The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1922-12-12

Club almost at once. He's In a state
or mind In love with the daughter of
his fathers enemy-just like a Park
Theater thriller. Wants you to tell
him what to do; and you win pardon
me for suggesting that If there's to
be an elopement you write 1t up your
self in the Courier. I was talking to
a friend OF mine who's on the ding
ding desk at the Whitcomb and she
says the long-distance business in that
tavern IS painful to handIe-hot
words flying over the State about this
Thatcher-Bassett rumpus. You may
take it from me that the. fight is
warm. and 1 guess somebody will
know more after the convention. But
say
''Um." said Harwood, whose gaze
was upon the frame Of a new building
that was rising across the street He
was thinking Of Allen If Marian and
Allen were subjects of gossip in con-
necton with the break between their
fathers he foresaw trouble; and he
was sorry, for he was sincerely de-
voted to the boy and Marian he liked
also, IN spite Of her vagaries. A great
many people were likely to be affected
by the personal difficulties Of Thatcher
and Bassett- Even quiet Montgomery
was teeming and on the way from the
station he had met half a dozen ac-
quaintances who had paused to shake
hands and say something about the
political situation. His ignorance OF
Bassett's real intentions, which pre-
sumably the defiance of the Courier
merely cloaked. was not without its
embarrassment He had been known
as a Bassett man; he had received
and talked to innumerable politicians
OF Bassett's party in the Boordman
building; and during the four years of
his Identification with Bassett he had
visited most Of the county seats on
political and business errands The
closeness OF their association made
all the more surprising this sudden
exclusion.
II said say repeated Mss Farrell,
lightly touching the smooth cliff of
yellow hair above her brow with the
back Of her hand Il was about to
give you q message from his majesty
our king. but II you're on a pipe dream
don't let me call you home"
'Oh. yes; pardon me. What were
you about to say "
Mr.. Bassett said that II you came
in before I quit TO ask you to come
over to the Whitcomb. Mrs. Bsssett
blew in today from that sanatorium
in Connecticut where they've been
working on her nerves. Miss Marian
brought her back. and they've stopped
in town to rest. And say. here Miss
Farrell lowered her Notes.-The Missis
must try MS soul good deal! I won
der how he ever picked her out of that
bunch?"
That VIII do!' said Harwood sharp
y. III find Mr.. Bassett at the Whit
comb and shan't have anything for
you today"
There had been a meeting of the
central committee preliminary to the
approaching State convention. A
number OF candidates had already
opened headquarters at the Whitcomb;
members OF Congress. aspirants for
the governors seat. to be filed two
years hence. and petty satraps from
far and near were visible at the hotel
If Bassett's star was declining there
was nothing TO indicate It in the con
duct Of the advance guard.
Harwood found him established on
a settee in the lobby in plain view of
all seekers. and from the fixed appear
ance Of the men clustered about him
he had held this position for some
time. He had precipitated one Of the
most interesting political struggles
the State had ever Witnessed. but his
air Of uncOncern before this mixed
company Of his fellow partisans,
among whom there were friends and
foes, was well calculated to inspire
faith IN his leadership. Some one was
telling a story, and at It's conclusion
Bassett caught HarwOod's eye and
called to him In a manner that at once
drew attention to the young man.
Hello, Danl You're back from the
country all right, see, I guess you
boys all know Harwood. You've
seen his name in the newspapers
Several Of the loungers shook hands
with Harwood, who had cultivated the
handshaking habit. land he made a
point Of addressing to each one some
personal remark.
Most of these men sincerely liked
and admired BaSsett. and many of
them accepted the prevailing supersti-
ton as to his omniscience and invul-
nerability; even in the Republican
camp many shared the belief that the
spears Of the righteous were of no
avail against him. Dams loyalty to
Bassett had never been more firmly
planted. Bassett had always pre-
served a certain formality IN his re
IatiOns with him; tonight he was call
ing him Dan naturally and as though
unconscious Of the transition. This
was not without its effect on Har-
wood; he was surprised to find how
agreeable it was TO be thus faIniliarly
addressed by the leader in such a
gathering.
Bassett suggested that he speak to
Mrs. Bassett and Marian. who We're
spending a few days In town, and he
found them in the hotel parlor. where
Bassett Joined them shortly. Mrs.
Basset and Dan had always got on
well together; his nearness to her
husband brought him close TO the do
nestle circle; and he had been inva-l
var1ably responsive to her demands
upon his time. Dan had learned in
evitably a good deal Of the inner life
of the Bassets, and now and then he
had been aware that Mrs. Bassett was
sounding him discreetly as to her hus-
bands plans and projects: but these
approaches had been manaSed with