[Illustration: THE SENATOR AND "BUD" HAINES. ]

A GENTLEMAN FROM MISSISSIPPI

A NOVEL

Founded on the popular play of the same title

PRODUCED UNDER THE MANAGEMENT OF WM. A. BRADY AND JOS. R. GRISMER

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS

THE SENATOR AND BUD HAINES

"FROM NEW YORK, EH? THE VICKSBURG OF THE NORTH"

"STRANGE, HOW THE LANGDON'S TREAT HIM AS A FRIEND"

THE SENATOR ACCEPTS AN INVITATION TO TEA

THE LANGDON FAMILY

"YOU'LL HAVE TO TAKE YOUR MEDICINE LIKE A MAN"

"TO-MORROW, AT 12. 30"

"AFTER I HAVE FINISHED, I DARE ONE OF YOU TO DENY A WORD"

_INTRODUCTION_

_Here is a story of an epoch-making battle of right against wrong, of honesty against corruption, of simplicity and sincerity againstdeceit, bribery and intrigue. It is the story of to-day in thiscountry. It vitally concerns every man, woman and child in the UnitedStates, so far-reaching is its influence. 

The warfare is now going on--the warfare of honest men against corruptpolitical machines. 

The story tells the "inside" of the political maneuvers in Washingtonand of the workings of bosses there and elsewhere--how they shape menand women to their ends, how their cunning intrigues extend into thevery social life of the nation's capital. You will find inspiration inthe career of the honest old Southern planter elected to the UnitedStates Senate and the young newspaper reporter who becomes his privatesecretary and political pilot. Your heart will beat in sympathy withthe love of the secretary and the Senator's youngest daughter. 

You will read of the lobbyists and find that not all of them are men. You will see how avarice causes a daughter to conspire against herfather. You will hear the note of a gripping national tragedy in thewords of Peabody, the "boss of the Senate. " But cause for laughter aswell will not be found lacking in this truly many-sided narrative. _

A Gentleman from Mississippi

 * * * * *

CHAPTER I

PRACTICAL POLITICS

 That bids him flout the law he makes; That bids him make the law he flouts. 

_--Kipling_. 

In buoyant spirit the Hon. Charles Norton rode up the bridle pathleading through the Langdon plantation to the old antebellum homesteadwhich, on a shaded knoll, overlooked the winding waters of the PearlRiver. No finer prospect was to be had in all Mississippi than greetedthe eye from the wide southwest porch, where on warm evenings theLangdons and their frequent guests gathered to dine or to watch thegolden splendor of the dying sun. 

The Langdon family had long been a power in the South. Its sons foughtunder Andrew Jackson at New Orleans, under Zachary Taylor in the warwith Mexico, and in the Civil War men of that name left their bloodon the fields of Antietam, Shiloh, the Wilderness and Gettysburg. Butthis family of fighting men, of unselfish patriots, had also markedinfluence in the ways of peace, as real patriots should. Generationsof Langdons had taken deepest pride in developing the hundreds ofacres of cotton land, whose thousands of four-foot rows planted eachApril spread open the silvery lined bolls in July and August, and theripened cotton fiber, pure white beneath the sun, gave from a distancethe picture of an expanse of driven snow. 

The Hon. Charles Norton had reason for feeling well pleased with theworld as he fastened his bay Virginia hunter to a convenient postand strode up the steps of the mansion, which was a characteristicsurvivor of the "old South, " the South of gilded romance and ofgripping tragedy. Now in this second year of his first term asCongressman and a promising member of the younger set of Southernlawyers, he had just taken active part in securing the election ofColonel William H. Langdon, present head of the family, to the UnitedStates Senate, though the ultimate action of the Legislature had beenreally brought about by a lifelong friend of Colonel Langdon, thesenior Senator from the State, James Stevens, who had not hesitated toflatter Norton and use him as a cat's-paw. This use the Hon. CharlesNorton seemed to consider an honor of large proportions. Not everyfirst-term Congressman can hope for intimacy with a Senator. Nortonbelieved that his work for Langdon would win him the family'sgratitude and thus further his ambition to marry Carolina, theplanter's oldest daughter, whose beauty made her the recipient of manyattentions. 

A complacent gleam shone in Norton's eyes as they swept over thefertile acres of the plantation. He thought of the material interesthe might one day have in them if his suit for the hand of Carolinaprogressed favorably. Suddenly his reverie was interrupted by thevoice of young Randolph Langdon, a spirited lad in his early twenties, who had just been made plantation manager, by his father. 

"Well, how is the honorable to-day?" said Randolph, approaching fromthe doorway. "I didn't think a Congressman could be spared fromWashington but rarely, especially when the papers say the countryneeds such a lot of saving. "

"Oh, this 'saving the country' talk goes all right in the storybooks, " replied Norton, who exercised considerable influence over theyouth through a long acquaintanceship and by frequently taking himinto his confidence, "but this country can take pretty good care ofitself. In Congress we representatives put the job of saving it overon the Senate, and the Senate hands back the job to us. So what'severybody's business isn't anybody's; a fine scheme so long as we havea President who keeps his hands off and doesn't--"

"But how about the speeches and the bills?" broke in Randolph. "Ithought--"

"Yes, yes; to be sure, " the Congressman quickly added. "Nearly all ofus introduce these so-called reform bills. When they're printed atgovernment expense we send copies, carried free by the Post-officeDepartment, to our constituents, and when we allow the bills to die insome committee we can always blame the committee. But if there's a bigfight by our constituents over the bill we let it pass the House, butarrange to kill it in the Senate. Then we do the same thing for theSenators. Like in every other business, my boy, " continued Norton ashe led the way into the house, "it's a case of 'you tickle me and I'lltickle you' in politics. And don't let any one fool you about thespeeches either. They are pretty things to mail to the voters, but allthe wise boys in Washington know they aren't meant seriously. It'sall play acting, and there are better actors in the Senate than HenryIrving or Edwin Booth ever were. "

"I don't think my father looks at things in the way you do, Charlie. "

"No? Well, maybe he doesn't now, but he will later on when he takeshis seat in the Senate. If he isn't wise enough to play around withthe rest of the Senators he won't get any bills passed, especially anybill carrying an appropriation or of any other particular importance. "

"What!" ejaculated the planter's son. "Do you mean to say that iffather won't do what the other Senators want him to do they willcombine against him and destroy his usefulness, make him powerless--afailure?"

The Congressman smiled patronizingly on the youth. "Why, of coursethey will. That's politics, practical politics, the only kind that'sknown in Washington. You see--"

"But the leaders of the great parties!" cried the young plantationmanager, in amazement. "Why don't they prevent this?"

"Because they invented the system and because political partydifferences don't amount to a whole lot much of the time inWashington. The politicians do most of their criticizing of the otherparty away from Washington, where the voters can hear them. But whencircumstances sometimes force a man to rise to assail the other sidein Congress he afterward apologizes in secret for his words. Or, sometimes he apologizes beforehand, saying: 'I've got to hand out somehot shot to you fellows just to please a crowd of sovereign votersfrom my district who have come up to Washington to see me perform. So, of course, I've got to make a showing; Don't mind what I say. You knowI don't mean it, but the old fogies will go back home and tell theirneighbors what a rip-snortin' reformer I be. '"

"Is that the way you represent your district; Norton?" asked PlanterLangdon, who at this juncture entered the room. 

"No, no, Mr. Langdon--I should say Senator now, I suppose. I wasmerely telling Randolph how some legislators conduct themselves. "

The Senator-elect paused momentarily, gazing at the Congressman, who, dark-visaged, tall, black-haired, broad-shouldered and athletic, wasvisibly uneasy at having his conversation with Randolph overheard bythe father. 

"No doubt it won't be all plain sailing in Washington for anold-fashioned man like me, but I believe in the American people andthe men they send to Congress, " slowly spoke the planter. "There'sSenator Stevens, for instance. He has always stood for the rights ofthe people. I've read all his speeches. Just why he brought about myelection it is hard to tell, for I've been a planter all my life, except when I fought under Beauregard. I feel that he did it out offriendship, and I simply can't say how much I appreciate the honor. Iam indebted to you, too, Congressman. "

Tactfully disclaiming any credit for his work, only Norton'scongressional training in repression enabled him to refrain fromsmiling at Langdon's innocence, his belief in Stevens' sincerity andhis wonder over his election. Stevens, the keen, cold and resourceful, who forced his officeholders to yield him parts of their governmentsalaries; Stevens, who marketed to railway companies his influencewith the Department of Justice; Stevens, who was a Republican inthe committee room in Washington and a Democrat on the platformin Mississippi; Stevens, who had consummated the deal with MartinSanders, boss of seven counties, to elect Langdon because of theplanter's trustfulness and simplicity of character, which should makehim easy to influence and to handle in the all-important matter of thegulf naval base project!

The entry of Carolina Langdon and her younger sister, Hope Georgia, gave Norton a welcome opportunity to shift the trend of conversation. 

"You ladies will have a gay time in Washington, " he began, afterdirecting a particularly enthusiastic greeting to Carolina. "You willbe in great demand at all the big affairs, and I don't think youwill ever want to come back to old Mississippi, forty miles from arailroad, with few chances to wear your New York gowns. "

Carolina spoke quickly, her face flushing at the thought of the newvista of life now opening. "Yes, I have always longed to be a part ofthe real life of this world; the life of constant action--meetingnew people every day, and prominent people. Balls, receptions, teas, theater parties, afternoon drives, plenty of money and plenty ofgayety are what I want. I'm not a bit like Hope Georgia, who thinksthese ideas are extravagant because she has not seen real life yet--"

"Carolina, you must not think me 'only your little sister' now. I haveseen life. Haven't I spent a week in Jackson?"

"That's enough proof. You know all about life, I'm sure, Miss HopeGeorgia, " smilingly remarked Norton. 

Later, rising to join Planter Langdon on the veranda, where he hadgone to smoke, the Congressman gazed intently at Carolina. "You willprobably forget your old friends when you enter the dizzy social racein Washington. "

"No, Charlie, I couldn't forget you, anyhow. You will be there, too. Ishall depend on you a great deal to take me about, unless you are toobusy making speeches and fighting your opponents. "

Again it was Norton's turn to be inwardly amused at the politicalignorance of the Langdon family. Speeches? The first-term Congressmandoesn't make speeches in Washington, because no one cares what hethinks--except the lobbyists, whose business it is to provide newmembers with a complete set of thoughts. Neither does he haveopponents--he is not considered important enough by the veterans to beopposed. 

Skilfully approaching the subject which next to Carolina Langdonhad been uppermost in his mind during his visit, Norton asked theSenator-elect on joining him if he did not believe that the entireSouth would benefit if the plan to establish a naval base on the gulfwas successfully carried through. 

"Most certainly I do, and, as I said during the senatorial fight, thewhole country as well will be the gainer, " responded Langdon. 

"Don't you think the people who want Altacoola chosen as the site havethe best arguments?" was the visitor's next question, the reply towhich he anxiously awaited. 

"Yes, I do, from what I've already heard; but I haven't heard verymuch of what the folks who advocate other sites have to say. So, untilI've heard all sides and made my own examination, I couldn't giveany one my final answer, but Altacoola seems to have the necessaryqualifications. "

"Senator Stevens is in favor of Altacoola, " eagerly suggested Norton. 

"Yes, and that's a pretty good argument in its favor, " respondedLangdon. 

Norton now excused himself, pleading an appointment with a client at aneighboring village. Waving farewell to Carolina and Hope Georgia, who stood at a window, he rode away. "The old man is sure to beall right, " he muttered. "He leans toward Altacoola and believes inStevens. He'll lean some more until he falls over--into the trap. There's a fortune in sight--within reach. Langdon has faith in hisfriends. He won't suspect a thing. "

Still another thought occurred to the Hon. Charles Norton. "Stevenselected Langdon out of friendship, " he chuckled, gleefully. "That willbe well worth telling in Washington. "

CHAPTER II

THE WARS OF PEACE

"Big Bill" Langdon was the term by which the new Senator fromMississippi had been affectionately known to his intimates for years. He carried his 230 pounds with ease, bespeaking great muscular powerin spite of his gray hairs. His rugged courage, unswerving honesty andready belief in his friends won him a loyal following, some of whomfrequently repeated what was known as "Bill Langdon's Golden Rule":

"There never was a man yet who didn't have some good in him, but mostfolks don't know this because their own virtues pop up and blind 'emwhen they look at somebody else. "

At the reunions of his old war comrades Langdon was always dependedon to describe once again how the Third Mississippi charged atCrawfordsville and defeated the Eighth Illinois. But the stirringevents of the past had served to increase the planter's fondness forhis home life and his children, whose mother had died years before. Attimes he regretted that his unexpected political duties would take himaway from the old plantation even though the enthusiastic approval ofCarolina and Hope Georgia proved considerable compensation. 

Although not sworn in as Senator, Colonel Langdon's political dutieswere already pressing. A few days after Congressman Norton's visit hesat in his library conferring with several prominent citizens of hiscounty regarding a plan to ask Congress to appropriate money to dredgea portion of the channel of the Pearl River, which would greatly aid alarge section of the State. 

During the deliberations the name of Martin Sanders was announced byJackson, the Colonel's gravely decorous negro bodyguard, who boastedthat he "wuz brung up by Cunel Marse Langdon, suh, a fightin'Mississippi cunel, suh, sence long befo' de wah and way befo' dat, suh. "

"Show Mr. Sanders right in, " commanded Colonel Langdon. 

"Good-day, Senator, " spoke Sanders, the boss of seven counties, as heentered. Glancing around the room, he continued, bending toward theColonel and muffling his now whispering voice with his hand: "I wantto speak to you alone. I'm here on politics. "

"That's all right; but these gentlemen here are my friends andconstituents, " was the reply in no uncertain voice. "When I talkpolitics they have a perfect right to hear what I, as their Senator, say. Out with it, Mr. Sanders. "

As Sanders was introduced to the members of the conference he grew redin the face and stared at Langdon, amazed. At last he had discoveredsomething new in politics. "Say, " he finally blurted out, "when I talkbusiness I--"

"Are you in politics as a business?" quickly spoke Colonel Langdon. 

"Why--I--er--no, of course not, " the visitor stammered. "I am inpolitics for my party's sake, just like everybody else, " and Sandersgrinned suggestively at his questioner. 

"Have you anything further to say?" asked Langdon, in a tone hintingthat he would like to be rid of his caller. 

"Well, since you are so very new in this game, Senator, I'll talkright out in meetin', as they call it. I came to ask about anappointment an' to tip you off on a couple o' propositions. I wantJim Hagley taken care of--you've heard of Jim--was clerk o' FenimoreCounty. A $2, 000 a year job'll do for him; $500 o' that he gives tothe organization. "

"You're the organization, aren't you?" queried Langdon. 

"Why, yes. Are you just gettin' wise?" cried Sanders. "Haven't I gotfellers, voters, VOTERS, VOTERS, d--n it, hangin' on to me that needsto be taken care of! An' so I make the fellers that work help thosethat don't. Why, Langdon, what'n h--l are you kickin' an' questioning'about? Didn't you get my twelve votes in the Legislature? Did you havea chance for Senator without 'em? Answer me that, will you? Why, with'em you only had two more than needed to elect, an' the oppositioncrowd was solid for Wilson, " cried the angry boss, pounding the longtable before which Langdon sat. 

"I'll answer you almighty quick, " retorted the now thoroughly arousedSenator-elect, rising and shaking his clenched fist at Sanders. "Thosetwelve votes you say were yours--yours?"

"Yes, mine. Them noble legislators that cast 'em was an' is mine, mine. I tell you, jest like I had 'em in my pocket, an' that's where Imostly carry 'em, so as they won't go strayin' aroun' careless like. "

"You didn't have to vote those men for me. I told you at the Capitolthat I would not make you or anybody else any promises. You voted themfor me of your own accord. That's my answer. "

At this point the gentlemen of the county present when Sanders enteredand who had no desire to witness further the unpleasant episode, roseto leave, in spite of the urgent request of Colonel Langdon that theyremain. The only one reluctant to go was Deacon Amos Smallwood, who, coming to the plantation to seek employment for his son, had not beendenied of his desire to join the assemblage of his neighbors. 

Last to move toward the door, he stopped in front of Sanders, stretched his five feet three inches of stature on tiptoe, and shook awithered fist in the boss' firmly set, determined face. 

"Infamous!" shrieked the deacon. "You're a monster! You'reunrighteous! You should have belonged to the political machine ofCataline or Pontius Pilate!"

"Never heard tell o' them, " muttered Sanders, deeply puzzled. "Guessthey was never in Mississippi in my time. "

His accompanying gesture of perplexity caused the deacon to hasten hisexit. Tripping over the leg of a chair, he fell headlong into thearms of the watchful Jackson, who received the deacon's blessing for"uplifting the righteous in the hour of their fall. "

Relieved at the departure of the witnesses, Sanders showed increasedaggressiveness. "To be sure, Senator, you were careful not topersonally promise me anything for my support at the election, as yousay, " the leader sneered; "but you had Jim Stevens to make promisesfor you, which was smooth, absolute an' artistic smooth--"

"Stop, sir!" Langdon furiously shouted. "You forget, sir, that yourinsinuation is an insult to a man elected Senator from Mississippi, aninsult to my State and to my friend Senator Stevens, who I know wouldmake you no promises for me, for he had not my authority. "

"Certainly you're a Senator, but what's a Senator, anyhow? I'll tellyou, Mr. Colonel Langdon, a Senator is a man who holds out for his ownpocket as much as us fellows that make him will stand for. When wedon't get our rightful share, he's through. "

With a sudden start, as though to spring at Sanders' throat, Langdon, with compressed lips and eyes blazing, grasped the edge of thetable with a grip that threatened to rend the polished boards. Withintensest effort he slowly regained control of himself. His fury hadactually weakened him. His knees shook, and he sank weakly into achair. When he finally spoke his voice was strained and laborious. "Sanders, you and I, sir, must never meet again, because I might notsucceed in keeping my hands off you. What would my old comrades of theThird Mississippi say if they saw me sitting here and you there witha whole body, sir, after what you have said? They would not believetheir eyes, thank God, sir. They would all go over to Stuart City andbuy new glasses, sir. " A suspicious moisture appeared on the Colonel'scheeks which he could not dry too quickly to escape Sanders'observation. 

"But I had to let you stay, sir, because you, the sole accuser, arethe only one who can tell me what I must know. "

"What do you want to know?" asked Sanders, who had realized his greatmistake in losing his temper, in talking as openly and as violentlyas he had and in dragging the name of Senator Stevens into thecontroversy. He must try to keep Stevens from hearing of this day'sblunder, for Jim Stevens knew as well as he, didn't he, that the manwho loses his temper, like the man who talks too much, is of no use inpolitics. 

"I want to know how you formed your opinion of political matters--ofSenators. Is it possible, sir, that you have actual knowledge ofactual happenings that give you the right to talk as you have? I wantto know if I must feel shame, feel disgrace, sir, to be a Senator fromMississippi; that State, sir, that the Almighty himself, sir, wouldchoose to live in if he came to earth. "

"There, there, Senator, don't take too seriously what I have said, "Sanders replied in reassuring tone, having outlined his course ofaction. "I lost my head because you wouldn't promise me something Ineeded--that appointment for Hagley. What I said about Senators an'such was all wild words--nothin' in 'em. Why, how could there be, Senator?" This query was a happy afterthought which Sanders craftilysuggested in a designedly artless manner. 

"Just what I thought and know!" exclaimed Langdon, sharply. "Itcouldn't be; it isn't possible. Now you go, sir, and let it be yourgreatest disgrace that you are not fit to enter any gentleman'shouse. "

"Oh, don't rub it in too hard, Senator. You may need my help some day, but you'll have to deliver the goods beforehand. "

"I said, 'Go!'"

"I'm goin', but here's a tip. Don't blame me for fightin' you. I'vegot to fight to live. I'm a human bein', an' humans are pretty muchthe same all over the world; all except you--you're only half natural. The rest of you is reformer. "

After Sanders' departure the Colonel sat at his table, his headresting in his hand, the events of the day crowding his brainbewilderingly. 

"The battles of peace are worse than any Beauregard ever led me into, "he murmured. "Fighting o conquer oneself is harder than turning theleft flank of the Eighth Illinois in an enfilading fire. "

But the new Senator from Mississippi did not know that for him thewars of peace had only just begun, that perhaps his own flesh andblood and that of the wife and mother who had gone before would turntraitor to his colors in the very thickest of the fray. 

CHAPTER III

HOW TO PLEASE A SENATOR

The International Hotel in Washington was all hustle and bustle. Wasit not preparing for its first Senator since 1885? No less a personagethan the Hon. William H. Langdon of Mississippi, said to be a warmpersonal friend of Senator Stevens, one of the leading members of hisparty at the capital, had engaged a suit of rooms for himself and twodaughters. 

"Ain't it the limit?" remarked the chief clerk to Bud Haines, correspondent of the New York _Star_. "The Senator wrote us that hewas coming here because his old friend, the late Senator Moseley, saidback in '75 that this was the best hotel in Washington and where allthe prominent men ought to stay. "

Haines, the ablest political reporter in Washington, had come to theInternational to interview the new Senator, to describe for his paperwhat kind of a citizen Langdon was. He glanced around at the dingywoodwork, the worn cushions, the nicked and uneven tiles of the hotellobby, and smiled at the clerk. "Well, if this is the new Senator'sidea of princely luxury he will fit right into the senatorialatmosphere. " Both laughed derisively. "By the way, " added Haines, "Isuppose you'll raise your rates now that you've got a Senator here. "

The clerk brought his fist down on the register with a thud. 

"We could have them every day if we wanted them. This fellow, though, we'll have all winter, I guess. His son's here now. Been breaking allrecords for drinking. Congressman Norton of Mississippi has been downhere with him a few times. There young Langdon is now. "

Haines turned quickly, just in time to bump into a tall, slender youngman, who was walking unevenly in the direction of the café. 

"Well, can't you see what you're doing?" muttered the tall young manthickly. 

Haines smiled. The chap who has played halfback four years on hiscollege eleven and held the boxing championship in his class is aptto be good-natured. He does not have to take offense easily. Besides, Randolph Langdon was plainly under the influence of whisky. So Hainessmiled pleasantly at the taller young man. 

"Beg your pardon--my fault, " Haines said. 

"Well, don't let it occur again, " mumbled Langdon, as he strolled withuneven dignity toward the door. Bud Haines laughed. 

"I guess young Langdon is going to be one of the boys, isn't he?"

"He's already one of them when it comes to a question of fluidcapacity, " laughed some one behind him, and Bud whirled to meet thegaze of his friend, Dick Gullen, representative of one of the bigChicago dailies. 

"You down here to see Langdon, too?" commented Bud. 

Cullen nodded. "Queer roost where this Senator is to hang out, isn'tit?"

"He can't be a rich one, then, " suggested Haines. 

Cullen chuckled. 

"Perhaps he's an honest one. "

"I hadn't thought of that. You always were original, Dickie, "commented Haines, dryly. "By the way, what do you know about him?"

"Nothing, except that the _Evening Call_ printed a picture of hiseldest daughter--says she's the queen daughter of the South, a famousbeauty, rich planter for a father, mother left her a fortune--"

"She'll cut quite a social caper with this hotel's name on her cards, won't she?" broke in Haines, as he led Cullen to a seat to await theexpected legislator, whose train was late. 

"I don't know very much about him myself, " said Haines. "All I've beenable to discover is that Stevens said the word which elected him, andthat looks bad. Great glory! When I think what a Senator of theright sort has a chance to do here in Washington--a nonpartisan, straight-out-from-the-shoulder man!" He paused to shake his head indisgust. "You know these fellows here in the Senate don't even seetheir chance. Why, if you and I didn't do any more to hold our jobsthan they do, we'd be fired by wire the first day. They know just theold political game, that's all. "

"Its a great game, though, Bud, " sighed Cullen, longingly, for, likemany newspaper men, he had the secret feeling that he was cut out tobe a great politician. 

"Sure, it's a great game, as a game, " agreed Haines. "So is bridge, and stud poker, and three-card monte, and flim-flam generally. Takethis new man Langdon, for instance. Chosen by Stevens, he'll probablybe perfectly obedient, perfectly easy going, perfectly blindand--perfectly useless. What's wanted now is to get the work done, notplay the game. "

Thoroughly a cynic through his years of experience as a newspaper man, which had shown the inside workings of many important phases of theseemingly conventional life of this complex world, Cullen pretendedunbounded enthusiasm. 

"Hear! hear!" he shouted. "All you earnest citizens come vote forReformer Haines. I'm for you, Bud. What do I get in your cabinet? I'vejoined the reformers, too, and, like all of them, me for P-U-R-I-T-Yas long as she gives me a meal ticket. "

But not even Cullen could make Haines consider his views on thenecessity of political regeneration to be ridiculous. His optimismcould not be snuffed out, for he was a genuine believer that thenatural tendency of humankind was to do right. Wrong he believed tobe the outcome of unnatural causes. This quality, combined withhis practical knowledge of the world and his courage, made him aformidable man, one who would one day accomplish big things--if he gotthe chance. 

"You know you can't shut me up, Dick, " was his response to Cullen'soratorical flight. "I'm going to have my say. I don't see why aSenator shouldn't be honest. All I want them to do is to play a newgame. Let 'em at least seem to be honest, attend to their business, forget politics. The country sends them here to work, and if they dothe work the people really don't care a hang what party they belongto. "

"Come out of it, Bud. Your brain is wabbly, " yawned Cullen, wearily. "I'll buy a drink if you'll quiet down. Let's be comfortable till thisfellow Langdon appears. " He caught his friend by the arm and in spiteof protest dragged him off to the café just as young Langdon andCongressman Norton came down through the lobby. 

Though but few years older than Randolph Langdon, Charles Nortonhad long exercised strong influence over him because of his widerexperience in the world's affairs. Like his father, young Langdon hadstayed close to the plantation most of his life, particularly afterleaving school, devoting his attention to studying the business ofconducting the family's big estate. Norton brought him the atmosphereof the big outside world he yearned to see even as did his sisterCarolina, and he imitated Norton's manners, his dress and mode ofspeech. The Congressman's habit of confiding in Randolph, a subtlecompliment, was deeply appreciated by the lad, who unconsciouslybecame a continual advertiser of Norton's many virtues to Carolina andto his father, all of which the Congressman knew. 

That Norton's political career was the outcome of Carolina Langdon'sambition to shine in gay society was known to his friends as well ashis family, and his desire to win her and place her where she couldsatisfy every whim had developed almost to a frenzy. Seeing evidencesof Senator Stevens' vast influence, he did not hesitate to seek aclose relationship with him, and the Senator was clever enough to leadNorton to consider him his friend. 

At the start of his political career Norton had higher ideas of honorthan guided his actions now that he had become a part of the politicalmachine that controlled his native State of Mississippi, and of thebipartisan combination that dominated both houses of Congress in theinterest of the great railway and industrial corporations. SenatorStevens and other powers had so distorted Norton's view of thedifference between public and private interests and their respectiverights that he had come to believe captial to be the sacred heritageof the nation which must be protected at any cost. The acceptance ofa retainer from the C. St. And P. Railroad Company for whollyunnecessary services in Washington--only another way of buying aman--a transaction arranged by Senator Stevens, was but another stagein the disintegration of the young Congressman's character, but itbrought him just that much closer to the point where he could claimCarolina Langdon as his own. And opportunity does not knock twice at aman's door--unless he is at the head of the machine. 

