White Bluffs spokesman. [volume] (White Bluffs, Wash.) 1907-1938, 1925-05-15
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from bonfire in the street. By its
light, Hugh beheld mems faces turned
up to his; many, many faces. They
filed the street. For a moment the
blare of horns was ALL Then voice
shouted:
"Three cheers for the Gray Stallion!
Hip! Hip! Hooray!"
The uproar reverberated from the
canyon wall in an echo of ear-splitting
intensity.
Hugh standing erect In the doorway,
in heavy shadows and crimson light,
hesitated. He was more deeply moved
by this ovation than any he had re-
ceived during the months of speech
making. On the outskirts of the crowd
Of men who wore proudly on the la
pels of their coats a little button bear
| ing gray horse head, he distinguish
ed the faces of his fellow townsmen,
disappearing faces, it seemed to Hugh,
even in the warming glow of the fire.
And pang of regret darkened the
happiness Of the moment. Then he
gathered himself together.
II can't talk about anything but fos-
sils, you know!" he said, clearly. "Im
nothing but what our political enemies
call me, bone digger-I-" mans
voice interrupted:
Gosh! And been backing you for
a stallion!-a thoroughbred gray at
that"
Three cheers for the thorough
bred!" roared another voice.
1t was nearly ten o'clock when he
returned to The Lariat. Miriam was
sitting alone, her chin in her palm.
She rose and came rapidly to Hugh's
side.
"Hughie! never thought what my
coming might do to you. You've told
me nothing. Has there been scandal
and talk, and has it hurt your cause?'
Hugh hesitated. Miriam did not
wait for him to reply but wen on a
little breathlessly:
"Dou't try to answer. OF course
it's been awful for you! Hughie, is
that why you look so terribly worm"
81 don't think so, Miriam. You see,
politics is hard on those who like it.
And l don't like it. I've been sweat.
ing blood to make myself carry on.
So it's doubly hard on me. But it's
worth it."
Tears well.d to her eyes. II don't
care what it does to other people. But
not to you. Your dear face! o Hugh
ie! Hughie! What have l done to
you"
Women's voices sounded without
the open door, and Mrs. Ellis came
in, followed by Jessie.
"Hughie," said Mrs. Ellis, "rve per-
suaded Jessie to come into save the
situation in the eyes of the public"
Crimson-faced, Miriam turned to the
gray-haired veteran of politics. MRS.
Ellis, shall go at"
II don't care to talk to you," then
turning to Jessie, do you want me
Ito stay, Jessie?"
Jessie, tall, calm strong and tan
ned, smiled slightly. I'VE shall do
very we'll without you, Mrs. Ellis.
You'd better go to bed. Telephone to
the ranch, will you, as to my where
abouts?"
Mrs. Ellis nodded and went out Jes-
sic turned to Miriam. I'm sorry to
intrude, Miss Page. But l guess this
is best-that is, If you and Hughie
sincerely want the Gray Stallion to
win"
Hughie looked from one woman to
another, uneasy and bewildered. For
once in her life Miria's finesse
failed her. She spoke abruptly
What is the first train l can get,
west"
There is nothing out of here to-
night The Limited goes through the
junction at two in the morning, but
that won't help you any. The juno
ton Is hundred miles west Of here"
replied Jessie.
How about the airplane?" asked
Miriam.
"Marten has gone up to Cheyenne"
replied Hugh. Don't be in too much
Of hurry, Miriam"
There's every reason in the world