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

SI1AE EN- Vlll-OOntlnueQ
u.s.
"Not exactly, but he's a sneering
swine. Told Bradney and me only this
morning that men-servants were mere.
ly parasitic growths. Said that only
timidity drove husky men like ALI and
me into domestic service. I hope
there's time when he'll think differ
emily"
"Milman wants you to familiarize
yourself with Raxon's private rooms.
From an interview in New York pa
per, it appears he lives in tower"
HE does. Since I've been here, not
even his wife has ventured into it. I
go in regularly to carry cedar logs for
his open fire. The doors are fitted
with special locks. I've taken an i'm
preston of the keys. ALT goes to
town tomorrow. He'll fetch them. I'm
not worrying. Nita and Peter-I
never noticed those names rhymed be-
fore-are running this show. Raxon
expects a great deal from you. He
says you are the only expert he ever
| got for nothing"
y
Mrs. McKimber, whose fortune had
enabled her husband to become one Of
the wealthiest men in a wealthy state,
enjoyed staying in new houses and
meeting new sets of people. She saw
In this invitation to Great Rock the
opportunity Of discussing reduction
to music, fruit diet, and the gospel Of
calories. On each Of these points
Mrs. McKimber had her experiences
| to relate.
| Her son Robin, good-looking man
of f1ve-and-twenty, did not welcome
new friends unless he knew all about
them and that knowledge proved sat
isfactory. On the drive from the ho-
tel in New York where the McKimbers
always stayed he kept questioning his
father about the Raxons. Why should
his father waste week here when
he could be touring the state and
strengthening his political position?
Robin desired to be a senator's son
and taste Washington life under the
happiest conditions.
Although Raxon had planned that
McKimber should visit him, the man.
ufacturer had no idea of it. McKim-
Der on his way to Great Rock felt
Inundated with the knowledge that
he had virtually asked for an invita-
ton here. A few months before such
thing would have seemed impossible.
| McKimber had learned suddenly
that Paul Raxon was working to gain
primary nomination for the exalted
position McKimber believed was al
ready in his own grasp. At first he
laughed the idea to scorn. But his
campaign manager had showed him
innumerable clippings filled with in
terviews in which Paul Raxon had spo-
ken enthusiastically about beautify-
ing American cities so that the Old
world sent her tourists to see them.
Raxon had spoken before federation
OF women's clubs and had been very
we'll received. He was described as
ready and eloquent speaker.
"He's got peach Of press agent"
said McKimber's campaign manager
gloomily, "and his line is absolutely
new. It's making great hit with the
influential women"
"He can't win on that stuff" Nc
Kimber growled. He was one of those
old-time politicians who distrust won.
EN- and underestimate their power.
"Maybe not but he can split the
party vote, can't he? His platform is
winner. He promises the building
trades plenty Of work and he has been
their man for twenty years. AS I've
said, the women will vote for him, and
SO will the intellectuals. l tell you,
John, he's got to be stopped. If he
runs, our party loses out. That's
sure"
what sort Of fellow is her"
Nobody seems to know. You've
got to get under his skin. No good
going to his office. In another mans
Office the cards are stacked against
you. Try the social end of it. He's
just bought Bellington's place and is
going to entertain. I've got it.
know Herman Loddon pretty well. I'll
work it so he asks you for week
end. How about it?''
In the end McKimber agreed this
was the best plan. Eventually he,
Mrs. McKimber and their son were
asked for a week. McKimber did not
look forward to his task. But he did
not doubt his success. He had been
used to dealing with men, and he
would have little trouble with a
dreamer with a better architecture
complex.
Robin refused to be one of the party.
He agreed to drive his parents to
Great Rock, where they would make
his excuses.
I'm sure you would enjoy YOURSELF"
said his mother. II can't think why
you're so particular Do stay with
us, Robin"
The McKimber car described sud-
den, alarming lurch.
If you've accepted l suppose /
ought to stay" said Robin. Gee, what
beauty!"
isn't tit" His mother agreed,
thinking he had obtained some new
view of the big house they were ap-
preaching.
But 1t was not view of Great Rock
which influenced him. Just for few
seconds as the heavy car swung
around curve Robin McKimber had
looked into the amethyst eyes Of q