Show J J JI v I R Rj l I j n A l A t L h hL L 1 l I Y J 01 j A L 1 a Iti S i I O of W r l U Th p rr 1 f I J I t Joseph l r heler 4 HE FIE cleric speaking with great distinctness fin finished THE T the lie reading of the bill and then a deep hum hunt of interest ran through the House No other measure offered during the session had excited half as much interest as s this proposal of ot Mr fr Moore Moores s to regulate the schools of the State ac cording to a new system drastic nay revolutionary in its ils character The question was already a sore one A committee commute after long examination a had made a severe report upon existing methods stating unanimously that the schools were antiquated and decidedly decided inferior lo to those of other States State The pride of the people and md also that of the House and Senate had hd been touched Many of the members had come to the aid of the thc old system and others had publicly announced that would they support the committee com committee millee It was a foregone conclusion that the thc Legis lature would divide seriously on the question and nd the division would not be he partisan Republicans and Demo Democrats Democrats emo alike would be found in the attack and nd the de fens Co CoNow Now Mr fr Moore had introduced his measure and the field was cleared for the battle hattle The bill was referred to toa toa a 1 committee with instructions to report and nd the lie days das session of the House Hou e adjourned But Dut members member and spectators spectator talked of nothing else as they the passed out Bob 11 Whitney the young oung member from Fulton County Comm Command and several friends walked slowly down the aisle dis discussing discussing cussing the measure and wondering won ering whether it would would pass Whitney tall handsome some and under thirty was a favorite in the House Moreover he was its first orator a man born with the gift of golden rolden speech and obviously destined to lo n a 1 high career He was in loc Jove too with Evelyn Eveln Carter the thc handsome daughter of the L and rumor said that she did not look upon him with w th disfavor As Whitney stood upon the Capitol steps he lie forgot for fora a moment the perplexing bill A deep snow had fallen about bout a week before followed by a rain rain which in a half hour or so gave way wa to intense cold Very little of the snow had melted melted but the ram rl rain n had frozen frolen upon its ls sur face and the world was literally sheathed in a coat of armor The sun shone bright but frosty and cold the white lulls hills threw bac back its gleams in in a million of silver and gold the surface of the frozen river flashed and glittered too and the myriad of icicles hanging like spears sp ars from the roofs seemed now no and nd then to be tipped with will flame flamer Paths had been broken through gh the sheet sheel of ice and the snow beneath neath and down the Capitol grounds and along the city streets the snow was heaped on either cither side of the walks in great white walls Whitney still st ll drawing deep breaths of the cold brac brae ing air walked between b tween the white walls replying to the stray stra words of friends whom he met but thinking now neither of them nor of the bill lie He had the best of reasons for this detachment because he was on his way to the railroad station to meet me t Evelyn Carter who was more interesting and far more attractive than any bill could ever possibly be even to an ambitious and rising young politician She had been gone only a week vet jet the glittering world glittered all the more for him bec because use she was coming There was in rat him hum the strain of sentiment the touch of poetry which an orator such as he hc must most im st have hae and he was consciously willing to attribute much of the beauty about him to her speedy arrival 1 He smiled be because beI because I cause he was pleased and others other seeing the smile smiled contagiously eon Life seemed very full to Whitney that lint morning After some vexing hours he had found his own mind and was free from rom doubt He loved Evelyn Carter and many little signs inspired him with confidence that he did not love in in vain hence the reasons were numerous and good why he should hold his head high and include the whole world in his happy smile He Ile reached the thc station but did not enter instead he preferred to stand on the asphalt beside the tracks and gaze into the west whence the train bearing bearin her would appear app r The Thc capital lay la in a valley and the encircling line ine of high hills was cut by two deep clefts through one of which the river flowed while the railroad came by bythe b bythe the other From the station neither cleft was visible and to lo anyone standing there the wall of hills lulls would seem complete i so fir far f r as the eye was concerned con the little city cit was its own little world But the keen eye cyc of Whitney saw a faint blur appear against the dazzling blue of the western sky the train tram showed in in the thc cleft and then came swiftly into the sta station station station tion He lie was at the step when Evelyn Carter came down helping her to the asphalt although none was more surefooted than she sheI I She was warm glowing wrapped in furs her checks rosy at any an tune time red now