Clearwater Republican. [volume] (Orofino, Idaho) 1912-1922, 1915-01-15
CHAPTER V-ContInued.


We'll, l don't care how you get IT.
I 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 of into
q pettish whine.
yes, l know all about that crowd"
Merritt snarled. Sunny places for
shady people"
Wesley! / 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 ! 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 60 to Europe. The devil take your
excuses"
Then. with 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"
well, we've been bought" Her
husbands tone indicated just how
little consideration such 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. I'm 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 man Of iron
will. Why, have to do everything
he tells me myself. wouldn't dare
to NEEDLE with his affairs"
We'll. just coax him, Fannie, the
way nice, sweet, womanly woman
can" urged the senator, knowing full
we'll that the Merritts had one me-
mage for private use and quite another
for publication.
II want to go to Europe and my
husband says he can't afford It."
Her voice dropped to q 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. Il 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: II believe your wife
has something to say to you"
"Oh, yes, Wesley have something
most important to say"
well, II it's about that trip to Eu
rope" growled Merritt, asserting him
self as he would never dare to dc
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?"
A 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 Ill at ease
Immediately she began to busy her
s,self folding copies Of her father
speech and inserting them into mail
Ding envelopes
SHADES doing it." Bob remarked
They are nearly all wiped out Il
there. Those who haven't been b.
guiled, have been bullied or bought
Hold oni That sounds like the head
lines In q Socialist paper"
Whats happened to your" he brok
on abruptly. 81 can't find trace @
you left Ever since you came back
I've been hunting for one sign of tn
girl knew. Your notes.-the very LEI
tiers you wrote me from Europe SOUND
ed as II some one else had write
them. Who is 1t who's occupyin
your mind, Katherine?"
Il don't know what you mean," tn
girl evaded.
You used to care lot for me,
renectively, his mind recalling tn
warm, eager welcome OF her arms tn
day he had declared his love for he
six years before.
'T only thought did," she declares
but her eyes dropped before his stead
gaze.