The Tabor independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1913-19??, 1917-01-18

tue sreatest care 1of many years. seat
ed at his breakfast table. the meal fin
ished. he was reading a 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
BILE. gazed at the cluster of roses be-
tween them, the corners Of her lips lift
ed by the touch of happy fancies. The
roses were perfect.
The senator threw down the paper
and. Strengthening In his chair, looked
at his daughter across the roses.
This fellow SMITH" he said sharp
ly; Il don't like h1m!"
Miss Mallon also Strengthened in her
chair. II her father had been an OBJ
servant man. her attitude would have
reminded him Of a strong. slender
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 whyi"
He made each Of his phrases CONVEX
sational pistol shots. He was a rvo
man Of bcu so years., his voice sharp
and authoritative. Before going to the
Senate. he had one big things in bust
ness and had been accustomed to speak
In he key Of power. He passed his
hand quickly through his sparse, brist-
ly gray hair and jerked his glasses from
his high, thin nose.
Because he Is what he u.s." she re-
piled, totally unimpressed by the signs
of paternal displeasure.
What is he2 Tell me what he isl"
he demanded.
He's a great man with a big idea"
she said evenly.
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 this stuff about him?"
Yes"
Before breakfast, 1 SUPPOSE" he
suggested impatiently.
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-look here. Edith" he said
nervously, you're not-you cam be
thinking about this fellow ~seriously!"
She threw back her head n 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 himi"
why. the idea! Why should you
suggest such q thing?"
'Ill 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. q lunatic. That's WHY"
STILL" she said, quite serious. II like
him very much, very much, indeed"
BAH" he exclaimed. why? Will
you tell me why?"
I've told you why, father. He's a
great man, and he's doing q great
work. Why, think Of It! He's come to
Washington with the calm
ment that he'll compel congress to
amend the constitution Of the United
States. OF course I like him."
Amend the constitution! And amend
1t for nation wide prohibition! The
things ridiculous"
And yet" she persisted. her big
brown eyes meeting the steely gray OF
her fathers. somehow, I 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 wi convictions. A girlhood and
young WomannoOQ 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 af-
ford to have his name or his daughters
linked with that of a cheap reformer.
Edith, you amaze mel" he declared,
rolling the newspaper tightly in his
nervous hands. This fellow Is not the
kind of man ! want about this house"
Miss Mallon wished to avoid the ar
gument. She was looking at the roses.
you don't even know who he u.s." 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 q wave Of the news
paper. Nobody knew anything about
him up to Ave years 90. At that time
he became prominent among the tenn
perance people as a street corne
speaker and cheap platform lecturer.
He did some bizarre. effective work for
those cranks In some Of the liquor
fights in the various states. After that
he took q short whirl at the chautau-
qua lecture circuit. Now he's come to
Washington to take things by STORM"