Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1917-02-01

movement making his thick neck
bulge over his collar.
"Yes," she said fatty. 81 adj
mire his motives and his fearless
ness"
Ellis reputation for fearlessness
came from his brazen attack on
our party" he objected, ridicule
in his tone. "The world seems to
belong to the impudent."
"But the party has never an
swered that attack" she re-
minded him.
"Why should it," Mannersly
asked in real surprise. why
should anybody answer hint |
wouldn't"
She regarded him a moment out
OF grave eyes.
81 WISH" she said, ".you could
see the right of what he asks. As
chairman Of the committee on
amendments to the constitution, it
is you who stand in his way. And
l would so like to see him win"
Mannersley's eyes showed his
|chagrin.
"That," he said, "is the very
reason | am here this afternoon"
"What has that to do with it
my wishing that you and he might
cooperate?"
She regretted the question as
soon as she had asked it.
He leaned toward her suddenly,
some of the foridness fading from
his face, and, when he spoke, his
voice trembled with what was, for
him, great emotion.
Simply this" he said. "He and
| never can cooperate-and | love
you. [ want you to marry me-"
He was speaking very rapidly.
"And the thought of your-your
considering him is more than l can
stand"
Although she had sensed what
was coming, his frank declaration
surprised her, so much so that she
hesitated a moment before she put
the laughing question:
care you proposing to me, Mr..
Mannersly, or correcting my visit
ing list?"
"He's attempting to destroy
me-" he insisted excitedly. She
had never seen him so moved. eff
his motives, which you admire SO
greatly, prevail, he will destroy
me. Can't you understand what I
mean9 Political destruction would
not matter if he did not adorn it
with your approval"
"Oh," she said regretfully,
you exaggerate me, and"
The expression on his face made
her turn in her chair and look TO-
ward the door. Wales, the butler,
had lifted the hangings.
"Mr. Smith," he announced.
Mannersley got to his feet in
stantly, and was saying goodby to
Edith as Smith entered the room.
The agitator came forward swiftly
and took her hand. He turned to
Mannersley, greeting him with
almost excessive p~oliteness.
Mannersley bowed stiffly.
"When are you leaving?"
Smith inquired pleasantly.
"Surely," said Mannersley at
in that"
"On the contrary" Smith re-
piled, IT am. / want to have a
talk with you before you get
away"
"Oh!" the other said dryly, as
he took his departure.
"I'm sorry he was so-shall we
say crude?" Smith said, taking
the chair Mannersley had vacated.
Its an imposition on you to be
annoyed by the differences that
grow out Of this fight"
She was relieved immensely by
Mannersley's departure.
Nothing about it annoys me-
she said seriously. Sometimes ]
wish could help-the fight
He looked gratiied.
"You have, Tremendously" he
told her. every time / talk with
you, you give me new inspira.
ton"
He sprang out Of his chair, with
one of his sudden movements, and
leaned against the mantel.
THAT sounds trite and made.
quate,' he supplemented; "but
it's more than true
Elm glad" she answered,
looking up to him for a moment,
81 like it, really-the atmosphere
of fpht. the knowing that vn,, 'ra