Clearwater Republican. [volume] (Orofino, Idaho) 1912-1922, 1915-01-29
CHAPTER vII-contInued.

conduct toward Slade.
CHAPTER VlI-ContInued.
She turned to him with a bitter
laugh. I'm through with you-and
your insults" and she fed from the
room.
Katherine did not go q moment too
soon, for scarcely had the folding
doors closed behind her when the
door from the smoking-room swung
open. and with noisy talk the few re-
manning members of the dinner party
lstraggled in.
In her agitated condition, even Kath-
Ierine would have found it difficult to
regain her composure sufaciently TO
meet these men.
Ex-Governor Hubbard was in . par
|ticularly happy frame Of mind. The
senator's excellent viands and the SEN
lat0r's choice wines and the senator's
|Havanas had succeeded in making him
feel well satisfied with the world In
general and with Slade in particular.
His round face was flushed and his
string tie q trifie awry.
Had . good time. SENATOR" he said,
removing his cigar. but there were
too many swallowtails here for me to-
might When I was governor Of the
state never wore one. No. nor . plug
hat, either"
ri never wore one, and never
WILL" seconded Colonel Smith, typ
ical long, lean. lanky westerner. with
THE inevitable western cut beard and
hair q bit too long.
Governor. you're right" and strick-
land gave each man 4 resounding slap
lon 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 ringleaders, adjourn to 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! Strickland's punchl I'm with
you"
Nov. gentlemen" interrupted Mer-
rift In q business-like manner, before
I'VE split up tonight it's understood
we're all Slade men?"
"All Slade men!" was the unani-
mous shout from the colonel, the ex-
Governor Hunt, pious old Pop Hart
Ind Ingram.
"And we're preparing to cope with
SHADES domestic trouble should 1t
como up. and 1t will." went on Mer-
ritt.
1.-THE devil. Strickl" broke in the
colonel. Cant 1t be patched up un-
til after election?"
. mo. gentlemen" The senator was
Iunctuous but firm. I'VE must take
Slade as we find him or-drop him.
We're In the hands of a peculiar and
dominant personality. We can't make
these big fellows to order"
what can't understand" COM
'plained Hubbard, throwing the stub
Of his cigar into the fireplace. "is why
they can't get on together"
Take 1t from me, gentlemen, it's
her fault" exclaimed Merritt, as 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. Its
irrevocable."
We'll, we can't blame him for be-
ing deserted" agreed Hubbard.
you bet we can't! My wife de-
serted me-" declared the colonel with
an attempt at righteousness. land she
didn't do 1t 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. Slade is
-er-er-a woman who has no sympa-
thy with her observation-disclosures public
life-is never seen-refused even to
see me. And no sympathy for him,
don't forget that"
Yep! Just like my wife," grunted
the colonel
81 don't see how the public can
blame him." declared Hubbard.
They can't" asserted Hart.
"Why, she's a semi-invalid," amend
ed Strickland.
My wife hasn't seen her out since
she drove him out of the house five
weeks ago." declared Hart.
Good! Well use that" exclaimed
Merritt, eagerly. "A semi-invehd.-
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
~ long as he could.
do you realize that you're attack
ing this woman unjustly" he broke