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| author | Roger Frank <rfrank@pglaf.org> | 2025-10-15 04:41:22 -0700 |
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| committer | Roger Frank <rfrank@pglaf.org> | 2025-10-15 04:41:22 -0700 |
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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6833f05 --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,3 @@ +* text=auto +*.txt text +*.md text diff --git a/13110-0.txt b/13110-0.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..a370d22 --- /dev/null +++ b/13110-0.txt @@ -0,0 +1,6553 @@ +*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 13110 *** + +AUNT JANE'S NIECES AT WORK + +BY + +EDITH VAN DYNE + + +1909 + + + +LIST OF CHAPTERS + +I MISS DOYLE INTERFERES + +II THE ARTIST + +III DON QUIXOTE + +IV KENNETH TAKES A BOLD STEP + +V PLANNING THE WORK + +VI A GOOD START + +VII PATSY MAKES PROGRESS + +VIII THE HONORABLE ERASTUS IS ASTONISHED + +IX OL' WILL ROGERS + +X THE FORGED CHECK + +XI A MYSTERIOUS DISAPPEARANCE + +XII BETH MEETS A REBUFF + +XIII THE BOOMERANG + +XIV LUCY'S GHOST + +XV SIGNS OF THE TIMES + +XVI A CLEW AT LAST + +XVII MRS. HOPKINS GOSSIPS + +XVIII ELIZA PARSONS + +XIX PATSY INDULGES IN EAVESDROPPING + +XX PRICKING A BUBBLE + +XXI THE "RETURNS" FROM FAIRVIEW + +XXII THE AWAKENING + + + + +CHAPTER I + +MISS DOYLE INTERFERES + + +"Daddy," said Patricia Doyle at the breakfast table in her cosy New York +apartment, "here is something that will make you sit up and take +notice." + +"My dear Patsy," was the reply, "it's already sitting up I am, an' +taking waffles. If anything at all would make me take notice it's your +own pretty phiz." + +"Major," remarked Uncle John, helping himself to waffles from a fresh +plate Nora brought in, "you Irish are such confirmed flatterers that you +flatter your own daughters. Patsy isn't at all pretty this morning. +She's too red and freckled." + +Patsy laughed and her blue eyes danced. + +"That comes from living on your old farm at Millville," she retorted. +"We've only been back three days, and the sunburn sticks to me like a +burr to a kitten." + +"Pay no attention to the ould rascal, Patsy," advised the Major, +composedly. "An' stop wavin' that letter like a white flag of surrender. +Who's it from?" + +"Kenneth." + +"Aha! An' how is our lad?" + +"Why, he's got himself into a peck of trouble. That's what I want to +talk to you and Uncle John about," she replied, her happy face growing +as serious as it could ever become. + +"Can't he wiggle out?" asked Uncle John. + +"Out of what?" + +"His trouble." + +"It seems not. Listen--" + +"Oh, tell us about it, lassie," said the Major. "If I judge right +there's some sixty pages in that epistle. Don't bother to read it +again." + +"But every word is important," declared Patsy, turning the letter over, +"--except the last page," with a swift flush. + +Uncle John laughed. His shrewd old eyes saw everything. + +"Then read us the last page, my dear." + +"I'll tell you about it," said Patsy, quickly. "It's this way, you see. +Kenneth has gone into politics!" + +"More power to his elbow!" exclaimed the Major. + +"I can't imagine it in Kenneth," said Uncle John, soberly. "What's he in +for?" + +"For--for--let's see. Oh, here it is. For member of the House of +Representatives from the Eighth District." + +"He's flying high, for a fledgling," observed the Major. "But Kenneth's +a bright lad and a big gun in his county. He'll win, hands down." + +Patsy shook her head. + +"He's afraid not," she said, "and it's worrying him to death. He doesn't +like to be beaten, and that's what's troubling him." + +Uncle John pushed back his chair. + +"Poor boy!" he said. "What ever induced him to attempt such a thing?" + +"He wanted to defeat a bad man who now represents Kenneth's district," +explained Patsy, whose wise little head was full of her friend's +difficulties; "and--" + +"And the bad man objects to the idea and won't be defeated," added the +Major. "It's a way these bad men have." + +Uncle John was looking very serious indeed, and Patsy regarded him +gratefully. Her father never would be serious where Kenneth was +concerned. Perhaps in his heart the grizzled old Major was a bit jealous +of the boy. + +"I think," said the girl, "that Mr. Watson got Ken into politics, for he +surely wouldn't have undertaken such a thing himself. And, now he's in, +he finds he's doomed to defeat; and it's breaking his heart, Uncle +John." + +The little man nodded silently. His chubby face was for once destitute +of a smile. That meant a good deal with Uncle John, and Patsy knew she +had interested him in Kenneth's troubles. + +"Once," said the Major, from behind the morning paper, "I was in +politics, meself. I ran for coroner an' got two whole votes--me own an' +the undertaker's. It's because the public's so indiscriminating that +I've not run for anything since--except th' street-car." + +"But it's a big game," said Uncle John, standing at the window with his +hands deep in his pockets; "and an important game. Every good American +should take an interest in politics; and Kenneth, especially, who has +such large landed interests, ought to direct the political affairs of +his district." + +"I'm much interested in politics, too, Uncle," declared the girl. "If I +were a man I'd--I'd--be President!" + +"An' I'd vote fer ye twenty times a day, mavourneen!" cried the Major. +"But luckily ye'll be no president--unless it's of a woman's club." + +"There's the bell!" cried Patsy. "It must be the girls. No one else +would call so early." + +"It's Beth's voice, talking to Nora," added her father, listening; and +then the door flew open and in came two girls whose bright and eager +faces might well warrant the warm welcome they received. + +"Oh, Louise," cried Patsy, "however did you get up so early?" + +"I've got a letter from Kenneth," was the answer, "and I'm so excited I +couldn't wait a minute!" + +"Imagine Louise being excited," said Beth, calmly, as she kissed Uncle +John and sat down by Patsy's side. "She read her letter in bed and +bounced out of bed like a cannon-ball. We dressed like the 'lightning +change' artist at the vaudeville, and I'm sure our hats are not on +straight." + +"This bids fair to be a strenuous day," observed the Major. "Patsy's had +a letter from the boy, herself." + +"Oh, did you?" inquired Louise; "and do you know all about it, dear?" + +"She knows sixty pages about it," replied Major Doyle. + +"Well, then, what's to be done?" + +The question was addressed to Patsy, who was not prepared to reply. The +three cousins first exchanged inquiring glances and then turned their +eager eyes upon the broad chubby back of Uncle John, who maintained his +position at the window as if determined to shut out the morning +sunlight. + +Louise Merrick lived with her mother a few blocks away from Patsy's +apartment, and her cousin Beth DeGraf was staying with her for a time. +They had all spent the summer with Uncle John at Millville, and had only +returned to New York a few days before. Beth's home was in Ohio, but +there was so little sympathy between the girl and her parents that she +was happy only when away from them. Her mother was Uncle John's sister, +but as selfish and cold as Uncle John was generous and genial. Beth's +father was a "genius" and a professor of music--one of those geniuses +who live only in their own atmosphere and forget there is a world around +them. So Beth had a loveless and disappointed childhood, and only after +Uncle John arrived from the far west and took his three nieces "under +his wing," as he said, did her life assume any brightness or interest. + +Her new surroundings, however, had developed Beth's character +wonderfully, and although she still had her periods of sullen depression +she was generally as gay and lovable as her two cousins, but in a +quieter and more self-possessed way. + +Louise was the eldest--a fair, dainty creature with that indescribable +"air" which invariably wins the admiring regard of all beholders. +Whatever gown the girl wore looked appropriate and becoming, and her +manner was as delightful as her appearance. She was somewhat frivolous +and designing in character, but warm-hearted and staunch in her +friendships. Indeed, Louise was one of those girls who are so complex as +to be a puzzle to everyone, including themselves. + +Beth DeGraf was the beauty of the group of three, and she also possessed +great depth of character. Beth did not like herself very well, and was +always afraid others would fail to like her, so she did not win friends +as easily as did Louise. But those who knew the beautiful girl +intimately could read much to admire in the depth of her great dark +eyes, and she was not the least interesting of the three nieces whose +fortunes had been so greatly influenced by Aunt Jane and Uncle John +Merrick. + +But Patricia Doyle--usually called "Patsy" by her friends--was after all +the general favorite with strangers and friends alike. There was a +subtle magnetism about the girl's laughing, freckled face and dancing +blue eyes that could not well be resisted. Patsy was not beautiful; she +was not accomplished; she had no especial air of distinction. But she +was winning from the top of her red hair to the tips of her toes, and so +absolutely unaffected that she won all hearts. + +"And for wisdom she's got Solomon beat to a frazzle," declared the Major +to Uncle John, in discussing his daughter's character. But it is +possible that Major Doyle was prejudiced. + +"Well, what's to be done?" demanded Louise, for the second time. + +"We don't vote in Ken's district," remarked the Major, "or there would +be six votes to his credit, and that would beat my own record by four!" + +"Ken is so impressionable that I'm afraid this defeat will ruin his +life," said Beth, softly. "I wish we could get him away. Couldn't we get +him to withdraw?" + +"He might be suddenly called to Europe," suggested Louise. "That would +take him away from the place and give him a change of scene." + +Patsy shook her head. + +"Kenneth isn't a coward," she said. "He won't run away. He must accept +his defeat like a man, and some time try again. Eh, Uncle John?" + +Uncle John turned around and regarded his three nieces critically. + +"What makes you think he will be defeated?" he asked. + +"He says so himself," answered Patsy. + +"He writes me he can see no hope, for the people are all against him," +added Louise. + +"Pah!" said Uncle John, contemptuously. "What else does the idiot say?" + +"That he's lonely and discouraged, and had to pour out his heart to some +one or go wild," said Patsy, the tears of sympathy filling her eyes. + +"And you girls propose to sit down and allow all this?" inquired their +uncle sternly. + +"We?" answered Louise, lifting her brows and making a pretty gesture. +"What can we do?" + +"Go to work!" said Uncle John. + +"How?" asked Patsy, eagerly. + +"Politics is a game," declared Mr. Merrick. "It's never won until the +last card is played. And success doesn't lie so much in the cards as the +way you play 'em. Here are three girls with plenty of shrewdness and +energy. Why don't you take a hand in the game and win it?" + +"Oh, Uncle John!" + +The proposition was certainly disconcerting at first. + +"Yes, yes!" laughed the Major, derisively. "Put on some blue stockings, +read the history of woman's suffrage, cultivate a liking for depraved +eggs, and then face Kenneth's enraged constituents!" + +"I shouldn't mind, daddy, if it would help Kenneth any," declared Patsy, +stoutly. + +"Go on, Uncle John," said Beth, encouragingly. + +"Women in politics," observed their uncle, "have often been a tremendous +power. You won't need to humiliate yourselves, my dears. All you'll need +to do is to exercise your wits and work earnestly for the cause. There +are a hundred ways to do that." + +"Mention a few," proposed the Major. + +"I will when I get to Elmhurst and look over the ground," answered Uncle +John. + +"You're going on, then?" + +"Yes." + +"I'll go with you," said Patsy promptly. + +"So will I," said Beth. "Kenneth needs moral encouragement and support +as much as anything else, just now." + +"He's imagining all sorts of horrors and making himself miserable," said +Louise. "Let's all go, Uncle, and try to cheer him up." + +By this time Uncle John was smiling genially. + +"Why, I was sure of you, my dears, from the first," he said. "The +Major's an old croaker, but he'd go, too, if it were not necessary for +him to stay in New York and attend to business. But we mustn't lose any +time, if we're going to direct the politics of the Eighth District +Election the eighth of November." + +"I can go any time, and so can Beth," said Louise. + +"All I need is the blue stockings," laughed Patsy. + +"It won't be play. This means work," said Uncle John seriously. + +"Well, I believe we're capable of a certain amount of work," replied +Beth. "Aren't we, girls?" + +"We are!" + +"All right," said Mr. Merrick. "I'll go and look up the next train. Go +home, Louise, and pack up. I'll telephone you." + +"That bad man 'd better look out," chuckled the Major. "He doesn't +suspect that an army of invasion is coming." + +"Daddy," cried Patsy, "you hush up. We mean business." + +"If you win," said the Major, "I'll run for alderman on a petticoat +platform, and hire your services." + + + + +CHAPTER II + +THE ARTIST + + +To most people the great rambling mansion at Elmhurst, with its ample +grounds and profusion of flowers and shrubbery, would afford endless +delight. But Kenneth Forbes, the youthful proprietor, was at times +dreadfully bored by the loneliness of it all, though no one could better +have appreciated the beauties of his fine estate. + +The town, an insignificant village, was five miles distant, and +surrounding the mansion were many broad acres which rather isolated it +from its neighbors. Moreover, Elmhurst was the one important estate in +the county, and the simple, hard-working farmers in its vicinity +considered, justly enough, that the owner was wholly out of their class. + +This was not the owner's fault, and Kenneth had brooded upon the matter +until he had come to regard it as a distinct misfortune. For it isolated +him and deprived him of any social intercourse with his neighbors. + +The boy had come to live at Elmhurst when he was a mere child, but only +as a dependent upon the charities of Aunt Jane, who had accepted the +charge of the orphan because he was a nephew of her dead lover, who had +bequeathed her his estate of Elmhurst. Aunt Jane was Kenneth's aunt +merely in name, since she had never even married the uncle to whom she +had been betrothed, and who had been killed in an accident before the +boy was born. + +She was an irritable old woman, as Kenneth knew her, and had never shown +him any love or consideration. He grew up in a secluded corner of the +great house, tended merely by servants and suffered to play in those +quarters of the ample grounds which Aunt Jane did not herself visit. The +neglect which Kenneth had suffered and his lonely life had influenced +the youth's temperament, and he was far from being an agreeable +companion at the time Aunt Jane summoned her three nieces to Elmhurst in +order to choose one of them as her heiress. These girls, bright, cheery +and wholesome as they were, penetrated the boy's reserve and drew him +out of his misanthropic moods. They discovered that he had remarkable +talent as an artist, and encouraged him to draw and paint, something he +had long loved to do in secret. + +Then came the great surprise of the boy's life, which changed his +condition from one of dependency into affluence. Aunt Jane died and it +was discovered that she had no right to transfer the estate to one of +her nieces, because by the terms of his uncle's deed to her the property +reverted on her death to Kenneth himself. Louise Merrick, Beth DeGraf +and Patsy Doyle, the three nieces, were really glad that the boy +inherited Elmhurst, and returned to their eastern homes with the most +cordial friendship existing between them all. + +Kenneth was left the master of Elmhurst and possessor of considerable +wealth besides, and at first he could scarcely realize his good fortune +or decide how to take advantage of it. He had one good and helpful +friend, an old lawyer named Watson, who had not only been a friend of +his uncle, and the confidant of Aunt Jane for years, but had taken an +interest in the lonely boy and had done his best to make his life +brighter and happier. + +When Kenneth became a landed proprietor Mr. Watson was appointed his +guardian, and the genial old lawyer abandoned the practice of law and +henceforth devoted himself to his ward's welfare and service. + +They made a trip to Europe together, where Kenneth studied the pictures +of the old masters and obtained instruction from some of the foremost +living artists of the old world. + +It was while they were abroad, a year before the time of this story, +that the boy met Aunt Jane's three nieces again. They were "doing" +Europe in company with a wealthy bachelor uncle, John Merrick, a +generous, kind-hearted and simple-minded old gentleman who had taken the +girls "under his wing," as he expressed it, and had really provided for +their worldly welfare better than Aunt Jane, his sister, could have +done. + +This "Uncle John" was indeed a whimsical character, as the reader will +presently perceive. Becoming a millionaire "against his will," as he +declared, he had learned to know his nieces late in life, and found in +their society so much to enjoy that he was now wholly devoted to their +interests. His one friend was Major Doyle, Patsy's father, a dignified +but agreeable old Irish gentleman who amused Uncle John nearly as much +as the girls delighted him. The Major managed John Merrick's financial +affairs, leaving the old millionaire free to do as he pleased. + +So he took the girls to Europe, and the four had a fine, adventurous +trip, as may be imagined. Kenneth and Mr. Watson met them in Sicily, and +afterward in the Italian cities, and the friendship already existing +between the young people was more firmly cemented than before. + +In the spring Kenneth returned with his guardian to Elmhurst, where he +devoted himself largely to painting from the sketches he had made +abroad, while Mr. Watson sat beside him comfortably smoking his pipe and +reading his favorite authors. The elder man was contented enough in his +condition, but the boy grew restless and impatient, and longed for +social intercourse. His nature was moody and he had a tendency to brood +if left much to himself. + +Uncle John had carried his nieces to a farm at Millville, in the +Adirondack region, for the summer, so that Kenneth heard but seldom from +his friends. + +Such was the disposition of the characters when our story opens. + +Kenneth Forbes, although I have called him a boy, had attained his +majority on the fifteenth day of May. At this time Mr. Watson rendered +his accounts and turned over the estate to its owner. He would then have +retired, but Kenneth would not let him go. Twenty-one years of age +sounds mature, but the owner of Elmhurst was as boyish and inexperienced +as it is possible for one twenty-one years old to be. He had grown +accustomed, moreover, to depend much on Mr. Watson's legal acumen in the +management of his affairs, and would have been embarrassed and +bewildered if obliged to shoulder the burden all at once. + +The lawyer, who had always had an affection for the young man, perceived +this clearly; so an arrangement was made that he should remain with his +young friend indefinitely and strive to teach him such elements of +business as would enable him in time to attend to his extensive +interests understandingly and wisely. + +The country around Elmhurst is thickly settled with agriculturists, for +the farms are rich and productive in that part of the state. But it is +not a flat country, and Nature has given it many pretty woodland glades +and rocky glens to add to its charm. + +From the hill country at the west came several rushing streams which +tumbled along rocky paths to the river nine miles below Elmhurst, and +there are scenes along these routes that might well delight the eye of +an artist. Kenneth had often wandered into these out-of-the-way places +when a half-forgotten, neglected lad, but had not visited them for +years. Now, however, with the spirit of loneliness upon him, he suddenly +thought of a glen that would make an interesting study for a picture; so +one morning he mounted his horse and rode away to pay the place a +preliminary visit. + +The farmers along the road nodded at the young fellow good-naturedly as +he passed them. Everyone knew him well by sight, yet Kenneth could not +have named many of his neighbors, having held little intercourse with +them. It struck him, this morning, that they had little cause to be +interested in him. He had been an unsociable lad, and since he had +become master of Elmhurst had done little to cultivate acquaintance with +the people who lived around him. + +One reason for this was that they held little in common with him. The +neighboring farmers were honest, thrifty souls, and among them were many +both shrewd and thoughtful; but they naturally would not force +themselves upon the society of the one really rich man in their +community, especially as that man had shown no desire to know them. + +Kenneth was the subject of much speculation among them, and opinions +widely differed concerning his character. Some called him a "prig" and +declared that he was "stuck up" and conceited. Others said he was a +"namby-pamby" without brains or wit. But there were a few who had +occasionally talked with the boy, who understood him better, and hinted +that he might develop into "quite a man" in time. + +Kenneth surprised himself this morning by greeting several of his +neighbors with unusual cordiality. He even stopped a man who was driving +along the highway to inquire about his horse, which he perceived was +very lame. The boy knew something about horses and suggested a method of +treatment that he thought would help the nag; a suggestion the farmer +received with real gratitude. + +This simple incident cheered Kenneth more than you might suppose, and he +was actually whistling as he rode through the glen, where the country +road wound its way beside the noisy, rushing stream. + +Pausing in front of the picturesque "table rock" that he had come to +inspect, the boy uttered an exclamation of chagrin and disappointment. +Painted broadly upon the face of the rock, in great white letters, was +the advertisement of a patent medicine. The beauty of the scene was +ruined--only the glaring advertisement caught and held the eye of the +observer. + +At first Kenneth's mind held only a feeling of disgust that such a +desecration of Nature's gifts to humanity should be allowed. Then he +remembered another place further along the glen which was almost as +pretty as this had been before the defiling brush of the advertiser had +ruined it. So he spurred his horse and rode up the winding way to the +spot. There a red-lettered announcement of "Simpson's Soap" stared him +in the face. + +This was too much for his temper, and his disappointment quickly turned +to resentment. While he sat on his mare, considering the matter, the man +with the lame horse, whom he had passed, overtook him. + +"Can you tell me," Kenneth asked, "who owns this property?" + +"Why, I do," replied the man, reining up. + +"And you permitted these vile signs to be painted on the rocks?" +demanded the boy angrily. + +"O' course," replied the man, with a grin of amusement. "I can't farm +the rocks, can I? An' these 'ere signs pays me ten dollars a year, +each." + +Kenneth groaned. + +"I'll give you fifteen dollars a year each if you'll let me wash off the +letters and restore the scene to its original beauty," he declared. + +"I'm willin'," was the response. "But ye see they're contracted. I'd git +into trouble with the sign-painter." + +"Who is he?" + +"Lives in Cleveland. I've got his name up t' th' house, if you'll come +along. He comes up here every spring and paints fences an' rocks, payin' +spot cash fer th' privilege." + +"Oh, I see." + +"Then he contracts with the soap man an' the medicine man to paint up +their ads. You're the young 'un from Elmhurst, ain't ye?" + +"Yes." + +"Well, I'd like to earn that extra five, well enough. My name's Parsons. +I've got three signs let on my property in the glen. Ef ye'll jest ride +up t' the house I'll giv' ye the feller's name." + +"All right. Come along," said Kenneth, with sudden resolve. + +The farmer rode a time in silent thought. He could not go fast, for the +beast was very lame. Finally he remarked: + +"Ef ye buy up the sign painters, so's ye can wash off the letters, like +enough ye'll hev to pay him fer th' paint an' paintin', too." + +"I don't mind," was the response. + +The farmer chuckled. Here was an interesting adventure, for a fact. What +on earth could possess the "young 'un" from Elmhurst to object to signs, +and be willing to pay for having them erased? + +"Like enough ye'll hev to pay back the money the soap an' medicine men +guv th' painter, too," he hazarded. + +"Like enough," said Kenneth, grimly. + +One of his stubborn moods had seized him. At all hazards he was resolved +to eliminate those ugly signs. + +He got the name of the sign painter, accepted a glass of buttermilk at +the farm house, and then rode slowly home by another route, so that he +might not have to face the signs again. + +But on this route he saw even more. They were painted on the fences and +barns as he passed along. He scowled at each one, but they did not +appear to him quite so inharmonious as those which marred the more +picturesque and retired spots which were his favorite haunts. + + + + +CHAPTER III + +DON QUIXOTE + + +When Kenneth got home he told Mr. Watson of his discovery and asked the +old gentleman to write to the sign painter and find out what could be +done. The lawyer laughed heartily at his young friend's whim, but agreed +to help him. + +"If you are going to try to prevent rural advertising," he remarked, +"you'll find your hands full." + +Kenneth looked up smiling. + +"Thank you," he said. + +"For what?" + +"For finding me something to do. I'm sick of this inaction." + +Again the lawyer laughed. + +"What is your idea?" he asked. + +"To remove such eyesores as advertising signs from the neighborhood of +Elmhurst." + +"It's a Titan's task, Ken." + +"So much the better." + +The lawyer grew thoughtful. + +"I believe it's impossible," he ventured. + +"Better yet. I don't say I'll succeed, but I promise to try. I want +something to occupy myself--something really difficult, so that I may +test my own powers." + +"But, my dear boy! This foolish proposition isn't worthy your effort. If +you want to be up and doing we'll find something else to occupy your +mind." + +"No, Mr. Watson; I'm set on this. It's a crime to allow these signs to +flaunt themselves in our prettiest scenes. My instinct revolts at the +desecration. Besides, no one else seems to have undertaken the task of +exterminating them." + +"True enough. If you're serious, Ken, I'll frankly say the thing can't +be done. You may, perhaps, buy the privilege of maintaining the rocks of +the glen free from advertising; but the advertisers will paint more +signs on all the approaches, and you won't have gained much." + +"I'll drive every advertising sign out of this country." + +"Impossible. The great corporations who control these industries make +their fortunes by this style of advertising. The rural districts are +their strongholds. And they must advertise or they can't sell their +products." + +"Let them advertise in decent ways, then. What right has any soap maker +to flaunt his wares in my face, whether I'm interested in them or not?" + +"The right of custom. People have submitted to these things so long that +the manufacturers consider themselves justified in covering every barn, +rock and fence with their signs. I see no way to stop them." + +"Nor I, at present. But there must be a way." + +"Drive out one, and another will take his place. They pay liberally for +locations--" + +"Pshaw! Ten dollars a year for a rock as big as a barn!" + +"But they rent thousands of such positions, and in the aggregate our +farmers get large sums from them." + +"And ruin the appearance of their homes and farms." + +Mr. Watson smiled. + +"They're not artists, Ken. They can't realize on appearances, but they +can use the money the signs bring them." + +"They need to be educated, that's all. These farmers seem very honest, +decent fellows." + +"They are, Ken. I wish you knew them better." + +"So do I, Mr. Watson. This campaign ought to bring us closer together, +for I mean to get them to help me." + +"You'll have to buy them, I'm afraid." + +"Not all of them. There must be some refinement among them." + +But the lawyer was not convinced. However, it was not his desire to +stifle this new-born enthusiasm of Kenneth's, even though he believed it +misdirected. He wanted the young man to rouse himself and take an +interest in life, and if his antagonism to advertising signs would +effect this, the futile fight against them was to be welcomed. It would +cost the boy something, but he would gain his money's worth in +experience. + +After a few days the sign painter answered the letter. He would +relinquish the three signs in the glen for a payment of fifty dollars +each, with the understanding that no other competing signs were to take +their place. Kenneth promptly mailed a check for the amount demanded and +early next morning started for the glen with what he called his +"eliminators." + +These "eliminators" consisted of two men with cans of turpentine and +gasoline and an equipment of scrubbing brushes. Parsons, the farmer, +came over to watch this novel proceeding, happy in the possession of +three crisp five-dollar notes given in accordance with the agreement +made with him. All day the two men scrubbed the rocks faithfully, +assisted at odd times by their impatient employer; but the thick +splashes of paint clung desperately to the rugged surface of the rock, +and the task was a hard one. When evening came the letters had almost +disappeared when viewed closely; but when Kenneth rode to the mouth of +the glen on his way home and paused to look back, he could see the +injunction "Take Smith's Liver Pills" staring at him, in grim defiance +of the scrubbing brushes. + +But his energy was not exhausted. No one ever knew what it cost in labor +and material to erase those three signs; but after ten days they had +vanished completely, and the boy heaved a sigh of satisfaction and +turned his attention to extending the campaign. + +On the farm nearest to Elmhurst at the north, which belonged to a man +named Webb, was a barn, facing the road, that displayed on its side a +tobacco sign. Kenneth interviewed Mr. Webb and found that he received no +money for the sign; but the man contended that the paint preserved his +barn from the weather on that side. So Kenneth agreed to repaint the +entire barn for him, and actually had the work done. As it took many +coats of paint to blot out the sign it was rather a expensive operation. + +By this time the campaign of the youthful proprietor of Elmhurst against +advertising signs began to be talked of throughout the county, and was +the subject of much merriment among the farmers. Some of them were +intelligent enough to admire the young Quixote, and acknowledged frankly +that it was a pity to decorate their premises with signs of patent +medicines and questionable soaps. + +But the majority of them sneered at the champion, and many refused +point-blank to consider any proposition to discard the advertisements. +Indeed, some were proud of them, and believed it a mark of distinction +to have their fences and sheds announce an eye-remedy or several +varieties of pickles. + +Mr. Watson, at first an amused observer of the campaign, soon became +indignant at the way that Kenneth was ridiculed and reviled; and he took +a hand in the fight himself. He decided to call a meeting of the +neighboring farmers at the district school-house on Saturday night, +where Kenneth could address them with logical arguments and endeavor to +win them over to his way of thinking. + +The invitation was promptly accepted by the rural population; not so +much because they were interested in the novel ideas of the young artist +as because they expected to be amused by hearing the boyish master of +Elmhurst "lecture at 'em." So they filled the little room to +overflowing, and to add to the dignity of the proceedings the Hon. +Erastus Hopkins, State Representative for the district, lent his +presence to the assemblage. + +Not that the Honorable Erastus cared a fig about this foolish talk of +exterminating advertising signs. He was himself a large stockholder in a +breakfast-food factory, which painted signs wherever it could secure +space. These signs were not works of art, but they were distinctly +helpful to business, and only a fool, in the opinion of the Honorable +Erastus, would protest against the inevitable. + +What brought the legislator to the meeting was the fact that he was +coming forward for re-election in November, and believed that this +afforded a good chance to meet some of his constituents and make a +favorable impression. So he came early and shook hands with everyone +that arrived, and afterward took as prominent a seat as possible. + +Indeed, the gathering had at first the appearance of being a political +one, so entirely did the Representative dominate it. But Mr. Watson took +the platform and shyly introduced the speaker of the evening. + +The farmers all knew Mr. Watson, and liked him; so when Kenneth rose +they prepared to listen in respectful silence. + +Usually a young man making his maiden speech is somewhat diffident; but +young Forbes was so thoroughly in earnest and so indignant at the +opposition that his plans had encountered that he forgot that it was his +first public speech and thought only of impressing his hearers with his +views, exulting in the fact that on this occasion they could not "talk +back," as they usually did in private when he tried to argue with them. +So he exhorted them earnestly to keep their homes beautiful and free +from the degradation of advertising, and never to permit glaring +commercialism to mar the scenery around them. He told them what he had +been able to accomplish by himself, in a short time; how he had redeemed +the glen from its disgraceful condition and restored it to its former +beauty. He asked them to observe Webb's pretty homestead, no longer +marred by the unsightly sign upon the barn. And then he appealed to them +to help him in driving all the advertising signs out of the community. + +When he ended they applauded his speech mildly; but it was chiefly for +the reason that he had spoken so forcibly and well. + +Then the Honorable Erastus Hopkins, quick to catch the lack of sympathy +in the audience, stood up and begged leave to reply to young Forbes. + +He said the objection to advertising signs was only a rich man's +aristocratic hobby, and that it could not be indulged in a democratic +community of honest people. His own firm, he said, bought thousands of +bushels of oats from the farmers and converted them into the celebrated +Eagle-Eye Breakfast Food, three packages for a quarter. They sold this +breakfast food to thousands of farmers, to give them health and strength +to harvest another crop of oats. Thus he "benefited the community going +and coming." What! Should he not advertise this mutual-benefit commodity +wherever he pleased, and especially among the farmers? What aristocratic +notion could prevent him? It was a mighty good thing for the farmers to +be reminded, by means of the signs on their barns and fences, of the +things they needed in daily life. + +If the young man at Elmhurst would like to be of public service he might +find some better way to do so than by advancing such crazy ideas. But +this, continued the Representative, was a subject of small importance. +What he wished especially to call their attention to was the fact that +he had served the district faithfully as Representative, and deserved +their suffrages for renomination. And then he began to discuss political +questions in general and his own merits in particular, so that Kenneth +and Mr. Watson, disgusted at the way in which the Honorable Erastus had +captured the meeting, left the school-house and indignantly returned to +Elmhurst. + +"This man Hopkins," said Mr. Watson, angrily, "is not a gentleman. He's +an impertinent meddler." + +"He ruined any good effect my speech might have created," said Kenneth, +gloomily. + +"Give it up, my boy," advised the elder man, laying a kindly hand on the +youth's shoulder. "It really isn't worth the struggle." + +"But I can't give it up and acknowledge myself beaten," protested +Kenneth, almost ready to weep with disappointment. + +"Well, well, let's think it over, Ken, and see what can be done. Perhaps +that rascally Hopkins was right when he advised you to find some other +way to serve the community." + +"I can't do better than to make it clean--to do away with these +disreputable signs," said the boy, stubbornly. + +"You made a fine speech," declared Mr. Watson, gravely puffing his pipe. +"I am very proud of you, my lad." + +Kenneth flushed red. He was by nature shy and retiring to a degree. Only +his pent-up enthusiasm had carried him through the ordeal, and now that +it was over he was chagrined to think that the speech had been so +ineffective. He was modest enough to believe that another speaker might +have done better. + + + + +CHAPTER IV + +KENNETH TAKES A BOLD STEP + + +"This man Hopkins gets on my nerves," said Mr. Watson, a week or two +after the eventful meeting in the school-house. He was at the breakfast +table opposite Kenneth, and held up a big, glaring post-card which was +in his mail. + +"What is it now?" asked the boy, rousing himself from a fit of +abstraction. + +"An announcement offering himself for renomination at the primaries. +It's like a circus advertisement. Isn't it a shame to think that modern +politics has descended to such a level in our free and enlightened +republic?" + +Kenneth nodded, stirring his coffee thoughtfully. He had lost his spirit +and enthusiasm since the meeting, and was fast relapsing into his old +state of apathy and boredom. It grieved Mr. Watson to note this. + +"Hopkins isn't fit to be the Representative for this district," observed +the old gentleman, with sudden energy. + +The boy looked at him. + +"Who is Hopkins?" he asked. + +"His mother once kept a stationery shop in town, and he was stable boy +at the hotel. But he was shrewd and prospered, and when he grew up +became a county-clerk or tax-collector; then an assessor, and finally he +ran last term for State Representative from this district and was +elected by a mighty small majority." + +"Why small?" asked Kenneth. + +"Because he's a Democrat, and the district is strongly Republican. But +Thompson ran against him on the Republican ticket and couldn't win his +party vote." + +"Who's Thompson?" + +"The general store keeper. He has a reputation for short weights and +measures." + +The boy sipped his coffee thoughtfully. + +"Tell me, sir; how did you happen to know all this?" he asked. + +"I've been looking up Hopkins's record. I have disliked the man ever +since he treated us so shabbily on the night of the meeting." + +"Never mind him. We've done with him." + +Mr. Watson shifted uneasily in his chair. + +"I wonder if we have?" he said. + +"Why not, sir?" + +"Well, Kenneth, we have to reside at Elmhurst, which is Hopkins's +district. Also I believe Elmhurst to be the most important estate in the +district, and you to be the largest taxpayer. This man wishes to go to +the State Legislature and make laws for you to obey." + +"Well?" + +"Well, it's our duty to watch him. If he isn't a fit man it's our duty +to prevent him from representing us." + +The young man nodded somewhat dreamily. + +"Some of these country yokels must represent us," he observed. "It +doesn't matter much whether it's Hopkins or someone else." + +"Except that you, being a prominent man, owe it to the community to +protect its interests," added the lawyer. + +"Do you want me to mix in these petty politics?" asked the boy, +irritably. + +"Oh, do as you like, my boy. If you can shirk your duties with a clear +conscience, I've nothing to say." + +For a time the young man was silent. Finally he asked: + +"Why isn't Hopkins a good Representative?" + +"He's what is called a 'grafter'; a term signifying that he is willing +to vote for any measure that he is paid to vote for, whether it benefits +his constituents or not." + +"Oh. Is he singular in this?" + +"By no means. The 'grafter' is all too common in politics." + +Again the boy fell into a thoughtful mood. + +"Mr. Watson, am I a Democrat or a Republican?" + +The old gentleman laughed outright. + +"Don't you know, Ken?" + +"No, sir, I haven't asked myself before." + +"Then I advise you to be a Republican." + +"Why?" + +"Because Hopkins is a Democrat, and we may then fight him openly." + +"What is the difference, sir, between the two parties?" + +"There is no difference of importance. All Americans are loyal citizens, +whichever side they adopt in politics. But the two parties are the +positive and negative poles that provide the current of electricity for +our nation, and keep it going properly. Also they safeguard our +interests by watching one another." + +"What is your preference, sir?" + +"I've always been a Republican, whenever I dabbled in politics, which +hasn't been often." + +"Then I will be a Republican." + +"Very good." + +"I am sorry to say that I know nothing about politics and have no +convictions on the subject. Who is to oppose the Honorable Erastus on +the--on _our_ side?" + +"I don't know yet. The primaries for the nomination are not to be held +for two weeks, and the Republican candidates seem shy about coming +forward." + +"Didn't you say the district was Republican?" + +"Yes; but since Hopkins defeated them last term they seem to be +terrified, and no one likes to offer himself as a possible sacrifice." + +"That feeling will probably elect Mr. Hopkins," declared Kenneth, with +conviction. + +"Unless--" + +"Unless what, sir?" + +"Unless we come to the rescue of the Republicans and take a hand in +local politics ourselves, my lad." + +Kenneth pushed back his chair and rose from the table. He walked to the +window and stood there whistling for a few moments, and then left the +room without a word. + +For a time Mr. Watson sat silently musing. + +"Perhaps I'm inviting trouble," he murmured; "but I am sure I am doing +right. The boy needs a good shaking up and more knowledge of his +fellow-men. If I can get Kenneth interested, this plan of mine will be +of great benefit to him." + +Then he, too, left the breakfast table, and wandering into the garden +saw Kenneth busy at his easel in a shady corner. + +For a day or so the, subject was not resumed, and then Mr. Watson +casually introduced it. + +"A law could be passed in the State Legislature forbidding the display +of all advertising signs in public places in this county," he suggested. + +The boy looked at him eagerly. + +"Are you sure?" he asked. + +"I am positive," was the answer. "It is merely a question of privilege." + +"And you think we might hire Hopkins to pass such a law?" + +"No; we couldn't trust him." + +"Then what do you propose?" + +"I'll think it over, my lad, and let you know." + +Then he walked away, leaving Kenneth much pleased with the idea he had +advanced. Indeed, he was so much interested in the suggestion that he +himself referred to the subject at the first opportunity. + +"I don't like to be beaten, sir, once I've undertaken to do a thing," he +said. "So if such a law can be passed I'll do all I can to elect the man +who will pass it." + +"I thought as much," the old lawyer replied, smiling. "But there's only +one man who could go to the legislature with enough influence to win the +votes to carry such a unique measure through." + +"And who is that, sir?" + +"Kenneth Forbes, the owner of Elmhurst, and the largest taxpayer in the +county." + +"Me, sir?" + +"You're the man." + +"A State Representative?" + +"It's an honorable office. It's an important office, properly filled. +You might not only beautify your district by having those objectionable +signs prohibited, but do many other things to better the condition of +the farmers. And that isn't all." + +"What's the rest, Mr. Watson?" + +"You owe something to yourself, lad. All your young life you've been too +self-contained and exclusive in your habits. 