Norton, the persevering young law student who loved the girl who hadbeen his boyhood playmate, was now Norton who coveted her father'slands, who boasted that he was on the "inside" in Washington, who wason the way to fortune--if the new Senator from Mississippi would orcould be forced to stand in favor of the Altacoola naval base. 

His conversation with Randolph Langdon, as Haines and Cullen saw thempass through the hotel lobby, illustrated the nature of the Norton ofthe present and his interest in the Altacoola scheme. 

"There's no reason why you shouldn't come in on the ground floor inthis proposition, Randolph, " he was urging in continuance of theconversation begun over a table in the café. "No reason why youshouldn't do it, my boy. Why, are you still a child, or are you reallya man? You have now drafts for $50, 000, haven't you?"

"Yeah, " agreed Langdon, chagrined at Norton's insinuation ofyouthfulness and anxious to prove that he was really a man of affairs, "I've got the fifty thousand, Charlie, but--but, you see, that's themoney for improvements on the plantation. As father has put me in asmanager I want to make a showing. "

"You can't make it until spring, " urged Norton. "The money's got tolie in the bank all winter. Now, why don't you make a hundred thousandwith it instead of letting it lie idle? Isn't that simple?"

The younger man's eyes opened wide, and his imagination, stimulated bythe special brand of Bourbon whisky Norton had ordered for him, tookrapid bounds. 

"One hundred thousand! You mean I could make a hundred thousand withmy fifty between now and spring?"

"Sure as a nigger likes gin, " replied Norton, confidently. 

"How?" asked Langdon. 

The young Congressman leaned over confidentially. 

"This is under your hat, Randolph. You can keep quiet?"

Langdon nodded eagerly. 

"Then put it into Altacoola land. "

"The naval base?" gasped Langdon. 

Norton nodded. 

"Now you've hit it. The Government will select Altacoola for a navalbase. Then land will jump 'way up to never, and you'll clean up ahundred thousand at the least. Isn't it simple? There are, a thousandpeople with money who would just love to have this chance. And I'mgiving it to you because of our friendship. I want to do you a goodturn. I've got my money in there. "

Young Langdon was visibly impressed. 

"You've always--treated me right, Charlie; you've been for me, I know. But suppose the Government doesn't select Altacoola. Gulf City's inthe running. "

Norton laughed sarcastically. 

"Gulf City is a big bunch of mud flats. Besides, I'll tell yousomething else. Just between us, remember. " He waited for the boy'seager nod before he went on. "The big men are behind Altacoola. Standard Steel wants Altacoola, and what Standard Steel wants fromCongress you can bet your bottom dollar Standard Steel gets. They knowtheir business at No. 10 Broadway. Now, then, are you satisfied?"

Randolph was more than satisfied. Already he felt himself rich, andhonestly rich, too, for Norton had convinced him that there was noreason why he should not use the $50, 000 of his father's, when it hadto lie in the bank anyhow all winter, and he would have it back intime to use on the plantation in the spring when it was needed. Howproud of him his father would be when he showed him a clear profit of$100, 000!

"I'll go get the drafts at once, Charlie, and I'm mighty much obligedto you, " he said, with gratitude in his voice. 

Norton's smile was one of deep satisfaction. 

"That's all right, Randolph. You know I want to do anything I can foryou. "

Randolph was starting for his room when Haines and Cullen turnedsharply around the corner of the hotel desk. Again Bud and the youngSoutherner accidentally collided. 

"Where are you going? Can't you look out?" blurted Langdon. 

Haines grinned. 

"Guess it's your fault this time. "

"Oh, it is, is it?" irritably replied Randolph, who as the "youngmarse" had been accustomed to considerable deference on theplantation. "Well, take that, " he angrily cried, aiming a savage swingat Haines. 

The reporter's athletic training proved of ready service. Dodgingunder the clenched fist, he turned dexterously, seized young Langdon'soutstretched wrist and bent the arm down over his (Haines') shoulderas though to throw the young attacker with the wrestler's "flyingmare. " Langdon was helpless, as Haines had also secured his free hand, but instead of completing the "throw" the reporter walked away withhis foe held securely on his back--to put him to bed, a kindlyservice, in view of Randolph's mental state. 

From across the lobby Charles Norton had watched Randolph'sdiscomfiting encounter with Haines with amusement. 

"Now that I've got the young fellow to sew up his old man's money inAltacoola land, " he chuckled, "reckon Senator William H. Langdon won'tsee anything wrong with that same noble tract of universe when hecomes to vote for the naval base. Senator Stevens will be pleased. "

CHAPTER IV

"JUST THE MAN WE NEED"

As Bud Haines returned from young Langdon's room, where he had leftthe latter in bed, with a towel filled with cracked ice around hishead, he saw two familiar figures standing in a secluded corner of thelobby. They were talking earnestly in a low voice. 

"Whew!" whistled the newspaper man. "It must be something importantthat brings both the boss of the Senate and Stevens of Mississippihere. "

"Good-afternoon, Haines. How are you?" Senator Stevens said, cordially, as, looking up, he saw the newspaper man approaching. "Senator Peabody, you know Haines, don't you? The brightest youngcorrespondent in Washington. "

Senator Peabody of Pennsylvania, the leading power in the upper house, was a man of commanding character and of strong personality. Thefact he used these attributes to advance in the Senate the financialinterests of himself, of Standard Steel and other commercialorganizations met with very little protest in Washington. That hedeserved the title frequently used in referring to him, "boss of theSenate, " none would deny who had knowledge of the inner workings ofthe Senate and the various committees. 

Senator Peabody was very affable to the reporters, especially to thoseof Haines' stamp, who had never accepted any favors from him and whoopposed his methods. He aimed to win the friendship of these opponentsby diplomacy--as he had found that reporters of the Haines sort couldnot be influenced by money. He considered a reporter who would takea bribe as a constructive, conservative member of society, andfrequently regretted that so many of the correspondents sent toWashington could not be bought nor had bills they wanted passed ordefeated. He extended his hand to Haines as Stevens concluded andsaid, warmly:

"Of course I know the representative of the _Morning Star_! How do youdo, Haines?"

"I wonder if we're not all here on the same errand, " suggested thenewspaper man. 

Senator Peabody appeared to be all candor. 

"We came to call on Senator Langdon, Senator Stevens' new colleague, "he said. 

Bud Haines opened his eyes wide. "By Jove! Langdon stock is going upwhen the chairman of the naval committee drops in to welcome him. "

"You see, Langdon went in on a naval base platform, " explainedStevens. "Our section of the South is red hot in favor of theGovernment spending its naval base appropriation right there. "

"Certainly, " interrupted Haines, "but--"

"And, there being a vacancy on the committee on naval affairs, "continued Stevens, whose dignity was offended by the reporter'sinterruption, "the friends of Senator Langdon are working to have himappointed on that committee, because he comes from the State where thenaval base will be located and will, like myself, be more familiarwith the availability of the various sites suggested than a man fromanother State. "

Haines nodded. 

"Yes, of course. What town's going to get it, Senator?"

Senator Stevens paused judiciously. 

"Well, " he said, "Altacoola and Gulf City are the chief candidates. Isuppose you had better talk to Langdon about it. "

The reporter smiled. 

"That's just what I came for, Senator, but I have to go up to the WarDepartment now. When Senator Langdon comes will you be kind enough totell him I want to interview him?"

Stevens bowed cordially. 

"Indeed I shall. I'll tell him he's in luck to have the smartest youngman in Washington on the job. "

"All right, " laughed Bud, "only don't make it so strong that he won'trecognize me when he sees me. Good-day. " And he hurried away to keep abelated appointment. 

"Clever boy, " said Stevens as the newspaper man disappeared. 

The boss of the Senate agreed. 

"Yes, only I'm not sure it's a good thing for a newspaper man to betoo clever. Spoils his usefulness. Makes him ask too many confoundedquestions. "

Stevens acquiesced, for it would never do to disagree with the boss. 

"It's very kind of you, Senator, " he began, changing the subject, "tocome with me to welcome the new Senator from my State, my old friendand colleague. "

An inscrutable smile--a smile, yet a cold one--accompanied Peabody'sanswer. 

"I have always found, Stevens, " he said, "that a little attentionlike this to a new man is never wasted, and I make it a rule not tooverlook opportunities. "

Again the senior Senator from Mississippi acquiesced, and he laughedheartily at Peabody's keen insight into human nature. 

"I think you'll like Langdon, " Stevens remarked after a pause, "andyou'll find him easy to deal with. Just put up any measure for thebenefit of the South and Langdon will go the limit on it. Even aRepublican majority doesn't mind a little Democratic support, youknow. I think he's just the man you can use in this gulf naval basebill. "

"You can swing him?" asked Peabody, sharply. 

Stevens drew closer to Peabody. 

"I elected him, and he knows it, " he chuckled. 

The boss nodded. 

"And it's likely that a man like Langdon, new to politics--a simplegentleman of the old school, as you describe him--might haveconsiderable influence on opinion throughout the country. "

Langdon's colleague grasped the arm of the senatorial dictator. 

"He's just the man we want, Senator. He's one of those old fellows youjust have to believe when he talks. He'll do what I suggest, and hecan make the public believe what we think. "

"Then you guarantee him?" snapped the boss. 

"Unreservedly, Senator. "

"All right, " said Peabody. "He goes on the naval committee. That oughtto be enough honor for a man who a year ago was growing cotton on anold plantation miles away from civilization. "

"We have control now of all the land about Altacoola that can beused, " said Stevens. "I have had Norton, the Congressman fromLangdon's district, working on it. There isn't a foot of land therewhich we do not now control under options, and, " he added, with achuckle, "the options were dirt cheap. "

Peabody grunted approvingly. 

"There won't be any New York fortune in it, but it ought to bea pretty tidy bit, " he said. "Now, if we could only get Langdoninterested, directly or indirectly, in a financial way, that wouldclinch everything. "

The senior Senator from Mississippi shook his head. 

"It's too risky. He's old-fashioned, you know--has about as much ideaabout practical politics as--well, as we have of the Golden Rule. Factis, he rather lives by that antiquated standard. That's where we gethim. He owes everything to me, you see, so naturally he'll do anythingI want him to. By the way, there's Norton now. Perhaps he can tell ussomething. "

"Call him over, " said Peabody. 

Norton had been strolling about the lobby, hoping to be noticed. Theflame had lured the moth, and it liked the manner of the singeing. TheCongressman hurried precipitately across at Stevens' summons. 

"I've been wanting to speak to you, gentlemen, " said Norton, full ofthe good trick he had turned, "but I didn't like to interrupt you. Ithink I've done a big stroke for Altacoola to-day. "

Even Peabody pricked up his ears. 

"Yes?" said both Senators together. 

With a keen sense of the dramatic, the Congressman let his next wordsdrawl out with full effect. 

"I've got Senator Langdon interested--financially interested, " hesaid. 

His two hearers exchanged a significant glance. 

"How?" asked Peabody, sharply. 

Norton smiled shrewdly. 

"Well, I just let his son invest $50, 000 of the Senator's money inAltacoola land. That ought to help some. "

Stevens stared in amazement at his Congressman, his eyes threateningto bulge out of his head. 

"What!" he gasped. "You got Langdon's money in Altacoola, through hisson?"

"I sure have, Senator, " chuckled Norton. "He's in to the extent offifty thousand, and I've promised that the fifty shall make a hundredby spring. "

"It'll make three hundred thousand at least, " snapped Peabody. "Norton, you've done a good day's work. By the way, a New York clientof mine has a little business that I cannot attend to handily. Doesn'tinvolve much work, and a young, hustling lawyer like you ought to takecharge of it easily. The fee, I should say, would be about $10, 000. Have you the time to undertake it?"

The Congressman drew a long breath. His eyes beamed with gratitude. 

"I should say I have, Senator. Of course, it won't interfere with anyof my duties as a Congressman. "

Peabody smiled. 

"Of course not, Norton. I see that your sense of humor is improving. If convenient, run over to New York the last of the week. I'll giveyou a card. My client's office is at 10 Broadway. "

The ruler of the Senate nodded a curt dismissal. 

"Thank you, Senator; thank you very much. " And Norton bowed and left, rejoicing. 

Peabody turned to Stevens. 

"You see, even a Congressman can be useful sometimes, " remarkedStevens, dryly. 

"Keep your eye on that young man, Stevens. He's the most valuableCongressman we've had from your State in a long while. Does just whathe is told and doesn't ask any fool questions. This was good work. Langdon's on the naval committee now sure. Come, Stevens; let's go tosome quiet corner in the smoking-room. I want to talk to you aboutsomething else the Standard has on hand for you to do. "

Hardly had they departed from the lobby when resounding commotion atthe entrance, followed by the rushing of porters and bellboys andan expectant pose on the part of the clerk, indicated that the newSenator from Mississippi had arrived. 

CHAPTER V

THE BOSS OF THE SENATE INSPECTS A NEW MEMBER

An actor playing the rôle of a high type of Southern planter wouldscore a decided success by picturing the character exactly after thefashion of Senator William H. Langdon as he strode to the desk of theInternational Hotel. A wide-brimmed black hat thrust back on his head, a long black perfecto in his mouth, coattails spreading out behind ashe walked, and the "Big Bill" Langdon smile on his face that carriedsunshine and good will wherever he went, he was good to look on, aninspiration, particularly in Washington. 

Following the Senator were Miss Langdon and Hope Georgia, leading aretinue of hotel attendants staggering under a large assortment ofluggage. Both beautiful girls, they caused a sensation all of theirown. Carolina, a different type from the younger, had an austereloveliness denoting pride and birth, a brunette of the quality thathas contributed so much to the fame of Southern women. Hope Georgia, more girlish, and a vivacious blonde, was the especial pet of herfather, and usually succeeded in doing with him what she chose. 

A real Senator and two such young women handsomely gowned seemed totake the old hotel back a score of years--back to the times when suchsights were of daily occurrence. The ancient greatness of the nowdingy International lived again. 

"How are you, Senator? Glad to welcome you, sir, " was the clerk'sgreeting. 

The genial Senator held out his hand. Everybody was his friend. 

"Glad to meet you, sir; glad to meet you, " he exclaimed. "Must makeyou acquainted with my daughters. This is Miss Carolina Langdon, thisMiss Hope Georgia Langdon. "

The two girls, with their father's idea of courtesy, shook hands withthe clerk, who was not at all taken aback by the unexpected honor. 

Hope Georgia was thoroughly delighted with everything, but Carolinalooked at the worn and faded walls and furnishings with evidentdistaste. 

"Oh, this is Washington, " murmured Hope Georgia ecstatically, claspingher hands and gazing at a vista of artificial palms in a corridor. 

"Ah, this is Washington, " sighed the new Senator contentedly, as hegazed across a hall at the biggest and most gorgeous cigar stand hehad ever seen or ever hoped to see--the only new thing added to thehotel since Grant was President. 

"Truly magnificent establishment you have here, sir; magnificent!" heexclaimed as an imitation marble column came within his purview. "Iremember my friend Senator Moseley speaking to me of it thirty yearsago. Are our rooms ready?"

The clerk, hugely pleased, hastened to assure him that everything wasin first-class order, waiting. 

"You better go up, girls, while I look around a bit and sort of getthe hang of things. "

"Yes, I think we had better look around a bit, too, before we decide, father, " said Carolina, diplomatically. 

Her father patted her affectionately on the arm. 

"Now, don't you worry, Carolina. I see you think this place tooexpensive from its looks--too good for us. But I tell you the best, even this, isn't too good for you girls and your dad. Run away, andI'll come up and see you soon. "

The new Senator leaned his elbow on the desk, surveying the place. 

"I understand this is a favorite haunt for the big men of Washington, "he said. 

The clerk eagerly agreed. 

"Yes, indeed, Senator; we have them all. Senator Peabody and SenatorStevens were here just a moment ago. Boy, find Senator Peabody andSenator Stevens and tell them Senator Langdon is here. "

The two Senators came quickly. 

"I'm glad to see you, Langdon; glad to see you, " exclaimed Stevens, with an assumption of effusiveness. "I want to introduce you toSenator Peabody of Pennsylvania. "

Peabody bowed, and Langdon held out his hand. 

"I'm delighted to meet you, Senator. This is a proud day for me, sir. "

Peabody had put on his smoothest and most polished manner. 

"I came especially to meet you, Senator Langdon, " he said. "Althoughwe are on different sides we may be interested in the same things. Ihope we shall see a great deal of each other. "

Langdon chuckled. 

"That's mighty good of you, Senator. I'm depending on you experiencedfellows to put me through. Don't know much about this lawmakingbusiness, you know. Raising cotton, arguing the Government and bossingniggers have been about the extent of my occupation for the last fortyyears, so I reckon I'm not much of a practical lawmaker. "

"Oh, you'll learn; you'll learn quickly, " assured Peabody. "WithStevens, here, for a guide you can't go wrong. We all look up toStevens. He's one of the powers on your side. He's an able man, isStevens. "

The new Senator from Mississippi gladly corroborated this. 

"You're right, sir. A great man! I tell you, when he told thatLegislature what they ought to do, Senator Peabody, they did it. If itwasn't for Stevens I wouldn't be here now. "

In mock protest the senior Senator from Mississippi raised his hands. 

"Now, now, Langdon, don't say that. Your worth, your integrity, yourcharacter and our old friendship got you the senatorship. "

The old planter laughed gleefully. 

"Sure, Stevens, I have the character and the integrity, but I reckonthe character and integrity wouldn't have done much business if youhadn't had the Legislature. "

Clearly delighted, Peabody considered it certain that this new Senatorknew just the way he should go and would cause no difficulty. Hiskeen sense of gratitude made him appreciate how he had been elected. Peabody literally beamed on Langdon. 

"I hope we shall be able to work a good deal together, Senator, " hesaid. "I have the interests of the South at heart, particularly withregard to this new naval base. Perhaps we may be able to get you onthe naval committee. "

"Me!" laughed Langdon. "Well, that would be going strong! But I tellyou I'm for the naval base. "

"For Altacoola?" suggested Stevens. 

Langdon hesitated. Peabody and Stevens watched him as eagles watchtheir prey from the mountain crag. 

"Well, it looks to me like Altacoola ought to be a fine site. But theactual place isn't so important to me. I tell you, gentlemen, " he saidin impressive seriousness that rang with sturdy American manhood--"Itell you that what is important is that the great, sweeping curve ofthe gulf shall hold some of those white ships of ours to watch overthe Indies and the canal and to keep an eye on South America. 

"And right there on our own Southern coast I want these ships builtand equipped and the guns cast and the men found to man them. I wantthe South to have her part in the nation's defense. I want her to havethis great naval city as the living proof that there is again justone country--the United States--and the North and the South both haveforgiven. "

Senator Peabody clapped the new member on the back. 

"Good!" he exclaimed. "You've got to make some speeches like that. We'll have you as the orator for the naval base. "

Langdon's eyes opened wide. 

"Orator!" he gasped. "Me! An orator!"

"Why, that was oratory, good oratory, " exclaimed Stevens, withenthusiasm. 

"Huh!" grunted the planter. "You call that oratory. Why, that was onlythe truth. "

"We'll see that you do some more of it, then, " laughed Peabody. "Remember, we count on you for the naval base. "

"For rural simplicity he's perfection, " whispered Peabody to Stevensas they left the planter. "He's a living picture of innocence. We'llpush him forward and let him do the talking for the naval affairscommittee. Hiding behind him, we could put through almost any kind ofa proposition. "

Once more did the senior Senator from Mississippi acquiesce. 

CHAPTER VI

NEW FRIENDS--AND AN OLD ENEMY

Langdon gazed at the two departing Senators with varied emotions. Hesat down to think over what they had said and to carefully considerwhat manner of man was Peabody, who showed such an interest in him. Herealized that he would have considerable intercourse with Peabody inthe processes of legislation, and finally had to admit to himselfthat he did not like the Senator from Pennsylvania. Just what it wasLangdon could not at this time make certain, but he was mystified bytraces of contradictions in the Senator's character--slight traces, true, but traces nevertheless. Peabody's cordiality and sympathy wereto Langdon's mind partly genuine and partly false. Just what was thecause of or the necessity for the alloy in the true metal he could notfathom. 

His talk with these famous lawmakers was unsatisfactory also in thatit had conveyed to Langdon the suggestion that the Senate was notprimarily a great forum for the general and active consideration ofweighty measures and of national policies. It had been his idea thatthe Senate was primarily such a forum, but the attitude of Peabodyand Stevens had hinted to him that there were matters of individualinterest that outweighed public or national considerations. Forinstance, they were anxious that Altacoola should have the naval baseregardless of the claims or merits of any other section. That wasunusual, puzzling to Langdon. Moreover, it was poor business, yetthere were able business men in the Senate. Not one of them would, for instance, think of buying a site for a factory until he hadinvestigated many possible locations and then selected the mostfavorable one. Why was it, he pondered, that the business of the greatUnited States of America was not conducted on business lines?

He must study the whole question intelligently; that was imperative. He must have advice, help. To whom was he to go for it? Stevens? Yes, his old friend, who knew all "the ropes. " Yet even Stevens seemeddifferent in Washington than Stevens in Mississippi. Here he played"second fiddle. " He was even obsequious, Langdon had observed, toPeabody. In Mississippi he was a leader, and a strong one, too. ButSenator Langdon had not yet learned of the many founts from whichpolitical strength and political leadership may be gained. 

What he finally decided on was the engaging of a secretary, but hemust be one with knowledge of political operations, one who combinedwisdom with honesty. Such an aid could prevent Langdon from making themany mistakes that invariably mark the new man in politics, and hecould point out the most effective modes of procedure under givencircumstances. It might prove difficult to find a man of the necessaryqualifications who was not already employed, but in the meantimeLangdon would watch the playing of the game himself and make his owndeductions as best he could. 

The Senator started toward the hotel desk to ask regarding thewhereabouts of his son Randolph, when his attention was caught by thesight of three powerful negro porters endeavoring to thrust outdoorsa threadbare old man. The victim's flowing white hair, white mustacheand military bearing received short shrift. 

"Come along, Colonel! Yo' can't sit heah all day. Them chairs is forthe guests in the hotel, " the head porter was urging as he jerked theold man toward the door. 

The Mississippian's fighting blood was instantly aroused at suchtreatment of a respectable old white man by negroes. His lips tightlycompressed as he hurried to the rescue. He cried sharply:

"Take your hands off that gentleman! What do you mean by touching afriend of mine?"

The negroes stepped back amazed. 

"'Scuse me, Senator, is this gent'man a friend of yours?" the headporter gasped apologetically. 

Langdon looked at him. 

"You heard what I said, " he drawled in the slow way natural to somemen of the South when trouble threatens. "I'd like to have you down inMississippi for about ten minutes. "

The head porter turned quickly on his assistants and drove them away, shouting at the top of his voice:

"Get about yo' wuk. How dare yo' intehfere wid a friend of deSenator's? I'll teach yo' to be putting yoh nose in where it ain't gotno business. "

The old man, astonished at the turn of events, came forwardhesitatingly to Langdon. 

"I'm very much obliged to you, sir, " he said. "I'm Colonel Stoneman, an old soldier. "

The Mississippian stretched forth his hand. 

"My name is Langdon, sir--Senator Langdon of Mississippi. I am an oldsoldier, too. "

"Delighted, Senator, " exclaimed the seedy-looking old man, taking theoffered hand gratefully. 

Langdon's easy method of making friends was well illustrated as heclapped his new companion on the back. Everybody he met was theMississippian's friend until he had proved himself the contrary. Thathad been his rule through life. 

"Come right over, Colonel; have a cigar, sir. " Then, as they lightedtheir cigars, he inquired, "What army corps were you with, Colonel?"

"I was under Grant along the Tennessee, " replied the old G. A. R. Man. 

Familiarity with a Senator was something new for him, and already hewas straightening up and becoming more of a man every moment. Langdonwas thoroughly interested. 

"I was along the Tennessee under Beauregard, " he said. 

"Great generals, sir! Great generals!" exclaimed Colonel Stoneman. 

"And great fighting, I reckon!" echoed the Confederate. "You rememberthe battle of Crawfordsville?"

The old Federal smiled with joyous recollection. 

"Do I? Well, I should say I did! Were you there, Senator?"

"Was I there? Why, I remember every shot that was fired. I was underKirby, who turned your left wing. "

The attitude of the Northern soldier changed instantly. He drewhimself up with cold dignity. Plainly he felt that he had the honor ofhis army to sustain. 

"Our left wing was never turned, sir!" he exclaimed with dignity. 

Langdon stared at him with amazement. This was a point of view theConfederate had never heard before. 

"Never turned!" he gasped. "Don't tell me that! I was there, and, besides, I've fought this battle on an average of twice a week eversince '65 down in Mississippi, and in all these years I never heardsuch a foolish statement. "

"What rank were you, sir?" asked the Union soldier, haughtily. 

"I was a captain that morning, " confessed the Southerner. 

His old enemy smiled with superiority. 

"As a colonel I've probably got more accurate information, " he said. 

"I was a colonel that evening, " came the dry retort. 

"But in an inferior army. We licked you, sir!" cried Stoneman, hotly. 

The Mississippian drew himself up with all the dignity common to theold Confederate soldier explaining the war. 

"The South was never whipped, sir. We honorably surrendered, sir. Wesurrendered to save the country, sir, but we were never whipped. "

"Did you not run at Kenyon Hill?" taunted Stoneman. 

Langdon brought down his fist in the palm of the other hand violently. 

"Yes, sir; we ran at you. I ought to remember. I got my wound there. You remember that long lane--" He pulled off his hat and threw it onthe floor, indicating it with one hand--"Here was the Second Alabama. "

The hat of the old Federal dropped on the floor opposite the hat ofthe Confederate. 

"And here the Eighth Illinois, " exclaimed Stoneman. 

Langdon excitedly seized a diminutive bellboy passing by and plantedhim alongside his hat. 

"Stay there a moment, sonny, " he cried. "You are the Fourth Virginia. "

The newspaper Stoneman was carrying came down opposite the startledbellboy, who was trying not to appear frightened. 

"This is the clump of cedars, " he exclaimed. 

Both, in their eagerness, were bending down over their improvisedbattle plan, their heads close together. 

"And here a farmhouse beside your cedars, " cried Langdon. 

"That's where the rebels charged us, " echoed the Union man. 

Langdon brought down his fist again with emphatic gesture. 

"You bet we charged you! The Third Mississippi charged you! I chargedyou, sir!"

Stoneman nodded. 

"I remember a young fool of a Johnnie reb dashing up the hill fiftyyards ahead of his men, waving his sword and yelling like a wildIndian. "

The Southerner straightened up. 

"Well, where in thunderation would you expect me to be, sir?" heexclaimed. "Behind them? I got my wound there. Laid me up for threemonths; like to have killed me. "

Then a new idea struck him. "Why, Colonel, it must have been a bulletfrom one of your men--from your regiment, sir!"

The old Northerner pushed his fingers through his hair and shook hishead apologetically. 

"Why, Senator, I'm afraid it was, " he hesitated. 

Langdon's eyes were big with the afterglow of a fighter discussing themighty struggles of the past, those most precious of all the jewels inthe treasure store of a soldier's memory. 

"Why, it might have been a bullet fired by you, sir, " he cried. "Itmight be that you were the man who almost killed me. Why, confoundyou, sir, I'm glad to meet you!"

Each old veteran of tragic days gone by had quite unconsciouslyawakened a responsive chord in the heart of the other. A Senator anda penniless old "down and outer" are very much the same in the humanscale that takes note of the inside and not the outside of a man. And they fell into each other's arms then and there, for what strongfighter does not respect another of his kind?

