White Bluffs spokesman. [volume] (White Bluffs, Wash.) 1907-1938, 1927-09-23
CHAPTER TX

learned of it, Robin would be theirs
for few hours. After cramping con-
tinental pensions and small hotels,
their present lavish life rather went
to their heads. 1t took the form OF
superiority complex which irritated
Robin enormously. But he had prom
ised his father to aid him by preserv-
ing a heartiness of manner that he
did not feel He was wholly obsessed
by the thought of Agatha, that strange
and lovely girl who held him at arms
length snubbed him, harassed him,
and then brought him back with a
glance of those amethyst eyes. She
would tell him nothing about her past
life. and that worried him very much.
What men had loved her, he wondered,
and had there been men about whom
she cared? Mrs. McKimber under
stood the situation and sympathlzed.
Her husband was unusually irritable.
He could talk about nothing but the
infamous manner in which his press
agent neglected to have him featured.
1t seemed to McKimber that the pa
pers were filled with Paul RaXon. Ac-
tually some club women had started a
'"Better Architecture League" with
Raxon as president. They were to
agitate for classes in architectural ap-
probation in the high schools.
McKimber wandered about the big
rooms fdgeting. Raxon was not to
be seen. AT midnight, when Sneed
stood respectfully at his elbow, Nc
Kimber was as nearly nervous as he
had ever been. But he was too old a
campaigner to show 1t. He followed
the butler into a big seXagonal room,
entrance to which was gained by a
flight of eight stairs. That the apart
ment was furnished with subdued
splendor and was of magnificent pro-
portions added to McKimber's irrita-
ton Instinctively he was aware that
Raxon was getting ready to use his
lavish settings in publicity work.
This tower study would soon be IA
nous through the magazines. 1t was
easy to visualize Paul Raxon leaning
back In his customary indolent way
with specially prepared back
ground. McKimber's private room rep
resented office furnishing in It's most
efficient style. He reflected bitterly
that this apartment must have been
planned for Photographic reproduction.
McKimber decided 1t vas effeminate.
1t. provoked in him feeling of con-
tempt which could not dispel the
knowledge that Raxon's settings were
superb But they were presumptuous.
Raxon was riding for fall. He need
ed to be taught q lesson. 1t would
have been wiser for McKimber to
recollect that Raxon had not succeed
ed through any lack of strength.
'This extensive publicity campaign
of yours" McKimber began, doesn't
deceive us any,"
"Us?" RaXon queried.
1--WE who represent an organized
patty in this state. We know you're
out to get primary nomination, and
as you've got money and a good press
agent, 1t doesn't seem easy to prevent
you. These primaries play the devil
with party obligations. They encour-
age the malcontents and the ambi
tious"
(which am II" Raxon asked, smil-
ing.
you're ambitious, Raxon. You are
overambitious. The Bard of Avon
says that's the thing which brought
the angels down.
"This is the first time I have been
called an angel" said the other.
McKimber frowned. He detested
fiippancy.
81 prefer to think Of you as am
bilious than to suppose you are want
ing to split our ticket and let West
field in If one strong man with hi!
party's solid backing runs agains
Westfield, he'll beat him."
"That cheers me very much" Raxor
replied.
1t was not easy for the domineerlni
McKimber to hold himself in. He wa:
accustomed to respect In the field o
politics
'You won't be the man." he ex
claimed
'And you will?'
"Unless any spiteful malcontent de
liberately proves traitor. Upstate
which I control politically, has no us
for you. 1t doesn't know about you
asked a man from Wayne county TIL
other day If he'd ever heard of Pau
Raxon." McKimber smiled. "He sal
he never went to moving pictures"
"Your mistake" Raxon said, IVA
that you did not ask his wife. TIL
women know me, McKimber. My bet
ter Architecture Leagues are spring
ing up everywhere. There's flour
fishing one in Wayne county. Th
larger cities, such as Buffalo, Rocf
ester Syracuse and Utica, are takin
the thing up admirably. Politicians O
your old-fashioned kind resent won
en- in public life, and you don't cor
ceal this. Politically, women ar
representative because they know the
have not accomplished what the worl
expected of them / admit your uI
state strength exceeds mine, but wha
about New York city,"
IA stronghold for Westfield."
"Not SO much as you imagine.
Raxon yawned little, as though tn
subject wearied him. Eat all events
1t will be an interesting experiment.
"Experiment ~ McKimber criet
shocked at his callousness. 1T wi
be tragedy for the party"
will ho yor1r fpichv RoyOn re