Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1922-07-10
NOBODY'S MAN
BY e. Phillips Oppenfneim

dulged."
~ thought that I was acquainted
with all your intimates." Dartrey OBJ
served. IN II puzzled tone. "I.ct me
meet this man and judge for myself,
DO YOU mean that?" she asked.
"Certainly.",
Very well. then" she acquiesced.
I'll ask him to dinner here. When
are you free?'
lie glanced through thin mcmoran-
dun book.
.''On Sunday night?''
at o'clock she said. "You
won't mind simple dinner. I know.
can promise you that you will be in
tcrested. My friend is worth knowing"
Dnrtrcy took his departure n little
hurriedly. IIr had suddenly rcmem-
bered an appointment at his committee
rooms and went off with his mind full
Of the troubles Of northern constitu-
cncy. On his way up Parliament street
he met Miller. who turned and walked
Heard the news?" the latter asked
curtly.
"No. Is there any," was the quick
'"Tallente's broken the truce" Miller
announced There was rather an acid
debate on the compensation clauses Of
Hensham's Allotment Bill. Tahente
pulled them to pieces and then chal-
lenged a division. The Government
Whips were fairly caught mapping and
were beaten by twelve votes"
Dartrey's eyes flashed.
| "Tallentc is n most wonderful tacti-
! ',ta hn .h>
time he's forced the Government into a
hole. Hcrlock will never last the ses-
sion. at this rate
| There are rnmors Of resignation,
,f course Miller went on, "but they
.ren't likely to go out on II snatched
division like this"
eve don't want them eto," Dartrey
agreed "All the time. though, this
rurt Ct thing is weakening their pres
tlgc. We shall be ready to give them
,l'ir, coup de grace In about four
months.
The two men were silent for mo-
mcnt. Then Miller spoke again n little
abruptly
~ can't seem to get on with Tai
lcntc,' lie confessed.
~ nm sorry" Dartrey regretted.
"iou'll have to try. Miller. We cant
"rry: have tried" was the i'm
patient rcjoinder ''Tnllente may have
his points. but nature never meant him
20 be peoples man. He's too hide
hound in convention and tradition.
Upon my SOUL .Dartrey. he makes me
| frcl like republican Of the blood.
thirsty age, he's so blasted SUPERIOR
"You're going back to the smaller
outlook, Miller his chief expostulated.
''Thcse personal prejudices should be
entirely negligible. I am perfectly GER
tain that Tallente himself would lay
no stress upon them"
"Stress upon them? Damn II. I'm
as good as he is" Miller exclaimed
irritnbly. "There's no harm in Tai
lente's rafting, quitting bis order and
coming among us Democrats. but what
do object to is his bringing the man.
ford among us. When am with
him. he always makes me feel that I
am doing the wrong thing and that he
knows it,"
Dnrtrcy frowncd little impatiently.
"This is rubbish. Miller" he pro-
nOunced. 'It is you who are to blame
for attaching the slightest Importance
to these trifes."
"Trines." Miller growled. within
very short time. Dartrey. this ques.
tion will have to be settled. Does Tai
lente know that l am promised seat
in his Cabinet?"
81 think that he must surmise It,"
| "The sooner he knows. the better"
Miller declared acidly. "Tallente can
unbend all right when he likes. He
was dining at the TrOcadero the other
night with Brooks nndl Ainley and
Parker and Saundcrson-the most
cheerful party in the place. Tallente
seemed to have slipped out of himself,
md yet there isn't one Of those men
who has ever had days schooling
or has ever worn anything but ready
made clothes. He leaves his starch off
when he's with them. What's the mat
ter with me. should like to know?
I'm n college man. even though I did
go rs an exhibitioner. | was school
teacher when those fellows were WELD
ing pickaxes.'
Dartrey looked at his companion
lthoughtfully. For single moment the
words trembled upon his lips which
would have brought things to an in
slant and profitless climax. Then he
remembered the million or so Of people
Of Miler's own class and way Of think
Ing. to whom he was leading light
and he choked back the words.
II find this sort Of conversation
little peevish. Miller" he said. "As
soon as any definite difference of opin-
ion arises between you and Tallente.
| will intervene. At present you are
both doing good work. Our cause needs
you both.
''iou won't forget how I stand?"
Miller persisted, rs they reached their
destination.
"No one has ever yet accused me Of
breaking my word" was the somcwhat
chilly rejoinder. 'YOu shall have your
pound Of flesh"
To he continued tomorrow
COpyright. 1922. by the Bel Syndicate. Inc,