Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1914-12-04
The Governors S
IT ~ A Noveliza ton of
Lazy Alice Bradley's Play
BY GERTRUDE STEVENSON
Illustrations from Photographs Of the Stage Production


hathoiiho ndu Coluo 10 mutual uu-
derstanding. The more they saw Of
each other the more each became con.
vinced that their paths would newt
ably converge.
Katherine talked animatedly and en-
tertainingly Of social life abroad and
OF the gay times In Washington, and
Slade's heart warmed and his eyes
flashed as he pictured himself a part
OF that charmed circle. With keen
penetration he saw the longing of the
girls nature. her iron will, her deter
mination to gain social honors at al
most any cost. He fattered himself
that when he said the word Katherine
Strickland would be ready to cast her
lot with his.
From the smoking room Of Senator
Strickland's big house came the stri-
dent sound Of mems voices, raised In
excitement, and, it would seem, ac-
claim. Now and again the senator's
smooth, oratorical voice would sound
and then Slades slightly deprecatory,
yet firm and pleased. Then would
follow the patter Of applause, laughter
and the sudden dropping of voices that
signified earnest converse.
To Katherine Strickland, sitting In
the softly lighted library adjoining,
every sound had It's meaning. Her
eyes. sparkled with keen interest. In
her cheeks slowed the deep rose OF
excitement and exultation. In that other
room she knew they were making his
tory. In that other room they we're
putting up a man for governor man
she admired and who had aroused her
interest as no other man 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 domineering. forceful per.
sonality from Bob Hayes, the man who
had first won her girls heart, and yet
for whom she had never been willing
to renounce her interest in the polit.
ical and social life which obsessed her
with the same compelling force as II
did Slade.
With an effort she brought her mind
back to the present and to Mrs. Wes-
ley Merritt. who had dropped in on
ber way from a dance to pick up her
husband.
You simply weren't listening to @
word ! said." Mrs. Merritt complained
In her affectedly affectionate way. q
was asking II you know Mr.. Slade yer,
we'll"
YES" Katherine replied. lightly
I'VE know him very we'll"
And does he ever mention hi
wifef" in Mrs. Merritt's most perfectl,
feline manner.
Never once" admitted Katherine
without even an attempt at an evasion
And you have never met her7" Mrs
Merritt was In her glory II she coul,
probe.
"No, I have never met her"
How extraordinary My husban,
why. Wesley Merritt's name spell
hearth and home. domestic purity
while Slade'si They tell me he hasn'
seen his wife for weeks. and It's towI
talk that he's living at his club. Ant
to think he's never mentioned her u
you'll"
Katherine had quietly rung for
servant. and as Mrs. Merritt finished
remarked casually: Martin, see tina
these letters are mailed at once"
Unabashed. Mrs. Merritt was movinl
eagerly about the artistic room. CON
Portable In all its appointments. It
!, richness enhanced and mellowed wit
age. blend Of color that nothing bu
years can give.
Fannie Merritt was decided blonde
Her decision had been made NOR
than ten years before. II was q d,
cision that, once made, must
abided by, and the woman had bee
living up TO It ever since. Her gov
! was the last word OF sartorial eleganc
, and style. Daringly decollette II clun
: to her long. svelte figure with lovin
emphasis, and trailed round her e,
quisitely dressed feet. Her hair di
' credit to the hairdresser's long and pi
, tient efforts. and long, bizarre damon
pendants flashed and sparkled fror
) her ears. II ever a woman had becom
J. a slave to her own personal pleasur
y and dress, that woman was Fanni
/. Merritt. Too self.centered and selhs
Z ever TO crave motherhood. she lavishe
/ q kind OF affection on 4 watery-eye
9 little poodle, which repaid her wit
y lap-dog gratitude.
Tonight she was restless and Ill I
3 ease. Like Katherine. her mind wa
d full Of one thought-Slade. Slade. Slad
o but thoughts that took different d
Q rection. She was sick OF his nam
D. sick OF hearing Of his money. sick I
n the talk OF his power and OF hearin
d him named as "tho man Of the hour
o He was winning the very honors 81
10 had coveted for her husband, and tn
d ing them right out from beneath b
70 very eyes and nose. There didn't see
v 10 be a doubt OF Slade becoming 20
ernor, tho very position for which h'
L husband had been striving for the pa
m six terms. Slade with his millioi
Q. needed the governorship no more thi
Il q pampsred child needs q new to
u. while TO her husband success or IA
10 ure this time meant either the retire
ly ing OF his fortunes or his utter ruin.
NJ The abstraction OF the two won,