The San Francisco Call. Newspaper, March 8, 1903, Page 2

: i e AP e SN DAY CALL., Albert suit you spoke in at Independence, and I'll come out on the porch and chat with you awhil, He sat there now in the shadows wait- ing for this ball to begin. night the first week in Jurne moon was hanging just over tné tree tops. iz _heart was full to bursting- with the thought that the girl he loved would, in be whirling over that nolished floor to the strains of a waltz, with another man's arm around her. He never knew how deeply he hated dancing before — that human body. tion, and voiced in the passionate ery of He felt its challenge to mortal combat—his love that elaimed woman as his own, body Itaiian band was in full swing, its plaintive notes instinct with the passion of sunny Italy all Southern people love. He felt that he should choke. Tearing_a W B nts s ¢ sorrowful days and nights i aid with an L Drawn {rrcsistibly by the magnetism of his mind and manner Mrs. Worth for- 8ot the flight of time and thought but a moment had passed when an hour after the ball had opened, Sallie leaning on McLeed's arm. have you been monepolizing r. Gaston for ; Whu'l‘e hour."h‘ Ve een here a hour, Miss!™ cried her mother. s CHAPTER VIII THE UNSOLVED RIDDLE vén hours the o s wait- was free as a bird.” u blushing for?” But her face was scarlet. L thern girls are $0 queer. fagment you like a man you're as sly as that you even know him. a man 1 love I don't care if_he loves me.” vou think of Bob St. Clare?” oak that.stood in the corner of the whole time, s few minutes, let & mother's ill you're gone.” exclaimed Gas- e hour and ten I'm going to tell papa on you as soon as I get home.” 30 back to your dancing.” *“No, thank you, I have an engagement to take a walk with your beau. Mr.- Gaston." They walked to the spring and along the winding path by foot of the hill, and found a rustic seat. silent for several mo- and I can't You've heard of McLeod's scheme.” the melody made love to you- vet?" of the crowd 1 don't mind confessing that made to me before this Boston it's a serlous thing for The second this State and the ruin of the South un- be defeated.” vou going to do it? who hasn’t to his love never had love of his money strongholds the brook at the Democracy are crazy were both declaration of, his consequences, to have any- make their gj pumpkin leave “I saw_vou were charming mama, or T'would have come saoner.” I hope she likes me “'She has been praising you ever since your visit to Independence. her talk so long to a young man in my You must have hypnotized boys den’t = with his nigg scrawled this line “‘Dear Miss Sallie: you a moment in the parlor before you enter the ballroom, Gaston.” At least he would hate him for it, he would be dance that night. that their only but thorough organiza- Please let me see U never saw ssion is to minister your girls are engaged to six boys at same time,” Do you like 1t?” t's ‘glorious. come down here to see meaning of life “Don’t our boys make love beautifully ?* ed the remark Jife before. “When the white race begin her in her ball the negro and ek his favor, they ite equality. means ultimately social as well as polit- 1 feel that if 1 hapdn't ou 1'd have strange happiness filled her heart. She was afrald to look her not to He saw McLeod, bow- and scraping in the ballroom, array- faultless full dres, toward the door. ing for her to ask her to dance. Hpg waould like to wring his handsome The boy returned immediately and' the lady was waiting in_the parlor. entered with a sense of fcar and con- in the face; to play with the and glancing They make s0 seriousl He knew he was walt- carnest, you can't help bel “And ‘Bob hasn't said a word “Masn't breathed a hint.” have him sure. are silent like th b made love to me the second day he s0 dead in ‘‘Are .you enjoying your triumph to- ht? I've had war inside,” like T am the emperor of the world and that the evening vtar is smjl- ing on my court}” She smiled, tossed her head, agalnst the trée and said: seems to me a far cry young Democracy cvery tov-nship in tie State, and put ou are in the habit of that to giris oul and henor, no. I'll dream about e old crowd. Th. E4YR L0, “Upon my “Then thunks. the next batt aston with empha returned to the hotel and Mcl.eod went back the s freak of fate he chose the same seat she had just vacated with claimid her. of the Na- “siss Sallie, you aré of age nc know that I have loved you pas §nce yuu w 1 have made my, Life, | am hungry for a home and heep me walting? ‘Simply because 1 love yvuu, Allan, und forever, he and 1 pever will , to-night I give you answer, I will not be your wite." on t give the apswer to-night. T he interrupted. threshold of a great career. 