The Dermott news., 1914-08-13
CHAPTER Vil-Continued.

She turned to him with a bitter
laugh. I'm through with you-and
your insults" and she fed from the
room.
Katherine did not go a momen too
soon, for scarcely had the folding
doors closed behind her when the
door from the smoking-room swung
iopen. and with noisy talk the few re
maining members of the dinner party
struggled in.
In her agitated condition, even kath-
crime would have found II difficult to
regain her composure sufficiently to
inject these men.
Ex-Governor Hubbard was in a par
tticulariy happy frame of mind. The
senators excellent viands and the sen
.ator's choice wines and the senator's
HAvanas had succeeded in making him
feel we'll satisfied with the world In
general and with Slade in particular.
His round face was flushed and his
string tie a tribe awry.
Had q good time. senator" he said.
removing his cigar. but there were
too many swallowtails here for me to
night. When | was governor Of the
state I never wore me. No. nor a plug
hat, either"
Il never wore one. and | never
will" seconded Colonel Smith. a typ
ical long, lean. lanky westerner. with
the inevitable western cut beard and
hair a bit too long.
Governor, you're right and Strick-
land CAV each man a resounding slap
on the shoulder. Colonel. stick to
your guns. They're a nuisance. Now,
boys, forget your homes and your
trains. The others are all gone. Let
us. the ringleaders. adjourn to the
dining room and over one of my
punches"
The governor patted his stomach
tenderly. The mention of the sena-
tors punch was all that was necessary
to weaken his desire to catch a train.
All! Strickland's punch! I'm with
you"
Now, gentlemen" interrupted Mer-
rift in a business-like manner. before
we split up tonight it's understood
we're all Slade men,
"All Slade meni" was the unani-
nous shout from the colonel, the ex-
Governor Hunt. pious old Pop Hart
and Ingram.
And we're preparing TO cope with
SHADES domestic trouble should 1t
come up, n 1t will" went on Mer.
rift.
'"The devil. Strick!" broke in the
colonel. Cant It be patched up I'M
til after election"
No. gentlemen" The senator a
unctuous but firm. We must take
Slade as we find him or-drop him.
We're in the hands of a peculiar and
dominant personality. We can't make
these big fellows to order"
what | can't understand" com
planned Hibbard. throwing the stub
o. his cigar into the fireplace. lis why
they cant get on together"
Take 1t from me, gentlemen, it's
her fault" exclaimed Merritt, as much
In favor of Slade as he had previously
been opposed to him. now that Fannie
was ~appeased with the money for her
trip to Europe.
"She's preparing to desert him
now" Strickland assured them. It's
irrevocable."
We'll, we can't blame him for be
ing deserted" agreed Hibbard.
You bet we can't! My wife de
nerted me-" declared the colonel with
an attempt ut fscstiousness. and she
didn't do II . day 90 soon. either
I've gone right ahead ever since"
Now, tAeA," went on he industri
Ous Merritt, three of us own papers
These are our points; Mrs. Slade Is
-er--er-a woman who has no sympa
thy with her kusbAnd-shuns public
life-is never seen-refused even tc
see me. And nc sympathy for him
don't forget that"
yep! Just like my wife," grunted
the colonel.
at don't see how the public car
blame him." declared Hubbard.
"They can't" asserted Hart.
why, she's . semi-invalid." amend
Cd Strickland.
MY wife hasn't seen her out since
ehe drove him out of the house Ave
vesks ago." declared Hart.
Coed! Well use that" exclaimed
Merritt, eagerly. "A s~emi-invalid-
when she's ready to be moved she
win be taken away ut her own request
TIL publish II myself. I'll start the bal
a-rolinU. Why. gentlemen. the worit
ought to pity that man."
Hayes had stood the conversation
~ Iong ~ Ne could.
Do you realise that you'rs Attscs,
- this woman us1sstlyf~ ~ bsees