Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1917-01-18

the greatest care for many years. Seat
ed at his breakfast table, the meal fin
ished, he was reading q big headlined
article on the front page Of his news
PAPER and was forming rapidly the
conviction that his reputation was in
danger OF losing a little OF its bloom.
HIS daughter. at the head of the Ia
pie. gazed at the cluster of roses be-
tween them. the orner OF her lips lift
ed oy the touch Of happy fancies. The
roses were perfect.
The senator threw down the paper
ana, Strengthening in his chair, looked
at his daughter across the roses.
This fellow SMITH" he said sharp
ly: IT don't like him!"
MISS Mallon also Strengthened in her
chair. II her father had been an OBJ
servant man, her attitude would have
flower.
But I do" she said, the statement
completing the smile the roses had be-
gun.
"why?. I'd like to know why! Tell
me whyl",
sational pistol shots. He was a nervous
man of about SO years, his voice sharp
and authoritative. Before going to the
Senate. he had done big things in bust
ness and had been accustomed to speak
In the key Of power. He passed his
hand quickly through his sparse. brist-
~ gray hair and jerked his glasses from
his high, thin nose.
Because he is what he is" she re-
piled, totally unimpressed by the signs
of p%aternal displeasure.
What is he? Tell me what he isl"
he demanded.
He's a great man with a big idea"
she said eyenly.
He's a big fool with a crazy idea
that's what he is." her father said flat
ly. picking up the newspaper. Have
you read his stuff about him."
Yes"
Before breakfast. 1 suppose?" he
suggested tmpatiently.
Yes" she said quietly. before
breakfast
The senator's irritability merged into
anxiety. He slapped the paper down
on the table and leaned toward his
daughter.
"Ah-er-1ook here, Edith" he said
~nervously, you're not-1You can't be
thinking about this fellow seriously!"
She threw back her head and laughed,
the sound Of 1t soft and silvery. 1t was
very much in keeping with the grave
beauty of her face, with the fragrance
of the roses, with the brightness OF the
October morning sunlight in the garden
outside.
What do you mean. father?" she
asked.
II mean" he said, his irritation re.
turning. whether you intend to mar
ry hint"
why, the idea! Why should you
suggest such a thing"
III tell you why" he answered
crisply: Because you're seen too much
with him, because he's too much at
this house, because people are begin
ming to gossip, because he's a nobody, a,
crank. a %lunatic. That's why!"
Still" h said, quite serious, II like
him very much, very much, indeed"
BAH" he exclaimed. why? Will
o tell me why?'
'Tve told o why, father. He's a
great man, and he's. doing a great
work. Why, think OF it! He's come to
Washington with the calm
ment that he'll compel to
amend the constitution OF the United
States. OF course l like him."
Amend the constitutions! And amend
it for nation wide prohibition! The
things ridiculous"
"And yet" h persisted, her big
brown eyes meeting the steely gray Of
her fathers, somehow, l feel sure he'll
succeed"
He knew when his daughters mind
was made up. He knew also the, quiet
determination with which she followed
her own convictions. A girlhood and
young womanhood without q mother.
necessitating self reliance, had given
her a character strength with which he
could not always successfully cope.
But this was something which might
hurt his reputation. He could not at
ford to have his name or his daughters
linked with that of a cheap reformer.
Edith, % amaze mel" he declared,
rolling the newspaper tightly in his
v hands. This fellow Is not the
kind Of man l want about this house."
Miss Mallon wished to avoid the ar
gument. She was looking at the roses.
You don't sven know who he is" he
continued sharply. Il don't know. No
body knows"
That's a peculiar thing to say,
father" she criticised gently.
"A very natural thing, and I'll tell
you why" he said making his speech
emphatic with a wave Of the news
paper. Nobody knew anything about
him up to five years ago. At that time
he became prominent among the tenn
perance people as a street corner
speaker and cheap platform lecturer.
He did some bizarre, effective work for
those. cranks in some of the liquor
fights n the various states. After. that
he took q short whirl at the chautau-
qua lecture circuit. Now he's como to
Warrington to take things by STORM"