Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1914-12-25
CHAPTER vII-contInued.


laugh. I'm through with you-and
your insults" and she fed from the
room.
Katherine did not 90 a moment too
soon. for scarcely had the folding
doors closed behind her when the
door from the smoking-room swung
open, and with noisy talk the few re-
naming members of the dinner party
struggled in.
In her agitated condition. even Kath-
crime would have found It difficult to
regain her composurs sufficiently to
meet these men.
Ex-Governor Hibbard was in q par
ticularly happy franc Of mind. The
senator's excellent viands and the SEN
ator's choice wines and tho senator's
Hsvanas had succeeded In making him
feel well satisfied with the world In
general and with Slade In particular.
His round face was flushed and his
string tie a trifie awry.
Had q good time. senator" he said,
removing his cigar. but there were
too many swallowtails here for me to
night When I was governor Of the
state never wore one. No. nor q plug
hat either"
II never wore one. and never
WILL" seconded Colonel Smith. . typ
ical long. lean. lanky westernsr. with
the Inevitable western cut beard ant
hair bit too long.
Governor. you're right" and Strick
land gave each man q resounding slaI
on the shoulder. Colonel, stick &c
your guns. They're a nuisance. Now
boys, forget your homes and youl
trains. The others are all gone. Le
US. the ringleaders. adjourn to thu
dining.room and over one Of m,
punches"
The governor patted his stomach
tenderly. The mention OF the sena
tors punch was all that was necessar,
to weaken his desire to catch q train
"Ahi strickland's punchl I'm with
you"
Now, gentlemen" interrupted Mer
ritt in q business.like manner. "befor'
we split up tonight it's understood
we're all Slade meni"
"All Slade men!" was the unanl
nous shout from the colonel. the ex
Governor Hunt. pious old Pop Har
and Ingram.
And we're preparing to cope will
SHADES domestic trouble should 1
come up. and It WILL" went on Mer
ritt.
"The devil, Strickl" broke in th'
colonel. Cant It be patched up un
I'll after election7"
mo, gentlemen" The senator wa
unctuous but firm. I'VE must taxi
Glade as we find him or-drop him
We're in the hands OF peculiar ant
dominant personality. We can't max
these big fellows to order"
what / can't understand" com
planned Hibbard, throwing the stul
OF his cigar into the fireplace. "is VIII.
they can't get on together"
Take It from me. gentlemen. IT,
her fault" exclaimed Merritt, as mucl
In favor OF Slade az he had previousl.
been opposed to him. now that Fanni
was appeased with the money for he
trip to Europe.
She's preparing to desert hin
now" Strickland assured them. 'It'
irrevocable."
well, we can't blame him for be
ing deserted" agreed Hibbard.
you bet We can'tl My wife dc
serted me-" declared the colonel witt
an attempt at facetiousness. and sh
didn't do It day too soon. either
rye gone right ahead ever since"
Now, then" went on the industri
Gus Merritt, "three Of us own papers
These are our points: Mrs. Slade
--er-er-a woman who has no sympa
thy with her husband-shuns publ
lifs-is never seen-refused even b
sec me. And no sympathy for hin
don't forget that"
"Yepl Just like my wife," grunte
the colonel.
'T don't see how the public ca
blame him." declared Hibbard.
"They can't" asserted Hart.
why, she's semilnvalid." ament
Cd Strickland.
my wife hasn't seen her out sine
she drove him out OF the house fiv
weeks ago." declared Hart
"Goodl Wen use that" exclaime
Merritt, eagerly. "A semiinvalid-
when she's ready to be moved sh
will be taken away at her own reques
I'll publish It myself. I'll start the ba
s-rolling. Why, gentlemen, the worl
ought to pity that man."
Hayes had stood the conversatio
~ long as he could.
do you realize that you're attacl
ing this womaa unjustly?" he brok