The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-06-01

i've years of age, with iron-gray hair,
out fresh. clear corolexion. and
younger even than he was. There was
none of the arts or affectations of the
elderly fop about him. and no man
had more gracious manners He was
still bachelor. The jest ran amongst
his intimates that Weldon dare not
marry for fear Of society suicides.
There was a shadow on the genial
face as Lord Weldon closed the door
carefully behind him.
You have seen that wretched para
graph, of course. Charle1?" said the
Prime Minister. nodding in the direc-
ton Of the Times, which lay crumpled
up in a corner of the room.
Tn sorry to say I have very much
worse news than that for you. Arthur.
We are being betrayed at home and
abroad. have positive knowledge
that certain war measures which were
but recently discussed in the Cabinet
have been disclosed to high officials in
the German Government"
It's terrible. terrible!" said the
Prime Minister. pacing the room in 4
very ferment of rage. Never before
has the honor of British statesmen
been SO degraded in the face of the
world. Never before haS the British
Cabinet harbored Il sordid spy. We
cannot let this matter rest. Charles.
What Is to te done about it? Have you
any notion what's best to be done?e
1t is plain to me. we must either purge
the Cabinet Of this trait or find some
pretext for resignation. and let the
Tories in. There would be no treason
in their Cabinet"
mo. you cannot do that. Arthur.
You have too big a majority in the
in the country The Tories couldn't
carry on for day. There would be a
general election. as a matter of course.
and L general election would send you
back stronger than ever.
THE, the one thing left Is to catch
the spy
That's easier said than done. I'm
afraid Have you formed any suspic-
ion who the man is?"
the thing is SO horr:-le, so utterly
vile that / hate to whisper suspicion
of any r. n. even in my own mind"
Remember. Arthur, that. disgraceful
as lie offense is, some member OF the
Cabinet is unquestio-4ably guilty. We
way Of his detection" Lord Weldon
spoke with a stern gravity quite out
of keeping with his usual easy grac-
iousness.
There ts one man." said the Prime
Minister ii. a low vote. with manifest
reluctance, "at whom suspicion seems
to point Cannot you guess his name 2
Lord Weldon shook his head.
The Prime Minister. though they
were alone in the rom with closed
doors, came a step nearer s-ilI wills
cred the name.
~ "Brandal!" said Lord Weldon, In q
tone of absolute amusement 1T Is
quite impossible he should stoop to
this"
impossible we should say that any
member of the Cabinet should so de.
grade himself. But remember. as you
said Just now. there must be some
one? Who is less impossible?
II cannot believe it is BrandaL I
should as soon suspect myself"
But why, Charles-why 2" urged the
Prime Minister stirred to something
like eagerness by his incredulous con-
tradiction. He is the latest member.
for one thing. and the treachery has
begun since his appointment
Put it on the lowest ground. Ar
thur: I would not risk 1t. Brandal has
gone out and is bound to go farther.
You hav too big a majority In the
in the country; he is the best de-
batter, except one. in the House of
Commons"
Except none. Charles. I have no
false modesty, and no false vanity, I
hope. Brandal is the most powerful
speaker 1 have ever heard in the
House"
He has a tremendous hold on the
people"
"Deservedly I should say; or. rath-
err, 1 should have said six weeks ago.
He has stuck to his principles through
thick and thin. through evil report and
good, and there is no denying that he
has, to a large extent, forced them
upon u.s."
We'll, but is such a man likely to
risk his great career by petty treason.
to give his enemies-for he has bitter
enemies, we know-such handle
against him."
1.-The danger may seem slight. and
the temptation is great. 1 hate to say
it. but Brandal is the only poor man
in our Cabinet.
But it is not the poor that are
always greedy. Brandal has never
shown any love for money. He mar
ried his beautiful wife. Fanny Power,
The fair maid of Erin as she was
called, without a farthing. There is
no corner in the mans character. Ar
thur. for suspicion to lay hold Of" 4.
The Prime Minister laid his hand
kindly on his friends shoulder.
Charles" he said. the generosity of
your character blinds you. This man
has frequently and fiercely attacked
you, therefore you feel bound to de-
fend him He is your sole rival for
my place, which, in the course of
nature I cannot hold much longer:
therefore you instinctively and chival-
rously uphold him If you had not
pressed me on his behalf. he would
not now be in the Cabinet. wish he
wern't"
Don't say that Arthur: youn find
I'm right"
II cannot even say I hope you are
right If 1t isn't Brandal it's some