'The noblest study of +mankind is man.' It would broaden you to go into politics for a time, +and do much to develop your character and relieve the monotony of your +existence." + +Kenneth frowned. + +"It won't be easy, you know. It'll be a fight, and a hard one, for +Hopkins won't give up his job if he can help it." + +The boy brightened again. + +"I like a good fight," he said, wistfully. "If I thought--if I believed +I could fill the position with credit--I might undertake it." + +"I'll answer for that," retorted the old man, highly pleased with his +easy victory. "You win the fight, Ken, and I'll guarantee you'll +outclass the majority of your fellow Representatives. It's a good state, +too." + +So the thing was undertaken, and both the young man and the old threw +themselves into the contest with energy and determination. + +Mr. Watson rode in his buggy all over their district during the next +fortnight, and interviewed the farmers and townsmen of the legislative +district. When it became noised about that the young owner of Elmhurst, +now barely twenty-one, had determined to enter politics, and asked for +the nomination of Representative, no other Republican ventured to oppose +him. + +It was understood to mean a hard fight, and even the most sturdy +Republican was inclined to fear that the present incumbent of the office +would be elected to succeed himself. + +So the primaries were held and Kenneth attended and made a speech, and +was warmly applauded. His nomination was a matter of course, and he went +home the unanimous choice of his party, because none of the older and +more discreet politicians ventured to risk defeat. + +The Hon. Erastus Hopkins well knew this feeling, and smiled in his +pompous and most sardonic manner when he learned who was his opponent. +Having conquered an old and tried Republican warrior in the last +campaign, he had no fears in regard to this mere boy, who could know +little of political intrigue. + +"He won't put up enough of a fight to make it interesting, I'm afraid," +Mr. Hopkins confided to his cronies. + +But he didn't intend to take chances, so he began the campaign with his +usual vigor. + +It was now the middle of September, and the election was to be early in +November. + + + + +CHAPTER V + +PLANNING THE WORK + + +The Honorable Erastus Hopkins was thoroughly enjoying his campaign. + +He was not an especially popular man in his district, and he knew it. +Physically he was big and stout, with a florid face and small eyes that +blinked continually. His head was bald, his hands fat and red and his +feet enormous. + +To offset this Mr. Hopkins wore a silk hat and a "Prince Albert" coat +morning, noon and night. His gold watch-chain was huge and imposing; he +had a big diamond shirt-stud, and upon his puffy fingers several rings. +He conveyed, nevertheless, the impression that he was more prosperous +than refined, and the farmers and townsmen were as quick to recognize +this as was Mr. Watson himself. + +Moreover, the Honorable Erastus was dubbed "close-fisted" by his +neighbors. He never spent a penny on anyone but himself, and being +unscrupulous in politics he was naturally unscrupulous in smaller things +of a business nature. But since he had risen from a stable-boy to his +present affluent position he had never been unwise or careless enough to +be caught in any crooked action; and while his acquaintances had an +indefinite fear of dealing with him they could not accuse him openly. + +It seems strange that such a man should have been chosen to represent a +wealthy and important district in the State Legislature, but politics +can show many a similar case. In the first place, Mr. Hopkins was +aggressive, and knew political methods thoroughly. He had usurped the +position of Democratic leader in his community and the others were +afraid to antagonize him openly. When he was nominated for +Representative he managed to dictate, by shrewd methods, the nomination +of Thompson, the store-keeper, on the Republican ticket. Thompson owed +Hopkins a large sum of money and Hopkins held a mortgage on the stock. +Therefore Thompson dared not make a fight, and although the Republican +vote was normally the largest in the district, Hopkins had managed to +win enough of them to his side to win. + +He had been a little anxious about his renomination, because he knew +that he had not represented his district very satisfactorily; but when +Kenneth Forbes received the nomination on the Republican ticket he felt +that "all was over but the shouting" and that he would "win in a walk." +Had it been an issue between the personality of the two men, Hopkins +would have had little chance of success; but young Forbes had already +raised another issue by his anti-sign speech at the school-house, and +Hopkins intended to force that issue and so defeat Kenneth because of +the ridicule the latter's position had already brought upon him. + +He began to circulate humorous stories about Kenneth's antipathy to +sign-boards, saying that the young man demanded that the signs be taken +off the Zodiac, and that he wouldn't buy goods of the village grocer +because the man had a sign out. + +Mr. Hopkins also printed thousands of large hand-bills reading "The +Signs of the Times vs. Aristocratic Snobbery. Vote for the Hon. Erastus +Hopkins, the man who believes in advertising." + +These things had their effect upon all classes of people. There were +many good-natured laughs at young Forbes's expense. All this was soon +realized at Elmhurst, and had the effect of plunging the youthful +aspirant for political honors into the depths of despair. The campaign +was hot against him, but Kenneth made no defense. + +At this juncture, with election but three weeks away, he received a +telegram asking him to send the drag and baggage wagon to the noon +train. It was signed by John Merrick, and the boy was overjoyed at the +prospect of seeing his jolly old friend again. And the girls? Well, some +of them surely must be coming, or Uncle John wouldn't have asked for the +drag. + +"Now then, the election can go to blazes," said Kenneth, cheerfully, to +Mr. Watson. "The sight of some friendly faces will be a great relief." + +The old lawyer sighed. His attempt to "wake up" Kenneth had resulted in +failure, mainly because the boy had become discouraged so early in the +game. Kenneth felt keenly the humiliating experiences he had passed +through, and had sunk back into his old moody reserve. + +But here was a welcome diversion. The visitors, whoever they might prove +to be, would afford relief to the situation and brighten the dullness of +life at the big house. So both Kenneth and Mr. Watson were with the drag +at the station when the noon train drew in. + +And there were Patsy Doyle, Beth DeGraf, and Louise Merrick, a bevy of +dainty and sprightly girls, alighting eagerly from the coaches, with +Uncle John handing out the grips and packages and giving the checks for +the baggage, with business-like celerity, to Thomas the groom. + +"We've come for a visit, Ken!" cried Palsy, laughing at his eager +delight. "Are you glad to see us, boy? And do you suppose old Martha has +our rooms aired?" + +"And it's a long visit, too," added Uncle John, "as you'll believe when +you see the pile of baggage. You'd think these minxes were prepared for +a tour of the world. Each one of 'em brought a carload of clothes." + +But they couldn't phase Kenneth in that way. His sensitive face had not +beamed with so much animation for months. + +The guests were helped into the tall drag and merrily they drove the +five miles to Elmhurst, not a word of politics being spoken on the way. + +The girls had not been to the house since Aunt Jane's death, two years +ago, and after a hasty luncheon they began an inspection of every room, +as well as the garden, grounds and stables. The horses, cows, pig and +chickens were alike inspected, the roses and dahlias visited and +admired, and after all this they returned to their rooms with old +Martha, the housekeeper, and proceeded to unpack their trunks and get +settled. Kenneth had been their guide and companion in these various +explorations, but when the girls went to their rooms he wandered into +the library where Uncle John and Mr. Watson had been having a quiet talk +over their pipes of tobacco. They welcomed the young man, but adroitly +turned the topic of conversation, and again the subject of was rejoined. + +It was a merry dinner party that graced the table during dinner that +evening, and the boy forgot his troubles and was as jolly and sociable +as he had ever been in his life. + +But when they were all assembled in the long living room where they +grouped themselves around the fireplace, a sudden change took place in +the demeanor of the young ladies. Patsy, the delegated leader, looked +gravely at the boy and asked: + +"How goes the campaign, Ken?" + +"Wh--what campaign?" he stammered, to gain time. + +"Why, this election business. Tell us about it," said Patsy. + +"Some other time, girls," answered the boy, red and distressed. "It--it +wouldn't interest you a bit." + +"Why not?" asked Louise, softly. + +"Because it doesn't interest me," he replied. + +"Are you so sure of election?" inquired Beth. + +"I'm sure of defeat, if you must know," he declared, scowling at the +recollection of his predicament. + +"You haven't been cowardly enough to give up?" asked Patricia, boldly. + +"What do you mean by that, Patsy Doyle?" he asked, the scowl deepening. + +"Just what I say, Ken. A brave man doesn't know when he's beaten, much +less beforehand." + +He looked at her fixedly. + +"I'm not brave, my dear," he replied, more gently than they had +expected. "The people here don't understand me, nor I them. I'm laughed +at and reviled, a subject for contemptuous jeers, and--and it hurts me. +I don't like to be beaten. I'd fight to the last gasp, if I had any show +to win. But these conditions, which I foolishly but honestly brought +about myself, have defeated me so far in advance that I have absolutely +no hope to redeem myself. That's all. Don't speak of it again, girls. +Play me that nocturne that I like, Beth." + +"We've got to speak of this, Kenneth, and speak of it often. For we +girls have come down here to electioneer, and for no other reason on +earth," declared Patsy. + +"_What! You_ electioneer?"--a slight smile curled his lips. + +"Exactly. We're here to brace up and get to work." + +"And to win," added Beth, quietly. + +"And to put you in the Legislature where you belong," declared Louise. + +Kenneth turned to Mr. Merrick. + +"Talk to them, Uncle John," he begged. + +"I have," said the little man, smiling, "and they've convinced me that +they mean business. It's all up with you, my boy, as a private citizen. +You're as good as elected." + +Ken's eyes filled. + +"You're all very kind, sir," he said, "as you were bound to be. And--and +I appreciate it all--very much. But Mr. Watson will tell you that the +case is hopeless, and there's nothing to be done." + +"How about it, Watson?" inquired Uncle John, turning to the lawyer. + +"I'll explain the proposition, sir, so you will all understand it," he +replied, and drew his chair into the circle. "To begin with, Kenneth +visited the glen one day, to make a sketch, and found his old table-rock +covered with an advertising sign." + +"How preposterous!" exclaimed Louise. + +"There were three of these huge signs in different parts of the glen, +and they ruined its natural beauty. Kenneth managed to buy up the spaces +and then he scrubbed away the signs. By that time he had come to detest +the unsightly advertisements that confronted him every time he rode out, +and he began a war of extermination against them." + +"Quite right," said Patsy, nodding energetically. + +"But our friend made little headway because the sympathies of the people +were not with him." + +"Why not, sir?" inquired Beth, while Kenneth sat inwardly groaning at +this baring of his terrible experiences. + +"Because through custom they had come to tolerate such things, and could +see no harm in them," replied the lawyer. "They permit their buildings +which face the roads to be covered with big advertisements, and the +fences are decorated in the same way. In some places a sign-board has +been built in their yards or fields, advertising medicines or groceries +or tobacco. In other words, our country roads and country homes have +become mere advertising mediums to proclaim the goods of more or less +unscrupulous manufacturers, and so all their attractiveness is +destroyed. Kenneth, being a man of artistic instincts and loving country +scenes, resented this invasion of commercialism and tried to fight it." + +"And so ran my head against a stone wall," added the young man, with a +bitter laugh. + +"But you were quite right," said Patsy, decidedly. "Such things ought +not to be permitted." + +"The people think differently," he replied. + +"Then we must educate the people to a different way of thinking," +announced Louise. + +"In three weeks?" + +"That is long enough, if we get to work. Isn't it, girls?" said Beth. + +"Kenneth accepted the nomination with the idea of having a law passed +prohibiting such signs," explained the lawyer. "But Mr. Hopkins, his +opponent, has used this very thing to arouse public sentiment against +him. Farmers around here are thrifty people, and they fear to lose the +trifling sums paid them for the privilege of painting signs on their +premises." + +Patsy nodded gravely. + +"We will change all that," she said. "The thing is really more serious +than we expected, and more difficult. But we came here to work and win, +and we're going to do it. Aren't we, Uncle John?" + +"I'll bet on your trio, Patsy," replied her uncle. "But I won't bet all +I'm worth." + +"It's all foolishness," declared Kenneth. + +"I do not think so," said the lawyer, gravely. "The girls have a fine +show to win. I know our country people, and they are more intelligent +than you suppose. Once they are brought to a proper way of thinking they +will support Kenneth loyally." + +"Then we must bring them to a proper way of thinking," said Patsy, with +decision. "From this time on, Ken, we become your campaign managers. +Don't worry any more about the matter. Go on with your painting and be +happy. We may require you to make a few speeches, but all the details +will be arranged for you." + +"Do you intend to permit this, Uncle John?" asked Kenneth. + +"I'm wholly in sympathy with the girls, Ken, and I believe in them." + +"But consider the humiliation to which they will subject themselves! +I've had a taste of that medicine, myself." + +"We're going to be the most popular young ladies in this district!" +exclaimed Patsy. "Don't you worry about us, Ken. But tell me, how big is +your district?" + +"It includes parts of three counties--Monroe, Washington and Jackson +Counties." + +"What county is this?" + +"Monroe." + +"Any cities?" + +"No; only a few towns. It's mostly a rural district. Fairview, just +across the border in Washington County, is the biggest village." + +"Have you an automobile?" + +"No; I don't like the things. I've always loved horses and prefer them +to machines." + +"How much money are you prepared to spend?" + +"How much--what's that?" he asked, bewildered. + +"You can't win a political election without spending money," declared +Patsy, wisely. "I'll bet the bad man is scattering money in every +direction. It will cost something on our side to run this campaign in a +way to win." + +The young man frowned. + +"I don't mind spending money, Patsy," he said, "but I don't approve of +buying votes, and I won't allow it, either!" + +"Tut-tut! Who said anything about buying votes? But we're going to work +on a broad and liberal basis, I assure you, and we need money." + +"Spend all you like, then, so long as you don't try to corrupt the +voters." + +"Very good. Now, then, how much land do you own at Elmhurst?" + +Kenneth looked inquiringly at the lawyer. + +"About twelve hundred acres," said Mr. Watson. "It is divided into small +farms which are let out on shares." + +"How many votes do you control among your servants and tenants?" +proceeded Patsy, in a business-like tone. + +"Perhaps thirty or forty." + +"And what is the total vote of the district?" + +"Thirty-five hundred." + +Patsy gasped. + +"So many?" + +"Fully that many," said Mr. Watson, smiling. + +"Then we've got to have over seventeen hundred and fifty votes to elect +Kenneth?" + +"Exactly." + +The girl drew a long breath and looked at Beth and Louise. Then they all +laughed. + +"Suppose you resign as campaign managers," said Kenneth, beginning to be +amused. + +"Oh, no! It's--it's easier than we expected. Isn't it, girls?" + +"It's child's play," observed Louise, languidly. + +The boy was astonished. + +"Very well," said he. "Try it and see." + +"Of course," said Patsy, cheerfully. "Tomorrow morning we begin work." + + + + +CHAPTER VI + +A GOOD START + + +At an early breakfast next morning Patsy announced the program for the +day. + +"Uncle John and I will drive over to the village," she said, "and +perhaps we'll be gone all day. Don't worry if we're not back for +luncheon. Louise and Mr. Watson are going in the phaeton to visit some +of the near-by farmers. Take one road, dear, and follow it straight +along, as far as it keeps within our legislative district, and visit +every farm-house on the way." + +"The farmers will all be busy in the fields," said Kenneth. + +"Louise doesn't care about the farmers," retorted Patsy. "She's going to +talk to their wives." + +"Wives don't vote, Patsy." + +"They tell their husbands how to vote, though," declared Louise, with a +laugh. "Let me win the women and I'll win the men." + +"What am I to do?" asked Beth. + +"You're to stay at home and write several articles for the newspapers. +There are seven important papers in our district, and five of them are +Republican. Make a strong argument, Beth. You're our publicity +department. Also get up copy for some hand-hills and circular letters. I +want to get a circular letter to every voter in the district." + +"All right," said Beth. "I know what you want." + +There was an inspiring air of business about these preparations, and the +girls were all eager to begin work. Scarcely was breakfast finished when +the two equipages were at the door. Louise and Mr. Watson at once +entered the phaeton and drove away, the girl delighted at the prospect +of visiting the farmers' wives and winning them by her plausible +speeches. Conversation was Louise's strong point. She loved to talk and +argue, and her manner was so confiding and gracious that she seldom +failed to interest her listeners. + +Patsy and Uncle John drove away. In Kenneth's buggy to the town, and +during the five-mile drive Patsy counseled gravely with her shrewd uncle +in regard to "ways and means." + +"This thing requires prompt action, Patsy," he said, "and if we're going +to do things that count they've got to be done on a big scale." + +"True," she admitted. "But oughtn't we to be a little careful about +spending Kenneth's money?" + +"I'll be your temporary banker," said the old gentleman, "and keep track +of the accounts. If we win we'll present Kenneth our bill, and if we +fail I'll have the satisfaction of getting rid of some of that dreadful +income that is swamping me." + +This was always Uncle John's cry. His enormous fortune was a constant +bugbear to him. He had been so interested in his business enterprises +for many years that he had failed to realize how his fortune was +growing, and it astounded him to wake up one day and find himself +possessed of many millions. He had at once retired from active business +and invested his millions in ways that would cause him the least +annoyance; but the income on so large a sum was more than he could take +care of, and even Major Doyle, who managed these affairs for his +brother-in-law, was often puzzled to know what to do with the money that +accumulated. + +Doubtless no one will ever know how much good these two kindly men +accomplished between them in their quiet, secretive way. Dozens of +deserving young men were furnished capital to start them in business; +dozens more were being educated at universities at Uncle John's expense. +Managers of worthy charities were familiar with John Merrick's signature +on checks, and yet the vast fortune grew with leaps and bounds. Mr. +Merrick's life was so simple and unostentatious that his personal +expenses, however erratic some of his actions, could not make much +headway against his interest account, and nothing delighted him more +than to find a way to "get even with fate by reckless squandering," as +he quaintly expressed it. He was far too shrewd to become the prey of +designing people, but welcomed any legitimate channel in which to unload +his surplus. + +So Mr. Merrick had been revolving the possibilities of this unique +political campaign in his mind, and had decided to do some things that +would open the bucolic eyes of Kenneth's constituents in wonder. He did +not confide all his schemes to Patsy, but having urged his nieces to +attempt this conquest he had no intention of allowing them to suffer +defeat if he could help it. + +The little town of Elmwood was quiet and practically deserted when they +drove into it. The farmers were too busy with the harvest to "come to +town for trading" except on Saturdays, and the arrival and departure of +the two daily trains did not cause more than a ripple of excitement in +the village. + +Patsy decided she would shop at each and every store in the place, and +engage the store-keepers in conversation about the election. + +"It's important to win these people," she declared, "because they are +close to every farmer who comes to town to trade; and their own votes +count, too." + +"I'll run over to the bank," said Uncle John, "and get acquainted +there." + +So he tied the horses to a post and let Patsy proceed alone upon her +mission, while he wandered over to a little brick building of neat +appearance which bore the inscription "Bank" in gold letters on its +plate-glass window. + +"Mr. Warren in?" he asked the clerk at the window. + +The banker, a dignified old gentleman of considerable ability, came out +of his private office and greeted his visitor very cordially. He had +known Uncle John when the millionaire visited Elmhurst two years before, +and since then had learned more particulars concerning him. So there was +no need of an introduction, and Mr. Warren was delighted at the prospect +of business relations with this famous personage. + +The bank, although small and only one story high, was the most modern +and imposing building in the village; and it was fitted with modern +conveniences, for Mr. Warren had been successful and prosperous. In his +private office were local and long distance telephones, a direct +connection with the telegraph operator at the station, and other +facilities for accomplishing business promptly. Uncle John had +remembered this fact, and it had a prominent place in his plans. + +He followed the banker into his private office and told him briefly his +intention to forward the interests of his young friend Kenneth Forbes +for Member of the Legislature. + +The old gentleman shook his head, at first, predicting failure. Young +Forbes was his most important customer, and he respected him highly; but +this anti-sign issue bade fair to ruin all his chances. + +"The idea is too progressive and advanced to be considered at this +time," he stated, positively. "The encroachments of advertisers on +personal property may lead to a revolt in the future, but it is still +too early to direct popular opinion against them." + +"Isn't Forbes a better man for the place than Hopkins?" asked Uncle +John. + +"Undoubtedly, sir. And I think Forbes would have won, had not Hopkins +forced this unfortunate issue upon him. As it is, our young friend +cannot avoid the consequences of his quixotic action." + +"He doesn't wish to avoid them," was the quiet reply. "We're going to +win on that issue or not at all." + +"I'm afraid it's hopeless, sir." + +"May I count on your assistance?" + +"In every way." + +"Thank you, Mr. Warren, I'm going to spend a lot of money. Put this +draft for fifty thousand to my credit as a starter." + +"Ah, I begin to understand. But--" + +"You don't understand at all, yet. May I use your long distance +telephone?" + +"Of course, sir." + +Uncle John had secured considerable information from Mr. Watson, and +this enabled him to act comprehensively. The advertising sign business +in this part of the state was controlled by two firms, who contracted +directly with the advertisers and then had the signs painted upon spaces +secured from the farmers by their wide-awake agents. These signs were +contracted for by the year, but the firms controlling the spaces always +inserted protective clauses that provided for the removal of any sign +when certain conditions required such removal. In such cases a rebate +was allowed to the advertiser. This protective clause was absolutely +necessary in case of fire, alteration or removal of buildings or +destruction of fences and sign-boards by weather or the requirements of +the owners. It was this saving clause in the contracts of which Uncle +John had decided to take advantage. The contracting sign painters were +merely in the business to make money. + +Mr. Merrick got the head of the concern in Cleveland over the telephone +within half an hour. He talked with the man at length, and talked with +the convincing effect that the mention of money has. When he hung up the +receiver Uncle John was smiling. Then he called for the Chicago firm. +With this second advertising company he met with more difficulties, and +Mr. Warren had to come to the telephone and assure the man that Mr. +Merrick was able to pay all he agreed to, and that the money was on +deposit in his bank. That enabled Mr. Merrick to conclude his +arrangements. He knew that he was being robbed, but the co-operation of +the big Chicago firm was necessary to his plans. + +Then, the telephone having served its purpose, Mr. Warren took Uncle +John across the street to the newspaper office and introduced him to +Charley Briggs, the editor. + +Briggs was a man with one eye, a sallow complexion and sandy hair that +stuck straight up from his head. He set type for his paper, besides +editing it, and Uncle John found him wearing a much soiled apron, with +his bare arms and fingers smeared with printer's ink. + +"Mr. Merrick wants to see you on business, Charley," said the banker. +"Whatever he agrees to I will guarantee, to the full resources of my +bank." + +The editor pricked up his ears and dusted a chair for his visitor with +his apron. It wasn't easy to make a living running a paper in Elmwood, +and if there was any business pending he was anxious to secure it. + +Uncle John waited until Mr. Warren had left him alone with the newspaper +man. Then he said: + +"I understand your paper is Democratic, Mr. Briggs." + +"That's a mistake, sir," replied the editor, evasively. "The _Herald_ is +really independent, but in political campaigns we adopt the side we +consider the most deserving of support." + +"You're supporting Hopkins just now." + +"Only mildly; only mildly, sir." + +"What is he paying you?" + +"Why, 'Rast and I haven't come to a definite settlement yet. I ought to +get a hundred dollars out of this campaign, but 'Rast thinks fifty is +enough. You see, he plans on my support anyhow, and don't like to spend +more than he's obliged to." + +"Why does he plan on your support?" + +"He's the only live one in the game, Mr. Merrick. 'Rast is one of +us--he's one of the people--and it's policy for me to support him +instead of the icicle up at Elmhurst, who don't need the job and don't +care whether he gets it or not." + +"Is that true?" + +"I think so. And there's another thing. Young Forbes is dead against +advertising, and advertising is the life of a newspaper. Why, there +isn't a paper in the district that's supporting Forbes this year." + +"You've a wrong idea of the campaign, Mr. Briggs," said Uncle John. "It +is because Mr. Forbes believes in newspaper advertising, and wants to +protect it, that he's against these signs. That's one reason, anyhow. +Can't you understand that every dollar spent for painting signs takes +that much away from your newspapers?" + +"Why, perhaps there's something in that, Mr. Merrick. I'd never looked +at it that way before." + +"Now, see here, Mr. Briggs. I'll make you a proposition. I'll give you +two hundred and fifty to support Mr. Forbes in this campaign, and if +he's elected I'll give you five hundred extra." + +"Do you mean that, sir?" asked the editor, scarcely able to believe the +evidence of his ears. + +"I do. Draw up a contract and I'll sign it. And here's a check for your +two-fifty in advance." + +The editor drew up the agreement with a pen that trembled a little. + +"And now," said Uncle John, "get busy and hustle for Kenneth Forbes." + +"I will, sir," said Briggs, with unexpected energy. "I mean to win that +extra five hundred!" + + + + +CHAPTER VII + +PATSY MAKES PROGRESS + + +Meantime Patsy was in the thick of the fray. The druggist was a +deep-dyed Democrat, and sniffed when she asked him what he thought of +Forbes for Representative. + +"He's no politician at all--just an aristocrat," declared Latham, a +dapper little man with his hair slicked down to his ears and a waxed +moustache. "And he's got fool notions, too. If he stopped the +advertising signs I wouldn't sell half as many pain-killers and +liver-pills." + +"He's my cousin," said Patsy, mendaciously; for although they called +themselves cousins there was no relationship even of marriage, as +Patsy's Aunt Jane had merely been betrothed to Kenneth's uncle when he +died. + +"I'm sorry for that, miss," replied the druggist. "He's going to be +badly beaten." + +"I think I'll take two ounces of this perfumery. It is really +delightful. Some druggists have so little taste in selecting such +things." + +"Yes, miss, I do rather pride myself on my perfumes," replied Latham, +graciously. "Now here's a sachet powder that gives fine satisfaction." + +"I'll take a couple of packets of that, too, since you recommend it." + +Latham began doing up the purchases. There was no other customer in the +store. + +"You know, miss, I haven't anything against Mr. Forbes myself. His +people are good customers. It's his ideas I object to, and he's a +Republican." + +"Haven't you ever voted for a Republican?" asked the girl. "Don't you +think it better to vote for the best man, rather than the best party, in +a case like this?" + +"Why, perhaps it is. But in what way is Mr. Forbes the best man?" + +"He's honest. He doesn't want to make any money out of the office. On +the contrary, he's willing and able to spend a good deal in passing laws +that will benefit his district." + +"And Hopkins?" + +"Don't you know Mr. Hopkins?" she asked, pointedly. + +"Yes, miss; I do." And Latham frowned a little. + +"As regards the advertising signs," continued the girl, "I've heard you +spoken of as a man of excellent taste, and I can believe it since I've +examined the class of goods you keep. And your store is as neat and +attractive as can be. The fight is not against the signs themselves, but +against putting them on fences and barns, and so making great glaring +spots in a landscape where all should be beautiful and harmonious. I +suppose a man of your refinement and good taste has often thought of +that, and said the same thing." + +"Why--ahem!--yes; of course, miss. I agree with you that the signs are +often out of place, and--and inharmonious." + +"To be sure; and so you must sympathize with Mr. Forbes's campaign." + +"In that way, yes; of course," said Mr. Latham, puzzled to find himself +changing front so suddenly. + +"Mr. Hopkins has taken a lot of money out of this town," remarked Patsy, +examining a new kind of tooth wash. "But I can't find that he's ever +given much of it back." + +"That's true. He buys his cigars of Thompson, the general store man, and +I keep the finest line ever brought to this town." + +"Oh, that reminds me!" exclaimed Patsy. "Mr. Forbes wanted me to +purchase a box of your choicest brand, and have you just hand them out +to your customers with his compliments. He thinks he ought to show a +little cordiality to the men who vote for him, and he said you would +know just the people to give them to." + +Latham gasped, but he assumed an air of much importance. + +"I know every man that comes to this town, miss, as well as any you'll +find," he said. + +"The best brand, mind you, Mr. Latham," said the girl. "How much will +they be?" + +"Why, the very best--these imported perfectos, you know--are worth six +dollars a box of fifty. Perhaps for election purposes something a little +cheaper--" + +"Oh, no; the best is none too good for the friends of Mr. Forbes, you +know. And fifty--why fifty will scarcely go around. I'll pay for a +hundred, Mr. Latham, and you'll see they go to the right persons." + +"Of course; of course, miss. And much obliged. You see, young Forbes is +well liked, and he's quite a decent fellow. I wouldn't be surprised if +he gave Hopkins a hard fight." + +"I'll tell you a secret," said Patsy, sweetly. "Mr. Forbes is bound to +be elected. Why, it's all arranged in advance, Mr. Latham, and the +better element, like yourself, is sure to support him. By the way, you +won't forget to tell people about those signs, I hope? That the fight is +not against advertising, but for beautiful rural homes and scenes." + +"Oh, I'll fix that, Miss--" + +"Doyle. I'm Miss Doyle, Mr. Forbes's cousin." + +"I'll see that the people understand this campaign, Miss Doyle. You can +depend on me." + +"And if the cigars give out, don't hesitate to open more boxes. I'll +call in, now and then, and settle for them." + +I really think this young lady might have been ashamed of herself; but +she wasn't. She smiled sweetly upon the druggist when he bowed her out, +and Mr. Latham from that moment began to seek for friends of Mr. Forbes +to give cigars to. If they were not friends, he argued with them until +they were, for he was an honest little man, in his way, and tried to act +in good faith. + +So the girl went from one shop to another, making liberal purchases and +seeking for every opening that would enable her to make a convert. And +her shrewd Irish wit made her quick to take advantage of any weakness +she discovered in the characters of the people she interviewed. + +When noon came Uncle John hunted her up, which was not difficult, in +Elmwood, and together they went to the village "hotel" to get something +to eat. The mid-day dinner was not very inviting, but Patsy praised the +cooking to the landlord's wife, who waited upon the table, and Uncle +John bought one of the landlord's cigars after the meal and talked +politics with him while he smoked it. + +Then Patsy went over to the general store, and there she met her first +rebuff. Thompson, the proprietor, was a sour-visaged man, tall and lanky +and evidently a dyspeptic. Having been beaten by Hopkins at the last +election, when he ran against him on the Republican ticket, Thompson had +no desire to see Forbes more successful than he had been himself. And +there were other reasons that made it necessary for him to support +Hopkins. + +So he was both gruff and disagreeable when Patsy, after buying a lot of +ribbons of him, broached the subject of politics. He told her plainly +that her cousin hadn't a "ghost of a show," and that he was glad of it. + +"The young fool had no business to monkey with politics," he added, "and +this will teach him to keep his fingers out of someone else's pie." + +"It isn't Mr. Hopkins's pie," declared Patsy, stoutly. "It belongs to +whoever gets the votes." + +"Well, that's Hopkins. He knows the game, and Forbes don't." + +"Can't he learn?" asked the girl. + +"No. He's an idiot. Always was a crank and an unsociable cuss when a +boy, and he's worse now he's grown up. Oh, I know Forbes, all right; and +I haven't got no use for him, neither." + +Argument was useless in this case. The girl sighed, gathered up her +purchases, and went into the hardware store. + +Immediately her spirits rose. Here was a man who knew Kenneth, believed +in him and was going to vote for him. She had a nice talk with the +hardware man, and he gave her much useful information about the most +important people in the neighborhood--those it would be desirable to win +for their candidate. When he mentioned Thompson, she said: + +"Oh, he's impossible. I've talked with him." + +"Thompson is really a good Republican," replied Mr. Andrews, the +hardware man. "But he's under Hopkins's thumb and doesn't dare defy +him." + +"Doesn't he like Mr. Hopkins?" asked Patsy, in surprise. + +"No; he really hates him. You see, Thompson isn't a very successful +merchant. He has needed money at times, and borrowed it of Hopkins at a +high rate of interest. It's a pretty big sum now, and Hopkins holds a +mortgage on the stock. If he ever forecloses, as he will do some day, +Thompson will be ruined. So he's obliged to shout for Hopkins, whether +he believes in him or not." + +"I think I understand him now," said Patsy, smiling. "But he needn't +have been so disagreeable." + +"He's a disagreeable man at any time," returned Mr. Andrews. + +"Has he any political influence?" asked the girl. + +"Yes, considerable. Otherwise he couldn't have secured the nomination +when he pretended to run against Hopkins--for it was only a pretense. +You see, he's a well known Republican, and when he sides for Hopkins +he's bound to carry many Republicans with him." + +But there were other important people whom Mr. Andrews thought might be +influenced, and he gave Patsy a list of their names. He seemed much +amused at the earnestness of this girlish champion of the Republican +candidate. + +"I do not think we can win," he said, as she left him; "but we ought to +make a good showing for your cousin, and I'll do my very best to help +you." + +As she rode home with Uncle John in the afternoon, after a day of really +hard work, Patsy sized up the situation and declared that she was +satisfied that she had made progress. She told Mr. Merrick of the +mortgage held over Thompson by Mr. Hopkins, and the little man made a +mental note of the fact. He also was satisfied with his day's work, and +agreed to ride over to Fairview the next day with her and carry the war +into this, the largest village in Kenneth's district. + +Meantime Louise and Mr. Watson were having some interesting interviews +with the farmers' wives along the Marville road. The old lawyer knew +nearly everyone in this part of the country, for he had lived here all +his life. But he let Louise do the talking and was much pleased at the +tact and good nature she displayed in dealing with the widely different +types of character she encountered. + +Her method was quite simple, and for that reason doubly effective. She +sat down in Mrs. Simmons's kitchen, where the good woman was ironing, +and said: + +"I'm a cousin of Mr. Forbes, up at Elmhurst, you know. He's running for +a political office, so as to do some good for his county and district, +and I've come to see if you'll help me get votes for him." + +"Law sakes, child!" exclaimed Mrs. Simmons, "I ain't got nuthin' to do +with politics." + +"No; but you've got a lot to do with Mr. Simmons, and that's where we +need your help. You see, Mr. Forbes thinks Mr. Simmons is one of the +most important men in this district, and he's very anxious to win his +vote." + +"Why don't you see Dan, then? He's out'n the rye field," replied the +woman. + +"It's because I'm only a girl, and he wouldn't listen to me," replied +Louise, sweetly. "But he takes your advice about everything, I hear--" + +"He don't take it as often as he orter, don't Dan," interrupted Mrs. +Simmons, pausing to feel whether her iron was hot. + +"Perhaps not," agreed Louise; "but in important things, such as this, +he's sure to listen to you; and we women must stick together if we want +to win this election." + +"But I don't know nothin' about it," protested Mrs. Simmons; "an' I +don't believe Dan does." + +"You don't need to know much, Mrs. Simmons," replied the girl. "What a +pretty baby that is! All you need do is to tell Dan he must vote for Mr. +Forbes, and see that he agrees to do so." + +"Why?" was the pointed query. + +"Well, there are several reasons. One is that Mr. Hopkins--Mr. Erastus +Hopkins, you know, is the other candidate, and a person must vote for +either one or the other of them." + +"Dan's a friend o' 'Rastus," said the woman, thoughtfully. "I seen 'em +talkin' together the other day." + +"But this isn't a matter of friendship; it's business, and Mr. Forbes is +very anxious to have your husband with him. If Mr. Forbes is elected it +means lighter taxes, better roads and good schools. If Mr. Hopkins is +elected it does not mean anything good except for Mr. Hopkins." + +"I guess you're right about that," laughed the woman. "'Rast don't let +much get away from him." + +"You're very clever, Mrs. Simmons. You have discovered the fact without +being told." + +"Oh, I know 'Rast Hopkins, an' so does Dan." + +"Then I can depend on you to help us?" asked the girl, patting the +tousled head of a little girl who stood by staring at "the pretty lady." + +"I'll talk to him, but I dunno what good it'll do," said Mrs. Simmons, +thoughtfully. + +"I know. He won't refuse to do what you ask him, for a man always +listens to his wife when he knows she's right. You'll win, Mrs. Simmons, +and I want to thank you for saving the election for us. If we get Mr. +Simmons on our side I believe we'll be sure to defeat Hopkins." + +"Oh, I'll do what I kin," was the ready promise, and after a few more +remarks about the children and the neatness of the house, Louise took +her leave. + +"Will she win him over?" asked the girl of Mr. Watson, when they were +jogging on to the next homestead. + +"I really can't say, my dear," replied the old lawyer, thoughtfully; +"but I imagine she'll try to, and if Dan doesn't give in Mrs. Simmons +will probably make his life miserable for a time. You flattered them +both outrageously; but that will do no harm." + +And so it went on throughout the day. Sometimes the farmer himself was +around the house, and then they held a sort of conference; Louise asked +his advice about the best way to win votes, and said she depended a +great deal upon his judgment. She never asked a man which side he +favored, but took it for granted that he was anxious to support Mr. +Forbes; and this subtle flattery was so acceptable that not one declared +outright that he was for Hopkins, whatever his private views might have +been. + +When evening came and they had arrived at Elmhurst again, Louise was +enthusiastic over her work of the day, and had many amusing tales to +tell of her experiences. + +"How many votes did you win?" asked Uncle John, smiling at her. + +"I can't say," she replied; "but I didn't lose any. If one sows plenty +of seed, some of it is bound to sprout." + +"We can tell better after election," said Mr. Watson. "But I'm satisfied +that this is the right sort of work, Mr. Merrick, to get results." + +"So am I," returned Uncle John heartily. "Are you willing to keep it up, +Louise?" + +"Of course!" she exclaimed. "We start again bright and early tomorrow +morning." + + + + +CHAPTER VIII + +THE HONORABLE ERASTUS IS ASTONISHED + + +The Honorable Erastus Hopkins had been absent at the state capital for +several days, looking after various matters of business; for he was a +thrifty man, and watched his investments carefully. + +Whenever his acquaintances asked about his chances for re-election, the +Honorable Erastus Hopkins winked, laughed and declared, "it's a regular +walk-over." + +"Who is opposing you?" once asked a gray-haired Senator of much +political experience, who had met Mr. Hopkins at luncheon. + +"Young feller named Forbes--a boy, sir--with no notion about the game at +all. He was pledged to an unpopular issue, so I was mighty glad to have +him run against me." + +"What issue is he pledged to?" asked the Senator. + +"Oh, he's agin putting advertising signs on fences and barns, and wants +to have them prohibited, like the infernal fool he is." + +"Indeed. Then he's a progressive fellow. And you say his issue is +unpopular?" + +"That's what it is. It'll kill his chances--if he ever had any." + +"Strange," mused the Senator. "That issue has been a winning one +usually." + +"What do you mean?" asked the astonished Hopkins. + +"Why, the anti-sign fight has won in several places throughout the +country, and local laws have been passed prohibiting them. Didn't you +know that?" + +"No!" said Hopkins. + +"Well, it's true. Of course I do not know the temper of your people, but +in a country district such as yours I would think an issue of that sort +very hard to combat." + +"Nonsense!" exclaimed the Honorable Erastus. "Ev'ry man Jack's agin the +fool notion." + +"Then perhaps the people don't understand it." + +"Forbes has given up already," continued Hopkins, laughing at the +recollection. "He's gone back into his shell like a turtle, an' won't +come out to fight. I tell you, Senator, he's the worst licked candidate +that ever ran for office." + +Nevertheless, the suggestion that the anti-sign issue had been +successful in other localities made Mr. Hopkins a trifle uneasy, and he +decided to return home and keep the fight going until after election, +whether young Forbes came out of his shell or not. + +He arrived at Hilldale on the early morning train and went to his house +for breakfast. To his amazement he found two great banners strung across +the village streets bearing the words: "_Vote for Forbes--the People's +Champion!_" + +"Who in thunder could 'a' done that?" murmured Mr. Hopkins, staring +open-mouthed at the great banners. Then he scratched his head with a +puzzled air and went home. + +Mrs. Hopkins, a tired-looking woman in a bedraggled morning wrapper, was +getting the breakfast. She did not participate largely in the prosperity +of her husband, and often declared she was "worked to death," although +there were no children to care for. + +"When did those Forbes banners go up?" asked Mr. Hopkins, irritably. + +"I dunno, 'Rast. I don't keep track o' such things. But all the town was +out to the girls' meetin' last night, an' I went along to watch the +fun." + +"What girls' meeting?" + +"The girls thet air workin' fer to elect Mr. Forbes. It was in the town +hall, an' all three of the girls made speeches." + +"What about?" + +"About Mr. Forbes, and how he orter be elected. He wants to beautify the +farm places by doin' away with signs, an' he wants better roads, an' +three new school-houses, 'cause the ones we've got now ain't big enough. +An--" + +"You blamed idiot! What are you talking about?" roared the exasperated +Hopkins. + +"Oh, you needn't rave at me, 'Rast Hopkins, just 'cause you're gettin' +licked. I thought your goose was cooked the minnit these girls got to +work." + +Mr. Hopkins stared at her with a dazed expression. + +"Be sensible, Mary, and tell me who these girls are. I haven't heard of +'em." + +"Why, they're cousins o' Kenneth Forbes, it seems, an' come from New +York to git him elected." + +"What are they like?" + +"They're swell dressers, 'Rast, an' nice appearin' girls, and mighty +sharp with their tongues. They had a good meetin' last night and +there'll be another at the town hall next week." + +"Pah! Girls! Forbes oughter be ashamed of himself, to send a bunch o' +girls out electioneerin'. I never heard of such an irregular thing. What +do the boys say?" + +"Folks don't say much to me, 'Rast. They wouldn't, you know. But I guess +your game is up." + +He made no reply. Here, indeed, was information of a startling +character. And it came upon him like thunder out of a clear sky. Yet the +thing might not be so important as Mrs. Hopkins feared. + +Very thoughtfully he unfolded the morning paper, and the next moment +uttered a roar of wrath and vexation. Briggs was one of his stand-bys, +and the _Herald_ heretofore had always supported him; yet here across +the first page were big black letters saying: _"Vote for Forbes!"