The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1914-06-24

down the street.
The innate conceit and self-esteem
OF the man made him overlook the fact
that the party needed rich man. He
was quite satisfied that he was being
boosted by Strickland and the others
because of his brains, his unusual abil-
ity, his oratory and his power to lead
men. He was happier than he had
been for years, Every day the new
life looked brighter and the old less
desirable.
If he gave thought to Mary it was
a passing one. Mary was comfort
able" She had everything that money
could buy. The servants would be TAX
ing good care of her, of course. OF
the lump in Mary's throat as she sat
at the lonely breakfast table and as
she went through the still more lone
some ordeal of the formal dinner. he
knew nothing. OF the woman's aching
tears as she tried to keep up before
the servants and make excuses for his
absence, Slade was heartlessly OBJ
livious. Or perhaps It was self-esteem
again, that made him unable to feel
for her-the self-esteem of the sue
cessful man who feels no wounds
when fighting for what he wants, and
neither knows nor cares that others
feel them. He had a heart, but it was
unpleasantly like Pharaoh's.
But of Katherine Strickland's stat
uesque beauty and her cosmopolitan
manner he was delightfully."- aware.
During the weeks since he had left
home Slade had been calling regu-
larry at the Strickland home, partly to
consult with the senator and partly
for the purpose of posing for the bust
which Katherine was modelling. AS
they sat hour after hour, he posing
comfortably, she working deity and
talking even more cleverly, Slade and
Katherine had come to a mutual un-
derstanding. The more they saw Of
each other the more each became con-
vinced that their paths would newt
ably converge.
Katherine talked animatedly and en-
tertainingly of social life abroad and
OF the gay times in Washington, and
SHADES heart warmed and his eyes
flashed as he pictured himself part
Of that charmed circle With keen
penetration he saw the longing Of the
girls nature, her iron will, her deter
mination to gain social honors at al
most any cost He f1attered himself
that when he said the word Katherine
Strickland would be ready to cast her
lot with his.
From the smoking room of Senator
Strickland's big house came the stri-
dent sound of mems voices. raised in
excitement. and, it would seem, ac-
claim Now and again the senator's
smooth, oratorical voice would sound
and then SHADES slightly deprecatory,
yet firm and pleased. Then would
follow the patter of applause, laughter
and the sudden dropping of voices that
signified earnest converse.
To Katherine Strickland, sitting in
the softly lighted library adjoining,
every sound had its meaning. Her
eyes sparkled with keen interest. In
her cheeks glowed the. deep rose Of
excitement and exultation. In that other
room she knew they were making his
tory. In that other room they were
putting up man for governor. a man
she admired and who had aroused her
interest as no other man had ever
done.
Nothing could stand in that mans
way, she thought, with catch In her
breath, nothing could stop him now
that he was fairly started. How diff
ferent this domineering. forceful per-
sonality from Bob Hayes, the man who
had frst won her girls heart, and yet
for whom she had never been willing
to renounce her interest In the polit-
zeal and social life which obsessed her
with the same compelling force as 1t
did Slade.
With an effort she brought her mind
back to the present and to Mrs. Wes-
ley Merritt. who had dropped In on
her way from dance to pick up her
husband
you simply weren't listening to a
word said" Mrs. Merritt complained
in her affectedly affectionate way. Il
was asking if you know Mr. Slade very
WE'LL
Yes" Katherine replied. lightly.
I'VE know him very we'll"
And does he ever mention his
wife," in Mrs Merritt's most perfectly
feline manner.
Never once admitted Katherine,
without even an attempt at an evasion.
And you have never met herr" Mrs.
Merritt was in her glory If she could
probe.
NO, / have never met her"
How extraordinary! My husband
why, Wesley Merritt's name spells
hearth and home, domestic purity
while SHADES! They tell me he hasn't
seen his wife for weeks, and it's town
talk that he's living at his club. And
to think he's never mentioned her to
you!"
Katherine had quietly rung for a
servant, and as Mrs. Merritt finished
remarked casually. "Martin see that