The Dermott news., 1914-07-23

ably converge.
Katherine talked animatedly and en-.
tertainingly of social life abroad and
of the gay times IN Washington. and
SHADES heart warmed and his eyes
flashed as he pictured himself a part
OF that charmed circle. With keen
penetration be saw the longing OF the
girls nature. her iron Will. her deter
mination to gain social honors at al
most any cost. He battered himself
that when he said the word Katherine
Strickland would be ready to cast her
lot with his.
From the smoking room OF Senator
Striekland's big house came the stri-
dent sound of mems voices. raised in
excitement, and, 1t would seem, &C
claim. Now and again the senator's
smooth. ~oratorical voice would sound
and then SHADES slightly deprecatory,
yet firm and pleased. Then would
follow the patter Of applause. laughter
and the sudden dropping of voices that
stgnified earnest converse.
To Katherine Strickland. sitting in
the softly lighted library adjoining
every sound had its meaning. Her
eyes spanked with keen interest. In
her cheeks glowed the deep rose of
excitement and %exultation. In hat other
room she knew they were making his
tory. In that other room they were
putting up a man for governor. a man
she admired and Who had aroused her
interest as no other mar had ever
done
Nothing could stand In that mans
way. she thought, with a catch in her
breath. nothing could stop him now
that he was fairly started How diff
ferent this domiueertng. forceful per
sonality from Bob Hayes. the man who
had iNt won her girls heart. and yet
for whom she had eve been willing
TO renounce her interest in the polit-
lcal and social life which obsessed her
with the same compelling force as It
did SIade.
With an effort she brought her mind
back to the present and to Mrs, Wes
ley Merritt. who had dropped in on
her way from a dance 10 pick up her
husband.
YOU simply weren't listening to a
word | said" Mrs. Merritt complained
in her arectedly atrectionate why 4
was asking II you know Mr.. Shade very
well"
Yes" Katherine replied. lightly.
we know him very we'll
And does he ever mention his
wife ?" in Mrs Merritts most perfectly
feline manner
Never once" admitted katherine.
without even an attempt at an evasion.
And you have never met herr" Mrs.
Merritt was in her glory II she could
probe.
mo, | have we met her"
How extraordinary My husband
why, Wesley Merritt's name spells
hearth and home. domestic purity
while Slade'sl They tell me he hasn't
seen his wife for weeks, and it's town
talk hat he's living at his club. And
10 think he's never mentioned her 10
you"
Katherine had quietly rung for a
servant. and as Mrs. Merritt finished
remarked casually Martin, see that
these letters are mailed at once"
Unabashed. Mrs. Merritt Was moving
eagerly about the artistic room. com
Portable in all its appointments. its
| richness enhanced and mellowed with
age, a blend OF color that nothing but
years can give.
Fannie Merritt was a decided blonde
Her decision had been made more
than ten years before. II was a de
cision that. once made, must be
abided by, and the had beer
living up to 1t ever since. Her gowT
was the last word of sartorial elegance
and style. Daringly decollette II clunl
to her long. svelte figure with lovini
emphasis, and trailed round her ex
quisitely dressed feet. Her hair die
credit TO the h~airdresser's long and pa
tient efforts, and long. bizarre diamond
pendants flashed and sparkled from
her ears. II aver a woman had becom,
a slave TO her own personal pleasure
ana dress, luaL WOmdH HhS rdIui
Merritt. Too se~lf-centered and selfsl
ever to crave motherhood. she lavishe'
a kind of affection on a watery-eye,
little poodle. which repaid her witt
lap-dog gratitude.
Tonight she was restless and Ill a
ease. Like Katherine. her mind wa
full Of n thought-Slade. Slade. Slad
but thoughts that took a different d.
rection. She was sick of his name
STICK of hearing OF his money. sick o
the talk of his power and of hearin.
him named as the mar OF the hour.
He was winning the very honors sh
had coveted for her husband, and tah
ing them right out from beneath hi
very eyes and nose There didn't seer
to be a doubt OF Slade becoming gov
ernor. the very position for which he
husband had been striving for the pas
six terms. Slade with his million
needed the g~overnorship no more tina
a pampered child needs a new toy
while TO her husband success or fai
ure this time meant either the retrfe'
ing of his fortunes or his utter ruin.