There they stood, arms around each other, clapping each other on theback, actually chortling in the pure ecstasy of comradeship, nowserious, again laughing, when on the scene appeared Bud Haines, thecorrespondent, who had returned to interview the new Senator fromMississippi. 

"Great heavens!" ejaculated the newspaper man. "A Senator, a UnitedStates Senator, hugging a broken-down old 'has-been!' What is theworld coming to?" Haines suddenly paused. "I wonder if it can be apose;--merely for effect. It's getting harder every day to tell what'sgenuine and what isn't in this town. "

CHAPTER VII

LANGDON LEARNS OF THINGS UNPLEASANT

Haines quickly walked over and touched the Southerner on the arm. 

"Well, my boy, what can I do for you?" asked the new Senator, turningwith a pleasant smile. 

"My name is Haines. Senator Stevens was to speak to you about me. I'mthe first of the newspaper correspondents come to interview you. "

Langdon's familiar smile broadened. 

"Well, you don't look as though you'd bite. Reckon I can stand for it. Is it very painful?"

"I hope it won't be, Senator, " Haines said, feeling instinctively thathe was going to like this big, hearty citizen. 

"All right, Mr. Haines, just as soon as I've said good-by to my oldfriend, Colonel Stoneman, I'll be with you. "

And to his continued amazement Haines saw the Senator walk away withthe old Union Colonel, slap him on the back, cheer him up and finallybid him good-by after extending a cordial invitation to come around todinner, meet his daughters and talk over old times. 

The antiquated Federal soldier marched away more erect, more brisk, than in years, completely restored to favor in the eyes of the hotelpeople. Langdon turned to the reporter. 

"All right, Mr. Haines; my hands are up. Do your worst. SenatorStevens spoke to me about you; said you were the smartest youngnewspaper man in Washington. You must come from the South. "

Bud shook his head. 

"No, just New York, " he said. 

"Well, that's a promising town, " drawled the Southerner. "They tell methat's the Vicksburg of the North. "

"I suppose you haven't been to New York of late, Senator?" suggestedthe newspaper man. 

"Well, I started up there with General Lee once, " responded Langdonreminiscently, "but we changed our minds and came back. You may haveheard about that trip. "

Haines admitted that he had. 

"Since that time, " went on Langdon, "I've confined my travels to NewOrleans and Vicksburg. Ever been in New Orleans about Mardi Gras time, Mr. Haines?"

"Sorry, but I don't believe I have, " confessed the reporterreluctantly. 

The Senator seemed surprised. 

"Well, sir, you have something to live for. I'll make it my specialbusiness to personally conduct you through one Mardi Gras, with aspecial understanding, of course, that you don't print anything in thepaper. I'm a vestryman in my church, but since misfortune has comeupon our State I have to be careful. "

Haines searched his brain. He knew of no grave calamity that hadhappened recently in Mississippi. 

"Misfortune?" he questioned. 

Senator Langdon nodded. 

[Illustration: "FROM NEW YORK, EH? THE VICKSBURG OF THE NORTH, "]

"Yes, sir, the great old State of Mississippi went prohibition at thelast election. I don't know how it happened. We haven't found anybodyin the State that says he voted for it, but the fact is a fact. Iassure you, Mr. Haines, that prohibition stops at my front door, inMississippi. So I've been living a quiet life down on my plantation. "

"This new life will be a great change for you, then?" suggested thereporter. 

"Change! It's revolutionary, sir! When you've expected to spend yourold days peacefully in the country, Mr. Haines, suddenly to find thatyour State has called on you--"

A flavor of sarcasm came into Haines' reply. 

"The office seeking the man?" He could not help the slight sneer. Wasa man never to admit that he had sought the office? Haines knew onlytoo well of the arduous work necessary to secure nominations for highoffice in conventions and to win an election to the Senate from aState Legislature. In almost every case, he knew, the candidate mustmake a dozen different "deals" to secure votes, might promise the sameoffice to two or three different leaders, force others into lineby threats, send a trusted agent to another with a roll of bankbills--the recipient of which would immediately conclude that thiscandidate was the only man in the State who could save the nation fromdestruction. Had not Haines seen men who had sold their unsuspectingdelegates for cash to the highest bidder rise in the convention halland in impassioned, dramatic voice exclaim in praise of the buyer, "Gentlemen, it would be a crying shame, a crime against civilization, if the chosen representatives of our grand old State of ---- did notgo on record in favor of such a man, such a true citizen, such aninspired patriot, as he whose name I am about to mention"? Sothe reporter may be forgiven for the ironical tinge in his hastyinterruption of the new Senator's remarks. 

Langdon could not suppress a chuckle at the doubting note in Haines'attitude. 

"I think the man would be pretty small potatoes who wouldn't seek theoffice of United States Senator, Mr. Haines, " he said, "if he couldget it. When I was a young man, sir, politics in the South was acareer for a gentleman, and I still can't see how he could be betterengaged than in the service of his State or his country. "

"That's right, " agreed the reporter, further impressed by the franksincerity of the Mississippian. 

"The only condition in my mind, Mr. Haines, is that the man should askhimself searchingly whether or not he's competent to give the service. But I seem to be talking a good deal. Suppose we get to the interview. Expect your time is short. We'd better begin. "

"I thought we were in the interview?" smiled the correspondent. 

"In it!" exclaimed Langdon. "Well, if this is it, it isn't so bad. Isee you use a painless method. When I was down in Vicksburg a reporterbacked me up in a corner, slipped his hand in his hip pocket andpulled out a list of questions just three feet four inches long. 

"He wanted to know what I thought concerning the tariff on aluminiumhydrates, and how I stood about the opening of the Tento PuReservation of the Comanche Indians, and what were my ideas about thedifferential rate of hauls from the Missouri River. 

"He was a wonder, that fellow! Kinder out of place on a Mississippipaper. I started to offer him a job, but he was so proud I was afraidhe wouldn't accept it. However, it gives you my idea of a reporter. "

"If you've been against that, I ought to thank you for talking to me, "laughed Haines. 

"Then you don't want to know anything about that sort of stuff?" saidLangdon, with a huge sigh of relief. 

"No, Senator, " was the amused reply. "I think generally if I know whatsort of a man a man is I can tell a great deal about what he willthink on various questions. "

Langdon started interestedly. 

"You mean, Mr. Haines, if you know whether I'm honest or not you canfit me up with a set of views. Is that the idea? Seems to me you'rethe sort of man I'm looking for. "

The other smilingly shook his head. 

"I wouldn't dare fix up a United States Senator with a set of views, "he said. "I only mean that I think what a man is is important. I'vebeen doing Washington for a number of years. I've had an exceptionalopportunity to see how politics work. I don't believe in partypolitics. I don't believe in parties, but I do believe in men. "

Langdon nodded approvingly, then a twinkle shone in his eyes. 

"We don't believe in parties in Mississippi, " he drawled. "We've onlyone--the Democratic party, --and a few kickers. "

Haines grinned broadly at this description of Southern politics. 

"What was this you were saying about national politics?" continuedthe Mississippian. "I'm a beginner, you know, and I'm always ready tolearn. "

"This is a new thing--a reporter teaching a Senator politics, " laughedHaines. 

Senator Langdon joined in the merriment. 

"I reckon reporters could teach United States Senators lots of things, Mr. Haines, if the Senators had sense enough to go to school. Now, Icome up here on a platform the chief principle of which is the navalbase for the gulf. Now, how are we going to put that through? My Statewants it. "

"You're probably sure it will be a wonderful thing for the country andthe South, " suggested Haines. 

"Of course. "

"But why do you think most of the Congressmen and Senators will votefor it?"

The Southerner took off his hat, leaned back and gazed across thelobby thoughtfully. 

"Seems to me the benefit to the South and country would be sufficientreason, Mr. Haines, " he finally replied. 

The newspaper man's brain worked rapidly. Going over the entireconversation with Langdon and what he had seen of him, he was certainthat the Mississippian believed what he said--that, moreover, thebelief was deeply rooted. His long newspaper training had educatedHaines in the ways of men, their actions and mental processes--whatnaturally to expect from a given set of circumstances. He felt agrowing regard, an affection, for this unassuming old man beforehim, who did not know and probably would be slow to understand thehypocrisy, the cunning trickery of lawmakers who unmake laws. 

"Sufficient reason for you, Senator, " Haines added. "You have not beenin politics very long, have you?" he queried dryly. 

A wry smile wrinkled the Mississippian's face. 

"Been in long enough to learn some unpleasant things I didn't knowbefore. " He remembered Martin Sanders. 

"Will you allow me to tell you a few more?" asked Haines. 

Langdon inclined his head in acquiescence. "Reckon I'd better know theworst and get through with it. "

"Well, then, Senator, somebody from Nebraska will vote for what youwant in the way of the naval base because he'll think then you'll helphim demand money to dredge some muddy creek that he has an interestin. 

"Somebody in Pennsylvania will vote for it because he owes a grudgeand wants to hurt the Philadelphia ship people. 

"You'll get the Democrats because it's for the South, but if your billwas for the west coast they might fight it tooth and nail, even withthe Japanese fleet cruising dangerously near. 

"And the Republicans may vote for it because they see a chance toclaim glory and perhaps break the solid South in the next presidentialcampaign. You catch the idea?"

"What!" exclaimed the astounded Langdon. "Well, who in hades will votefor it because it's for the good of the United States?" he gasped. 

"I believe you will, Senator, " replied Haines, with ready confidence. 

CHAPTER VIII

HOW SENATOR LANGDON GETS A SECRETARY

Langdon leaned over and seized the arm of his interviewer. 

"See here, young man, why aren't you in politics?" he said. 

"Too busy, Senator, " replied Haines. "Besides, I like the newspapergame. "

"Game?" queried Langdon. 

"Oh, I use the word in a general sense, Senator, " replied Haines. "Pretty much everything is a 'game'--society, politics, newspaperwork, business of every sort. Men and women make 'moves' to meet themoves of other men and women. Why, even in religion, the way somepeople play a--"

The speaker was interrupted by the appearance of Hope Georgia, who wassearching for her father. 

"Stay here and listen to what a hard task your old father has got, "said the Mississippian to his daughter, whom he presented to Haineswith a picturesque flourish reminiscent of the pride and chivalry ofthe old South. "He has the idea that those New Yorkers who read hispaper would actually like to know something about me. "

Hope Georgia stole many glances at the reporter as he talked with herfather. He made a deep impression on her young mind. She had spentalmost all her life on the plantation, her father providing her witha private tutor instead of sending her to boarding-school, where herelder sister had been educated. Owing to the death of her mother theplanter had desired to keep Hope Georgia at home for companionship. This good-looking, clean-cut, well-built young man who was takingso big and so active a part of the world's work brought to her theatmosphere that her spirit craved. He gave one an impression ofability, of earnestness, of sincerity, and she was glad that herfather approved of him. 

Hope Georgia, by the same token, did not escape the attention of theinterviewer. Her appealing charm of face and figure was accentuatedby her daintiness and a fleeting suggestion of naïveté in poise andexpression when she was amused. His first glance revealed to Hainesthat her eyes were gray, the gray that people say indicates thepossessor to have those priceless qualities--the qualities that makethe sweetest women true, that make the maiden's eyes in truth thewindows of her soul, the qualities that make women womanly. 

She sat close to her father, her hand in his, listening intently tothe unfolding of a story of what to her was a mysterious world--theman's world, the strong man's world--which many a woman would give herall to enter and play a part therein. 

"What else have you against a political career, Mr. Haines?" went onthe Senator, taking up their conversation. 

"Well, my age, for one thing. I haven't any gray hairs. "

Langdon waved this objection aside. 

"I might arrange to pool ages with you. Sometimes I think we wantyoung men in politics, like you. "

The reporter shook his head. 

"Old in age and young in politics, like you, Senator Langdon, " hereplied. "Politics I sometimes think is pure hypocrisy and sometimessomething worse. A man gets disgusted with the trickery and dishonestyand corruption. "

"Then, " drawled Langdon, "the thing to do is to jump in and stop it! Iread in the newspapers a great deal about corruption. The gentlemenin national politics whom I have had the honor of knowing--SenatorMoseley, an intimate friend of thirty years; my present colleague, Senator Stevens, and others--have been as honest as the day is long. "

"But the days do get short in November, when Congress meets, don'tthey?" laughed Haines, rising. "I'm afraid I've taken too much of yourtime, and I seem to have talked a lot. "

Langdon was amused. 

"Does look like I'd been interviewing you. I reckon each one of us hasgot a pretty good notion of what the other man's like. I wanted itthat way, and I like you, Mr. Haines. I've got a proposition to maketo you. They tell me I'll need a secretary. Now, I think I need justsuch a young man as you. I don't know just exactly what the work wouldbe or what the financial arrangements should be, but I think you andI would make a pretty good team. I wish you'd come. " He turned to hisdaughter, with a smile. "What do you think of that, Hope Georgia?Isn't your dad right?"

Smiling her approval, the young girl squeezed her father's hand in herenthusiasm. 

"I think it's a splendid idea, dad; just great! Won't you come, Mr. Haines? We--eh--I--I know my father would like to have you. "

As he stood before his two new-found friends--for such Haines nowconsidered the Mississippian and his daughter--he could not suppressfeelings of surprise tinged with uncertainty. He had, like othernewspaper men, received offers of employment from politicians whodesired to increase their influence with the press. Sometimes thesalary offered had been large, the work so light that the reportercould "earn" the money and yet retain his newspaper position, ascantily disguised species of bribery, which had wrecked the careersof several promising reporters well known to Haines, young men who hadbeen thus led into "selling their columns" by unscrupulous machinedictators. 

Haines knew that the Mississippian had no ulterior purpose to serve inhis offer, yet he must have time to think over the proposal. 

"I thank you, Senator, " he finally said. "I appreciate theopportunity, coming from you, but I've never thought of giving up thenewspaper profession. It's a fascinating career, one that I am toofond of to leave. "

Langdon started to reply, when a delightfully modulated Southern voiceinterrupted:

"Father, I've been out with Mrs. Spangler to look for some otherrooms. I don't like this hotel, and I found some that I do like. "

Haines turned to see a handsomely gowned young woman who had thestamp of a patrician's daughter in her bearing and her countenance--abrunette, with delicate features, though determination shone in hereyes and appeared in the self-contained poise of her head. She wasthe imperious type of beauty and suggested to Haines the dry pointetchings of Paul Helleu. He instinctively conceived her to beintensely ambitious, and of this Haines was soon to have unexpectedevidence. Gazing at her with a sense of growing admiration, Hainesgave an involuntary start as Senator Langdon spoke. 

"My daughter, Miss Carolina Langdon, Mr. Haines, " said the Senator. 

Carolina was interested. 

"Are you the newspaper man who is interviewing father? I hope you'lldo a nice one. We want him to be a successful and popular Senator. We'd like to help him if we could. "

The correspondent bowed. 

"I should say you certainly would help him to be a popular Senator, "he declared, emphatically, failing to notice that Hope Georgia wassomewhat annoyed at the enthusiasm displayed over her elder sister. Infact, Hope Georgia was suffering a partial, if not total, eclipse. 

"I'm leaving it to Mr. Haines to put down the things I ought to say, "broke in the Senator. "He knows. "

"Yes, he knows everything about Washington, Carolina, " exclaimed HopeGeorgia, spiritedly. 

The older girl spoke eagerly. 

"I wish you'd interview me, Mr. Haines. Ask me how I like Washington. I feel as though I must tell some one just how much I do like it! Itis too wonderful!"

"I'd like mighty well to interview you, Miss Langdon, "enthusiastically exclaimed Haines. 

"I hope you will some time, Mr. Haines, " remarked Carolina, as shesaid good-by. 

Watching her as she turned away, Haines saw her extend a warm greetingto Congressman Charles Norton, who had advanced toward the group. 

[Illustration: "STRANGE HOW THE LANGDONS TREAT HIM AS A FRIEND. "]

"Strange how the Langdons treat him as a friend--intimate one, too, "he thought. "What if they should learn of Norton's questionableoperations at the Capitol; of his connection with two unsavory'deals, ' one of which resulted in an amendment to the pure food law sothat manufacturers of a valueless 'consumption cure' could continue tomislead the victims of the 'white plague'; Norton, who had uttered anepigram now celebrated in the tap-rooms of Washington, 'The paths ofglory lead but to the graft. '"

"Miss Langdon is very beautiful and attractive, sir, " said Haines, resuming with the Senator. 

"Yes, " drawled the Mississippian. "Girls in the South generally are. "

"Well, I must be going. I'll think about your secretaryship, SenatorLangdon. Perhaps I can find some one. "

"Wish you'd think about it for yourself, " observed the Senator, whileHope Georgia again nodded approval. "It would be a hard job. Thereare so many matters of political detail about which I am sadlyinexperienced that really most of the work would fall on thesecretary. "

Bud Haines paused. Again he thought over Langdon's offer. Itsgenuineness appealed to him. Suddenly there dawned on him an idea ofjust what it might mean to be associated with this honest old citizenwho had asked for his help--who needed it, as Haines knew only toowell. He would be the Senator's guide and confidant--his adviserin big matters. Why, he would practically be United States Senatorhimself. He knew the "inside" as few others in Washington. Here wasa chance to match his wit against that of Peabody, the boss of theSenate; a chance to spoil some of the dishonest schemes of those whowere adroitly "playing the game. " He could bother, too, the intriguingmembers of the "third house, " as the lobbyists are called. 

He could direct a lightning bolt into the camp of Andy Corrigan, who claimed the honor of being "speaker of the third house. " Thesethoughts crowded into his mind. Then, too, he would become practicallya member of the Langdon family and have association with the twocharming daughters--with Carolina Langdon. 

"It would be a great chance, " he murmured half aloud; "next thing tobeing a Senator. "

The old Mississippian heard the young man's words. 

"I reckon it would, " he drawled, in agreement. 

"You feel sure you want me?" urged the other. 

Langdon chuckled. 

"I asked you, " he said. 

Haines came abruptly to decision. 

"I've thought it over, Senator, and it seems to me it will be a greatchance in every way. I'll accept. We'll fix it up to-morrow, and I'lltry to make you a good secretary. "

Langdon held forth his hand. 

"And I'll try to make you a good Senator, my boy. Fix up nothingto-morrow. Your duties begin to-night. You are to come to dinner withme and my daughters. "

CHAPTER IX

A NEW KIND OF POLITICAL PARTNERSHIP

The combination of the forces of Langdon and Haines did not find muchfavor among the powers that are--at the Capitol. Senator Peabodyperemptorily demanded an explanation from Stevens as to how he hadallowed "his Senator" to engage as his secretary "this inquisitive manHaines, a reporter who didn't know his place. "

"Here we've put Langdon on naval affairs because we knew he didn'tunderstand what's going on, and you, Stevens, supposed to be thefinished, product of the political mill, _you_ fall asleep and lethim take up a man whom nobody can control, one who knows the insideworkings of Washington and who will take par-tic-u-lar pleasure inteaching your fellow Mississippian far too much for our good. "

Stevens' reply, to effect that probably Haines would consent tobe "taken care of" if judiciously approached, was derided by theobservant Peabody. "A young reformer grows fat on notoriety, " helaughed, "and think what a scandal he would have for his newspaper ifwe took a chance on disclosing our hand to him. No, no, Stevens; wemust have him watched and try to discredit him in some way. Perhaps wecan make Langdon believe that his secretary is dishonest. "

Congressman Norton was another man who was dismayed at the formationof the firm of Langdon and Haines. Young Randolph, too, could notforget the defeat and humiliation he had previously suffered atHaines' hands and grew more bitter as the reporter's influence overhis father grew stronger. But Haines' most effective enemy had arisenin the person he would be the last to suspect; one whom he unceasinglyadmired, one whose very words he had come to cherish. And possiblyit was not all her own fault that Carolina Langdon had enlisted herservices, subtle and quite overwhelming (owing to Haines' ferventworship of her), against the secretary. Perhaps the social system ofwhich she had become a part in Washington had something to do with thecraving to become a leader in that fascinating world whose dazzlingvariety and infinite diversion seemed to fill her soul with allthat it yearned for. Love she had, for she had now promised to wedCongressman Norton. She loved him fondly, she had confessed to him, and gradually she came to work desperately against Haines, who, she had been convinced by Norton and Randolph, would prove astumbling-block to them, to her father, to herself in her career atthe capital, if his influence over the Senator should be permitted toexist or to increase. And so on the surface Carolina Langdon was mostamiable to the secretary, encouraged him in his attentions to her, ledhim surely into her power, Norton having prevailed, on her to keep theknowledge of their engagement secret from every one, even her father. 

The days and nights became filled with important work for SenatorLangdon and his secretary. Together they went over the importantmeasures, outlined what appeared to be the best course of procedure, and carried it into effect as far as possible. Langdon became aprominent figure in the Senate, owing to his consistent support ofmeasures that fitted in with the public policy, or what should be thepublic policy, of the nation. He had learned that the only practicableway to outwit or to cope with the members of the dominating machine, made up, he was surprised to see, of members of both the parties--theonly two in Washington--was to oppose what the machine wanted withenough power to force it to grant him what he believed the publicought to have. He was described by some of the hide-bound "insiders"on Capitol Hill as "the only brainy man who had fought the machine inthirty years. "

At the home he had later established in Washington as preferableto the International Hotel were frequently seen a small coterie ofSenators and Congressmen who had become known to the sarcastic partybosses in both houses of Congress as the "Langdon crowd, " which crowdwas admitted to be somewhat a factor when it finally prevailed on thePresident to take over 11, 000 postmasters from the appointment classand put them under the control of the Civil Service Commission, resulting in the necessity of a competitive examination for thesepostmasters instead of their securing positions through politicalfavoritism. 

Those who did not know Langdon intimately suggested that "this fellowought to be 'taken care of. ' What in God's name does he want? Acommittee chairmanship? An ambassadorship for some Mississippicharcoal burner? A couple of Federal judgeships for his friends? Well, whatever it is, give it to him and get him in with the rest of us!"

Again it was Peabody who had the deciding say. 

"There's only one thing worse than a young reformer, and that's an oldone, " he laughed bitterly at a secret conclave at his apartment in theluxurious Louis Napoleon Hotel. "The young one thinks he is going tolive and wants our future profits for himself. The old one thinks he'sgoing to die, and he's sore at leaving so much graft behind him. "

Heads and hearts thinking and throbbing together, Langdon and hissecretary had learned to lean on each other, the young gaininginspiration from the old, the old gaining strength from the young. They loved each other, and, more than any love, they trusted oneanother. And Hope Georgia watched it all and rejoiced, for shebelieved with all the accrued erudition of eighteen years of innocentgirlhood that Mr. Bud Haines was quite the finest specimen of youngmanhood this world had ever produced. How could he have happened? Shewas sure that she had never met his equal, not even in that memorableweek she had spent in Jackson. 

The passing weeks taught Haines that he was deeply in love withCarolina, and, though he had endeavored to keep the knowledge of thisfrom her, her woman's intuition had told her his secret, and shestifled the momentary regrets that flitted into her mind, because shewas now in "the game" herself, the Washington game, that ensnares thewoman as well as the man and makes her a slave to its fancy. No onebut herself and Norton knew how deeply she had "plunged" on a certainpossible turn of the political cards. She must not, she could not, lose if life itself were to remain of value to her, and on her swayover this secretary she was told it all depended. 

A subject that for some unexplained reason frequently lodged inHaines' mind was that of the apparent assiduity with which Mrs. Spangler cultivated Senator Langdon's friendship. For several yearsshe had occupied a high social position at the capital, he well knew, but various indefinite, intangible rumors he had heard, he could notstate exactly where, had made him regret her growing intimacy withthe girls and with the Senator. They had met her through letters ofintroduction of the most trustworthy and assuring character frompeople of highest social rank in Virginia, where the Langdons had manyfriends; but even so, Haines realized, people who write introductoryletters are sometimes thoughtless in considering all the circumstancesof the parties they introduce, and residents of Virginia who had notbeen in the capital for years might be forgiven for not knowing ofall the more recent developments in the lives of those they knewin Washington. While not wishing to have the Senator know of hisintention, the secretary determined to investigate Mrs. Spangler andher present mode of life at his first opportunity, hoping the whilethat his quest would reveal her to be what the Langdons consideredher--a widow of wealth, fashion and reserve who resided at the capitalbecause the memories of her late husband, a former Congressman of highstanding, were associated with it. 

Calling at the Langdons' house one evening in February to receivedirections regarding important work for the next day, Haines wassomewhat puzzled at the peculiar smile on the Senator's face. Answering the secretary's look of inquiry, the Mississippian said:

"I've been told that I can name the new holder of afive-thousand-dollar-a-year position in the Department of Commerceand Labor, and that if I have no one in particular from my State toname--that--that you would be a good man for the job. First I wasglad for your sake, my boy, for if you wanted it you could have theposition. But on thinking it over it seemed there might be somethingbehind it not showing on the surface. "

"It's a trick, " said Haines. "Who made the offer?"

"Senator Stevens. "

"I might have known, " hotly responded the secretary. "There's a crowdthat wants you and me separated. Thought this bait too much for me toresist, did they?" Then he paused, rubbing his fingers through hishair in a perplexed manner. "Strange, isn't it, Senator, that a manof your party is offered this desirable piece of patronage, entirelyunsolicited on your part, from the administration of another, adifferent political party? Especially when that other party has somany hungry would-be 'tax eaters' clamoring to enter the 'land of milkand honey. ' I think Stevens deliberately--"

"There, there, Bud, " broke in Langdon, "you mustn't say anythingagainst Senator Stevens to me. True, he associates with some folks Idon't approve of, but that doesn't necessarily mean anything wrong, and I myself have always found him thoroughly honest. "

"Yes, " muttered the secretary, following the Senator into the library, "you've always found him honest because you think everybody'shonest--but Stevens is just the doctor who will cure you of thisailment--this chronic trustfulness. "

Haines laughed softly. "When Peabody's little Stevie gets throughhacking at the prostrate body of political purity his two-handed swordof political corruption will need new edges. "

Thus far neither the Senator nor his secretary had suspicion of anyquestionable deal in regard to the gulf naval base. The rush of otherevents, particularly the fight over the reduction of the tariff, hadpushed this project temporarily into the background so far as theywere concerned, though the "boss of the Senate" and his satellites hadbeen losing no time in perfecting their plans regarding the choice ofAltacoola as the site. 

Peabody and Stevens had ingeniously exploited Langdon at everypossible opportunity in relation to the naval base. Asked about newdevelopments in the committee on naval affairs, the ready answer was:"Better see Senator Langdon. He knows all about the naval base; hasthe matter in full charge. I really know little about it. "

So, by hiding behind the unsuspecting old hero of Crawfordsville, theydiverted from themselves any possible suspicion and placed Langdonwhere he would have to bear the brunt of the great scandal thatwould, they well knew, come out at some future time--after their foulconspiracy against the nation had been consummated, after the fruitsof their betrayal had been secured. 

What, after all, the schemers concluded, is the little matter of aninvestigation among Senators to guilty Senators who, deeply versedin the law, have destroyed every compromising document that could beadmissible as evidence?

Why, the Senate would appoint an investigating committee andinvestigate itself, would it not, when the ridiculous scandal came?

And what Senator would fear himself, or for himself, as heinvestigated himself, when the blame had already been put publicly onsome one else, some simple-minded old soul who could go back to hiscotton fields in Mississippi and forget all about it, strong in hisinnocence, even though shorn of reputation, and desire to live?

