News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1914-05-13

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SIade stood looking at her, fasci-
mated, forgetting for the moment the
man she was with, remembering moth
ing but the magnetic personality Of
the woman whose reputation for do
ing big things in a big way was al
ready known to nina woman whose
eyes meeting his gave back fash for
flash and understanding for under
standing.
Almost mechanically Slado found
himself acknowledging Senator StriCk-
lands formal presentation Of his
daughter. Hesitatingly he offered his
hand, which the girl, perfectly at
ease, erasped with a cordial, sympa-
thetic pressure. Her eyes were look
ing critically into his, much as if she
were trying to read him through and
through and take his measure for fu-
ture use.
Her easy, graceful acceptance Of the
situation, her thoughtful inquiry for
Mrs. SHADES health, prompted by we'll
bred sympathy rather than any curl
ous interest, and the cultured mOdula-
ton Of her splendid voice, charmed
him as no woman had ever done be-
fore.
There was nothing of the shy, rettr-
ing ingouue in Katherine S,r5cEiaud'g
makeup, she was a woman OF splcn-
did physique and wonderful mental de-
VelopmcGt. Her appeal To u man was
that of dominant intellect as much
as Of a lovely woman. She immedi-
ately impressed 91ade rs being keen
witted, strong-miHded and clever. His
admiration displayed itself in his shin
ing eyes and his unusually aiIaalo, at
tentiye manner
Suddenly he found himself compar-
ing his own little old-lashioned wife
with this handsome, self-possessed
woman before him. What wife Kath-
crime Strickland would be for the gov
ernor of a state! What picture she
would make presiding at the head Of
millionaires dinner tables! How
wonderfully such a woman would
adorn the richly furnished rooms of
his newly built mansion! Instead of
the work-worn fingers of his wife, con-
tinuously fumbling with darning
threads, he saw, in a mental vision
this wOman's lC"ely hands constantly
engaged in unwinding the threads of
problematic political tangles. Here |
was a woman who would be a mans |
wife and comrade--the very antithesis |
of the household drudge his own wife !
was content to be, with no interest |
outside of the four walls of her home |
and no desire for anything bigger in .
life than the daily routine Of break |
fast, dinner and supper, washing on |
Monday, ironing on Tuesday, and so
on TO the end of the week-woek after |
week in the same deadly rut. Here |
was woman who would 20 along .
with q man'-possibly q step ahead, |
blazing tie way for new and greater .
glories and recognizing no limit.
Slade brought his reflections to a
sudden halt as ne remembered the .
giDl's father.
why, what has happened to you,
senator? Your face looks different .
than it did this afternoon"
Her fault" replied the senator,
with a smile of tolerant affection, in
dicating his daughter. She made me
cut my beard this way. It's French"
Katherine laughed a delightful,
thPeaty little laugh.
Nonsense, father" she protested.
cor course, l like the West but l
no ~, oh 10, tyrY,
ical l was Mortified when l got back
and found you so blatantly the typi-
cal nluch-cartOoned Westerner."
Mr.. Slade," resumed Strickland, "a
few influential men from different
parts of our state are having a meet
ing in town tomorrow, and I want you
to meet them. I'm arranging a little
impromptu dinner, and thought Kath-
crime might be able to persuade Mrs.
Slade and yourself to join US"
ooh, father tell the truth" Kath-
erie interrupted. These gentlemen
want to meet you, Mr.. Slade. I hear
were to expect great things of you
You see, I've been mixed up in poll
ties all my life, and do love to have
a hand in them"
shed run for president il they'd
let her." teased her father
Indeed | would" the girl admitted,
Jbrazenly. i've got politics in my
blood, and home doesn't seem like
home unless politics are being brewed
in our dining-room. So you'll both
come. won't you-you and Mrs. Slade."
Slade was stammering his accept
ause when Strickland interrupted alb
ruptly.
How'd you like to be governor,
ISlade?"
Slade threw back his head with
1augh that was intended to denote
complete uncOncern.
"Oh-that talk Did the evening
papers put that into your head or"
and he paused significantly, did you
put it into the evening papers?'
Strickland's laugh was a practical