_ And +the columns were full of articles and paragraphs praising Forbes and +declaring that he could and would do more for the district than Hopkins. + +"I must see Briggs," muttered the Honorable Erastus. "He's tryin' to +make me put up that hundred--an' I guess I'll have to do it." + +He looked over the other newspapers which were heaped upon his desk in +the sitting-room, and was disgusted to find all but one of the seven +papers in the district supporting Forbes. Really, the thing began to +look serious. And he had only been absent a week! + +He had not much appetite for breakfast when Mrs. Hopkins set it before +him. But the Honorable Erastus was a born fighter, and his discovery had +only dismayed him for a brief time. Already he was revolving ways of +contesting this new activity in the enemy's camp, and decided that he +must talk with "the boys" at once. + +So he hurried away from the breakfast table and walked down-town. Latham +was first on his route and he entered the drug store. + +"Hullo, Jim." + +"Good morning, Mr. Hopkins. Anything I can do for you?" asked the polite +druggist. + +"Yes, a lot. Tell me what these fool girls are up to, that are plugging +for Forbes. I've been away for a week, you know." + +"Can't say, Mr. Hopkins, I'm sure. Business is pretty lively these days, +and it keeps me hustling. I've no time for politics." + +"But we've got to wake up, Jim, we Democrats, or they'll give us a run +for our money." + +"Oh, this is a Republican district, sir. We can't hope to win it often, +and especially in a case like this." + +"Why not?" + +"Looks to me as if you'd bungled things, Hopkins. But I'm not interested +in this campaign. Excuse me; if there's nothing you want, I've got a +prescription to fill." + +Mr. Hopkins walked out moodily. It was very evident that Latham had +changed front. But they had never been very staunch friends; and he +could find a way to even scores with the little druggist later. + +Thompson was behind his desk at the general store when Hopkins walked +in. + +"Look here," said the Honorable Representative, angrily, "what's been +going on in Elmwood? What's all this plugging for Forbes mean?" + +Thompson gave him a sour look over the top of his desk. + +"Addressin' them remarks to me, 'Rast?" + +"Yes--to you! You've been loafing on your job, old man, and it won't +do--it won't do at all. You should have put a stop to these things. What +right have these girls to interfere in a game like this?" + +"Oh, shut up, 'Rast." + +"Thompson! By crickey, I won't stand this from you. Goin' back on me, +eh?" + +"I'm a Republication, 'Rast." + +"So you are," said Mr. Hopkins slowly, his temper at white heat "And +that mortgage is two months overdue." + +"Go over to the bank and get your money, then. It's waiting for you, +Hopkins--interest and all. Go and get it and let me alone. I'm busy." + +Perhaps the politician had never been so surprised in his life. Anger +gave way to sudden fear, and he scrutinized the averted countenance of +Thompson carefully. + +"Where'd you raise the money, Thompson?" + +"None of your business. I raised it." + +"Forbes, eh? Forbes has bought you up, I see. Grateful fellow, ain't +you--when I loaned you money to keep you from bankruptcy!" + +"You did, Hopkins. You made me your slave, and threatened me every +minute, unless I did all your dirty work. Grateful? You've led me a +dog's life. But I'm through with you now--for good and all." + +Hopkins turned and walked out without another word. In the dentist's +office Dr. Squiers was sharpening and polishing his instruments. + +"Hello, Archie." + +"Hello, 'Rast. 'Bout time you was getting back, old man. We're having a +big fight on our hands, I can tell you." + +"Tell me more," said Mr. Hopkins, taking a chair with a sigh of relief +at finding one faithful friend. "What's up, Archie?" + +"An invasion of girls, mostly. They took us by surprise, the other day, +and started a campaign worthy of old political war-horses. There's some +shrewd politician behind them, I know, or they wouldn't have nailed us +up in our coffins with such business-like celerity." + +"Talk sense, Archie. What have they done? What _can_ they do? Pah! +Girls!" + +"Don't make a mistake, 'Rast. That's what I did, before I understood. +When I heard that three girls were electioneering for Forbes I just +laughed. Then I made a discovery. They're young and rich, and evidently +ladies. They're pretty, too, and the men give in at the first attack. +They don't try to roast you. That's their cleverness. They tell what +Forbes can do, with all his money, if he's Representative, and they +swear he'll do it." + +"Never mind," said Hopkins, easily. "We'll win the men back again." + +"But these girls are riding all over the country, talking to farmers' +wives, and they're organizing a woman's political club. The club is to +meet at Elmhurst and to be fed on the fat of the land; so every woman +wants to belong. They've got two expensive automobiles down from the +city, with men to make them go, and they're spending money right and +left." + +"That's bad," said Hopkins, shifting uneasily, "for I haven't much to +spend, myself. But most money is fooled away in politics. When I spend a +cent it counts, I can tell you." + +"You'll have to spend some, 'Rast, to keep your end up. I'm glad you're +back, for we Democrats have been getting demoralized. Some of the boys +are out for Forbes already." + +Hopkins nodded, busy with his thoughts. + +"I've talked with Latham. But he didn't count. And they've bought up +Thompson. What else they've done I can't tell yet. But one thing's +certain, Doc; we'll win out in a canter. I'm too old a rat to be caught +in a trap like this. I've got resources they don't suspect." + +"I believe you, 'Rast. They've caught on to the outside fakes to win +votes; but they don't know the inside deals yet." + +"You're right. But I must make a bluff to offset their daylight +campaign, so as not to lose ground with the farmers. They're the ones +that count, after all; not the town people. See here, Doc, I had an idea +something might happen, and so I arranged with my breakfast food company +to let me paint a hundred signs in this neighborhood. A hundred, mind +you! and that means a big laugh on Forbes, and the good will of the +farmers who sell their spaces, and not a cent out of my pocket. How's +that for a checkmate?" + +"That's fine," replied Dr. Squiers. "There's been considerable talk +about this sign business, and I'm told that at the meeting last night +one of the girls made a speech about it, and said the farmers were being +converted, and were now standing out for clean fences and barns." + +"That's all humbug!" + +"I think so, myself. These people are like a flock of sheep. Get them +started a certain way and you can't head them off," observed the +dentist. + +"Then we must start them our way," declared Hopkins. "I've got the order +for these signs in my pocket, and I'll have 'em painted all over the +district in a week. Keep your eyes open, Doc. If we've got to fight we +won't shirk it; but I don't look for much trouble from a parcel of +girls." + +Mr. Hopkins was quite cheerful by this time, for he had thought out the +situation and his "fighting blood was up," as he expressed it. + +He walked away whistling softly to himself and decided that he would go +over to the livery stable, get a horse and buggy, drive out into the +country, and spend the day talking with the farmers. + +But when he turned the corner into the side street where the livery was +located he was astonished to find a row of horses and wagons lining each +side of the street, and in each vehicle two men in white jumpers and +overalls. The men were in charge of huge cans of paints, assorted +brushes, ladders, scaffolds and other paraphernalia. + +There must have been twenty vehicles, altogether, and some of the rigs +were already starting out and driving briskly away in different +directions. + +Mr. Hopkins was puzzled. He approached one of the white-overalled men +who was loading cans of paint into a wagon and inquired: + +"Who are you fellows?" + +"Sign painters," answered the man, with an amused look. + +"Who do you work for?" + +"The Carson Advertising Sign Company of Cleveland." + +"Oh, I see," replied Hopkins. "Got a big job in this neighborhood?" + +"Pretty big, sir." + +"Who's your foreman?" + +"Smith. He's in the livery office." + +Then the man climbed into his wagon and drove away, and Hopkins turned +into the livery office. A thin-faced man with sharp eyes was Talking +with the proprietor. + +"Is this Mr. Smith?" asked Hopkins. + +"Yes." + +"Of the Carson Advertising Sign Company?" + +"Yes." + +"Well, I've got a big job for you. My name's Hopkins. I want a hundred +big signs painted mighty quick." + +"Sorry, sir; we've got all we can handle here for two or three weeks." + +"It's got to be done quick or not at all. Can't you send for more men?" + +"We've got thirty-eight on this job, and can't get any more for love or +money. Had to send to Chicago for some of these." + +"Rush job?" + +"Yes, sir. You'll have to excuse me. I've got to get started. This is +only our second day and we're pretty busy." + +"Wait a minute," called the bewildered Hopkins, following Smith to his +buggy. "What concern is your firm doing all this painting for?" + +"A man named Merrick." + +Then the foreman drove away, and Mr. Hopkins was left greatly puzzled. + +"Merrick--Merrick!" he repeated. "I don't remember any big advertiser by +that name. It must be some new concern. Anyhow, it all helps in my fight +against Forbes." + +He again returned to the livery office and asked for a rig. + +"Everything out, Mr. Hopkins. I've hired everything to be had in town +for this sign-painting gang." + +But Mr. Hopkins was not to be balked. As long as these sign-painters +were doing missionary work for his cause among the farmers, he decided +to drive over to Fairview and see the party leaders in that important +town. So he went back to Dr. Squiers's house and borrowed the Doctor's +horse and buggy. + +He drove along the turnpike for a time in silence. Then it struck him +that there was a peculiar air of neatness about the places he passed. +The barns and fences all seemed newly painted, and he remembered that he +hadn't seen an advertising sign since he left town. + +A mile farther on he came upon a gang of the sign painters, who with +their huge brushes were rapidly painting the entire length of a +weather-worn fence with white paint. + +Mr. Hopkins reined in and watched them for a few moments. + +"You sign-painters don't seem to be getting any signs started," he +observed. + +"No," replied one of the men, laughing. "This is a peculiar job for our +firm to tackle. We've made a contract to paint out every sign in the +district." + +"Paint 'em out!" + +"Yes, cover them up with new paint, and get rid of them." + +"But how about the advertisers? Don't they own the spaces now?" + +"They did; but they've all been bought up. John Merrick owns the spaces +now, and we're working for John Merrick." + +"Who's he?" + +"Some friend of Mr. Forbes, up at Elmhurst." + +Mr. Hopkins was not a profane man, but he said a naughty word. And then +he cut his horse so fiercely with the whip that the poor beast gave a +neigh of terror, and started down the road at a gallop. + + + + +CHAPTER IX + +OL' WILL ROGERS + + +Beth had her folding table out in the rose garden where Kenneth was +working at his easel, and while the boy painted she wrote her campaign +letters and "editorials." + +At first Ken had resented the management of his campaign by his three +girl friends; but soon he was grateful for their assistance and proud of +their talents. It was at their own request that he refrained from any +active work himself, merely appearing at the meetings they planned, +where he made his speeches and impressed his hearers with his +earnestness. He was really an excellent speaker, and his youth and +enthusiasm counted much in his favor. + +He protested mildly when Louise invited the Women's Political Club to +meet at Elmhurst on Thursday afternoon, but Mr. Watson assured him that +this was an important play for popularity, so he promised to meet them. +Tables were to be spread upon the lawn, for the late October weather was +mild and delightful, and Louise planned to feed the women in a way that +they would long remember. + +Patsy had charge of the towns and Louise of the country districts, but +Beth often aided Louise, who had a great deal of territory to cover. + +The automobiles Uncle John had ordered sent down were a great assistance +to the girls, and enabled them to cover twice as much territory in a day +as would have been done with horses. + +But, although they worked so tirelessly and earnestly, it was not all +plain sailing with the girl campaigners. Yet though they met with many +rebuffs, they met very little downright impertinence. Twice Louise was +asked to leave a house where she had attempted to make a proselyte, and +once a dog was set upon Beth by an irate farmer, who resented her +automobile as much as he did her mission. As for Patsy, she was often +told in the towns that "a young girl ought to be in better business than +mixing up in politics," and she was sensitive enough once or twice to +cry over these reproaches when alone in her chamber. But she maintained +a cheerful front; and, in truth, all the girls enjoyed their work +immensely. + +While Beth and Kenneth were in the garden this sunny afternoon James +came to say that a man wanted to see "one of the politics young ladies." + +"Shall we send him about his business, Beth?" asked the boy. + +"Oh, no; we can't afford to lose a single vote. Bring him here, James, +please," said the girl. + +So presently a wizened little man in worn and threadbare garments, his +hat in his hand, came slowly into the garden. His sunken cheeks were +covered with stubby gray whiskers, his shoulders were stooped and bent +from hard work, and his hands bore evidences of a life of toil. Yet the +eyes he turned upon Beth, as she faced him had a wistful and pleading +look that affected her strangely. + +"Afternoon, miss," he said, in a hesitating voice. "I--I'm Rogers, miss; +ol' Will Rogers. I--I s'pose you hain't heerd o' me before." + +"I'm glad to meet you, Mr. Rogers," replied the girl in her pleasant +voice. "Have you come to see me about the election?" + +"It's--it's sump'n 'bout the 'lection, an' then agin it ain't. But I run +the chanct o' seein' ye, because we're in desprit straits, an' Nell +advised that I hev a talk with ye. 'Frank an' outright,' says Nell. +'Don't beat about the bush,' says she. 'Go right to th' point an' +they'll say yes or no." + +Beth laughed merrily, and the boy smiled as he wielded his brush with +delicate strokes. + +"Ye mustn't mind me, miss," said Will Rogers, in a deprecating tone. +"I'm--I'm sommut broke up an' discouraged, an' ain't th' man I used to +be. Nell knows that, an' she orter came herself; but it jes' made her +cry to think o' it, an' so I says I'll come an' do the best I kin." + +Beth was really interested now. + +"Sit down on this bench, Mr. Rogers," she said, "and I'll listen to +whatever you have to say." + +He sat down willingly, bent forward as he rested upon the garden bench, +and twirled his hat slowly in his hands. + +"'Taint easy, ye know, miss, to say some things, an' this is one o' the +hardest," he began. + +"Go on," said Beth, encouragingly, for old Will had suddenly stopped +short and seemed unable to proceed. + +"They say, miss, as you folks is a-spendin' uv a lot o' money on this +election, a-gittin' votes, an' sich like," he said, in an altered tone. + +"It costs a little to run a political campaign," acknowledged Beth. + +"They say money's bein' poured out liken water--to git votes," he +persisted. + +"Well, Mr. Rogers?" + +"Well, thet's how it started, ye see. We're so agonizin' poor, Nell +thought we orter git some o' the money while it's goin'." + +The girl was much amused. Such frankness was both unusual and +refreshing. + +"Have you a vote to sell?" she asked. + +He did not answer at once, but sat slowly twirling his hat. + +"That's jet' what Nell thought ye'd ask," he said, finally, "an' she +knew if ye did it was all up with our plan. Guess I'll be goin', miss." + +He rose slowly from his seat, but the girl did not intend to lose any of +the fun this queer individual might yet furnish. + +"Sit down, Mr. Rogers," she said, "and tell me why you can't answer my +questions?" + +"I guess I'll hev to speak out an' tell all," said he, his voice +trembling a little, "although I thought fer a minnit I could see my way +without. I can't sell my vote, miss, 'cause I've been plannin' t'vote +fer Mr. Forbes anyhow. But we wanted some uv th' money that's being +wasted, an' we wanted it mighty bad." + +"Why?" + +"Thet's the hard part uv it, miss; but I'm goin' to tell you. Did ye +ever hear o' Lucy?" + +"No, Mr. Rogers." + +"Lucy's our girl--the on'y chick er child we ever had. She's a pretty +girl, is Lucy; a good deal liken her mother; wi' the same high spirits +my Nell had afore she broke down. Mostly Nell cries, nowadays." + +"Yes. Go on." + +"Lucy had a schoolin', an' we worked hard to give it her, fer my land +ain't much account, nohow. An' when she grew up she had more boys comin' +to see her than any gal this side o' Fairview, an' one o' 'em caught +Lucy's fancy. But she was too young to marry, an' she wanted to be +earnin' money; so she got a job workin' fer Doc Squiers, over to +Elmwood. He's the dentist there, an' Lucy helped with the housework an' +kept the office slicked up, an' earned ev'ry penny she got." + +He stopped here, and looked vacantly around. + +Beth tried to help the old man. + +"And then?" she asked, softly. + +"Then come the trouble, miss. One day ol' Mis' Squiers, the Doc's +mother, missed a di'mon' ring. She laid it on the mantel an' it was +gone, an' she said as Lucy took it. Lucy didn't take it, an' after +they'd tried to make my gal confess as she was a thief they give 'er +three days to hand up the ring or the money it was worth, or else they'd +hev her arrested and sent t' jail. Lucy didn't take it, ye know. She +jes' _couldn't_ do sech a thing, natcherly." + +"I know," said Beth, sympathetically. + +"So she comes home, heartbroken, an' told us about it, an' we didn't hev +th' money nuther. It were sixty dollars they wanted, or th' ring; an' we +didn't hev neither of 'em." + +"Of course not." + +"Well, Tom come over thet night to see Lucy, hearin' she was home, +an'--" + +"Who is Tom?" + +"Thet's Tom Gates, him thet--but I'm comin' to thet, miss. Tom always +loved Lucy, an' wanted to marry her; but his folks is as poor as we are, +so the young 'uns had to wait. Tom worked at the mill over t' +Fairview--the big saw-mill where they make the lumber an' things." + +"I know." + +"He was the bookkeeper, fer Tom had schoolin', too; an' he took private +lessons in bookkeepin' from ol' Cheeseman. So he had got hired at the +mill, an' had a likely job, an' was doin' well. An' when Tom heerd about +Lucy's trouble, an' thet she had only two days left before goin' to +jail, he up an' says: 'I'll get the money, Lucy: don' you worry a bit.' +'Oh, Tom!' says she, 'hev you got sixty dollars saved already?' 'I've +got it, Lucy,' says he, 'an' I'll go over tomorrow an' pay Doc Squiers. +Don' you worry any more. Forget all about it.' Well o' course, miss, +that helped a lot. Nell an' Lucy both felt the disgrace of the thing, +but it wouldn't be a public disgrace, like goin' to jail; so we was all +mighty glad Tom had that sixty dollars." + +"It was very fortunate," said Beth, filling in another pause. + +"The nex' day Tom were as good as his word. He paid Doc Squiers an' got +a receipt an' giv it to Lucy. Then we thought th' trouble was over, but +it had on'y just begun. Monday mornin' Tom was arrested over t' the mill +fer passin' a forged check an' gettin' sixty dollars on it. Lucy was +near frantic with grief. She walked all the way to Fairview, an' they +let her see Tom in the jail. He tol' her it was true he forged th' +check, but he did it to save her. He was a man an' it wouldn't hurt fer +him to go to jail so much as it would a girl. He said he was glad he did +it, an' didn't mind servin' a sentence in prison. I think, miss, as Tom +meant thet--ev'ry word uv it. But Lucy broke down under the thing an' +raved an' cried, an' nuther Nell ner I could do anything with her. She +said she'd ruined Tom's life an' all thet, an' she didn't want to live +herself. Then she took sick, an' Nell an' I nursed her as careful as we +could. How'n the wurld she ever got away we can't make out, nohow." + +"Did she get away?" asked the girl, noting that the old man's eyes were +full of tears and his lips trembling. + +"Yes, miss. She's bin gone over ten days, now, an' we don't even know +where to look fer her; our girl--our poor Lucy. She ain't right in her +head, ye know, or she'd never a done it. She'd never a left us like this +in th' world. 'Taint like our Lucy." + +Kenneth had turned around on his stool and was regarding old Will Rogers +earnestly, brush and pallet alike forgotten. Beth was trying to keep the +tears out of her own eyes, for the old man's voice was even more +pathetic than his words. + +"Ten days ago!" said Kenneth. "And she hasn't been found yet?" + +"We can't trace her anywhere, an' Nell has broke down at las', an' don't +do much but cry. It's hard, sir--I can't bear to see Nell cry. She'd +sich high sperrits, onct." + +"Where's the boy Tom?" asked Kenneth, somewhat gruffly. + +"He's in the jail yet, waitin' to be tried. Court don't set till next +week, they say." + +"And where do you live, Rogers?" + +"Five miles up the Fairview road. 'Taint much of a place--Nell says I've +always bin a shif'les lot, an' I guess it's true. Yesterday your hired +men painted all the front o' my fence--painted it white--not only where +th' signs was, but th' whole length of it. We didn't ask it done, but +they jes' done it. I watched 'em, an' Nell says if we on'y had th' money +thet was wasted on thet paint an' labor, we might find our Lucy. 'It's a +shame,' says Nell, 'all thet 'lection money bein' thrown away on paint +when it might save our poor crazy child.' I hope it ain't wrong, sir; +but thet's what I thought, too. So we laid plans fer me to come here +today. Ef I kin get a-hold o' any o' thet money honest, I want to do +it." + +"Have you got a horse?" asked Kenneth. + +"Not now. I owned one las' year, but he died on me an' I can't get +another nohow." + +"Did you walk here?" asked Beth. + +"Yes, miss; o' course. I've walked the hull county over a-tryin' to find +Lucy. I don' mind the walking much." + +There was another pause, while old Will Rogers looked anxiously at the +boy and the girl, and they looked at each other. Then Beth took out her +purse. + +"I want to hire your services to help us in the election," she said, +briskly. "I'll furnish you a horse and buggy and you can drive around +and talk with people and try to find Lucy at the same time. This twenty +dollars is to help you pay expenses. You needn't account for it; just +help us as much as you can." + +The old man straightened up and his eyes filled again. + +"Nell said if it was a matter o' charity I mustn't take a cent," he +observed, in a low voice. + +'"It isn't charity. It's business. And now that we know your story we +mean to help you find your girl. Anyone would do that, you know. Tell +me, what is Lucy like?" + +"She's like Nell used to be." + +"But we don't know your wife. Describe Lucy as well as you can. Is she +tall?" + +"Middlin', miss." + +"Light or dark?" + +"Heh?" + +"Is her hair light or dark colored?" + +"Middlin'; jes' middlin', miss." + +"Well, is she stout or thin?" + +"I should say sorter betwixt an' between, miss." + +"How old is Lucy?" + +"Jes' turned eighteen, miss." + +"Never mind, Beth," interrupted the boy; "you won't learn much from old +Will's description. But we'll see what can be done tomorrow. Call James +and have him sent home in the rig he's going to use. It seems to me +you're disposing rather freely of my horses and carts." + +"Yes, Ken. You've nothing to say about your belongings just now. But if +you object to this plan--" + +"I don't. The girl must be found, and her father is more likely to find +her than a dozen other searchers. He shall have the rig and welcome." + +So it was that Will Rogers drove back to his heartbroken wife in a smart +top-buggy, with twenty dollars in his pocket and a heart full of wonder +and thanksgiving. + + + + +CHAPTER X + +THE FORGED CHECK + + +Kenneth and Beth refrained from telling the other girls or Uncle John of +old Will Rogers's visit, but they got Mr. Watson in the library and +questioned him closely about the penalty for forging a check. + +It was a serious crime indeed, Mr. Watson told them, and Tom Gates bade +fair to serve a lengthy term in state's prison as a consequence of his +rash act. + +"But it was a generous act, too," said Beth. + +"I can't see it in that light," said the old lawyer. "It was a +deliberate theft from his employers to protect a girl he loved. I do not +doubt the girl was unjustly accused. The Squierses are a selfish, +hard-fisted lot, and the old lady, especially, is a well known virago. +But they could not have proven a case against Lucy, if she was innocent, +and all their threats of arresting her were probably mere bluff. So this +boy was doubly foolish in ruining himself to get sixty dollars to pay an +unjust demand." + +"He was soft-hearted and impetuous," said Beth; "and, being in love, he +didn't stop to count the cost." + +"That is no excuse, my dear," declared Mr. Watson. "Indeed there is +never an excuse for crime. The young man is guilty, and he must suffer +the penalty." + +"Is there no way to save him?" asked Kenneth. + +"If the prosecution were withdrawn and the case settled with the victim +of the forged check, then the young man would be allowed his freedom. +But under the circumstances I doubt if such an arrangement could be +made." + +"We're going to try it, anyhow," was the prompt decision. + +So as soon as breakfast was over the next morning Beth and Kenneth took +one of the automobiles, the boy consenting unwillingly to this sort of +locomotion because it would save much time. Fairview was twelve miles +away, but by ten o'clock they drew up at the county jail. + +They were received in the little office by a man named Markham, who was +the jailer. He was a round-faced, respectable appearing fellow, but his +mood was distinctly unsociable. + +"Want to see Tom Gates, eh? Well! what for?" he demanded. + +"We wish to talk with him," answered Kenneth. + +"Talk! what's the good? You're no friend of Tom Gates. I can't be +bothered this way, anyhow." + +"I am Kenneth Forbes, of Elmhurst. I'm running for Representative on the +Republican ticket," said Kenneth, quietly. + +"Oh, say! that's different," observed Markham, altering his demeanor. +"You mustn't mind my being gruff and grumpy, Mr. Forbes. I've just +stopped smoking a few days ago, and it's got on my nerves something +awful!" + +"May we see Gates at once?" asked Kenneth. + +"Sure-ly! I'll take you to his cell, myself. It's just shocking how such +a little thing as stoppin' smoking will rile up a fellow. Come this way, +please." + +They followed the jailer along a succession of passages. + +"Smoked ever sence I was a boy, you know, an' had to stop last week +because Doc said it would kill me if I didn't," remarked the jailer, +leading the way. "Sometimes I'm that yearning for a smoke I'm nearly +crazy, an' I dunno which is worst, dyin' one way or another. This is +Gates' cell--the best in the shop." + +He unlocked the door, and called: + +"Here's visitors, Tom." + +"Thank you, Mr. Markham," replied a quiet voice, as a young man came +forward from the dim interior of the cell. "How are you feeling, today?" + +"Worse, Tom; worse 'n ever," replied the jailer, gloomily. + +"Well, stick it out, old man; don't give in." + +"I won't, Tom. Smokin' 'll kill me sure, an' there's a faint hope o' +livin' through this struggle to give it up. This visitor is Mr. Forbes +of Elmhurst, an' the young lady is--" + +"Miss DeGraf," said Kenneth, noticing the boy's face critically, as he +stood where the light from the passage fell upon it. "Will you leave us +alone, please, Mr. Markham?" + +"Sure-ly, Mr. Forbes. You've got twenty minutes according to +regulations. I'll come and get you then. Sorry we haven't any reception +room in the jail. All visits has to be made in the cells." + +Then he deliberately locked Kenneth and Beth in with the forger, and +retreated along the passage. + +"Sit down, please," said Gates, in a cheerful and pleasant voice. +"There's a bench here." + +"We've come to inquire about your case, Gates," said Kenneth. "It seems +you have forged a check." + +"Yes, sir, I plead guilty, although I've been told I ought not to +confess. But the fact is that I forged the check and got the money, and +I'm willing to stand the consequences." + +"Why did you do it?" asked Beth. + +He was silent and turned his face away. + +A fresh, wholesome looking boy, was Tom Gates, with steady gray eyes, an +intelligent forehead, but a sensitive, rather weak mouth. He was of +sturdy, athletic build and dressed neatly in a suit that was of coarse +material but well brushed and cared for. + +Beth thought his appearance pleasing and manly. Kenneth decided that he +was ill at ease and in a state of dogged self-repression. + +"We have heard something of your story," said Kenneth, "and are +interested in it. But there is no doubt you have acted very foolishly." + +"Do you know Lucy, sir?" asked the young man. + +"No." + +"Lucy is very proud. The thing was killing her, and I couldn't bear it. +I didn't stop to think whether it was foolish or not. I did it; and I'm +glad I did." + +"You have made her still more unhappy," said Beth, gently. + +"Yes; she'll worry about me, I know. I'm disgraced for life; but I've +saved Lucy from any disgrace, and she's young. She'll forget me before +I've served my term, and--and take up with some other young fellow." + +"Would you like that?" asked Beth. + +"No, indeed," he replied, frankly. "But it will be best that way. I had +to stand by Lucy--she's so sweet and gentle, and so sensitive. I don't +say I did right. I only say I'd do the same thing again." + +"Couldn't her parents have helped her?" inquired Kenneth. + +"No. Old Will is a fine fellow, but poor and helpless since Mrs. Rogers +had her accident." + +"Oh, did she have an accident?" asked Beth. + +"Yes. Didn't you know? She's blind." + +"Her husband didn't tell us that," said the girl. + +"He was fairly prosperous before that, for Mrs. Rogers was an energetic +and sensible woman, and kept old Will hard at work. One morning she +tried to light the fire with kerosene, and lost her sight. Then Rogers +wouldn't do anything but lead her around, and wait upon her, and the +place went to rack and ruin." + +"I understand now," said Beth. + +"Lucy could have looked after her mother," said young Bates, "but old +Will was stubborn and wouldn't let her. So the girl saw something must +be done and went to work. That's how all the trouble came about." + +He spoke simply, but paced up and down the narrow cell in front of them. +It was evident that his feelings were deeper than he cared to make +evident. + +"Whose name did you sign to the check?" asked Kenneth. + +"That of John E. Marshall, the manager of the mill. He is supposed to +sign all the checks of the concern. It's a stock company, and rich. I +was bookkeeper, so it was easy to get a blank check and forge the +signature. As regards my robbing the company, I'll say that I saved them +a heavy loss one day. I discovered and put out a fire that would have +destroyed the whole plant. But Marshall never even thanked me. He only +discharged the man who was responsible for the fire." + +"How long ago were you arrested?" asked Beth. + +"It's nearly two weeks now. But I'll have a trial in a few days, they +say. My crime is so serious that the circuit judge has to sit on the +case." + +"Do you know where Lucy is?" + +"She's at home, I suppose. I haven't heard from her since the day she +came here to see me--right after my arrest." + +They did not think best to enlighten him at that time. It was better for +him to think the girl unfeeling than to know the truth. + +"I'm going to see Mr. Marshall," said Kenneth, "and discover what I can +do to assist you." + +"Thank you, sir. It won't be much, but I'm grateful to find a friend. +I'm guilty, you know, and there's no one to blame but myself." + +They left him then, for the jailer arrived to unlock the door, and +escort them to the office. + +"Tom's a very decent lad," remarked the jailer, on the way. "He ain't a +natural criminal, you know; just one o' them that gives in to temptation +and is foolish enough to get caught. I've seen lots of that kind in my +day. You don't smoke, do you, Mr. Forbes?" + +"No, Mr. Markham." + +"Then don't begin it; or, if you do, never try to quit. It's--it's +_awful_, it is. And it ruins a man's disposition." + +The mill was at the outskirts of the town. It was a busy place, perhaps +the busiest in the whole of the Eighth District, and in it were employed +a large number of men. The office was a small brick edifice, separated +from the main buildings, in which the noise of machinery was so great +that one speaking could scarcely be heard. The manager was in, Kenneth +and Beth learned, but could not see them until he had signed the letters +he had dictated for the noon mail. + +So they sat on a bench until a summons came to admit them to Mr. +Marshall's private office. + +He looked up rather ungraciously, but motioned them to be seated. + +"Mr. Forbes, of Elmhurst?" he asked, glancing at the card Kenneth had +sent in. + +"Yes, sir." + +"I've been bothered already over your election campaign," resumed the +manager, arranging his papers in a bored manner. "Some girl has been +here twice to interview my men and I have refused to admit her. You may +as well understand, sir, that I stand for the Democratic candidate, and +have no sympathy with your side." + +"That doesn't interest me, especially, sir," answered Kenneth, smiling. +"I'm not electioneering just now. I've come to talk with you about young +Gates." + +"Oh. Well, sir, what about him?" + +"I'm interested in the boy, and want to save him from prosecution." + +"He's a forger, Mr. Forbes; a deliberate criminal." + +"I admit that. But he's very young, and his youth is largely responsible +for his folly." + +"He stole my money." + +"It is true, Mr. Marshall." + +"And he deserves a term in state's prison." + +"I agree to all that. Nevertheless, I should like to save him," said +Kenneth. "His trial has not yet taken place, and instead of your +devoting considerable of your valuable time appearing against him it +would be much simpler to settle the matter right here and now." + +"In what way, Mr. Forbes?" + +"I'll make your money loss good." + +"It has cost me twice sixty dollars in annoyance." + +"I can well believe it, sir. I'll pay twice sixty dollars for the +delivery to me of the forged check, and the withdrawal of the +prosecution." + +"And the costs?" + +"I'll pay all the costs besides." + +"You're foolish. Why should you do all this?" + +"I have my own reasons, Mr. Marshall. Please look at the matter from a +business standpoint. If you send the boy to prison you will still suffer +the loss of the money. By compromising with me you can recover your loss +and are paid for your annoyance." + +"You're right. Give me a check for a hundred and fifty, and I'll turn +over to you the forged check and quash further proceedings." + +Kenneth hesitated a moment. He detested the grasping disposition that +would endeavor to take advantage of his evident desire to help young +Gates. He had hoped to find Mr. Marshall a man of sympathy; but the +manager was as cold as an icicle. + +Beth, uneasy at his silence, nudged him. + +"Pay it, Ken," she whispered. + +"Very well, Mr. Marshall," said he, "I accept your terms." + +The check was written and handed over, and Marshall took the forged +check from his safe and delivered it, with the other papers in the case, +to Mr. Forbes. He also wrote a note to his lawyer directing him to +withdraw the prosecution. + +Kenneth and Beth went away quite happy with their success, and the +manager stood in his little window and watched them depart. There was a +grim smile of amusement on his shrewd face. + +"Of all the easy marks I ever encountered," muttered Mr. Marshall, "this +young Forbes is the easiest. Why, he's a fool, that's what he is. He +might have had that forged check for the face of it, if he'd been sharp. +You wouldn't catch 'Rast Hopkins doing such a fool stunt. Not in a +thousand years!" + +Meantime Beth was pressing Kenneth's arm as she sat beside him and +saying happily: + +"I'm so glad, Ken--so glad! And to think we can save all that misery and +despair by the payment of a hundred and fifty dollars! And now we must +find the girl." + +"Yes," replied the boy, cheerfully, "we must find Lucy." + + + + +CHAPTER XI + +A MYSTERIOUS DISAPPEARANCE + + +A woman was sitting in a low room, engaged in knitting. Her feet were +stretched out toward a small fire that smouldered in an open hearth. She +wore a simple calico gown, neat and well-fitting, and her face bore +traces of much beauty that time and care had been unable wholly to +efface. + +Suddenly she paused in her work, her head turned slightly to one side to +listen. + +"Come in, sir," she called in a soft but distinct voice; "come in, +miss." + +So Kenneth and Beth entered at the half-open porch door and advanced +into the room. + +"Is this Mrs. Rogers?" asked Beth, looking at the woman curiously. The +woman's eyes were closed, but the lashes fell in graceful dark curves +over her withered cheeks. The girl wondered how she had been able to +know her visitors' sex so accurately. + +"Yes, I am Mrs. Rogers," said the sweet, sad voice. "And I think you are +one of the young ladies from Elmhurst--perhaps the one Will talked to." + +"You are right, Mrs. Rogers. I am Elizabeth DeGraf." + +"And your companion--is it Mr. Forbes?" the woman asked. + +"Yes, madam," replied Kenneth, astonished to find Will's wife speaking +with so much refinement and gracious ease. + +"You are very welcome. Will you please find seats? My affliction renders +me helpless, as you may see." + +"We are very comfortable, I assure you, Mrs. Rogers," said Beth. "We +have come to ask if you have heard anything of your daughter." + +"Not a word as yet, Miss DeGraf, Will is out with the horse and buggy +doing his best to get information. But Lucy has been gone so long now +that I realize it will be difficult to find her, if, indeed, the poor +girl has not--is not--" + +Her voice broke. + +"Oh, you don't fear _that_, do you, Mrs. Rogers?" asked Beth, quickly. + +"I fear anything--everything!" wailed the poor creature, the tears +streaming from between her closed lids. "My darling was frantic with +grief, and she couldn't bear the humiliation and disgrace of her +position. Will told you, didn't he?" + +"Yes, of course. But it wasn't so bad, Mrs. Rogers; it wasn't a +desperate condition, by any means." + +"With poor Tom in prison for years--and just for trying to help her." + +"Tom isn't in prison, you know, any more," said Beth quietly. "He has +been released." + +"Released! When?" + +"Last evening. His fault has been forgiven, and he is now free." + +The woman sat silent for a time. Then she asked: + +"You have done this, Mr. Forbes?" + +"Why, Miss DeGraf and I assisted, perhaps. The young man is not really +bad, and--" + +"Tom's a fine boy!" she cried, with eagerness. "He's honest and true, +Mr. Forbes--he is, indeed!" + +"I think so," said Kenneth. + +"If he wasn't my Lucy would never have loved him. He had a bright future +before him, sir, and that's why my child went mad when he ruined his +life for her sake." + +"Was she mad, do you think?" asked Beth, softly. + +"She must have been," said the mother, sadly. "Lucy was a sensible girl, +and until this thing happened she was as bright and cheerful as the day +is long. But she is very sensitive--she inherited that from me, I +think--and Tom's action drove her distracted. At first she raved and +rambled incoherently, and Will and I feared brain fever would set in. +Then she disappeared in the night, without leaving a word or message for +us, which was unlike her--and we've never heard a word of her since. +The--the river has a strange fascination for people in that condition. +At times in my life it has almost drawn _me_ into its depths--and I am +not mad. I have never been mad." + +"Let us hope for the best, Mrs. Rogers," said Beth. "Somehow, I have an +idea this trouble will all turn out well in the end." + +"Have you?" asked the woman, earnestly. + +"Yes. It all came about through such a little thing--merely an unjust +accusation." + +"The little things are the ones that ruin lives," she said. "Will you +let me tell you something of myself? You have been so kind to us, my +dear, that I feel you ought to know." + +"I shall be glad to know whatever you care to tell me," said Beth, +simply. + +"I am the wife of a poor farmer," began the woman, speaking softly and +with some hesitation, but gaining strength as she proceeded. "As a girl +I was considered attractive, and my father was a man of great wealth and +social standing. We lived in Baltimore. Then I fell in love with a young +man who, after obtaining my promise to marry him, found some one he +loved better and carelessly discarded me. As I have said, I have a +sensitive nature. In my girlhood I was especially susceptible to any +slight, and this young man's heartless action made it impossible for me +to remain at home and face the humiliation he had thrust upon me. My +father was a hard man, and demanded that I marry the man he had himself +chosen; but I resented this command and ran away. My mother had passed +on long before, and there was nothing to keep me at home. I came west +and secured a position to teach school in this county, and for a time I +was quite contented and succeeded in living down my disappointment. I +heard but once from my father. He had married again and disinherited me. +He forbade me to ever communicate with him again. + +"At that time Will Rogers was one of the most promising and manly of the +country lads around here. He was desperately in love with me, and at +this period, when I seemed completely cut off from my old life and the +future contained no promise, I thought it best to wear out the remainder +of my existence in the seclusion of a farm-house. I put all the past +behind me, and told Will Rogers I would marry him and be a faithful +wife; but that my heart was dead. He accepted me on that condition, and +it was not until after we were married some time that my husband +realized how impossible it would ever be to arouse my affection. Then he +lost courage, and became careless and reckless. When our child came--our +Lucy--Will was devoted to her, and the baby wakened in me all the old +passionate capacity to love. Lucy drew Will and me a little closer +together, but he never recovered his youthful ambition. He was a +disappointed man, and went from bad to worse. I don't say Will hasn't +always been tender and true to me, and absolutely devoted to Lucy. But +he lost all hope of being loved as he loved me, and the disappointment +broke him down. He became an old man early in life, and his lack of +energy kept us very poor. I used to take in sewing before the accident +to my eyes, and that helped a good deal to pay expenses. But now I am +helpless, and my husband devotes all his time to me, although I beg him +to work the farm and try to earn some money. + +"I wouldn't have minded the poverty; I wouldn't mind being blind, even, +if Lucy had been spared to me. I have had to bear so much in my life +that I could even bear my child's death. But to have her disappear and +not know what has become of her--whether she is living miserably or +lying at the bottom of the river--it is this that is driving me +distracted." + +Kenneth and Beth remained silent for a time after Mrs. Rogers had +finished her tragic story, for their hearts were full of sympathy for +the poor woman. It was hard to realize that a refined, beautiful and +educated girl had made so sad a mistake of her life and suffered so many +afflictions as a consequence. That old Will had never been a fitting +mate for his wife could readily be understood, and yet the man was still +devoted to his helpless, unresponsive spouse. The fault was not his. + +The boy and the girl both perceived that there was but one way they +could assist Mrs. Rogers, and that was to discover what had become of +her child. + +"Was Lucy like you, or did she resemble her father?" asked Beth. + +"She is--she was very like me when I was young," replied the woman. +"There is a photograph of her on the wall there between the windows; but +it was taken five years ago, when she was a child. Now she is--she was +eighteen, and a well-developed young woman." + +"I've been looking at the picture," said Kenneth. + +"And you mustn't think of her as dead, Mrs. Rogers," said Beth, +pleadingly. "I'm sure she is alive, and that we shall find her. We're +going right to work, and everything possible shall be done to trace your +daughter. Don't worry, please. Be as cheerful as you can, and leave the +search to us." + +The woman sighed. + +"Will believes she is alive, too," she said. "He can't sleep or rest +till he finds her, for my husband loves her as well as I do. But +sometimes I feel it's wicked to hope she is alive. I know what she +suffers, for I suffered, myself; and life isn't worth living when +despair and disappointment fills it." + +"I cannot see why Lucy shouldn't yet be happy," protested Beth. "Tom +Gates is now free, and can begin life anew." + +"His trouble will follow him everywhere," said Mrs. Rogers, with +conviction. "Who will employ a bookkeeper, or even a clerk who has been +guilty of forgery?" + +"I think I shall give him employment," replied Kenneth. + +"You, Mr. Forbes!" + +"Yes. I'm not afraid of a boy who became a criminal to save the girl he +loved." + +"But all the world knows of his crime!" she exclaimed. + +"The world forgets these things sooner than you suppose," he answered. +"I need a secretary, and in that position Tom Gates will quickly be able +to live down this unfortunate affair. And if he turns out as well as I +expect, he will soon be able to marry Lucy and give her a comfortable +home. So now nothing remains but to find your girl, and we'll try to do +that, I assure you." + +Mrs. Rogers was crying softly by this time, but it was from joy and +relief. When they left her she promised to be as cheerful as possible +and to look on the bright side of life. + +"I can't thank you," she said, "so I won't try. You must know how +grateful we are to you." + +As Beth and Kenneth drove back to Elmhurst they were both rather silent, +for they had been strongly affected by the scene at the farm-house. + +"It's so good of you, Ken, to take Tom Gates into your employ," said the +girl, pressing her cousin's arm. "And I'm sure he'll be true and +grateful." + +"I really need him, Beth," said the boy. "There is getting to be too +much correspondence for Mr. Watson to attend to, and I