CHAPTER X

WHEN SENATORS DISAGREE

The wiseacres of Washington had nightly predicted, that the site ofthe hundred-million-dollar gulf naval base would be decided on inMarch, after the excitement and gayety attending the presidentialinauguration had subsided. 

On the morning of the day before this action of the committee on navalaffairs was to be taken Secretary Haines sat at his desk in SenatorLangdon's committee room in the Capitol. Richard Cullen, the favoriteassociate of Haines in his journalistic days, out earlier than usualon his daily round of the departments for news for his Chicago paper, had strolled in and attempted a few of his characteristic cynicisms. Haines usually found them entertaining, but these were directed atSenator Langdon. 

"Now, let me tell you something, Dick, " the secretary answered, firmly. "Don't you work off all your dyspeptic ideas in thisneighborhood. My Senator is a great man. They can't appreciate him uphere because he's honest--crystal clear. I used to think I knew what adecent citizen, a real man, ought to be, but he's taught me some newthings. He'll teach them all something before he gets through. "

Cullen hung one leg over Haines' desk. 

"You're a nice, quiet, gentlemanly little optimist, and I like you, old fellow, " retorted Cullen. "But don't deceive yourself too much. Your Senator Langdon is personally one of the best ever. But he wasborn a mark, and a mark he'll be to the end of time. 

"He looks good now. Sure, I like his speeches, and all that, but justwait. When some of those old foxes in the Senate want to put his headin the bag and tie it down, they won't have any trouble at all. "

Smiling, Haines looked up at his cynical friend. 

"The bag'll have to go over my head, too, " he said, with a nod. 

"Well, I don't know that Peabody'd have to strain himself very much toget such an awful big bag to drop you both in, if it comes right downto that, old chap. You're making a mistake. You're as bad as your oldman. You're a beautiful pair of optimists, and you a good newspaperman, too--it's a shame!"

After momentary hesitation, Cullen continued, thoroughly serious. 

"But, my old friend, " he said in low tone, glancing quickly about, "there's one thing that you've got to put a stop to. It's hurtingyou. "

The secretary's face showed his bewilderment. 

"What do you mean?" he snapped, abruptly. "Out with it!"

"I mean, " replied Cullen, "that rumors are going around that you arekeeping Langdon away from the crowd of 'insiders' in the Senate foryour own purposes--that, in short, you plan to--"

"I understand, " was the quick interruption. "I am accused of wantingto 'deliver' Senator Langdon, guarantee his vote, on some graftproposition, so that I can get the money and not he himself. Consequently I'm tipping him off on what measures are honest, so thathe'll vote for them, until--until I'm offered my price, then influencehim to vote for some big crooked scheme, telling him it is all right. He votes as I suggest, and I get the money!"

"That's what 'delivering a man' means in Washington, " dryly answeredthe Chicago correspondent. "It means winning a man's confidence, hissupport, his vote, through friendship, and then selling it for cash--"

"But you, Dick, you have--"

"Of course, old man, I have denied the truth of this. I knew you toowell to doubt you. Still, the yarn is hurting you. Remember thatWestern Senator who was 'delivered' twice, both ways, on a graftbill?" he laughingly asked the secretary. 

"Should say I did, Dick. That is the record for that game. It was acorporation measure. One railroad wanted it; another opposed it. TheSenator innocently told an Eastern Senator that he was going to votefor the bill. Then the Easterner went to the railroad wanting thebill passed and got $7, 000 on his absolute promise that he would getSenator X. To vote for it, who, of course, did vote for it. "

"Yes, " said Cullen, "and later, when Senator X. Heard that Senator Z. Had got money for his vote, he was wild. Then when another effortwas made to pass the bill (which had been defeated) the 'delivered'Senator said to Z. As he met him unexpectedly: 'You scoundrel, here'swhere I get square with you to some extent. Anyway, I'm going to voteagainst that bill this time and make a long speech against it, too. 'Senator Z. Then hustled to the lobbyist of the railroad that wantedthe bill killed and guaranteed him that for $10, 000 he could getSenator X. To change his vote, to vote against the bill. "

"And he got the money, too, both ways, " added Haines, as Cullenconcluded, "and both railroads to this day think that X. Received themoney from Z. "

"Of course, " said Cullen, "but X. Was to blame, though. He didn't knowenough to keep to himself how he was going to vote. Any man that talksthat way will be 'delivered. '"

"I know how to stop those rumors, for I'm sure it's Peabody's work, hethinking Langdon will hear the talk and mistrust me, " began Haines, when in came Senator Langdon himself, his face beaming contentedly. Little did the junior Senator from Mississippi realize that he wassoon to face the severest trial, the most vital crisis, of his entirelife. 

Cullen responded to the Senator's cheery greeting of "Mornin', everybody!"

"Senator, " he asked, "my paper wants your opinion on the question ofthe election of Senators by popular vote. Do you think the system ofelecting Senators by vote of State Legislatures should be abolished?"

The Mississippian cocked his head to one side. 

"I reckon that's a question that concerns future Senators, and notthose already elected, " he chuckled. 

Haines laughed at Cullen, who thrust his pad into his pocket andhurried away. 

"It is to-day that I appear before the ways and means committee, isn'tit?" Langdon queried of his secretary. 

"Yes, " said Haines, consulting his memorandum book. "At 11 o'clock yougo before ways and means to put forward the needs of your State onthe matter of the reduction of the tariff on aluminium hydrates. Thepeople of Mississippi believe it has actually put back life into theexhausted cotton lands. In Virginia they hope to use it on the tobaccofields. "

"Where does the pesky stuff come from?" asked the Senator. 

"From South America, " coached the secretary. "The South is in a hurryfor it, so the duty must come down. You'll have to bluff abit, because Peabody and his crowd will try to make a kind ofbargain--wanting you to keep up iron and steel duties. But you don'tbelieve that iron and steel need help, you will tell them, don't yousee, so that they will feel the necessity of giving you what you wantfor the South in order to gain your support for the iron and steeldemands. "

The office door opened and Senator Peabody appeared. 

"Peabody, " whispered the secretary. 

Instantly the Mississippian had his cue. His back to Peabody, herose, brought down his fist heavily upon the desk, and expoundedoratorically to Haines:

"What we can produce of aluminium hydrates, my boy, is problematical, but the South is in a hurry for it, and the duty must come down. It'sgot to come down, and I'm not going to do anything else until itdoes. "

The secretary stretched across the desk. 

"Excuse me, Senator; Senator Peabody is here, " he said, loudly andsurprisedly, as though he had just sighted the boss of the Senate. 

The Mississippian turned. 

"Oh, good-morning, Senator. I was just talking with my secretary aboutthat hydrate clause. "

Peabody bowed slightly. 

"Yes, I knew it was coming up, " he said, "so I just dropped over. I'm not opposed to it or any Southern measure; but it makes it moredifficult for me when you Southern people oppose certain Pittsburginterests that I have to take care of. "

Langdon smiled. 

"I've never been in Pittsburg, but they tell me it looks as if itcould take care of itself. "

The visitor shrugged his shoulders. 

"That's true enough; but give and take is the rule in politicalmatters, Langdon. "

This remark brought a frown to Langdon's face. 

"I don't like bargaining between gentlemen, Peabody. More importantstill, I don't believe American politics has to be run on that plan. Why can't we change a lot of things now that we are here?"

Langdon became so enthused that he paced up and down the room as hespoke. 

"Peabody, you and Stevens and I, " continued Langdon, "could get ourfriends together and right now start to make this great capital of ourgreat country the place of the 'square deal, ' the place where give andtake, bargain and sale, are unknown. We could start a movement thatwould drive out all secret influences--"

The secretary noticed Peabody's involuntary start. 

"The newspapers would help us, " went on Langdon. "Public opinion wouldbe with us, and both houses of Congress would have to join in the workif we went out in front, led the way and showed them their plain duty. And I tell you, Senator Peabody, that the principles that gave birthto this country, the principles of truth, honesty, justice andindependence, would rule in Washington--"

"If Washington cared anything about them, Langdon, " interjected thePennsylvanian. 

"That's my point, " cried the Mississippian--"let us teach Washingtonto care about them!"

"Langdon, Langdon, " said Peabody, patronizingly, "you've seized on abigger task than you know. After you reform Washington you will haveto go on and reform human nature, human instincts, every human beingin the country, if you want to make politics this angelic thing youdescribe. It isn't politics, it's humanity, that's wrong, " wavingaside a protest from Langdon. 

"Anyway, your idea is not constitutional, Langdon, " continued Peabody. "You want everybody to have a share in the national government. Thatwouldn't meet the theory of centralization woven into our politicalsystem by its founders. They intended that our Government should becontrolled by a limited number of representatives, so that authoritycan be fixed and responsibility ascertained. "

"You distort my meaning!" cried Langdon. "And, Senator, I would liketo ask why so many high-priced constitutional lawyers who enterCongress spend so much time in placing the Constitution of the UnitedStates between themselves and their duty, sir, between the people andtheir Government, sir, between the nation and its destiny? I want toknow if in your opinion the Constitution was designed to throttleexpression of the public will?"

"Of course not. That's the reason you and I, Langdon, and the othersare elected to the Senate, " added Peabody, starting to leave. Then hehalted. "By the way, Senator, " he said, "I'll do my best to arrangewhat you want regarding aluminium hydrates for the sake of the South, and I'll also stand with you for Altacoola for the naval base. Ourcommittee is to make its report to-morrow. "

Langdon observed the penetrating gaze that Peabody had fixed on him. It seemed to betray that the Pennsylvanian's apparently carelessmanner was assumed. 

"H'm!" coughed Langdon, glancing at Haines. "I'm not absolutelycommitted to Altacoola until I'm sure it's the best place. I'll makeup my mind to-day definitely, and I _think_ it will be for Altacoola. "

The boss of the Senate went out, glaring venomously at Haines, slamming the door. 

A moment later a page boy brought in a card. "Colonel J. D. Telfer, Gulf City, " read the Senator. 

"Bud, " he remarked to the secretary, "I'm going to send my oldacquaintance, Telfer, Mayor of Gulf City, in here for you to talk to. He'll want to know about his town's chances for being chosen as thenaval base. I must hurry away, as I have an appointment with mydaughters and Mrs. Spangler before going before ways and means. "

[Illustration: THE SENATOR ACCEPTS AN INVITATION TO TEA. ]

CHAPTER XI

ON THE TRAIL OF THE "INSIDERS"

Colonel J. D. Telfer (J. D. Standing for Jefferson Davis, he explainedproudly to Haines) proved a warm advocate of the doubtful merits ofGulf City as a hundred-million-dollar naval base. His flushed facegrew redder, his long white hair became disordered, and he tugged athis white mustache continually as he waxed warmer in his efforts toimpress the Senator's secretary. 

"I tell you, Mr. Haines, Gulf City, sah, leads all the South when itcomes to choosin' ground fo' a naval base. Her vast expanse of crystalsea, her miles upon miles of silvah sands, sah, protected by a naturalharbor and th' islands of Mississippi Sound, make her th' only spotto be considered. She's God's own choice and the people's, too, for anaval base. "

"But, unfortunately, Congress also has something to say about choosingit, " spoke Haines. 

"To be shuah they do, " said Gulf City's Mayor, "but--"

"And there was a man here from Altacoola yesterday, " again interruptedthe secretary, "who said that Gulf City was fit only to be the Staterefuge for aged and indigent frogs. "

"Say, they ain't a man in Altacoola wot can speak th' truth, "indignantly shrieked the old Colonel, almost losing control ofhimself; "because their heads is always a-buzzin' and a-hummin' fromth' quinine they have to take to keep th' fever away, sah!"

The Mayor sat directly in front of Haines, at the opposite side of hisdesk. Regaining his composure, he suddenly leaned forward and halfwhispered to the secretary:

"Mah young friend, don't let Senator Langdon get switched away fromGulf City by them cheap skates from Altacoola. Now, if you'll get th'Senator to vote fo' Gulf City we'll see--I'll see, sah, as an officerof th' Gulf City Lan' Company--that you get taken ca-ah of. "

Haines' eyes opened wide. 

"Go on, Colonel; go on with your offer, " he said. 

"Well, I'll see that a block of stock, sah--a big block--is setaside fo' Senator Langdon an' another fo' you, too. We've made thisah-rangomont else-wheah. We'll outbid Altacoola overall time. They'repo' sports an' hate to give up. "

"So Altacoola is bidding, too?" excitedly asked Haines. 

"Why, of co'se it is. Ah yo' as blind as that o' ah yo' foolin' withme?" questioned Telfer, suspiciously. "Seems to me yo' ought to knowmore about that end of it than a fellah clear from th' gulf. "

"Certainly, certainly, " mumbled Haines, impatiently, as he endeavoredto associate coherently, intelligently, in his mind those startlingnew revelations of Telfer with certain incidents he had previouslynoted in the operations of the committee on naval affairs. 

Then he looked across at the Mayor and smiled. Apparently he had heardnothing to amaze him. 

"Colonel, " he returned calmly, dropping into a voice that sounded ofpity for the gray hairs of the lobbyist, "about fifty men a day cometo me with propositions like that. There is nothing doing, Colonel. Icouldn't possibly interest Senator Langdon, because he has the facultyof judging for himself, and he would be prejudiced against either townthat came out with such, a proposition. "

"Lan' speculation is legitimate, " protested, the Colonel, cunningly. 

Haines agreed. 

"Certainly--by outsiders. But it's d--d thievery when engaged in byany one connected with putting a bill through. If I were to tellSenator Langdon what you have told me it would decide him unalterablyin favor of Altacoola. Senator Langdon, sir, is one of the few men inWashington who would rather be thought a fool than a grafter if itcame down to that. "

The Mayor of Gulf City jumped to his feet, his face blazing in rage, not in shame. 

"Seems to me yo're mighty fresh, young man, " he blustered. "What kindof politics is Langdon playin'?"

"Not fresh, Colonel; only friendly. I'm just tipping you off how notto be a friend to Altacoola. As to his politics, the Senator willanswer you himself. "

A scornful laugh accompanied Telfer's reply. 

"Altacoola, huh! I reckon yo' must be a fool, after all. Why, everybody knows of the speculatin' in land around Altacoola, andeverybody knows it ain't outsiders that's doin' it. It's the insiders, right here in Washington. If yo' ain't in, yo' can easy get alatchkey. Young man, yo'll find out things some day, and yo'll drop toit all. 

"I guess I was too late with yo'. That's about the size of it. Iguess Altacoola'll talk to yo', " went on the Mayor. "If that fellerFairbrother of Altacoola had been able to hold his tongue maybe Iwouldn't know so much. But now I know what's what. I know this--thatyo're either a big fool or--an insider. Yo're a nice young feller. Ihave kind-a taken a fancy to yo'. I like to see yo' young fellers getalong and not miss yo'r chances. Come, my boy, get wise to yo'rself, get wise to yo'rself! Climb on to the band wagon with yo' friends. "

Bud concluded that he might be able to get more definite informationout of Telfer if he humored him a bit. 

"I tell you, Colonel, " he finally said, "these are pretty gravecharges you're making, but I'll tell you confidentially, owing to yourliking for me, that it is not yet too late to do something for GulfCity. Now, just suppose you and I dine together to-night early, andwe'll go over the whole ground to see how things lie. Will you?"

The Colonel held out his hand, smiling broadly. He felt that at lasthe had won the secretary over; that the young man was at heart anxiousto take money for his influence with the Senator. 

"All right, my boy, yo're on. We'll dine together. Yo' are absolutelycertain that it won't be too late to get to Senator Langdon?"

"Absolutely positive. I wouldn't make a mistake in a matter like this, would I, unless I was what you said I was--a fool?"

"Of course not. Oh, yo're a slick one. I like to do business withfolks like yo'. It's mighty educatin'!"

"Thanks, " answered Bud, dryly. "It's certain that Langdon won't decidewhich place he's for until to-morrow. I promise you that he won'tdecide until after I have my talk with you. "

"Yo' see, " said Telfer, "I asked that question because, as yo'probably know, Congressman Norton and his crowd is pretty close toSenator Langdon--"

Haines cut him short with a gasp of surprise. 

"Norton!"

Telfer, wrinkling his forehead incredulously, looked at Haines. "Surest thing you know, my boy. "

Bud turned his head away in thought. 

"Oh, leave the Norton outfit to me. I'll fool them, " he finally said. 

"Good. "

Telfer shook the secretary's hand heartily. 

"Yo're no fool, my boy. Anybody can see that--after they get to knowyo' all. That's what comes of bein' one of them smooth New Yorkers. They 'pear mighty sanctimonious on th' outside, but on th' insidethey're the real goods, all right. "

The lobbyist hurried away, his bibulous soul swelling withsatisfaction. He was sure of triumphing over Altacoola, and he waswilling to pay the price. 

Haines sank back into his chair. "I wonder what Washington'insiders, '" he murmured, "are speculating in Altacoola land. Telfermentions Norton's name. I wonder--"

The door opened, and before him stood Carolina Langdon. 

"Ah, Miss Langdon, " he exclaimed, "I am glad to see you!"

She walked to him and extended cordially a slender gloved hand. 

"This is a real pleasure, Mr. Haines, " she began. "I've been waitingto talk to you for some time. It's about something important. "

"Something important, " smiled Haines. "You want to see me aboutsomething important? Well, let me tell you a secret. Every time I seeyou it is an important occasion to me. "

Carolina Langdon had never appeared more charming, more beautifulto young Haines than she did that day. Perhaps she appeared moreinspiring because of the contrast her presence afforded to theunpleasant episodes through which he had just passed; also, Carolinawas dressed in her most becoming street gown, which she well realized, as she was enacting a carefully planned part with the unfortunatesecretary. 

His frankness and the sincere admiration that shone in his eyes causedher to falter momentarily, almost made her weaken in her purpose, butshe made an effort and secured a firmer grip on herself, for she mustplay a rôle that would crush to earth the air castles this youngsecretary was building, a rôle that would crush the ideals of thisyoung optimist as well. 

CHAPTER XII

THE CURE OF A WOMAN'S LOVE

Carolina had come to find out from Haines, if possible, how her fatherwas going to vote on the naval base and to induce the secretary topersuade him to stand for Altacoola--if there seemed danger that hewould vote for another site. That was her scheme, for Carolina hadput $25, 000 into Altacoola land--money left by her mother. Nortonhad persuaded Carolina to invest in the enterprise to defraud theGovernment, promising her $50, 000 clear profit. How much she could doin Washington society with that!

The continued uncertainty over her father's final attitude hadstrained her nerves almost to the breaking, for the success of theconspiracy depended on his vote. Not even the words of Norton, herfuture husband, could reassure her. Her worry was increased by theknowledge of Randolph's investment of her father's $50, 000. 

That Carolina must sacrifice Haines on the altar of her consumingdesire for money, for a higher worldly position, was an unimportantconsideration. He stood in the way. Any moment he might discover theexistence of the Altacoola scheme, he would immediately tell herfather, and she knew her father would immediately decide againstAltacoola--the bright hopes of her future would turn to ashes. Norton's money as well was invested in Altacoola. He, too, would beruined. She was sure that she loved Norton, but she could not marry apenniless man. 

Carolina resumed the conversation. 

"It isn't anything so very important, Mr. Haines. It's about father. "

Haines beamed. 

"I have the honor to report, Miss Langdon, " he bowed, "that yourfather is making the very best kind of a Senator. "

The girl hesitated. 

"Yes; he might, if he had some ambition. "

"Don't worry! If it comes down to that, I have ambition for two. Youwant him to be a success, don't you? Well, he is the biggest kind of asuccess. "

"I never believed that he would be, " confessed the daughter. 

Haines laughed. 

"Why, do you realize that to-day he is one of the most popular men inpublic life throughout the country; that 'What does Langdon think?'has become the watchword of the big body of independents who wanthonesty and decent government without graft?

"I tell you that's a big thing, Miss Langdon. That's success--realsuccess in politics, especially in Washington politics. 

"Now, if there's anything else you want him to have, I'll see that hegets it I'll try to get it for him"--he paused a minute, then added, with heartfelt meaning in his voice--"and for you, Miss Langdon. "

Carolina played coquettishly with the secretary. 

"For me, Mr. Haines?" she questioned, archly, with an effective glanceinto his eyes. 

Bud's pulses began to throb violently--to leap. 

"Yes, " he exclaimed, unsteadily, "for you, and you know it. That's theinspiration now, my inspiration--the chance of winning your belief inme, of winning something more, the biggest thing I ever thought towin--because, Miss Langdon--Carolina--I love you. " He bent over andseized the girl's hand. "Ever since the day I first saw you I--"

She shook her head indulgently and in a moment drew her hand from his. 

"You mustn't be so serious, Mr. Haines. You don't understand Southerngirls at all. We are not just like Northern girls. We are used tobeing made love to from the time we are knee-high. Sometimes, I fear, we flirt a little, but we don't mean any harm. All girls flirt--alittle. "

"But somebody wins even the Southern girls, " declared Haines, eagerly. 

The girl's face became serious, earnest, sincere. 

"Yes, somebody does, always, " she said. "And when a Southern girl iswon she stays won, Mr. Haines. "

"And I have a chance to win?" questioned the determined youngNortherner. 

Carolina smiled sweetly and expressively. 

"Who knows? First make my father even a bigger success--that's first. Oh, I wonder if you can realize what all this life means to me! If youcan realize what those years of stagnating on the plantation meant tome! No man would have endured it!" she exclaimed bitterly. "I am moreof a man than a woman in some ways; I'm ambitious. From the time I wasa little girl I've wanted the world, power, fame, money. I want themstill. I mean to get them somehow, anyhow. If I can't get them myself, some one must get them for me. "

"And love?" suggested the man. "You are leaving love out. Suppose Iget all these things for you?"

Bud's pounding heart almost stopped. He could scarcely gain his breathas he saw creep into Carolina's eyes what he believed to be the lightof hope for him, the light even of a woman's promise. 

"Who knows, Mr. Haines? There's no reward guaranteed. There may beothers trying, " she answered. 

Haines laughed--the strong, hopeful, fighting laugh of the man whowould combat the boss of the Senate on ground of the boss' ownchoosing. 

"All right!" he cried. "If it's an open fight I'll enlist. I'll givethem all a run. What are your orders?"

Carolina appeared indifferent. 

"I don't know that I have any particular orders, sir knight, except tosee that my father does all he can for the Altacoola naval base. "

Haines paused, seized by a sudden tremor. 

"The Altacoola naval base?" he stammered. "Well, all I can say is thatthe Senator will do what he thinks right. That might bring power andfame--a right decision in this case--but it can't bring money. "

Carolina shrugged her shoulders. 

"Money?" She laughed with affected carelessness. "Well, we'll have tolet the money take care of itself for a time. But I do want him tovote for Altacoola, because I believe that will be the best for him. You believe in Altacoola, don't you?"

Haines hesitated, then answered:

"Well, between the two sites merely as sites Altacoola seems to merather better. "

Miss Langdon held out her hand impulsively. 

"Then it will be Altacoola!" she cried. "Thank you, Mr. Haines. We arepartners, then, for Altacoola. "

The young man grasped her hand earnestly. 

"I'd like to be your partner for good, Carolina!" he cried. 

They stood there close together, holding each other's hands, lookinginto each other's eyes, when the door opened and in came CharlesNorton. 

CHAPTER XIII

AN OLD-FASHIONED FATHER

Congressman Norton was startled at the sight of Carolina and Hainesapparently so wrapped up in each other. Perhaps she was gettinginterested in the handsome, interfering secretary. That a womansometimes breaks her promise to wed he well knew. Plainly Carolinawas carrying things too far for a girl who was the promised wife ofanother. 

Carolina and Haines showed surprise at Norton's entrance. 

The Congressman advanced and spoke sneeringly, his demeanor markinghim to be in a dangerous mood. 

"Do I intrude?" he drawled, deliberately. 

Carolina drew away her hands from Haines and faced the newcomer. 

"Intrude!" she exclaimed, contemptuously, in a tone that Nortonconstrued as in his favor and Haines in his own. 

"Intrude!" Haines laughed, sarcastically, feeling that now he wasleader in the race for love against this Mississippi representative, who was, he knew, a subservient tool and a taker of bribes. "Yousurely do intrude, Norton. Wouldn't any man who had interrupted atête-á-tête another man was having with Miss Langdon be intruding?"

"I suppose I can't deny that, " he replied. 

The secretary smiled again. 

"I'll match you to see who stays, " he said. 

But Norton's turn to defeat his rival had come. He held out a paper toHaines. 

"Senator Langdon gave me this for you. I reckon I don't have tomatch. "

The secretary opened the note to read:

 "Where in thunder does that hydrate come from--South America or Russia? How much off on the tariff on the creature do we want? Come over to the committee room, where I am, right away. Say it's an urgent message and get in with a tip. "

The secretary looked up, with a laugh. 

"You win, Norton. I'm off. Good-by. " And he started on a run to theSenator's aid. 

Norton turned angrily on the girl as the door closed. 

"See here, Carolina, " he cried, "what do you mean by letting thatfellow make love to you?"

Carolina Langdon would not permit rebuke, even from the man she caredfor. She tossed back her head and said, coolly:

"Why shouldn't I let him make love to me if I choose?"

"You know why, " exclaimed Norton, his dark face flushing sullenly. "Because I love you and you love me!" And he seized her and pressedher to him. "That is why!" he cried, and he kissed her again andagain. 

"Yes, I love you, Charlie; you know that, " Carolina said, simply. Shewas conquered by the Southerner's masterfulness. 

"Then why do you stand for that whippersnapper's talk?" asked Norton, perplexedly. 

Carolina laughed. 

"Don't you see, Charlie, I have to stand for it? I have to stand forit for your sake, for Randolph's sake, for my own sake, for all oursakes. You know the influence he has over father. 

"He can make father do anything he wants, and suppose I don't lead himon? Where's our project? Let him suspect a thing and let him go tofather, and you know what will happen. Father would turn againstthat Altacoola scheme in a moment. He'd beggar himself, if it werenecessary, rather than let a single one of us make a dollar out of athing he had to decide. "

"You're right, I reckon, Carolina, " said Norton, dejectedly. "Yourfather is a real type of the Southern gentleman. He hasn't seen anyreal money in so long he can't even bear to think of it. Somebody'sgot to make money out of this, and we should be the ones. "

"We'd lose frightfully, Charlie, if they changed to Gulf City, wouldn't we?" said the girl, apprehensively. "I'm horribly afraidsometimes, Charlie. That's why I came here to-day. I wanted toinfluence Haines, to keep him straight. Is there any danger thatthey'll change? You don't think there is, do you?"

"Of course not, child. Stevens has got his money in, and Peabody. There are only five on the committee. It's bound to go through. "

"Then why is father so important to them?" asked Carolina. 

"It's past my understanding, Carolina. I don't see how he's done it, but the whole country has come to believe whatever your father does isright, and they've got to have him. "

"And father is completely under the domination of this secretary, "murmured the girl, thoughtfully. 

Norton nodded. 

"We've got to get rid of him, Carolina. That's all there is to it. Hehas to go! When it comes to bossing the Senator and making love toyou, too, he's getting too strong. "

"How can you do it?" she asked. "You know when father likes any one hewon't believe a thing against him. "

Norton agreed, sorrowfully. 

"That's right. Seems like the Senator's coming to think more of thisfellow than he does of his own family. Why, I wouldn't be surprised ifhe'd even let one of you girls marry him if he wanted to marry you. "

"We'd have something to say about that, " Carolina laughed, amusedly. "Do you think that Hope or I could ever care for a man like thisfellow? Of course not. This Altacoola business must go through right. It would be too cruel not to have it so. And then--"

"And then you and I'll be married at once, Carolina, whether yourfather likes it or not, " ended Norton for her. "With Altacoola safe, we can do as we please, as between us we'll be rich. What does itmatter how we get the money, as long as we get it?"