with the frost and her eyes ees brilliant with animation and an the thc pleasure of seeing him again She he was beautiful in a I thoroughly sane and wholesome way full of life having ha ng alike the wish and the ability to enjoy How pleasant it is is to be back t she exclaimed What a l snug little town it is is I 1 And Ind how it makes one feel feci at home hotel I II II I hope it the town alone said Whitney Wh II Arent you ou glad to see me meP j jOh Oh well a little bit since you ou ask isk me she laughed Your father is detained at the Capitol and nd I asked to be hc the delegate to lo meet you ou There is a cab at the thc corner We e wont take it it Come lets walk if this were only a country road Id race you home for a prize I feel fine enough to do it and Id ld I d beat you too Since were not allowed to run well make it a walk I Im m glad Iad you OU dont want a cab cabIt cabIt cabIt It was a half mile by the most direct route to Mr Ir Carters house on the far side of the lie river but the two chose another way which was a full mile and they wished that it was twice as much As they swung along they the breathed freely freel and nul easily ly and the color in in their cheeks checks deepened I heard of the bill before I came down she said II The papers up there were talking about it they say its going to arouse the whole State Naturally its radical revolutionary And they said that nobody knew how anybody else was going to vote That is true there is no partisanship in in this matterand matter matterand matterand and there can be b none every cery member should vote strictly according to his personal judgment j ud Then I lien it is 13 s sure to be the feature of the session se sion Oh what a great parliamentary fight light is coming She looked at him eagerly her eyes sparkling He Hemet Hemet Hemet met her glance and smiled in in sympathy And there will be grand debates she continued II What a chance ch nce to snake make a reputation And you will willbe willbe willbe be in it wont won t you I hope to be he lie said still smiling But she slopped stopped suddenly and a look loo of dismay disma replaced re rc replaced placed the brilliant sparkle that was shining sh in III in her eyes 0 That is if you can make up your mind about the bill she said ruefully Ive Ie heard that the members just dont know what to do and neither you nor any anybody anybody body else can make a great speech without convictions II But I have convictions about this bill he said Isnow I snow Know how I am going to work ork and vote ote And you will tell me inc Of Oi course I will wilt tell you ou but not until I come to sec you jou this See we vve are arc going through a field now and there is is 3 nobody in sight A hundred yards ards for a 1 box of chocolates I She raised med r her skirts skirls a little and was gone one like a aa flash When Whitney reached the lie end of the field l she was there flushed and triumphant r II W J J r X r oI r J Be Dc sure you on bring hrin those chocolates cho when you jou ou come this evening she said and Whitney was glad to lo con cois confirm confirm firm his losing wager He lle left her at the door of her fathers house be because cause he was required to do so and returned to the heart of the city cit Here the bill and nd the great fight licht sure to come over it occupied the attention of all and was soon one of the crowd in m the lobby lobb of the r big bif hotel j i iThe The fight over the measure was already on The com committee committee committee of reference had not yet jet reported but it would do so presently and the members of both House and Senate were beginning bes to take sides j the newspapers of the State were doing likewise and amI public opinion about equally equall divided was ws coming into the capital capita in a swelling volume Barker perceived with wilh increasing clearness that it was a great grel opportunity for a man mm with his oratorical powers to 10 make a reputation and he thought now of little else r Late one afternoon he strolled from the hotel toward the lie Capitol and on the way he lie was joined by his friend Harkins The Thc two said little and wanted walked slowly The fhe cold had not relaxed its grip a particle The surface of the snow was still a sheet of ice and nd on the hills lulls every bough and twig was in in shining mail The sinking sun poured pOll red over Oer it all a flood of yellow light Barker Barer glanced up lip once but he was dazzled by h the sunlight reflected in a blaze blare of gold from the lie dome of the Capitol and he turned his eyes ees back to lo the snow and his mind to the bill Then he and Harkins began to talk about it again and they thc entered the lie Capitol where Barker wanted to see sec the cle k of the Court of Appeals about an entry The court had adjourned some time since since and the clerk was gone The two turned away awa but when they the were in the corridor they the lie saw another couple approach approaching ing inI and aid this couple were a man and a woman Bob Whitney and Evelyn Carter They The are rc going into the Court of Appeals chamber said Barker Now I wonder what they can want there Oh a quiet little exchange of confidence said Mr Harkins with a short but not laugh lau h Whitney is is dead in in Jove with the girl and I guess sties worth it Its a rest for