The Dermott news., 1914-07-30
CHAPTER V---ContIruec.

I want II. It's vital. I've got to have
ten thousand to go TO Europe. Every
body's going-Mrs. Webb. Mrs. ODon-
Dsil-" and her voice traIled on into
y pettish whine.
Yes. | know all about that crowd.
Merritt snarisd. Sun places for
shady people"
wesley! need clothes. I've told
everybody I'm going" and the peev-
fab woman glared at her husband.
Then she added suddenly Cant the
SENATOR ask Slade?"
oh. my God. Fanniel" the hectored
man groaned. Can | suggest that?
A rival candidate! I've mortgaSed
my property up to the hilt now for
clcthes-but sooner than
Il don't care need clothes" his
wife interrupted. rising and walking
gestlessly about the room. I've got
CHS
Then. with a sudden change of
thought. she cooed. Wesley"
Merritt stood with his elbow on the
mantei, looking moodiiy into h Are,
Wesley" che cooed again. Why
don't you-if you can't get in-why
don't you boom Slade1 They say he's
buying everybody"
Well. we've beer bought" Her
husbands tone indicated Just how
lfttte consideration such a plan would
have from him.
No, but you've been defeated SIX
times she objected. determined TO
ssg0e this new possibility that had
Suyt occurred to her. "Wes-it the
senator has gone back on you-iook
oct Sell out. l must have clothes"
She stopped as the senator himself
entered from the smoking room.
They're asking for you, Wesley"
m Merritt, glad OF the interruption.
hurried out
"Ah-good evening. Fannie" Strick-
hand took her hand in his smooth.
a1able way I'm sorry, Fannie. that
Wesley doesn't take more to Slade.
It's a great mistake Why don't you
tell him so7"
oh. my graciOus!" her manner
changing to suit the occasion. What
influence could ! possibly have with
my husband He's a man of iron
will. Why, | have TO do everything
he tells me myself. l wouldn't dare
20 NEEDLE with his affairs"
well, Just coax him. Fannie. the
WAY a nice. sweet. womanly woman
can urged the eenator. knowing full
wal that the Msrritts had one me
mage for private use and quite another
for publication.
7 wsnt to go to Europe and my
husband says he cant afford 1t"
Her voice dropped TO a sugary whine,
We cant all be m%illionaires like
Mr. Slade, can we" Just think. II
would cost $4,000. to say nothing OF
clothes.
Don't worry about that trip to Eu-
m~sanfngly. 81 think" and he paused
significantly, Il think you'll carr It "
With that he started toward the
smoking-room. "W Wesley" he called.
and as Merritt appeared In the door
way, remarked II believe your wife
nas something to say to you"
-Oh. yes. Wesley AVE something
most important to say"
We'll, II IT'S about that trip to Eu-
rope" growlsd Merritt, asserting him
SELF az he would never dare to do
when he was alone with her.
Now, Wesley. come with me TO the
balcony" Fannie oaxed in what she
considered her prettiest manner
You'll excuse us, SENATOR"
AS Fannie dragged her husband out
of the room Hayes. returning from
she smoking-room, and Katherine. re-
turning from her talk with the re-
porter. found themselves alone. Kath.
srfne was nervous and Ill at ease
Immediately she began to busy her
ssaf folding copies OF her fathers
speech and inserting them into mail
ing envelopes
"Slade's doing It," Bob remarked
They are nearly all wiped out II
shere. Those who haven't been be
RuEed. have been bullied or bought
Hold on! That sounds like the head
llnss In a Socialist paper
udPPchtu yOo' IA" oicN
on abruptly. 81 can't ind a trace o
you left. Ever since you came back
Eve been hunting for n sign OF tn
xiri I knew. Your notes.-the very let
sarp you wrote me from Europe sound
ID "a n some one else had writer
them. Who Ia It who's occupyin,
your mind. Katherinef
Il don't know what You mean tn
girl evaded.
You used to care a lot for me-.
raAecfively, his mind recalling tn
warm, eager welcome Of her arms tn
day he had declared his love fer bel
sAx years before.
7 only thought i did" she declared
- her syss dropped before his stead