Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1918-01-17

MaCLeanI
BY
BY w. T. ELDRiDGE.
Copyright,
The Frank A. Munsey Co.
The Frank A. Munsey Co.
CHAPTER ~.
Trench Explains.

Jeremiah Trench was not a man I,
allow the grass to grow under his feet
He had demonstrated that fact bv his
rise TO power. In a way there was
nothing so very remarkable about the
fact that he had held the political sit
uation in the State of New HAMPSHIRE
in the hollow of his hand Years be
fore he had proven-how. he didn't
say. and others only made guesses-
his ability to see bill through the
legislature once he had given his word
that it should 90 through.
One such illustration brought many
who were only to glad to have Mr..
Trench demonstrate along similar
lines. Mr.. Trench was wllng-pro.
vided
Perhaps his provided" meant
what Is commonly known as sreasing
the wheels, However Trench arose
and arose rapidly in power as a
weight in State matters.
He acquired property, and few
years back had built himself a very
handsome country place on The out.
skirts Of Concord. He may, and may
not, have enjoyed the extensive hous,
and elaborate grounds If he didn't
his niece. whom he induced 10 come
and Il witt him. plead ing that an
old h"chelo' needle woman about.
certainly folld it all she could desire.
She had her friends with he VIII
she would, entertained as she selected
and the only cloud upon her horizon
OF unlimited income and pleasure was
the fact that she did not quite approve
OF some Of her uncle's deals.
She called them deals" for she
suspected. Once or twice she had pro.
tested, and Uncle Jerry--as the man
was known, not alone to the fair.
haired girl of lwenty.six but to nearly
everyone who spoke of him had
laughed. He had insisted that a
woman couldn't mix in politics, even
II she were dead crazy to do so, and
asked the girl 10 care for his home
ana forget that he was q politician.
She knew, better than anyone else.
that his life was actually Jarren ex.
istence. He loved The sirl, and found
no end OF silent pleasure in fishing
But beyond that it is TO be doubted if
he ever found his blood afre
In the early days it hadn't been so.
Then he was hewing his way, making
his name one to be Conjured with.
Now things came too easily TO his
beck and call.
The sweet was gone from the feast.
1t was just commonplace-to be ex.
pected.
But as tie man slammed the tele.
phone on to the hook, having ended
his talk with Samuel Cruthers, there
was a touch of red in his cheeks His
Jaw, a pugnacious affair, was thrust
,ut. the little beady eyes sparkled. and
my one looking close might have
'aught hint of joy in the wrinkles
bout the lids.
lie caught train half an hour
fler he had talked with the attorney
or the Midwcather Water company
md got off at Concord, his siubby
lands deep in his pockets.
People spoke to him and he gave
10 answer. Shoulders SQUARED. eyes
head, he walked straight TO Cruth.
RS office and in upon that gentle.
nan.
'Well?' snapped Uncle Jerry, and
q sat down, turned his cigar about
vice. and looked Cruthers up and
own :
"Well?' came the shout How.
l The name OF Heaven, did this thing
appen?"
what do you know" questioned : :
rench instead OF answering
Cruthcrs swallowed hard. His g
ice was as white as chalk and his
ands trembled +
Il went after Sweetwell-the pack.
90 was in his hands. YOU know-and
3 told me ii was sent for in the way u
,u designated Sweetwell didn't
now what 1t contained. Lord I,
rench. we should have told him.
ed have been more careful" Fl
Cruthers was on his feet. pacing the 2
ON in nervous strides. |,
will you sit down and TALK" h
owled Trench. Don't be roaring
ena. Your below won't bring back r,
a.AllsL thsasand. .sr-psrt OF It."