CHAPTER XIV

WHEN A DAUGHTER BETRAYS HER FATHER

Bud returned to find Miss Langdon and Norton still in the room. Newbuoyancy, new courage, thrilled in his veins. He would give thisCongressman the battle of his life for this prize, of that he wasconfident. 

"I have an engagement with Mrs. Holcomb, Senator Holcomb's wife, " shesaid, "so I must hurry away, but I expect to be back to see father. "

"I think I'll just wait, " suggested Norton. "I have to see the Senatoras soon as possible, and he ought to return from that ways and meanscommittee meeting pretty soon. "

When Carolina had gone a slight feeling of constraint settled over thetwo. 

"The Senator's pretty busy these days with his naval base mattercoming up, isn't he?"

"Yes; keeps him pretty busy receiving delegations from Altacoola andGulf City and patting them both on the back, " said Haines. "Had a manfrom Gulf City in this morning with some pretty strong arguments. "

The secretary watched Norton keenly to note the effect of this hint infavor of Gulf City. "

"Gulf City!" Norton sneered. "Shucks! Who'd put a naval base on abunch of mud flats? I reckon those Gulf City fellows are wasting theirtime. "

"Think so?" suggested Haines. "Are you absolutely sure?"

Norton started. 

"Why, you don't mean to tell me, " he exclaimed, "that Senator Langdonwould vote for Gulf City for the naval base?"

"I don't mean to tell you anything, Congressman, " was the coolrejoinder. "It's not my business. The Senator's the one who does thetalking. "

An ugly sneer wrinkled the Congressman's face. 

"Well, I'm glad he attends to his own business and doesn't trust toomany people, " he said pointedly. 

The secretary smiled in puzzling fashion. 

"That's exactly why I don't talk, Congressman, " he said pleasantly. "The Senator doesn't trust too many people. If he did, there might betoo much money made out of land speculation. Senator Langdon doesn'thappen to be one of those Senators who care for that kind of thing. "

"I suppose you think you're pretty strong with the Senator, " venturedthe Mississippian. 

"Tell you the truth, I haven't thought very much about it, " repliedHaines, "but, if you come right down to it, I guess I am prettystrong. "

"Suppose you've influenced him in the naval base business, then. "

Still the secretary smiled, keeping his temper under the adroitattack. 

"Well, I think he'd listen to me with considerable interest. "

"But you're for Altacoola, of course. "

Haines shook his head. 

"No, I can't say that I'm for Altacoola. Fellow who was in here thismorning put up a pretty good argument, to my mind, for Gulf City. In fact, he made it pretty strong. Seemed to show it was all to myinterest to go in with Gulf City. Think I'll have to investigate alittle more. I tell you, Norton, " spoke Haines in a confidentialmanner, "this land speculation fever is a frightful thing. While Iwas talking to this fellow from Gulf City I almost caught it myself. Probably if I met the head of the Altacoola speculation I might catchthe fever from him too. "

"Why don't you put your money into Gulf City and lose it, then?"replied Norton, nodding his head scornfully. "That'd be a good lessonfor a rising young politician like you. "

Senator Langdon's secretary peered straight into Norton's eyes. 

"Because, Congressman, " he said, "if I were to put my money in GulfCity perhaps I wouldn't lose it. "

The Southerner took a step forward, leaned over and glared angrily atHaines. His face whitened. 

"You don't mean that you could swing Langdon into Gulf City?" hegasped. 

Haines smiled. 

"I can't say that, Norton, but I guess people interested in Altacoolawould hate to have me try. "

"I didn't know you were that kind, Haines, " said Norton, his virtuearoused at the thought of losing his money. "So you're playing thegame like all the rest?"

"Why shouldn't I?" shrugged the secretary. "I guess perhaps I'm alittle sore because the Altacoola people haven't even paid me thecompliment of thinking I had any influence, so they can't expect me towork for them. The Gulf City people have. As things stand, Gulf Citylooks pretty good to me. "

"Is this straight talk?" exclaimed Norton. 

"Take it or leave it, " retorted Bud. 

The Mississippian leaned with his hands on the desk. 

"Well, Haines, if you're like the rest and are really interested inAltacoola, I don't know that you'd have to go very far to talk. "

"You know something of Altacoola lands, then, Norton?" said Robert, tingling with suppressed excitement. He felt that he was getting closeto real facts in a colossal "deal. "

Norton was sure of his man now. 

"Well, I am in touch with some people who've got lands and options onmore. I might fix it for you to come in, " he whispered. 

Haines shook his head. 

"You know I haven't much money, Norton. All I could put in would be myinfluence. Who are these people? Are they cheap little local folks orare they real people here who have some power and can do somethingthat is worth while?"

"Do I look like I'd fool with cheap skates, Haines? They're the realpeople. I think, Haines, that either Senator Stevens or SenatorPeabody would advise you that you are safe. "

"Ah! Then Stevens and Peabody are the ones. They'll make it Altacoola, then sell to the Government at a big advance and move to 'EasyStreet. '"

"That's right, " agreed Norton. 

Bud Haines straightened abruptly. The expression on his face gaveNorton a sudden chill--made him tremble. 

"Now I've got you, " cried the secretary. "You've given yourself deadaway. I've known all along you're a d--d thief, Norton, and you'vejust proved it to me yourself. "

"What do you mean?" Norton was clenching his fist. "Words like thatmean fight to a Southerner!"

"I mean that before Senator Langdon goes one step further in thismatter he shall know that his colleagues and you are thieves, Mr. Norton, trying to use him for a cat's-paw to steal for them from theGovernment. I suspected something this morning when Gulf City triedto bribe me and a visitor from there gave me what turns out to be apretty good tip. "

"So that was your dirty trick, " exclaimed the Congressman as heregained his composure. 

"Set a make-believe thief to catch a real one, " laughed the secretary. "Very good trick, I think. "

"I'll make you pay for that!" cried Norton, shaking his fist. 

"All right. Send in your bill any old time, " laughed Haines. "Thesooner the better. Meantime I'm going to talk to Langdon. "

He had started for the door when Carolina Langdon re-entered, followedby her brother Randolph. 

"Wait a minute, " said Norton, with unexpected quietness. "I wouldn'tdo what you're about to do, Mr. Haines. "

"Of course you wouldn't, " sneered Haines. 

"I mean that you will be making a mistake, Haines, to tell the Senatorwhat you have learned, " rejoined the Southerner, struggling to keepcalm at this critical moment when all was at stake. He realized, further, that now was the time to put Haines out of the way--if thatwere possible. "A mistake, Mr. Haines, " he continued, "because, yousee, you don't know as much as you think. I wouldn't talk to Langdonif I were you. It will only embarrass him and do no good, becauseLangdon's money is in this scheme, too, and Langdon's in the same boatwith the rest of us. "

Haines stopped short at this astounding charge against his chief. 

"Norton, you lie! I'll believe it of Langdon when he tells me so; nototherwise. "

Norton turned to Randolph. 

"Perhaps you'll believe Mr. Langdon's son, Mr. Haines?"

Randolph Langdon stepped forward. 

"It's true, Haines, " he said; "my father's money is in Altacoolalands. "

Haines looked him up and down, with a sneer. 

"_Your_ money may be, " he said. "I don't think you're a bit too goodfor it, but your father is a different kind. "

Carolina Langdon stood at the back of the room, nervously awaitingthe moment when, she knew, she would be forced into the unpleasantdiscussion. 

"I reckon you can't refuse to believe Miss Langdon, " drawled Norton, with aggravated deliberation. 

"Of course, " stammered Haines, "I'd believe it if Miss Langdon saysit's so. "

The Congressman turned toward Carolina as he spoke and fixed on hera tense look which spelled as plainly as though spoken, "It's all inyour hands, my fortune--yours. "

She slowly drew across the room. Haines could hardly conceal theturmoil of his mind. The world seemed suddenly snatched from aroundhim, leaving her figure alone before him. Would she affirm whatNorton and Randolph had said? He must believe her. But surely it wasimpossible that she--

Carolina played for time. She feared the making of a false move. 

"I don't understand?" she said inquiringly to Norton. 

He calmly began an elaborate explanation. 

"Miss Langdon, this secretary has discovered that there is a certainperfectly legitimate venture in Altacoola lands being carried onthrough certain influential people we know and by me. The blood of theyoung reformer is boiling. He is going straight to your father withthe facts. 

"I have tried to explain to him how it will needlessly embarrassthe Senator and spoil his own future. He won't believe me. He won'tbelieve your brother. Perhaps you can make it clear. "

At last Carolina nerved herself to speak. 

"You had better not go to my father, Mr. Haines. It will do no good. He--is--in--the deal! You must believe me when I tell you so. "

The girl took her eyes from the secretary. He was plainly suffering. 

CHAPTER XV

CAROLINA LANGDON'S ADVICE

"Let me speak to Mr. Haines alone, " said Carolina to Norton and herbrother. 

Norton turned a triumphant grin at Randolph as he beckoned him out andwhispered: "Leave him to her. It's all right. That New York dude hasbeen riding for a fall--he's going to get it now. "

"I am sorry, so sorry this should have occurred, Mr. Haines, " Carolinasaid gently. 

The secretary looked up slowly, his face drawn. It was an effort forhim to speak. 

"I can't understand it, " he said. "I mightn't have thought so much ofthis a month ago, but I have come to love the Senator almost as a son, and to think that he could be like the rest of that bunch is awful. "

"You are too much of an idealist, Mr. Haines, " said the girl. 

"And you? What do you think of it?" he demanded. 

The girl's glance wavered. 

"Don't idealize me too much, either, Mr. Haines. I didn't think it wasmuch. Perhaps I don't understand business any too well. "

"But you see now?" insisted the man. 

The girl looked up at him sorrowfully. 

"Yes; I see at least that you and father can never work together now. "

Haines nodded affirmatively. 

"I suppose so. I'm thinking of that. How am I to leave him? We've beenso close. I've been so fond of him. I don't know how I could tellhim. "

In girlish, friendly fashion Carolina rested her hand on his arm. 

"Won't you take my advice, Mr. Haines? Go away without seeing him. Just leave a note to say you have gone. He will understand. It will beeasier for both that way--easier for him, easier for you. " She paused, looking at him appealingly as she ended very softly, "And easier forme, Mr. Haines. "

He looked at her thoughtfully. 

"Easier for you?" he said. "Very well, I'll do it that way. "

The secretary stepped slowly to his desk, sat down and started towrite the note. Carolina watched him curiously. 

"What will you do, " she asked, "now that you have given up thisposition?"

"Oh, I can always go back to newspaper work, " he answered withoutlooking up. 

The term "newspaper work" gave Carolina a shock. She had forgottenthat this man had been a reporter. Here he was turned loose with theknowledge of this "deal, " which she knew would be popular material fornewspapers to print. She must gain still another point, and she feltthat she had enough power to win against him. 

"I'm going to ask you still another favor, " she said. 

Bud returned her look with a bitter smile. 

"What is it?"

"You have learned about this--this land matter and--"

"Oh, yes! I can guess. You want me to keep quiet about it--to hush itup, " a shade of scorn in his tone. 

"I only asked this so that you would not disgrace me, " she pleaded. 

Disillusioned at last, robbed of his lifelong optimism, shorn ofhis ideals, even his love--for he began to despise this beautiful, misguided woman--Haines sat broken in spirit, thinking how quickly thebrightness of life fades to blackness. 

"Very well, " he said sadly. "I suppose _you_ are innocent. I'll saveyou. If they're all--your father, too--crooked, why shouldn't I becrooked? All right; I won't say anything. "

"I only ask you not to disgrace me, " pleaded the girl. "You willpromise that?"

"It's a promise. "

She sighed in relief. 

"Father will be coming back soon, " she said. "You won't want to seehim. "

Haines arose. 

"No, I won't want to see him. Give him this note. I'll have to comeback while he's away to clear up some things. Good-by. "

Haines bowed and hurried from the room through a side doorway just asSenator Langdon came in through the main entrance. 

"Bud! Bud!" he called, but the secretary did not halt. 

Carolina Langdon stood with Haines' note in her hand, wondering atwhat she had done. She regretted having become entangled in the warsof men in Washington. She saw that the man's game was played toostrongly, too furiously fast, for most women to enter, yet sherejoiced that the coveted fortune had not been lost. She was sorrythat her means of saving it had not been less questionable. She sawthat ambition and honesty, ambition and truth, with difficulty followthe same path. 

Senator Langdon's face was unusually grave as he came to greetCarolina. Lines showed in his face that the daughter had never noticedbefore. 

She saw Norton and Randolph, who had followed him, exchangesignificant glances--jubilant glances--and wondered what newdevelopment they had maneuvered. 

"He's gone without a word, " the Senator sighed. "Well, perhap's that'sbest. "

"He left a note for you, " said the girl, handing him the letter whichHaines had given her. 

Langdon opened it and read:

"I am giving up the job. You can understand why. The least said aboutit between us the better. I am sorry. That's all. BUD HAINES. "

Slowly he read the letter a second time. 

"And he was making the best kind of a secretary, I thought. "

Divining that something against Haines had been told her father, Carolina glanced at Norton. 

"I told your father how we caught Mr. Haines, " he spoke as an answerto her. 

The girl was startled. She had not thought that things would go thisfar. 

"I told him how Haines wanted to get in some land speculation schemewith Altacoola, how we tricked him and caught him with the goods whenhe made the proposition to me and how we forced him to confess. "

"You told father that?" gasped Carolina. 

Norton nodded. 

"I don't understand it, " said Langdon. "To think that he was thatkind!"

Son Randolph now took his turn in the case against the secretary. 

"We were both here, father. I heard him--Carolina heard him, " he said. "Didn't you, Carolina?"

"Yes, " said the girl weakly, "I was here. " Then she turned abruptly. "I must go, " she said, "must go right away. Mrs. Holcomb is waitingfor me. "

The Senator turned to his desk bent and discouraged. 

"I suppose I should have taken a secretary who was a Southerner and agentleman. Well, Randolph, you'll have to act now. Take this letter--"

The young man sat down and took the following from the Senator'sdiction:

 "MR. HAINES--

 "Sir: I quite understand your feelings and the impossibility of your continuing in my employ. The least said about it the better. I am sorry, too. 

 "WILLIAM H. LANGDON. "

"You boys run away. I've got to think, " said the Senator. 

When the pair had gone the old man drew the letter to him, and belowhis signature he added a postscript: "Don't forget there's some moneycoming to you. "

Walking across the room to leave, he sighed:

"He was making the best kind of a secretary. "

CHAPTER XVI

A RESCUE IN THE NICK OF TIME

Later in that never-to-be-forgotten day Bud Haines ventured back tohis desk in the committee room, after first ascertaining that SenatorLangdon would not return. Some of the Senator's papers must bestraightened out, and he wanted personal documents of his own. 

The secretary regretfully, sorrowfully performed these final dutiesand found himself stopping at various intervals to try to explain tohimself how he had been deceived in both the Langdons, father anddaughter. He had to give up both problems. To him neither wasexplainable. "I've known enough Senators to know that I'd never meetan honest one, " he muttered. "But as to women--well, there's too muchcarefully selected wisdom in their innocence to suit me. "

This cynic, new born from the shell of the chronic idealist that was, suddenly was disturbed in his ruminations by a sound at the door. Looking up, he saw Hope Georgia Langdon standing, shyly, embarrassed, in the main entrance. 

"Mr. Haines, " she said, timidly. 

Bud jumped to his feet. 

"Yes, Miss Hope Georgia. "

As the Senator's younger daughter came toward him he noticed thatshe was excited over something, and for a newly made cynic he tookaltogether too much notice of her youthful beauty, her fresh, rosycomplexion and her dancing, sparkling eyes. The thought occurred tohim, "What a woman she will make--if she doesn't imitate her sister!"

"I couldn't let you go, Mr. Haines, without telling you good-by andletting you know that, no matter what the others say, I don't thinkthere has been anything wrong. "

Before Haines could reply, the young girl rushed on, excitedly:

"That's why I came. I know father and Carolina won't like it--theywon't think it's nice--but I wanted to say to you that I don't thinkone ought to believe things against one you've liked and trusted. "

"You think one ought not, " said Haines. "So do I; but in this casethe proofs were very strong. What are you going to do when people youcan't doubt pledge their word?"

The girl tossed her head. 

"Well, the only one's word I'd like to take would be the personaccused. I know I'm only a girl, Mr. Haines, and I'm not grown up, butyou've made a mistake. Do try to clear things up. Why don't you seefather and talk with him? Please do, Mr. Haines. "

Little realizing that the girl was speaking in his own favor, for heknew not the need for such speaking, he believed her to be defendingher father. He grasped her hands impulsively. 

"You have grown up very much since you came to the capital, haven'tyou?" he said. "And you are right, Miss Hope. I ought to have knowneven when the facts were against him that your father couldn't havebeen really crooked. He can't be. "

Hope Langdon's face flushed indignantly. 

"Father crooked? Who said so? Who dared say that?" she exclaimed. 

"Why, they told me he had sold out on the Altacoola bill. They said hewas trying to make money on Altacoola. That's why I quit. "

The flame of anger still was spread on the girl's face. 

"They said that!" she exclaimed. "Then they lied. They said you werethe crooked one. Why, father thinks you sold out on Altacoola. Theysaid you were trying to make money on that navy yard. "

"What! They said I was crooked!" Haines fairly shouted. He rushedaround the desk and caught the girl by both hands. 

"I see it!" he cried. "I see it! There's something I'm not just on to. You thought it was I; your father thinks--"

"Of course, " exclaimed Hope, quite as excited as he. "I couldn'tbelieve it. That's why I came back to get you to explain. I wanted youto disprove the charge. "

"I should say I would, " cried the secretary. 

"I knew it! I knew it! They couldn't make me believe anything againstyou. I knew you were all I thought you. Oh, Mr. Haines, prove you arethat for my--"

Then Hope Georgia abruptly stopped. She had lost her head, and in theenthusiasm of the moment had revealed her real feelings--somethingshe would never do presumably when she grew more wise in the ways ofwomen. 

She suddenly thrust Haines' hands from her own and stood staring athim, wondering--wondering if he had guessed. 

Strangely enough, under the circumstances, the girl was the first torecover and break the awkward silence. 

"Come to our house to-night, Mr. Haines. There's to be a dinner and amusicale, as you know; but that won't matter. No matter who says no, Ipromise you that you shall see father. There shall be an explanation. "

"Thank you, Miss Hope. You don't realize all you've done for me, " saidBud, seriously. "It's a wonderful thing to find a girl who believes ina man. You've taught me a lot, Miss Hope. Thank you. "

"Good-by, Mr. Haines. Come to-night, " she said, as she turned andhurried away. 

Bud Haines stood looking after her, thoughtfully. 

"What a stunning girl she is! I've seemed to overlook her, with therush of events--and Carolina, " he murmured, softly. "We never weresuch very great friends, yet she believes in me. What a beauty sheis!"

A messenger boy broke in on his musings with a letter for SenatorLangdon marked "Important. "

"Guess I'm secretary enough yet to answer this, " he thought, tearingit open. 

"Great heavens!" he exclaimed as he read it. "Here's the chance to getto the bottom of this Altacoola proposition. It's from Peabody. "

Haines read the following:

"DEAR SENATOR LANGDON: I am going to Philadelphia to-night. Urgentcall from a company for which I am counsel, so I probably won't beable to confer with you regarding the committee's choice for the navalbase. But I know you are for Altacoola and trust to you to do allyou can for that site. I, of course, consider the matter definitelysettled. "

 * * * * *

"This situation will enable Langdon to bluff Peabody and draw out ofhim all the inside of the Altacoola business--ought to, anyway. Guesssome Gulf City talk will smoke him out. "

Haines rushed out and across the hall, to reappear literally haulingin a stenographer by the scruff of the neck. "Here, you, take thisdictation--record time, " he cried:

 "SENATOR HORATIO PEABODY, Louis Napoleon Hotel: You are going to Philadelphia to-night, I know, leaving the report on the naval base to me. I have just come on various aspects of the situation which make me incline very favorably toward Gulf City. I am looking into the matter and, of course, shall act according to my best judgment. That is what you will want me to do, I know. Sincerely yours, "WILLIAM H. LANGDON. "

"I don't think Senator Peabody will go to Philadelphia to-night, "laughed Haines grimly, as he addressed the envelope, "and I think thatwhen the 'boss of the Senate' hurries around to the Langdon houseinstead there will be more than one kind of music, more than one kindof food eaten--perhaps crow--before the evening is over. "

Seizing his hat, Bud rushed to the door to look up a messenger. 

"It's all in Langdon's hands now, " he cried. "Here's where I resign myposition as United States Senator. "

CHAPTER XVII

THE CONSPIRATORS OUTWITTED

Senator Langdon's dinners had well won popularity in Washington. Invitations to them were rarely answered by the sending of "regrets. "He had brought his old Mississippi cook from the plantation, whoseSouthern dishes had caused the Secretary of State himself to make theSenator an offer for the chef's services. "No use bidding for oldGeneral Washington, " said the Senator on that notable occasion. "Hewouldn't leave my kitchen, sir, even to accept the presidency itself. Why, I couldn't even discharge him if I wanted to. I tried to let himgo once, sir, and the old general made me feel so ashamed of myselfthat I actually cried, sir. "

Peabody and Stevens were the dinner guests to-night, as they were toconfer afterward with Langdon and settle on the action of the navalaffairs committee regarding the naval base. The three, being amajority, could control the action of the committee. 

Senator Peabody had finally postponed leaving for Philadelphia untilthe midnight train in order to be present, he assured Langdon as thetrio entered the library. The girls, Norton and Randolph were leftto oversee preparations for the prominent Washingtonians invited toattend the musicale to be given later in the evening. 

Carolina and Hope Georgia were in distinctly different moods--theelder, vivacious, elated over the bright outlook for her future;the younger, cast down and wearing a worried expression. Norton andRandolph in jubilant spirit tried to cheer her, and failing, resortedto taunts about some imaginary love affair. 

The courage of the afternoon, which had enabled her to speak to Hainesas she had, was gone; girlish fears now swept over her as to theoutcome of the evening. Haines had not come! Was he really guilty andhad promised to come merely to get rid of her? Why was he late? If hedid come, would she be able to have her father see him, as she hadpromised? If she failed, and she might, she would never see this youngman again. 

"If I looked as unhappy as you, Hope, I'd go to bed and not discourageour guests as they arrive, " Carolina suggested. "Our floraldecorations alone for to-night cost $700, and the musical program costover $3, 000. The most fashionable folks in Washington coming--whatmore could you want, Hope? Isn't it perfectly glorious? Why--"

"Mr. Haines is below, asking to see Senator Langdon, " announced aservant, entering. 

"Oh, I knew he'd come! I knew it! I knew it!" cried Hope Georgia inpure ecstasy, clapping her hands. 

The three plotters turned on the girl in amazement; then they staredat each other. 

"Mr. Haines!" ejaculated Carolina. 

"Haines!" exclaimed Randolph, hurriedly leaving the room. 

"Haines!" sneered Norton. "We can take care of him. The Senator won'tsee him. "

Carolina caught the suggestion. 

"Tell Mr. Haines that Senator Langdon regrets that he cannot possiblyreceive him, " she directed. 

"Carolina!"

There was a ring of protest and pain in Hope Georgia's voice as shedarted out of the door after the servant. 

"What's the matter with that girl?" asked Norton, trying to be calm. 

Carolina shook her head. 

"I don't know. She's queer to-day. I believe she imagines herself inlove with Mr. Haines. "

"Aren't you afraid she'll make trouble?"

The other sister laughed confidently. 

"Little Hope make trouble? Of course not. If she does, we can alwaysfrighten her into obedience. "

The door reopened and Hope entered, followed by Bud Haines. The girl'shead was high; her cheeks were red; her eyes glittered ominously. 

"I brought him back, Carolina, " she said coolly. "Father will want tosee him. I know there has been some mistake. "

"Yes, " supplemented Bud, "there has been a decided mistake, and I mustrefuse to accept the word that came to me from Senator Langdon. "

Carolina Langdon drew herself up in her most dignified manner. 

"I'm sorry, Mr. Haines, but you must accept it, " she said. 

"Exactly, " seconded Norton. "Senator Langdon entirely declines toreceive you. "

"I don't trust anything you say, Congressman Norton, and I may sayalso that I recognize no right of yours to interfere in any affairbetween me and the Langdon family. "

"Perhaps I can explain my right, Mr. Haines, " Norton said coolly, stepping beside Carolina. "I have just had the pleasure of announcingto Miss Hope Georgia Langdon my engagement to Miss Carolina Langdon. "

Haines, entirely unprepared for such a dénoûement, shot a searchingglance at Carolina. She bowed her head in affirmation. 

"So that's why you tried to ruin me!" he cried. "You're both from thesame mold, " turning from Carolina Langdon to Congressman Norton, thenback to the girl. 

They stood facing each other when Randolph Langdon returned. At sightof Bud Haines he started, stopped short a second, then came forwardquickly. 

"Mr. Haines, my father has declared that he will not see you, andeither you leave this house at once or I shall call the servants. "

Bud looked at young Langdon contemptuously. 

"Yes, I think you would need some help, " he sneered, feeling in hisveins the rush of red blood, the determination in his heart that hada few years back carried him through eighty yards of struggling Yalefootball players to a touchdown. 

The Senator's son drew back his arm, but the confident look of the NewYorker restrained him. 

"Mr. Haines, in the South gentlemen do not make scenes of violencebefore ladies. "

The cold rebuke of Carolina cut into the silence. 

Haines stood in perplexity. He did not know what to do or how to getto the Senator. It was Hope who came to his rescue. 

"I'll tell father you are here. I'll make him come, Mr. Haines. Heshall see you. "

With the air of a defiant little princess she started for the door. 

"Hope, I forbid you doing any such thing, " exclaimed her older sister, but the younger girl paid no attention. Randolph caught her arm. 

"You shall not, Hope, " he cried. 

Hope Georgia struggled and pulled her arm free. 

"I reckon I just got to do what seems right to me, Randolph, " sheexclaimed. "I reckon I've grown up to-night, and I tell you--I tellall of you"--she whirled and faced them--"there's something wronghere, and father is going to see Mr. Haines to-night, and they aregoing to settle it. "

Norton alone was equal to the situation, temporarily at least. 

"I'll be fair with you, Hope, " he said reassuringly, and she stoppedin her flight to the hall door. "I'll take Carolina and Randolph in tosee the Senator, and we'll tell him Mr. Haines is here. Perhaps we hadbetter tell the Senator, " Norton suggested, beckoning to Carolina andher brother. "Let Mr. Haines wait here, and we will make the situationclear to the Senator. "

"You'd better make it very clear, " exclaimed the younger girl, "forI'm going to stay here with Mr. Haines until he has seen father. "

The guilty trio, fearful of this new and unexplainable activity ofHope Georgia, slowly departed in search of Senator Langdon to make alast desperate attempt to prevent him from meeting this pestilentialsecretary that was--and might be again. 

When the door closed after them Hope came down to the table where BudHaines was standing. 

"Won't you sit down, Mr. Haines?" she said. "I'll--I'll try toentertain you until father comes, " she said weakly, realizing thatagain she was alone with the man she loved. 

