Bonners Ferry herald. [volume] (Bonners Ferry, Idaho) 1904-current, 1915-01-15
CHAPTER V-ContInued.

i want 1t. It's vital. I've got to have
ten thousand to go to Europe. Every
body'e going-Mrs. Webb, Mrs. O'Don-
nell" and her voice trailed OF into
q pettish whine.
Yes, l know all about that crowd"
Merritt snarled Sunny places for
shady people,"
"Wesleyl ! need clothes. I've told
everybody Pm going" and the peey-
ish woman glared at her husband.
Then she added suddenly: Cant the
senator ask Slade?"
"Oh, my God, Fanniel" 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"
II don't care-I need clothes" his
wife interrupted, rising and walking
restlessly about the room. I've 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 moodily 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"
We'll, we've been bought" Her
husbands tone indicated just how
little consideration such a plan would
have from him.
No. 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. I'm sorry, Fannie, that
Wesley doesn't take more to Slade.
It's a great mistake. Why don't you
tell him sol"
"Oh, my graciousl" her manner
changing to suit the occasion. What
influence could / possibly have with
my husband? He's a man OF iron
will. Why, / have to do everything
he tells me myself wouldn't dare
TO NEEDLE with his affairs"
well, just coax him, Fannie, the
way a nice, sweet, womanly woman
can" urged the senator. knowing full
well that the Merritts had one me-
mage for private use and quite another
for publication.
Il want to go to Europe and my
husband says he can't afford it."
Her voice dropped to a sugary whine.
I'VE can't all be millionaires like
Mr.. Slade, can WEI" Just think. 1t
would cost $4,000, to say nothing of
clothes"
Don't worry about that trip to Eu-
rope, Fannie" the senator advised,
meaningly. 81 think" and he paused
significantly, 81 think you'll earn It,"
With that he started toward the
smoking-room. Wesley" he called,
and as Merritt appeared in the door
way, remarked believe your wife
has something to say to you"
'Oh, yes. Wesley have something
most important to say"
We'll II it's about that trip to Eu-
rope" growled Merritt, asserting him.
self as he would never dare to do
when he was alone with her
Now, Wesley, come with me to the
balcony" Fannie coaxed in what she
considered her prettiest manner.
You'll excuse us, senator?"
As Fannie dragged her husband out
OF the room Hayes, returning from
the smoking-room, and Katherine, re-
turning from her talk with the re-
porter, found themselves alone. Kath.
crime was nervous and I'll at ease
Immediately she began to busy her.
self folding copies OF her fathers
speech and inserting them into mail
ing envelopes.
SHADES doing IT," Bob remarked
They are nearly all wiped out In
there. Those who haven't been be
guiled, have been bullied or bought
Hold ont That sounds like the head
lines In a Socialist paper"
Whats happened to your" he broke
on abruptly. Il can't dnd a trace OF
you left. Ever since you came back
I've been hunting for one sign of the
girl knew. Your notes.-the very let
ters you wrote me from Europe sound
ed as If some one else had writer
them. Who is 1t who's occupying
your mind. Katherine?"
'T don't know what you mean," the
girl evaded.
~'You used to care lot for me.
refectively. his mind recalling the
warm, eager welcome of her arms the
day he had declared his love for her
six years before.
It only thought did" she declared
but her eyes dropped before his steady
gaxe.