Cut Bank pioneer press. [volume] (Cut Bank, Mont.) 1909-current, 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, I know all about hat crowd"
Merritt snarled. Sunny places for
shady people"
"Wesleyi 1 need clothes. I've told
everybody I'm going" and the peev-
fish woman glared at her husband.
Then she added suddenly: Cant the
senator ask Slade?"
"Oh, my God, Fannie!" the hectored
man groaned. Can l suggest that?
A rival candidate! I've mortgaged
my property up to the hilt now for
clethes-but sooner than"
II don't care-I need Clothes" his
wife interrupted, rising and walking
restlessly about the room. 1--we 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"
well, we've been bought" Her
husbands tone indicated just how
little consideration such a 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. l 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. Pm sorry, Fannie, thai
It's a great mistake. Why don't you
tell him so?"
"Oh, my gracious!" her manner
changing to suit the occasion. "Wha
influence could l possibly have will
my husband? He's a man of iroI
will. Why, have to do everything
he tells me myself. l wouldn't dar,
to NEEDLE with his affairs"
Well, just coax him, Fannie, thu
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 anothe
for publication.
II want to go to Europe and m.
husband says he can't afford it.
Her voice dropped to a sugary whine
we can't all be ~millionaires Eik
Mr.. Slade, can wet" Just think.
would cost $4,000, to say nothing o
clothes"
Don't worry about hat trip to Er
rope, Fannie" the senator advised
meaningly. II think" and he pause
significantly, 81 think you'll earn 1t.
With that he started toward tn
smoking-room. Wesley" he called
and as Merritt appeared in the doc,
way, remarked: 81 believe your wit
has something to say to you"
ooh, yes, Wesley have somethin
most important to say"
''Well, If it's about that trip t e,
rope" growled Merritt, asserting hin
self as he would dare to q
when he was alone with her.
Now, Wesley, come with me to til
balcony" Fannie coaxed in what 81
considered her prettiest name
You'll excuse us, senator?"
As Fannie dragged her husband Of
of the room Hayes, returning fro
the smoking-room, and Katherine, +
turning from her talk with the r
porter, found themselves alone. Kat
crime was nervous and Ill at cas-
Immediately she began to busy he
self folding copies of her father
speech and inserting them into ma
ing envelopes.
SHADES doing It," Bob remarke
They are nearly all wiped out
there. Those who haven't been |
guiied. have been bullied or bought
Hold on! That sounds like the hes
lines in a Socialist paper"
Whats happened to you?" he bro
OF abruptly. 81 can't find a trace
you left. Ever since you came back
I've been hunting for one sign of t
girl | knew. Your notes.-the very |
ters you wrote me from Europe soul
ed as II some one else had writ
them. Who is 1t who's occupyi
your mind, Katherine?
81 don't know what you mean" I
girl evaded.
"You used to care a lot for m
refectively, his mind recalling I
warm, eager welcome Of her arms
day he had declared his love for b
six years before.
Il only thought did" she declar
but her Dyes dropped before his stea
gaze.