ought to relieve +him of many other details. It's a good arrangement, and I'm glad I +thought of it." + +They had almost reached Elmhurst when they met the Honorable Erastus +Hopkins driving along the road. On the seat beside him was a young girl, +and as the vehicles passed each other Beth gave a start and clung to the +boy's arm. + +"Oh, Ken!" she cried, "did you see? Did you see that?" + +"Yes; it's my respected adversary." + +"But the girl! It's Lucy--I'm sure it's Lucy! She's the living image of +Mrs. Rogers! Stop--stop--and let's go back!" + +"Nonsense, Beth," said the boy. "It can't be." + +"But it is. I'm sure it is!" + +"I saw the girl," he said. "She was laughing gaily and talking with the +Honorable Erastus. Is that your idea of the mad, broken-hearted Lucy +Rogers?" + +"N-no. She _was_ laughing, Ken, I noticed it." + +"And she wasn't unhappy a bit. You mustn't think that every pretty girl +with dark eyes you meet is Lucy Rogers, you know. And there's another +thing." + +"What, Ken?" + +"Any companion of Mr. Hopkins can be easily traced." + +"That's true," answered the girl, thoughtfully. "I must have been +mistaken," she added, with a sigh. + + + + +CHAPTER XII + +BETH MEETS A REBUFF + + +The campaign was now growing warm. Mr. Hopkins had come to realize that +he had "the fight of his life" on his hands, and that defeat meant his +political ruin. Close-fisted and miserly as he was, no one knew so well +as the Honorable Erastus how valuable this position of Representative +was to him in a financial way, and that by winning re-election he could +find means to reimburse himself for all he had expended in the fight. +So, to the surprise of the Democratic Committee and all his friends, Mr. +Hopkins announced that he would oppose Forbes's aggressive campaign with +an equal aggressiveness, and spend as many dollars in doing so as might +be necessary. + +He did not laugh at his opponents any longer. To himself he admitted +their shrewdness and activity and acknowledged that an experienced head +was managing their affairs. + +One of Mr. Hopkins's first tasks after calling his faithful henchmen +around him was to make a careful canvass of the voters of his district, +to see what was still to be accomplished. + +This canvass was quite satisfactory, for final report showed only about +a hundred majority for Forbes. The district was naturally Republican by +six hundred majority, and Hopkins had previously been elected by a +plurality of eighty-three; so that all the electioneering of the girl +politicians, and the expenditure of vast sums of money in painting +fences and barns, buying newspapers and flaunting Forbes banners in the +breezes, had not cut into the Hopkins following to any serious extent. + +But, to offset this cheering condition, the Democratic agents who made +the canvass reported that there was an air of uncertainty throughout the +district, and that many of those who declared for Hopkins were lukewarm +and faint-hearted, and might easily be induced to change their votes. +This was what must be prevented. The "weak-kneed" contingency must be +strengthened and fortified, and a couple of hundred votes in one way or +another secured from the opposition. + +The Democratic Committee figured out a way to do this. Monroe County, +where both Forbes and Hopkins resided, was one of the Democratic +strongholds of the State. The portions of Washington and Jefferson +Counties included in the Eighth District were as strongly Republican, +and being more populous gave to the district its natural Republican +majority. On the same ticket that was to elect a Representative to the +State Legislature was the candidate for Sheriff of Monroe County. A man +named Cummings was the Republican and Seth Reynolds, the liveryman, the +Democratic nominee. Under ordinary conditions Reynolds was sure to be +elected, but the Committee proposed to sacrifice him in order to elect +Hopkins. The Democrats would bargain with the Republicans to vote for +the Republican Sheriff if the Republicans would vote for the Democratic +Representative. This "trading votes," which was often done, was +considered by the politicians quite legitimate. The only thing necessary +was to "fix" Seth Reynolds, and this Hopkins arranged personally. The +office of Sheriff would pay about two thousand a year, and this sum +Hopkins agreed to pay the liveryman and so relieve him of all the +annoyance of earning it. + +Reynolds saw the political necessity of this sacrifice, and consented +readily to the arrangement. Mr. Cummings, who was to profit by the deal, +was called to a private consultation and agreed to slaughter Kenneth +Forbes to secure votes for himself. It was thought that this clever +arrangement would easily win the fight for Hopkins. + +But the Honorable Erastus had no intention of "taking chances," or +"monkeying with fate," as he tersely expressed it. Every scheme known to +politicians must be worked, and none knew the intricate game better than +Hopkins. This was why he held several long conferences with his friend +Marshall, the manager at the mill. And this was why Kenneth and Beth +discovered him conversing with the young woman in the buggy. Mr. Hopkins +had picked her up from the path leading from the rear gate of the +Elmhurst grounds, and she had given him accurate information concerning +the movements of the girl campaigners. The description she gave of the +coming reception to the Woman's Political League was so humorous and +diverting that they were both laughing heartily over the thing when the +young people passed them, and thus Mr. Hopkins failed to notice who the +occupants of the other vehicle were. + +He talked for an hour with the girl, gave her explicit instructions, +thrust some money into her hand, and then drove her back to the bend in +the path whence she quickly made her way up to the great house. + +Louise was making great preparations to entertain the Woman's Political +League, an organization she had herself founded, the members of which +were wives of farmers in the district. These women were flattered by the +attention of the young lady and had promised to assist in electing Mr. +Forbes. Louise hoped for excellent results from this organization and +wished the entertainment to be so effective in winning their good-will +that they would work earnestly for the cause in which they were +enlisted. + +Patsy and Beth supported their cousin loyally and assisted in the +preparations. The Fairview band was engaged to discourse as much harmony +as it could produce, and the resources of the great house were taxed to +entertain the guests. Tables were spread on the lawn and a dainty but +substantial repast was to be served. + +The day of the entertainment was as sunny and mild as heart could +desire. + +By ten o'clock the farm wagons began to drive up, loaded with women and +children, for all were invited except the grown men. This was the first +occasion within a generation when such an entertainment had been given +at Elmhurst, and the only one within the memory of man where the +neighbors and country people had been invited guests. So all were eager +to attend and enjoy the novel event. + +The gardens and grounds were gaily decorated with Chinese and Japanese +lanterns, streamers and Forbes banners. There were great tanks of +lemonade, and tables covered with candies and fruits for the children, +and maids and other servants distributed the things and looked after the +comfort of the guests. The band played briskly, and before noon the +scene was one of great animation. A speakers' stand, profusely +decorated, had been erected on the lawn, and hundreds of folding chairs +provided for seats. The attendance was unexpectedly large, and the girls +were delighted, foreseeing great success for their fête. + +"We ought to have more attendants, Beth," said Louise, approaching her +cousin. "Won't you run into the house and see if Martha can't spare one +or two more maids?" + +Beth went at once, and found the housekeeper in her little room. Martha +was old and somewhat feeble in body, but her mind was still active and +her long years of experience in directing the household at Elmhurst made +her a very useful and important personage. She was very fond of the +young ladies, whom she had known when Aunt Jane was the mistress here, +and Beth was her especial favorite. + +So she greeted the girl cordially, and said: + +"Maids? My dear, I haven't another one to give you, and my legs are too +tottering to be of any use. I counted on Eliza Parsons, the new girl I +hired for the linen room and to do mending; but Eliza said she had a +headache this morning and couldn't stand the sun, So I let her off. But +she didn't seem very sick to me." + +"Perhaps she is better and will help us until after the luncheon is +served," said Beth. "Where is she, Martha? I'll go and ask her." + +"I'd better show you the way, miss. She's in her own room." + +The housekeeper led the way and Beth followed. When she rapped upon the +door, a sweet, quiet voice said: + +"Come in." + +The girl entered, and gave an involuntary cry of surprise. Standing +before her was the young girl she had seen riding with Mr. Hopkins--the +girl she had declared to be the missing daughter of Mrs. Rogers. + +For a moment Beth stood staring, while the new maid regarded her with +composure and a slight smile upon her beautiful face. She was dressed in +the regulation costume of the maids at Elmhurst, a plain black gown with +white apron and cap. + +"I--I beg your pardon," said Beth, with a slight gasp; for the likeness +to Mrs. Rogers was something amazing. "Aren't you Lucy Rogers?" + +The maid raised her eyebrows with a gesture of genuine surprise. Then +she gave a little laugh, and replied: + +"No, Miss Beth. I'm Elizabeth Parsons." + +"But it can't be," protested the girl. "How do you know my name, and why +haven't I seen you here before?" + +"I'm not a very important person at Elmhurst," replied Eliza, in a +pleasant, even tone. "I obtained the situation only a few days ago. I +attend to the household mending, you know, and care for the linen. But +one can't be here without knowing the names of the young ladies, so I +recognize you as Miss Beth, one of Mr. Forbes's cousins." + +"You speak like an educated person," said Beth, wonderingly. "Where is +your home?" + +For the first time the maid seemed a little confused, and her gaze +wandered from the face of her visitor. + +"Will you excuse my answering that question?" she asked. + +"It is very simple and natural," persisted Beth. "Why cannot you answer +it?" + +"Excuse me, please. I--I am not well today. I have a headache." + +She sat down in a rocking chair, and clasping her hands in her lap, +rocked slowly back and forth. + +"I'm sorry," said Beth. "I hoped you would be able to assist me on the +lawn. There are so many people that we can't give them proper +attention." + +Eliza Parsons shook her head. + +"I am not able," she declared. "I abhor crowds. They--they excite me, in +some way, and I--I can't bear them. You must excuse me." + +Beth looked at the strange girl without taking the hint to retire. +Somehow, she could not rid herself of the impression that whether or not +she was mistaken in supposing Eliza to be the missing Lucy, she had +stumbled upon a sphinx whose riddle was well worth solving. + +But Eliza bore the scrutiny with quiet unconcern. She even seemed mildly +amused at the attention she attracted. Beth was a beautiful girl--the +handsomest of the three cousins, by far; yet Eliza surpassed her in +natural charm, and seemed well aware of the fact. Her manner was neither +independent nor assertive, but rather one of well-bred composure and +calm reliance. Beth felt that she was intruding and knew that she ought +to go; yet some fascination held her to the spot. Her eyes wandered to +the maid's hands. However her features and form might repress any +evidence of nervousness, these hands told a different story. The thin +fingers clasped and unclasped in little spasmodic jerks and belied the +quiet smile upon the face above them. + +"I wish," said Beth, slowly, "I knew you." + +A sudden wave of scarlet swept over Eliza's face. She rose quickly to +her feet, with an impetuous gesture that made her visitor catch her +breath. + +"I wish I knew myself," she cried, fiercely. "Why do you annoy me in +this manner? What am I to you? Will you leave me alone in my own room, +or must I go away to escape you?" + +"I will go," said Beth, a little frightened at the passionate appeal. + +Eliza closed the door behind her with a decided slam, and a key clicked +in the lock. The sound made Beth indignant, and she hurried back to +where her cousins were busy with the laughing, chattering throng of +visitors. + + + + +CHAPTER XIII + +THE BOOMERANG + + +The lawn fête was a tremendous success, and every farmer's wife was +proud of her satin badge bearing the monogram: "W. P. L.," and the +words: "FORBES FOR REPRESENTATIVE." + +Certain edibles, such as charlotte-russe, Spanish cream, wine jellies +and mousses, to say nothing of the caviars and anchovies, were wholly +unknown to them; but they ate the dainties with a wise disregard of +their inexperience and enjoyed them immensely. + +The old butler was a general in his way, and in view of the fact that +the staff of servants at Elmhurst was insufficient to cope with such a +throng, he allowed Louise to impress several farmers' daughters into +service, and was able to feed everyone without delay and in an abundant +and satisfactory manner. + +After luncheon began the speech-making, interspersed with music by the +band. + +Louise made the preliminary address, and, although her voice was not +very strong, the silent attention of her hearers permitted her to be +generally understood. + +She called attention to the fact that this campaign was important +because it promised more beautiful and attractive houses for the farmers +and townsmen alike. + +"We had all grown so accustomed to advertising signs," she said, "that +we failed to notice how thick they were becoming or how bold and +overpowering. From a few scattered announcements on fence boards, they +had crowded themselves into more prominent places until the barns and +sheds and the very rocks were daubed with glaring letters asking us to +buy the medicines, soaps, tobaccos, and other wares the manufacturers +were anxious to sell. Every country road became an advertising avenue. +Scarcely a country house was free from signs of some sort. Yet the +people tamely submitted to this imposition because they knew no way to +avoid it. When Mr. Forbes began his campaign to restore the homesteads +to their former beauty and dignity, a cry was raised against him. But +this was because the farmers did not understand how much this reform +meant to them. So we gave them an object lesson. We painted out all the +signs in this section at our own expense, that you might see how much +more beautiful your homes are without them. We believe that none of you +will ever care to allow advertising signs on your property again, and +that the quiet refinement of this part of the country will induce many +other places to follow our example, until advertisers are forced to +confine themselves to newspapers, magazines and circulars, their only +legitimate channels. This much Mr. Forbes has already done for you, and +he will now tell you what else, if he is elected, he proposes to do." + +Kenneth then took the platform and was welcomed with a hearty cheer. He +modestly assured them that a Representative in the State Legislature +could accomplish much good for his district if he honestly desired to do +so. That was what a Representative was for--to represent his people. It +was folly to elect any man who would forget that duty and promote only +his own interests through the position of power to which the people had +appointed him. Mr. Forbes admitted that he had undertaken this campaign +because he was opposed to offensive advertising signs; but now he had +become interested in other issues, and was anxious to be elected so that +he could carry on the work of reform. They needed more school-houses for +their children, and many other things which he hoped to provide as their +Representative. + +During this oration Beth happened to glance up at the house, and her +sharp eyes detected the maid, Eliza, standing shielded behind the +half-closed blind of an upper window and listening to, as well as +watching, the proceedings below. Then she remembered how the girl had +been laughing and talking with Mr. Hopkins, when she first saw her, and +with sudden dismay realized that Eliza was a spy in the service of the +enemy. + +Her first impulse was to denounce the maid at once, and have her +discharged; but the time was not opportune, so she waited until the +festivities were ended. + +It had been a great day for the families of the neighboring farmers, and +they drove homeward in the late afternoon full of enthusiasm over the +royal manner in which they had been entertained and admiration for the +girls who had provided the fun and feasting. Indeed, there were more +kindly thoughts expressed for the inhabitants of Elmhurst than had ever +before been heard in a single day in the history of the county, and the +great and the humble seemed more closely drawn together. + +When the last guest had departed Beth got her cousins and Kenneth +together and told them of her discovery of the spy. + +Kenneth was at first greatly annoyed, and proposed to call Martha and +have the false maid ejected from the premises; but Patsy's wise little +head counselled caution in handling the matter. + +"Now that we know her secret," she said, "the girl cannot cause us more +real harm, and there may be a way to circumvent this unscrupulous +Hopkins and turn the incident to our own advantage. Let's think it over +carefully before we act." + +"There's another thing," said Beth, supporting her cousin. "I'm +interested in the mystery surrounding the girl. I now think I was wrong +in suspecting her to be the lost Lucy Rogers; but there is surely some +romance connected with her, and she is not what she seems to be. I'd +like to study her a little." + +"It was absurd to connect her with Lucy Rogers," observed Kenneth, "for +there is nothing in her character to remind one of the unhappy girl." + +"Except her looks," added Beth. "She's the living image of Mrs. Rogers." + +"That isn't important," replied Louise. "It is probably a mere +coincidence. None of us have ever seen the real Lucy, and she may not +resemble her mother at all." + +"Mrs. Rogers claims she does," said Beth. "But anyhow, I have a wish to +keep this girl at the house, where I can study her character." + +"Then keep her, my dear," decided Kenneth. "I'll set a couple of men to +watch the gates, and if she goes out we'll know whom she meets. The most +she can do is to report our movements to Mr. Hopkins, and there's no +great harm in that." + +So the matter was left, for the time; and as if to verify Beth's +suspicions Eliza was seen to leave the grounds after dusk and meet Mr. +Hopkins in the lane. They conversed together a few moments, and then the +maid calmly returned and went to her room. + +The next day Mr. Hopkins scattered flaring hand-bills over the district +which were worded in a way designed to offset any advantage his opponent +had gained from the lawn fête of the previous day. They read: "Hopkins, +the Man of the Times, is the Champion of the Signs of the Times. Forbes, +who never earned a dollar in his life, but inherited his money, is +trying to take the dollars out of the pockets of the farmers by +depriving them of the income derived by selling spaces for advertising +signs. He is robbing the farmers while claiming he wants to beautify +their homes. The farmers can't eat beauty; they want money. Therefore +they are going to vote for the Honorable Erastus Hopkins for +Representative." Then followed an estimate of the money paid the farmers +of the district by the advertisers during the past five years, amounting +to several thousands of dollars in the aggregate. The circular ended in +this way: "Hopkins challenges Forbes to deny these facts. Hopkins is +willing to meet Forbes before the public at any time and place he may +select, to settle this argument in joint debate." + +The girls accepted the challenge at once. Within two days every farmer +had received a notice that Mr. Forbes would meet Mr. Hopkins at the +Fairview Opera House on Saturday afternoon to debate the question as to +whether advertising signs brought good or evil to the community. + +The campaign was now getting hot. Because of the activity of the +opposing candidates every voter in the district had become more or less +interested in the fight, and people were taking one side or the other +with unusual earnestness. + +Mr. Hopkins was not greatly pleased that his challenge had been +accepted. He had imagined that the Forbes party would ignore it and +leave him the prestige of crowing over his opponent's timidity. But he +remembered how easily he had subdued Kenneth at the school-house meeting +before the nominations, and had no doubt of his ability to repeat the +operation. + +He was much incensed against the girls who were working for Kenneth +Forbes, for he realized that they were proving an important factor in +the campaign. He even attributed to them more than they deserved, for +Uncle John's telling activities were so quietly conducted that he was +personally lost sight of entirely by Mr. Hopkins. + +Mr. Hopkins had therefore become so enraged that, against the advice of +his friends, he issued a circular sneering at "Women in Politics." The +newspapers having been subsidized by the opposition so early in the +game, Mr. Hopkins had driven to employ the circular method of +communicating with the voters. Scarcely a day passed now that his corps +of distributors did not leave some of his literature at every dwelling +in the district. + +His tirade against the girls was neither convincing nor in good taste. +He asked the voters if they were willing to submit to "petticoat +government," and permit a "lot of boarding-school girls, with more +boldness than modesty" to dictate the policies of the community. "These +frizzle-headed females," continued the circular, "are trying to make +your wives and daughters as rebellious and unreasonable as they are +themselves; but no man of sense will permit a woman to influence his +vote. It is a disgrace to this district that Mr. Forbes allows his +girlish campaign to be run by a lot of misses who should be at home +darning stockings; or, if they were not able to do that, practicing +their music-lessons." + +"Good!" exclaimed shrewd Miss Patsy, when she read this circular. "If +I'm not much mistaken, Mr. Hopkins has thrown a boomerang. Every woman +who attended the fête is now linked with us as an ally, and every one of +them will resent this foolish circular." + +"I'm sorry," said Kenneth, "that you girls should be forced to endure +this. I feared something like it when you insisted on taking a hand in +the game." + +But they laughed at him and at Mr. Hopkins, and declared they were not +at all offended. + +"One cannot touch pitch without being defiled," said Mr. Watson, +gravely, "and politics, as Mr. Hopkins knows it, is little more than +pitch." + +"I cannot see that there is anything my girls have done to forfeit +respect and admiration," asserted Uncle John, stoutly. "To accuse them +of boldness or immodesty is absurd. They have merely gone to work in a +business-like manner and used their wits and common-sense in educating +the voters. Really, my dears, I'm more proud of you today than I've ever +been before," he concluded. + +And Uncle John was right. There had been no loss of dignity by any one +of the three, and their evident refinement, as well as their gentleness +and good humor, had until now protected them from any reproach. It had +remained for Mr. Hopkins to accuse them, and his circular had a wide +influence in determining the issue of the campaign. + + + + +CHAPTER XIV + +LUCY'S GHOST + + +Kenneth had sent word to Tom Gates, asking the young man to come to +Elmhurst, but it was not until two days after the lawn party that Tom +appeared and asked permission to see Mr. Forbes. + +Beth and Louise were with Kenneth at the time, and were eager to remain +during the interview, so the young man was shown into the library. + +Beth could scarcely recognize in him the calm and cheerful Tom Gates +they had visited in the county jail; for his face was drawn with care +and anxiety, eyes were bloodshot, and his former neat appearance was +changed to one careless and untidy. + +Kenneth scrutinized him closely. + +"What have you been up to, Tom?" he asked. + +"I've been searching for Lucy, sir, night and day. I haven't slept a +wink since I heard the awful news of her sickness and escape. Where do +you think she can be, sir?" + +His question was full of agonized entreaty, and his manner pitifully +appealing. + +"I don't know," answered Kenneth. "Where have you searched?" + +"Everywhere, sir, that she might be likely to go. I've inquired in every +town, and along every road leading out of the county. She didn't take a +train, because poor Lucy hadn't any money--and I've asked at all the +stations. And--and--along the river they say no girl answering her +description has been seen." + +"It's strange," remarked Kenneth, thoughtfully, while the girls regarded +the youth with silent sympathy. + +"If you knew Lucy, sir, you'd realize how strange it is," went on young +Gates, earnestly. "She was such a gentle, shrinking girl, as shy and +retiring as a child. And she never did a thing that would cause anyone +the least worry or unhappiness. But she was out of her head, sir, and +didn't know what she was about. That was the reason she went away. And +from the moment she left her home all trace of her was lost." + +"One would think," observed Kenneth, "that a poor, demented girl, +wandering about the country, would be noticed by scores of people. Did +she take any clothing with her?" + +"Only the dress she had on, sir, and not even a hat or a shawl." + +"What was her dress like?" asked Beth, quickly. + +"It was a light grey in color, and plainly made. She wore a white +collar, but that is all we can be certain she had on. You see her mother +is blind, and old Will doesn't observe very closely." + +"Does Lucy resemble her mother?" inquired Beth. + +"Very much, miss. She was a beautiful girl, everyone acknowledged. And +it's all my fault--all my fault. I thought to save her, and drove her +mad, instead!" + +"You might have known that," declared Kenneth. "A girl of her character, +sensitive to a fault, would be greatly shocked to find the man she loved +a criminal." + +"It was for her sake." + +"That is a poor excuse. If you had waited Lucy would have proved her +innocence." + +"They threatened to arrest her, sir. It would have killed her." + +"They wouldn't dare arrest her on suspicion." + +"The Squierses would dare do anything. You don't know old Mrs. Squiers." + +"I know the law, sir, and in any event it was a foolish thing, as well +as criminal, to forge a check to get the money they demanded." + +"You are right, sir," replied Tom Gates, despondently. "It was foolish +and criminal. I wouldn't mind my own punishment, but it drove my Lucy +mad." + +"See here," said Kenneth, sternly, "you are getting morbid, young man, +and pretty soon you'll be mad yourself. If Lucy is found do you want her +to see you in this condition?" + +"Can she be found, sir, do you think?" + +"We are trying to find her," replied Kenneth. "You have failed, it +seems, and Will Rogers had failed. I've had one of the cleverest +detectives of Chicago trying to find her for the last three days." + +"Oh, Kenneth!" exclaimed Beth. "I didn't know that. How good of you!" + +"It must have been the detective that came to see Mrs. Rogers," said +Tom, musingly. "She told me a strange man had been there from Mr. +Forbes, to inquire all about Lucy." + +"Yes; he makes a report to me every evening," remarked Kenneth; "and Mr. +Burke says this is the most mystifying case he has ever encountered. So +far there isn't a clew to follow. But you may rest assured that what any +man can do, Burke will do." + +"I'm so grateful, sir!" said Tom. + +"Then you must show it by being a man, and not by giving way to your +trouble in this foolish manner." + +"I'll try, sir, now that there's something to hope for." + +"There's a good deal to hope for. Despair won't help you. You must go to +work." + +"I will. It won't be very easy to get work, for I've disgraced myself in +this neighborhood, and I can't leave here till something is known of +Lucy's fate. But I'll do something--any kind of work--if I can get it." + +"I need someone to assist me in my correspondence," said Kenneth. "Would +you like to be my secretary?" + +"Me, Mr. Forbes--me!" + +"Yes, Tom. I'll pay you twenty dollars a week to start with, and more if +you serve me faithfully. And you'll board here, of course." + +Then Tom Gates broke down and began to cry like a child, although he +tried hard to control himself. + +"You--you must forgive me, Mr. Forbes," he said, penitently; "I--I've +been without sleep for so long that I haven't any nerves left." + +"Then you must go to sleep now, and get a good rest." He turned to Beth. +"Will you see Martha," he asked, "and have her give Tom Gates a room?" + +She went on her errand at once, and gradually the young man recovered +his composure. + +"I can do typewriting and stenography, Mr. Forbes," he said, "and I can +keep accounts. I'll serve you faithfully, sir." + +"We'll talk of all this by and by, Tom," replied Kenneth, kindly. "Just +now you must have some sleep and get your strength back. And don't worry +about Lucy. Burke will do everything that can be done, and I am +confident he will be able to trace the girl in time." + +"Thank you, sir." + +Then he followed the butler away to his room, and after the girls had +discussed him and expressed their sympathy for the unfortunate fellow, +they all turned their attention to the important matter of the campaign. +The debate with Hopkins was the thing that occupied them just now, and +when Patsy joined the group of workers they began to discuss some means +of scoring a decisive victory at the Fairview Opera House. The Honorable +Erastus still insisted upon making the anti-sign fight the prominent +issue of the campaign, and they must reply forcibly to the misleading +statements made in his last hand-bill. + +Meantime Tom Gates was sunk in the deep sleep of physical exhaustion, +and the day wore away before he wakened. When at last he regained +consciousness he found the sun sinking in the west and feared he had +been guilty of indiscretion. He remembered that he was Mr. Forbes's +secretary now, and that Mr. Forbes might want him. He was not yet +thoroughly rested, but night was approaching and he reflected that he +could obtain all the sleep that he needed then. + +So, greatly refreshed, and in a quieter mood than he had been for days, +the young man dressed and entered the hall to find his way downstairs. + +It happened that Beth, whose room was near this rear corridor, had just +gone there to dress for dinner, and as she was closing her door she +heard a wild, impassioned cry: + +"Lucy!" + +Quickly she sprang out into the hall and turned the corner in time to +see a strange tableau. + +Young Gates was standing with his arms outstretched toward Eliza +Parsons, who, a few paces away, had her back to the door of her own +chamber, from which she had evidently just stepped. She stood +motionless, looking curiously at the youth who confronted her. + +"Lucy! don't you know me?" he asked, his voice trembling with emotion. + +"To begin with," said the girl, composedly, "my name happens to be +Eliza. And as we've not been properly introduced I really don't see why +I should know you," she added, with a light laugh. + +Tom Gates shrank away from her as if he had been struck. + +"You can't be Lucy!" he murmured. "And yet--and yet--oh, you _must_ be +Lucy! You must know me! Look at me, dear--I'm Tom. I'm your own Tom, +Lucy!" + +"It's very gratifying, I'm sure, young man," said the girl, a touch of +scorn in her tones. "If you're my own Tom you'll perhaps stand out of my +way and let me go to my work." + +Without another word he backed up again; the wall and permitted her to +sweep by him, which she did with a gesture of disdain. + +When Eliza Parsons had disappeared down the back stairs Beth drew a long +breath and approached Tom Gates, who still stood by the wall staring at +the place where the girl had disappeared. + +"I overheard," said Beth. "Tell me, Tom, is she really like Lucy?" + +He looked at her with a dazed expression, as if he scarcely comprehended +her words. + +"Could you have been mistaken?" persisted the questioner. + +He passed his hand over his eyes and gave a shudder. + +"Either it was Lucy or her ghost," he muttered. + +"Eliza Parsons is no ghost," declared Beth. "She's one of the maids here +at Elmhurst, and you're quite likely to see her again." + +"Has she been here long?" he asked, eagerly. + +"No; only a few days." + +"Oh!" + +"When I first saw her I was struck by her resemblance to Mrs. Rogers," +continued the girl. + +"But she's so different," said Tom, choking back a sob. "Lucy couldn't +be so--so airy, so heartless. She isn't at all that style of a girl, +miss." + +"She may be acting," suggested Beth. + +But he shook his head gloomily. + +"No; Lucy couldn't act that way. She's quick and impulsive, but she--she +couldn't act. And she wouldn't treat me that way, either, Miss Beth. +Lucy and I have been sweethearts for years, and I know every expression +of her dear face. But the look that this girl gave me was one that my +Lucy never could assume. I must have been mistaken. I--I'm sure I was +mistaken." + +Beth sighed. She was disappointed. + +"I suppose," continued Tom, "that I've thought of Lucy so long and so +much, lately, and worried so over her disappearance, that I'm not quite +myself, and imagined this girl was more like her than she really is. +What did you say her name was?" + +"Eliza Parsons." + +"Thank you. Can you tell me where I'll find Mr. Forbes?" + +"He's getting ready for dinner, now, and won't need you at present." + +"Then I'll go back to my room. It--it was a great shock to me, that +likeness, Miss DeGraf." + +"I can well believe it," said Beth; and then she went to her own +apartment, greatly puzzled at a resemblance so strong that it had even +deceived Lucy Rogers's own sweetheart. + + + + +CHAPTER XV + +SIGNS OF THE TIMES + + +"If she is really Lucy Rogers, she'll be missing tomorrow morning," said +Beth when she had told her cousins of the encounter in the corridor. + +But Eliza Parsons was still at Elmhurst the next day, calmly pursuing +her duties, and evidently having forgotten or decided to ignore the +young man who had so curiously mistaken her for another. Beth took +occasion to watch her movements, so far as she could, and came to the +conclusion that the girl was not acting a part. She laughed naturally +and was too light-hearted and gay to harbor a care of any sort in her +frivolous mind. + +But there was a mystery about her; that could not be denied. Even if she +were but a paid spy of Erastus Hopkins there was a story in this girl's +life, brief as it had been. + +Beth was full of curiosity to know this story. + +As for Tom Gates, he had been so horrified by his mistake that he tried +to avoid meeting Eliza again. This was not difficult because the girl +kept pretty closely to the linen room, and Tom was chiefly occupied in +the library. + +Kenneth had little chance to test his secretary's abilities just then, +because the girls pounced upon the new recruit and used his services in +a variety of ways. Tom Gates's anxiety to give satisfaction made him +willing to do anything, but they refrained from sending him often to +town because he was sensitive to the averted looks and evident repulsion +of those who knew he had recently been a "jail-bird." But there was +plenty for him to do at Elmhurst, where they were all as busy as bees; +and whatever the young man undertook he accomplished in a satisfactory +manner. + +Saturday forenoon the three girls, with Kenneth, Mr. Watson and Uncle +John, rode over to Fairview to prepare for the debate that was to take +place in the afternoon, leaving only Tom Gates at home. As Mr. Hopkins +had thrust upon his opponent the task of naming the place and time, the +Republican candidate was obliged to make all the arrangements, and pay +all the costs. But whatever the girl managers undertook they did well. +So the Opera House had been in the hands of a special committee for two +days, the orchestra had been hired, and the news of the joint debate had +spread far and wide. + +The party from Elmhurst lunched at the Fairview Hotel, and then the +girls hurried to the Opera House while Kenneth remained to attend a +conference of the Republican Committee. These gentlemen were much +worried over the discovery of a scheme to trade votes that had been +sprung, and that Forbes and Reynolds were being sacrificed for Hopkins +and Cummings. Mr. Cummings was called into the meeting, and he denied +that the trading was being done with his consent, but defiantly refused +to make a public announcement to that effect. + +The matter was really serious, because every vote lost in that way +counted as two for the other side, and Hopkins's rabid hand-bills had +influenced many of the more ignorant voters and created endless disputes +that were not of benefit to the Republican party. + +"As nearly as we can figure from our recent canvass," said Mr. +Cunningham, the chairman, "we are fast losing ground, and our chances of +success are smaller than if no interest in the election had been +aroused. Hopkins has cut our majority down to nothing, and it will be a +hard struggle to carry our ticket through to success. This is the more +discouraging because Mr. Forbes has spent so much money, while Hopkins's +expenses have been very little." + +"I do not mind that," said Kenneth, quietly. "It was my desire that the +voters should fully understand the issues of the campaign. Then, if they +vote against me, it is because they are not worthy of honest +representation in the Legislature, and I shall in the future leave them +to their own devices." + +The committee adjourned a little before two o'clock with rather grave +faces, and prepared to attend the debate at the Opera House. Mr. +Cunningham feared this debate would prove a mistake, as it would give +Hopkins a chance to ridicule and brow-beat his opponent in public, and +his greatest talent as a speaker lay in that direction. + +As Kenneth and his supporters approached the Opera House they heard loud +cheering, and from a band-wagon covered with bunting and banners, in +which he had driven to the meeting, descended the Honorable Erastus. He +met Kenneth face to face, and the latter said pleasantly: + +"Good afternoon, Mr. Hopkins." + +"Ah, it's Forbes, isn't it?" replied Hopkins, slightingly. "I've met you +before, somewheres, haven't I?" + +"You have, sir." + +"Glad you're here, Forbes; glad you're here," continued the +Representative, airily, as he made his way through the crowd that +blocked the entrance. "These meetings are educational to young men. +Girls all well, I hope?" + +There was a boisterous laugh at this sally, and Mr. Hopkins smiled and +entered the Opera House, while Kenneth followed with the feeling that he +would take great delight in punching the Honorable Erastus's nose at the +first opportunity. + +The house was packed full of eager spectators who had come to see "the +fun." Although the girls had taken charge of all the arrangements they +had devoted the left side of the ample stage to the use of the Hopkins +party, where a speaker's table and chairs for important guests had been +placed. The right side was similarly arranged for the Forbes party, and +between the two the entire center of the stage was occupied by a group +of fifty young girls. Above this group a great banner was suspended, +reading: "The Signs of the Times," a catchword Mr. Hopkins had employed +throughout the campaign. But the most astonishing thing was the +appearance of the group of girls. They all wore plain white slips, upon +which a variety of signs had been painted in prominent letters. Some +costumes advertised baking-powders, others patent medicines, others +soaps, chewing tobacco, breakfast foods, etc. From where they were +seated in full view of the vast audience the girls appeared as a mass of +advertising signs, and the banner above them indicated quite plainly +that these were the "Signs of the Times." + +Mr. Hopkins, as he observed this scene, smiled with satisfaction. He +believed some of his friends had prepared this display to assist him and +to disconcert the opposition, for nothing could have clinched his +arguments better than the pretty young girls covered with advertisements +of well known products. Even the Eagle Eye Breakfast Food was well +represented. + +After the orchestra had finished a selection, Mr. Hopkins rose to make +the first argument and was greeted with cheers. + +"We are having a jolly campaign, my dear friends," he began; "but you +musn't take it altogether as a joke; because, while Mr. Forbes's erratic +views and actions have done little real harm, we have been educated to +an appreciation of certain benefits we enjoy which otherwise might have +escaped our attention. + +"This is a progressive, strenuous age, and no section of the country has +progressed more rapidly than this, the Eighth District of our great and +glorious State. I may say without danger of contradiction that the +people I have the honor to represent in the State Legislature, and +expect to have the honor of representing the next term, are the most +intelligent, the most thoughtful and the most prosperous to be found in +any like district in the United States. (Cheers.) Who, then, dares to +denounce them as fools? Who dares interfere with these liberties, who +dares intrude uninvited into their premises and paint out the signs they +have permitted to occupy their fences and barns and sheds? Who would do +these things but an impertinent meddler who is so inexperienced in life +that he sets his own flimsy judgment against that of the people?" + +The orator paused impressively to wait for more cheers, but the audience +was silent. In the outskirts of the crowd a faint hissing began to be +heard. It reached the speaker's ear and he hurriedly resumed the +oration. + +"I do not say Mr. Forbes is not a good citizen," said he, "but that he +is misguided and unreasonable. A certain degree of deference is due the +young man because he inherited considerable wealth from his uncle, +and--" + +Again the hisses began, and Mr. Hopkins knew he must abandon personal +attacks or he would himself be discredited before his hearers. Kenneth +and his supporters sat silent in their places, the three girls, who were +now well known in the district, forming part of the Republican group; +and none of them displayed the least annoyance at the vituperation Mr. +Hopkins had employed. + +"I have already called your attention in my circulars," resumed the +speaker, "to the fact that advertising signs are the source of large +income to the farmers of this district. I find that three thousand, +seven hundred and eighty-three dollars have been paid the farmers in the +last five years, without the least trouble or expense on their part; and +this handsome sum of money belongs to them and should not be taken away. +Stop and think for a moment. Advertising is the life of every business, +and to fight successfully the great army of advertisers whose business +is the life-blood of our institutions is as impossible as it is absurd. +Suppose every farmer in this district refused to permit signs upon his +property; what would be the result? Why, the farmers of other sections +would get that much more money for letting privileges, and you would be +that much out of pocket without suppressing the evil--if evil can attach +to an industry that pays you good money without requiring either +investment or labor in return." + +After continuing in this strain for some time, Mr. Hopkins announced +that "he would now give way to his youthful and inexperienced opponent," +and asked the audience to be patient with Mr. Forbes and considerate of +"his extraordinary prejudices." + +Hopkins's policy of discrediting his opponent in advance was not very +effective, for when Kenneth arose he was more enthusiastically cheered +than Hopkins had been. The meeting was disposed to be fair-minded and +quite willing to give Mr. Forbes a chance to explain his position. + +"The arguments of our distinguished Representative are well worthy of +your consideration," he began, quietly. "It is only by understanding +fully both sides of an argument that you can hope to arrive at a just +and impartial decision. Mr. Hopkins has advocated advertising signs on +the ground that your financial gain warrants permitting them to be +placed upon your premises. I will not deny his statement that three +thousand, seven hundred and eighty-three dollars have been paid the +farmers of this district by advertisers in the last five years. It is +quite likely to be true. I have here the report of the Department of +Agriculture showing that the total amount paid to farmers of the eighth +district in the last five years, for produce of all kinds, is eleven +millions, five-hundred thousand dollars." + +A murmur of amazement rose from the audience. Kenneth waited until it +had subsided. + +"This seems surprising, at first," he said, "and proves how startling +aggregate figures are. You must remember I have covered five years in +this estimate, as did Mr. Hopkins in his, and if you will figure it out +you will see that the yearly average of earnings is about six hundred +dollars to each farmer. That is a good showing, for we have a wealthy +district; but it is not surprising when reduced to that basis. Mr. +Hopkins slates that the farmers of this district received three +thousand, seven hundred and eighty-three dollars during the last five +years for advertising signs. Let us examine these figures. One-fifth of +that sum is seven hundred and fifty-six dollars and sixty cents as the +income to you per year. We have, in this district, twenty-five hundred +farmers according to the latest reports of the Bureau of Statistics, and +dividing seven hundred and fifty-six dollars and sixty cents by +twenty-five hundred, we find that each farmer receives an average of +thirty and one-quarter cents per year for allowing his fences and +buildings to be smothered in lurid advertising signs. So we find that +the money received by the farmers from the