CHAPTER XVIII

HOPE LANGDON'S HOUR OF TRIUMPH

Haines sat at a table in the reception-room, across from HopeGeorgia, and his gratitude for her battle in his favor mingled with arealization of qualities in this young lady that he had never beforenoticed. Probably he did not know that what he had really seen in herthat day and that evening was the sudden transition from girlhood towomanhood, her casting aside of thoughtless, irresponsive youth andthe shouldering of the responsibilities of the grown woman who woulddo her share in the world's work. 

He stared across in astonishment at this slip of a girl who hadoutwitted two resourceful men and an older sister of unquestionedability. 

"I do not recognize you, Miss Hope, " he said finally. 

"Perhaps you never looked at me before, " she suggested archly, feelinginstinctively that this was her hour; that the man she loved was atthis moment thinking more about her than of anything else in theworld. 

Haines made a gesture of regret. 

"That must be it, " he agreed. Then he leaned forward eagerly. "But I'mlooking at you now, and I like looking at you. I like what you've donefor me. "

"Oh, that was nothing, Mr. Haines, " she exclaimed airily, herintuition telling her of her sway over the man. 

"Nothing!" he exclaimed. "Well, it's more than any one ever did for mebefore. I've known lots of girls--"

"I don't doubt that, Mr. Haines, " Hope interjected, with a lightlaugh. 

"Yes, I say I've known lots of girls, but there's never been one whoshowed herself such a true friend as you have been. There's never beenany one who believed in me this way when I was practically down andout. "

"Perhaps you've never been down and out before, Mr. Haines, so theynever had a chance to show whether they believed in you or not. "

"That may be one reason, " he answered. "I wonder why"--he paused--"Iwonder why your sister Carolina did not believe in me. "

"You were quite fond of her, weren't you?" the girl began, thenstopped and turned away her head. 

Haines gazed curiously at Hope. 

"I was, yes. I even thought I loved her, but I soon saw my mistake. Itwasn't love. It was only a kind of--"

Suddenly pausing, Bud Haines shot a swift glance at the girl. 

"What wonderful hair you have, Miss Hope. "

The girl smiled invitingly. 

"Think so?"

"Yes, " he declared earnestly. "I know so. I never noticed it before, but I guess lots of fellows down in Mississippi have. "

Hope's tantalizing smile worried him. "I hope you are not secretlyengaged too!" he exclaimed. 

"No, oh, no!" she answered quickly, before she thought. 

"Or in love?" he asked seriously. 

Haines had stood up and was now leaning intently over the table. Herealized the difference between the feeling he had had for Carolinaand the tender emotion that thrilled him as he thought of the sweetgirl before him. This time he knew he was not mistaken. He knew thathe truly loved Hope Langdon. 

"Or in love?" he asked again, anxious at her silence. 

Hope looked at him slowly. A faint blush illumined her face. 

"Oh, don't let's talk about me, " she exclaimed. 

"But I want to talk about you, " he cried. "I don't want to talk aboutanything else. I must talk about you, and I'm going to talk whetheryou want to hear or not. You've believed in me when nobody elsebelieved. You've fought for me when everybody else was fightingagainst me. You've shown that you think I am honest and worthy of awoman's faith. You fought your own family for me. Nobody has ever donefor me what you have, and--and--"

He faltered, full of what he was about to say. 

"And you're grateful, " she ended. 

He looked her squarely in the eyes as though to fathom her thoughts. Then he reached toward the girl and seized both her hands. 

"Grateful nothing!" he cried. "I'm not grateful. I'm in love--in lovewith you. I want you--want you as I never wanted anything or anybodybefore, and I tell you I'm going to have you. Do you hear?"

Hope could not hide her agitation. The light in her eyes showed shewas all a woman. 

[Illustration: THE LANGDON FAMILY. ]

"Oh, nothing in the world could happen as quickly as that, Mr. Haines!" she protested, with her last attempt at archness. 

"Nothing could?" he threatened. "I'll show you. "

He advanced quickly around the table, but the girl darted just beyondhis grasp. Then she paused--and her lover gathered her in his arms. 

"Hope, my dear, you are my own, " was all he could say as he bent overto kiss the lips that were not refused to him. 

Hope released herself from his fervent grasp. 

"I love you, I do love you, " she said fondly. "I believe in you, andfather must too. You've got to straighten this tangle out now, for mysake as well as your own. Father will listen. "

"It's all so strange, so wonderful, I can hardly understand it, " beganHaines slowly, as he held the girl's hands. 

Unknown to both, the door leading from the hall had opened to admitSenator Langdon into the lower end of the room. Surprised at the sightof the couple, so seriously intent on each other, he made a suddengesture of anger, then, apparently changing his mind, advanced towardthem. 

"I believe you want to see me, sir, " he said to Haines. "I hope you'llbe brief. I have very little time to spare from my guests. "

Hope's bosom fluttered timorously at the interruption. The mannervously stepped forward. 

"I sha'n't take much of your time, Senator Langdon, " he said. "Therehas been a misunderstanding, a terrible mistake. I am sure I canconvince you. "

Senator Langdon hesitated doubtfully, half turned toward Carolina, Randolph and Norton, who had followed him, and again faced Haines. 

Hope pressed her father's arm and looked up into his faceentreatingly. Randolph, observing this, quickly stepped close to theSenator's side, saying, "I can settle with this Mr. Haines for you. "

Waving his son aside, the Senator finally spoke. 

"I reckon there's been too many attending to my business and settlingmy affairs, Randolph, " he said. "I think for a change I'll settle afew of my own. All of you children go out and leave me here with Mr. Haines. "

CHAPTER XIX

SENATOR LANGDON LEARNS THE TRUTH

When they were alone Haines faced the Senator and spoke determinedly. 

"They told you I was not running straight, " he said. 

The Senator nodded, and the lines about his mouth deepened. 

"Yes. "

Bud Haines stiffened at the word. Every muscle in his body seemed tobecome rigid as he mentally vowed that he would retaliate against histraducers if it cost him his life to do it. Hope had informed him onlytoo accurately, he now realized. Little did the Senator know that whathe was now about to hear would give him one of the severest shocks ofhis life. 

"They told me you weren't running straight, " said Haines deliberately. "Now, neither one of us has been crooked, but somebody else has been, and this was the plan to keep us apart. "

"Norton told me you were speculating in Altacoola lands, " saidLangdon. 

"And Norton told me the same of you, " retorted Bud. 

The Senator's face grew very serious. 

"But my daughter, Miss Carolina Langdon, confirmed Norton's story. "

Haines here faced the most difficult part of his interview. He hardlyknew how to answer. His manhood rebelled against placing any blame ona woman. He revolted at the thought of ruining a father's faith in hisdaughter's honesty, especially when that father was the man he mostadmired, a man for whom he had genuine, deep-rooted affection. But itwas necessary that the words be spoken. 

"I hate to tell you, sir, " he said in a low, uncertain voice, "that itwas your daughter Carolina who made me believe this story told aboutyou and vouched for by your son Randolph. "

Langdon started back aghast. He stared at Haines and knew that hespoke the truth. Then his white head sank pathetically. Tears welledinto the eyes of the planter, and this sturdy old fighting man droppedweakly into a chair, sobbing convulsively, broken in spirit andwearied in body. 

At length Haines spoke to his stricken chief. 

"I know it hurts, " he said. "It hurt me to have to say it. Don'tbelieve it until you get it out of Norton, but then you must dosomething. "

Langdon came to his feet, mopping his cheeks. But there was noweakness in him now. Yes, he would do something. He would go after thethieves that had turned his own flesh and blood against him and rootthem all out--show them all up. 

"Oh, I'll do something, " he said grimly. "I'm going to make up forlost time. Of course, Norton is speculating. Who's behind him?"

"Stevens and Peabody, I'm positive, " answered Haines, "and behind themis Standard Steel. "

"What!" exclaimed Langdon. "Stevens in a swindle like this! Are yousure? How do you know?"

"A Gulf City man who couldn't carry his liquor gave me some clues, and I worked Norton into telling some more, " answered the secretary. "Where is Peabody?"

"He's here now. "

"Then he hasn't got my letter yet. I sent him a note and signed yourname, Senator, to the effect that the Gulf City claims have beenbrought before you so strongly that you might vote for Gulf City. "

Langdon was amazed. 

"You sent that note, " he exclaimed, "when you know Altacoola is theonly proper place and Gulf City is a mud bank?"

The newspaper man smiled. 

"Of course, " he agreed, "but I had to get a rise out of Peabody. Thiswill show where he stands. "

"Oh, " said Langdon, "I understand. Thanks, boy. "

A servant entered with a note. 

"For Senator Peabody, sir, marked 'Urgent. ' The messenger's beenhunting him for some hours. "

Langdon looked shrewdly at Bud, then turned to the servant. 

"You keep that note until I ring for you, then bring it to SenatorPeabody. Understand? No matter how urgent it's marked. "

The man bowed. 

"Yes, sir. "

"Now tell Mr. Norton, Miss Langdon and Mr. Randolph to come here. "

The Senator turned back to his secretary. 

"I expect I'm going to be pretty busy the rest of the evening, Bud, soin case I forget to mention it again, remember to show up at your olddesk in the morning. "

"I will. Thank you, sir. "

"You sent for us, Senator, " said Norton, approaching with his twodupes. 

"You are interested in Altacoola lands, " the Senator angrily charged. 

"I am, sir, " he said. 

"And you told Mr. Haines that I was interested in Altacoola lands?"

The schemer hesitated, and the Senator broke in on him in rage. 

"Speak out, man! Tell the truth, if you can. "

"I did, " admitted the Congressman finally. 

"Was there any particular reason for your not telling the truth?"demanded the Mississippian in threatening tone. 

"I told the truth, " replied Norton. "You are interested in them. "

For an instant Langdon seemed about to step toward him, then hecontrolled himself. 

"I didn't know it, " he said. 

"You have several things to learn, Senator, " declared the Congressman. 

"I have things to learn and things to teach, " he said. "But go on. Whyam I interested?"

"You are interested, Senator, " replied the trickster, making his bigplay, "through your son, Randolph, who invested $50, 000 of your moneyin Altacoola, and also through your daughter, Miss Carolina, who, acting on my advice, has put her own money--$25, 000--in Altacoola landalso. "

For a moment Langdon was speechless. It was too much at first for thehonest old Southerner to comprehend. 

"You mean, " he gasped at last, "that you induce a boy to put $50, 000in Altacoola land when you knew I had to vote on the bill? And youeven let my daughter put her money in the same scheme?"

"Of course, I did. It was a splendid chance, and I let your son infor friendship and your daughter because she has done me the honor topromise to become my wife. "

"What! You have my daughter's promise to marry you, you--"

"She admits it herself. "

"Then I reckon here's where I lose a prospective son-in-law, " sneeredLangdon. "But that's unimportant. Now, Norton, who's behind you?"

"I must decline to answer that. "

Langdon looked at him sternly. 

"Very well, " he said. "You are too small to count. I'll find out formyself. Now you go to my study and wait there until I send for you. Imust be alone with my children. "

When Norton and Haines had left them, Langdon turned sadly to the twochildren who had disgraced him. 

"Can you understand?" he said. "Do you know what you've done to me?"

"What, father? We've done nothing wrong!" protested Carolina. 

"They told me it was perfectly legitimate, " urged Randolph. "They saideverybody--Peabody and Stevens and the rest--were in it, and Peabodyis the boss of the Senate. "

"Yes, my boy, " assented the old planter, "he's the leader in theSenate, and that's the shameful part of all this--that a man of hishigh standing should set you so miserable an example. "

Randolph Langdon was not a vicious lad, not a youth who preferred orchose wrongdoing for the increased rewards it offered. He was at hearta chivalrous, straightforward, trustful Southern boy who believed inthe splendid traditions of his family and loved his father as ason should a parent having the qualities of the old hero ofCrawfordsville. Jealous of his honor, he had been a victim of Norton'swiles because of the Congressman's position and persuasiveness, because this companion of his young days had won his confidence andhad not hesitated to distort the lad's idea of what was right and whatwas wrong. 

Randolph began an indignant protest against his father's reproof whenthe Senator cut him short. 

"Don't you see?" said the Senator. "I can understand there beingrascals in the outside world and that they should believe yourcareless, foolish old father lawful game, but that he should bethought a tool for dishonest thieving by members of his own family isincomprehensible. 

"Randolph, my son, Carolina, my daughter, through all theirgenerations the Langdons have been honorable. Your mother was aRandolph, and this from you! Oh, Carolina! And you, Randolph! Howcould you? How could you betray or seek to betray your father, whosees in you the image of your dear mother, who has gone?"

CHAPTER XX

THE CALL TO ARMS

Both Randolph, and Carolina were deeply affected by their father'swords. 

The daughter attempted to take on herself the blame for her brother'saction. 

"I was the older one. I might have stopped him if I had wished, andshould bear the burden. "

"No, no, father, " exclaimed the youth, his inborn self-relianceprompting him to shoulder the consequences of his own mistakes. "I, and I alone, am responsible for what I did. I did not realize that itwas wrong. I will not hide behind Carolina. "

Carolina Langdon bore herself better than was to have been expectedunder the strain of the painful interview. She saw more clearly nowhow she had erred. She was undergoing an inward revolution that wouldmake it impossible for her ever again to veer so far from the line ofduty to her father, her family and to herself. 

When Randolph had finished Carolina took up her own defense, andeloquently she pleaded the defense of many a woman who yearns for whatshe has not got, for what may be beyond her reach--the defense of thewoman who chafes under the limitations of worldly position, of sex andof opportunity. It was the defense of an ambitious woman. 

"Perhaps I ought to have been a man of the Langdon family, " sheexclaimed. "Father, oh, can't you understand that I couldn't doze mylife away down on those plantations? You don't know what ambition is. I had to have the world. I had to have money. If I had been a man Iwould have tried big financial enterprises. I should have liked tofight for a fortune. You wouldn't have condemned me then. You mighthave said my methods were bold, but if I succeeded I would have beena great man. But just because I am a woman you think I must sit homewith my knitting. No, father, the world does move. Women must have anequal chance with men, but I wish I had been a man!"

"Even then I hope you would have been a gentleman, " rebuked her fathersternly. "Women should have an equal chance, Carolina. They shouldhave an equal chance for the same virtues as men, not for the samevices. "

"But an equal chance, " returned the girl fervidly. "There, father, youhave admitted what I have tried to prove. The woman with the spirit ofa man, the spirit that cries to a woman. 'Advance, ' 'Accomplish, ' 'Besomething, ' 'Strike for yourself, ' cannot sit idly by while all theworld moves on. If it is true that I have chosen the wrong means, the wrong way, to better my lot I did it through ignorance, and thatignorance is the fault of the times in which I live, of the systemthat guides the era in which I live. 

"I am what the world calls 'educated, ' but the world, the world ofmen, knows better. It laughs at me. It has cheated me because I ama woman. The world of men has fenced me in and hobbled me withconvention, with precedent, with fictitious sentiment. If I pursuethe business of men as they themselves would pursue it I am called anungrateful daughter. If I should adopt the morals of men I would becalled a fallen woman. If I adopted the religion of men I would haveno religion at all. Turn what way I will--"

[Illustration: "YOU'LL HAVE TO TAKE YOUR MEDICINE LIKE A MAN. "]

"But not every woman feels the way you do, my daughter, " broke in theSenator. 

"No, you are right, because their spirit has been crushed bygenerations, by centuries of forced subserviency to men. They tell uswe should be thankful that we do not live in China, where women arephysical slaves to men. In our country they are forced to be mentaland social slaves to men. Is one very much worse than the other?"

"Then, dear, " and her father's tone was very gentle, "if you want anequal chance--want to be equal to a man--you must take your medicinewith Randolph, like a man. "

"What are you going to do, sir?" she asked, afraid. 

"I'm going to spoil all your little scheme, dear, " he returned, smiling sadly. "I'm going, I fear, to make you lose all your money. I'd like to make it easy for you, but I can't. You've got to take yourmedicine, children, and when it's all over back there in Mississippi Ishall be able, I hope, to patch up your broken lives, and together wewill work out your mistakes. I can't think of that now. The honor ofthe Langdons calls. This is the time for the fight, and any one whofights against me must take the consequences. "

He walked over and touched the bell. 

"Thomas, " he said to the servant who responded, "take that letter atonce to Senator Peabody, in the library. "

"What is it, sir?" asked Randolph. 

"It's the call to arms, " responded his father grimly. 

Senator Peabody read the letter to which Haines had signed Langdon'sname and jumped up from his chair in the library in astonishment. Without a word to the startled Stevens he rushed to confront Langdon. 

"What's the meaning of this?" he shouted as he burst in on the juniorSenator from Mississippi. 

"Of what?" asked the Southerner, with a blandness that added fuel toPeabody's irritation. 

"Don't trifle with me, sir!" cried "the boss of the Senate. " "Thisletter. You sent it. Explain it! I'm in no mood to joke. "

Langdon looked at him calmly. 

"I think the letter is quite plain, Senator, " he said. "You can read. "Then he turned to his daughter. "This discussion cannot possiblyinterest you, my dear. Will you go to the drawing-room to receive ourguests?"

Carolina obeyed. She seemed to be discovering new qualities in thisfather whom she had considered to be too old-fashioned for his time. 

"Now, Senator, go ahead, and, Randolph, you bring Stevens. "

"You're switching to Gulf City?" demanded Peabody. 

"I'm considering Gulf City, " agreed Langdon. 

Peabody brought down his fist on the table. 

"It's too late to consider anything, Langdon, " he cried. "We'recommitted to Altacoola, and Altacoola it is. I don't care what youheard of Gulf City. Now, I'd like to settle this thing in a friendlymanner, Langdon. I like always for every member of the Senate to havehis share of the power and the patronage. We've been glad to putyou forward in this naval base matter. We appreciate thestraightforwardness, the honesty of your character. You look well. You're the kind of politician the public thinks it wants nowadays, butyou've been in the Senate long enough to know that bills have to pass, and you know you can't get through anything without my friends, and Itell you now I'll throttle any Gulf City plan you bring up. "

"Then if you are as sure of that you can't object to my being for GulfCity?" asked Langdon. 

"Are you financially interested in Gulf City?" demanded Peabody. 

"Senator Peabody!" exclaimed Langdon. 

"Don't flare up, Langdon, " retorted Peabody. "That sort of thing hashappened in the Senate. There are often perfectly legitimate profitsto be made in some regular commercial venture by a man who has insideinformation as to what's doing up on Capitol Hill. "

"Senator Peabody, " asked Langdon, "why are you so strong forAltacoola?"

The Pennsylvanian hesitated. 

"Its natural advantages, " he said at last. 

The Southerner shook his head. 

"Oh, that's all? Well, if natural advantages are going to settleit, and not influence, go ahead and vote, and I'll just bring in aminority report for Gulf City. "

"The boss of the Senate" was in a corner now. 

"Confound it, Langdon, if you will have it, I am interested inAltacoola. "

Langdon nodded. 

"That's all I wanted to know, " he said. 

"Now you see why it's got to be Altacoola, " persisted the boss. 

"I don't mind telling you, then, Senator Peabody, " answered Langdoncalmly, "that my being for Gulf City was a bluff. I've been trying todraw you out. Gulf City is a mud bank and no more fitted to be a navalbase than Keokuk, Ia. Altacoola it's got to be, for the good of thecountry and the honor of Mississippi. 

"And one thing more, Senator. I'd just like to add that not a singleman connected with that committee is going to make a cent out of thedeal. You get that straight?"

CHAPTER XXI

"IF YOU CAN'T BUY A SENATOR, THREATEN HIM"

Senator Peabody was the most surprised man in Washington when he heardthe junior Senator from Mississippi state that no one was to enrichhimself out of the government naval base project. 

He heaped a mental anathema on the head of Stevens for saddling sucha man on the Senate "machine, " for Langdon would of course never hadbeen put on "naval affairs" (just now very important to the machine)without the "O. K. " of Stevens, who had won a heretofore thoroughlyreliable reputation as a judge of men, or of what purported to be men. The thought that at this time, of all times, there should be a manon the committee on naval affairs that could not be "handled" wassufficient to make him who reveled in the title of "boss of theSenate" determine that he must get another chief lieutenant to replaceStevens, who had proved so trustworthy in the past. Stevens had losthis cunning!

As the vote of Langdon could not be secured by humbug or in exchangefor favors and as it could not be "delivered, " Peabody, of course, waswilling to pay in actual cash for the vote. This was the final stepbut one in political conspiracies of this nature?--cash. But Langdonwould not take cash, so Peabody had to resort to the last agency ofthe trained and corrupt manipulator of legislation. 

He would threaten. 

Moreover, he knew that to make threats effective, if it is possible todo so, they must be led up to systematically--that is, they should bemade at the right time. The scene must be set, as in a play. 

Senator Peabody glared at Langdon as though to convince the latterthat to stand in his way would mean political destruction. 

"So nobody is going to make a cent, eh? Well, I suppose you want allthe profits for yourself. " Turning to Stevens, who had just entered, the Pennsylvanian cried:

"Do you but listen to our suddenly good friend Langdon. He wants to bethe only man to make money out of the naval base. He won't listen toany other member of the naval committee making a cent out of it. Why, he--"

"Great God, sir!" exclaimed Langdon. "You are going too far, Peabody. You state what is false, and you know it, you--you--"

"Then you are willing that others should have their rightful share?"put in Stevens. "Oh, I understand now, Senator. "

"No, no, no!" cried Langdon. "You do not understand, Senator Stevens, and I must say I am ashamed to speak of you by the honorable title ofSenator, sir. I will not listen to any person enriching himself atthe Government's expense, and I am your enemy, you, Peabody, and you, Stevens, beyond recall. You both know you misrepresent me. "

Langdon walked over to Stevens and faced him. 

"Do you remember, Stevens, Lorimer Hawkslee, back in wartime?"

"Yes, " said Stevens, puzzled, "I remember him--a very fine gentleman. "

The old planter sneered. 

"Yes, a very fine gentleman! You remember he got rich out of contractsfor supplies furnished to the Confederate Government when it wasn'tany too easy for the Confederate Government to pay and when he wasin that Government himself. I never quite thought that the act of agentleman, Stevens. It seemed to me to be very like dishonesty. I refused to speak to Lorimer Hawkslee in the Carroll Hotel atVicksburg, and when the people there asked me why I told them. I wantto warn you, Stevens, that I'm likely to meet you some time in theCarroll Hotel at Vicksburg. "

Stevens backed away angrily. "I catch your insinuation, but"--hereceived a warning glance from Peabody and broke into a pleasant smilecalculated to deceive the old planter--"this once I will overlook itbecause of our old friendship and the old days in Mississippi. "

"You are a fine talker, Langdon, " said Peabody, coming to Stevens'rescue, "but I can readily see what you are driving at. You want aninvestigation. You think you will catch some of us with what youreformers call 'the goods, ' but forget evidently the entirely simplefacts that your family has invested in Altacoola lands more heavilyprobably than any one else among us. You want to raise a scandal, doyou? Well, go on and raise it, but remember that you will have toexplain how it happened that there is $50, 000 invested in the name ofyour son, and $25, 000 in the name of your daughter, Miss Carolina, notto mention a few thousands put in by the gentleman who, I am given tounderstand, is to be your son-in-law, Congressman Norton. 

"How about that, Norton?" Peabody asked, turning to the Congressman, who had followed Stevens. 

"I corroborate all you've said, " remarked Norton. "I can statepositively that Senator Langdon knew that his money was going intoAltacoola land. I will swear to it if necessary, " and he glaredbitterly at Carolina's father, feeling certain that the girl wouldcling to him as opposed to her parent. 

Langdon made a threatening move at the Congressman. 

"I consider my riddance of you mighty cheap at the price, " he cried. 

"Come, come, Langdon, " fumed Peabody, "I must get away from here tocatch the midnight train. Let's get through with this matter. You mustrealize that you cannot fight me in Washington. You must know thatmen call me the 'king of the Senate. ' I can beat any measure youintroduce. I can pass any measure you want passed. I can make you alaughing-stock or a power. 

"Why, my friend from Mississippi, I can even have your election to theSenate contested, have a committee appointed to investigate the mannerof your election, have that committee decide that you bought your wayinto the honorable body, the Senate of the United States, and on thestrength of that decision have you forfeit your seat! What a prettyheritage to hand down to posterity such a disgrace will be! Why, thevery school children of the future will hear about you as 'LooterLangdon, ' and their parents will tell them how particularly degradingit was for a man of your reputation to drag into your dishonestschemes your son, sir, and your daughter. For who will believe thatthis money was not put in these lands without your consent, withoutyour direction, your order? Did you not sign the mortgage on whichthis $50, 000 was raised?"

Senator Langdon waved his hand deprecatingly. "I'm learning theunder-handed ways of you professional politicians. I'm getting wise. I'm learning 'the game, ' so I know you're bluffing me, Peabody. Butyou forget that the game of poker was invented in Mississippi--mynative State. "

Pressing a button, Langdon summoned a servant and said: "Send in Mr. Haines. I guess I've got to have a witness for my side. "

"It's no bluff, " spoke Stevens as Haines entered. "Peabody can andwill break you like a pipestem; he's done it to other men before youwho--who tried to dispute his power. But I'll try to save you. I'llask him to be merciful. You are not of any importance in the Senate. We do not need to deal with you--"

"Then why do you both spend so much time on me?" asked Langdoninnocently. "Why doesn't Peabody go to Philadelphia?"

"Langdon, " said Peabody, "you know my control of the Senate is nopiece of fiction. But I will forgive your obstinacy, even forget it. I--"

"Look here, " cried Langdon, "just because I'm a fat man don't thinkthat I can't lose my temper. " He stopped and gazed at his twocolleagues. 

"Now, you two men stay still one moment, and I'll tell you what reallywill happen to-morrow, " he exploded, "and I'm only a beginner in thegame that's your specialty. The naval base is going to Altacoola--"

"Good!" simultaneously cried both Peabody and Stevens. "You're comingin with us?"

"No, I'm not, but I'll pass the bill so that nobody makes a cent, justas I said I would. I'll fool you both and make you both honest foronce in spite of your natural dispositions. "

Stevens and the Pennsylvanian stared at each other in disgust. 

"Furthermore, " continued Langdon, "Altacoola must have the basebecause I've known for some time that Gulf City was impossible. Butsome crooked Senators would have made money if they'd known it, sothey didn't learn it. Altacoola, that proud arm of our great gulf, will have those battleships floating on her broad bosom and thecountry will be the better off, and so will the sovereign State ofMississippi--God bless it--but neither Senator Peabody of Pennsylvanianor Senator Stevens of Mississippi is going to be any better becauseof it. No, and if you men come to my committee room at 12:30 to-morrownoon you'll have a chance to hear how all that's coming about. If youare not there by that time I'll bring in a minority report in favorof Gulf City, just to show you that I know how to play the game--thisWashington game--"

"Come, let's go. We can do nothing with him, " said Peabody to thesenior Senator from Mississippi. 

"Well, Senator, in the name of goodness, what are you going to do? Howcan you win for Altacoola without letting these grafters make moneyout of it?" asked Haines in astonishment as the other two walked away. "What are you going to do at 12:30 to-morrow?"

Langdon turned to him and rolled his eyes toward the ceilingdespairingly. 

"I'm blamed if I know!" he exclaimed. 

[Illustration: "TO-MORROW AT 12:30. "]

CHAPTER XXII

LOBBYISTS--AND ONE IN PARTICULAR

Washington has known many lobbyists in its time, and it keeps onknowing them. The striking increase in legislation that aims torestrict unlawful or improper practices in business, the awakeningof the public conscience, has caused a greater demand than ever forinfluence at the national capital, for these restrictive measures mustbe either killed or emasculated to a point of uselessness by thatprocess which is the salvation of many a corrupt manipulator, theprocess of amendment. 

