Gilpin observer., 1920-08-12
A Wide-Open
Policy
By r. RAY BAKER


tGo. 1920. by Mcclure Newspaper syndicate.)
Harley Wentworth tilted back in his
swivel chair and stretched luXuriously
while he smiled with n quiet sort of
triumph.
The battle-and II hard tussle it had
been-was over, and he was the win
ner. At the age of twenty-eight he
was mayor of Kenton. Precedents had
been overthrown, the standpatters had
been overwhelmed, young blood had
come out on top. For the first time
in its history this city of 1900 inhab
itants was to have youth at its munici-
pal helm. Only today at the polls the
venerable Mr. Black had gone down to
a crushing defeat.
Mayor-elect Wentworth heard the
doorbell and presently the housekeep-
er tapped at the study door and an
nounced that "Mr. Hennison" was
caller. Harley directed that Mr.. Hen
nison be admitted, and soon the person
in question, rotund. florid-faced,
sQuint-eyed individual, whose clothing
shouted to the world, but made no pre-
tense of fitting, waddled into the study
and Topped into an easy chair near
Harley's desk.
well, we won," grunted Mr.. Hen
nison, helping himself to cigar from
the box on the desk and wrenching
OF the end with some tusk-like yell
low teeth and ejecting the amputated
portion in the general direction Of
waste-basket, which it failed to arrive
at by several inches.
81 thought we might as well have
a thorough understanding he said.
chewing on his cigar. You We're elect
ed, of course, by the wide-open ele-
ment. You ran with their support;
of course, you know that. The un-
derstanding was that If you were elect
ed things was to be thrown open-and
1 was to operate with protection"
Harley exhaled heavy cloud Of
smoke.
"There was no understanding-ex-
actly," he said. II made no promises,
and there was no agreement that
things were to be wide open. However
Va NouA &c, bhNS thS "ShaAS VI AhSh-
ton at heart"
81 understand" he grunted. II
think that's sufficient. All l wanted
was your-your silent assurance, you
might say"
Scarcely had Mr.. Hennison left when
the telephone bell rang.
"Ths is JEAN" said u girls voice.
II want to congratulate you. How
ever, much prefer to do it in person."
'I'n be right down." Harley assured
her, and presently his car stopped be-
fore neat, modest dwelling.
Jean came out on the porch and
greeted him, not effusively, but in n
manner that left no doubt as to sim
cerity.
I'm proud of you, Harley" she
told him as she ushered him into the
living room. ITS n great triumph to
beat Mr.. Black, who was in office so
long. You certainly have great respon-
sibilities on those young shoulders
now."
They're rather broad shoulders"
he smiled. 'They ought to be able
to sustain some pretty heavy bur-
dens."
She seemed to hesitate before
speaking again, and her eyes studied
the figure in the rug, while the fingers
of her right hand fumbled with n dia-
mond-set ring on the third finger of
her left hand.
sIInrIau EnnNu Pm ntnu1
of YOU" she said presently, looking
him in the eyes; but I'm afraid, some
how. I've heard 1t was the wide-Open
element that selected you, and I'm
afraid-well, you know 1t may bring
certain kind of prosperity, but think
of the suffering in many homes. 1t Is
pretty well understood that liquor has
hibitlon law, and that there has been
some gambling in spite Of Mr.. Blacks
efforts. 1t seems he hasn't been fully
supported by part of his admlnistra-
ton in his efforts to enforce the new
law. That was bad enough, but II
things are allowed to run with free
hand u great many people will suffer
for it."
The mayor-elect smiled indulgently.
There, there, GIRL" he said. with
a tinge Of patronizing in his tones.
Don't you worry your little head
about those things. I'll try to manage
things all right. You don't understand
politics thoroughly.
There's party loyalty to be consid-
cred. and n number of things. Ken
ton should grow more rapidly, and 1t
will II given proper chance. l have
an opportunity to make record for
myself, and to do so l must shut one
of my eyes to certain things. But
don't worry. Everything is going to
run along smoothly"
"Of course you know best, Harley"