The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-06-01
VI.--CABINET SECRETS
Copyright 1913 by Mcclure Newspaper syndicate)

front pag and flung the paper so vio-
| lently Cd the hearth rug lat 1t fright
ened the bi. fluffy white Persian cat
into Mysteries.
| again" was all Mr.. Brandal said,
| but his Vs. who sat alone with him at
the comfortably appointed breakfast
table, seemed to understand. She came
| round to where he sat With one hand
laid gently on his shoulder, and the
| other pla, ing with his crisp curls. now
! fiecked with gray. she looked down
| upon him with loving sympathy shining
In Ter soft, dark eyes.
well. Fanny. I'll try to take It
quietly" he said. in answer to her
silent, tenIer pleadin for patience
But the cloud was stiIl heavy on his
strong clever face: for worries VIII
| worry in spite of mans will
He could not sit still for the life Of
| him Leaving his breakfast untasted.
he began pacing the room restlessly.
I'VE have had some rough times to-
gether, Tan" he broke out again,
since that day ten years ago when yo,,
trusted yourself to the briefiess barris-
ter who 8 now Home Secretary of
England but I don't think you ever saw
me 10 upset before. Just listen to this:
He picked up the paper. smoothed it
out and read:
I'VE ere able to state on absolutely
unimpe1 cha BILE authority that at the
Cabinet meeting yesterday it was re-
solved to take the whole time Of the
| House f. next Monday. There were
only two dissentients to this strong
measure. of whom one was Lord We'll
don. Secretary of Foreign Affairs"
Is II t-ue?''
Absolutely tr-e, darling-that's the
devil Of it."
.''Brt. tm." touching the paper. docs
It really matter so very much?"
~This particular disclosure does not
matter very much-it hardly matters
at all. But it is the fifth time within
the last month that Cabinet secrets
have been betrayed to the Times. quite
plainly by a mmber of the Cabinet.
The last was a matter of vital i'm
portance."
IT'S ver.- horrible, Of course. dear
est, but you can't help it; and I don't
see why you should worry about 1t.
It does not affect you"
But it does affect me, Fanny. most
vitality. 1t affects my position. my
hopes. M honor. hardly know how to
tell you darling, but feel there is
leagues in the Cabinet that I am the
traitor"
you, Jim, you!" T-.ere were tears
IN Fer dark eyes. but the light Of her
anger flashed through them who
dares to suspect your"
'"The Prime Minister himself. great
ly ear. Lord Weldon, I'm almost GER
tain"
II dent believe #; I cannot believe
It. You are too sensitive. 7 met Lord
Weldon the night befor last at a ball
at the Duchess of Southern's. He vas
most courteous, sat out with me for
more than an hour. and spoke ever so
kindly Of you"
Lord Weldon is always civil to a
beautiful woman. You needn't blush.
Fan; you must know you were the best
looking woman in the room. not el-
cepting the lively little Duchess her
self. His lordship is too straight-Tn
do i'm thai justice-to let the wife see
he distrusted the husband You re-
member, Fan. I was very rough on
| him in tn House whe-- was gradual
Ing -elow the Cangway; too rough. I
think now. though I meant it at the
time. He has behaved very well to me.
I knew he was in favor Of my inclusion
in the Ca met and he has been most
civil snce we were colleai. ues. But
these things leave thu r sting. in spite
Of man. He wouldn't be human If
he hadn't a lurking prejudice against
me. however hard he may strive to
stifie 1t. I'm the youn rst. the newest,
and the poorest member of the Cabinet
The others TT, te sd veterans whose
character and position set them above
suspicion The disclosures began the
week after I Joined. 1 declare. Fanny.
I'm half inclined to suspect myself
on the evi ,ence"
He ropped into a chair with a
short laugh. that had no mirth In 1t.
She read in his face anxiety-almost
deepening into shame; and the shadow
In his eye was reflected 1: her own;
but she was still true to the woman's
role If comforter.
Courage. jim" she whispered soft
~. the truth must T. evail You have
never yet failed to face trouble or
danger bravely-don't fail now, for my
sake"
The Right Honorable James Brandal
was not the only one sorely troubled
by this treason in the Cabinet. The
Frlme Minister was broken hearted
about It Six weeks Of the harassine
anxiety Of this shameful treachery had
told more on his health and spirits
than hfty years fair and square polit-
zeal conflict.
On tn afternoon Of the same day he
was p. lg his private study in Down
Ing Str impatiently. as Mr. Brandal
paced his breakfast room, obiivious OF
the Important papers that lay open
on his desk. entreating attention when
tfmid knock came on the door,
In ooed cnce to a curt come in." a
servant entered with a card
II was clear sign how sharp was
the strain On his nerves, that the
Prime Minister-usually the gentlest II
men-turned impatiently on the SER
want
I'D l not tell you. William. ex-
pressly." he began. that on no ac-
count was I to be disturbed7 Ob,.-
with quick glance at tine card
Lord Weldon Show him up at once"