Predatory corporations, predatory business associations of differentsorts and predatory individuals have their representatives on thefield at Washington to ward off attack by any means that brains candevise or money procure and to obtain desired favors at a cost thatwill leave a profitable balance for the purchaser. When commercialtricksters, believing in the lobbyists' favorite maxim, "The PeopleForget, " feel that they have outlived the latest reform movementand see "the good old days" returning, the professional politiciansintroduce a few reform measures themselves, most stringent measures. They push these measures ahead until somebody pays up, then the billsdie. The lobbyist knows all about these "strike" bills, but does notfrown on them. No, no. Per-haps he helped draw up one of these billsso that, with the aid of his inside knowledge of his employer'sbusiness, the measure is made to give a greater scare than mightotherwise have resulted. The bigger the scare the bigger the fundadvanced, of course, for the lobbyist to handle. All this also helpsthe lobbyist to secure and retain employment. 

Not all the Washington lobbyists are outside of Congress. The Senatoror Congressman has unequaled facilities for oiling or blocking thecourse of a bill. Sometimes he confines himself to the interests ofhis own clients, whoever they may be. But sometimes he notices a billthat promises to be a pretty good thing for the client of some othermember if it passes. Then he begins to fight this bill so activelythat he must be "let in on the deal" himself. This is very annoyingto the other member, but the experience is worth something. He haslearned the value of observing other people's legislation. 

The outsiders (members of the "third house") and the insiders have abond of freemasonry uniting them; they exchange information as to whatmembers of both houses can be "reached, " how they can be "got to"(through whom) and how much they want. This information is carefullytabulated, and now prices for passing or defeating legislation can bequoted to interested parties just as the price of a carload of porkcan be ascertained at a given time and place. Perhaps it is thissystem that leads grafting members of short experience to wonder howknowledge of their taking what is termed "the sugar" got out andbecame known to their associates. Did they not have pledge of absolutesecrecy? Yes, but the purchaser never intended to keep the informationfrom those of his kind. Lobbyists must be honest with each other. 

Not all lobbyists are men. The woman legislative agent has been knownto occupy an important position in Washington, and she does yet. She is hard to detect and frequently more unprincipled than the mensimilarly engaged, if that is possible. 

A woman with a measure of social standing would naturally provethe most successful as a lobbyist in Washington because of theopportunities her position would afford her to meet people ofprominence. And just such a one was Mrs. Cora Spangler, with whomthe Langdons had been thrown in contact quite intimately since theirarrival at the capital. 

Pretty and vivacious, Mrs. Spangler bore her thirty-seven years withuncommon ease, aided possibly by the makeup box and the modiste. Her dinners and receptions were attended by people of acknowledgedstanding. Always a lavish spender of money, this was explainedas possible because of a fortune left her by her late husband, Congressman Spangler of Pennsylvania. That this "fortune" hadconsisted largely of stock and bonds of a bankrupt copper smeltingplant in Michigan remained unknown, except to her husband's family, one or two of her own relatives and Senator Peabody, who, coming fromPennsylvania, had known her husband intimately. 

He it was who had suggested to her that she might make money easilyby cultivating the acquaintance of the new members of both housesand their families, exerting her influence in various "perfectlylegitimate ways, " he argued, for or against matters pending inlegislation. The Standard Steel corporation kept Mrs. Spangler wellsupplied with funds deposited monthly to her account in a Philadelphiatrust company. 

She avoided suspicion by reason of her sex and her many acquaintancesof undisputed rank. Senator Peabody was never invited to her home, hadnever attended a single dinner, reception or musicale she had given, all of which was a part of the policy they had mutually agreed on todeaden any suspicion that might some time arise as to her relation tothe Standard Steel Company. It was well known that Peabody had beenput into the Senate by Standard Steel to look after its interests. 

He had found Mrs. Spangler chiefly valuable thus far as a source ofinformation regarding the members of Congress, which she obtainedlargely from their families. He was thus able to gain an idea of theirassociations, their particular interests and their aspirations incoming to Congress, which proved of much use to him in forming andpromoting acquaintances, all for the glory of Standard Steel. 

Senator Holcomb of Missouri told Mrs. Spangler at an afternoon teaconfidentially that he was going to vote against the ship subsidybill. Senator Peabody was informed of this two hours later by a notewritten in cipher. When the vote was called two days later SenatorHolcomb voted for the bill. Standard Steel supplies steel for oceanliners, and their building must be encouraged. 

Mrs. Windsor, wife of Congressman Windsor of Indiana, remarked to Mrs. Spangler at a reception that she was "so glad Jimmie is going to dosomething for us women at last. He says we ought to get silk gownsever so much cheaper next year, " Jimmie Windsor was a member of theHouse committee on ways and means and was busily engaged in the matterof tariff revision. When President Anders of the Federal Silk Companyheard from Senator Peabody that Windsor favored lowering the tariffon silk a way was found to convince the Congressman that the Americansilk industry was a weakling, and many investors would suffer if theforeign goods should be admitted any cheaper than at present. 

President Anders would be willing to do Senator Peabody a favor someday. 

Sometimes Cora Spangler shuddered at the thought of what wouldbecome of her if she should make some slip, some fatal error, and bediscovered to her friends as a betrayer of confidences for money. A secret agent of Standard Steel! What a newspaper story she wouldmake--"Society Favorite a Paid Spy"; "Woman Lobbyist Flees Capital. "The sensational headlines flitted through her mind. Then she wouldgrit her teeth and dig her finger nails into her palms. She had tohave money to carry on the life she loved so well. She must continueas she had begun. After all, she reasoned, nothing definite could everbe proved regarding the past. Let the future care for itself. Shemight marry again and free herself from this mode of life--who knows?

So reasoned Cora Spangler for the hundredth time during the last twoyears as she sat in her boudoir at her home. She had spent part of theday with Carolina and Hope Langdon and in the evening had attended themusicale at their house. But she had been forced to leave early owingto a severe headache. Now, after an hour or two of rest, she feltbetter and was about to retire. Suddenly the telephone bell rang at awriting-table near a window. She had two telephones, one in the lowerhall and one in her boudoir--to save walking downstairs unnecessarily, she explained to her woman friends. But the number of this upstairstelephone was not in the public book. It had a private number, knownto but two people except herself. 

Taking down the receiver, she asked in low voice, "Hello! Who is it?"

"Mr. Wall. "

It was the name Senator Peabody used in telephone conversation withher. 

"Yes, Congressman!" she responded. 

She always said, "Yes, Congressman, " in replying to "Mr. Wall, " aprearranged manner of indicating that he was talking to the desiredperson. 

"I will need your services to-morrow, " Senator Peabody said, "on avery important matter, I am afraid. Decline any engagements and holdyourself in readiness. "

"Yes. "

"I may send my friend S. To explain things at 10:30 in the morning. Ifhe does not arrive at that time, telephone me at 10:35 sharp. You knowwhere. Understand? I have put off going to Philadelphia to-night. "

"Yes. "

"That is all; good-by. "

"Something very important, " she murmured nervously as she turned fromthe desk. 

"I don't like his tone of voice; sounds strained andworried--something unusual for the cold, flinty gentleman fromPennsylvania. And his 'friend S. , ' of course, means Stevens! Greatheavens! then Stevens must now have knowledge of my--my--business!"

She calmed herself and straightened a dainty, slender finger againsther cheek. 

"It must be something about that naval base bill, I'm sure. That'sbeen worrying Peabody all session, " she mused as she pressed a buttonto summon her maid. 

CHAPTER XXIII

"THE BOSS OF THE SENATE" GAINS A NEW ALLY

Mrs. Spangler would have flattered herself on guessing correctly as toSenator Peabody's uneasiness had she heard and seen all that had takenplace in his apartment at the Louis Napoleon Hotel, where he hadhurriedly taken Senator Stevens on leaving the Langdon house. 

Not only would the two Senators lose their immense profits on theAltacoola transaction if Langdon persisted in his opposition, but theywould lose as well the thousands of dollars spent by their agents inpurchasing options on hundreds of acres, and where they could notget options, the land itself. This land would be on their hands, unsalable, if the base went somewhere else. Moreover, they feared thatLangdon's revolt would bring unpleasant newspaper publicity to theiroperations. 

"There's only one course to pursue, Stevens, " snapped Peabody as theytook off their overcoats. "That is to be prepared as best we can forthe very worst and meet it in some way yet to be determined. But firstwe must try to figure out what Langdon is going to do--what it can bethat he says he will tell us to-morrow at 12:30 if we appear. He musthave something very startling up his sleeve if he makes good hisassertions. I can't see how--"

"Nor I, " frowned Stevens, "and my political eyesight is far betterthan that fool Langdon's. Under ordinary circumstances we could lethim go ahead with his minority report for Gulf City, but as thingsstand he'll have every newspaper reporter in Washington buzzing aroundand asking impertinent questions--"

"Yes, and you and I would have to go to Paris to live with our lifeinsurance friends from New York, wouldn't we?" laughed Peabodysarcastically. "I'm going to send for Jake Steinert, " he added. 

"Steinert?" Stevens ejaculated. "What--"

"Oh, that's all right. Maybe he can suggest something, " said Peabody, going to the telephone. "We've too much at stake to make a mistake, and Jake may see a point that we've overlooked. Luckily I saw himdownstairs in the grill-room as we came through to the elevator. "

"Steinert is all right himself, " continued Stevens, "but hismethods--"

"Can't be too particular now about his methods--or ours, Stevens, whena bull like Langdon breaks loose in the political china shop. Fortuneand reputation are both fragile. "

A ring of a bell announced the arrival of Jake Steinert, whosereputation as a lobbyist of advanced ability had spread wide in thetwenty years he had spent in Washington. Of medium height, sallowcomplexion, dark hair and dark eyes, his broad shoulders filled thedoorway as he entered. An illy kept mustache almost hid a thin-lipped, forceful mouth, almost as forceful as some of the language he used. His eyes darted first to Peabody and then to Stevens, waiting foreither of them to open the conversation. 

The highest class lobbyists, those who "swing" the "biggest deals, "concern themselves only with men who can "handle" or who controllawmakers. They get regular reports and outline the campaign. Likecrafty spiders they hide in the center of a great web, a web ofbribery, threat, cajolery and intrigue, intent on every victim that islured into the glistening meshes. 

Only the small fry mingle freely with the legislators in the open, inthe hotels and cafés and in the Capitol corridors. 

Jake Steinert did not belong in either of these classes; he rankedsomewhere between the biggest and the smallest. He coupled colossalboldness with the most expert knowledge of all the intricate workingsof the congressional mechanism. Given money to spend among members tosecure the defeat of a bill, he would frequently put most of the moneyin his own pocket and for a comparatively small sum defeat it byinfluencing the employees through whose hands it must pass. 

"Sit down, Jake. Something to drink?" asked Peabody, reaching for adecanter. 

"No, " grunted the lobbyist; "don't drink durin' business hours; onlydurin' the day. "

"Well, Jake, " said the Pennsylvanian, "you probably know something ofwhat's going on in the naval affairs committee. "

"You mean the biggest job of the session?"

"Yes. "

"Sure thing, Senator. It's the work of an artist. "

"The boss of the Senate" smiled grimly. 

"Now, suppose a committeeman named Langdon absolutely refused to betaken care of, and insisted on handing in a minority report to-morrow, with a speech that read like the Declaration of Independence?"

Steinert jerked his head forward quickly. 

"You mean what would I do if I was--er--if I was runnin' the job?"

"Yes. "

Steinert leaned toward Peabody. 

"Where do I come in on this?" he asked, suspiciously. 

"Come, come, man, " was the irritable retort. "I never let a fewdollars stand between myself and my friends. "

"All right, Senator. "

The lobbyist thrust himself down in his chair, puffed slowly at acigar, and gazed thoughtfully at the ceiling. 

"Few years ago, " he began, after a minute or two, "there was a fellerwho was goin' to squeal about a bond issue. He had his speech allreally to warn the country that he thought a crowd of the plutocracywas goin' to get the bonds to resell to the public at advanced rates. Well, sir, I arranged to have a carriage, a closed carriage, call thatnight to take him to see the President, for he was told the Presidentsent the carriage for him. When he got out he was at the insaneasylum, an' I can tell you he was bundled into a padded cell in jigtime, where he stayed for three days. 'He thinks he's a member ofCongress, ' I told the two huskies that handled him, an' gave 'em eacha twenty-case note. The doctor that signed the necessary papers gotconsiderable more. "

Stevens' gasp of amazement caused the narrator genuine enjoyment. 

"I know of a certain Senator who was drunk an' laid away in a Turkishbath when the roll was called on a certain bill. He was a friend ofPeabody's, " laughed the lobbyist to the Mississippian. 

"But in this case, " said Stevens, "we must be very careful. Possiblysome of your methods in handling the men you go after--"

"Say, " interposed Steinert, "you know I don't do all pursuin', all thegoin' after, any more than others in my business. Why, Senator, someof these Congressmen worry the life out of us folks that sprinklethe sugar. They accuse us of not lettin' 'em in on things whenthey haven't been fed in some time. They come down the trail likegreyhounds coursin' a coyote. "

The speaker paused and glanced across at Peabody, who, however, wastoo busily engaged in writing in a memorandum book to notice him. 

"Why, Senator Stevens, " went on the lobbyist, "only to-day a Down Eastmember held me up to tell me that he was strong for that propositionto give the A. K. And L. Railroad grants of government timber land inOregon. He says to me, he says: 'What'n h--l do my constituents in NewEngland care about things 'way out on the Pacific Coast? I'd give 'emYellowstone National Park for a freight sidin' if 'twas any use to'em, ' he says. So you see--"

"I must go, " broke in Stevens, rising and glancing at his watch. "Itwill soon be daylight. "

"If you must have sleep, go; but you must be here at 9 o'clock sharpin the morning, " said Peabody. "Steinert will sleep here with me. We'll all have breakfast together here in my rooms and a finalconsultation. "

"You won't plan anything really desperate, Peabody, will you? I thinkI'd rather--"

"Nonsense, Stevens, of course not. Our game will be to try to weakenLangdon, to prove to him in the morning that he alone will suffer, because our names do not appear in the land deals. The options weresigned and the deeds signed by our agents. Don't you see? Whereas hisdaughter and son and future son-in-law actually took land in their ownnames. "

"How clumsy!"

"Yes. Such amateurism lowers the dignity of the United States Senate, "Peabody answered, dryly. 

"But suppose Langdon does not weaken?" asked Stevens, anxiously, as hepicked up his hat and coat. 

"Then we will go into action with our guns loaded, " was the reply. 

CHAPTER XXIV. 

THE HONEYBIRD

In the African jungle dwells a pretty little bird that lives on honey. The saccharine dainty is there found in the hollows of trees and underthe bark, where what is known as the carpenter bee bores and depositshis extract from the buds and blossoms of the tropical forest. 

The bird is called the "honeybird" because it is a sure guide to thedeposits of the delicacy. The bird dislikes the laborious task ofpecking its way through the bark to reach the honey, and so, wise inthe ways of men, it procures help. It locates a nest of honey, thenflies about until it sees some natives or hunters, to whom it showsitself. They know the honeybird and know that it will lead them to thetreasure store. Following the bird, which flits just in advance, theyreach the cache of dripping sweetness and readily lay it open withhatchets or knives. Taking what they want, there is always enough leftclinging to the tree and easily accessible to satisfy the appetite ofthe clever little bird. 

Senator Stevens of Mississippi bears a marked resemblance to thehoneybird--so much so that he has well won the bird's appellation forhimself. Abnormally keen at locating possibilities for extracting"honey" from the governmental affairs in Washington, he invariably ledPeabody, representing the hunter with the ax, to the repository. Hewould then rely on the Pennsylvanian's superior force to break downthe barriers. Stevens would flutter about and gather up the leavings. 

Equally as mercenary as "the boss of the Senate, " he lacked Peabody'siron nerve, determination, resourcefulness and daring. He needed manyhours of sleep. Peabody could work twenty hours at a stretch. He hadto have his meals regularly or else suffer from indigestion. Peabodysometimes did a day's work on two boiled eggs and a cup of coffee. 

The senior Senator from Mississippi had been the first to point out toPeabody the possibilities for profit in the gulf naval base project, but the morning following the conference with Steinert when herejoined them for breakfast at the Louis Napoleon he was far fromcomfortable. He did not mind fighting brain against brain, even thoughunprincipled methods were resorted to, but indications were that moreviolent agencies would be called into play owing to the complicationsthat had arisen. 

Stevens ate heartily to strengthen his courage. Steinert ate hugelyto strengthen his body. Peabody ate scarcely anything at all--tostrengthen his brain. 

Waving away the hotel waiter who had brought the breakfast to hisapartment, Senator Peabody outlined the probable campaign of the day. 

"If our best efforts to weaken and scare off Langdon fail to-day, " hesaid, "it will naturally develop that we must render it impossible insome way for him to appear in the Senate at all, or we must delay hisarrival until after the report of the committee on naval affairs hasbeen made. In either event he would not have another opportunity tospeak on that subject. 

"Of course, later, at 12:30, we will know his plan of action. Then wecan act to the very point, but we must be prepared for any situationthat can arise. "

"Cannot the President of the Senate be persuaded not to recognizeLangdon on the floor? Then we could adjourn and shut him off, " askedStevens. 

"No, " responded Peabody; "he has already promised Langdon to recognizehim, and the President of the Senate cannot be persuaded to break hisword. I am painfully aware of this fact. "

But Stevens was not yet dissuaded from the hope of defeating thejunior Senator from Mississippi by wit alone. 

"Can we not have a speaker get the floor before Langdon and have himtalk for hours--tire out the old kicker--and await a time when heleaves the Senate chamber to eat or talk to some visitor we could havecall on him, then shove the bill through summarily?" he suggested. 

"I've gone over all that. " answered Peabody, quickly. "It would onlybe delaying the evil hour. You wouldn't be able to move that oldcodger away from the Senate chamber with a team of oxen--once hegets to his seat. His secretary, Raines--another oversight of yours, Stevens"--the latter winced--"will warn him. Langdon would stick pinsthrough his eyelids to keep from falling asleep. "

"I've been thinkin', " put in Steinert, slowly, "that a littlefine-esse like this might keep him away: When Langdon's in hiscommittee room before goin' to the Senate send him a telegram signedby one of his frien's' name that one of his daughters is dyin' frominjuries in a automobile collision a few miles out o' town. That'ud--"

"Ridiculous, " snorted Peabody. "He'd know where they were. They'realways--"

"Huh! then put in more fine-esse. "

"How? What?"

"Hev some 'un take 'em out a-autoin'--"

"No, no, man!" snapped Peabody. "They'd stick in town to hear theirfather's wonderful speech. "

"Well, " went on the lobbyist, "I'll hev Langd'n watched by a carefulpicked man, a nigger that won't talk. He'll pick a row with theColonel on some street, say, w'en he's comin' from his home afterlunch. The coon kin bump into Langd'n an' call him names. Thenw'en ole fireworks sails into 'im, yellin' about what 'e'd do inMississippi, the coon pulls a gun on the Colonel an' fires a couple o'shots random. Cops come up, an' our pertickeler copper'll lug Langd'naway as a witness, refusin' to believe 'e's a Senator. I kin arrangeto hev him kept in the cooler a couple o' hours without gettin' anyword out, or I'll hev 'im entered up as drunk an' disorderly. He'lllook drunk, he'll be so mad. "

"But the negro--how could you get a man to undergo arrest on such aserious charge, attempted murder!" exclaimed Stevens. 

"There, there, " said Steinert, patronizingly; "coons has more genteelhome life in jail than they does out. An' don't forget the District ofColumbia is governed by folks that ain't residents of it, only durin'the session. Th' politicians don't leave their frien's in the coolervery long. Say, Senator Stevens, are you kiddin' me? Is it anydifferent down in your--"

The Mississippian choked and spluttered over a gulp of unusually hotcoffee, and Peabody again decided Steinert to be on the wrong tack. 

"That proceeding would attract too much attention from thenewspapers, " he added. 

"Well, I thought you wanted to win, " grunted Steinert. "I've beenofferin' you good stuff, too--new stuff. None of yer druggin' withchloroform or ticklin' with blackjacks. Why, I've gone from fine-esseto common sense. But, come to think of it, how about some woman? I c'nget one to introduce to--"

"This is the wrong kind of a man, " interrupted Peabody. 

"Unless you got the right kind of a woman, " went on Steinert. 

Senator Stevens choked some more. 

"The boss of the Senate" sank down in his chair, crossed one kneeover the other and drummed his fingers lightly on the table. He gazedthoughtfully at Stevens. 

"Yes, " he observed, slowly, "unless you've got the right sort of awoman. "

Rising, he led the Mississippian to one side. 

The lobbyist heard the Southerner give a short exclamation ofastonishment as Peabody whispered to him. 

"It's all right. It's all right, " he then heard the Pennsylvanian say, irritably. "She'll understand. She can be trusted. _She expects you_. "

Stevens gave a violent start at the last assurance, but his colleaguehurriedly helped him into his coat. 

"Go in a closed carriage, " was Peabody's final warning. "Be sure totell her to get hold of his two daughters on some pretext at once. Sheknows them well. Maybe we can influence the old man through his girls, don't you see?"

And while Senator Peabody and Jake Steinert recurred to a previousdiscussion concerning one J. D. Telfer, Mayor of Gulf City, SenatorStevens started on the most memorable drive of his career onthis bright winter morning, to the house of the fascinating Mrs. Spangler--who for the past week had been considering his proposal ofmarriage. 

CHAPTER XXV

CAROLINA LANGDON'S RENUNCIATION

Senator Langdon's committee room at the Capitol presented a busy sceneat an unusually early hour the morning after the entertainment at hishome. Bud Haines, reinstated as secretary, was picking up the threadof routine where he had dropped it the day before, though his frequentthought of Hope and the words that had thrilled him--"I love you, Ilove you fondly"--made this task unusually difficult. He impatientlywished the afternoon to hasten along, as he knew he would then see herin the Senate gallery, where she would go to hear her father's speech. 

This speech had to be revised in some particulars by Bud, and the workhe knew would take up much of the morning. The Senator's speech was"The South of the Future, " which he would deliver when recognized bythe President of the Senate in connection with the naval base bill, that officer having agreed to recognize Langdon at 3:30, at which timethe report of the naval affairs committee would be received. Just howLangdon would turn the tables on Peabody and Stevens and yet win forthe Altacoola site not even the ex-newspaper man, experienced inpolitics, had solved. Clearly the Senator would have to do some tallthinking during the morning. 

The junior Senator from Mississippi burst into the office with hishabitual cheery greeting, his broad-brimmed black felt hat in itsusual position on the back of his head, like a symbol of undyingdefiance. 

"A busy day for us, eh, Senator?" queried Bud. 

"Now, look here, my boy, don't begin to remind me of work right off, "he said, with a humorous gleam in his eye. "Go easy on me. Don'tforget I'm her father. "

Bud laughed through the flush that rose in his cheeks. 

"No, I won't forget that. But have you decided what to tell Peabodyand Stevens as your plan of action if they come in here at 12:30?"

"If they come?" exclaimed Langdon. "They'll come. Watch 'em. "

Then he hesitated, worriedly. 

"I'll have to incubate an idea between now and noon, somehow. Butdon't forget this, Bud--we're worried about them, true enough, butthey're worried a heap more about us. "

Senator Langdon stepped into an adjoining room, where he could bealone, to "incubate. "

As Haines resumed his work Carolina Langdon entered. 

Avoiding the secretary's direct gaze, she asked for her father. 

"He ought to be back shortly, Miss Langdon, " responded Haines. "Youcan wait here. I must ask pardon for leaving, as I must run over tothe library. "

As the secretary bowed himself out of the door he almost collided withCongressman Norton. Both glared at each other and remained silent. 

"Carolina, " spoke Norton, as he entered, "I hope--I know you won'tallow your father to influence you against me--because of last night. I--"

Carolina would rather not have met Charles Norton on this morning. Shehad hardly slept for the night. She had fought a battle with herself. Her father had shown her plainly the mistake she had made. She sawthat her influence had not been without effect on Randolph. Probablyfor the first time she realized that there are glory and luxury, pleasure and prestige for which too big a price can be paid. 

The Senator's daughter turned slowly and faced the man she hadpromised to marry. 

"Charlie, I have come to a decision. I came here to talk with fatherabout it. "

Norton started toward Carolina, a look of apprehension on his face. He gathered from the trend of her words and her demeanor that she hadturned against him. 

"You couldn't be so cruel, Carolina, " he protested. 

"Charlie, " she went on, determinedly, "I will always cherish ourfriendship, our happy younger days down in Mississippi, but, I mustgive up thinking of you as my future husband. We've both made amistake, mine probably greater than yours, but I now am convinced thatI should not marry you. Your way of thinking about life is all wrong, and you are too deeply entangled with the dishonest men in Washingtonto draw back. I cannot love you. "

"But I am doing it all for your sake, Carolina. Don't let anold-fashioned father come between a man and a woman and their love, "he cried. 

"Charlie, I must give you up. "

The girl turned to one side, as though to give Norton a chance toleave. 

He looked at her in silence for a moment or two. Then a change cameinto his bearing. Wrinkling his face into a sneer, he stepped beforethe girl. 

"You've been converted mighty sudden, I reckon, from land speculatingto preaching--and preaching, too, against folks who tried to make afortune for you. "

Norton stopped, expecting a reply, but the girl remained silent. 

"You think I'm done for, that I've lost my money; that's why youturned from me so quickly, " he laughed, scornfully. "But I'll showyou, you and your blundering old father. I'll win you yet, and I'llruin your father's political reputation. I'll--"

"Are you quite sure about that?" spoke a voice, sharply, behind theCongressman. He swung around vigorously. Bud Haines had returned intime to hear Norton's threat. 

"Yes; and while I'm doing that I'll take time to show you up, too, somehow. I guess a Congressman's word will count against that of acheap secretary--that's what Miss Langdon said you were. "

Carolina looked appealingly to Haines to rid her of the presence ofthis man, whose last words she knew Haines would not believe. 

But Norton had had his say. He retreated to the door. 

"Miss Langdon, " he cried, as he backed out and away, "you have an ideathat I am dishonest, but kindly remember that, whatever you think Iam, I never was a hypocrite. "

Haines advanced and procured a chair for Miss Langdon. 

"I'm very sorry to have come back at such a time, " he began. 

The girl cut him short with a gesture. 

"I want to say to you, " she said, then halted--"that I want tobe friends with you. I want you to forget the happenings ofyesterday--last evening--so far as I was concerned in them. I want towork together with you and father--and so does Randolph. Father andyou are standing together to uphold the honor of the Langdons ofMississippi, and Randolph and I, no matter the cost of our formerfolly, want to share in that work. "

Before Haines could reply Senator Langdon burst into the room. 

"Bud! Bud!" he cried, "I've got it! I've got it!"

"You've got what, Senator?" exclaimed the secretary. 

"That idea, my boy, that idea! It's incubated all right, and Peabodyand Stevens can come just as soon as they want to. "

CHAPTER XXVI

THE BATTLES OF WASHINGTON

At twenty minutes after 12 Senator Langdon and Secretary Haines werestill undisturbed by any move on the part of Peabody and Stevens, who maintained a silence that to Haines was distinctly ominous. Hisexperience at the Capitol had taught him that when the Senate machinewas quiet it was time for some one to get out from under. 

