Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1917-10-09
w ahnmnhhAnhnW

EW - ID q - "a pa 20 - - - - "
The thick, blue smoke pervading the
late afternoon air in the offices OF the
citizens reform committee was only
an indication of the busy activity Of
the party leaders rushing hither and
thither, preparing the last details for
their convention that evening. The tele-
phone bell rang, and Robert Stanton,
scheduled for states attorney, snatched
the receiver from the nook.
ais that you, Bob?" came tremu-
ious girlish voice over the wire. The
soft glow of love stole over his face
as he answered, "Yes, DEAR"
"Oi, Bob" came in an excited whis-
per, something's wrong. l can't tell
you over the phone. But come up here
at once. It's VITAL" she urged. He was
about to protest that pressure of work
prevented, but a click informed him
that she had rung off. Anita's father
was one of the leaders of the party,
and she knew of the impending con-
yention. 1t must be important. He
hurriedly took up his hat and rushed
Into the outer office.
"Where's Jerry?" he demanded of a
clerk.
The clerk, knowing well the bad feel
Ing between Bob and Jerry Chapman,
one of the few practical" politicians
In their movement, hesitated before
replying, then vouchsafed the informa-
ton that he had been seen in the COM
pany of a woman ut the Birmingham
grill a few minutes before. Bob grunt-
ed and rushed for his car. Ten min
utes later he faced Anita In her home.
"Bob," she painted. "Chipman
phoned to father about an hour ago.
Said he had some awful news about
you and girl. Father told him to
come right up. Bob, it's that silly Cat
terton affair. What's to be done?"
"Why, that's absurd" he cried, an
grily. "Your father would understand.
You know there was nothing in that
yarn"
"Yes," she assented hastily, with a
touch Of pride. 81 know you were
right. But It's scandal, Bob, and you
know fathers attitude. And you
wouldn't have time to explain before
the convention. 1t will cost you the
nomination" She broke into tears,
"Oh, it's dreadful. We must see him
and keep him from father"
Deeply worried, he remained silent
for moment He let his glance stray
around the room, then started sud
denly.
81 have itp' he cried, exultantly
"There are two front doors to this
house, me leading in here and one to
your fathers office. I'll go to you,
father and stay with him until he's
ready to leave for the convention, then
I'll get him out quietly. Meanwhile
you stay in the Office. When Chapman
calls receive him in the Office and tel
him Doctor Young wants him to wait
until he gets back. Then hold hin
there with talk until phone from The
convention. AS soon as the papers ge
the information all will be we'll"
81 knew you'd know a way" she de
clared.
Robert Joined Doctor Young in hi:
study, and together they had 1t out
Bob explained Chipman's animosit!
toward MIN and suggested that Chip
mans message was only some way o.
getting even.
Meanwhile Anita took up loves vigi
In the Office and Chapman was not lonl
In appearing. Mastering all the cour
age that she could, she ushered hin
into the office and explained that he
father had to go out on case, ant
asked him to wait. Meanwhile, she as
sured him, she would entertain him.
But, with thoughts of his reveng
and of the approaching convention II
his mind, he was entirely unresponsiv
to her incessant train Of small talk.
az must be going" he finally an
nounced, as his watch showed min
o'clock. "Pu be late for the conven
ton. What's keeping your old man
anyhow"
Snmmoning her sweetest smile ant
her most ingratiating manner Tnro Pruy
she persuaded him to resume his seat
Then the phone rang. Her father!
voice from the convention hall inquired
IL Chapman had shown up yet.
"No," she answered, mot yet" TheI
noting his sudden look of suspicion
she added softly, with her hand shad
ing the mouthpiece, "but I'll have tina
book for you next week Lucy" An
other hour passed. The phone RAM
violently and she sprang to it.
sits all right, Anita" came the ring
ing voice over the phone. "T'll be tn
next states attorney. I'm coming RICH
up"
"GoodI" she cried. with a dee
breath of relief. 1--WE kept him.
'Look here, young woman" he bel
lowed, his nostrlls dilated, "have 70,
been stringing mel"
The door from the hall opened and
strong hand seized Chapman and sen
him sprawling across the Office.
"Just In time. darling" whispere
Bob, catching her In his arms.
And as Chapman skunk from tn
house they were too busy TO hear hin
Copyright. 1917. by the Mcclure Newspa
per Syndicate)