The daily telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1901-1926, 1916-03-29
CHAPTER vi.
In Which Senator Curran Makes an
Interesting Acquaintance.

miraculous way such intercourse
might result in the absorption OF
enough knowledge TO give them ad-
mission to the New York bar. 1t Nigh
not be irrelevant at this point to re-
mark that one possibility was hardly
more remote than the other.
"TelI Senator Currnn Mr.. James
Brucl is waiting to sec him on mat
ter OF Importance"
The half dozen glanced up from
their various excuses for remaining
on the senator's payroll, and curIouslv
studied the handsomely clothed young
nan whose crisp manner bespoke one
accustomed to being obeyed.
Yves, SIR" one of them fastened 10
reply. and quitting his desk stirred
for the senator's private offices when
the door opened suddenly. disclosing
the Honorable Patrick ]. Curran him
self.
A glossy silk hat rested lightly upon
the great gray head. A faultless frock
coat encased his broad shoulders ana
mighty torso. One arm was extended
backward for the sleeve of handsome
Batin-llned fall overcoat held by an
attendant behind him, while the free
hand gripped a silver-headed cane. The
face was ruddy with health and stamp
ed by years Of responsibility and aul-
thorIty. Altogether, Bruel thought he
never had seen more imposing figure
than this big self-made 1rlsh-American
whose splendid record of public serv-
Ice had so won him the esteem and
trust OF the people that by public
clamor he had been made head Of the
new national defense commission.
Gentleman to see you, sir" the
clerk said. and Senator Curran turned
his shrewd blue eyes upon Bruel. The
careful glance passed quickly over
the well-htting clothes, the air Of alert
confidence, the whole ensemble of
prosperity and responsibility-and
then. for an instant, rested searchingly
on the young mans face. Seemingly
the senator liked what he saw. for his
face relaxed into friendly smile and
his big voice was not without note
of welcome as he asked:
what can do for you. sir?"
ingB OF new storage battery" Bruel
opened his side of the conversation
with directness equal 10 the senator's
own. "If you will give me just a few
minutes am sure can interest you.
You need this battery for the new
submarines"
"Ah-h. my boy. A great many of the
country's men of science have been
working on that problem, but we are
still unable to dispense with the gaso-
line engines for surface use. II you
have indeed satisfactory storage bat
terry, you have come to the right place
at Just the right moment. but I'm
afraid you'rc>n bit over-enthusiastic
am on my way home, row-bVt come
In. como ind like to see your
sketches.
whats the name, did you say?" he
inquired as he held open the door and
ushered Bruel into the luxurious
rooms within.
James Observation-Disclosures" He
| repeated the name meditatively aud
then, rs with swift CLEAN OF memory,
asked:
WAS 1t by any chance n relative OF
yours that supported me in my first
fight in the New York legislature
way back In 1892"
why, 1t must have benin faith
er was member OF the legislature
from 1873 to 1884. SIR" Bruel replied
"Upon me wor-rd." the delighted
senator lapsed into the little brogue
he sometimes used when deeply stir
red. "1'ms glad to sec you, mo lad
Ah-h. they were the great days, boy
1t was me first term in office. / was
a green lad, I'd hardly tried me hrst
case at law, when the boys in my dis
trict put me name on the ticket and
sent me to the assembly. I've entirely
forgotten what bur-r-ning issue 1t was
that set me on me feet in that first
session. All | know Is that 1t was Q
beautiful fight, and there beside me
backing me up in every way. was your
father-my old friend, Jim Bruel. II
was a great fight and we won tiny
first debate in the legislature" ant
the senator laughed with glce as he
looked back over the years.
"Your father didn't come back after
's4-went in for his practice, I think
and lost track OF him soon after
Tell me, is he well?"
Father died in 1890. senator"
+Ah-h, you don't tell me! My, my
I'm sorry to hear that. Your father
was splendid man and clever one
He'd have gone. a long way in publ.
affairs. But sit down lad and tell ms
about yourself and this wonderful bat
terry. Is 1t your own7"
And then Bruel sat and explained
the construction and the working o
his invention. describing the tests L
which he had submitted Il and fore
telling the uses to which It could b
applied. To all this the Honorable
Pat listened with deep interest and thu
growing conviction that Hruel's bat
terry would indeed solve the new navy
most vcxatious problem.
Once he interrupted the story b
send a hasty message to the Becretar.
OF the navy. advising delay in clossnl
contracts for the new submarines ant
requesting the presence OF the chic
engineer Of construction on matte
or great Importance.