Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1922-07-06

ds q party leader, for tohicb he picks Tat
NoSA PEA M Ah Iaa1os as y9srg psrt,ey t'
MLLER--a coarse. oratmed radical.
CHAPTER
TyHE most popular hostess in London
i was n little thrilled at the arrival of
the moment for which she had planned
so carefully. She laid her hand on
Tallente's arm and led him toward a
comparatively secluded corner of the
winter garden which made her own
house famous.
II must apologize, Mrs. Van Eos
dyke" he said, ''for my late appear
ance. I travelled up from Devonshire
this afternoon and found snow all the
way. We were nearly two hours late"
1T is all the more kind Of you to have
turned out at all, them" she told him
warmly. Il don't mind telling you
that I should have been terribly dis
appointed If you had failed me. 1t
has been my one desire for months
to have you three-the Prime Minister,
Lethbridge and you-under my roof at
the same time
"You find politics interesting over
here?" Tallente asked, a little Gu
riously.
She flashed a quick glance at him.
why, / find them absolutely fas-
cinating," she declared. The whole
thing is so incomprehensible. Just
look at tonight Half Of Debrett is
represented here, practically the whole
Of the diplomats, and yet, except your
self, not a single member Of the political
party who We are told will be ruling
this country within few months. The
very anomaly of 1t is so fascinating"
There is no necessary kinship be-
tween society and politics. Tallente
reminded her. Your own country,
for instance"
Mrs. Van Fosdyke, who was an
American, shrugged her shoulders.
My own country scarcely counts,
she protested After all, we came
into being as a republic. and our aris-
tocracy is only a spurious conglomera-
tion of people who are too rich to need
to work. But many of these people
whom you see here tonight still possess
feudal rights, vast estates, great names,
and vet over their heads there is coming
this government, in which they will be
wholly unrepresented. What are you
going to do with the aristocracy, Mr..
Tallente?'
Encourage them TO work" he an
swered, smiling
But they don't know how
They must learn. No man has
right to his place upon the earth un-
less he is productive human being.
There is no room in the world which we
are trying to create for the parasite
pure and simple
You are a very infexible person,
Mr.. Tallente.
There is no place in politics for the
wobbler."
"Do you know" she went on. glanc-
! ing away for moment. that my
rooms are filled with people who fear
you? The Labor Party, as it was under
stood here five or six years ago, never
thing of the tub thumper about every
one of them. think it is your re-
preston. Mr.. Tallente, which territies
them. You don't say what you are
going to do. Your program Is still
secret and yet every day your
majority gr9ws. Only an hour ago
the Prime Minister told me that he
couldn't carry on if you threw down
the gage in earnest
Taliente remained bland, but be-
came little vague.
II see Foulds among your guests,
he observed. Have you seen his
statue of Perseus and Andromeda?'
She laughed.
II have, but 7 am not going to dis
cuss it. OF course, | accept the hint
but as matter of fact | am a person
to be trusted. I ask for no secrets.
have no position in this country. Even
my sympathes ere at present wobbling
l am simply little thrilled to have you
here. because the Prime Minister /!
within few yards Of us and I know
that before many weeks are past th'
great struggle will come between yol
and him as to who shall guide th'
destinies of this country
You forget, Mrs. Van Fosdyke. :
he objected, that am not even th'
leader Of my party. stephen Dartre!
is our chief
She shook her head
'Dartrey is a brilliant person" sh
admitted, but we all know that he i
not a practical politician. The battl
IS between you and HorloCk.'
Talente was watching n woman 6
by, Il woman in black and silver, who's
walk reminded him of Jane. Hi
hostess followed his eyes.
You are one of Alice Mountgar
, ron's admirers?" she inquired.
Il don't even know her." he replied
She reminded me of some one for
moment
She is one Of the Duchess of Bar
minister's daughters, his companio
told him. she married Mountgarro
last year. Her sister, Lady Jane,
rather inclined toward your politict
outlook. She lives in Devonshire an
tries to do good.
His eyes followed the woman in blac
and silver until She had passed out {
sight. The family likeness was there
appealing to him, rugging at his heart
strings. His artificial surroundinl
slipped easily away. He was back 0
the moors, he felt sniff of the stror
wind, the wholesome exaltatiOn Of Il