advertising amounts to about +one-quarter of one per cent of their income, a matter so insignificant +that it cannot affect them materially, one way or another. + +"But, Mr. Hopkins states that you give nothing in return for this +one-quarter of one per cent, while I claim you pay tremendously for it. +For you sacrifice the privacy of your homes and lands, and lend +yourselves to the selfish desire of advertisers to use your property to +promote their sales. You have been given an example of clean barns and +fences, and I cannot tell you how proud I am of this district when I +ride through it and see neatly painted barns and fences replacing the +flaring and obtrusive advertising signs that formerly disfigured the +highways. Why should you paint advertising signs upon your barns any +more than upon your houses? Carry the thing a step farther, and you may +as well paint signs upon your children's dresses, in the manner you see +illustrated before you." + +At this, Louise made a signal and the fifty children so grotesquely +covered with signs rose and stepped forward upon the stage. The +orchestra struck up an air and the little girls sang the following +ditty: + + "Teas and soaps, + Pills and dopes, +We all must advertise. + Copper cents, + Not common sense. +Are the things we prize. + We confess + Such a dress +Isn't quite becoming, + But we suppose + Hopkins knows +This keeps business humming." + +As the girls ceased singing, Kenneth said: + +"To the encroaching advertiser these signs of +the times are considered legitimate. There is no +respect for personal privacy on the advertiser's +part. Once they used only the newspapers, the +legitimate channels for advertising. Then they +began painting their advertising on your fences. +When the farmers protested against this the advertisers +gave them a few pennies as a sop to +quiet them. After this they gave you small sums +to paint the broad sides of your barns, your +board fences, and to place signs in your field. If +you allowed them to do so they would paint signs +on the dresses of your children and wives, so +callous are they to all decency and so regardless +of private rights. Look on this picture, my +friends, and tell me, would you prefer to see this--or this?" + +At the word each child pulled away the sign-painted +slip and stood arrayed in a pretty gown +of spotless white. + +The surprise was so complete that the audience +cheered, shouted and laughed for several minutes +before silence was restored. Then the children +sang another verse, as follows: + + "Now it is clear + That we appear +Just as we should be; + We are seen + Sweet and clean +From corruption free: + We're the signs + Of the times-- +Fair as heaven's orbs. + If we look good, + Then all men should +Vote for Kenneth Forbes!" + +The cheering was renewed at this, and Mr. Hopkins became angry. He tried +to make himself heard, but the popular fancy had been caught by the +object lesson so cleverly placed before them, and they shouted: "Forbes! +Forbes! Forbes!" until the Honorable Erastus became so furious that he +left the meeting in disgust. + +This was the most impolite thing he could have done, but he vowed that +the meeting had been "packed" with Forbes partisans and that he was +wasting his time in addressing them. + +After he was gone Kenneth resumed his speech and created more +enthusiasm. The victory was certainly with the Republican candidate, and +the Elmhurst people returned home thoroughly satisfied with the result +of the "joint debate." + + + + +CHAPTER XVI + +A CLEW AT LAST + + +The servants at Elmhurst all ate in a pleasant dining room with windows +facing a garden of geraniums. Tom Gates had been at the house two days +before he encountered Eliza Parsons at the table, for the servants were +not all able to take their meals at the same time. + +It was at luncheon, the day of the joint debate at Fairview, that the +young man first met Eliza, who sat opposite him. The only other person +present was old Donald, the coachman, who was rather deaf and never paid +any attention to the chatter around him. + +As he took his seat Tom gave a half-frightened glance into Eliza's face +and then turned red as she smiled coquettishly and said: + +"Dear me! It's the young man who called me his dear Lucy." + +"You--you're very like her," stammered Tom, unable to take his eyes from +her face. "Even now I--I can't believe I'm mistaken." + +She laughed merrily in a sweet, musical voice, and then suddenly stopped +with her hand on her heart and cast at him a startled look that was in +such sharp contrast to her former demeanor that he rose from his chair. + +"Sit down, please," she said, slowly. And then she studied his face with +sober earnestness--with almost wistful longing. But she shook her head +presently, and sighed; and a moment later had regained her lightness of +manner. + +"It's a relief to have a quiet house for a day, isn't it?" she asked, +eating her soup calmly. "I'll be glad when the election's over." + +"Have you been here long?" he asked, although Beth had told him of +Eliza's coming to Elmhurst. + +"Only a short time. And you?" + +"Two days," said he. "But where did you live before you came here?" + +She shook her head. + +"I wish you would answer me," he begged. "I have a reason for asking." + +"What reason?" she demanded, suddenly serious again. + +"Two people have never lived that were so near alike as you and Lucy +Rogers." + +"Indeed?" + +"Will you show me your left arm?" + +"No." + +She was again studying his face. + +"If you are Lucy Rogers you have a scar there--a scar where you burned +yourself years ago." + +She seemed frightened for a moment. Then she said: + +"I have no scar on my left arm." + +"Will you prove it?" + +"No. You are annoying me. What did you say your name is?" + +"Tom Gates." + +She was thoughtful for a moment and then shook her head. + +"I have never heard of you," she declared, positively, and resumed her +eating. + +Tom was nonplussed. One moment he believed she was Lucy, and the next +told himself that it was impossible. This girl possessed mannerisms that +Lucy had never exhibited in all the years he had known her. She was bold +and unabashed where Lucy was shy and unassuming. This girl's eyes +laughed, while Lucy's were grave and serious; yet they were the same +eyes. + +"Let me tell you about my lost Lucy," he said, with a glance at the +unconscious Donald. + +"Go ahead, if it will relieve you," she answered, demurely. + +"She lived on a farm five miles from here, and she was my sweetheart. +Her mother is blind and her father old and feeble. She worked for a +dentist in the town and was accused of stealing a ring, and it nearly +broke her heart to be so unjustly suspected. In order to make good the +loss of the ring, a valuable diamond--I--I got into trouble, and Lucy +was so shocked and distressed that she--she lost her head--became mad, +you know--and left home during the night without a word to any one. We +haven't been able to find her since." + +"That's too bad," remarked Eliza Parsons, buttering her bread. + +"About the time that Lucy went away, you appeared at Elmhurst," +continued Tom. "And in face and form you're the image of my Lucy. That +is why I asked you to tell me where you came from and how you came +here." + +"Ah, you think I'm mad, do you?" asked the girl, with a quizzical smile. +"Well, I'm not going to satisfy your curiosity, even to prove my sanity; +and I'm not anxious to pose as your lost Lucy. So please pass the sugar +and try to be sociable, instead of staring at me as if I scared you." + +Tom passed the sugar, but he could not eat, nor could he tear himself +away from this strange girl's presence. He tried again to draw her into +conversation, but she showed annoyance and resented his persistence. +Presently she went away, giving him an amused smile as she left the +room--a smile that made him feel that this was indeed a case of mistaken +identity. + +In fact, Tom Gates, on sober reflection, knew that the girl could not be +Lucy, yet he could not still the yearning in his heart whenever he saw +her. His heart declared that she was Lucy, and his head realized that +she could not be. + +While he waited in the library for Mr. Forbes to return from Fairview a +man was shown into the room and sat down quietly in a corner. + +He was a small, lean man, of unassuming appearance, with a thin face and +gray eyes set close together. When he looked at Tom Gates he scarcely +seemed to see him, and his manner conveyed the impression that he +disliked to attract notice. + +"Waiting for Mr. Forbes, sir?" asked Tom. + +"Yes," was the quiet reply. + +Suddenly it struck the young man that this might be the detective who +called every evening to give his report, and if so Tom was anxious to +talk with him. So he ventured to say: + +"It's Mr. Burke, isn't it?" + +The man nodded, and looked out of the window. + +"I'm Tom Gates, sir." + +"Yes; I know." + +"You've seen me before?" asked the youth, astonished. + +"No; I've heard of you. That's all." + +Tom flushed, remembering his recent crime. But he was eager to question +the detective. + +"Have you heard anything of Lucy Rogers, Mr. Burke?" + +"Not yet." + +"Is there no trace of her at all?" + +"A slight trace--nothing worth mentioning," said Mr. Burke. + +For a few moments Tom sat in silence. Then he said: + +"I thought I'd found her, day before yesterday." + +"Yes?" There was little interest in the tone. + +"There's a girl in the house, sir, one of the maids, who is the living +image of Lucy Rogers." + +"You ought to be able to identify her," suggested the detective, his +gaze still out of the window. + +"But they are not alike except in looks. Her form and face are identical +with Lucy's. I was so sure that I begged her to let me see if there was +a scar on her left arm; but she refused." + +"Was there a scar on Lucy Rogers's left arm?" + +"Yes, sir. Several years ago, when we were children, we were making +candy in the kitchen and Lucy burned herself badly. It left a broad scar +on her left forearm, which she will bear as long as she lives." + +"It is well to know that," said Mr. Burke. + +"This girl," continued Tom, musingly, "says her name is Eliza Parsons, +and she says it in Lucy's voice. But her manner is not the same at all. +Eliza laughs at me and quizzes me; she is forward and scornful, and--and +perfectly self-possessed, which Lucy could not be, under the +circumstances." + +"Have you seen her closely?" asked the detective. + +"Yes, sir." + +"And are still unable to decide who she is?" + +"That's it, sir; I'm unable to decide. It's Lucy: and yet it isn't +Lucy." + +"Who is Eliza Parsons?" + +"She refuses to say where she came from. But it seems she arrived at +Elmhurst only a day or two after Lucy disappeared from home. It's that +coincidence that makes me doubt the evidence of my own senses." + +"Who hires the servants here?" + +"I don't know, sir." + +Mr. Burke abandoned the conversation, then, and confined his gaze to the +landscape as it showed through the window. Tom busied himself addressing +circulars of instruction to the Republicans who were to work at the +polling places. This was Saturday, and the election was to be on the +following Tuesday. The meeting at Fairview was therefore the last +important rally of the campaign. + +At dusk the party arrived from Fairview in the automobiles, the girls +greatly delighted with the success of the meeting. They all followed +Kenneth into the library, where the butler had just lighted the lamps. +The evenings were getting cool, now, and a grate fire was burning. + +Kenneth greeted Mr. Burke and introduced him to the young ladies, who +begged to remain during the interview. + +"We are all alike interested in Lucy Rogers, Mr. Burke," said the boy; +"so you may speak freely. Is there any news?" + +"Nothing of importance, sir, unless a clew has been found in your own +house," replied the detective. + +"Here at Elmhurst?" asked the astonished Kenneth. + +"Yes. Tom Gates has seen a girl--one of your maids--who so strongly +resembles Lucy Rogers that he at first believed she was the missing +girl." + +"I know," said Beth, quickly. "It's Eliza Parsons. But Tom was mistaken. +He saw her in the dim light of a corridor, and the resemblance confused +him." + +"I've seen her since," remarked Tom, "and the likeness is really +bewildering. It's only her manner that is different." + +"When I first saw her, before Tom came, I was astonished at her +resemblance to Mrs. Rogers," announced Beth. "I have never seen Lucy, +but I know Mrs. Rogers, and it seemed to me that Eliza was exactly like +her in features. Mr. Forbes and I first saw her riding in a buggy with +Mr. Hopkins. That was before either of us knew she was employed at +Elmhurst. You see she isn't one of the servants who come much in contact +with the family; she does the mending and takes charge of the linen +room." + +Beth then related the manner in which they first noticed Eliza, and how +they had discovered her to be a spy in the service of Mr. Hopkins. + +The detective was much interested in the recital and seemed surprised +that he had not been informed of this before. + +"Of course," said Kenneth, "the girl is not Lucy Rogers. It is not +possible they could be the same." + +"Why not?" asked Mr. Burke. + +"Well, Lucy was a gentle, sweet country girl, of little experience in +life. Her nature was so susceptible, so very sensitive, that when she +discovered Tom Gates, whom she loved, to be guilty of a forgery, she +worried herself into an attack of brain-fever; or at least she became +insane, reproaching herself for having driven the boy to this dreadful +deed. Under the influence of her mania she wandered away from her home, +and has not been seen since. That's the story of Lucy Rogers. Now look +at Eliza Parsons. She appeared the very day after Lucy's disappearance, +to be sure; but that proves they are not the same person. For Eliza is +not demented. She is a cold, hard woman of the world, in spite of her +tender years. She is doing the work of an experienced spy, while any +deceit was foreign to Lucy's nature. Instead of being plunged in grief +Eliza is happy and gay, reckless of consequences and fully +self-possessed. She is also well and healthy, to all appearances. Taking +all these things into consideration, it is impossible to connect the two +girls in any way--save the coincidence of personal resemblance." + +Mr. Burke listened to this quietly, and then shook his head. + +"Your arguments all tend to make me suspect that she is Lucy Rogers," he +said, quietly. + +For a moment there was an impressive silence, while everyone eagerly, +inquiringly or doubtfully looked at the detective, according to their +diverse acceptance of his statement. + +"In pursuance of the task set me," began Mr. Burke, "I had met with such +absolute failure to trace the missing girl that I began to suspect no +ordinary conditions were attached to this case. In my experience, which +covers many years, I have had occasion to study sudden dementia, caused +by shocks of grief or horror, and I have come to comprehend the fact +that the human mind, once unbalanced, is liable to accomplish many +surprising feats. Usually the victim is absolutely transformed, and +becomes the very opposite, in many ways, of the normal personality. I +imagine this is what happened to Lucy Rogers." + +"Do you imagine that Lucy would try to deceive _me_, sir?" asked Tom, +reproachfully. + +"I am sure she doesn't know who you are," answered the detective, +positively. "She doesn't even know herself. I have known instances where +every recollection of the past was wiped out of the patient's mind." + +There was another thoughtful pause, for the detective's assertions were +so astonishing that they fairly overwhelmed his hearers. + +Then Louise asked: + +"Is such a case of dementia hopeless, Mr. Burke?" + +"Not at all hopeless. Often, I admit, it develops into permanent +insanity, but there are many examples of complete recovery. Our first +business must be to assure ourselves that we are right in this +conjecture. I may be entirely wrong, for the unexpected is what I have +been taught to look for in every case of mystery that has come under my +observation. But I believe I have the material at hand to prove the +personality of this Eliza Parsons, and after that I shall know what to +do. Who employs your servants, Mr. Forbes?" + +"Martha, my housekeeper, usually employs the maids." + +"Will you send for her, please?" + +Kenneth at once obeyed the request, and presently Martha entered the +library. + +She was a little, withered old woman, but with a pleasant face and +shrewd but kindly eyes. + +"Martha," said Kenneth, "did you employ the new linen maid, Eliza +Parsons?" + +"Yes, sir," she replied, apparently surprised at the question. + +"This is Mr. Burke, Martha. Please answer any questions he may ask you." + +"Yes, Master Kenneth." + +"Did the girl bring any recommendations?" asked the detective. + +Martha reflected. + +"I do not think she did, sir." + +"Are you accustomed to hiring maids without recommendations?" asked Mr. +Burke. + +"Oh, Eliza had a letter from my cousin, Mrs. Hopkins, who lives in +Elmwood." + +"Is Mrs. Hopkins your cousin?" asked Kenneth. + +"Yes, sir. She were a Phibbs before she married Erastus, and my name is +Phibbs." + +"What did the letter from Mrs. Hopkins say?" + +"It said she knew Eliza to be a clever and worthy girl, and if I had a +place for her I couldn't do better than take her on. So I needed a linen +maid and Eliza went right to work. Isn't she satisfactory, sir? Has she +been doing anything wrong?" + +"No. Please do not mention this interview to her at present, Miss +Phibbs," said the detective. "That is all, I believe." + +"Would you like to see Eliza?" asked Kenneth, when the housekeeper had +retired. + +"Not at present. I want to interview Mrs. Hopkins first." + +"Tonight?" asked Tom, eagerly. + +"I will go at once, with Mr. Forbes's permission." + +"Certainly, sir," said Kenneth. "Shall we see you tomorrow?" + +"Just as soon as I have accomplished anything." + +"Would you like a horse or an automobile?" + +"Your man may drive me to the town, sir, if it is convenient." + +Kenneth gave the required order, and then Mr. Burke asked: + +"How far are you prepared to go in this matter, sir?" + +"In what way?" + +"In expending money." + +"Will any large expenditure be required?" + +"I cannot say. But we may require the services and advice of an expert +physician--a specialist in brain diseases." + +"Do you know of one?" asked Kenneth. + +"Yes; but he must be brought from Buffalo. It will be expensive, sir. +That is why I ask if your interest in the girl warrants our going to the +limit to save her." + +Kenneth was thoughtful, while the girls looked at him expectantly and +Tom Gates with visible anxiety. + +"My original idea was merely to find the missing girl in order to +relieve the anxiety of her blind mother," said young Forbes. "To +accomplish that I was willing to employ your services. But, as a matter +of fact, I have never seen the girl Lucy Rogers, nor am I particularly +interested in her." + +"I am," declared Beth. + +"And I!" + +"And I!" repeated Patsy and Louise. + +"I think," said Uncle John, who had been a quiet listener until now, +"that Kenneth has assumed enough expense in this matter." + +"Oh, Uncle!" The remonstrance was from all three of the girls. + +"Therefore," continued Mr. Merrick, "I propose that I undertake any +further expense that may be incurred, so as to divide the burden." + +"That's better!" declared Patsy. "But I might have known Uncle John +would do that." + +"You have my authority to wire the physician, if necessary, or to go to +any expense you deem advisable," continued Mr. Merrick, turning to the +detective. "We seem to have undertaken to unravel an interesting +mystery, and we'll see it through to the end." + +"Very good, sir," said Mr. Burke, and left them with a brief nod of +farewell. + +"Somehow," said Beth, "I've a lot of confidence in that little man." + +"Why, he's a detective," replied Uncle John, with a smile, "and the +chief business of detectives is to make mistakes." + + + + +CHAPTER XVII + +MRS. HOPKINS GOSSIPS + + +The home of Representative Hopkins was not a very imposing edifice. It +was a modest frame building standing well back in a little yard at the +outskirts of the village, and Mrs. Hopkins did the housework, unaided, +to save the expense of a maid. It never occurred to the politician, who +had risen from the position of a poor stable-boy to one of affluence, to +save his wife from this drudgery. To him poor Mary was merely one of his +possessions, and it would have astonished him to know that her sharp +tongue and irritable temper were due to overwork and neglect. The +Honorable Erastus was not averse to champagne dinners and other costly +excesses while at the state capital, and his fellow legislators +considered him a good fellow, although rather lax in "keeping his end +up." Moreover, he employed a good tailor and was careful to keep up an +appearance of sound financial standing. But his home, which he avoided +as much as possible, had little share in his personal prosperity. Mary +Hopkins's requests for new and decent gowns were more often refused than +acceded to, and he constantly cautioned her to keep down expenses or she +would drive them both to the poor-house. + +The woman well knew that Erastus could afford to keep her in luxury, if +he would, but some women are so constituted that they accept their fate +rather than rebel, and Mary Hopkins lived the life of a slave, +contenting herself with petty scoldings and bickerings that did nothing +to relieve her hard lot. + +She had little interest in politics and resented the intrusion of the +many who came to the house to see and consult with her husband during +the tiresome political campaigns. On these occasions Mr. Hopkins used +the sitting-room as his office and committee headquarters, but this did +not materially interfere with his wife's comfort, as she was usually +busy in the kitchen. + +On this Saturday evening, however, they had an early supper and she +finished her dishes betimes and sat down to darn stockings in the +sitting-room. Erastus had hurried away to a meeting of his henchmen in +the town, and would not be home until after his wife was in bed. + +So she was rather surprised when a timid knock sounded upon the door. +She opened it to find a little, lean man standing upon the porch. + +"Mrs. Hopkins?" he asked, quietly. + +"Yes. What do you want?" + +"Your husband asked me to come here and wait for him. It's important or +I wouldn't disturb you." + +"Well, then; come in," she replied, tartly. "Thank the Lord this thing +is nearly over, and we'll have a few weeks of peace." + +"It is rather imposing on you," remarked the man, following her to the +sitting-room, where he sat down with his hat in his hands. "A political +campaign is trying to everybody. I'm tired out and sick of the whole +thing myself." + +"Then why don't you chuck it," she retorted, scornfully, "and go to work +makin' an honest living?" + +"Oh, this is honest enough," he said, mildly. + +"I don't believe it. All them secret confabs an' trickery to win votes +can't be on the square. Don't talk to me! Politics is another name for +rascality!" + +"Perhaps you're right, ma'am; perhaps you're right," he said, with a +sigh. + +She looked at him sharply. + +"You don't belong in Elmwood." + +"No, ma'am; I'm from beyond Fairview. I've come to see your husband on +business." + +She sniffed, at that, but picked up her darning and relapsed into +silence. The little man was patient. He sat quietly in his chair and +watched her work. + +His mildness disarmed Mary Hopkins. She was not especially averse to +having him sit there. It relieved the loneliness of her occupation. On +occasions she loved to talk, as Erastus had long ago discovered; and +this visitor would not try to shut her up the way Erastus did. + +"You don't often get out, ma'am; into society, and such like," ventured +the caller, presently. + +"What makes you think that?" she demanded. + +"A woman can't keep a house neat and trim like this, and be a social +gadder," he observed. + +"You're right about that," she returned, somewhat mollified. "If I was +like them girls up at Elmhurst, fussin' round over politics all the +time, this house would go to rack an' ruin." + +"Oh, them!" he said, with mild scorn. "Them girls 'll never be +housekeepers." + +"Not for a minute," she affirmed. + +There was another pause, then; but the ice was broken. A subtle sympathy +seemed established between the two. + +"What do you think of 'Rast's chances?" she asked, presently, as she +threaded new cotton into her needle. + +"I guess he'll win. He's worked hard enough, anyhow." + +"Has he?" + +"Yes; 'Rast's a good worker. He don't leave any stone unturned. He's up +to all the tricks o' the trade, is 'Rast Hopkins!" + +Here he began shaking with silent laughter, and Mrs. Hopkins looked at +him curiously. + +"What are you laughing at?" she inquired, with a sniff of disdain. + +"At--at the way he come it over the gals up at Elmhurst. 'Rast's a +pretty slick one, he is!" + +"What do you mean?" + +"Why, settin' that 'Liza to watch 'em, and tell all they does. Who'd a +thought of it but 'Rast Hopkins?" + +"I don't see anything mighty funny about that," declared Mrs. Hopkins, +contemptuously. "The girl's too pert and forward for anything. I told +'Rast not to fool with her, or she'd make him trouble." + +"Did you, now!" exclaimed the man, wonderingly. + +"Yes, indeed," said Mrs. Hopkins, pleased to have made an impression. "I +suspected there was something wrong about her the morning she came to +the house here. And she changed her name, too, as brassy as you please." + +"Well, I declare!" said the visitor. "Did you know her before that, Mrs. +Hopkins?" + +"Why, I didn't exactly know her, but I seen her workin' around Miss +Squiers's place many a time, and she didn't seem to 'mount to much, even +then. One day she stole a di'mond ring off'n old Miss Squiers and dug +out, and I told Nancy then--Nancy's young Miss Squiers--that I'd always +had my suspicions of the hussy. She hid the ring in a vase on the mantle +and they found it after she was gone." + +"Well, well! I didn't know that about her," said the man, looking with +admiration at Mrs. Hopkins. + +"That's why I told 'Rast not to have any truck with her, when she came +here bright and early one morning and asked for work." + +"Oh, she came here, did she?" + +"While I was gettin' breakfast. She said her name was Eliza Parsons, an' +she was looking fer a job. I told her I knew her record an' to get out, +and while we was arguin' 'Rast come out and took a hand in the talk. She +laughed and flirted with him outrageous, and said she was a stranger in +these parts, when I'd seen her many a time at Miss Squiers's." + +"What was her name then?" asked the man. + +"I think it was Rosie--or Lucy, or something--. Anyhow, it wasn't Eliza, +and that I'll swear to. But the girl laughed at me and made such silly +smiles at 'Rast that he told me to shut up, 'cause he had a use for her +in politics." + +"Well, well!" repeated the visitor. "Just see how stories get twisted. I +heard you gave the girl a letter to your cousin Martha." + +"Well, I did. 'Rast wanted to get her in at Elmhurst, to watch what +Forbes was doing to defeat him, so he made me write the letter. But +how'd you know so much about this girl?" she inquired, with sudden +suspicion. + +"Me? I only know what Mr. Hopkins told me. I'm one of his confidential +men. But he never said how he happened to find the girl, or what he knew +about her." + +"He didn't know nothing. He'd never seen her 'till that morning when she +came here. But he said she was clever, and she is, if pertness and a +ready tongue counts for cleverness. I suppose he pays her for what she +tells him about Forbes, but he'd better save his money and fight on the +square. I don't like this tricky politics, an' never did." + +"I don't either," declared the man. "But I'm in it, and can't get out." + +"That's what 'Rast says. But some day they'll put him out, neck and +crop, if he ain't careful." + +"Is the girl Eliza much use to him?" + +"I can't say. He drove her over to Elmhurst that morning, and he drives +over two or three evenings a week to meet her on the sly and get her +report. That may be politics, but it ain't very respectable, to my +notion." + +"Well, the campaign is nearly over, Mrs. Hopkins." + +"Thank goodness for that!" she replied. + +The visitor sat silent after this, for he had learned all that the poor +gossiping woman could tell him. Finally he said: + +"I guess your husband's going to be late." + +"Yes; if he ain't more prompt than usual you'll have a long spell of +waiting." + +"Perhaps I'd better go over to the hotel and look him up. I have to get +back to Fairview tonight, you know." + +"Do as you please," she answered carelessly. + +So Mr. Burke, for it was the detective, bade her good-night and took his +leave, and it was not until after he had gone that Mary Hopkins +remembered she had forgotten to ask him his name. + +"But it don't matter," she decided. "He's just one o' 'Rast's +politicians, and I probably treated the fellow better than he deserved." + + + + +CHAPTER XVIII + +ELIZA PARSONS + + +On Sunday morning Mr. Burke again appeared at Elmhurst, and told Kenneth +he wanted an interview with Eliza Parsons. + +"I don't want you to send for her, or anything like that, for it would +make her suspicious," he said. "I'd like to meet her in some way that +would seem accidental, and not startle her." + +"That is rather a hard thing to arrange, Mr. Burke," said the boy, with +a smile. + +"Why, I think not," declared Louise. "It seems to me quite easy." + +"That's the woman of it, sir," laughed Kenneth; "if it's a question of +wits her sex has the advantage of us." + +"What do you propose, miss?" asked the detective, turning to Louise. + +"I'll have Martha send the girl into the garden to gather flowers," she +replied; "and you can wander around there and engage her in +conversation." + +"Excellent!" he exclaimed. "Can this be arranged now?" + +"I'll see, sir." + +She found Martha and asked her to send Eliza Parsons for some roses and +chrysanthemums, which were in a retired place shut in by evergreen +hedges. + +"One of the other maids will know the garden better," suggested the +housekeeper. + +"But I wish Eliza to go." + +"Very well, Miss Louise." + +From an upper window the girl watched until she saw Eliza Parsons leave +the house with a basket and go into the retired garden she had chosen. +Then she returned to the library for Mr. Burke and led him toward the +same place. + +"Eliza is just beyond that gap in the hedge," she said, and turned away. + +"Wait a moment, please," he said, detaining her. "On second thought I +would like you to come with me, for your tact may be of great +assistance. Have you spoken much with Eliza?" + +"Not at all, I think. Beth has talked with her, but I have scarcely been +near her since she came here." + +"You are willing to come?" + +"I shall be glad to." + +"The poet Saxe," said Mr. Burke, walking through the gap beside Louise, +"has never been properly appreciated by his countrymen, although since +his death his verses are in greater demand than while he lived. Do you +care for them?" + +"I don't know Saxe very well," she answered, observing that they were +approaching a place where Eliza was bending over a rose-bush. "But one +or two of his poems are so amusing that they linger in my memory." + +Eliza turned at the sound of their voices and gave them a quick glance. +But the next moment she resumed her occupation of cutting roses. + +"The man's greatest fault was his habit of punning," remarked the +detective, watching the girl's form as he drew nearer. "It is that which +blinded his contemporaries to his real talents. What exquisite roses, +Miss Merrick! May I ask for one for my button-hole?" + +"Yes, indeed!" she replied, pausing with him just beside Eliza. "Will +you cut that bud yonder, for Mr. Burke, my dear?" + +The maid silently obeyed and as the detective took the flower from her +hand he said: + +"Why, isn't this Eliza Parsons?" + +"Yes, sir," she replied, carelessly. + +"Don't you remember me, Eliza?" + +She seemed a little surprised, but answered promptly: + +"No, sir." + +"I'm William Burke, your mother's cousin. How did you leave your brother +Harry, and have you heard from Josephine lately?" + +The girl gave him a startled look and shrank back. + +"Why, how nice!" cried Louise. "I did not know you knew Eliza's family, +Mr. Burke." + +"Yes, she is one of my relatives, and came from Roanoke, Virginia. Isn't +that correct, Eliza?" + +"Yes, sir--no! I--I don't remember!" she said, in a low tone. + +"Don't remember, Eliza? That is strange." + +The girl stared at him half frightened, and drew her hand over her eyes +with a gesture of bewilderment. + +"I hope, my dear, you are not going to be like your mother," said Mr. +Burke, gently. "My poor cousin Nora was subject to a strange lapse of +memory at times," he remarked to Louise. "She always recovered in time, +but for days she could remember nothing of her former life--not even her +own name. Are you ever affected that way Eliza?" + +She looked up at him pleadingly, and murmured in a low voice: + +"Let me go! Please let me go!" + +"In a moment, Eliza." + +Her hands were clasped together nervously and she had dropped her basket +and scissors on the path before her. The man looked intently into her +eyes, in a shrewd yet kindly way, and she seemed as if fascinated by his +gaze. + +"Tell me, my dear, have you forgotten your old life?" he asked. + +"Yes," she whispered. + +"Poor girl! And you are trying to keep this a secret and not let anyone +know of your trouble?" + +Suddenly she started and sprang away, uttering a cry of terror. + +"You're trying to trap me," she panted. "You know my name is not Eliza +Parsons. You--you want to ruin me!" + +From the position in which they stood in the corner of the garden, with +high hedges behind the maid, and Mr. Burke and Louise blocking the path +in front, there was little chance of escape. But she looked around +wildly, as if about to make the attempt, when Louise stepped forward and +gently took Eliza's hand in her own. + +"Mr. Burke is a good man, my dear, and means well by you," she said in +her sweet, sympathetic tones. "He shall not bother you if you are afraid +of him." + +"I--I'm not afraid," said Eliza, with a resumption of her old manner and +a toss of her head. + +The detective gave Louise a look which she thought she understood. + +"Will you finish cutting these roses, Mr. Burke?" she asked, with a +smile. "Eliza and I are going to my room. Come, my dear," and without +waiting for a reply she led the girl, whose hand was still clasped in +her own, along the path. + +Eliza came willingly. Her manner was a little defiant at first, but when +Louise drew her unobserved to the side entrance and up the staircase she +grew gentle and permitted the other girl to take her arm. + +Once in her room with the strange maid, Louise locked the door quietly +and said to her companion with a cheerful smile: + +"Now we are quite alone, and can talk at our ease. Take that low chair, +dear, and I'll sit here." + +Eliza obeyed, looking wistfully into the fair face of her new friend. + +"You are very pretty, Eliza; and I'm sure you are as good as you're +pretty," announced Louise. "So you must tell me about yourself, and +whether you are happy here or not. From this time on I'm going to be +your friend, you know, and keep all your secrets; and I'll help you all +I can." + +This rambling speech seemed to impress Eliza favorably. She relaxed +somewhat from the tense alertness that was habitual with her, and looked +at the other girl with a softened expression. + +"I'm afraid you won't be much interested in me," she replied, "but I +need a friend--indeed I need a friend, Miss Louise!" + +"I'm sure you do." + +"At first I thought I could do without one. I felt I must stand alone, +and let no one suspect. But--I'm getting puzzled and bewildered, and I +don't know what to do next." + +"Of course not. Tell me about it, dear." + +"I can't; for I don't know, myself." She leaned forward in her chair and +added, in a whisper: "I don't even know who I am! But that man," with a +shudder, "tried to trap me. He said he knew Eliza Parsons, and there is +no Eliza Parsons. It's a name I--I invented." + +"I think I understand," said Louise, with a little nod. "You had to have +a name, so you took that one." + +"Yes. I don't know why I am telling you this. I've tried to hide it all +so carefully. And perhaps I'm wrong in letting this thing worry me. In +the main, I've been very happy and content, lately; and--I have a +feeling I was not happy before--before--" + +"Before what, dear?" + +The girl looked at her steadily and her face grew red. + +"Before I lost my memory." + +For a few moments they sat silently regarding one another, the +expressive features of Louise showing a silent sympathy. + +"Have you really lost your memory?" she asked. + +"Absolutely. Think of it! I wakened one morning lying by the roadside, +and shivering with cold. I had on a simple gray dress, with no hat. The +sun was just rising, and no one was near. I examined myself with wonder, +for I had no idea who I was, or how I came there. There was no money in +my pocket, and I had no jewels. To keep warm I began walking along the +road. The scenery was all new to me; so far as I knew I had never been +in the place before. + +"The birds were singing and the cows mooed in the meadow. I tried to +sing, too, for my heart was light and gay and I was happy. By and bye I +came to a town; but no one seemed to be awakened because it was yet so +early. As I walked down the street I saw smoke coming from one of the +chimneys, and it suddenly occurred to me that I was hungry. I entered +the yard and went around to the back door. A woman was working in the +kitchen and I laughed joyfully and wished her a good morning. She was +not very pleasant, but it did me good to talk with her; I liked to hear +my own voice and it pleased me to be able to talk easily and well. She +grudgingly gave me something to eat and then bade me begone, calling me +by some strange name and saying I was a thief. It was then that I +invented the name of Eliza Parsons. I don't know why, but it popped into +my head and I claimed it for my name and have clung to it ever since." + +"Have you no idea what your real name is?" asked Louise, greatly +interested in this terse relation. + +"I have no idea of anything that dates beyond that morning," replied +Eliza. "The first time I looked in the mirror I saw a strange face +reflected there. I had to make my own acquaintance," she added, with one +of her bright laughs. "I suppose I am between seventeen and twenty years +of age, but what my life was during past years is to me a sealed book. I +cannot remember a person I knew or associated with, yet things outside +of my personal life seem to have clung to me. I remembered books I must +have read; I can write, sing and sew--I sew remarkably well, and must +have once been trained to it. I know all about my country's history, yet +I cannot recollect where I lived, and this part of the country is +unknown to me. When I came to Elmhurst I knew all about it and about Mr. +Forbes, but could not connect them with my former life." + +"How did you happen to come here?" asked Louise. + +"I forgot to tell you that. While I was arguing with the woman, who was +a Mrs. Hopkins, her husband heard us and came out into the kitchen. He +began to question me about myself and I gave any answer that came into +my head, for I could not tell him the truth. It pleased me to hear my +voice, I seemed to have a keen sense of the humorous, and if I said +anything at all clever, I laughed as heartily as anyone. My heart was +light and free from all care. I had no worries or responsibilities at +all. I was like the birds who see the sunshine and feel the breeze and +are content to sing and be happy. + +"Mr. Hopkins saw I was wholly irresponsible and reckless, and he decided +to use me to spy upon the people here at Elmhurst and report to him what +they said and did. I agreed to this readily, prompted by a spirit of +mischief, for I cared nothing for Hopkins and had nothing against Mr. +Forbes. Also Hopkins paid me money, which I had sufficient knowledge to +realize was necessary to me. + +"Oh, how happy and gay I was in those first few days! There was not a +thought of the past, not an ambition or desire of any sort to bother me. +Just to live seemed pleasure enough. I enjoyed eating and sleeping; I +loved to talk and laugh; I was glad to have work to occupy me--and +that was all! Then things began to happen that puzzled me. The man +Hopkins declared he could not trust me because I had once been a thief, +and I wondered if he could speak truly. I resented the thought that I +may once have been a thief, although I wouldn't mind stealing, even now, +if I wanted anything and could take it." + +"Oh, Eliza!" gasped Louise. + +"It sounds wicked, doesn't it? But it is true. Nothing seems to +influence me so strongly as my own whims. I know what is good and what +is bad. I must have been taught these things once. But I am as likely to +do evil as good, and this recklessness has begun, in the last few days, +to worry me. + +"Then I met a young man here--he says his name is Tom Gates--who called +me his dear Lucy, and said I used to love him. I laughed at him at +first, for it seemed very absurd and I do not want him to love me. But +then he proved to me there was some truth in his statement. He said his +Lucy had a scar on her left arm, and that made me afraid, because I had +discovered a scar on my own arm. I don't know how it got there. I don't +know anything about this old Lucy. And I'm afraid to find out. I'm +afraid of Lucy." + +"Why, dear?" + +"I cannot tell. I only know I have a horror of her, a sudden shrinking +whenever her name is mentioned. Who was she, do you suppose?" + +"Shall I tell you?" asked Louise. + +"No--no! Don't, I beg of you!" cried Eliza, starting up. "I--I can't +bear it! I don't want to know her." + +The protest was passionate and sincere, and Louise marvelled at the +workings of this evidently unbalanced intellect. + +"What would you like to do, dear?" she inquired. + +"I'd like to remain Eliza Parsons--always. I'd like to get away from +_her_--far away from anyone who ever heard of that dreadful Lucy who +frightens me so. Will you help me to get away, to escape to some place +where no one will ever be able to trace me?" + +"Do you think you would be happy then?" + +"I am sure of it. The only thing that makes me unhappy now is the horror +that this past life will be thrust upon me. I must have had a past, of +course, or I shouldn't be a grown woman now. But I'm afraid of it; I +don't want to know anything about it! Will you help me to escape?" + +She looked eagerly at Louise as she asked this pitiful question, and the +other girl replied, softly: "I will be your friend, Eliza. I'll think +all this over, and we will see what can be done. Be patient a little +while and as soon as I find a way to free you from all this trouble I'll +send for you, and we'll talk it over together." + +"Will you keep my secret?" demanded Eliza, uneasily. + +Louise glanced at the door that communicated with Beth's room. It stood +open, but Eliza had not noticed that, as it was behind her. Just now a +shadow cast from the other room wavered an instant over the rug, and +Louise's quick eyes caught it. + +"I promise to keep your secret, dear," she said earnestly. + +The two girls rose and stood facing each other. Louise kissed the +beautiful Eliza and whispered: + +"Here is one thing for you to remember--that we are always to be true +friends, from this time forward. If anyone annoys you, come to me, and I +will protect you." + +"Thank you, Miss Louise," said Eliza, and then she went away to her own +room in a quieter and more thoughtful mood than usual. + +When she had gone Louise ran to the door communicating with Beth's room, +and to her satisfaction found both her cousins, with Kenneth, Uncle John +and Mr. Burke, seated in a group where they must have overheard all that +had been said. + +"Well!" she cried, eagerly, "did you hear? And what do you think of it +all?" + +"It's Lucy Rogers, sure enough," said Kenneth. + +Louise looked at Mr. Burke. + +"It is the most singular case that has ever come under my observation," +stated that gentleman. "The girl is perfectly sane, but she has suffered +a strange lapse of memory. I have two alternatives to advise. One is to +telegraph at once for a specialist. The other is to permit the girl to +go away, as she suggests. She will be happier to do so, I am sure." + +"Oh, no!" cried the girls. + +"She owes a duty to her parents and friends, as well as to herself," +said Kenneth, "and I see no reason why she should be unhappy in the +future as Lucy Rogers." + +Mr. Burke merely shrugged his shoulders. + +"Please wire for the specialist at once," said Uncle John. + + + + +CHAPTER XIX + +PATSY INDULGES IN EAVESDROPPING + + +Miss Patricia Doyle awakened at daybreak next morning with a throbbing +toothache. She wasn't accustomed to such pains and found it hard to +bear. She tried the application of a hot-water bag, and the tooth ached +harder; she tried a cold compress, and it jumped with renewed activity. +So she dressed herself and walked the floor, with the persistent ache as +an intimate companion. + +She tried to find a cavity in the tooth, but it seemed perfectly sound. +Evidently she had caught cold and the wicked molar was signaling the +fact. + +To be patient under the torture of a toothache was a virtue Patsy did +not possess. Louise and Beth, to whom she appealed, were sorry for her, +but could not relieve the pain. After breakfast Uncle John ordered her +to drive to town and see a dentist. + +"Have it pulled, or filled, or something," he said. "The dentist will +know what to do." + +So James drove Patsy to town, where they arrived about nine o'clock this +Monday morning. The only dentist at Elmwood was Dr. Squiers, so the girl +ran up the flight of stairs to his office, which was located over the +hardware store. + +The pain had eased on the journey, and now the thought of having the +offending tooth pulled was weighing heavily upon Patsy's mind. The door +of Dr. Squiers's office stood ajar, and she hesitated whether to enter +or not. + +The dentist's reception room was divided from his operating room by a +thin wooden partition, and as Patsy was deciding whether to employ Dr. +Squiers's services or not she heard high words coming from behind