The Monte Vista journal. (Monte Vista, Rio Grande County, Colo.) 1888-1921, 1915-06-26

warehouse There were no steps-no
areaway-just an unremarkable old
door as an entrance with No. 50
painted on ii in letters half washed
out by the rain. Two richly dressed
people-a man and woman, alight.
GU iiom tue car. The man gave his
chauHeur a quick order. The car sped
away, and the two started for that
door. There was big squinty-eyed
rough lounging outside 1t who seemed
10 KNOW the people. for he smiled and
saluted as they passed in. | decided
10 take peek for myself, and walked
toward the door as though had 1t
ior my destination. The big rough be-
came suddenly very alert. and. walk.
ing toward me, showed his face close
up TO mine in an effort at recognition
he looked doubtful and decided to
DUN II out. | waved my hand toward
the door and raised my eyebrows as
though surprised at being stopped.
mat seemed to fetch him. for he
stepped back. said Alright and
walked off a bit as entered.
"heh l got inside. ! had to 20
down a flight of dark steps, through
narrow twisting passageway, and up
another flight of steps-darker, II
anything, than the first-until | came
smack up against door. Inside |
couia near the murmur Of many voices,
ana a click, that sounded like the
Click OF silver knives on plates, and
| smelled food.
didn't know what was on the
other side-but decided to risk 1t
anyway, SO pushed open the door
and walked right into the most mag
nlhcent dining room ! was ever In
In my life From here on young
Masons narration to the district at
torney Is familiar to those who read
the opening of this story.
When Mason was through, his chief
turned slowly around in his chair,
his face drawn and tense-hs finger
tapping positively the coat lapel of the
young man before him.
Mr. Mason, l want you to under
stand me thoroughly-there are no
gambling dives in this city, under
stand?-no gambling dives running
here. Forget it."
But /"
You saw nothing, tell you. For.
get it."
Mason rose, his face burning, his
whole figure showing resentment at
the all too obvious meaning OF his
chiefs words. He bowed coldly-and
opened the door leading to his own Of
| nee, just as messenger boy entered
with a telegram for Bell.
III.
Ellis Mason sat at his desk, his
| fine, earnest face puckered in a look
| of amazed discomfort So this was
| politics. This was the field he had
| entered two years before as an outlet
for the splendid political passion
| the passion for constructive legisla-
ton that had so obsessed him ever
since his entrance to college On his
| graduation from college he had en-
| tered the government service as a
| clerk in the customs. He had written
two books on. political economy, had
| given numerous lectures on "City Gov
| eminent" and had made himself so
talked about in the newspapers that
| he had. few weeks ago, by popular
| demand, received the appointment Of
assistant district attorney under Cur
| tbs Bell. Now, two weeks after his ap-
| pointment he found himself crowded
| close to the rail by chief who was
shielding the very sort of thing he
was elected and sworn to wipe out!
| He was cut short in his reflections by
an office boy with message from his
chief
The district attorney wishes to
see you Immediately, in his office,
Mr.. Mason"
He arose and went to Bells office.
Bell was standing by his desk, an
open telegram in his hand, his face
thoughtful but goodhumored, as
though pleased with something that
had recently transpired. He showed
no trace of the resentment of a half
hour ago, when he had SO arbitrarily
impressed his assistant with the
assurance that there are no gam
bling dives running in this city"
"Mr. Mason, have been called to
the capitol by the governor'-indi.
eating the telegram in his hand-"to
discuss a political question OF urgent
Importance. | shall return tomorrow
You will act on nothing unless abso'
lutely necessary. and then only II you
are forced to act You understand
fully"