1 can offer you a dazzling posi- t glve me such an Leave the old, answer—to wait." I dp mot love you. the President, I'go to see “‘I am just on t week MecLeod t receiving reports tical henchmen at Raleigh there's, a hitch ever saw me."” “Don’t tease me, dear.’ her pretty the dark beauly of the South. likes me s ““He's crazy about you, goose There was the ; “I can't tell storles .about it like you, Sallie, I'm afraid I'm in love with him,” she whisnered. him with her 3 dazzling wvision of 8he was dressed in a creamy white crepe decollete over and gleaming shoulders, held with tiny straps across the curve of the upper arm. He.was stunned. She €miled in triumph, conscious of her rcs’stless power. ‘“'Forgive me tor my selfishness in keep- ing you here just a moment from the rest. 1 wished to see you first.” inspect like mama, g's dropped said Helen as rosy cheek against ys no decision 10 become ball gown, “Referendum 1'd beétter get hold of him and kinks out of him quick.” eyves flashed with = ‘Then you love another.” “That .is none of your business, sir. I have known you since cnildhood. had ample time to know my own mind."” “All right, we wiil say good-by for the You have made me a laughing stock 'of young fools, but I can stand it. I'll not give you up, and if I can't have no other man shall ™ If you leave my will out of the cal culation, you will make a fatal mistake. ‘““Women have been known to change their wilis."” Before leaving her that held her hand for an instant as he bade “Miss Sallle, inexpressible & sound of a court you to- damned Baptist him thrashed, “What? to « I look all right “'No, with a mad desire to keep you as ossible from the others.” at him and sald “Don't you dare!” Then do just as I tell you about this ball and get yourself up regardless.” of the ball, ting ‘out on the porch, felt nervous and fidgety, like a fish out of the knew he had no business there, and yet he couldn’t go CHAPTER IX. THE RHYTHM OF THE DANCE. time came Gaston met them depot with a carriage to take Sal- her mother Then she looked slowly and softly e you very much if 1 were not to dance to-night?" “l wouldn't dare ask so selfish a thing It is with you a simple habit of you enjoy It as a child does to play. I understand that, and yet if you do not dance to-night, I feel as though I would crawl round this world ands and knees for you if you There _are men waiting for you in that ballroom whom I hate.” She looked at him timidly as though she afraid he was about to say too much and replied: “Then 1 will not dance to-night. the ball and let Helen “Words have no power to convey my I count all my little triumphs You promised to siied and addres her good-by thank you with for the hopor you have done m “I've just been wondering what you have done to deserve it?" “Absolutely nothing—that's why it is This has been the happlest day 1 cannot see you again be- I_leave to-morrow on wr- I come to Indepen- , to_the Campbell Sul- passenger to that Gaston honor her by. coming in even- ing dréss whether he danced or not. Miss Sallie, feel like a_fool. Everybody in the country knows that i never enter the ballroom. “Uo you care so much what everybody “What in thund are you doing here! quarantined would _ask 1 ever lived. fore you go. gent business. ®dence to see y *Yes, I'll be delighted to see you. Good- t here in the square tand for this.” what I think of my- pouring off had cut off Sallie’s party in the cen- rtant business busin, come in full dress cak to you.” He turned pale In spite of his effort at Then a queer steel-like look just preside over Gaston was the last to return to Ham be the queen.” two ‘miles starlit woods. took @ short cut his bare feet had travel- ed as a boy, and with ‘walked slowiy of greAt trees. silence and the soft mantle of the night about his soul! The wind sighed He had withdrawn from the church in his college days because he had grown to —God, heaven, hell and , I just came up for your sake. I'm iooking after Scared to say a word. self control came into his eyes. “] shall be more than sorry to fail to have no dress suit. [ have never had time for soclal frivolities, 1 can't afford to buy one for this occa- sion, I couldn’t be nigger enough to hire one, 5o that's the end of it. come dressed in my own fashion or stay pouring his bent low and kissed her high white talk for you and you please you, in life nothing to this, join me on the porch. Don’t ¢hange that part of the programme. your mother until you come."” treading on He sought her mothér and devoted himself to her with supreme tact. discovered her tastes and paid her that knightly young men to their“eld fayorite with.old a badge of honor. uncovered head the dim aisles It was good, 4 auptie aga ‘It’s a bargain I will talk to SbE She Wise- Sallie allowed Gaston his torture. 