the +partition, and the voice was that of the Honorable Erastus Hopkins. + +Softly she slid into the outer room and sank into a chair. + +"But you're the clerk of the election, Squiers; you can't deny that," +Hopkins was saying in a blustering, imperious voice. + +"That's true enough," answered the dentist, more calmly. + +"Then you've got the registration books in your possession." + +"I admit that," was the reply. "But you're asking me to incriminate +myself, 'Rast. If the thing was discovered it would mean prison for both +of us." + +"Fiddlesticks!" cried the irascible Hopkins. "These things are done +every day, and no one's the wiser for it. It's merely a part of the +political game." + +"I'm afraid, 'Rast," said Dr. Squiers. "Honest Injun, I'm afraid." + +"What are you 'fraid of? I've got the other clerks all fixed, and +they'll stand by us. All you need do is to add these sixty-six names to +the registration list, and then we'll vote 'em without opposition and +win out." + +Patsy gave a gasp, which she tried to stifle. The toothache was all +forgotten. + +"Where are these men?" inquired Dr. Squiers, thoughtfully. + +"They're over at the mill. Marshall got 'em from all over the country, +and they'll be set to work today, so everything will seem reg'lar." + +"Where do they sleep and eat?" inquired the doctor. + +"Forty sleep in Hayes's barn, and the other twenty-six in the stock loft +over the planing mill. Marshall's got a commissary department and feeds +'em regular rations, like so many soldiers. Of course I'm paying for all +this expense," acknowledged Mr. Hopkins, somewhat regretfully. + +"And do you suppose these sixty-six votes will turn the scale?" asked +Dr. Squiers. + +"They're sure to. We finished the last canvass yesterday, and according +to our figures Forbes has about eighteen votes the best of us. That's +getting it down pretty close, but we may as well make up our minds we're +beaten if we don't vote the men over at the mill. Marshall could have +got me a hundred if necessary, but sixty-six is more than enough. Say +Forbes has twice eighteen for his plurality, instead of eighteen; these +sixty-six for me would wipe that out and let us win in a walk." + +When Hopkins ceased there was a brief silence. Perhaps Dr. Squiers was +thinking. + +"I simply _must_ have those votes, Doc," resumed the Representative. +"It's the only way I can win." + +"You've made a bungle of the whole campaign," said Squiers, bitterly. + +"That's a lie. I've done a lot of clever work. But these infernal city +girls came down here and stirred up all the trouble." + +"You made a mistake pushing that sign issue. The girls beat you on +that." + +"If it hadn't been signs it might have been something worse. But I ain't +beaten yet, Doc. Squiers. This deal is going to win. It's a trick the +boarding-school misses won't understand until after they've cut their +eye-teeth in politics." + +"There's a pretty heavy penalty against false registration," observed +the dentist, gloomily. + +"There's no penalty unless we're found out, and there ain't the ghost of +a chance of that. The books are in your hands; I got all the clerks +fixed. Not a question will even be raised. I know it. Do you suppose I'd +risk state's prison myself, if I wasn't sure?" + +"Look here, 'Rast," said Squiers, doggedly, "you're making a tool of me +in this campaign. Why should I be used and abused just to elect Erastus +Hopkins, I'd like to know. You sacrificed me when I might have been +Sheriff." + +"You're well paid for that, Doc." + +"And now you want me to put my neck in a noose for your advantage. I +won't do it, 'Rast, and that's a fact." + +Mr. Hopkins coughed. + +"How much, Doc?" he inquired. + +The dentist was silent. + +"State the figure. But for mercy's sake don't bleed me any more than you +can help. This fight has cost me a pretty penny already." + +"I don't want your money," growled Squiers. + +"Yes you do, Doc. I know you better than you know yourself. The trouble +with you is, you'll want too much." + +Squiers laughed bitterly. + +"Is Marshall to be trusted?" he asked. + +"Of course. If he said a word he'd lose his job as manager. Marshall's +all right. There's nothing to worry about, Doc." + +Patsy's tooth wasn't aching a bit. But her heart was throbbing as madly +as the tooth ever did, and fortunately there was no pain connected with +the throbbing--only joy. + +"It ought to be worth two thousand dollars, 'Rast," said the dentist. + +"What! In addition to all other expenses?" + +"Why, man; it means the election. It means your whole future. If you're +defeated now, you're a back number in this district, and you know it." + +"It's too much, Doc. On my word it is." + +"It's too little, come to think of it. I'll make it three thousand." + +"Doc!" + +"If you don't close with me, 'Rast, by the jumping Jupiter, I'll make it +four thousand," cried the dentist, with exasperation. + +"Say twenty-five hundred, Doc." + +"Right on the nail. Give me your check here--this minute." + +"And you'll enter the names in the books?" + +"Before you leave the office. Have you got the list?" + +"Yes; in my pocket," said Mr. Hopkins. + +"Then make out your check and I'll get the books." + +There was a stir behind the partition and a sound of chairs scraping the +floor. Patsy slid out the door and flew down the stairs at the imminent +danger of breaking her neck. James was seated in the buggy outside, +engaged in rumination. + +Patsy bounded in beside him and startled him. + +"Drive for your life!" she cried. "Drive for home!" + +He whipped up the spirited horse and they dashed away. Presently the man +asked, with a grin: + +"Did it hurt much, Miss Patsy?" + +"Did what hurt, James?" + +"The tooth pullin', Miss Patsy." + +"The tooth wasn't pulled," answered the girl, sweetly. "It didn't need +it, James. The only thing that was pulled was the Honorable Erastus's +leg." + + + + +CHAPTER XX + +PRICKING A BUBBLE. + + +When Patsy arrived home she called a council of war and related the +conversation she had overheard in the dentist's office. + +"It isn't a very nice thing to do--listening to a private conversation," +said the girl, "but when I discovered they were going to play such a +trick on Kenneth I couldn't help eavesdropping." + +"I think you were justified," declared Mr. Watson, with a grave face; +"for this matter is very serious indeed. Tomorrow is election day, and +if a toothache hadn't carried you to the dentist's office Kenneth would +surely have been defeated." + +"And we'd never have known how it happened," declared Uncle John. + +"But can the plot be foiled at this late date?" inquired Louise, +anxiously. + +"I think so," said Mr. Watson. "Dr. Squiers was correct in saying that +such a crime was a state's prison offense. Our discovery of it will send +both Erastus Hopkins and Dr. Squiers to prison. Probably Mr. Marshall, +the manager of the mill, will go with them." + +"Oh, I don't like that!" exclaimed Patsy. + +"Nor do I," added Kenneth. "It would be a sad beginning to my political +career to send three such men to prison. I'd like to avoid it, if I +can." + +"Perhaps it may be quietly arranged," said the lawyer. "If they knew you +had discovered the false registration of these men, they would never +dare vote them." + +"How would it be to send Mr. Burke, the detective, over to the mill to +talk with Mr. Marshall?" suggested Beth. + +"That is an excellent plan, and would be very effective in determining +the manager to abandon the plot." + +"I'll go and see Hopkins myself," announced Uncle John. "I know how to +manage men of his sort." + +"Very good," approved the lawyer, "and I'll see Squiers." + +"If you do," said Patsy, "just ask him to sign a paper saying that Lucy +Rogers was falsely accused of stealing the ring, and that his mother +found it in a vase, where she had forgotten she put it." + +"I'll do that," replied Mr. Watson. "And I'll get the sixty dollars back +that Tom Gates paid him. I'll make it a condition of our agreeing not to +prosecute the man." + +"It looks as if we were going to win the election," said Uncle John in a +pleased voice. "If Hopkins was driven to such methods as stuffing +ballot-boxes, he must know very well he's defeated." + +"He acknowledged it to Dr. Squiers." said Patsy, gaily. "We have +eighteen sure majority, and perhaps more." + +"It's likely to be more," predicted Uncle John. + +"I suppose congratulations are in order, Ken," said Louise. + +"Not yet, cousin," he replied. "Wait until tomorrow night; and then +don't congratulate me, but the campaign managers--three of the nicest +and cleverest girls in existence!" + +"You're right, my boy," declared Uncle John. "If you pull through and +take your seat in the Legislature, you'll owe it all to these girls." + +"That is true," smiled the lawyer. "Kenneth was badly beaten when you +arrived." + +Of course our girls were very happy at receiving this praise, but more +pleased to realize they had actually been of service to their boy +friend. They believed that Kenneth would prove a good Representative and +carry out his promises to the voters; and if he did, that his political +career was assured. + +Mr. Burke appeared in the afternoon with a telegram from Dr. Hoyt, the +specialist, saying that he would be at Elmwood on the noon train +Wednesday. His engagements prevented him from coming any sooner, and in +the meantime Mr. Burke advised keeping a close watch on Eliza Parsons, +to see that she did not run away. + +"I'll attend to that," said Louise, quickly. "Eliza and I are friends, +and I'll take care of her." + +"Aren't you going to the polls?" asked Patsy. + +"No, dear; why should I go? Our work is done now, isn't it?" + +"Well, I'm going to the polls and work for every vote," declared Patsy. +"I shan't be happy unless Kenneth gets more than eighteen majority." + +When the Hopkins plot was explained to Mr. Burke, the detective readily +agreed to go to Fairview and see Mr. Marshall. As no time was to be lost +he was sent over in an automobile, and arrived at the mill just before +the hour for closing. + +The next day being election day the mill was to be closed, and the +manager was very busy in his office when Mr. Burke requested to see him. + +"You will have to come around Wednesday," said Marshall, fussily. "I +can't attend to you now." + +"I'm sorry to disturb you, sir," replied the detective, "but my business +won't wait until Wednesday." + +"What is it about, sir?" + +"About the election." + +"Then I won't be bothered. The election doesn't interest me," said Mr. +Marshall, turning away. + +"Very well, I'll call Wednesday, sir, at the jail." + +Marshall gave him a quick look. + +"Who are you, sir?" he asked. + +"John Burke, a detective." + +The manager hesitated a moment. + +"Come in, Mr. Burke," he said. + +"I represent the Forbes interests," said the detective, seating himself +in the private office, "and it has come to our notice that Dr. Squiers +has permitted sixty-six fraudulent registrations to be entered on the +books. These sixty-six men are supposed to have been imported by you and +are now working at this mill." + +"This is all nonsense!" protested the manager, growing pale. + +"Forty men are sleeping in a near-by barn, and twenty-six in the +stock-room of the mill," added Mr. Burke. + +"That isn't criminal, sir." + +"No, indeed. The criminal act is their false registration, so far," said +the detective, blandly. + +"But mark you, sir; if an attempt is made to vote those men tomorrow, I +shall arrest you, as well as Mr. Hopkins and Dr. Squiers." + +"This is preposterous, sir!" blustered the manager. "There will be no +attempt made to vote them." + +"I am quite sure of it," was the reply. "You may thank Mr. Forbes for +warning you in time. He wished to save you, and so sent me here." + +"Oh, he did!" Mr. Marshall was evidently surprised. "May I ask how you +discovered all this?" he added. + +"I am not at liberty to give you the details. But I may say the exposure +of the plot occurred through Mr. Hopkins's own carelessness. I've seen +lots of crooked politicians, Mr. Marshall, but this man is too reckless +and foolish ever to be a success. He deserves to be defeated and he will +be." + +The manager was thoughtful. + +"This is all news to me," he declared. "I needed these extra men to help +me fill a contract on time, and so employed them. I had no idea Hopkins +and Squiers would try to vote them tomorrow." + +This was a palpable falsehood, but Mr. Burke accepted the lame excuse +without question. + +"You are a valuable man in this community, Mr. Marshall, and Mr. Forbes +seemed to think the Hopkins people were trying to get you into trouble. +Of course it would have caused trouble had these men voted." + +"Of course, Mr. Burke. I'm much obliged to Mr. Forbes for warning me." + +"You'll find the next Representative a very agreeable man to get along +with, Mr. Marshall. Good day, sir." + +"Good day, Mr. Burke." + +When the detective had gone Mr. Marshall sat in a brown study for a few +moments. Then he summoned his superintendent and said: + +"Please ask the men to assemble in the yard before they go home. I want +to have a word with them." + +The request came just in time, for the men were already beginning to +stream out of the mill. They waited good-naturedly, however, grouping +themselves in the big yard. + +Then Marshall mounted a lumber pile and addressed them briefly. + +"Boys," he said, "I told you all, a week or so ago, I'd like you to vote +for Hopkins for Representative, as I believed his election would result +in more work for the mill and better wages for the employees. But I've +been watching matters pretty closely, and I've changed my mind. Forbes +is a coming man, and he'll do more for us all than Hopkins could. So +every man who is entitled to vote will please me best by voting for +Kenneth Forbes." + +There was a cheer at this, and when it subsided, the manager continued: + +"Of course none of the new men, who were not properly registered, have a +right to vote at this election, and I command them to keep away from the +polls. Anyone who attempts to vote illegally will be promptly arrested." + +This caused more cheering, for the workmen had suspected that the new +hands would be voted illegally, and they were relieved to find that it +was a "square deal all 'round," as one of them remarked with +satisfaction. + +Meantime, Uncle John was having a "barrel of fun" with Mr. Hopkins. + +The little millionaire, although a man of simple and unobtrusive ways, +was a shrewd judge of human nature. Moreover he had acquired a fund of +experience in dealing with all sorts of people, and was delighted to +meet Mr. Hopkins under the present circumstances. + +So he drove over to Elmwood and was fortunate to find Mr. Hopkins in his +"office" at home where he was busily engaged instructing his "workers" +in their duties at the polls. + +At sight of Mr. Merrick, whom he knew by this time to be a friend of +Kenneth Forbes, staying at Elmhurst, the politician scented some pending +difficulty, or at least an argument, and was sufficiently interested to +dismiss his men without delay. + +"Ah, this is Mr. Merrick, I believe," began Mr. Hopkins, suavely. "What +can I do for you, sir?" + +"Considerable, if you're disposed," answered the other. "For one thing +I'd like to hire Eliza Parsons away from you." + +"Eliza Parsons!" gasped the Representative. + +"Yes, your spy. Election's about over and you won't need her any longer, +will you?" + +"Sir, do you mean to insult me?" asked the Honorable Erastus, +indignantly. + +"By no means. I thought you were through with the girl," said Uncle John +with a chuckle. + +Mr. Hopkins was distinctly relieved. With a full recollection of his +wicked schemes in his mind, he had feared some more important attack +than this; so he assumed a virtuous look, and replied: + +"Sir, you wrong me. Eliza Parsons was no spy of mine. I was merely +trying to encourage her to a higher spiritual life. She is rather +flighty and irresponsible, sir, and I was sorry for the poor girl. That +is all. If she has been telling tales, they are untrue. I have found +her, I regret to say, inclined at times to be--ah--inventive." + +"Perhaps that's so," remarked Uncle John, carelessly. "You're said to be +a good man, Mr. Hopkins; a leetle too honest and straightforward for a +politician; but that's an excusable fault." + +"I hope I deserve my reputation, Mr. Merrick," said Erastus, +straightening up at this praise. "I do, indeed, try to live an upright +life." + +"I guess so, Mr. Hopkins, I guess so. You wouldn't try, for instance, to +encourage false registration." + +"Sir!" + +"Anything wrong, Mr. Hopkins?" asked Uncle John, innocently. + +Erastus looked at his visitor tremblingly, although he tried to control +his nerves. Of course Mr. Merrick couldn't mean anything by this chance +shot, so he must be thrown off the scent. + +"You have a disagreeable way of making remarks, sir, and I have no time +to listen to foolish speeches. Tomorrow is election day and I've a good +many details yet to arrange." + +"No chance of you're getting in jail, is there?" + +"What do you mean by that?" + +"I only thought that if you'd done anything liable to make trouble, +you'd have to arrange your affairs for a long spell in jail. Politicians +sometimes make mistakes. But you're such an honest man, Mr. Hopkins, you +couldn't possibly go crooked." + +Mr. Hopkins felt shaky again, and looked at his tormentor earnestly, +trying to discern whether there was any real knowledge beneath this +innuendo. But Uncle John met his gaze with a cheerful smile and +continued: + +"I guess you've got a hard fight ahead of you. My young friend Forbes is +trying to get elected himself, and you can't both win." + +"Oh, yes; Forbes," said Erastus, trying to regain his accustomed ease. +"A worthy young man, sir; but I'm afraid his chances are slim." + +"Are they, now?" asked Uncle John, pretending a mild interest. + +"Pretty thin, Mr. Merrick. Our majority is too great to overcome." + +"What do you think your majority will be? About sixty-six?" + +Mr. Hopkins gave a start and turned red. + +"About sixty-six," he repeated, vacantly, trying to decide if this was +another chance shot. + +"Yes; about sixty-six mill hands." + +The cat was out of the bag now. Hopkins realized that Merrick had some +knowledge or at least suspicion of this plot. He tried to think what to +do, and it occurred to him that if his visitor positively knew anything +he would not act in this absurd manner, but come straight to the point. +So he ignored the speech, merely saying: + +"Anything else, sir?" + +"No," replied Uncle John; "I'll go home, I guess. Folks'll be expecting +me. Sorry Forbes hasn't got that sixty-six mill hands; but Doc. Squiers +probably registered 'em all right, and they'll probably vote for +Hopkins." + +"Wait a moment, sir!" cried Erastus, as Uncle John was turning away. +"That speech demands an explanation, and I mean to have it." + +"Oh, you do? Well, I don't object. You may not know it, but Squiers has +registered sixty-six non-voters, and I want to know whether you're +prepared to give half of them to Forbes, or mean to keep them all for +yourself." + +"If Squiers has made false registrations he must stand the consequences. +I want you to understand, sir, that I do not countenance any underhand +dealing." + +"Then it's all off? You won't vote the mill hands?" + +"Not a man shall vote who is not properly registered." + +"I'm glad to hear it, Mr. Hopkins. Perhaps you can get that twenty-five +hundred back. I don't think Squiers has cashed the check yet." + +The Honorable Erastus gave a roar like a wild bull, but Uncle John had +walked quietly out and climbed into his buggy. He looked back, and +seeing Mr. Hopkins's scowling face at the window returned a pleasant +smile as he drove away. + +Mr. Watson had just finished his interview with the dentist when Uncle +John picked him up at the corner. The lawyer had accomplished more than +the other two, for he had secured a paper exonerating Lucy Rogers and +another incriminating the Honorable Erastus Hopkins, as well as the +sixty dollars paid by Tom Gates. The dentist was thoroughly frightened, +but determined, now that the conspiracy was defeated, that the man who +had led him to the crime should not escape in case he was himself +arrested. So he made a plain statement of the whole matter and signed +it, and Mr. Watson assured Squiers immunity from arrest, pending good +behavior. The man had already cashed Hopkins's check, and he knew the +Representative could not get the money away from him, so after all the +dentist lost nothing by the exposure. + +It was a jolly party that assembled at the dinner-table in Elmhurst that +evening. + +"You see," explained Uncle John, "the thing looked as big as a balloon +to us at first; but it was only a bubble, after all, and as soon as we +pricked it--it disappeared." + + + + +CHAPTER XXI + +THE "RETURNS" FROM FAIRVIEW + + +Election day dawned sunny and bright; but there was a chill in the air +that betokened the approach of winter. + +Uncle John had suggested serving coffee to the voters at the different +polling places, and Kenneth had therefore arranged for a booth at each +place, where excellent coffee was served free all day long. These booths +were decorated with Forbes banners and attracted a great deal of +comment, as the idea was a distinct innovation in this district. + +"You wouldn't catch Hopkins giving anything away," remarked one farmer +to another. "'Rast is too close-fisted." + +"Why, as fer that," was the reply, "the thing is done to catch votes. +You know that as well as I do." + +"S'pose it is," said the first speaker. "I'd ruther my vote was caught +by a cup of hot coffee on a cold day, than by nothin' at all. If we've +got to bite anyhow, why not take a hook that's baited?" + +Patsy and Beth made the rounds of the polling places in an automobile +covered with flags and bunting, and wherever they appeared they were +greeted with cordial cheers. + +Mr. Hopkins was noticeable by his absence, and this was due not so much +to his cowardice as to an unfortunate accident. + +Neither Squiers nor Hopkins knew just how their secret had leaked out, +for Patsy's presence in the dentist's office had not been disclosed; so +each one suspected the other of culpable foolishness if not downright +rascality. After Uncle John's visit Erastus stormed over to Squiers's +office and found his accomplice boiling with indignation at having been +trapped in a criminal undertaking. + +As the two men angrily faced each other they could not think of any +gentle words to say, and Dr. Squiers became so excited by the other's +reproaches that he indulged in careless gestures. One of these gestures +bumped against the Honorable Erastus's right eye with such force that +the eye was badly injured. + +The candidate for re-election, therefore, wakened on election morning +with the damaged optic swollen shut and sadly discolored. Realizing that +this unfortunate condition would not win votes, Mr. Hopkins remained at +home all day and nagged his long-suffering spouse, whose tongue was her +only defence. + +The Representative had promptly telephoned to Marshall at Fairview +telling him not to vote the men as arranged. He was not especially +charmed with the manager's brief reply: + +"Don't be alarmed. We're not _all_ fools!" + +"I guess, 'Rast," remarked Mary Hopkins, looking at her damaged and +irritable husband with a blending of curiosity and contempt, "that +you're 'bout at the end of your rope." + +"You wait," said Erastus, grimly. "This thing ain't over yet." + +The day passed very quietly and without any especial incident. A full +vote was polled, and by sundown the fate of the candidates had been +decided. But the counting seemed to progress slowly and the group +assembled around the telephone in Kenneth's library thought the returns +would never arrive. + +The Republican Committee had given Mr. Forbes a table showing what the +vote of each precinct should be, according to their canvass. + +The first report was from Elmwood, and showed a gain of seventeen over +the estimate. Patsy was delighted, for she had worked hard in Elmwood, +and this proved that her efforts had been successful. Then came a report +from Longville, in Jefferson County. It showed a gain of forty-three +votes for Hopkins, and a consequent loss for Forbes. This was a +startling surprise, and the next advice from a country precinct in +Washington County showed another gain of twelve for Hopkins. + +The little group of workers looked at one another with inquiring eyes, +and Patsy could hardly refrain from crying. + +The butler announced dinner, but only Louise and Mr. Watson could eat +anything. The others were too intent on learning their fate and could +not leave the telephone. + +It seemed queer that the precincts furthest away should be first to +respond, but so it was. Jefferson County returns began to come in +rapidly, and were received in dismal silence. Hopkins gained four here, +seven there, and twenty-two in another precinct. + +"It looks," said Kenneth, quietly, "like a landslide for Hopkins, and I +wonder how our Committee was so badly informed." + +"You see," said Uncle John, "voters won't usually tell the truth about +how they've decided to vote. Lots of them tell both sides they're going +to vote their way. And people change their minds at the last minute, +too. You can't do much more than average the thing by means of a +canvass." + +By nine o'clock, complete returns from the part of Jefferson County +included in the Eighth District showed a net gain of one hundred and +eight for Hopkins--a lead that it seemed impossible to overcome. +Washington County was not so bad. Incomplete returns indicated a slight +gain for Hopkins, but not more than a dozen votes altogether. + +"Everything now depends upon Dupree and Fairview," announced Kenneth, +"but I can't get any connection with them yet. We won in Elmwood, +anyhow, and Hopkins isn't ahead more than a hundred and sixty as the +thing stands now. Cheer up, girls. A defeat won't hurt us much, for +we've all made a good fight. Better get to bed and sleep, for you're +tired out. We'll know all about everything in the morning." + +But they would not move. Disappointment unnerved them more than victory +would have done. They resolved to wait until the last returns were in. + +"Telephone, sir," said Tom Gates. + +Kenneth picked up the receiver. + +"Here's Dupree," he said. "Our majority over Hopkins is two hundred and +eleven. Let's see, that's a gain of seventy-four votes, my dears." + +"Hooray!" cried Patsy, delightedly. "I don't care a rap now, what +happens. Old Hopkins won't have much to crow over if--" + +"Wait a minute," said Kenneth. "Here's Fairview, at last!" + +They held their breaths and watched his face. Kenneth flushed red as he +held the receiver to his ear, and then grew white. He turned around to +the expectant group and Beth knew from the sparkle in his eyes what had +happened. + +"Fairview's six precincts give us six hundred and forty-one majority," +announced the boy, in an awed tone. "That's a gain of nearly four +hundred!" + +They gazed at him in silent wonder. Then Uncle John rose slowly and took +the boy's hand. + +"That means we've won--and won in a walk," said the little man. +"Kenneth, we congratulate you." + +Patsy's face was buried in her handkerchief, and Beth's great eyes were +bright with unshed tears. But Louise laughed her soft, musical laugh and +remarked: + +"Why, I knew all the time we would win. We had the better candidate, you +see." + +"And the best campaign managers," added Uncle John, with a proud smile. + +"That may be true," admitted Beth. "But the thing that really won the +fight was Patsy's sore tooth." + + + + +CHAPTER XXII + +THE AWAKENING + + +James and Mr. Burke met the great specialist in brain diseases at the +noon train on Wednesday and drove him to Elmhurst. + +Dr. Hoyt was a handsome, gray-haired man, with kindly eyes and a +distinguished manner. When he was ushered into the library the young +ladies were attracted by the physician at once, and from the first +glance were inspired by confidence in his powers. Yet Dr. Hoyt spoke +rather doubtfully of the case in hand. + +"These cases are not so rare as you might suppose," he said; "yet no two +of them are exactly alike. Usually the recovery is slow and tedious; but +recovery is not always assured. In some instances, however, the memory +is absolutely restored, and from what Mr. Burke has explained to me of +Lucy Rogers's history this is what we may expect now. Or else, we must +trust to time or an accident to awaken her dormant mental faculties. The +case is so interesting that I should like, with your permission, to make +an experiment which can result in no harm if it does not succeed." + +"We put the matter entirely in your hands, sir," said Uncle John. "Act +as you think best." + +"I thank you," replied Dr. Hoyt, bowing. Then he turned to the girls. +"Which of you young ladies has won the friendship of Lucy Rogers?" he +asked. + +Louise answered that she and Eliza Parsons had become good friends. + +"Will you assist me?" asked the physician. + +"Willingly, sir." + +"I wish to send the girl into a deep sleep, to render her unconscious +without her suspecting my intention, or realizing the fact. Can you +suggest a way to do this?" + +Louise tried to think. + +"What means will you employ, sir?" she asked. + +"There are many ways to accomplish this. I prefer to administer a +powerful sleeping potion. Have you any confectionery or bon-bons at +hand?" + +"Yes, indeed. I have just received a fresh box of bon-bons from New +York. But I'm not sure I can induce Eliza to eat candy." + +"Then let us prepare the potion in various ways. But you must be +careful, Miss Merrick, not to make a mistake and take the dose +yourself." + +Louise laughed. + +"I'll be careful, sir," she promised. + +The two then retired to perfect their plan, and in an hour every +arrangement was complete. + +Louise went to her room, donned a wrapper, and bandaged her head. Then +she summoned Martha and asked the housekeeper to send Eliza Parsons to +sit with her in the darkened room, as she was suffering from a headache. + +The maid came at once, to all appearances, as happy and careless as +ever. After expressing her sympathy she asked what she could do. + +"Just sit down and keep me company, dear," replied Louise. "I'm not very +bad, but I'm restless and can't sleep, and I want you to talk to me and +amuse me." + +Eliza laughed. + +"That is easy, as far as talking is concerned," she said. "But to amuse +you, Miss Louise, may be more difficult." + +But the girls found a topic of conversation in the election, in which +Eliza was much interested, and they chatted together for an hour or so +before Louise made any move to consummate her plot. + +"I hope my foolish reports to Mr. Hopkins did no harm to Mr. Forbes," +Eliza was saying. "I really had little to tell him of your conversation +or movements." + +"You did no harm at all, for Mr. Forbes was elected," replied Louise. +Then she said, carelessly: + +"Martha has sent me this pitcher of lemonade, and I don't care for it. +Won't you drink a glass, Eliza?" + +"No, thank you," she replied, shaking her head. "I never drink +lemonade." + +"Then have one of these sandwiches?" + +"I'm not hungry, Miss Louise." + +Louise sighed. Both the lemonade and the sandwiches had been "dosed" by +Dr. Hoyt. Then she picked up the box of bon-bons that was beside her. + +"But you will eat some candy, dear. Every girl likes candy." + +"I don't seem to care for it," said Eliza carelessly. + +"Just one piece, to please me," coaxed Louise, and selected a piece from +the box with dainty care. "Here, my dear; you'll find this sort very +nice." + +Eliza hesitated, but finally reached out her hand and took the bon-bon. +Louise lay back in her chair and closed her eyes, fearing their +eagerness might betray her. When after a time she opened them again +Eliza was slowly rocking back and forth and chewing the confection. + +Dr. Hoyt's first suggestion had been best. The potion had been prepared +in several ways to tempt Eliza, but the candy had been the effectual +bait. + +Louise felt a glow of triumph, but managed to continue the conversation, +relating in an amusing way the anxiety of the Elmhurst folks when the +first returns seemed to indicate the election of Hopkins. + +Eliza laughed once or twice, her head resting upon the back of her +chair. Then the words of Louise began to sound dreamy and indistinct in +her ears. The chair rocked with less regularity; soon it came to a stop, +and Eliza was peacefully sleeping in its ample depths. + +Louise now rose softly and rang her bell. Footsteps approached, and a +knock came upon the door. She admitted Dr. Hoyt, Mr. Burke, and two +servants. + +The physician approached the sleeping girl and gently lifted the lids of +her eyes. Then he nodded with satisfaction. + +"There was no suspicion on her part? She made no struggle--no attempt to +evade unconsciousness?" he asked. + +"None at all, sir," replied Louise. "She ate the bon-bon, and was asleep +before she realized it." + +"Excellent!" said the doctor. "We will now place her in her own room, +upon her bed, while Mr. Burke and I drive over to her former home to +complete our arrangements." + +"Won't she waken?" asked Louise. + +"Not until tomorrow morning, and when she does I hope for a complete +restoration of her memory." + +Beth went with Dr. Hoyt to the Rogers farm, because she knew Mrs. +Rogers. It was necessary to break the news to the poor, blind woman +gently, but Beth's natural tact stood her in good stead. She related the +story of the search for Lucy, the discovery that one of the maids at +Elmhurst resembled the missing girl, and the detective's conclusion that +Eliza Parsons was none other than Lucy Rogers, who was suffering from a +peculiar mental aberration and had forgotten every detail of her former +life. + +Mrs. Rogers followed the tale with intelligent understanding, and her +joy at the discovery of her wandering child was only tempered by the +fear that Lucy would never know her mother again or be content to remain +in her humble home. + +Then Dr. Hoyt took up the conversation and related the many instances of +complete recovery that had come under his observation. + +"I am adopting heroic methods in this case," said he, "but I have +reasonable hopes of their success. Your child doubtless became mentally +confused while under this roof. How many hours she wandered, we do not +know, but it could not have been long before she lay down by the +roadside and fell asleep. When she awakened her mind was a blank as +regards her identity and former history. Now, in order to effect a +recovery, I have reversed these experiences with her. She is at present +plunged into a deep sleep, under the influence of narcotics that have +rendered her brain absolutely inactive. It is really a state of coma, +and I wish her to waken in this house, amid the scenes with which she +was formerly familiar. By this means I hope to induce her mental +faculties to resume their normal functions." + +Mrs. Rogers accepted this proposal with calmness and a confidence in the +physician that was admirable. Old Will trembled with nervous excitement, +and was so "flustered" by the importance of the experiment that Dr. Hoyt +decided to give him a quieting potion. + +Lucy's room was prepared in the exact manner in which she had left it, +and presently the visitors drove back to Elmhurst. + +In the evening the doctor made the journey a second time, accompanying +the unconscious form of Lucy, which was attended by a maid Louise had +sent with her. + +The girl was undressed and put to bed in her own room, and then everyone +except Dr. Hoyt returned to Elmhurst. + +The physician sat late in conversation with the blind woman and old +Will, and when they retired for the night he lay down upon a lounge in +the little living-room. The question of fees or of comfort was wholly +ignored by the specialist at the moment. His sole interest was in his +remarkable case. + +Mrs. Rogers rose at daylight and with old Will's assistance prepared the +breakfast. The little table was set in the humble living-room, and the +fragrant odor of coffee pervaded the house. Dr. Hoyt drank a cup and +then stepped out upon the little porch, taking a position of observation +by the window. + +"All right, Nell," muttered old Will, his knees knocking together, in +spite of himself. + +Mrs. Rogers rose quietly and walked to the foot of the stairs. + +"Lucy! Lucy!" she called. + +"Yes!" came a faint reply. + +"Breakfast is ready!" + +Then the two old people sat in suppressed excitement for what seemed to +them an age. But the physician, calmly stationed at the window, knew it +was not very long. + +Presently a light step sounded upon the stairs and Lucy came into the +room. + +"Good morning, mother dear!" she said, a new, sweet tenderness in her +voice. And then she knelt and kissed the woman upon her brow. + +The doctor looked at his watch. + +"I must be going," he muttered, turning away. "There's time for me to +catch the early train." + + +THE END + + + + + + + +End of Project Gutenberg's Aunt Jane's Nieces at Work, by Edith Van Dyne + +*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 13110 *** diff --git a/13110-h/13110-h.htm b/13110-h/13110-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..60681df --- /dev/null +++ b/13110-h/13110-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,8384 @@ +<!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.01 Transitional//EN"> +<html> +<head> +<meta http-equiv="Content-Type" + content="text/html; charset=UTF-8"> +<meta content="pg2html (binary version 0.12a)" + name="generator"> +<title>The Project Gutenberg eBook of Aunt Jane's Nieces at Work By, Edith Van Dyne.</title> +<style type="text/css"> + <!-- + P { text-indent: 1em; + margin-top: .75em; + font-size: 12pt; + text-align: left; + margin-bottom: .75em; } + H1,H2,H3,H4,H5,H6 { text-align: center; } + HR { width: 33%; } + PRE { font-family: Courier, monospaced;} + .toc { margin-left: 15%; font-size: 10pt; margin-bottom: 0em;} + CENTER { padding: 10px;} + // --> +</style> +</head> +<body> +<div>*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 13110 ***</div> + +<h1> + AUNT JANE'S NIECES AT WORK +</h1> +<center><b> + BY +</b></center> +<h2> + EDITH VAN DYNE +</h2> +<center> + 1909 +</center> +<a name="2HLIS1"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<h2> + LIST OF CHAPTERS +</h2> +<p><a href="#CH1"> + I. MISS DOYLE INTERFERES +</a></p> +<p><a href="#CH2"> + II. THE ARTIST +</a></p> +<p><a href="#CH3"> + III. DON QUIXOTE +</a></p> +<p><a href="#CH4"> + IV. KENNETH TAKES A BOLD STEP +</a></p> +<p><a href="#CH5"> + V. PLANNING THE WORK +</a></p> +<p><a href="#CH6"> + VI. A GOOD START </a></p> +<p><a href="#CH7"> + VII. PATSY MAKES PROGRESS +</a></p> +<p><a href="#CH8"> + VIII. THE HONORABLE ERASTUS IS ASTONISHED +</a></p> +<p><a href="#CH9"> + IX. OL' WILL ROGERS +</a></p> +<p><a href="#CH10"> + X. THE FORGED CHECK +</a></p> +<p><a href="#CH11"> + XI. A MYSTERIOUS DISAPPEARANCE +</a></p> +<p><a href="#CH12"> + XII. BETH MEETS A REBUFF +</a></p> +<p><a href="#CH13"> + XIII. THE BOOMERANG +</a></p> +<p><a href="#CH14"> + XIV. LUCY'S GHOST +</a></p> +<p><a href="#CH15"> + XV. SIGNS OF THE TIMES +</a></p> +<p><a href="#CH16"> + XVI. A CLEW AT LAST +</a></p> +<p><a href="#CH17"> + XVII. MRS. HOPKINS GOSSIPS +</a></p> +<p><a href="#CH18"> + XVIII. ELIZA PARSONS +</a></p> +<p><a href="#CH19"> + XIX. PATSY INDULGES IN EAVESDROPPING +</a></p> +<p><a href="#CH20"> + XX. PRICKING A BUBBLE +</a></p> +<p><a href="#CH21"> + XXI. THE "RETURNS" FROM FAIRVIEW +</a></p> +<p><a href="#CH22"> + XXII. THE AWAKENING +</a></p> +<a name="CH1"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<h2> + CHAPTER I +</h2> +<center> + MISS DOYLE INTERFERES +</center> +<p> + "Daddy," said Patricia Doyle at the breakfast table in her cosy New York + apartment, "here is something that will make you sit up and take + notice." +</p> +<p> + "My dear Patsy," was the reply, "it's already sitting up I am, an' + taking waffles. If anything at all would make me take notice it's your + own pretty phiz." +</p> +<p> + "Major," remarked Uncle John, helping himself to waffles from a fresh + plate Nora brought in, "you Irish are such confirmed flatterers that you + flatter your own daughters. Patsy isn't at all pretty this morning. + She's too red and freckled." +</p> +<p> + Patsy laughed and her blue eyes danced. +</p> +<p> + "That comes from living on your old farm at Millville," she retorted. + "We've only been back three days, and the sunburn sticks to me like a + burr to a kitten." +</p> +<p> + "Pay no attention to the ould rascal, Patsy," advised the Major, + composedly. "An' stop wavin' that letter like a white flag of surrender. + Who's it from?" +</p> +<p> + "Kenneth." +</p> +<p> + "Aha! An' how is our lad?" +</p> +<p> + "Why, he's got himself into a peck of trouble. That's what I want to + talk to you and Uncle John about," she replied, her happy face growing + as serious as it could ever become. +</p> +<p> + "Can't he wiggle out?" asked Uncle John. +</p> +<p> + "Out of what?" +</p> +<p> + "His trouble." +</p> +<p> + "It seems not. Listen—" +</p> +<p> + "Oh, tell us about it, lassie," said the Major. "If I judge right + there's some sixty pages in that epistle. Don't bother to read it + again." +</p> +<p> + "But every word is important," declared Patsy, turning the letter over, + "—except the last page," with a swift flush. +</p> +<p> + Uncle John laughed. His shrewd old eyes saw everything. +</p> +<p> + "Then read us the last page, my dear." +</p> +<p> + "I'll tell you about it," said Patsy, quickly. "It's this way, you see. + Kenneth has gone into politics!" +</p> +<p> + "More power to his elbow!" exclaimed the Major. +</p> +<p> + "I can't imagine it in Kenneth," said Uncle John, soberly. "What's he in + for?" +</p> +<p> + "For—for—let's see. Oh, here it is. For member of the House of + Representatives from the Eighth District." +</p> +<p> + "He's flying high, for a fledgling," observed the Major. "But Kenneth's + a bright lad and a big gun in his county. He'll win, hands down." +</p> +<p> + Patsy shook her head. +</p> +<p> + "He's afraid not," she said, "and it's worrying him to death. He doesn't + like to be beaten, and that's what's troubling him." +</p> +<p> + Uncle John pushed back his chair. +</p> +<p> + "Poor boy!" he said. "What ever induced him to attempt such a thing?" +</p> +<p> + "He wanted to defeat a bad man who now represents Kenneth's district," + explained Patsy, whose wise little head was full of her friend's + difficulties; "and—" +</p> +<p> + "And the bad man objects to the idea and won't be defeated," added the + Major. "It's a way these bad men have." +</p> +<p> + Uncle John was looking very serious indeed, and Patsy regarded him + gratefully. Her father never would be serious where Kenneth was + concerned. Perhaps in his heart the grizzled old Major was a bit jealous + of the boy. +</p> +<p> + "I think," said the girl, "that Mr. Watson got Ken into politics, for he + surely wouldn't have undertaken such a thing himself. And, now he's in, + he finds he's doomed to defeat; and it's breaking his heart, Uncle + John." +</p> +<p> + The little man nodded silently. His chubby face was for once destitute + of a smile. That meant a good deal with Uncle John, and Patsy knew she + had interested him in Kenneth's troubles. +</p> +<p> + "Once," said the Major, from behind the morning paper, "I was in + politics, meself. I ran for coroner an' got two whole votes—me own an' + the undertaker's. It's because the public's so indiscriminating that + I've not run for anything since—except th' street-car." +</p> +<p> + "But it's a big game," said Uncle John, standing at the window with his + hands deep in his pockets; "and an important game. Every good American + should take an interest in politics; and Kenneth, especially, who has + such large landed interests, ought to direct the political affairs of + his district." +</p> +<p> + "I'm much interested in politics, too, Uncle," declared the girl. "If I + were a man I'd—I'd—be President!" +</p> +<p> + "An' I'd vote fer ye twenty times a day, mavourneen!" cried the Major. + "But luckily ye'll be no president—unless it's of a woman's club." +</p> +<p> + "There's the bell!" cried Patsy. "It must be the girls. No one else + would call so early." +</p> +<p> + "It's Beth's voice, talking to Nora," added her father, listening; and + then the door flew open and in came two girls whose bright and eager + faces might well warrant the warm welcome they received. +</p> +<p> + "Oh, Louise," cried Patsy, "however did you get up so early?" +</p> +<p> + "I've got a letter from Kenneth," was the answer, "and I'm so excited I + couldn't wait a minute!" +</p> +<p> + "Imagine Louise being excited," said Beth, calmly, as she kissed Uncle + John and sat down by Patsy's side. "She read her letter in bed and + bounced out of bed like a cannon-ball. We dressed like the 'lightning + change' artist at the vaudeville, and I'm sure our hats are not on + straight." +</p> +<p> + "This bids fair to be a strenuous day," observed the Major. "Patsy's had + a letter from the boy, herself." +</p> +<p> + "Oh, did you?" inquired Louise; "and do you know all about it, dear?" +</p> +<p> + "She knows sixty pages about it," replied Major Doyle. +</p> +<p> + "Well, then, what's to be done?" +</p> +<p> + The question was addressed to Patsy, who was not prepared to reply. The + three cousins first exchanged inquiring glances and then turned their + eager eyes upon the broad chubby back of Uncle John, who maintained his + position at the window as if determined to shut out the morning + sunlight. +</p> +<p> + Louise Merrick lived with her mother a few blocks away from Patsy's + apartment, and her cousin Beth DeGraf was staying with her for a time. + They had all spent the summer with Uncle John at Millville, and had only + returned to New York a few days before. Beth's home was in Ohio, but + there was so little sympathy between the girl and her parents that she + was happy only when away from them. Her mother was Uncle John's sister, + but as selfish and cold as Uncle John was generous and genial. Beth's + father was a "genius" and a professor of music—one of those geniuses + who live only in their own atmosphere and forget there is a world around + them. So Beth had a loveless and disappointed childhood, and only after + Uncle John arrived from the far west and took his three nieces "under + his wing," as he said, did her life assume any brightness or interest. +</p> +<p> + Her new surroundings, however, had developed Beth's character + wonderfully, and although she still