The Spectator., 1916-02-22
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son went from the ballroom down to the library in response to Johns plea for few moments alone with his partner,
 Anne, you wouldn't have refused to give ne second dance unless there was something wrong" began John. Tell me how I've offended and let me expiate my shortcomings, won't you?'
 I'm going to be perfectly frank, John," and Anne's brown eyes looked straight into Johns gray eyes. Its that silly old dog law you introduced into the legislature
 "Why, dear-Anne, you mean you've turned against me just for that?" Johns pleading question was almost a gasp.
 Not l. John, but daddy has. Oh. you should hear him rave about it. If it wasn't so-so unpleasant to hear him. it would be really funny
 What does he say?"
 "Oh, something like this for a start CT: John Warren ought to have his block knocked off for introducing that fool dog law into the legislature. It's an outrage, Here am l, a gentleman who keeps his hounds and settlers and pointers in kennels and under control, yet he would make me pay a ridicu- ious fee for the privilege merely be- cause some shiftless farmer in some corner of his county keeps hungry mongrel that breaks into somebody's flock of sheep
 But today. when he found that the dog law was coming up for final con- sideration tomorrow" continued Anne he said: If John Warren lets that bill come to it's third reading he needn't show his face here again, and I want you to understand, Anne, that I'd rather you'd be less friendly with him than you have been of late You see, it's love me, love my dogs with daddy, but he makes so few requests of me, John, that I cant hurt him by seeming to disregard his wishes. l think we'd better go back to the ball. room now"
 John reluctantly acquiesced, and they returned to the ballroom with heavy hearts. for that very day the law had been laid down to him by three of his most influential constituents who were owners of large sheep ranches and had suffered great losses from ravag- ing dogs, and his only path to con- gross lay by way of the approval of these constituents and the votes they could command.
 He returned to the library to try to think of some way out.
 He thought of Anne dancing around this minute with some other man, and he felt that a chance to win her was worth any sacrifice.
 When the next mornings session opened, things went on with smooth ness that provoked John Warren. His ranchmen constituents were in the visitors gallery. and Anne's father was also there. John set himself to accept the inevitable and went care fully over the notes for his speech which was 10 close the arguments on House Bill S17. Just as the speaker was ready to call Third reading of bills" Q young man presented an off, cial-looking paper to the doorkeeper, who arose at once and announced: "A message from his excellency, the gov ernor."
 The message was read: ''In the hope of averting what might become a se- rious menace to the public health, l. ne this state. do hereby urge speedy re- cess of the legislature for the full three days period permitted by law, so that precautions may be taken to prevent the spread of the disease of smallpox. of which five well-developed cases have been officially reported this day among the clerical force of the legislature.
 Great confusion followed the read ing of the message, and there was no disposition on anybody's part to delay a motion to adjourn. John Warren was informed by clerk that his pri- vate secretary was one of the five sent to quarantine that morning. No body knew how the disease had been contracted by any of it's victims. Hen- | ry Madison lost no time in getting out of town with his daughter. fearing a quarantine would be declared. Three days later. at their country home, he startled Anne out of deep reverie as he came into the library with the morning paper in his hand
 By George, Anne" he began, "just listen to this: Senator Alonzo Perkins of the Ninth district and Representa- tive John Warren of Clairmore county are the two latest victims of smallpox, which broke out last week among em- ployees of the legislature. Despite the important legislation in which these members are actively interested, they will have to observe the closing weeks of the present session from quaran- tine, three miles outside the city lim- it's"
 Without looking at Anne's white face, her father chuckled and added,