1'll have to a wonder worker, it through the be friendly. She deter- to give a ball to Helen the next week and began preparations. It was & new business for Gaston, hz did hig best to pleasé her in a pathetic He ran all sorts ef érrands and executed her orders with ““Then you can stay at home.” she snap- rejudices and eference sothe express’ easily. and naturativ always been a ople. He prided him- faculty he regarded as As he sat there and d_with this frafl woman, his heart out to her in a great yearning love. She was the mother of the bride of his He would love her forever No matter whether she loved him He would love the mother who gave to his thirsty Jips the water of can’t realize the joy inspires me when It's 160 good to doubt geverythi immortality. home he heard that wonderful sentence of the old Bible ringing down the ages, wet with tears and winged with like your insolence. I'm glad you do, to"all such functions, an outsider. ed sort of wi I'll come as I come tasted the water of see death.” looked at him with pride make a matchless voung eyes and ears!”* from afar. aance, T assure you I'l try to number of your card. If 1 coyld only 1 can do nothing to ever re- you for the good time I've been hav- said Helen as they sat in her room “God Is love!” He said it now saftly and reverently; came unbidden from his He felt close to the heart of things, He knew he was close to the heart of What it nature was only another Not being able to #imply decline to make a fool compliment, T'll compromise or hated him. Wear tnat big pompous Prince the souls of Lhe 1 don't care Gaston sulks. name for Ged? And he whispered it If 1 only knew. it I would bow do‘wn and worship him forever!” he criel that night, Mrs. her window. “Why didn't you “Didn’t care tc ily Miss, -you cam’'t fool me. You didn’t dance because Mr, Gaston couldn’t That was a dangerously loud way to talk to him.” “How did vou like him, mama?" “‘Come here, ‘dear, ‘and sit cn the of my chair. 1 wish I knew when you were in earn- ‘Worth was seated by dance?? est about a man. 1 like him mc I can tell you. He talked to beautifully about his mether, I to kiss him. He is charming likke him for a wealth of deep tenderness power in him. “Mama, you're getting giddy But she kissed her mother twice when she sald good night . CHAPTER X THE HEART OF A VILLAIN McLeod had developed into a man o undoubted power. He was but tf two years old, and the diciator of Iis party in the Srate. He had the fighting temperament which Southern people demand in their leaders ‘With this temperament he combined the skill of subtle diplomatic tact. H. no moral scruples 'of any kind The lem of expediency alone interested in_ethics. McLeod's pet aversion was a preacher, especially a Baptist.or a Methoaist. Hi cholcest oaths he reserved fof them made a study of th weakness. could tell dozens of stories to their credit, many of them truc. He ha instinet for finding their weak holding them up to ridicule. every book of militant intidelity he coul find and memorized the bitterest of it He took special pride in scofhng at reli- glon ‘before the young converts of L ham's church. There's a and manly son. b- im He was endowed, with a personal mag tile netism that fascindted the young a: hiss of a snake holds a bird. His work was politics and sensuallsm tics he was at his best. Here he cunning, plausible, careful, brilliant daring. He never lost his head in defeat or victery. He never forgot a frier forgave an enemy. Of Lis-foe h no quarter and gave none His ambitions were purely sel meant to climb to the t means, the end would just preferred to assocfate with whit But when il was necessary negro, he mever -hesiated length. The center of the his mind was A. McLeoa He was fond of saying to a crowd youngsters whom he taught to play poker and drink whisgy: “Boys, 1 kncw the world.: The great man is the man who gets ‘there He was gensrous with his money, and the boys called him a joily good feilow He used to say in explanation of thi carelcss habit: “It won't do for any ordinary fool to throw away money as [ do. I play for big stakes, I'm not a spendthrift simply sowing seed. 1 can wait for t harvest. And when they would zdmire much he would warn them “As a rule my advice Get it fairly and squarely whatever vou do—get it. Wher right down to 1t, money's your best and only friend. Others pr well-but