had her periods of sullen depression + she was generally as gay and lovable as her two cousins, but in a + quieter and more self-possessed way. +</p> +<p> + Louise was the eldest—a fair, dainty creature with that indescribable + "air" which invariably wins the admiring regard of all beholders. + Whatever gown the girl wore looked appropriate and becoming, and her + manner was as delightful as her appearance. She was somewhat frivolous + and designing in character, but warm-hearted and staunch in her + friendships. Indeed, Louise was one of those girls who are so complex as + to be a puzzle to everyone, including themselves. +</p> +<p> + Beth DeGraf was the beauty of the group of three, and she also possessed + great depth of character. Beth did not like herself very well, and was + always afraid others would fail to like her, so she did not win friends + as easily as did Louise. But those who knew the beautiful girl + intimately could read much to admire in the depth of her great dark + eyes, and she was not the least interesting of the three nieces whose + fortunes had been so greatly influenced by Aunt Jane and Uncle John + Merrick. +</p> +<p> + But Patricia Doyle—usually called "Patsy" by her friends—was after all + the general favorite with strangers and friends alike. There was a + subtle magnetism about the girl's laughing, freckled face and dancing + blue eyes that could not well be resisted. Patsy was not beautiful; she + was not accomplished; she had no especial air of distinction. But she + was winning from the top of her red hair to the tips of her toes, and so + absolutely unaffected that she won all hearts. +</p> +<p> + "And for wisdom she's got Solomon beat to a frazzle," declared the Major + to Uncle John, in discussing his daughter's character. But it is + possible that Major Doyle was prejudiced. +</p> +<p> + "Well, what's to be done?" demanded Louise, for the second time. +</p> +<p> + "We don't vote in Ken's district," remarked the Major, "or there would + be six votes to his credit, and that would beat my own record by four!" +</p> +<p> + "Ken is so impressionable that I'm afraid this defeat will ruin his + life," said Beth, softly. "I wish we could get him away. Couldn't we get + him to withdraw?" +</p> +<p> + "He might be suddenly called to Europe," suggested Louise. "That would + take him away from the place and give him a change of scene." +</p> +<p> + Patsy shook her head. +</p> +<p> + "Kenneth isn't a coward," she said. "He won't run away. He must accept + his defeat like a man, and some time try again. Eh, Uncle John?" +</p> +<p> + Uncle John turned around and regarded his three nieces critically. +</p> +<p> + "What makes you think he will be defeated?" he asked. +</p> +<p> + "He says so himself," answered Patsy. +</p> +<p> + "He writes me he can see no hope, for the people are all against him," + added Louise. +</p> +<p> + "Pah!" said Uncle John, contemptuously. "What else does the idiot say?" +</p> +<p> + "That he's lonely and discouraged, and had to pour out his heart to some + one or go wild," said Patsy, the tears of sympathy filling her eyes. +</p> +<p> + "And you girls propose to sit down and allow all this?" inquired their + uncle sternly. +</p> +<p> + "We?" answered Louise, lifting her brows and making a pretty gesture. + "What can we do?" +</p> +<p> + "Go to work!" said Uncle John. +</p> +<p> + "How?" asked Patsy, eagerly. +</p> +<p> + "Politics is a game," declared Mr. Merrick. "It's never won until the + last card is played. And success doesn't lie so much in the cards as the + way you play 'em. Here are three girls with plenty of shrewdness and + energy. Why don't you take a hand in the game and win it?" +</p> +<p> + "Oh, Uncle John!" +</p> +<p> + The proposition was certainly disconcerting at first. +</p> +<p> + "Yes, yes!" laughed the Major, derisively. "Put on some blue stockings, + read the history of woman's suffrage, cultivate a liking for depraved + eggs, and then face Kenneth's enraged constituents!" +</p> +<p> + "I shouldn't mind, daddy, if it would help Kenneth any," declared Patsy, + stoutly. +</p> +<p> + "Go on, Uncle John," said Beth, encouragingly. +</p> +<p> + "Women in politics," observed their uncle, "have often been a tremendous + power. You won't need to humiliate yourselves, my dears. All you'll need + to do is to exercise your wits and work earnestly for the cause. There + are a hundred ways to do that." +</p> +<p> + "Mention a few," proposed the Major. +</p> +<p> + "I will when I get to Elmhurst and look over the ground," answered Uncle + John. +</p> +<p> + "You're going on, then?" +</p> +<p> + "Yes." +</p> +<p> + "I'll go with you," said Patsy promptly. +</p> +<p> + "So will I," said Beth. "Kenneth needs moral encouragement and support + as much as anything else, just now." +</p> +<p> + "He's imagining all sorts of horrors and making himself miserable," said + Louise. "Let's all go, Uncle, and try to cheer him up." +</p> +<p> + By this time Uncle John was smiling genially. +</p> +<p> + "Why, I was sure of you, my dears, from the first," he said. "The + Major's an old croaker, but he'd go, too, if it were not necessary for + him to stay in New York and attend to business. But we mustn't lose any + time, if we're going to direct the politics of the Eighth District + Election the eighth of November." +</p> +<p> + "I can go any time, and so can Beth," said Louise. +</p> +<p> + "All I need is the blue stockings," laughed Patsy. +</p> +<p> + "It won't be play. This means work," said Uncle John seriously. +</p> +<p> + "Well, I believe we're capable of a certain amount of work," replied + Beth. "Aren't we, girls?" +</p> +<p> + "We are!" +</p> +<p> + "All right," said Mr. Merrick. "I'll go and look up the next train. Go + home, Louise, and pack up. I'll telephone you." +</p> +<p> + "That bad man 'd better look out," chuckled the Major. "He doesn't + suspect that an army of invasion is coming." +</p> +<p> + "Daddy," cried Patsy, "you hush up. We mean business." +</p> +<p> + "If you win," said the Major, "I'll run for alderman on a petticoat + platform, and hire your services." +</p> +<a name="CH2"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<h2> + CHAPTER II +</h2> +<center> + THE ARTIST +</center> +<p> + To most people the great rambling mansion at Elmhurst, with its ample + grounds and profusion of flowers and shrubbery, would afford endless + delight. But Kenneth Forbes, the youthful proprietor, was at times + dreadfully bored by the loneliness of it all, though no one could better + have appreciated the beauties of his fine estate. +</p> +<p> + The town, an insignificant village, was five miles distant, and + surrounding the mansion were many broad acres which rather isolated it + from its neighbors. Moreover, Elmhurst was the one important estate in + the county, and the simple, hard-working farmers in its vicinity + considered, justly enough, that the owner was wholly out of their class. +</p> +<p> + This was not the owner's fault, and Kenneth had brooded upon the matter + until he had come to regard it as a distinct misfortune. For it isolated + him and deprived him of any social intercourse with his neighbors. +</p> +<p> + The boy had come to live at Elmhurst when he was a mere child, but only + as a dependent upon the charities of Aunt Jane, who had accepted the + charge of the orphan because he was a nephew of her dead lover, who had + bequeathed her his estate of Elmhurst. Aunt Jane was Kenneth's aunt + merely in name, since she had never even married the uncle to whom she + had been betrothed, and who had been killed in an accident before the + boy was born. +</p> +<p> + She was an irritable old woman, as Kenneth knew her, and had never shown + him any love or consideration. He grew up in a secluded corner of the + great house, tended merely by servants and suffered to play in those + quarters of the ample grounds which Aunt Jane did not herself visit. The + neglect which Kenneth had suffered and his lonely life had influenced + the youth's temperament, and he was far from being an agreeable + companion at the time Aunt Jane summoned her three nieces to Elmhurst in + order to choose one of them as her heiress. These girls, bright, cheery + and wholesome as they were, penetrated the boy's reserve and drew him + out of his misanthropic moods. They discovered that he had remarkable + talent as an artist, and encouraged him to draw and paint, something he + had long loved to do in secret. +</p> +<p> + Then came the great surprise of the boy's life, which changed his + condition from one of dependency into affluence. Aunt Jane died and it + was discovered that she had no right to transfer the estate to one of + her nieces, because by the terms of his uncle's deed to her the property + reverted on her death to Kenneth himself. Louise Merrick, Beth DeGraf + and Patsy Doyle, the three nieces, were really glad that the boy + inherited Elmhurst, and returned to their eastern homes with the most + cordial friendship existing between them all. +</p> +<p> + Kenneth was left the master of Elmhurst and possessor of considerable + wealth besides, and at first he could scarcely realize his good fortune + or decide how to take advantage of it. He had one good and helpful + friend, an old lawyer named Watson, who had not only been a friend of + his uncle, and the confidant of Aunt Jane for years, but had taken an + interest in the lonely boy and had done his best to make his life + brighter and happier. +</p> +<p> + When Kenneth became a landed proprietor Mr. Watson was appointed his + guardian, and the genial old lawyer abandoned the practice of law and + henceforth devoted himself to his ward's welfare and service. +</p> +<p> + They made a trip to Europe together, where Kenneth studied the pictures + of the old masters and obtained instruction from some of the foremost + living artists of the old world. +</p> +<p> + It was while they were abroad, a year before the time of this story, + that the boy met Aunt Jane's three nieces again. They were "doing" + Europe in company with a wealthy bachelor uncle, John Merrick, a + generous, kind-hearted and simple-minded old gentleman who had taken the + girls "under his wing," as he expressed it, and had really provided for + their worldly welfare better than Aunt Jane, his sister, could have + done. +</p> +<p> + This "Uncle John" was indeed a whimsical character, as the reader will + presently perceive. Becoming a millionaire "against his will," as he + declared, he had learned to know his nieces late in life, and found in + their society so much to enjoy that he was now wholly devoted to their + interests. His one friend was Major Doyle, Patsy's father, a dignified + but agreeable old Irish gentleman who amused Uncle John nearly as much + as the girls delighted him. The Major managed John Merrick's financial + affairs, leaving the old millionaire free to do as he pleased. +</p> +<p> + So he took the girls to Europe, and the four had a fine, adventurous + trip, as may be imagined. Kenneth and Mr. Watson met them in Sicily, and + afterward in the Italian cities, and the friendship already existing + between the young people was more firmly cemented than before. +</p> +<p> + In the spring Kenneth returned with his guardian to Elmhurst, where he + devoted himself largely to painting from the sketches he had made + abroad, while Mr. Watson sat beside him comfortably smoking his pipe and + reading his favorite authors. The elder man was contented enough in his + condition, but the boy grew restless and impatient, and longed for + social intercourse. His nature was moody and he had a tendency to brood + if left much to himself. +</p> +<p> + Uncle John had carried his nieces to a farm at Millville, in the + Adirondack region, for the summer, so that Kenneth heard but seldom from + his friends. +</p> +<p> + Such was the disposition of the characters when our story opens. +</p> +<p> + Kenneth Forbes, although I have called him a boy, had attained his + majority on the fifteenth day of May. At this time Mr. Watson rendered + his accounts and turned over the estate to its owner. He would then have + retired, but Kenneth would not let him go. Twenty-one years of age + sounds mature, but the owner of Elmhurst was as boyish and inexperienced + as it is possible for one twenty-one years old to be. He had grown + accustomed, moreover, to depend much on Mr. Watson's legal acumen in the + management of his affairs, and would have been embarrassed and + bewildered if obliged to shoulder the burden all at once. +</p> +<p> + The lawyer, who had always had an affection for the young man, perceived + this clearly; so an arrangement was made that he should remain with his + young friend indefinitely and strive to teach him such elements of + business as would enable him in time to attend to his extensive + interests understandingly and wisely. +</p> +<p> + The country around Elmhurst is thickly settled with agriculturists, for + the farms are rich and productive in that part of the state. But it is + not a flat country, and Nature has given it many pretty woodland glades + and rocky glens to add to its charm. +</p> +<p> + From the hill country at the west came several rushing streams which + tumbled along rocky paths to the river nine miles below Elmhurst, and + there are scenes along these routes that might well delight the eye of + an artist. Kenneth had often wandered into these out-of-the-way places + when a half-forgotten, neglected lad, but had not visited them for + years. Now, however, with the spirit of loneliness upon him, he suddenly + thought of a glen that would make an interesting study for a picture; so + one morning he mounted his horse and rode away to pay the place a + preliminary visit. +</p> +<p> + The farmers along the road nodded at the young fellow good-naturedly as + he passed them. Everyone knew him well by sight, yet Kenneth could not + have named many of his neighbors, having held little intercourse with + them. It struck him, this morning, that they had little cause to be + interested in him. He had been an unsociable lad, and since he had + become master of Elmhurst had done little to cultivate acquaintance with + the people who lived around him. +</p> +<p> + One reason for this was that they held little in common with him. The + neighboring farmers were honest, thrifty souls, and among them were many + both shrewd and thoughtful; but they naturally would not force + themselves upon the society of the one really rich man in their + community, especially as that man had shown no desire to know them. +</p> +<p> + Kenneth was the subject of much speculation among them, and opinions + widely differed concerning his character. Some called him a "prig" and + declared that he was "stuck up" and conceited. Others said he was a + "namby-pamby" without brains or wit. But there were a few who had + occasionally talked with the boy, who understood him better, and hinted + that he might develop into "quite a man" in time. +</p> +<p> + Kenneth surprised himself this morning by greeting several of his + neighbors with unusual cordiality. He even stopped a man who was driving + along the highway to inquire about his horse, which he perceived was + very lame. The boy knew something about horses and suggested a method of + treatment that he thought would help the nag; a suggestion the farmer + received with real gratitude. +</p> +<p> + This simple incident cheered Kenneth more than you might suppose, and he + was actually whistling as he rode through the glen, where the country + road wound its way beside the noisy, rushing stream. +</p> +<p> + Pausing in front of the picturesque "table rock" that he had come to + inspect, the boy uttered an exclamation of chagrin and disappointment. + Painted broadly upon the face of the rock, in great white letters, was + the advertisement of a patent medicine. The beauty of the scene was + ruined—only the glaring advertisement caught and held the eye of the + observer. +</p> +<p> + At first Kenneth's mind held only a feeling of disgust that such a + desecration of Nature's gifts to humanity should be allowed. Then he + remembered another place further along the glen which was almost as + pretty as this had been before the defiling brush of the advertiser had + ruined it. So he spurred his horse and rode up the winding way to the + spot. There a red-lettered announcement of "Simpson's Soap" stared him + in the face. +</p> +<p> + This was too much for his temper, and his disappointment quickly turned + to resentment. While he sat on his mare, considering the matter, the man + with the lame horse, whom he had passed, overtook him. +</p> +<p> + "Can you tell me," Kenneth asked, "who owns this property?" +</p> +<p> + "Why, I do," replied the man, reining up. +</p> +<p> + "And you permitted these vile signs to be painted on the rocks?" + demanded the boy angrily. +</p> +<p> + "O' course," replied the man, with a grin of amusement. "I can't farm + the rocks, can I? An' these 'ere signs pays me ten dollars a year, + each." +</p> +<p> + Kenneth groaned. +</p> +<p> + "I'll give you fifteen dollars a year each if you'll let me wash off the + letters and restore the scene to its original beauty," he declared. +</p> +<p> + "I'm willin'," was the response. "But ye see they're contracted. I'd git + into trouble with the sign-painter." +</p> +<p> + "Who is he?" +</p> +<p> + "Lives in Cleveland. I've got his name up t' th' house, if you'll come + along. He comes up here every spring and paints fences an' rocks, payin' + spot cash fer th' privilege." +</p> +<p> + "Oh, I see." +</p> +<p> + "Then he contracts with the soap man an' the medicine man to paint up + their ads. You're the young 'un from Elmhurst, ain't ye?" +</p> +<p> + "Yes." +</p> +<p> + "Well, I'd like to earn that extra five, well enough. My name's Parsons. + I've got three signs let on my property in the glen. Ef ye'll jest ride + up t' the house I'll giv' ye the feller's name." +</p> +<p> + "All right. Come along," said Kenneth, with sudden resolve. +</p> +<p> + The farmer rode a time in silent thought. He could not go fast, for the + beast was very lame. Finally he remarked: +</p> +<p> + "Ef ye buy up the sign painters, so's ye can wash off the letters, like + enough ye'll hev to pay him fer th' paint an' paintin', too." +</p> +<p> + "I don't mind," was the response. +</p> +<p> + The farmer chuckled. Here was an interesting adventure, for a fact. What + on earth could possess the "young 'un" from Elmhurst to object to signs, + and be willing to pay for having them erased? +</p> +<p> + "Like enough ye'll hev to pay back the money the soap an' medicine men + guv th' painter, too," he hazarded. +</p> +<p> + "Like enough," said Kenneth, grimly. +</p> +<p> + One of his stubborn moods had seized him. At all hazards he was resolved + to eliminate those ugly signs. +</p> +<p> + He got the name of the sign painter, accepted a glass of buttermilk at + the farm house, and then rode slowly home by another route, so that he + might not have to face the signs again. +</p> +<p> + But on this route he saw even more. They were painted on the fences and + barns as he passed along. He scowled at each one, but they did not + appear to him quite so inharmonious as those which marred the more + picturesque and retired spots which were his favorite haunts. +</p> +<a name="CH3"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<h2> + CHAPTER III +</h2> +<center> + DON QUIXOTE +</center> +<p> + When Kenneth got home he told Mr. Watson of his discovery and asked the + old gentleman to write to the sign painter and find out what could be + done. The lawyer laughed heartily at his young friend's whim, but agreed + to help him. +</p> +<p> + "If you are going to try to prevent rural advertising," he remarked, + "you'll find your hands full." +</p> +<p> + Kenneth looked up smiling. +</p> +<p> + "Thank you," he said. +</p> +<p> + "For what?" +</p> +<p> + "For finding me something to do. I'm sick of this inaction." +</p> +<p> + Again the lawyer laughed. +</p> +<p> + "What is your idea?" he asked. +</p> +<p> + "To remove such eyesores as advertising signs from the neighborhood of + Elmhurst." +</p> +<p> + "It's a Titan's task, Ken." +</p> +<p> + "So much the better." +</p> +<p> + The lawyer grew thoughtful. +</p> +<p> + "I believe it's impossible," he ventured. +</p> +<p> + "Better yet. I don't say I'll succeed, but I promise to try. I want + something to occupy myself—something really difficult, so that I may + test my own powers." +</p> +<p> + "But, my dear boy! This foolish proposition isn't worthy your effort. If + you want to be up and doing we'll find something else to occupy your + mind." +</p> +<p> + "No, Mr. Watson; I'm set on this. It's a crime to allow these signs to + flaunt themselves in our prettiest scenes. My instinct revolts at the + desecration. Besides, no one else seems to have undertaken the task of + exterminating them." +</p> +<p> + "True enough. If you're serious, Ken, I'll frankly say the thing can't + be done. You may, perhaps, buy the privilege of maintaining the rocks of + the glen free from advertising; but the advertisers will paint more + signs on all the approaches, and you won't have gained much." +</p> +<p> + "I'll drive every advertising sign out of this country." +</p> +<p> + "Impossible. The great corporations who control these industries make + their fortunes by this style of advertising. The rural districts are + their strongholds. And they must advertise or they can't sell their + products." +</p> +<p> + "Let them advertise in decent ways, then. What right has any soap maker + to flaunt his wares in my face, whether I'm interested in them or not?" +</p> +<p> + "The right of custom. People have submitted to these things so long that + the manufacturers consider themselves justified in covering every barn, + rock and fence with their signs. I see no way to stop them." +</p> +<p> + "Nor I, at present. But there must be a way." +</p> +<p> + "Drive out one, and another will take his place. They pay liberally for + locations—" +</p> +<p> + "Pshaw! Ten dollars a year for a rock as big as a barn!" +</p> +<p> + "But they rent thousands of such positions, and in the aggregate our + farmers get large sums from them." +</p> +<p> + "And ruin the appearance of their homes and farms." +</p> +<p> + Mr. Watson smiled. +</p> +<p> + "They're not artists, Ken. They can't realize on appearances, but they + can use the money the signs bring them." +</p> +<p> + "They need to be educated, that's all. These farmers seem very honest, + decent fellows." +</p> +<p> + "They are, Ken. I wish you knew them better." +</p> +<p> + "So do I, Mr. Watson. This campaign ought to bring us closer together, + for I mean to get them to help me." +</p> +<p> + "You'll have to buy them, I'm afraid." +</p> +<p> + "Not all of them. There must be some refinement among them." +</p> +<p> + But the lawyer was not convinced. However, it was not his desire to + stifle this new-born enthusiasm of Kenneth's, even though he believed it + misdirected. He wanted the young man to rouse himself and take an + interest in life, and if his antagonism to advertising signs would + effect this, the futile fight against them was to be welcomed. It would + cost the boy something, but he would gain his money's worth in + experience. +</p> +<p> + After a few days the sign painter answered the letter. He would + relinquish the three signs in the glen for a payment of fifty dollars + each, with the understanding that no other competing signs were to take + their place. Kenneth promptly mailed a check for the amount demanded and + early next morning started for the glen with what he called his + "eliminators." +</p> +<p> + These "eliminators" consisted of two men with cans of turpentine and + gasoline and an equipment of scrubbing brushes. Parsons, the farmer, + came over to watch this novel proceeding, happy in the possession of + three crisp five-dollar notes given in accordance with the agreement + made with him. All day the two men scrubbed the rocks faithfully, + assisted at odd times by their impatient employer; but the thick + splashes of paint clung desperately to the rugged surface of the rock, + and the task was a hard one. When evening came the letters had almost + disappeared when viewed closely; but when Kenneth rode to the mouth of + the glen on his way home and paused to look back, he could see the + injunction "Take Smith's Liver Pills" staring at him, in grim defiance + of the scrubbing brushes. +</p> +<p> + But his energy was not exhausted. No one ever knew what it cost in labor + and material to erase those three signs; but after ten days they had + vanished completely, and the boy heaved a sigh of satisfaction and + turned his attention to extending the campaign. +</p> +<p> + On the farm nearest to Elmhurst at the north, which belonged to a man + named Webb, was a barn, facing the road, that displayed on its side a + tobacco sign. Kenneth interviewed Mr. Webb and found that he received no + money for the sign; but the man contended that the paint preserved his + barn from the weather on that side. So Kenneth agreed to repaint the + entire barn for him, and actually had the work done. As it took many + coats of paint to blot out the sign it was rather a expensive operation. +</p> +<p> + By this time the campaign of the youthful proprietor of Elmhurst against + advertising signs began to be talked of throughout the county, and was + the subject of much merriment among the farmers. Some of them were + intelligent enough to admire the young Quixote, and acknowledged frankly + that it was a pity to decorate their premises with signs of patent + medicines and questionable soaps. +</p> +<p> + But the majority of them sneered at the champion, and many refused + point-blank to consider any proposition to discard the advertisements. + Indeed, some were proud of them, and believed it a mark of distinction + to have their fences and sheds announce an eye-remedy or several + varieties of pickles. +</p> +<p> + Mr. Watson, at first an amused observer of the campaign, soon became + indignant at the way that Kenneth was ridiculed and reviled; and he took + a hand in the fight himself. He decided to call a meeting of the + neighboring farmers at the district school-house on Saturday night, + where Kenneth could address them with logical arguments and endeavor to + win them over to his way of thinking. +</p> +<p> + The invitation was promptly accepted by the rural population; not so + much because they were interested in the novel ideas of the young artist + as because they expected to be amused by hearing the boyish master of + Elmhurst "lecture at 'em." So they filled the little room to + overflowing, and to add to the dignity of the proceedings the Hon. + Erastus Hopkins, State Representative for the district, lent his + presence to the assemblage. +</p> +<p> + Not that the Honorable Erastus cared a fig about this foolish talk of + exterminating advertising signs. He was himself a large stockholder in a + breakfast-food factory, which painted signs wherever it could secure + space. These signs were not works of art, but they were distinctly + helpful to business, and only a fool, in the opinion of the Honorable + Erastus, would protest against the inevitable. +</p> +<p> + What brought the legislator to the meeting was the fact that he was + coming forward for re-election in November, and believed that this + afforded a good chance to meet some of his constituents and make a + favorable impression. So he came early and shook hands with everyone + that arrived, and afterward took as prominent a seat as possible. +</p> +<p> + Indeed, the gathering had at first the appearance of being a political + one, so entirely did the Representative dominate it. But Mr. Watson took + the platform and shyly introduced the speaker of the evening. +</p> +<p> + The farmers all knew Mr. Watson, and liked him; so when Kenneth rose + they prepared to listen in respectful silence. +</p> +<p> + Usually a young man making his maiden speech is somewhat diffident; but + young Forbes was so thoroughly in earnest and so indignant at the + opposition that his plans had encountered that he forgot that it was his + first public speech and thought only of impressing his hearers with his + views, exulting in the fact that on this occasion they could not "talk + back," as they usually did in private when he tried to argue with them. + So he exhorted them earnestly to keep their homes beautiful and free + from the degradation of advertising, and never to permit glaring + commercialism to mar the scenery around them. He told them what he had + been able to accomplish by himself, in a short time; how he had redeemed + the glen from its disgraceful condition and restored it to its former + beauty. He asked them to observe Webb's pretty homestead, no longer + marred by the unsightly sign upon the barn. And then he appealed to them + to help him in driving all the advertising signs out of the community. +</p> +<p> + When he ended they applauded his speech mildly; but it was chiefly for + the reason that he had spoken so forcibly and well. +</p> +<p> + Then the Honorable Erastus Hopkins, quick to catch the lack of sympathy + in the audience, stood up and begged leave to reply to young Forbes. +</p> +<p> + He said the objection to advertising signs was only a rich man's + aristocratic hobby, and that it could not be indulged in a democratic + community of honest people. His own firm, he said, bought thousands of + bushels of oats from the farmers and converted them into the celebrated + Eagle-Eye Breakfast Food, three packages for a quarter. They sold this + breakfast food to thousands of farmers, to give them health and strength + to harvest another crop of oats. Thus he "benefited the community going + and coming." What! Should he not advertise this mutual-benefit commodity + wherever he pleased, and especially among the farmers? What aristocratic + notion could prevent him? It was a mighty good thing for the farmers to + be reminded, by means of the signs on their barns and fences, of the + things they needed in daily life. +</p> +<p> + If the young man at Elmhurst would like to be of public service he might + find some better way to do so than by advancing such crazy ideas. But + this, continued the Representative, was a subject of small importance. + What he wished especially to call their attention to was the fact that + he had served the district faithfully as Representative, and deserved + their suffrages for renomination. And then he began to discuss political + questions in general and his own merits in particular, so that Kenneth + and Mr. Watson, disgusted at the way in which the Honorable Erastus had + captured the meeting, left the school-house and indignantly returned to + Elmhurst. +</p> +<p> + "This man Hopkins," said Mr. Watson, angrily, "is not a gentleman. He's + an impertinent meddler." +</p> +<p> + "He ruined any good effect my speech might have created," said Kenneth, + gloomily. +</p> +<p> + "Give it up, my boy," advised the elder man, laying a kindly hand on the + youth's shoulder. "It really isn't worth the struggle." +</p> +<p> + "But I can't give it up and acknowledge myself beaten," protested + Kenneth, almost ready to weep with disappointment. +</p> +<p> + "Well, well, let's think it over, Ken, and see what can be done. Perhaps + that rascally Hopkins was right when he advised you to find some other + way to serve the community." +</p> +<p> + "I can't do better than to make it clean—to do away with these + disreputable signs," said the boy, stubbornly. +</p> +<p> + "You made a fine speech," declared Mr. Watson, gravely puffing his pipe. + "I am very proud of you, my lad." +</p> +<p> + Kenneth flushed red. He was by nature shy and retiring to a degree. Only + his pent-up enthusiasm had carried him through the ordeal, and now that + it was over he was chagrined to think that the speech had been so + ineffective. He was modest enough to believe that another speaker might + have done better. +</p> +<a name="CH4"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<h2> + CHAPTER IV +</h2> +<center> + KENNETH TAKES A BOLD STEP +</center> +<p> + "This man Hopkins gets on my nerves," said Mr. Watson, a week or two + after the eventful meeting in the school-house. He was at the breakfast + table opposite Kenneth, and held up a big, glaring post-card which was + in his mail. +</p> +<p> + "What is it now?" asked the boy, rousing himself from a fit of + abstraction. +</p> +<p> + "An announcement offering himself for renomination at the primaries. + It's like a circus advertisement. Isn't it a shame to think that modern + politics has descended to such a level in our free and enlightened + republic?" +</p> +<p> + Kenneth nodded, stirring his coffee thoughtfully. He had lost his spirit + and enthusiasm since the meeting, and was fast relapsing into his old + state of apathy and boredom. It grieved Mr. Watson to note this. +</p> +<p> + "Hopkins isn't fit to be the Representative for this district," observed + the old gentleman, with sudden energy. +</p> +<p> + The boy looked at him. +</p> +<p> + "Who is Hopkins?" he asked. +</p> +<p> + "His mother once kept a stationery shop in town, and he was stable boy + at the hotel. But he was shrewd and prospered, and when he grew up + became a county-clerk or tax-collector; then an assessor, and finally he + ran last term for State Representative from this district and was + elected by a mighty small majority." +</p> +<p> + "Why small?" asked Kenneth. +</p> +<p> + "Because he's a Democrat, and the district is strongly Republican. But + Thompson ran against him on the Republican ticket and couldn't win his + party vote." +</p> +<p> + "Who's Thompson?" +</p> +<p> + "The general store keeper. He has a reputation for short weights and + measures." +</p> +<p> + The boy sipped his coffee thoughtfully. +</p> +<p> + "Tell me, sir; how did you happen to know all this?" he asked. +</p> +<p> + "I've been looking up Hopkins's record. I have disliked the man ever + since he treated us so shabbily on the night of the meeting." +</p> +<p> + "Never mind him. We've done with him." +</p> +<p> + Mr. Watson shifted uneasily in his chair. +</p> +<p> + "I wonder if we have?" he said. +</p> +<p> + "Why not, sir?" +</p> +<p> + "Well, Kenneth, we have to reside at Elmhurst, which is Hopkins's + district. Also I believe Elmhurst to be the most important estate in the + district, and you to be the largest taxpayer. This man wishes to go to + the State Legislature and make laws for you to obey." +</p> +<p> + "Well?" +</p> +<p> + "Well, it's our duty to watch him. If he isn't a fit man it's our duty + to prevent him from representing us." +</p> +<p> + The young man nodded somewhat dreamily. +</p> +<p> + "Some of these country yokels must represent us," he observed. "It + doesn't matter much whether it's Hopkins or someone else." +</p> +<p> + "Except that you, being a prominent man, owe it to the community to + protect its interests," added the lawyer. +</p> +<p> + "Do you want me to mix in these petty politics?" asked the boy, + irritably. +</p> +<p> + "Oh, do as you like, my boy. If you can shirk your duties with a clear + conscience, I've nothing to say." +</p> +<p> + For a time the young man was silent. Finally he asked: +</p> +<p> + "Why isn't Hopkins a good Representative?" +</p> +<p> + "He's what is called a 'grafter'; a term signifying that he is willing + to vote for any measure that he is paid to vote for, whether it benefits + his constituents or not." +</p> +<p> + "Oh. Is he singular in this?" +</p> +<p> + "By no means. The 'grafter' is all too common in politics." +</p> +<p> + Again the boy fell into a thoughtful mood. +</p> +<p> + "Mr. Watson, am I a Democrat or a Republican?" +</p> +<p> + The old gentleman laughed outright. +</p> +<p> + "Don't you know, Ken?" +</p> +<p> + "No, sir, I haven't asked myself before." +</p> +<p> + "Then I advise you to be a Republican." +</p> +<p> + "Why?" +</p> +<p> + "Because Hopkins is a Democrat, and we may then fight him openly." +</p> +<p> + "What is the difference, sir, between the two parties?" +</p> +<p> + "There is no difference of importance. All Americans are loyal citizens, + whichever side they adopt in politics. But the two parties are the + positive and negative poles that provide the current of electricity for + our nation, and keep it going properly. Also they safeguard our + interests by watching one another." +</p> +<p> + "What is your preference, sir?" +</p> +<p> + "I've always been a Republican, whenever I dabbled in politics, which + hasn't been often." +</p> +<p> + "Then I will be a Republican." +</p> +<p> + "Very good." +</p> +<p> + "I am sorry to say that I know nothing about politics and have no + convictions on the subject. Who is to oppose the Honorable Erastus on + the—on <i>our</i> side?" +</p> +<p> + "I don't know yet. The primaries for the nomination are not to be held + for two weeks, and the Republican candidates seem shy about coming + forward." +</p> +<p> + "Didn't you say the district was Republican?" +</p> +<p> + "Yes; but since Hopkins defeated them last term they seem to be + terrified, and no one likes to offer himself as a possible sacrifice." +</p> +<p> + "That feeling will probably elect Mr. Hopkins," declared Kenneth, with + conviction. +</p> +<p> + "Unless—" +</p> +<p> + "Unless what, sir?" +</p> +<p> + "Unless we come to the rescue of the Republicans and take a hand in + local politics ourselves, my lad." +</p> +<p> + Kenneth pushed back his chair and rose from the table. He walked to the + window and stood there whistling for a few moments, and then left the + room without a word. +</p> +<p> + For a time Mr. Watson sat silently musing. +</p> +<p> + "Perhaps I'm inviting trouble," he murmured; "but I am sure I am doing + right. The boy needs a good shaking up and more knowledge of his + fellow-men. If I can get Kenneth interested, this plan of mine will be + of great benefit to him." +</p> +<p> + Then he, too, left the breakfast table, and wandering into the garden + saw Kenneth busy at his easel in a shady corner. +</p> +<p> + For a day or so the, subject was not resumed, and then Mr. Watson + casually introduced it. +</p> +<p> + "A law could be passed in the State Legislature forbidding the display + of all advertising signs in public places in this county," he suggested. +</p> +<p> + The boy looked at him eagerly. +</p> +<p> + "Are you sure?" he asked. +</p> +<p> + "I am positive," was the answer. "It is merely a question of privilege." +</p> +<p> + "And you think we might hire Hopkins to pass such a law?" +</p> +<p> + "No; we couldn't trust him." +</p> +<p> + "Then what do you propose?" +</p> +<p> + "I'll think it over, my lad, and let you know." +</p> +<p> + Then he walked away, leaving Kenneth much pleased with the idea he had + advanced. Indeed, he was so much interested in the suggestion that he + himself referred to the subject at the first opportunity. +</p> +<p> + "I don't like to be beaten, sir, once I've undertaken to do a thing," he + said. "So if such a law can be passed I'll do all I can to elect the man + who will pass it." +</p> +<p> + "I thought as much," the old lawyer replied, smiling. "But there's only + one man who could go to the legislature with enough influence to win the + votes to carry such a unique measure through." +</p> +<p> + "And who is that, sir?" +</p> +<p> + "Kenneth Forbes, the owner of Elmhurst, and the largest taxpayer in the + county." +</p> +<p> + "Me, sir?" +</p> +<p> + "You're the man." +</p> +<p> + "A State Representative?" +</p> +<p> + "It's an honorable office. It's an important office, properly filled. + You might not only beautify your district by having those objectionable + signs prohibited, but do many other things to better the condition of + the farmers. And that isn't all." +</p> +<p> + "What's the rest, Mr. Watson?" +</p> +<p> + "You owe something to yourself, lad. All your young life you've been too + self-contained and exclusive in your habits. 'The noblest study of + mankind is man.' It would broaden you to go into politics for a time, + and do much to develop your character and relieve the monotony of your + existence." +</p> +<p> + Kenneth frowned. +</p> +<p> + "It won't be easy, you know. It'll be a fight, and a hard one, for + Hopkins won't give up his job if he can help it." +</p> +<p> + The boy brightened again. +</p> +<p> + "I like a good fight," he said, wistfully. "If I thought—if I believed + I could fill the position with credit—I might undertake it." +</p> +<p> + "I'll answer for that," retorted the old man, highly pleased with his + easy victory. "You win the fight, Ken, and I'll guarantee you'll + outclass the majority of your fellow Representatives. It's a good state, + too." +</p> +<p> + So the thing was undertaken, and both the young man and the old threw + themselves into the contest with energy and determination. +</p> +<p> + Mr. Watson rode in his buggy all over their district during the next + fortnight, and interviewed the farmers and townsmen of the legislative + district. When it became noised about that the young owner of Elmhurst, + now barely twenty-one, had determined to enter politics, and asked for + the nomination of Representative, no other Republican ventured to oppose + him. +</p> +<p> + It was understood to mean a hard fight, and even the most sturdy + Republican was inclined to fear that the present incumbent of the office + would be elected to succeed himself. +</p> +<p> + So the primaries were held and Kenneth attended and made a speech, and + was warmly applauded. His nomination was a matter of course, and he went + home the unanimous choice of his party, because none of the older and + more discreet politicians ventured to risk defeat. +</p> +<p> + The Hon. Erastus Hopkins well knew this feeling, and smiled in his + pompous and most sardonic manner when he learned who was his opponent. + Having conquered an old and tried Republican warrior in the last + campaign, he had no fears in regard to this mere boy, who could know + little of political intrigue. +</p> +<p> + "He won't put up enough of a fight to make it interesting, I'm afraid," + Mr. Hopkins confided to his cronies. +</p> +<p> + But he didn't intend to take chances, so he began the campaign with his + usual vigor. +</p> +<p> + It was now the middle of September, and the election was to be early in + November. +</p> +<a name="CH5"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<h2> + CHAPTER V +</h2> +<center> + PLANNING THE WORK +</center> +<p> + The Honorable Erastus Hopkins was thoroughly enjoying his campaign. +</p> +<p> + He was not an especially popular man in his district, and he knew it. + Physically he was big and stout, with a florid face and small eyes that + blinked continually. His head was bald, his hands fat and red and his + feet enormous. +</p> +<p> + To offset this Mr. Hopkins wore a silk hat and a "Prince Albert" coat + morning, noon and night. His gold watch-chain was huge and imposing; he + had a big diamond shirt-stud, and upon his puffy fingers several rings. + He conveyed, nevertheless, the impression that he was more prosperous + than refined, and the farmers and townsmen were as quick to recognize + this as was Mr. Watson himself. +</p> +<p> + Moreover, the Honorable Erastus was dubbed "close-fisted" by his + neighbors. He never spent a penny on anyone but himself, and being + unscrupulous in politics he was naturally unscrupulous in smaller things + of a business nature. But since he had risen from a stable-boy to his + present affluent position he had never been unwise or careless enough to + be caught in any crooked action; and while his acquaintances had an + indefinite fear of dealing with him they could not accuse him openly. +</p> +<p> + It seems strange that such a man should have been chosen to represent a + wealthy and important district in the State Legislature, but politics + can show many a similar case. In the first place, Mr. Hopkins was + aggressive, and knew political methods thoroughly. He had usurped the + position of Democratic leader in his community and the others were + afraid to antagonize him openly. When he was nominated for + Representative he managed to dictate, by shrewd methods, the nomination + of Thompson, the store-keeper, on the Republican ticket. Thompson owed + Hopkins a large sum of money and Hopkins held a mortgage on the stock. + Therefore Thompson dared not make a fight, and although the Republican + vote was normally the largest in the district, Hopkins had managed to + win enough of them to his side to win. +</p> +<p> + He had been a little anxious about his renomination, because he knew + that he had not represented his district very satisfactorily; but when + Kenneth Forbes received the nomination on the Republican ticket he felt + that "all was over but the shouting" and that he would "win in a walk." + Had it been an issue between the personality of the two men, Hopkins + would have had little chance of success; but young Forbes had already + raised another issue by his anti-sign speech at the school-house, and + Hopkins intended to force that issue and so defeat Kenneth because of + the ridicule the latter's position had already brought upon him. +</p> +<p> + He began to circulate humorous stories about Kenneth's antipathy to + sign-boards, saying that the young man demanded that the signs be taken + off the Zodiac, and that he wouldn't buy goods of the village grocer + because the man had a sign out. +</p> +<p> + Mr. Hopkins also printed thousands of large hand-bills reading "The + Signs of the Times vs. Aristocratic Snobbery. Vote for the Hon. Erastus + Hopkins, the man who believes in advertising." +</p> +<p> + These things had their effect upon all classes of people. There were + many good-natured laughs at young Forbes's expense. All this was soon + realized at Elmhurst, and had the effect of plunging the youthful + aspirant for political honors into the depths of despair. The campaign + was hot against him, but Kenneth made no defense. +</p> +<p> + At this juncture, with election but three weeks away, he received a + telegram asking him to send the drag and baggage wagon to the noon + train. It was signed by John Merrick, and the boy was overjoyed at the + prospect of seeing his jolly old friend again. And the girls? Well, some + of them surely must be coming, or Uncle John wouldn't have asked for the + drag. +</p> +<p> + "Now then, the election can go to blazes," said Kenneth, cheerfully, to + Mr. Watson. "The sight of some friendly faces will be a great relief." +</p> +<p> + The old lawyer sighed. His attempt to "wake up" Kenneth had resulted in + failure, mainly because the boy had become discouraged so early in the + game. Kenneth felt keenly the humiliating experiences he had passed + through, and had sunk back into his old moody reserve. +</p> +<p> + But here was a welcome diversion. The visitors, whoever they might prove + to be, would afford relief to the situation and brighten the dullness of + life at the big house. So both Kenneth and Mr. Watson were with the drag + at the station when the noon train drew in. +</p> +<p> + And there were Patsy Doyle, Beth DeGraf, and Louise Merrick, a bevy of + dainty and sprightly girls, alighting eagerly from the coaches, with + Uncle John handing out the grips and packages and giving the checks for + the baggage, with business-like celerity, to Thomas the groom. +</p> +<p> + "We've come for a visit, Ken!" cried Palsy, laughing at his eager + delight. "Are you glad to see us, boy? And do you suppose old Martha has + our rooms aired?" +</p> +<p> + "And it's a long visit, too," added Uncle John, "as you'll believe when + you see the pile of baggage. You'd think these minxes were prepared for + a tour of the world. Each one of 'em brought a carload of clothes." +</p> +<p> + But they couldn't phase Kenneth in that way. His sensitive face had not + beamed with so much animation for months. +</p> +<p> + The guests were helped into the tall drag and merrily they drove the + five miles to Elmhurst, not a word of politics being spoken on the way. +</p> +<p> + The girls had not been to the house since Aunt Jane's death, two years + ago, and after a hasty luncheon they began an inspection of every room, + as well as the garden, grounds and stables. The horses, cows, pig and + chickens were alike inspected, the roses and dahlias visited and + admired, and after all this they returned to their rooms with old + Martha, the housekeeper, and proceeded to unpack their trunks and get + settled. Kenneth had been their guide and companion in these various + explorations, but when the girls went to their rooms he wandered into + the library where Uncle John and Mr. Watson had been having a quiet talk + over their pipes of tobacco. They welcomed the young man, but adroitly + turned the topic of conversation, and again the subject of was rejoined. +</p> +<p> + It was a merry dinner party that graced the table during dinner that + evening, and the boy forgot his troubles and was as jolly and sociable + as he had ever been in his life. +</p> +<p> + But when they were all assembled in the long living room where they + grouped themselves around the fireplace, a sudden change took place in + the demeanor of the young ladies. Patsy, the delegated leader, looked + gravely at the boy and asked: +</p> +<p> + "How goes the campaign, Ken?" +</p> +<p> + "Wh—what campaign?" he stammered, to gain time. +</p> +<p> + "Why, this election business. Tell us about it," said Patsy. +</p> +<p> + "Some other time, girls," answered the boy, red and distressed. "It—it + wouldn't interest you a bit." +</p> +<p> + "Why not?" asked Louise, softly. +</p> +<p> + "Because it doesn't interest me," he replied. +</p> +<p> + "Are you so sure of election?" inquired Beth. +</p> +<p> + "I'm sure of defeat, if you must know," he declared, scowling at the + recollection of his predicament. +</p> +<p> + "You haven't been cowardly enough to give up?" asked Patricia, boldly. +</p> +<p> + "What do you mean by that, Patsy Doyle?" he asked, the scowl deepening. +</p> +<p> + "Just what I say, Ken. A brave man doesn't know when he's beaten, much + less beforehand." +</p> +<p> + He looked at her fixedly. +</p> +<p> + "I'm not brave, my dear," he replied, more gently than they had + expected. "The people here don't understand me, nor I them. I'm laughed + at and reviled, a subject for contemptuous jeers, and—and it hurts me. + I don't like to be beaten. I'd fight to the last gasp, if I had any show + to win. But these conditions, which I foolishly but honestly brought + about myself, have defeated me so far in advance that I have absolutely + no hope to redeem myself. That's all. Don't speak of it again, girls. + Play me that nocturne that I like, Beth." +</p> +<p> + "We've got to speak of this, Kenneth, and speak of it often. For we + girls have come down here to electioneer, and for no other reason on + earth," declared Patsy. +</p> +<p> + "<i>What! You</i> electioneer?"