tired eyes to look at her and they the say sa got a real mind too She has said young Barker with emphasis and then lien he added adl ed with a certain amount of envy eny in in his tone so has Whitney hes lies sure to make a great speech on this one one that thai will attract the attention of the whole State The lobbyist again laughed in a dry but on the whole way wa 1111 Ill wager you jou ou anything that thal the school bill is not in Whitneys mind now no he lie said sid No sir sir no such dry subject for him its loves young joung dream j that musty old Court of Appeals room will hear some souse sweet con confidences confidences 1 I wish I 1 were young joung enough and handsome enough to be in in Ins his hi place Whitney and Evelyn absorbed in in other thoughts did not sec ee Barker and Harkins and passed hi into o the court chamber clumber the big door of which stood wide open Presently Barker and the thc lobbyist who lingered IlIc be because because cause they the had ha nothing else to 0 do heard the sound of a voice now rising now falling but without cessation coming from the great chamber That sound like your jour sweet nothings said Barker with sour sarcasm II A man t make love loc loveto to a girl irl m in that oratorical pitch and tone At least Im sure I Mr 11 r Harkins did not reply at once but bent benl his head forward in in the attitude of one who listens Mr Harkins never had any an particular objection to listening when time and place were suitable I was wrong he said present presently Whitneys voice voice but hut hes lies not making love loe hes making a speech The fhe face of the lobbyist had changed suddenly It was alight ali ht with interest The eyes sparkled and md the lie lips parted Without ll saying sain saying another word he walked to the door of the court room and looked in in There he lie listened intently for a minute or two then hen he lie looked back and beckoned to Barker who came cone obediently Whitney is making staking a speech sure enough whispered the thc lobbyist a trace of excitement showing in his tone lone and its a great one Just listen listena a By Jove J hes lies rehearsing his great speech and its it against the bill he lie thinks as I do I whispered Barker Whitney did not speak in a loud tone but hut within the themore themore more restricted range he lie gave gave play to all the skill and graces of oi the orator irony iron contempt and anger wore were i shown shawn alike alilce in his voice oice and an expression and the girl 1 Jinn join more mora morn than thai once clapped her gloved hands to 1 while her eyes sparkled with admiration Nor Nori Norr r C i could Barker restrain his own silent t tribute He Pic knew that it was a great speech and a feeling of jealousy jealous and andel envy el leaped into life He Ile I Ic loo too was an all orator why could he not have thought of those things lungs which must appeal so pp power full to the mind of every listener It seemed to him that nothing could be left of the bill after aCler Whit Whitney hey ney ne got through with wit it it The hand of the lie lobbyist presently fell gently gentl upon the shoulder of Barker and drew him inside the tic room Near the walls arc some benches for or spectators and they have very er high backs The Thc two sank down in iii the last bench where they could hear well and yet were hidden by the back of the lie one in front of them I 1 dont want to lo mis any of that speech and this is a better place than the hall murmured Mr Mr lr Barker did not reply as he was ws busy bus just then with other thoughts His anger ancer against Whitney was increasing because he knew the speech to be better belter than any that he could ever pos possibly sibly prepare I It 1 was ws a long speech but so good that the time lime of de dc delivery delivery livery liver seemed short and when wh n Whitney finished Evelyn applauded with great enthusiasm j It was splendidly done she said proudly when he lie came down from the dais He smiled not with but bul with fondness for hera her herY a You Y are arc partial he said 1 you OU arc are not a fair judge I Oh yes res I am fair if my 1 partiality were to influence me at all it would make me le more critical She rose from the lie attorneys chair and stood beside Whitney The flit sun was far down the western slope and the windows glittered under tinder its beams as IS if with flame flamer The two were in in the heart of the glow and for a few moments they fluty were silent Perhaps P she was thinking of her heros coming triumph Then she spoke of the thc late hour hou r See Sec she said II it is almost night i they the will soon be locking loding up the lie Capitol They The went out together and sicklier neither ne ther saw the two figures behind the scat seat but when they the were gone gout the lobbyist rose up and spoke questioningly to the member 0 k f T y i i r f ya 1 i iq iE n iI t rt t A C ii t R ry l f t ti t l m JI lr y l p If i iy y i rt f i y t 4 dj i 1 i 1 d fk 4 I f ih F l if f i J t tr r 5 k il I i I lr t l t te e jt it 1 41 t t t tt M r I Iy if y r 1 sF rf r 1 11 j t r fi alt A 5 r k t 1 I It r J t s t w 1 1 r or 11 fJ I l t t Ao e c t rItt t y I tw 9 r W c f I 1 r 1 f t te e 1 J t V dt JV c ml U iI f t fA t i 20 t j 51 iff oI tf I f f r t 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