Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1922-07-24
NOBODY'S MAN
BY e. Phillips Oppenheim

ct OOKS to me Ike another year Oh
> II office, thanks to you," the Prime
,,.,.,er obseryed. "Lenton tells me
80, We shall have majority OF forty
!. rbursday week. 1t is Thursday week
..r,re going for US again, isn't itF
"sfany things may happen before
...r :" Tallente replied. with a little
.mrmative nod. "Dartrey may decide
.h,. am too expensive q luxury ana
make friends with Miller
"I don't think that's likely" Hor.
,o.t pronounced. "Dartrey is a fin"
s.,cv. although he is not a grea.
no,,t,c,an. He is out to make
..dIcol and solid change in the govern
.nt ~ this country and he knows
me- . we'll that Miller's gang will only
* dead weight around his neck; HE'D
ss.her wait until he has weaned away
: lew more votes--even get rid OF Miller
II nf nne t think YOU are right" Tallcnte
..,d ~ am keeping the Democrats
sS,u, snm a nresent triumph, but II through
no" tbov shake themselves free from
M ms,t cali the little Laborites. l think
shins, W%ns will pan out better for them
IN the long run ,, u.-..
AMT On. lighting n cigar and passing
~. NJ cose TO Tallente. II must give you
% ths credit Of playing a magnificent lone
hand, expected to see Miller fa,i
down in n fit when you went Tor MN
IN the House. II only his army OK
.aberents could have heard that little
duel. ! think you'd have won straight
'"'%rf "'"%tr1nfortunately they couldn't" Tai.
,...s siobcd. "and It's 80 hard TO
n.nture the attention. to reach the In:
ner understanding. Of a great mixed
community
They travelled on In silence FOR
abort time. Tnllente looked idly through
the rnir streaming window at the block
~ traffic. the hurrying passers.by, the
cheerful warmth Of the shops and
"You take life too seriously, Tai
lente," his companion said. little
'''TSo''i?" DO IL" Tallente answered, with b
thin smile. =,
haven't line on my face az compared
with yours and I've held together II
nstchwork Government for FIVE years:
don't know when I may be kicked
ont and know perfectly we'll that
ths Government which succeeds mine IL
soins to undo all have done and Is
Going to establish state of things in
fhis country which I consider nothing
short of revolutionary. am not worry
inc about 1t, Tallente. The fog Of
Downing Street stinks sometimes In
nv nostrils, but have little country
bome-you must come and see me there
some day-down in Buckinghamshire.
one Of these long bungalow types. you
know, with big gardens, two tennis
courts, and golf course just across the
river. My wife spends most OF hei
fine there now and every week-cnd.
when I 70 down, I think what a fool
I am to waste my time trying to hold
A reluctant nation to principles they
are thoroughly sick of. Tallente, YOU
can turn me out whenever you like.
The day I settle down for two or three
months rest is going to be one OF the
happiest of my life"
"You have wonderful tempera-
ment," Tallente remarked. little
"Temperament be damned" was the
forcible reply. II have done my best.
When you've said those five words.
Tallente. any man ought to have phi
losophy enough to add, Whatever the
result may be, it isn't going to be my
ing weight every day. porting over
papers. scheming. planning. writing
articles. pouring out the great gift Of
your life twice as fast as you need. No
one will thank you for 1t. It's quite
enough to give half your soul and the
10y Of living to work for others. Keep
something up your sleeve for yourself,
Tallente. Mark you, that's the sound
est thing in twentieth century phil
osophy you'll ever hear of-Corner Of
Charges street right for you. eh?"
Tallente held out his hand.
"Horlock,' he said. "thank you. ]
know you re right. but unfortunately
am not like you. haven't an idyllic
for me there. n life outside that's so
wonderful. I am driven on because
there's nothing else"
Horlock laid his hand upon his com.
panion's shoulder: His tone was sud-
denly grave-amply sympathetic.
my friend-and enemy he said.
IF that Is so-I'm sorry for you"
CHAPTER Xxx
There was tense air Of expectation
among the little company of men that
uieu !hlo ohe VI the Suluier icCture TOohs
attached to Devon House few after.
Moons later. Two long tables were ar
ranged with sixty or seventy chairs and
q great ballot-box was placed in front
OF the chairman. A little round Of
subdued cheers greeted the latter as he
entered the room and took his place
the Right Honorable John Weavel. a
Prlvy Councillor, Member for Sheffield
and chairman of the Ironmasters
Union. Dartrey and Tallente appeared
together at the tail end of the pro-
eession. Miller sprang at once to his
fet and addressed the chairman.
Mr.. Chairman" he said, IT call
attention to the fact that two honorary
members OF this company are present.
submit that as these honorary mem
oers have no vote and the present meet
Ing Is called with the sole object OF