Miss Williams, the naval committee's stenographer, entered. 

"Senator Langdon, " she said, "Senator Peabody and Senator Stevens arein committee room 6, and they told me to tell you that they'd be--Ican't say it. Please, sir, I--"

"D--d, " interpolated Langdon, laughing. 

"Yes, sir, that's it. They'll be--that--if they come in here at 12:30. You must come to them, they say. "

"Tell the gentlemen I'm sitting here with my hat on the back of myhead, smoking a good see-gar, with nails driven through both shoesinto the floor--and looking at the clock. "

At 12:25 Senator Stevens entered. 

"I came to warn you, Langdon, " he said, "that Senator Peabody'spatience is nearly exhausted. You must come to see him at once if youexpect the South to get a naval base at Altacoola or anywhere else. Ifyou do not agree to take his advice this naval bill and any other thatyou are interested in now or in future will be trampled underfoot inthe Senate. Mississippi will have no use for a Senator who cannotproduce results in Washington, and that will prove the bitterestlesson you have ever learned. "

"I'm waiting for Peabody here, Stevens. "

"Oh, ridiculous! Of course he's not coming. Why, Langdon, he's theking of the Senate. He has the biggest men of the country at his call. He's--"

"He's got one minute left, " observed Langdon, looking at the clock, "but he'll come. I trust Peabody more than the best clock made at atime like this, when--"

The figure of the senior Senator from Pennsylvania appeared in thedoorway. 

"Good-day, Senator Langdon, " he remarked, icily. 

"Same to you. Have a see-gar, Senator?" said Langdon. He turned andwinked significantly at Haines. 

The three Senators seated themselves. 

"I suppose you wouldn't consider yourself so important, Langdon, ifyou knew that we now find we can get another member of the navalaffairs committee over to our side for Altacoola?" began Peabody. "That gives us a majority of the committee without your vote. "

"That wouldn't prevent me from making a minority report for Gulf Cityand explaining why I made that report, would it?" the Mississippianasked, blandly. 

Peabody and Stevens both knew that it wouldn't. Stevens exchangedglances with "the boss of the Senate, " and in low voice began makingto Langdon a proposition to which Peabody's assent had been gained. 

"Langdon, we would like to be alone, " and he nodded toward Haines. 

"Sorry can't oblige, Senator, " Langdon replied. "Bud and I togethermake up the Senator from Mississippi. "

"All right. What I want to say is this: The President is appointing acommission to investigate the condition of the unemployed. The membersare to go to Europe, five or six countries, and look into conditionsthere, leisurely, of course, so as to formulate a piece of legislationthat will solve the existing problems in this country. A most generousexpense account will be allowed by the Government. A member can takehis family. A son, for instance, could act as financial secretaryunder liberal pay. "

"I've heard of that commission, " said Langdon. 

"Well, Senator Peabody has the naming of two Senators who will go onthat commission, and I suggested that your character and ability wouldmake you--"

"Good glory!" exclaimed Langdon. "You mean that my character andability would make me something or other if I kept my mouth shut inthe Senate this afternoon! Stevens, I've been surprised so many timessince I came to the capital that it doesn't affect me any more. I'mjust amused at your offer or Senator Peabody's. 

"I want to tell you two Senators that there's only one thing that Iwant in Washington--and you haven't offered it to me yet. When you doI'll do business with you. "

"What's that? Speak out, man!" said Peabody, quickly. 

"A square deal for the people of the United States. "

"Good Lord!" exclaimed "the boss of the Senate. Is this Washington oris it heaven?"

"It is not heaven, Senator, " put in Haines. 

"Man alive!" cried Peabody, "I've been in Washington so long that--"

"So long that you've forgotten that the American people really exist, "retorted Langdon; "and there are more like you in the Senate, allbecause the voters have no chance to choose their own Senators. Thepublic in most States have to take the kind of a Senator that theLegislature, made up mostly of politicians, feels like making themtake. You, Peabody, wouldn't be in the Senate to-day if the voters hadanything to say about it. "

The Pennsylvanian shrugged his shoulders. 

"And now I'll tell you honorable Senators, " went on Langdon, thoroughly aroused, "something to surprise you. I have discovered thatyou were not working for yourselves alone in the Altacoola deal, butthat you intend to turn your land over to the Standard Steel Companyat a big profit as soon as this naval base bill is passed. Then thatcompany will squeeze the Government for the best part of the hundredmillions that are to be spent. "

The Senator sank back in his chair and gazed at his two opponents. 

Those two statesmen jumped to their feet. 

"Come, Stevens, let him do what he will. We cannot stay here to beinsulted by the ravings of a madman, " cried the Pennsylvanian. But hebrought his associate to a standstill midway to the door. "By the way, Langdon, what is it you are going to do in the Senate this afternoon?"he asked, "You said you were going to make us honest against our will. You know you can't do anything. "

Bud Haines turned his face toward the speaker and grinned broadly, tothe Senator's intense discomfort. 

"I'll do more than that, " announced Langdon, rising and pounding afist into his open hand. "I'll make you and Stevens more popular thanyou ever were in your lives before. "

"Bah!" shouted Peabody. 

"I'll do even more yet. I'm going to make you generous--patriots. And, I regret to say, I'll give you the chance to make the hits of yourcareers. "

The polished hypocrites looked at him, too astonished to move. 

"How? What?" they gasped. 

Swept on by his own enthusiasm and the force of his own courageoushonesty, the voice of the Southerner rose to oratorical height. 

"This afternoon, " he exclaimed, "when the naval base committee makesits report, I will rise in my place and declare that for once in thehistory of the Senate men have been found who place the interests ofthe Government they serve above any chance of pecuniary reward. Thesemen are the members of the naval base committee. 

"With this idea in view, realizing that dishonest men would try tomake money out of the Government, these members of the naval basecommittee, after they settled on Altacoola, went out quietly andsecured control of all the land that will be needed for the navalbase, and these men secured this at a very nominal figure. Now theyare ready to turn over their land to the Government at exactly whatthey paid for it, without a cent of profit. 

"Then they're going to sit up over there in that Senate. They're goingto realize that a new kind of politics has arrived in Washington--thekind that I and lots of others always thought there was here. 

"And, gentlemen"--he advanced on his colleagues triumphantly--"whenI, Senator Langdon of Mississippi, your creation in politics, havefinished that speech, I dare one of you to get up and deny a word!"

"The boss of the Senate" and his satellite were dumfounded. Firmlybelieving that Langdon could find no way to pass the bill forAltacoola and yet spoil their crooked scheme, they were totallyunprepared for any such dénoûement. To think that a simple, old-fashioned planter from the cotton fields of Mississippi couldoriginate such a plan to outwit the two ablest political tricksters inthe Senate!

Langdon eyed his colleagues triumphantly. 

Peabody, however, was thinking quickly. He was never beaten until thelast vote was counted on a roll call. He knew that, no matter howapparently insurmountable an opposition was, a way to overcome itmight often be found by the man who exercises strong self-control anda trained brain. This corrupt victor in scores of bitter politicalengagements on the battlefield of Washington was now in his mostdangerous mood. He would marshal all his forces. The man to defeat himnow must defeat the entire Senate machine and the allies it could gainin an emergency; he must overcome the power of Standard Steel; he mustfight the resourceful brain of the masterful Peabody himself. 

Peabody whispered to Stevens, "We must pretend to be beaten, "

[Illustration: "AFTER I HAVE FINISHED I DARE ONE OF YOU TO DENY AWORD!"]

Then the Pennsylvanian advanced, smiling, to Langdon and held out hishand. 

"Senator Langdon, " he said, "I'm beaten. You've beaten the leader ofthe Senate, something difficult to believe. What's more, you've givenme the chance of a lifetime to become known as a public benefactor. Assoon as you've finished your speech in the Senate I will get up andmake another one--to second yours. Here's my hand. Anything you mayever want out of Peabody in the future shall be yours for the asking. "

Langdon refused to grasp the proffered hand. 

Senator Stevens made a show of protesting against his superior'sseeming surrender. 

"But, " he objected, "look here--"

Peabody turned upon him instantly. 

"Oh, shut up, Stevens; don't be a fool. Come on in. The water's fine. "

The pair of schemers, with Norton at their heels, turned away. 

The Pennsylvanian drew Stevens into committee room 6 and, ordering thestenographer to leave, drew up chairs where both could sit, facing thedoor. 

"We've thrown dust in that old gander's eyes, " whispered Peabody. "It's now ten after 1. He is to be recognized to make his speech at3:30. That gives us two hours and twenty minutes--"

"Yes, but for what?" asked Stevens, excitedly. "I've been tryingmyself to think of something. What will you do--what _can_ you do?"

"The boss of the Senate" smiled patronizingly on the senior Senatorfrom Mississippi, as though amused and scornful of his limitations asa strategist, as a tenacious fighter. Then his jaw set hard, and hisbrows contracted. 

"I will not do anything. I cannot do anything"--he hesitated a fullten seconds--"but Jake Steinert can. "

Stevens' hands twitched nervously. 

"And, " continued Peabody, "I'm expecting a 'phone call from him anymoment. I told him this morning that he might be able to make $1, 000before night if--"

The telephone bell at the desk interrupted him. 

Peabody leaned over and eagerly clutched the receiver. 

The senior Senator from Mississippi jerked himself to his feet. Hestood at a window and looked out over the roof tops of the city. 

CHAPTER XXVII

MRS. SPANGLER GIVES A LUNCHEON

When Senators Peabody and Stevens had gone Langdon and Bud went overthe situation together and concluded that their opponents had no meansof defeating Langdon's program--that, after all, Peabody might reallyhave meant his words of surrender. 

"But they might try foul play. Better stay right here in the Capitolthe rest of the day, " suggested Bud. 

Langdon scoffed at the idea. 

Haines bustled away to get a few mouthfuls of lunch to fortify himselffor a busy afternoon--one that was going to be far busier than heimagined. 

The telephone bell rang at the Senator's desk. It was Mrs. Spangler'svoice that spoke. 

"Senator Langdon, " she said, "Carolina and Hope Georgia are here at myhome for luncheon, and we all want you to join us. "

"Sorry I cannot accept, " answered the Mississippian, "but I am to makean important speech this afternoon--"

"Oh, yes, I know. The girls and I are coming to hear it. But you havetwo hours' time, and if you come we can all go over to the Senatetogether. Now, Senator, humor us a little. Don't disappoint the girlsand me. We can all drive over to the Capitol in my carriage. "

The planter hesitated, then replied: "All right. I'll be over, but itmustn't be a very long luncheon. "

"Gone to eat; back by 3 o'clock, " he scratched quickly on a pad on thesecretary's desk, and departed. 

Mrs. Spangler's luncheons were equally as popular in Washington asSenator Langdon's dinners. The Mississippian and his daughters enjoyedthe delicacies spread lavishly before them. 

Time passed quickly. The old planter enjoyed seeing his daughtershave so happy a time, and he was not insensible to the charm of hishostess' conversation, for Mrs. Spangler had studied carefully the artof ingratiating herself with her guests. 

Suddenly realizing that he had probably reached the limit of the timehe could spare, the Senator drew out his watch. 

"What a stunning fob you wear, " quickly spoke Mrs. Spangler, reachingout her hand and taking the watch from her guest's hands as the casesnapped open. 

"Oh, that's Carolina's doings, " laughed Langdon. "She said the oldgold chain that my grandfather left me was--"

"Why, how lovely, " murmured Mrs. Spangler, glancing at the watch. "Wehave plenty of time yet. Won't have to hurry. Your time is the same asmine, " she added, nodding her head toward a French renaissance clockon the black marble mantel. 

As the hostess did this she deftly turned back the hands of theSenator's watch thirty-five minutes. 

"Do you care to smoke, Senator, " Mrs. Spangler asked, as her guestsconcluded their repast, "if the young ladies do not object?"

Langdon inclined his head gratefully, and laughed. 

"They wouldn't be Southern girls, I reckon, if they didn't want tosee a man have everything to make him happy--er, I beg pardon, Mrs. Spangler, I mean, comfortable. Nobody that's your guest could beunhappy. "

The hostess beamed on the chivalrous Southerner. 

Langdon drew forth a thick black perfecto and settled back luxuriouslyin his chair, after another glance at Mrs. Spangler's clock. He wasabsorbed in a mental résumé of his forthcoming speech and did not hearthe next words of the woman, addressed pointedly to his daughters. 

"Do you know, really, why this luncheon was given to-day?" shequeried. Then she continued before Carolina and Hope Georgia couldformulate replies:

"Because your father and I wanted to take this opportunity to announceto you--our engagement. "

The speaker smiled her sweetest smile. 

The two girls gazed at each other in uncontrollable amazement, then atMrs. Spangler, then at their father, who had turned partly away fromthe table and was gazing abstractedly at the ceiling. 

Hope Georgia was the first to regain her voice. 

"Oh, Mrs. Spangler, " she ejaculated, "you are very kind to marryfather, but--"

"What's that?" exclaimed the Senator, roused from his thoughts by hisyoungest daughter's words and thrusting himself forward. 

Mrs. Spangler laid her hand on his arm. 

"Oh, Senator, I have just told the dear girls that you had asked me tomarry you--that we were soon to be married, " she said, archly, lookinghim straight in the eye. She clasped her hands and murmured: "I am sohappy!"

The hero of Crawfordsville tried to speak, but he could not. He staredat his hostess, who smiled the smile of the budding debutante. His ownopen-mouthed astonishment was reflected in the faces of Carolina andHope Georgia as they observed their father's expression. He forgot hewas in Washington. He did not know he was a Senator. The fact that hehad ever even thought of making a speech was furthest from his mind. 

What did it all mean? Had Mrs. Spangler gone suddenly insane? Hisdaughters--what did they think? These thoughts surged through hisflustered brain. Then it flashed over him--she was joking in some newfashionable way. He turned toward the fair widow to laugh, but herface was losing its smile. A pained expression, a suggestion ofintense suffering, appeared in her face. 

"Why do you so hesitate, Senator Langdon?" she finally asked in lowvoice, just loud enough for the two girls to overhear. 

The junior Senator from Mississippi looked at his hostess. She hadentertained him and had done much for his daughters in Washington. Shewas alone in the world--a widow. He felt that he could not shame herbefore Carolina and Hope Georgia. His Southern chivalry would notpermit that. Then, too, she was a most charming person, and thethought, "Why not--why not take her at her word?" crept into his mind. 

"Yes, father, why do you hesitate?" asked Carolina. 

Senator Langdon mustered his voice into service at last. 

"I've been thinking, " he said, slowly, "that--"

"That your daughters did not know, " interrupted Mrs. Spangler, "ofour--"

"The telephone--upstairs--is ringing, madam, " said a maid who hadentered to Mrs. Spangler. 

The adventuress could not leave the Senator and his daughters alone, though she knew it must be Peabody calling her. At any moment he mightremember his speech and leave. Already late, he would still be later, though, because he would have no carriage--hers would purposely bedelayed. 

"Tell the person speaking that you are empowered to bring me anymessage--that I cannot leave the dining-hall, " she said to the maid. 

To gain time and to hold the Senator's attention, Mrs. Spangler asked, slowly:

"Well, Senator, what was it that you were going to say when Iinterrupted you a few moments ago?"

Langdon had been racking his brain for some inspiration that wouldenable him to save the feelings of his hostess, and yet indicate hisposition clearly. He would not commit himself in any way. He wouldjump up and pronounce her an impostor first. 

After a moment of silence his clouded face cleared. 

"Mrs. Spangler, " he began, "your announcement to-day I have consideredto be--"

"Premature, " she suggested. 

The maid returned. 

"Mr. Wall says Senator Langdon is wanted at once at the Capitol. "

"Great heavens!" exclaimed Langdon, springing to his feet and glancingat the clock. "I'm late! I'm late! I hope to God I'm not too late!"

"Mr. Wall says a carriage is coming for Senator Langdon, " concludedthe maid. 

"We must talk this matter over some other time, Mrs. Spangler, " theMississippian cried, as he sent a servant for his hat and coat. "Ihope that carriage hurries, else I'll try it on the run for theCapitol!"

"It's a half hour away on foot, " said Mrs. Spangler. "Better wait. You'll save time. "

But to herself she muttered, as though mystified:

"I wonder why Peabody changed his mind so suddenly? Why should he nowwant the old fool at the Capitol?"

The rumble of wheels was heard outside. 

"Hurry, father!" cried Hope Georgia. 

The Senator hurried down the stone steps of Mrs. Spangler's residenceas rapidly as his weight and the excitement under which he laboredwould permit. Opening the coach door, he plunged inside--to come faceto face with Bud Haines, who had huddled down in a corner to avoidobservance from the Spangler windows. The driver started his horsesoff on a run. 

Struggling to regain his breath, the Senator cried:

"Well, what are--"

"Never mind now. But first gather in all I say, Senator, as we'veno time to lose. When I couldn't locate you and I saw you probablywouldn't be at the Senate chamber in time to make your speech on thenaval base bill, I persuaded Senator Milbank of Arkansas to rise andmake a speech on the currency question, which subject was in order. He was under obligation to me for some important information I onceobtained for him, and he consented to keep the floor until youarrived, though he knew he would earn the vengeance of Peabody. Thatwas over an hour and a half ago. He must be reading quotations from'Pilgrim's Progress' to the Senate by now to keep the floor. "

Bud paused to look at his watch. 

The Senator stretched his head out of the window and cried: "Drivefaster!"

"Got your speech all right?" called Bud above the din of the rattlingwheels. 

"Yes, here, " was the response, the Senator tapping his inner breastpocket. 

"Thought maybe she--" cried Bud, jerking his head back in thedirection from which they had come. 

The Mississippian shook his head negatively, and set his jawsdeterminedly. 

The coach swung up to the Capitol entrance. 

"Tell me, " asked Langdon, as both jumped out, "how did you find outthat--"

"I 'phoned the house--gave a name Peabody uses--"

"Great heavens! but how did you know where to 'phone?"

They were at the door of the Senate chamber. 

"Norton gave me the tip--for your sake and Carolina's--for old times'sake, he said, " was Bud's reply. 

CHAPTER XXVIII

ON THE FLOOR OF THE SENATE

Too much occupied in concentrating his thoughts on his speech, Langdonfailed to notice the consternation on the faces of Peabody and Stevensas he walked to his seat in the Senate. They had failed to succeed ingetting Milbank to conclude, and consequently could not push the navalbase report through. But they noted the passing of over an hour aftertheir opponent's appointed time and had felt certain that he would notappear at all. 

"The boss of the Senate" leaned across to Stevens and whispered, hurriedly:

"We must tear him to pieces now--discredit him publicly. It's his ownfault. Our agents can sell the land to Standard Steel. Our connectionwith the scheme will be impossible to discover--after we have made thepublic believe Langdon is a crook. "

"But how about our supposed combination to protect the Governmentthat Langdon will tell about?" asked Stevens. "We can't deny that, ofcourse. "

"No, " answered Peabody. "We can't deny it, but we will not affirm it. We will tell interviewers that we prefer not to talk about it. "

"It's our only chance, " replied Stevens, cautiously. 

"Yes; and we owe it all to Jake Steinert, " went on Peabody. "Thatfellow Telfer will do anything to please Jake. Jake has convincedTelfer that Langdon was responsible for the defeat of Gulf City, andthe Mayor is wild for revenge. "

"The boss of the Senate" rose and walked to the rear of the Senatechamber to issue orders to two of his colleagues. 

"Report of the committee on naval affairs. " droned the clerk, mechanically. "House Bill No. 1, 109 is amended to read as follows--"And his voice sank to an unintelligible mumble, for every Senatorpresent he well knew was aware that the amendment named Altacoola asthe naval base site. 

Senator Langdon rose in his seat. 

"Mr. President, " he called. 

"Chair recognizes the gentleman from Mississippi, " said the presidingofficer, as he leaned back to speak to Senator Winans of Kansas, whohad approached to the side of the rostrum. 

The Langdon speech on "The New South and the South of the Future"proved more than a document suited only to a reverent burial in the_Congressional Record_. Although wearied at the start owing to theexciting happenings of the day, the Mississippian's enthusiasm for hiscause gave him strength and stimulation as he progressed. His voicerose majestically as he came to the particular points he wished toaccentuate, and even those in the uppermost rows in the galleriescould hear every word. 

At the close of his formal speech he began on his statement of theaction of the naval affairs committee in buying control of theAltacoola land to foil attempts to rob the Government. As he hadpredicted, the Senate did "sit up. " The Senate did agree that a newkind of politics had arrived. 

During this latter part of the speech many curious glances weredirected at Peabody and Stevens, who sat in the same tier of seats, inthe middle of the chamber, only an aisle separating them. Throughthis choice of seats they could confer without leaving their places. Various senatorial associates of these two men in other deals foundit difficult to believe their ears--but was not old Langdon at thismoment narrating the amazing transaction on the floor of the Senate?Would the statue on the pedestal step down? Would the sphinx of thedesert speak the story of the lost centuries? Would honor take theplace of expediency in the affairs of state? What might not happen, thought the Senate machine, now that Peabody and Stevens had taken totheir bosoms what they termed the purple pup of political purity?

Neither did the full portent of the situation escape the attentionof the reporters' gallery. Dick Cullen observed to Hansel of the_Record_:

"Virtue's getting so thick around here it's a menace to navigation. "

"Blocking the traffic, eh?" queried Hansel; and both laughed. 

"Hello! What's this?" exclaimed Cullen a few minutes later. "Hortonhas been recognized, when the program was to adjourn when the navalbase bill was over with. "

Langdon's speech had proved the hit, the sensation of the session. After he concluded, amid resounding applause, in which Senatorsjoined, as well as occupants of the galleries, Senator Horton ofMontana rose and caught the presiding officer's eye. 

"I ask unanimous consent to offer a resolution. "

Hearing no objection, he continued, in a manner that instantlyattracted unusual attention:

"It is my unpleasant duty"--Peabody and Stevens exchanged glances--"toplace a matter before this body that to me, as a member of thishonorable body, is not only distasteful, but deeply to be regretted. 

"There has arisen ground to suspect a member of this body with havingendeavored to make money at the Government's expense out of land whichhe is alleged to have desired his own committee to choose as the navalbase. 

"I therefore offer this resolution providing for the appointment of aninvestigating committee to look into these charges. "

Langdon was intensely excited over this new development. "Some one haslearned something about Peabody or Stevens, " he muttered. He fearedthat this new complication might in some way affect the fate of thenaval base--that the South, and Mississippi, might lose it. He roseslowly in his seat, while the Senate hummed with the murmur ofsuppressed voices. 

"I ask for more definite information, " he began, when recognizedand after the President of the Senate had pounded with the gavel torestore quiet, "so that this house can consider this important mattermore intelligently. "

Senator Horton rose. He said:

"I will take the liberty of adding that the Senator accused is noneother than the junior Senator from Mississippi. "

Langdon's eyes blazed. He strode swiftly into the aisle. 

"Mr. President, " he cried, passionately, "I know this is not the timeor place for a discussion like this, but ask that senatorial courtesypermit me to ask"--then he concluded strongly before he could bestopped--"what is the evidence in support of this preposterouscharge?"

"This is all out of order, " said the presiding officer, after a pause, "but in view of the circumstances I will entertain a motion to suspendthe rules. "

This motion passing, Horton replied to Langdon:

"Your name is signed to a contract with J. D. Telfer, Mayor of GulfCity, Miss. , calling for 3, 000 shares in the Gulf City Land Company, and--"

"A lie! a lie!" screamed Langdon. 

"That official, " went on Horton, coolly, "is now in Washington. Hehas the contract and will swear to conversations with you and yoursecretary. His testimony will be corroborated by no less a personagethan Congressman Norton, of your own district, who says you asked himto conduct part of the negotiations. 

"And I might add, " cried Horton, "that it is known to more than onemember of this honorable body that you had drawn up a minority reportin favor of Gulf City because of your anger at the defeat of your planto lake the naval base away from Altacoola. "

Langdon sank into his chair, bewildered, even stunned. There was aconspiracy against him, but how could he prove it? The ground seemedcrumbling from under him--not even a straw to grasp. Then the oldfighting blood that carried him along in Beauregard's van tugged atthe valves of his heart, revived his spirit, ran through his veins. Heleaped to his feet. 

A sound as of a scuffle--a body falling heavily--drew all eyes fromLangdon to the rear of the main aisle. An assistant sergeant-at-armswas lying face downward on the carpet. Another was vainly trying tohold Bud Haines, who, tearing himself free, rushed down to his chief, waving a sheet of paper in the Senator's eyes. 

"Read that!" gasped the secretary, breathlessly, and he hurried awayup a side passageway and out to reach the stairs leading to the pressgallery. 

Langdon spread the paper before him with difficulty with his tremblinghands. Slowly his whirling brain gave him the ability to read. Slowlywhat appeared to him as a jumbled nothing resolved into orderly linesand words. He read and again stood before the Senate, which hadregained its usual composure after the fallen sergeant-at-arms hadregained his feet and rubbed his bruises. 

"I do not think there will be any investigation, " he said, withdecided effort, struggling to down the emotion that choked him. "I askthis house to listen to the following letter:

 "DEAR SENATOR LANGDON: When you receive this letter I shall be well on my way to take a steamer for Cuba. I write to ask you not to think too harshly of me, for I will always cherish thoughts of the friendship you have shown me. 

 "Peabody and Stevens have finally proved too much for me. When they got old Telfer to swear to a forged contract and wanted me to forge your name in the land records at Gulf City, I threw up my hands. Their game will always go on, I suppose, but you gave them a shock when you broke up their Altacoola graft scheme. And I'm glad you did They cast me aside to-day, probably thinking they could get me again if they needed me. 

 "I am going on the sugar plantation of a friend, where I can make a new start and forget that I ever went to Washington. "

Langdon paused deliberately. The Senate was hushed. The galleries werestifled. Not even the rustle of a sheet of paper was heard in thereporters' gallery. The Mississippian gazed around the Senate chamber. He saw Stevens and Peabody craning their necks across the aisle andtalking excitedly to each other. 

Then he stepped forward and spoke, waving the paper in the air. 

"This letter is signed 'Charles Norton. '"

The old Southerner gazed triumphantly at the men who had sought todestroy him. It was with difficulty that the presiding officer couldhammer down the burst of handclapping that arose from the galleries. 

Senator Horton, however, was not satisfied with Langdon's suddenascendency. 

"How do we know that that letter is not a forgery, a trick?" heexclaimed. 

"Go get Congressman Norton--if you can--and get his denial, " respondedLangdon. 

The junior Senator from Mississippi hurriedly pushed his way out ofthe Senate chamber. His day's work was done. 

Down on a broad plantation along the Pearl River an old planter, whohas borne his years well, as life goes nowadays, passes his dayscontentedly. He delights in the rompings of his grandchildren as theyrouse the echoes of the mansion and prides himself on the achievementsof their father, Randolph, who has improved the plantation to a pointnever reached before. 

Sometimes he receives a letter from his daughter. Hope Georgia, nowMrs. Haines, telling him of her happy life, or perhaps it is a letterfrom Carolina, describing the good times she is having in London withthe friends she is visiting. 

And the old planter goes out on the broad veranda in the warm Southerntwilight, and he thinks of the days that were. He remembers how theThird Mississippi won the day at Crawfordsville. He thinks of the dayswhen he fought the good fight in Washington. His thoughts turn to thememory of her who went before these many years and whom he is soonto see again, and peace descends on the soul of the gentleman fromMississippi as the world drops to slumber around him. 

THE END.