Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-08-16
The Red Mouse
A Story of Love, Jealousy and Politics
By WILLIAM HAMILTON OSBORNE

Thorne! Finally. she rejected all but one.
the Pilar-the most conservative evening
paper in the city-and concentrated her
attention upon II. At a glance, Shirley
could see that with all its conservatism, the
Pillar was holding up its hands in rever-
entail hero-worship. In a two-column
article 1t reviewed Murgatroyd's record
from its invariably. impartial viewpoint
"Murgatroyd had been clean" 1t said, his
reputation was unsullied." 1t even referred
to the Challoner incident as pitiful piece
of falsehood which had strengthened Muir
gatroyd in his position. Shirley laid down
the paper with cry:
"Oh, what hypocrite he is -
SO Murgatroyd was still playing a game
The root of his record was dishonesty
Shirley was thoroughly sincere in her in
dlgnaton. And yet after little while she
began TO wonder whether his conscience
troubled hm-whether II had cost him any
thing? Oh, If only she could be sure of
that! For she well knew, and little sigh
Of shame escaped her. that If only he had
abandoned all pose, shown himself I'm true
colors even become a machine politician.
she could have forgiven him everything.
Not little distressed, therefore, she read
on and on, marveling at the Pillars devo-
tion, but soon it became apparent to her
that its editor was picturng Murgatroyd
as a successful saint. For tho article
pointed out the strength Of the railroads. of
Wall street, of the brewers of the machine.
and predicted mournfuily that Murgatroyd
was bound to fall before all his powerful
enemies. concluding with, More the pity.
more the pity"
Presently she read the other papers; all
contained more or less adverse criticism of
him. One thing. however stood out fanatic
though some of them called him, they were
unanimous as to his honesty of purpose--a
man who could not be bought, who could
not be swerved from the straight and mar
row path. Moreover, in none of them was
there any reference to the existence of
Challoner The Challoners had been for
gotten--had dropped completely out Of
sight.
1t was after 8 o'clock when Shirley was
reminded of a sudden that she was desper-
ately hungry Once in the dining room, she
directed her steps to the small alcove-the
corner which Miriam and she had always
occupied after the first Of those memorable
occasions when she had lunched there with
Murgatroyd Taking her place at the table
with n sigh of satisfaction, Shirley threw a
glance around the room. Palms screened
her table. making it impossible for her to
be seem although 1t was perfectly easy for
her to see every one in the room. There
were few dining at that hour, and so after
ordering her meal, she was thrown back
once more on her INSTRUMENTATION Of
Murgatroyd and she fell TO wondering in
what way had the possession of almost a
million dollars changed him, Had he grown
stout? Was he ful-faCed, or possibly a
bit insolent. overbearing and aggressively
genial with a wide laugh? In any event.
she was quite positive that he was pros
porous looking-too prosperous looking /;
and all i'm ALL IL was anything but pleas
oh, cha pnnD pfh i'm
The waiter brought the chosen viands and
withdrew Shirley ate eagerly.
The air of the city was full of life and
body; It gave her an appetite. Being quite
a material parsonage, she enjoyed her din
ner thoroughly. Things tasted delicious
TO her. and yet her thoughts wandered.
"If only Billy had been different ''
she kept saying to herself.
Suddenly the palms were parted, and n
fat man approached her table. On seeing II
occupied he mumbled his surprise and
backed out again. But while pushing his
way through the palms he extended short
| arm and said:
''That table over there. them
The remark was made TO companion
whom as yet Smiley could not see. Ar
answer. however, came In a mans voice
| both men seemed disappointed evidently
! this corner was a favorte with others as
we'll as herself And the fat man--his face
was strangely familiar. Who might he be-
| Shirley was sure
| Broderick, That was the man; the funny
vulgar politician who had been pointed out
| to her at the Challoner trial Shirley won
| dered what a man of his stamp was doing
| in the quietude OF the Bellerophon. Some
| how. he did not seem to belong there; she
laughed silently to herself as through the
| palms she watched him settle himself
| iaboriously at a table in another corner
| The seat he had taken faced away from her
and she noted how broad. how terribly
broad, was his back
"But a power in politics-the real thing J
she cried half aloud II was not surprising
she told herself. that men Of refinement hes
itated a long time before going into politics
n this were type Of the men they had =
compete with. Her thoughts runn1n9 on Y
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