Cut Bank pioneer press. [volume] (Cut Bank, Mont.) 1909-current, 1915-01-29
CHAPTER vII-contlnued.

She turned to him with a bitter
laugh. Tn through with you-and
your insults" and she fed from the
room.
katherine did not go a 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-
maining members Of the dinner party
struggled In.
In her agitated condition, even Kath-
terine would have found 1t difficult to
regain her composure sufficiently to
meet these men.
Ex-Governor Hubbard was n q par
lticularly happy. frame Of mind. The
senator's excellent viands and the SEN
lator's choice wines and the senator's
lHavanas 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 a trifle awry.
Had q good time, senator" he said,
removing his cigar. but there were
too many swallowtails here for me to-
might. When / was governor of the
state I lever wore one. No, nor a plug
lhat, either"
II never wore one, and / never
will" seconded Colonel Smith, a typ
lical long, lean, lanky westerner, with
the inevitable western cut beard and
hair a bit too long.
Governor, you're right" and Strick-
Hand gave each man a resounding slap
Eon the shoulder. Colonel, stick to
your guns. They're a nuisance. Now,
boys, forget your homes and your
trains. The others are all gone. Let
us, the ~ringleaders. adjourn to the
dining-room and oyer n OF my
punches"
The governor patted his stomach
tenderly. The mention Of the sene-
tors punch was all that was necessary
to weaken his desire to catch a train.
"Ahl Strickland's punchl I'm with
you"
Now, gentlemen" interrupted Mer-
rift in a business-like manner, before
I'VE split up tonight It's understood
we're all Slade men?"
"All Slade meni" was the unani-
mous shout from the colonel, the ex-
Governor Hunt, pious old Pop Hart
and Ingram.
"And we're preparing to cope with
SHADES domestic trouble should II
come up, and it WILL" went on Mer
Iritt.
"The devil, Strickl" broke in the
colonel. Cant it be patched up un,
It'll after election?"
mo, gentlemen" The senator was
Eunctuous 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 l can't understand" com
lplained Hubbard, throwing the stut
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 hel
trip to Europe.
"She's preparing to desert hin
now" Strickland assured them. "It'i
t~rrevocable."
We'll, we can't blame him for be
ing deserted" agreed Hibbard.
You bet we can'tl My wife de
serted me-" declared the colonel witt
an attempt at Righteousness, and sh,
didn't do it a day too soon, either
I've gone right ahead ever since"
Now, them" went on the industri
Gus Merritt, three Of US own papers
These are u points: Mrs. Slade il
-er-er-a woman who has no sympa
thy with her observation-disclosures publ
life--is never seen-refused even t
Isee me. And no sympathy for him
don't forget that"
yep! Just like my wife," grunte,
the colonel.
Il don't see how the public ca.
blame him." declared Hubbard.
They can't" asserted Hart.
why, she's a semi-iavalid," amend
ed Strickland.
My wife hasn't seen her out sine
she drove him u of the house fv
weeks ago." declared Hart.
Good Wen use that" exclaime
Merritt, eagerly. "A semi-inyalid-
when she's ready to be moved sh
win be taken away at her own reques
I'll publish 1t myself. I'll start the ba
a-rolling. Why, gentlemen, the worl
ought to pity that man."
Hayes had stood the conversatio
as long as he could.
do you realize that you're attacl
ing this woman unjustly?" he brol