Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1914-10-22
The Interference of
Kitty
She Was Forgiven
By JOSIAH T. NEWC0MB
She Was Forgiven
By JOSIAH T. NEWC0MB
by Frank A. Munsey Co.

cation. The lobby and even the senate
floor were crowded. A sharp fight was
expected over the merger bill, notwith-
standing the confidence Of the head OF
the promoting syndicate, who arrived
the night before and established head
quarters in nearby hotel, and Of Colo
mel Moulton. the chairman OF the state
committee. who kept the run OF things
from his Office on the second floor of
the capitol Both believed they had
the situation well In hand until they
heard about Kittinger. Then they talk
ed with each other over well guarded
telephones, and Moulton sent for the
senator.
Neither the first nor second mes
sage brought him. The chairman put
on his hat and walked to the COVER
nor's room.
I'VE are beaten. l suppose you
know" Moulton said without preface,
as he sat down.
"Kittinger has been here" answered
the governor.
What excuse did he give"
II did not hear him give any"
Didn't you discuss the bill with
him? Didn't you ask him what is the
matter with him?"
mo"
Then I'd like TO know what did you
talk aboutY
He did most of the talking told
him that he was foolish not to see
you"
HE isn't coming, thenT
mo He said be wouldn't"
George, do you know what this
means to usT" the colonel demanded.
Il know what you think it means"
Eyes. and I'm right. 1t means that
you lose the United States senatorship
and that we go out Of business. That's
what it means"
The governor swung around in his
chair YEARLY.
81 suppose you didn't come here just
to tell me that again." he said.
mo | didn't did not know that
you had seen Kittinger Anyway, it
does not matter. Send for him now,
and ask him to vote for the merger"
The governor walked to the window
and looked out across the long stretch
of dull brown lawn.
II guess I'll keep out Of it, Fred"
he answered presently without turning
around.
Just then the door opened. and a girl
of twenty stood on the threshold. She
held her long riding skirt in her hand.
Joe said it was important and that
/ mustn't interrupt. but father prom
ised to go riding with me this morning
as soon as be finished his mail You
will forgive me. won't your
ii.
A little later, when the merger bill
was reached on the senate calendar.
the majority leader blandly asked that
the measure be laid aside for the pres
ent. Nobody objected. and the disap
pointed crowd filed grumblingly out of
the galleries. Though they did not IN
derstand the delay, few believed that
the merger was really beaten. This
was the outside view. On the inside
Colonel Moulton. SandersOn. head of
the promoting syndicate; the governor
and two or three others knew that
without Kittinger's vote there was a
tie. If be voted no the bill was lost.
'Well, find out what be wants."
growled Sanderson when the situation
was explained to him.
But nobody cared 10 undertake the
task Kittinger did not understand
the game. they felt; and, besides, he
might be against the bill on principle. ,
They had heard of such things.
xryha
is absent" suggested Sanderson.
They considered this, but not hope
fully. The lieutenant governor could
be depended upon for the casting vote,
but Kittinger was never absent.
III
Within half an hour after her re-
turn from the ride with her father
Kitty Willard knew that in respect to
the merger bill she had unwittingly
put her dainty little foot into it. Such
details of the situation as she failed
10 get from her father she sbillfully
extracted from Colonel Moulton. She
took at face value all that the colonel
said about the bearing of the merger
bill on her fathers political fortunes.
This is the reason why she marched
into Moulton's office the next morning
and offered her services TO help pass
the bill.
"Pm afraid. though" she admitted,
that / can't do much with father.
He has made up his mind not to in
ferfere. He told me that"
II don't just see, them began
Moulton.
"No. know you don't" answered
Miss Willard. though you are an old
dear. I'm going to capture your sena-
tor for you. I've made up my mind"
"Do you know himf'
"Just. I've met him at dinner once
Or twice. How much time do you give
meT
Moulton was ready to catch at
straws. which accounts for his answer