when the scratch com fail. Momey never fails A boy of fifteen asiked him when he was mellow with liquo you come irs “Mcleod, which would yuu rather President of the United States or a millionaire?"” “Boys,” he replied cking and running his tongue around his inside and softly caressing them witl band, while he half ciosed his “They say. old Stmon legree we fitty . millfons " of dolla and that actual income Is twenty per cent on i} They say he stole mo f it 1 every dollar represents a brok every cent of it could be painted re the blood of his victims. Even so, I we rather be In Legrees shoes and those milligns @& year than to b mighty Ged with hosis of an ing psalms to me through all eternity And the sallow-pated tellites cheered this blasphemy with open-eyed wor The weakest slde of his nature was th turned toward women. He was va @ peacock, and the darling wish or his sout was to be a suc ful libertine. T'his was the secret or the cruel Qf his desire of boundless wealth. He had the intellectual forehead of T Scotech father, large, hanusomely ed features, nostrils that dilated an tracted widely, and the thi lips of his mother. His eyebr siralght, thick and suggested force of Antellect. . His hair w red, thick and colirse, his m was finer and it was his spe paint its delicately curved tips His vanity was being stimulated now by two upposite forces. He w love, as deeply as such a natu love, with Sallle Worth. Her rejection of his sult had wo vanity, but had roused ail the of his nature to strengthen thi weakness. He had discovered recently ercised a potent influence over ham. The moment he was re vanity turned for renewed st ward her. He saw instantly the power even the slightest indisc her nart weuld give him preacher’s life. He knew that was not a demonstrative man loved his wife with intense devotion. He knew too, that there was the preacher's wea back ws est spot. In his tireless devotion to his waork, he had starved his wife's b t H had noticed that she always called him “Dr. Durham' now, and that he had radually fallen fnto the Labit of cal er “Mrs. Durham.’' This had been fixed in their hab haps by the change from hou to ' living at the hotel. Since Mary's death, Mrs. Durham ha up her struggle with the negro se closed her house, and they had b for several years He waw that It he could entangle h name with his in the dirty gossin village soclety, he could strike his a mortal blow., He knew that grown mare &nd mor= jeal of the crowds of silly women that always dog the heels of a powerful minister with flattery and- ppen admiration. He deter- mined to make the experiment Mrs. Durhat, while nine years his senfor, did mot laok a day over thirty Her face was as smooth and oft and round as @ gIrl's, her figure as straight and full, and her every movement in- stinct with stored vital powers that had never béen drawn upon. She was in a dangerous period of her mental development. She had been bitter- ly.disgppointed In life. Her loss of sla and the ancesiral prestige of great waa had sent the steel shaft of a pc dggger Into her heart. She was reconciled to it. While she was pa: througk the anarchy of Legree's re which followed the war. her unsat maternal- instinets ‘absorbed her in work of relieving the pocr and the brok- en. But when the white race r its_might and shook off this nightmare and order and a measure of prosperity - had come, she had fallen baek into brood- ing pessimism. She had reached the hour of that soul crisfs when she felt life would almost in a moment slip from her grasp, and she asked herself the question, “Have I lived?” And she could not answer She found herself asking the reasons for things long accepted as fixed and eternal. What was good, right, truth? And what made it good, right, or true And she beat the' wings of her proud woman's heart against the bars that held her, until tired, and bleeding she was exhausted but unconquered She was furlous with McLeod for his open association with negro politicians “Allan, in my soul, I am ashamed for you w I see you thus degrade your manhood. ‘‘Nonsense, Mrs. Durham,” he replied, “the most beautiful flower grows in dirt, but the flower is not dirt.” “Well, I knew you were vain, but that caps the climax!™ *“Isn’'t my figure true, whether you say I'm dog-fennel or a pink?" “No, you are not a flower. Will is tHe soul of man. The flower is ruled by the laws outside itself. A man's will is crea- h ned un- tive. You can make law. You can walk with your head among the stars, and you choose to crawl In a ditch. ‘I am out of patience with you.”” “But only for a purpose. judge by the end in view.” *“There’'s no need to steop so low.' You must *have always been kind to me sir I'm not taking orders from him.” . but you'd like to—you know it.” What an idea! You know you like kim better than ail the others put “Nonsense. ~ I'm “Then what are ¥ “I assure you it is absolutely necessary to my aims in life. And they are high enough. 