The Richmond climax. (Richmond, Ky.) 1897-1914, 1914-04-29

been buttonholed by some men from
up the state. Shall you wait or go
home-frst?"
Mrs. Merritt refused to be dis
missed in that peremptory fashion.
'I'll wait" she returned with acid
sweetness. Then if you are not ready
I'll run along"
SHADES had an ovation tonight"
Merritt Informed her, nodding toward
the smoking-room. THE big out-of-
town men are all here. Some of 'em
in there yet. He's big, Fannie. He's
big. We can't deny that The brute
attacks his point with all the force of
a sledge hammer"
Eyes, that's what you lack
punch!" his wife turned on him petu-
lantly.
You're showed under" she COM
planned, bitterly. eff you'd taken my
advice you wouldn't have come to this
Slade feed tonight. What's your pa
per for" she demanded, ''if you can't
attack your rival candidate in its col
umns? Anyone would think you want
ed to make him governor-instead of
yourself"
Il can't attack him publicly" Mer-
rift retorted. He'd put up glue fac
tories facing our property and, with
lake breeze blowing our way
phew! My position is very difficult.
OF course, elections long way ahead,
but I'm the only stick in his puddle"
Yes, you're a big stick" she
tainted. why don't you do some
thing?"
What can I do?" he groaned. 1--WE
been told tonight by no less than four
men that they won't support me again.
And Strickland's speech introducing
Slade was a masterpiece"
"Yes-Strickland's masterpieces are
concocted by his daughter, we all
know that. Just as write your stuff"
she finished with hateful emphasis on
the posseSsive.
MY dear, l wish you'd be more
CAREFUL" warned Merritt, making
sure that the door leading into the
smoking-room was closed.
Your Message to the Farmer'-that
made you famous! What did l ever
get for writing it?" and with self-satis-
fed deliberateness she arranged her.
self carefully in a low-seated chair
near the fireplace.
Il never denied that you had a
mans BRAIN" placatingly, drawlingly,
mockingly, darling"
"Yes-Im the family mosquito that
buzzes behind your ears. God help
us if it wasn't for me. Did you ask
the senator for the $4,000 l want?"
she demanded,
He can't" Merritt was huddled in
the nearest chair. The subject had
been causing him appetiteless days
and sleepless nights. When a woman
of Fannie Merritt's persistency and
| tenacity wants something a man can't
| get then that man is very likely to be
nagged into desperation.
you look out, Wesley" she an
swered, alarm breaking the careful
| meditation of her voice. That's the
first time he ever refused u.s."
Hes broke-dead broke. l don't
know how he can keep this up. The
senator's nearly out. That's why
he's sticking to Slade."
well, l don't care how you get it
/ want it. It's vital. I've got to have
ten thousand to go to Europe. Every
body's going-Mrs. Webb, Mrs. O'Don-
nell" and her voice trailed off into
a pettish whine.
Yes, know all about that crowd"
Merritt snarled. Sunny places for
shady people"
Wesley! 1 need clothes. I've told
everybody I'm going" and the peev-
ish woman glared at her husband.
Then she added suddenly: Cant the
senator ask Slade?"
"Oh, my God, Fannie!" the hectored
man groaned. Can l suggest that
A rival candidate! I've mortgaged
my property up to the hilt now for
clothes-but sooner than"
81 don't care-I need clothes" his
wife interrupted, rising and walking
restlessly about the room. 1--WE got
to go to Europe. The devil take your
excuses
Then, with a sudden change of
thought, she cooed. Wesley"
Merritt stood with his elbow on the
mantel, looking modify into the fire
Wesley" she cooed again. why
don't you-if you can't get in-why
don't you boom Slade? They say he's
buying everybody"
| 6yNa11
husbands tone indicated just how
little consideration such a plan would
have from him.
mo, but you've been defeated SIX
times" she objected, determined to
argue this new possibility that had
just occurred to her. 'Wes-if the
senator has gone back on you-look
out. Sell out. must have clothes
She stopped as the senator himself
entered from the smoking room.
They're asking for you, Wesley
and Merritt, glad Of the interruption
hurried out.
"Ah-good evening, Fannie" Strick
land took her hand in his smooth
affable way. Pm sorry, Fannie, that
Wesley doesn't take more to Slade
It's a great mistake. Why don't you
tell him so?"
"Oh, my gracious!" her manner
changing to suit the occasion. what
influence could l possibly have with
my husband? He's a man of iror
will. Why, have to do everything
he tells me myself. / wouldn't dare
to NEEDLE with his affairs"
"Well just coax him. Fannie, the