Oxford Democrat., 1914-08-25
Copyright by Frank A. Munsey Co.

nor's room.
I'VE are beaten. 1 suppose you
know" Moulton said without preface.
as he sat down.
"Kittinger has been here" answered
the governor.
"What excuse did he give"
II did not hear him give any"
"Didn't you discuss the oill with
him? Didn't you ask him what Is the
matter with him?"
"No."
"Then Id like to know what did you
talk about?"
HE did most OF the talking told
him that he was foolish not to see
you"
HE isn't coming, then"
mo. He said he wouldn't"
George. do you know what this
means to usg" the colonel demanded.
II know what you think 1t means"
"Yes. and I'm right 1t means that
you lose the United States senatorshir
and that we go out of business. That's
what 1t means"
The governor swung around In his
chair wearily.
II suppose you didn't come here just
to tell me that again" be said
mo, / didn't | did not know that
you had seen Kittinger. Anyway. II
does not matter. Send for him now
and ask him to vote for the merger
The governor walked to the window
and looked out across the long stretch
Of dull brown lawn.
II guess III keep out of 1t. Fred.
he answered presently without turning
around.
Just then the door opened. and gir'
Of twenty stood on the threshold Shr
held her long riding skirt in her hand.
"Joe said 1t was important. AID :hal
I mustn't interrupt. but father prom
ised to go riding with me this morning
as soon as he finished his mail. ioc
will forgive me, won't you?'
II.
A little later, when the merger biz
was reached on the senate calendar
the majority leader blandly asked that
the measure be laid aside for the pres,
ent. Nobody objected, and the disap'
pointed crowd filed grumblinsly out of
the galleries. Though they did not I'm
derstand the delay, few believed that
the merger was really beaten. This
was the outside view. On the inside
Colonel Moulton. Sanderson. head of
the promoting syndicate; the governor
and two or three others knew that
without Kittinger's vote there was
tie. II he voted no the bill was lost
"Well, find out what he wants"
growled Sanderson when the situation
was explained to him.
But nobody cared to undertake the
task. Kttinger did not understand
the game, they felt; and. besides, he
might be against the bill on principle
They had heard OF such things:
Cant you call 1t up when hittinger
Is absentT suggested Sanderson.
They considered this. but not hope
fully. The lieutenant governor could
be depended upon for the casting vote
but Kittinger was never absent
III.
Within half an hour after her re-
turn from the ride with her father
Kitty Millard knew that In respect to
the merger bill she had unw!ttingly
put her dainty little foot into 1t. Such
details Of the situation ~ she failed
to get from her father she skillfully
extracted from Colonel Moulton. She
took at face value all that the colonel
said about the bearing Of the merger
bill on her fathers political fortunes.
This is the reason why she marched
into Moulton's office the next morning
and offered her services to help pass
the bill.
"pm afraid. though" she admitted,
that l can't do much with father.
He has made up his mind not to In
terfere. He told me that"
IT don't Just see. them began
Moulton.
"No. I know you don't" answered
Miss Millard, though you are an old
dear. I'm going to capture your sena-
tor for you. I've made up my mind"
"Do you know him?
"Just. I've met him at dinner once
or twice. How much time do you give
hep
Moulton was ready to catch at
straws, which accounts for his answer.
Ing seriously.
"If we cannot pass the bill by this
time next month we never can." be
said.
Every WE'LL" said Miss Millard.
II wish you luck" said the colonel.
::zittinger was young. and at first
things went swimmingly. He was as
signed to take her into dinner an even
ing or two after the temporary defeat
Of the merger bill
Among the privileges enjoyed by
those who were crowned with Kitty's
royal favor was license to ride with
her in the mornings.
She was unconventional as to grooms.
On the morning Kittnger rode with
her, for the fourth or hfth time since
their more intimate acquaintance be.
gan, they went alone.
II was mad riding from the begin
ming. Kitty intended that It should
be. II Is useless to excuse or e1tenu'
ate her conduct Any defense would
fall below the documentary evidence
Of her guilt in the form Of scribbled
note to Colonel Noulton dispatched the
night before. It said:
Call up your bill early tomorrow. Hs
win be absent part Of the session.
The start was early. and they were q
good distance from town when Kitty
saw the young senator look at bis
watch. As he shut 1t with determin
ed snap the horse that Kitty rode gave