Clearwater Republican. [volume] (Orofino, Idaho) 1912-1922, 1915-01-08

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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 fattered 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-
excitement, and, it would seem, &C.
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 q 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 first won her girls heart. and yet
for whom she had never been willing
to renounce her interest in the polit-
ical and social life which obsessed her
with the same compelling force 40 it
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. II
was asking II you know Mr.. Slade very
WELL"
YES" Katherine replied. lightly.
I'VE know him very WE'LL"
And does he ever mention his
wife7" in Mrs. Merritt's most perfectly
feline manner.
Never once" admitted Katherine,
without even an attempt at an evasion.
And you have never met herf" Mrs.
Merritt was In her glory II she could
probe.
mo, / have never met her"
How extraordinary! My husband
why, Wesley Merritt's name spells
hearth and home. domestic purity
while slade'sl 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'll"
Katherine had quietly rung for .
servant. and ~ Mrs. Merritt finished.
remarked casually: Martin, see that
these letters are mailed at once"
Unabashed, Mrs. Merritt was moving
eagerly about the artistic room. COM
Portable In all its appointments. its
richness enhanced and mellowed with
age. blend Of color that nothing but
years can give.
Fannie Merritt was . decided blonde.
Her decision had been made more
than ten years before. 1t was de.
cision that, once made, must be
abided by, and the woman had been
living up to 1t ever since. Her gown
was the last word Of sartorial elegance
and style. Daringly decollette 1t chung
to her long, svelte figure with loving
emphasis, and trailed round her sx
Quisitely dressed feet. Her hair did
credit to the hairdresser's long and pa
tient efforts. and long, bizarre diamond
pendants flashed and sparkled from
her ears. II ever q woman had become
a slave to her own personal pleasure
and dress, that woman was Fannie
Merritt. Too self-centered and selfish
ever to crave motherhood, she lavished
a kind of affection on . watery-syed
little poodle, which repaid her with
lap-dog gratitude.
Tonight she was restless and Ill u
ease Like Katherine, her mind wal
full of one thought-Slade, Slade, Sladt
| hut thou 0hts that took n difYereut III
rection She was sick Of his name
sick of hearing of his money, sick O
the talk of his power and of hearing
him named as 1.-The man Of the hour.
He was winning the very honors sh'
had coveted for her husband. and tax
ing them right out from beneath hi
very eyes and nose There didn't seen
to be doubt OF Sla6e becoming COY
ernor. the very position for which he
husband had been striving for the pas
six terms. Slade with his million
| raodad tho ooveruorshiD no more thai