The citizen. (Honesdale, Pa.) 1908-1914, 1913-01-31
, pose. He was feeling old-oid!-

|
His course took him past a house
of state, where the monarch sat en-
throned amid his court, directing the
affairs of his kingdom. What Muir
chell saw was the Office building Of
the Atlantic railroad. He entered an
elevator and was rapidly hoisted to the
proper story. A page Of ebony skin
took his card.
Murchell did not have to wait long.
Soon he was before his former liege.
The royal brow wrinkled. isn't
this little misunderstanding the
present state of public sentiment
"What difference does it make-now?
meeting"
"YesT Sackett understood. "Sher-
rods elected, supposed"
Eyes. Thanks to your influence"
"I'm sorry" Sackett's regret was
genuine. But have my duty
ITO your stockholders, of whom 1 am
one. Yes, 1 know. I'm not complain
ing" Murchell interrupted mildly. 81
came to tell you to keep an eye on
the Michigan. I've kept them out of
the Steel City for you so far. But
they're coming in. They ought to get
in, too. AT any rate, they're getting
ready to spend a million in the at
tempt. l don't believe Sherrod can
keep them out. Keep an eye on him,
| Sackett."
Were counting on you to help
| there"
Murchell shook his head. I'm
through"
"Look here! What's the use of your
getting your back up over this busi-
ness? You understand perfectly well
that we must stand in with whoever's
on top. You put Sherrod out and we'll
back you as strong as ever. l WISH"
Sackett said persuasively, you'd keep
an oversight of the Michigan matter.
1 doubt myself that Sherrod can keep
them OUT
Little late thinking that aren't you?
He can't Don't trust him to do 1t.
! Sherrod won't last, Sackett He has
no self control He's too greedy. But
I'm through. I don't want to put him
out"
well make it worth your while, if
| that's the trouble"
"vou can't make it worth my while"
You politicians" Sackett exclaimed
angrily, make me tired with your in
fernal chickering's and jealousies. I'd
as soon be back in the old days.
mo, you wouldn't" Murchell inter-
rupted again dryly. "You wouldn't go
back to those days for many times the
millions it'll cost you to keep the Mich
igan out-if you keep it out. You
know that-I know it You railroaders
have grown hog fat the last few years
just because in every state of the
| Union there's been a man like me, will
ling to prostitute himself at your serv-
| ice"
Sackett looked a real astonishment-
and suspicion.
"You needn't be afraid" Murchell
grimly answered the suspicion. "Its
too late for the leopard to change his
spots. I'm not going to fight you. I'm
going to quit"
He slOuched back in his chair, half
closing his eyes as though he were
very tired. He sat for several min
utes without speaking, forgetting that
Sackett's time was precious. Sackett,
too, seemed to have forgotten this i'm
| portant fact. He was wrinkling his
brow over the problem, what means
to devise to induce an old, pigheaded,
| betrayed minister to remain in the
service in minor capacity. He was
too shrewd to argue. For many years
he had had intimate knowledge of
Murchells infiexibility.
"l'll tell you what I'll do" he began
at last, "Ill see Sherrod and
Senator Murchell looked up sharply,
as though he had forgotten the others
presence. "Tm through. I've earned
rest, and my health's gone back on me-
I'm going back to the farm to raise po-
totoes-the farmer vote crop has peter
ed out. And if 1 ever do come back
into politics I'll make my own terms"
He nodded a careless goodby and
went slowly out of the office. Appar-
emily he had forgotten to shake hands.
Sackett did not remind him of the
omission. He remained with the i'm
preston Of having beheld a broken,
hence harmless, old man.
CHAPTER XIV.
History.
R1YT was characteristic of Muir
I%I chel to give the world no ink
| H6ZWc6l ling Of his illness. He was
S@=$sAzsz@ supposed to be sulking over
his defeat. Not until after the fact did
the surgeons, unable to refuse the op-
portunity for self advertisement, an
nounce that a critical operation had
been performed from which there We're
hopes of partial recovery. Interest in
his condition persisted-eXtraordina
considering that he was out of politics.
When his cOnvalescence permitted it