Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1914-04-22

II - III
view with the rival candi-
Rzss5Ezz dates for the Panaman pres
tSs@nQ% idency formed but part of
her plan. She next held long CONVEX
sation with Colonel Jolson, to the end
that on Friday morning Runnels heard
a rumor that threw him into the great
est CONSERVATION. 1t was to the effect
that instead of his succeeding to the
Office of superintendent he was to re-
tain his old post and that Colonel Jol-
sons brOther-in-law was to supersede
him. Although the word was not au-
thoritative, it came with sufficient di-
rectness to leave him aghast If true
it was, of course equivalent to his dis
charge, for it meant that he could not
even continue in his former position
without putting himself in a light in
tOlerable to any man of spirit. If he
did not resign voluntarily he knew that
his new superior would eventually
force him to do so. for Blakeley would
build up an organization of his own
Inasmuch as his assistant was con
cerned in his threatened calamity, Run
nels made haste to lay the matter be-
fore him.
'Then this would seem to end our
fine hopes, eh?'' said Kirk
'Ratherr' Runnels broke out bitter
~. give worked hard. Kirk. and
deserve promotion if anybody ever did.
This other fellow is a dub-he has
proven that. Why, I've forgotten more
railroading than he'll ever know. Ev-
cry man on the system hates him and
likes me; and on top Of it all l was
promised the job. It's tough on the
wife and the kid"
He stopped to swallow his emotion
and went on:
me, for I had the idea that / was
doing something patriotic. something
for my country. That's the way they
used to talk about this canal. you
know. I've put i'll four years of he'll,
I've lost step with the world; I've
lost my business connections in the
States, and 1 haven't saved up any
money. l can't quit, and yet I'll have
to, for if I'm fired it'll mean I'll have
to go back there and start at the bot
tom again. Those people don't know
anything about these BANKED politics.
They'll think / made a failure here in
government work, and I'll have to live
it down. What are you going to dO?"
Kirk started. "Oh, don't know.
was thinking about you. I haven't
spent much of that lottery coin. It's in
the bank, all that Allan hasn't used,
and half of it is yours if you'll take it.
You and Mrs. RunnelS and the kid and
Allan and land one other party-wilI
hike back home and get something else
to do. What do you say?"
Runnels' voice shook as he answered:
'By Jove! You're the-real stuff, An
thony. III think it over. Who is this
other partyY"
my wife,
"Good Lord! You're not married?'
"No, but I'm going to be. You talk
tbOut your troubles. Now, listen tC
nine I'll make you weep like fog"
3rie1y he told his friend of the blow
hat had so suddenly fallen upon him.
'You are up against it, old man."
greed Runnels when he had heard all.
'Garavel has set his heart on the pres
1ency, and he'll pay any price to get
t. It's the same all over Central
america. These people are mad on
,olitics''
But the game isn't over. I carried
he ball forty yards once for touch
own in the last ten seconds of play,
nd Yale won. l had good interior
nee then. and I need it now. Some
ody'll have to run ahead of me-
Runnels smiled. II guess you can
cunt on me. What is the plan?"
For the next half hour the two talk
d earnestly, their heads together, their
oices low.
'T don't believe it will work, my
oy,' Runnels said at last. 81 know
hese people better than you, and yet
ord, if it does come off! Now, don't
lention this rumor about Blakeley. j
7ant to see Steve Cortlandt first"
"COrtlandt! By the way, do you
appen to remember that he's to be our
uest for supper tomorrow night? Kind
joke now, trying to thank him
n what he's done, isn't itT"
mot at all. 1t may be our one
lance Of salvation; he may be the
he person who can help u.s."
well" Kirk reflected, Il have a