Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1929-05-10
A Feminine
Victory
Ey FREDERICK HART
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wv HAT do you think of your
'WeiI, Mr. Cutler, hardly know.
If | can carry the Ninth I'll be all
righ,"
"t'hnrlie, that's n big contractp
The man addressed as Charlie
looked gloomlly at the fire. He was
young man
"Churlic," continued Mr.. Cutler
thou"htfulIy, i've set my heart on
having you elected district attorney.
It's a post that needs just such a
man MS you are to fill It; but the
people aren't awake. Elections only
two weeks of, and they slill cling
to their old traditions. Particularly
in the Ninth. II looks bad"
Charles Livingston nodded gloom
lily, lis whole ambition conferred
around his election to the coveted
post which he sought, and not only
his ambition but his hearts desire
was involved. For Phyllis Cutler.
the daughter of the man who was
now speaking In tones of discourage
mcnt. filled his heart as his political
ambition did his mind. lie loved
her and was aware that she returned
the sentiment; but there was no use
speaking to her stern father unless
he could point to strong position
honoiHbly won. lie must win that
election! And yet without the all-lm
portant Ninth ward-the social cen
ter of the clty-he was helpless
The two men sat in silence. Then
Livingston rose and babe the colonel
good night. As he was passing out
through the entrance hall he heard
light step behind him.
"Charlie!"
"Yes, Phyl%
Charlie, ! heard all that you and
daddy said. Is II so important to
carry the Ninth wardr
Its vital, dear, and II II isn't done
| won't be elected, and | can't ask
your father for the thing want 50
much"
The girl in the dim hallway kissed
him. Don't be discouraged, dear.
II daddy won't have you unless
you're district attorney, why Wen
Just have TO make you district at
t0rney, that's ALL"
"But, Phyl"-he smiled, in spite Of
his encouragement, ut her impuslve.
ncss-"I can't get any influence In
the Ninth. The machine has prevent
ed your father-the only one | know
In that ward-from using his innu.
ence. He's helpless, and so am l."
Charlie dear, don't be dlscour-
aged. tn all come rlght--just you
waitw
But as election time approached
Charles Livingston was forced to
confess to himself that all was com
ing far from right. There would be
just enough against him to swing the
election TO his opponent. He went
through the work preceding the mo
mentous day mechanically, and when
election day came around he set him
self to watch the returns with st0-
cal resignation.
lie was In his office at o that night,
having eaten nothing since breakfast.
His faithful secretary and few
friends were with him. Most of the
returns were in, and the results
showed what everybody knew--thnt
the Ninth would swing the balance
one way or the other. His secretary
turned to answer the telephone.
Here comes the Ninth, chief" he
cried In shaking voice.
"And here goes our chance" re-
piled Livingston. But even ms the
words were on his lips, the secre.
tary uttered cry OF triumph.
"ChIef! Chief! You carried the
Ninth by 1900! We win We wlnl'
Very late that night when the last
well-wisher had retired and the last
rocket had suffered and died, LIv
ingstOn went into the room where he
had before consulted with Colonel
Cutler lie had come to the Cutler
house TO receive his friends, as the
colonel had invited him, for his own
office was too small. Now that his
bdiliS WIS ONtI I'VE WdHleu MS re-
ward.
We'll, my boy. | don't see any
objection If Phyllis doesn't" said the
colonel. "You won your victory and
you deserve her TO tell you the
truth. | didn't think you'd do II. for
the Ninth seemed dead against US.
| couldn't stir to help you. I'd give
something to know what swung 1t
your way"
Into the room there burst Phyllis
IA laughing, happy Phyllis.
"Oh, daddy, was listening again.
I'm so glad you want Charlie us
much as | do. And I'm so happyi
And listen.' She drew the two men
conlidentally to her. II carried the
Ninth myself
"What" Colonel Cutler could hard.
ly believe his ears.
"Yes. did. You men we're help.
Iess-I knew that-but don't forget |
that we women have votes and In
nuence--and every girl In the Ninth
is a personal friend of mine Social
position does help sometimes
talked to them and convinced them
that Charlie was the man, and they
voted for him and made their men
friends vote for him. That's ALL"
"Ohp' Colonel Cutler was amazed.
"And what arguments did you use?
Did you tell them what q wonderful
thing It would be for the town and
all that sort Of thing"
II did not told them-I told
them that Charlie and couldn't get
married unless he was elected-and
that settled I'll"