg news. (Hattiesburg, Miss.) 1908-1917, 1913-08-20

Before the Storm.
TITS good to get welcome at last"
laughed Grace. Marks been as cross |
as bear
81 haven't declared Robertson.
you have!" she insisted. And just |
/ because the train was few minutes
late. Oh, well-a few hours, then.
When l got in you were stamping up
and down the platform surrounded by
a blue haze; like Ajax defying the
railroad. Really, l was ashamed of
you. If it hadn't been for the lovely
flowers you got me"
What was the delay?" asked Blake.
II don't know" she answered, laying
aside her wraps with Robertson's awk-
ward il eager aid. THE engine made
too strenuous an effort to get out of
Baltimore. And 1t broke down. How
are you, dad?"
oh" grunted Blake, "as we'll as a
man may hope to be who never can
hope to mako himself worthy of such
a wonderful son. L"
Toni" cried Grace in jolly reproof
There's been another explosion!
| W nat WAS II, tuib tthoI ASu ulS!
Politics." answered Blake before
Tom could speak. I'm a 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 30 fool
ishly?" she demanded. Neither OF
,,o,, awor n,a rrals With mo Tn, 00tuo
to be an arbitration committee and a
: dove of peace. all in one, and settle
/ your grievances-when l get time"
!, And, speaking Of time." put In
}, Mark, 81 ought to be at the Capitol
9 this very minute. Coming" he asked.
turning to Blake and Tom.
. I'm a little WHILE" said Blake. You
two run on. want to speak to
l. Grace"
|, Tom led the way from the room
t Mark, following. paused an instant on
!, the threshold.
4 by the way, Grace" he called, over
his shoulder, we've asked Standish tc
come here. 1t wouldn't do for us to
be seen comforting with him at the
Capitol or anywhere else in public
B If he gets here before we're back, ask
B him to wait, won't your"
4 His wife's back had been turned to
. ward him and she was leaning over q
table arranging flowers in vase. Hell
voice as she replied was quite indif
ferent.
Certainly" she agreed. Confer
J. all night if you want to, SO long as
q you don't do it loudly enough to keeI
; me awake"
Robertson closed the door. leaving
Grace and her father alone together
Noting Blakes scowl, she asked:
l. How is the Mullins fight coming
l. on?"
"Twenty-fourth round" he replied
Both men groggy,"
You'll win, thought she said; and
u there was scarce note of interroga
d ton in her voice.
Il IT'S a way I've got" bluffed her ia
Their; lcath that the daughter, whose
"a faith in his powers was so secure
should know OF the straits in which ht
was laboring. "Standish Is doing his
best to block US. And he thinks he.
a. doneit. A lot of other folks think so
a. 400. But I'm fixing up mine t
X spring under him tonight. And aftel
7 the explosion guess the air wiA eleaI
!, cor the Mullins bill. But that wasnN
xhat l wanted to speak to ycu about
D. st's Tom"
TONI"
yes. He's In love"
a. rs that ALT Oh, l see. The quar-
rel was about that He came to 20,
i,r sympathy and"
Girl, there's four things no maj
= can get sympathy for. l don't know
Shy. but he can't: having his umbrell,
. stolen; getting his best hat sat on; 1
. soothache; and falling in love. But i
= happens Tom didn't come looking TO
sympathy. He just handed me an ul
~ .inlatum. And it didn't ultimate
That's where l want you to help me.
v who is she? Do know herr"
You've probably seen her here a
the Keswick, though l don't suppos
ysuVe norIceu ner You Wouldn't o
h. likely to. She's Wanda Kelly"
IN. Not the phone girl?" asked Grace i
nc dismay.
You win. Real nice, amt 1t
N Makes an awful hit with me, after a
I've done and planned for that boy, t
have him tumble into an affair lik
70 this"
~ Don't worry" she treasured hin
OF There are other ways Of convincing
lp' man--especially lover-than b
IL H. Ill 10,
rs. politics, dad, and you can whip votel