Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1914-01-01

SAS oAS III SOoANoS
the meagerness of her life: that was
all. he told himself. He had been sorry
Tor her-yet. that was all. But he
wondered at his anguish and his shame
that night she ran away from MIN.
His thoughts came back to his friends
IN The News office. In this dingy shop
the of social revolt conferred; it
was not strange that through the News
Aurelie had come to this abominable
notoriety; all the things about Aurelie
that would exasperate Harlan, would
merely delight the vagabond soul of
Wiley Curran. 1t was no use being
angry at Wiley about it; his yellow
dog OF q paper would merely yelp the
louder.
Even now, when Janet Vance and
Arne were trying to co1npefa moments
serious thought in Mr.. Curran, the edi-
TOT was yawning, "Me-for congress?
n you actually think I am beginning
ing away at this old job press when a
drummer blew in here and tried to sell
me a set of desk stamps. He was one
OF those 1ngratiating boosters, and as
l had my hat on he thought I was
about 81.
He set down his case, as 1 didn't stop
work, and began to tell me how much
good it did him to see a young mar
hghting away down here to make q
start in life.
Il said, Stranger, what you see here
is no start in life; it's a finish!'"
Miss Vance did not smile-at first.
Then, at Wiley's rueful discontinue
she did. But she sale sternly: Wiley.
I'm ashamed of you'll"
SO an I. Janet" He crossed his
legs over the waste paper basket and
sighed. But I'm growing up-slowly.
1 Know what Arne means The tramp
tramp of his northmen-the big
Jllmbod students I'm tho hill Aud 7 coa
his leaders, too. I know what Delroy
is Inc means. Good God. I gave my life
to the west!" He sat forward, his eyes
shining. Only 1t was its poetry and
its epic bigness that got me, not it's
ontery OF conscience. Its political
IT back to us here in the south. And I
know, Janet! Something at last has
stirred mel"
Arne arose and was winding his big
silver watch. Maybe now you'll get
a hustle on n change the News to a
daily
The bank turned me down on that
dinky loan. And when 1 tried to get it
In Earlville, some mysterious power
blocked me there. know we'll
enough; it's all because Of the fight I
made to get the town to take the
pumping contract away from Thad
Tanner n have a municipal plant"
A0AA AAAS AA&S LII VIA h
director Of the bank. He did not like
Wiley's in~sinuation; but then his
father did not like Wiley. He muir
Injured some inconsequential badinage
and followed Arne out to where the
student-farmer was bringing his mud
block.
4 WISH" muttered Arne, you'd get
Wiley into this. He's got a chance
such a big chance for the nomination.
It's going to be u year-the young
mems turn, Harlan. And. old boy, we
want you with us!"
Harlan smiled lazily. odd boy, it's
great to see any one SO earnest! I
don't imagine it's in me. Father hasn't
much use for the insurgent idea. And
you know our family; the senator Is
Imotner's cousin, and Hall was fathers
law partner"
Arne grimaced. He knew all that!
ties sometime, Harlan, don't they?
Well. you want to ook ahead!"
The tramp Of the young men up the
hill" Harlem quoted good humoredly.
We'll, goodbye, old chap; it's east for
me tomorrow, and west for you'll. He
Arne's rough one. Next year Ill have
out my shingle above the bank corner.
and you'll be experimenting with soils
among the farmers, and We'll sect"
Arne smiled back the friendly chal-
lenge. And Wiley-let's help put him
over, however things go. I'll be out
among the farmers, and you among
all. Janet, there"-his eyes went to the
trim blue-gowned figure Of his sister
sitting forward in the EDITORS chair
she's set her heart upon it. Harlan,
she's waited all her life for Wiley's
a~wakening!" He appealed in al his
boyish ardor to his friend: Wiley, If
thing, she'd marry him!" Then he
added hastily, "Or he'd marry her!
He'd realize, chen, all she Is to him..
Wiley's awakening-that's what I'm
after-and this is his big chance!"
Harlan nodded. All the county, these
many years. had put the names Of the
superintendent together-and in vain.
Janet was n Of the notable women of
the states educational work. Curran
was still "Curran Of the News"
. Curran, this same minute, was
badgering Miss Vance about her politi-
cal proclivittes. 7 thought" he
remark In your address to the county
institute. hat the constitution OF the
United States was not, after all. a SUI
pernally wise instrument, Boss Tanner
and all the old bats about town had
cOncluQed that you We're unit to be
school superintendent! Old Thad, who,
during the war, cleaned up his million
on shoddy contracts with the govern
ment, roaring for the constitution
amt 1t q holy shown"
Miss Vance arose and came to him
determinedly, her clean-cut face look
ing down at him with q humorous Inn
patience. the same, Wiley. any
one who wants to get OF in politics in.
this county must reckon with Mr..
Tanner. I wish you'd know 1T"
It's more fun" responded Mr.. Cur
ran, ito insinuate he's a thief
But not politics"
Upon my soul, Janet''-he looked up,
|curiously-"y o ONE Of the day get
me. You are SO damned successful at
this game-tell me how You do it,"
She smiled with some occurrences.
II you insinuate I'm a woman poll
|tician. very well. I'll tell you some
points OF. my game-it's never toilet my
waist line lose itself. And investing a
deal OF my salary in masseurs and
hair dressing instead Of political as
|sessrnents. And getting about casually
among the men, and vet never ap-
|pearing too wise"
Il understand that the school board,
which fought you to the last ditch, has
removed all the c%uspidors from its
rooms n shaves twice q week since
the woman superintendent was elect
led! And that the democrats can't find
q man to O~ppoSeeYyOU. Tha6 Tanner