Roanoke Rapids herald. [volume] (Roanoke Rapids, N.C.) 1914-192?, 1914-06-12

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removing his cigar. but there were
too many swallowtails here for me to-
night. When | was governor of the
state ! never wore one. No. nor plug
hat. either"
Il never wore one. and / never
Will" seconded Colonel Smith, Q typ
ical long. lean. lanky westerner. with
the inevitable western cut beard and
hair a bit too long.
Governor, you're right" and Strick.
land gave each man resounding slap
on the shoulder. Colonel, stick to
your guns. They're nuisance. Now,
boys, forget your homes and your
trains. The others are all gone. Let
US. the ringleadeW, adjourn u the
dining-room and over one Of my
punches"
The governor patted his stomach
tenderly. The mention Of the sena-
tors punch was all that was necessary
to weaken his desire to catch q train.
"Ah! Stricklands punch! I'm with
you"
Now, gentlemen" interrupted Mer-
rift In business-like manner, before
we split up tonight it's understood
we're all Slade men"
"All Slade men!" was the unani.
nous shout from the colonel, the ex-
Governor Hunt, pious old Pop Hart
and Ingram.
And we're preparing to cope with
SHADES domestic trouble should 1t
come up, and 1t WILL" went on Mer.
rift.
"The devil. Strick!" broke In the
colonel. Cant It be patched up un-
I'll after election"
mo. gentlemen" The senator was
unctuous but firm. I'VE must take
Slade as we find him or-drop him.
We're In the hands of peculiar and
dominant personality. We can't make
these big fellows to order"
What | can't understand" com.
planned Hibbard. throwing the stub
Of his cigar into the fireplace, rs why
they can't get on together"
Take It from me, gentlemen, it's
her fault" exclaimed Merritt, az much
in favor Of slade as he had previously
been opposed to him, now that Fannie
was appeased with the money for her
trip to Europe.
She's preparing to desert him
now" Strickland assured them. cts
lrrevocable."
We'll, we can't blame him for be-
ing deserted" agreed Hubbard.
you bet we cantl My wife de-
serted me-" declared the colonel with
an attempt at facetiousness, "and she
didn't do It a day too soon, either.
I've gone right ahead ever since"
Nov. then" went on the industri-
GUS Merritt, three OF us own papers.
These are our points: Mrs. Hlade In
-er-er-a woman who has no sympa,
thy with her husband-shuns public
life-is never seen-refused even to
see me. And no sympathy for him,
don't forget that"
yep! Just like my wife," gr,inted
the colonel
Il don't see how the public can
blame him." declared Hubbard.
They can't" asserted Hart.
why. she's semiinvalid," amend
ed Strickland.
MY wife hasn't seen her out since
she drove him out Of the house five
weeks ago." declared Hart.
Good! Wen use that" exclaimes
Merritt. eagerly. "A semiinvalid--
when she's ready to be moved she
will be taken away at her own request.
I'll publish 1t myself. I'll start the ball
a-rolling. Why, gentlemen, the world
ought to pity that man."
Hayes had stood the conversation
as long as he could.
DO you realize that you're attack
ing this woman unjustly?" he broke
in, walking into the middle Of the
group.
This is not at all true"
you keep out of this game" warned
Strickland.
well, boys. we're all agreed" de-
clared Merritt. "It's one for all,
them"
And all for one," added Hibbard.
excitedly.
Hip! Hip!" began Merritt, when
the door opened and the butler an
nounced:
Mrs Slade."
The hurrah that had been on each
mans lips died sudden death. They
looked at each other In CONSERVATION.
Mrs. slade!" gasped Merritt.
'Whewl"
The eyes turned toward the door
saw tiny. gray-garbed woman. with
great, questioning brown eyes. hest.
tating In bewildered fashion 90 she
found herself confronted by . room
full Of men. Her gown with It's tight
basque and full skirt was dowdy and
badly cut. In marked contrast 70 the
fashionable. clinging gowns OF the
women who had graced the room
short time previous. Her white gloves
we're fraction too short TO meet her
short sleeves, and left exposed thin
arms and pointed elbows. But the TEN
der face, with Its sweetly expressive
mouth, was unchanged. The lovely
eyes were more appealing. a. filled
with wistful shyness, they gaSed about
the room.
I'm afraid it's little late for mo
to come" she managed 70 say. 40 the
senator came up to her with out