Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1914-12-04
She Was Forgiven
By JOSIAH 7. NEWcOMB

The galleries were packed to guffo-
cation. The lobby and even tho senate
floor were crowded. A sharp fight was
expected over the merger bill, notwith-
standing the confidence of the head of
the promoting syndicate, who arrived
the night before and established head
quarters In n nearby hotel, and Of Colo
mel Moulton, the chairman OF the state
committee, who kept the run Of things
from his office on the second floor of
the capitol. Both believed they had
the situation well in hand until they
heard about Kittlnger Then they talk
ed with each other over well guarded
telephones, and Moulton sent for the
senator
Neither the first nor second mes
sage brought him. The chairman put
on his hat and walked to the COVER.
nor's room.
1--WE are beaten. suppose you
know" Moulton said without preface,
as he sat down.
"Kittinger has been here" answered
the governor.
"What excuse did he give?"
81 did not hear him give any"
"Didnt you discuss the bill with
him2 Didn't you ask him what is the
matter with him"
mo"
"Then I'd like to know what did you
talk about"
"He did most of the talking. told
him that he was foolish not to sec
you"
"He isn't coming, thenp
"No. He said he wouldn't"
George, do you know what this
means to us" the colonel demanded.
II know what you think 1t means"
eyes, and I'm right 1t means that
you lose the United States senatorship
and that we go out Of business. That's
what It MEANS"
The governor swung around in his
chair YEARLY.
IL suppose you didn't come here just
to tell me that again." he said.
"No, didn't did not know that
you had seen Kittlnger Anyway, Il
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 I'll keep out Of It, Fred"
he answered presently without turning
around
Just then the door opened, and a girl
of twenty stood on the threshold. She
held her long riding skirt In her hand.
Joe said 1t was important and that
1 mustn't interrupt, but father prom
lsed to go riding with me this morning
as soon as he finished his mall. You
will forgive me, won't your
H.
A little later, when the merger bill
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 grumblingly out Of
the galleries. Though they did not un,
derstand the delay, few believed TINT
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 a
tie. If 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. Kittinger 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 It up when KittingeI
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 tc
the merger bill she had unwittlngly
put her dainty little foot into 1t. Such
details Of the situation as 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. ~ sr
"I'm afraid, though" she admitted
that I can't do much with father
He has made up his mind not to in
terfere. He told me that"
II don't Just see, them began
Moulton.
mo, know you don't" answered
Miss Millard, Though you. are an old
dear. Pm going to capture your sena'
tor for you. I've made'up' my mind"
"Do you know himp
Gust I've met him at dinner once
or twice. How much time do you give
meT
Moulton was ready to catch al
straws, which accounts for his answer
Ing seriously.
III we cannot pass the bill by this
time next month we never can" he
said.
Every WELL" said Miss Willard.
II wish you luck" said the colonel.
Kittinger was young, and at frs