1 appreciate your intel me, more than I dare to tell you a wild red-headed brute of a boy vou have always been my supreme in spiration im work. While others hav cursed nd scoffed you miled at me and yo smile has warmes my heart in_its blackes She looked n with a mother-like be high emough to wior. It's been sw to climb ou to fight or buy m to do it. I dream of & of soft white beds, grand palatial home, banquet halls, and mt and wine, and the faces of those 1 love néar me. Be doing s the be o nation. you walk arm gro, as toey can witn a big black ne in arm piy be: epresent X tell their coior t »x. [ use these y worms. My political e nsumption oniy ybody to impose on me. I Allan MecLeod to deceive platform, or a lot of m not a preacher. that shot, blushed and jously for a moment 2 preacher. 1 wish ma d 1 with you,” B answered serious voice. “But I can't over the, sense of personal degr, involved in your assocfation wi es as your equal,” sted troubls i vel. Wome: er really forgive a clal wrong “I am unreconst she snapped with pride. y for it, dom’t es, 1 do. Huma nature can’'t be re- econsiructed h;: of fools who tink- er. with laws 1 These thous: black votes are here. hey've be comtrolled. I'm uoing the job. “You don t to get rid of them.” jet rid of them? Ye gods, that would be a task! The negro fs the sentimental pet of the nation. Put him on a conti X t al sink lUke an fron wedge to pit of barbarism But the republic—our only incapable. That wardship is vel on the throat f it i3 an ocean of of the Sou maudlin se I am simpl making situation. [ didn’t = just doing the e too cheap. The 4 hundred thousand mis rying to support.” held below the high ideais do against these face aplaze. “The is made up of the r o A little te a crude book. The w's will caused A men, desolated nd changed the e single daun Washington es saved the colonies frem sur- republie. I am ar a man of your bra ike you believe they are lifted out re of menfal se areer. It fs sim are led to i at lagt I led, and replied ter and drilita: k you would go n with your or a prejudice, a history. Edu catior ) r of the human brain nd the heart to suffer Soorer ter these educated. negroes hand of t laws on th eir cholce betwee: or a prison cell. And the grave and the The South is kinder to 8! be is kept in his_place. ou are a quarter of a century be- hind the times m I so ok laughed. sentime he woman. You il woman I ever to feel that way t a with the rest, do She blushed the slightest bit. “No, I've always taken a | r interest fn you. I everybody who has of you. I have were capable of £ great achieve- me has been my my give the lle to succeed. And I w er of this State estness. u to make such f negro equality speakable degradation ur name hissed. acher once. Come diftics and devote career in law with ecalm per- is ng. ‘Then take a ne.” “Ta succeed gr: is the only title to nobMity here “Is the doctor on speaking terms with you now?” “Oh! yes, I joke him_ about his hide- bound bourbe B he tells me I am all sorts of a But we have made an agreeme te another in a polite sort in Israel a bilit} to the spring a few hour Indeed “Yes, he es a teacher ith responsi- saw him driving h a'bévy of pretty girls > be-having a r time and ewed his youth An ang T to her face she made McLeod glane her £ at this eviden that . Would me to the springs? We will ge party starts back. answ d, “yes." CHAPTER XL THE OLD STORY When Gaston arrived in Independence he went direct to St. Clare’s “Where the dickens have you been Gaston " “Jumping from Mu i ove to hayse What luck? Phy to Manteo mak- d statesmen.” “They're all crazy. They swear are going to have the United Sta tablish a sub-treasury in Raleigh and sue Government script they ‘can use as money on their pumpkins, or they are going to tear the nation to-tatters and vernor ‘if neces- vote for a nigger for an’t you an heir fool heads Republican th for them hemes ™" to do a thwg with them McLeod's stuffed them full. I'm sick of it. Tve a notion to let them go with the niggers and .go-to the devil. It's growing on me that there must be an- other way out. I can't get down in the dirt and prostitute my intellect and He to these fools. We've got to get rid of the negro.” get into alllance with th that party is the last way on e to go about their sub-treasury s “Can't seem