—a slight smile curled his lips. +</p> +<p> + "Exactly. We're here to brace up and get to work." +</p> +<p> + "And to win," added Beth, quietly. +</p> +<p> + "And to put you in the Legislature where you belong," declared Louise. +</p> +<p> + Kenneth turned to Mr. Merrick. +</p> +<p> + "Talk to them, Uncle John," he begged. +</p> +<p> + "I have," said the little man, smiling, "and they've convinced me that + they mean business. It's all up with you, my boy, as a private citizen. + You're as good as elected." +</p> +<p> + Ken's eyes filled. +</p> +<p> + "You're all very kind, sir," he said, "as you were bound to be. And—and + I appreciate it all—very much. But Mr. Watson will tell you that the + case is hopeless, and there's nothing to be done." +</p> +<p> + "How about it, Watson?" inquired Uncle John, turning to the lawyer. +</p> +<p> + "I'll explain the proposition, sir, so you will all understand it," he + replied, and drew his chair into the circle. "To begin with, Kenneth + visited the glen one day, to make a sketch, and found his old table-rock + covered with an advertising sign." +</p> +<p> + "How preposterous!" exclaimed Louise. +</p> +<p> + "There were three of these huge signs in different parts of the glen, + and they ruined its natural beauty. Kenneth managed to buy up the spaces + and then he scrubbed away the signs. By that time he had come to detest + the unsightly advertisements that confronted him every time he rode out, + and he began a war of extermination against them." +</p> +<p> + "Quite right," said Patsy, nodding energetically. +</p> +<p> + "But our friend made little headway because the sympathies of the people + were not with him." +</p> +<p> + "Why not, sir?" inquired Beth, while Kenneth sat inwardly groaning at + this baring of his terrible experiences. +</p> +<p> + "Because through custom they had come to tolerate such things, and could + see no harm in them," replied the lawyer. "They permit their buildings + which face the roads to be covered with big advertisements, and the + fences are decorated in the same way. In some places a sign-board has + been built in their yards or fields, advertising medicines or groceries + or tobacco. In other words, our country roads and country homes have + become mere advertising mediums to proclaim the goods of more or less + unscrupulous manufacturers, and so all their attractiveness is + destroyed. Kenneth, being a man of artistic instincts and loving country + scenes, resented this invasion of commercialism and tried to fight it." +</p> +<p> + "And so ran my head against a stone wall," added the young man, with a + bitter laugh. +</p> +<p> + "But you were quite right," said Patsy, decidedly. "Such things ought + not to be permitted." +</p> +<p> + "The people think differently," he replied. +</p> +<p> + "Then we must educate the people to a different way of thinking," + announced Louise. +</p> +<p> + "In three weeks?" +</p> +<p> + "That is long enough, if we get to work. Isn't it, girls?" said Beth. +</p> +<p> + "Kenneth accepted the nomination with the idea of having a law passed + prohibiting such signs," explained the lawyer. "But Mr. Hopkins, his + opponent, has used this very thing to arouse public sentiment against + him. Farmers around here are thrifty people, and they fear to lose the + trifling sums paid them for the privilege of painting signs on their + premises." +</p> +<p> + Patsy nodded gravely. +</p> +<p> + "We will change all that," she said. "The thing is really more serious + than we expected, and more difficult. But we came here to work and win, + and we're going to do it. Aren't we, Uncle John?" +</p> +<p> + "I'll bet on your trio, Patsy," replied her uncle. "But I won't bet all + I'm worth." +</p> +<p> + "It's all foolishness," declared Kenneth. +</p> +<p> + "I do not think so," said the lawyer, gravely. "The girls have a fine + show to win. I know our country people, and they are more intelligent + than you suppose. Once they are brought to a proper way of thinking they + will support Kenneth loyally." +</p> +<p> + "Then we must bring them to a proper way of thinking," said Patsy, with + decision. "From this time on, Ken, we become your campaign managers. + Don't worry any more about the matter. Go on with your painting and be + happy. We may require you to make a few speeches, but all the details + will be arranged for you." +</p> +<p> + "Do you intend to permit this, Uncle John?" asked Kenneth. +</p> +<p> + "I'm wholly in sympathy with the girls, Ken, and I believe in them." +</p> +<p> + "But consider the humiliation to which they will subject themselves! + I've had a taste of that medicine, myself." +</p> +<p> + "We're going to be the most popular young ladies in this district!" + exclaimed Patsy. "Don't you worry about us, Ken. But tell me, how big is + your district?" +</p> +<p> + "It includes parts of three counties—Monroe, Washington and Jackson + Counties." +</p> +<p> + "What county is this?" +</p> +<p> + "Monroe." +</p> +<p> + "Any cities?" +</p> +<p> + "No; only a few towns. It's mostly a rural district. Fairview, just + across the border in Washington County, is the biggest village." +</p> +<p> + "Have you an automobile?" +</p> +<p> + "No; I don't like the things. I've always loved horses and prefer them + to machines." +</p> +<p> + "How much money are you prepared to spend?" +</p> +<p> + "How much—what's that?" he asked, bewildered. +</p> +<p> + "You can't win a political election without spending money," declared + Patsy, wisely. "I'll bet the bad man is scattering money in every + direction. It will cost something on our side to run this campaign in a + way to win." +</p> +<p> + The young man frowned. +</p> +<p> + "I don't mind spending money, Patsy," he said, "but I don't approve of + buying votes, and I won't allow it, either!" +</p> +<p> + "Tut-tut! Who said anything about buying votes? But we're going to work + on a broad and liberal basis, I assure you, and we need money." +</p> +<p> + "Spend all you like, then, so long as you don't try to corrupt the + voters." +</p> +<p> + "Very good. Now, then, how much land do you own at Elmhurst?" +</p> +<p> + Kenneth looked inquiringly at the lawyer. +</p> +<p> + "About twelve hundred acres," said Mr. Watson. "It is divided into small + farms which are let out on shares." +</p> +<p> + "How many votes do you control among your servants and tenants?" + proceeded Patsy, in a business-like tone. +</p> +<p> + "Perhaps thirty or forty." +</p> +<p> + "And what is the total vote of the district?" +</p> +<p> + "Thirty-five hundred." +</p> +<p> + Patsy gasped. +</p> +<p> + "So many?" +</p> +<p> + "Fully that many," said Mr. Watson, smiling. +</p> +<p> + "Then we've got to have over seventeen hundred and fifty votes to elect + Kenneth?" +</p> +<p> + "Exactly." +</p> +<p> + The girl drew a long breath and looked at Beth and Louise. Then they all + laughed. +</p> +<p> + "Suppose you resign as campaign managers," said Kenneth, beginning to be + amused. +</p> +<p> + "Oh, no! It's—it's easier than we expected. Isn't it, girls?" +</p> +<p> + "It's child's play," observed Louise, languidly. +</p> +<p> + The boy was astonished. +</p> +<p> + "Very well," said he. "Try it and see." +</p> +<p> + "Of course," said Patsy, cheerfully. "Tomorrow morning we begin work." +</p> +<a name="CH6"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<h2> + CHAPTER VI +</h2> +<center> + A GOOD START +</center> +<p> + At an early breakfast next morning Patsy announced the program for the + day. +</p> +<p> + "Uncle John and I will drive over to the village," she said, "and + perhaps we'll be gone all day. Don't worry if we're not back for + luncheon. Louise and Mr. Watson are going in the phaeton to visit some + of the near-by farmers. Take one road, dear, and follow it straight + along, as far as it keeps within our legislative district, and visit + every farm-house on the way." +</p> +<p> + "The farmers will all be busy in the fields," said Kenneth. +</p> +<p> + "Louise doesn't care about the farmers," retorted Patsy. "She's going to + talk to their wives." +</p> +<p> + "Wives don't vote, Patsy." +</p> +<p> + "They tell their husbands how to vote, though," declared Louise, with a + laugh. "Let me win the women and I'll win the men." +</p> +<p> + "What am I to do?" asked Beth. +</p> +<p> + "You're to stay at home and write several articles for the newspapers. + There are seven important papers in our district, and five of them are + Republican. Make a strong argument, Beth. You're our publicity + department. Also get up copy for some hand-hills and circular letters. I + want to get a circular letter to every voter in the district." +</p> +<p> + "All right," said Beth. "I know what you want." +</p> +<p> + There was an inspiring air of business about these preparations, and the + girls were all eager to begin work. Scarcely was breakfast finished when + the two equipages were at the door. Louise and Mr. Watson at once + entered the phaeton and drove away, the girl delighted at the prospect + of visiting the farmers' wives and winning them by her plausible + speeches. Conversation was Louise's strong point. She loved to talk and + argue, and her manner was so confiding and gracious that she seldom + failed to interest her listeners. +</p> +<p> + Patsy and Uncle John drove away. In Kenneth's buggy to the town, and + during the five-mile drive Patsy counseled gravely with her shrewd uncle + in regard to "ways and means." +</p> +<p> + "This thing requires prompt action, Patsy," he said, "and if we're going + to do things that count they've got to be done on a big scale." +</p> +<p> + "True," she admitted. "But oughtn't we to be a little careful about + spending Kenneth's money?" +</p> +<p> + "I'll be your temporary banker," said the old gentleman, "and keep track + of the accounts. If we win we'll present Kenneth our bill, and if we + fail I'll have the satisfaction of getting rid of some of that dreadful + income that is swamping me." +</p> +<p> + This was always Uncle John's cry. His enormous fortune was a constant + bugbear to him. He had been so interested in his business enterprises + for many years that he had failed to realize how his fortune was + growing, and it astounded him to wake up one day and find himself + possessed of many millions. He had at once retired from active business + and invested his millions in ways that would cause him the least + annoyance; but the income on so large a sum was more than he could take + care of, and even Major Doyle, who managed these affairs for his + brother-in-law, was often puzzled to know what to do with the money that + accumulated. +</p> +<p> + Doubtless no one will ever know how much good these two kindly men + accomplished between them in their quiet, secretive way. Dozens of + deserving young men were furnished capital to start them in business; + dozens more were being educated at universities at Uncle John's expense. + Managers of worthy charities were familiar with John Merrick's signature + on checks, and yet the vast fortune grew with leaps and bounds. Mr. + Merrick's life was so simple and unostentatious that his personal + expenses, however erratic some of his actions, could not make much + headway against his interest account, and nothing delighted him more + than to find a way to "get even with fate by reckless squandering," as + he quaintly expressed it. He was far too shrewd to become the prey of + designing people, but welcomed any legitimate channel in which to unload + his surplus. +</p> +<p> + So Mr. Merrick had been revolving the possibilities of this unique + political campaign in his mind, and had decided to do some things that + would open the bucolic eyes of Kenneth's constituents in wonder. He did + not confide all his schemes to Patsy, but having urged his nieces to + attempt this conquest he had no intention of allowing them to suffer + defeat if he could help it. +</p> +<p> + The little town of Elmwood was quiet and practically deserted when they + drove into it. The farmers were too busy with the harvest to "come to + town for trading" except on Saturdays, and the arrival and departure of + the two daily trains did not cause more than a ripple of excitement in + the village. +</p> +<p> + Patsy decided she would shop at each and every store in the place, and + engage the store-keepers in conversation about the election. +</p> +<p> + "It's important to win these people," she declared, "because they are + close to every farmer who comes to town to trade; and their own votes + count, too." +</p> +<p> + "I'll run over to the bank," said Uncle John, "and get acquainted + there." +</p> +<p> + So he tied the horses to a post and let Patsy proceed alone upon her + mission, while he wandered over to a little brick building of neat + appearance which bore the inscription "Bank" in gold letters on its + plate-glass window. +</p> +<p> + "Mr. Warren in?" he asked the clerk at the window. +</p> +<p> + The banker, a dignified old gentleman of considerable ability, came out + of his private office and greeted his visitor very cordially. He had + known Uncle John when the millionaire visited Elmhurst two years before, + and since then had learned more particulars concerning him. So there was + no need of an introduction, and Mr. Warren was delighted at the prospect + of business relations with this famous personage. +</p> +<p> + The bank, although small and only one story high, was the most modern + and imposing building in the village; and it was fitted with modern + conveniences, for Mr. Warren had been successful and prosperous. In his + private office were local and long distance telephones, a direct + connection with the telegraph operator at the station, and other + facilities for accomplishing business promptly. Uncle John had + remembered this fact, and it had a prominent place in his plans. +</p> +<p> + He followed the banker into his private office and told him briefly his + intention to forward the interests of his young friend Kenneth Forbes + for Member of the Legislature. +</p> +<p> + The old gentleman shook his head, at first, predicting failure. Young + Forbes was his most important customer, and he respected him highly; but + this anti-sign issue bade fair to ruin all his chances. +</p> +<p> + "The idea is too progressive and advanced to be considered at this + time," he stated, positively. "The encroachments of advertisers on + personal property may lead to a revolt in the future, but it is still + too early to direct popular opinion against them." +</p> +<p> + "Isn't Forbes a better man for the place than Hopkins?" asked Uncle + John. +</p> +<p> + "Undoubtedly, sir. And I think Forbes would have won, had not Hopkins + forced this unfortunate issue upon him. As it is, our young friend + cannot avoid the consequences of his quixotic action." +</p> +<p> + "He doesn't wish to avoid them," was the quiet reply. "We're going to + win on that issue or not at all." +</p> +<p> + "I'm afraid it's hopeless, sir." +</p> +<p> + "May I count on your assistance?" +</p> +<p> + "In every way." +</p> +<p> + "Thank you, Mr. Warren, I'm going to spend a lot of money. Put this + draft for fifty thousand to my credit as a starter." +</p> +<p> + "Ah, I begin to understand. But—" +</p> +<p> + "You don't understand at all, yet. May I use your long distance + telephone?" +</p> +<p> + "Of course, sir." +</p> +<p> + Uncle John had secured considerable information from Mr. Watson, and + this enabled him to act comprehensively. The advertising sign business + in this part of the state was controlled by two firms, who contracted + directly with the advertisers and then had the signs painted upon spaces + secured from the farmers by their wide-awake agents. These signs were + contracted for by the year, but the firms controlling the spaces always + inserted protective clauses that provided for the removal of any sign + when certain conditions required such removal. In such cases a rebate + was allowed to the advertiser. This protective clause was absolutely + necessary in case of fire, alteration or removal of buildings or + destruction of fences and sign-boards by weather or the requirements of + the owners. It was this saving clause in the contracts of which Uncle + John had decided to take advantage. The contracting sign painters were + merely in the business to make money. +</p> +<p> + Mr. Merrick got the head of the concern in Cleveland over the telephone + within half an hour. He talked with the man at length, and talked with + the convincing effect that the mention of money has. When he hung up the + receiver Uncle John was smiling. Then he called for the Chicago firm. + With this second advertising company he met with more difficulties, and + Mr. Warren had to come to the telephone and assure the man that Mr. + Merrick was able to pay all he agreed to, and that the money was on + deposit in his bank. That enabled Mr. Merrick to conclude his + arrangements. He knew that he was being robbed, but the co-operation of + the big Chicago firm was necessary to his plans. +</p> +<p> + Then, the telephone having served its purpose, Mr. Warren took Uncle + John across the street to the newspaper office and introduced him to + Charley Briggs, the editor. +</p> +<p> + Briggs was a man with one eye, a sallow complexion and sandy hair that + stuck straight up from his head. He set type for his paper, besides + editing it, and Uncle John found him wearing a much soiled apron, with + his bare arms and fingers smeared with printer's ink. +</p> +<p> + "Mr. Merrick wants to see you on business, Charley," said the banker. + "Whatever he agrees to I will guarantee, to the full resources of my + bank." +</p> +<p> + The editor pricked up his ears and dusted a chair for his visitor with + his apron. It wasn't easy to make a living running a paper in Elmwood, + and if there was any business pending he was anxious to secure it. +</p> +<p> + Uncle John waited until Mr. Warren had left him alone with the newspaper + man. Then he said: +</p> +<p> + "I understand your paper is Democratic, Mr. Briggs." +</p> +<p> + "That's a mistake, sir," replied the editor, evasively. "The <i>Herald</i> is + really independent, but in political campaigns we adopt the side we + consider the most deserving of support." +</p> +<p> + "You're supporting Hopkins just now." +</p> +<p> + "Only mildly; only mildly, sir." +</p> +<p> + "What is he paying you?" +</p> +<p> + "Why, 'Rast and I haven't come to a definite settlement yet. I ought to + get a hundred dollars out of this campaign, but 'Rast thinks fifty is + enough. You see, he plans on my support anyhow, and don't like to spend + more than he's obliged to." +</p> +<p> + "Why does he plan on your support?" +</p> +<p> + "He's the only live one in the game, Mr. Merrick. 'Rast is one of + us—he's one of the people—and it's policy for me to support him + instead of the icicle up at Elmhurst, who don't need the job and don't + care whether he gets it or not." +</p> +<p> + "Is that true?" +</p> +<p> + "I think so. And there's another thing. Young Forbes is dead against + advertising, and advertising is the life of a newspaper. Why, there + isn't a paper in the district that's supporting Forbes this year." +</p> +<p> + "You've a wrong idea of the campaign, Mr. Briggs," said Uncle John. "It + is because Mr. Forbes believes in newspaper advertising, and wants to + protect it, that he's against these signs. That's one reason, anyhow. + Can't you understand that every dollar spent for painting signs takes + that much away from your newspapers?" +</p> +<p> + "Why, perhaps there's something in that, Mr. Merrick. I'd never looked + at it that way before." +</p> +<p> + "Now, see here, Mr. Briggs. I'll make you a proposition. I'll give you + two hundred and fifty to support Mr. Forbes in this campaign, and if + he's elected I'll give you five hundred extra." +</p> +<p> + "Do you mean that, sir?" asked the editor, scarcely able to believe the + evidence of his ears. +</p> +<p> + "I do. Draw up a contract and I'll sign it. And here's a check for your + two-fifty in advance." +</p> +<p> + The editor drew up the agreement with a pen that trembled a little. +</p> +<p> + "And now," said Uncle John, "get busy and hustle for Kenneth Forbes." +</p> +<p> + "I will, sir," said Briggs, with unexpected energy. "I mean to win that + extra five hundred!" +</p> +<a name="CH7"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<h2> + CHAPTER VII +</h2> +<center> + PATSY MAKES PROGRESS +</center> +<p> + Meantime Patsy was in the thick of the fray. The druggist was a + deep-dyed Democrat, and sniffed when she asked him what he thought of + Forbes for Representative. +</p> +<p> + "He's no politician at all—just an aristocrat," declared Latham, a + dapper little man with his hair slicked down to his ears and a waxed + moustache. "And he's got fool notions, too. If he stopped the + advertising signs I wouldn't sell half as many pain-killers and + liver-pills." +</p> +<p> + "He's my cousin," said Patsy, mendaciously; for although they called + themselves cousins there was no relationship even of marriage, as + Patsy's Aunt Jane had merely been betrothed to Kenneth's uncle when he + died. +</p> +<p> + "I'm sorry for that, miss," replied the druggist. "He's going to be + badly beaten." +</p> +<p> + "I think I'll take two ounces of this perfumery. It is really + delightful. Some druggists have so little taste in selecting such + things." +</p> +<p> + "Yes, miss, I do rather pride myself on my perfumes," replied Latham, + graciously. "Now here's a sachet powder that gives fine satisfaction." +</p> +<p> + "I'll take a couple of packets of that, too, since you recommend it." +</p> +<p> + Latham began doing up the purchases. There was no other customer in the + store. +</p> +<p> + "You know, miss, I haven't anything against Mr. Forbes myself. His + people are good customers. It's his ideas I object to, and he's a + Republican." +</p> +<p> + "Haven't you ever voted for a Republican?" asked the girl. "Don't you + think it better to vote for the best man, rather than the best party, in + a case like this?" +</p> +<p> + "Why, perhaps it is. But in what way is Mr. Forbes the best man?" +</p> +<p> + "He's honest. He doesn't want to make any money out of the office. On + the contrary, he's willing and able to spend a good deal in passing laws + that will benefit his district." +</p> +<p> + "And Hopkins?" +</p> +<p> + "Don't you know Mr. Hopkins?" she asked, pointedly. +</p> +<p> + "Yes, miss; I do." And Latham frowned a little. +</p> +<p> + "As regards the advertising signs," continued the girl, "I've heard you + spoken of as a man of excellent taste, and I can believe it since I've + examined the class of goods you keep. And your store is as neat and + attractive as can be. The fight is not against the signs themselves, but + against putting them on fences and barns, and so making great glaring + spots in a landscape where all should be beautiful and harmonious. I + suppose a man of your refinement and good taste has often thought of + that, and said the same thing." +</p> +<p> + "Why—ahem!—yes; of course, miss. I agree with you that the signs are + often out of place, and—and inharmonious." +</p> +<p> + "To be sure; and so you must sympathize with Mr. Forbes's campaign." +</p> +<p> + "In that way, yes; of course," said Mr. Latham, puzzled to find himself + changing front so suddenly. +</p> +<p> + "Mr. Hopkins has taken a lot of money out of this town," remarked Patsy, + examining a new kind of tooth wash. "But I can't find that he's ever + given much of it back." +</p> +<p> + "That's true. He buys his cigars of Thompson, the general store man, and + I keep the finest line ever brought to this town." +</p> +<p> + "Oh, that reminds me!" exclaimed Patsy. "Mr. Forbes wanted me to + purchase a box of your choicest brand, and have you just hand them out + to your customers with his compliments. He thinks he ought to show a + little cordiality to the men who vote for him, and he said you would + know just the people to give them to." +</p> +<p> + Latham gasped, but he assumed an air of much importance. +</p> +<p> + "I know every man that comes to this town, miss, as well as any you'll + find," he said. +</p> +<p> + "The best brand, mind you, Mr. Latham," said the girl. "How much will + they be?" +</p> +<p> + "Why, the very best—these imported perfectos, you know—are worth six + dollars a box of fifty. Perhaps for election purposes something a little + cheaper—" +</p> +<p> + "Oh, no; the best is none too good for the friends of Mr. Forbes, you + know. And fifty—why fifty will scarcely go around. I'll pay for a + hundred, Mr. Latham, and you'll see they go to the right persons." +</p> +<p> + "Of course; of course, miss. And much obliged. You see, young Forbes is + well liked, and he's quite a decent fellow. I wouldn't be surprised if + he gave Hopkins a hard fight." +</p> +<p> + "I'll tell you a secret," said Patsy, sweetly. "Mr. Forbes is bound to + be elected. Why, it's all arranged in advance, Mr. Latham, and the + better element, like yourself, is sure to support him. By the way, you + won't forget to tell people about those signs, I hope? That the fight is + not against advertising, but for beautiful rural homes and scenes." +</p> +<p> + "Oh, I'll fix that, Miss—" +</p> +<p> + "Doyle. I'm Miss Doyle, Mr. Forbes's cousin." +</p> +<p> + "I'll see that the people understand this campaign, Miss Doyle. You can + depend on me." +</p> +<p> + "And if the cigars give out, don't hesitate to open more boxes. I'll + call in, now and then, and settle for them." +</p> +<p> + I really think this young lady might have been ashamed of herself; but + she wasn't. She smiled sweetly upon the druggist when he bowed her out, + and Mr. Latham from that moment began to seek for friends of Mr. Forbes + to give cigars to. If they were not friends, he argued with them until + they were, for he was an honest little man, in his way, and tried to act + in good faith. +</p> +<p> + So the girl went from one shop to another, making liberal purchases and + seeking for every opening that would enable her to make a convert. And + her shrewd Irish wit made her quick to take advantage of any weakness + she discovered in the characters of the people she interviewed. +</p> +<p> + When noon came Uncle John hunted her up, which was not difficult, in + Elmwood, and together they went to the village "hotel" to get something + to eat. The mid-day dinner was not very inviting, but Patsy praised the + cooking to the landlord's wife, who waited upon the table, and Uncle + John bought one of the landlord's cigars after the meal and talked + politics with him while he smoked it. +</p> +<p> + Then Patsy went over to the general store, and there she met her first + rebuff. Thompson, the proprietor, was a sour-visaged man, tall and lanky + and evidently a dyspeptic. Having been beaten by Hopkins at the last + election, when he ran against him on the Republican ticket, Thompson had + no desire to see Forbes more successful than he had been himself. And + there were other reasons that made it necessary for him to support + Hopkins. +</p> +<p> + So he was both gruff and disagreeable when Patsy, after buying a lot of + ribbons of him, broached the subject of politics. He told her plainly + that her cousin hadn't a "ghost of a show," and that he was glad of it. +</p> +<p> + "The young fool had no business to monkey with politics," he added, "and + this will teach him to keep his fingers out of someone else's pie." +</p> +<p> + "It isn't Mr. Hopkins's pie," declared Patsy, stoutly. "It belongs to + whoever gets the votes." +</p> +<p> + "Well, that's Hopkins. He knows the game, and Forbes don't." +</p> +<p> + "Can't he learn?" asked the girl. +</p> +<p> + "No. He's an idiot. Always was a crank and an unsociable cuss when a + boy, and he's worse now he's grown up. Oh, I know Forbes, all right; and + I haven't got no use for him, neither." +</p> +<p> + Argument was useless in this case. The girl sighed, gathered up her + purchases, and went into the hardware store. +</p> +<p> + Immediately her spirits rose. Here was a man who knew Kenneth, believed + in him and was going to vote for him. She had a nice talk with the + hardware man, and he gave her much useful information about the most + important people in the neighborhood—those it would be desirable to win + for their candidate. When he mentioned Thompson, she said: +</p> +<p> + "Oh, he's impossible. I've talked with him." +</p> +<p> + "Thompson is really a good Republican," replied Mr. Andrews, the + hardware man. "But he's under Hopkins's thumb and doesn't dare defy + him." +</p> +<p> + "Doesn't he like Mr. Hopkins?" asked Patsy, in surprise. +</p> +<p> + "No; he really hates him. You see, Thompson isn't a very successful + merchant. He has needed money at times, and borrowed it of Hopkins at a + high rate of interest. It's a pretty big sum now, and Hopkins holds a + mortgage on the stock. If he ever forecloses, as he will do some day, + Thompson will be ruined. So he's obliged to shout for Hopkins, whether + he believes in him or not." +</p> +<p> + "I think I understand him now," said Patsy, smiling. "But he needn't + have been so disagreeable." +</p> +<p> + "He's a disagreeable man at any time," returned Mr. Andrews. +</p> +<p> + "Has he any political influence?" asked the girl. +</p> +<p> + "Yes, considerable. Otherwise he couldn't have secured the nomination + when he pretended to run against Hopkins—for it was only a pretense. + You see, he's a well known Republican, and when he sides for Hopkins + he's bound to carry many Republicans with him." +</p> +<p> + But there were other important people whom Mr. Andrews thought might be + influenced, and he gave Patsy a list of their names. He seemed much + amused at the earnestness of this girlish champion of the Republican + candidate. +</p> +<p> + "I do not think we can win," he said, as she left him; "but we ought to + make a good showing for your cousin, and I'll do my very best to help + you." +</p> +<p> + As she rode home with Uncle John in the afternoon, after a day of really + hard work, Patsy sized up the situation and declared that she was + satisfied that she had made progress. She told Mr. Merrick of the + mortgage held over Thompson by Mr. Hopkins, and the little man made a + mental note of the fact. He also was satisfied with his day's work, and + agreed to ride over to Fairview the next day with her and carry the war + into this, the largest village in Kenneth's district. +</p> +<p> + Meantime Louise and Mr. Watson were having some interesting interviews + with the farmers' wives along the Marville road. The old lawyer knew + nearly everyone in this part of the country, for he had lived here all + his life. But he let Louise do the talking and was much pleased at the + tact and good nature she displayed in dealing with the widely different + types of character she encountered. +</p> +<p> + Her method was quite simple, and for that reason doubly effective. She + sat down in Mrs. Simmons's kitchen, where the good woman was ironing, + and said: +</p> +<p> + "I'm a cousin of Mr. Forbes, up at Elmhurst, you know. He's running for + a political office, so as to do some good for his county and district, + and I've come to see if you'll help me get votes for him." +</p> +<p> + "Law sakes, child!" exclaimed Mrs. Simmons, "I ain't got nuthin' to do + with politics." +</p> +<p> + "No; but you've got a lot to do with Mr. Simmons, and that's where we + need your help. You see, Mr. Forbes thinks Mr. Simmons is one of the + most important men in this district, and he's very anxious to win his + vote." +</p> +<p> + "Why don't you see Dan, then? He's out'n the rye field," replied the + woman. +</p> +<p> + "It's because I'm only a girl, and he wouldn't listen to me," replied + Louise, sweetly. "But he takes your advice about everything, I hear—" +</p> +<p> + "He don't take it as often as he orter, don't Dan," interrupted Mrs. + Simmons, pausing to feel whether her iron was hot. +</p> +<p> + "Perhaps not," agreed Louise; "but in important things, such as this, + he's sure to listen to you; and we women must stick together if we want + to win this election." +</p> +<p> + "But I don't know nothin' about it," protested Mrs. Simmons; "an' I + don't believe Dan does." +</p> +<p> + "You don't need to know much, Mrs. Simmons," replied the girl. "What a + pretty baby that is! All you need do is to tell Dan he must vote for Mr. + Forbes, and see that he agrees to do so." +</p> +<p> + "Why?" was the pointed query. +</p> +<p> + "Well, there are several reasons. One is that Mr. Hopkins—Mr. Erastus + Hopkins, you know, is the other candidate, and a person must vote for + either one or the other of them." +</p> +<p> + "Dan's a friend o' 'Rastus," said the woman, thoughtfully. "I seen 'em + talkin' together the other day." +</p> +<p> + "But this isn't a matter of friendship; it's business, and Mr. Forbes is + very anxious to have your husband with him. If Mr. Forbes is elected it + means lighter taxes, better roads and good schools. If Mr. Hopkins is + elected it does not mean anything good except for Mr. Hopkins." +</p> +<p> + "I guess you're right about that," laughed the woman. "'Rast don't let + much get away from him." +</p> +<p> + "You're very clever, Mrs. Simmons. You have discovered the fact without + being told." +</p> +<p> + "Oh, I know 'Rast Hopkins, an' so does Dan." +</p> +<p> + "Then I can depend on you to help us?" asked the girl, patting the + tousled head of a little girl who stood by staring at "the pretty lady." +</p> +<p> + "I'll talk to him, but I dunno what good it'll do," said Mrs. Simmons, + thoughtfully. +</p> +<p> + "I know. He won't refuse to do what you ask him, for a man always + listens to his wife when he knows she's right. You'll win, Mrs. Simmons, + and I want to thank you for saving the election for us. If we get Mr. + Simmons on our side I believe we'll be sure to defeat Hopkins." +</p> +<p> + "Oh, I'll do what I kin," was the ready promise, and after a few more + remarks about the children and the neatness of the house, Louise took + her leave. +</p> +<p> + "Will she win him over?" asked the girl of Mr. Watson, when they were + jogging on to the next homestead. +</p> +<p> + "I really can't say, my dear," replied the old lawyer, thoughtfully; + "but I imagine she'll try to, and if Dan doesn't give in Mrs. Simmons + will probably make his life miserable for a time. You flattered them + both outrageously; but that will do no harm." +</p> +<p> + And so it went on throughout the day. Sometimes the farmer himself was + around the house, and then they held a sort of conference; Louise asked + his advice about the best way to win votes, and said she depended a + great deal upon his judgment. She never asked a man which side he + favored, but took it for granted that he was anxious to support Mr. + Forbes; and this subtle flattery was so acceptable that not one declared + outright that he was for Hopkins, whatever his private views might have + been. +</p> +<p> + When evening came and they had arrived at Elmhurst again, Louise was + enthusiastic over her work of the day, and had many amusing tales to + tell of her experiences. +</p> +<p> + "How many votes did you win?" asked Uncle John, smiling at her. +</p> +<p> + "I can't say," she replied; "but I didn't lose any. If one sows plenty + of seed, some of it is bound to sprout." +</p> +<p> + "We can tell better after election," said Mr. Watson. "But I'm satisfied + that this is the right sort of work, Mr. Merrick, to get results." +</p> +<p> + "So am I," returned Uncle John heartily. "Are you willing to keep it up, + Louise?" +</p> +<p> + "Of course!" she exclaimed. "We start again bright and early tomorrow + morning." +</p> +<a name="CH8"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<h2> + CHAPTER VIII +</h2> +<center> + THE HONORABLE ERASTUS IS ASTONISHED +</center> +<p> + The Honorable Erastus Hopkins had been absent at the state capital for + several days, looking after various matters of business; for he was a + thrifty man, and watched his investments carefully. +</p> +<p> + Whenever his acquaintances asked about his chances for re-election, the + Honorable Erastus Hopkins winked, laughed and declared, "it's a regular + walk-over." +</p> +<p> + "Who is opposing you?" once asked a gray-haired Senator of much + political experience, who had met Mr. Hopkins at luncheon. +</p> +<p> + "Young feller named Forbes—a boy, sir—with no notion about the game at + all. He was pledged to an unpopular issue, so I was mighty glad to have + him run against me." +</p> +<p> + "What issue is he pledged to?" asked the Senator. +</p> +<p> + "Oh, he's agin putting advertising signs on fences and barns, and wants + to have them prohibited, like the infernal fool he is." +</p> +<p> + "Indeed. Then he's a progressive fellow. And you say his issue is + unpopular?" +</p> +<p> + "That's what it is. It'll kill his chances—if he ever had any." +</p> +<p> + "Strange," mused the Senator. "That issue has been a winning one + usually." +</p> +<p> + "What do you mean?" asked the astonished Hopkins. +</p> +<p> + "Why, the anti-sign fight has won in several places throughout the + country, and local laws have been passed prohibiting them. Didn't you + know that?" +</p> +<p> + "No!" said Hopkins. +</p> +<p> + "Well, it's true. Of course I do not know the temper of your people, but + in a country district such as yours I would think an issue of that sort + very hard to combat." +</p> +<p> + "Nonsense!" exclaimed the Honorable Erastus. "Ev'ry man Jack's agin the + fool notion." +</p> +<p> + "Then perhaps the people don't understand it." +</p> +<p> + "Forbes has given up already," continued Hopkins, laughing at the + recollection. "He's gone back into his shell like a turtle, an' won't + come out to fight. I tell you, Senator, he's the worst licked candidate + that ever ran for office." +</p> +<p> + Nevertheless, the suggestion that the anti-sign issue had been + successful in other localities made Mr. Hopkins a trifle uneasy, and he + decided to return home and keep the fight going until after election, + whether young Forbes came out of his shell or not. +</p> +<p> + He arrived at Hilldale on the early morning train and went to his house + for breakfast. To his amazement he found two great banners strung across + the village streets bearing the words: "<i>Vote for Forbes—the People's + Champion!</i>" +</p> +<p> + "Who in thunder could 'a' done that?" murmured Mr. Hopkins, staring + open-mouthed at the great banners. Then he scratched his head with a + puzzled air and went home. +</p> +<p> + Mrs. Hopkins, a tired-looking woman in a bedraggled morning wrapper, was + getting the breakfast. She did not participate largely in the prosperity + of her husband, and often declared she was "worked to death," although + there were no children to care for. +</p> +<p> + "When did those Forbes banners go up?" asked Mr. Hopkins, irritably. +</p> +<p> + "I dunno, 'Rast. I don't keep track o' such things. But all the town was + out to the girls' meetin' last night, an' I went along to watch the + fun." +</p> +<p> + "What girls' meeting?" +</p> +<p> + "The girls thet air workin' fer to elect Mr. Forbes. It was in the town + hall, an' all three of the girls made speeches." +</p> +<p> + "What about?" +</p> +<p> + "About Mr. Forbes, and how he orter be elected. He wants to beautify the + farm places by doin' away with signs, an' he wants better roads, an' + three new school-houses, 'cause the ones we've got now ain't big enough. + An—" +</p> +<p> + "You blamed idiot! What are you talking about?" roared the exasperated + Hopkins. +</p> +<p> + "Oh, you needn't rave at me, 'Rast Hopkins, just 'cause you're gettin' + licked. I thought your goose was cooked the minnit these girls got to + work." +</p> +<p> + Mr. Hopkins stared at her with a dazed expression. +</p> +<p> + "Be sensible, Mary, and tell me who these girls are. I haven't heard of + 'em." +</p> +<p> + "Why, they're cousins o' Kenneth Forbes, it seems, an' come from New + York to git him elected." +</p> +<p> + "What are they like?" +</p> +<p> + "They're swell dressers, 'Rast, an' nice appearin' girls, and mighty + sharp with their tongues. They had a good meetin' last night and + there'll be another at the town hall next week." +</p> +<p> + "Pah! Girls! Forbes oughter be ashamed of himself, to send a bunch o' + girls out electioneerin'. I never heard of such an irregular thing. What + do the boys say?" +</p> +<p> + "Folks don't say much to me, 'Rast. They wouldn't, you know. But I guess + your game is up." +</p> +<p> + He made no reply. Here, indeed, was information of a startling + character. And it came upon him like thunder out of a clear sky. Yet the + thing might not be so important as Mrs. Hopkins feared. +</p> +<p> + Very thoughtfully he unfolded the morning paper, and the next moment + uttered a roar of wrath and vexation. Briggs was one of his stand-bys, + and the <i>Herald</i> heretofore had always supported him; yet here across + the first page were big black letters saying: <i>"Vote for Forbes!"</i> And + the columns were full of articles and paragraphs praising Forbes and + declaring that he could and would do more for the district than Hopkins. +</p> +<p> + "I must see Briggs," muttered the Honorable Erastus. "He's tryin' to + make me put up that hundred—an' I guess I'll have to do it." +</p> +<p> + He looked over the other newspapers which were heaped upon his desk in + the sitting-room, and was disgusted to find all but one of the seven + papers in the district supporting Forbes. Really, the thing began to + look serious. And he had only been absent a week! +</p> +<p> + He had not much appetite for breakfast when Mrs. Hopkins set it before + him. But the Honorable Erastus was a born fighter, and his discovery had + only dismayed him for a brief time. Already he was revolving ways of + contesting this new activity in the enemy's camp, and decided that he + must talk with "the boys" at once. +</p> +<p> + So he hurried away from the breakfast table and walked down-town. Latham + was first on his route and he entered the drug store. +</p> +<p> + "Hullo, Jim." +</p> +<p> + "Good morning, Mr. Hopkins. Anything I can do for you?" asked the polite + druggist. +</p> +<p> + "Yes, a lot. Tell me what these fool girls are up to, that are plugging + for Forbes. I've been away for a week, you know." +</p> +<p> + "Can't say, Mr. Hopkins, I'm sure. Business is pretty lively these days, + and it keeps me hustling. I've no time for politics." +</p> +<p> + "But we've got to wake up, Jim, we Democrats, or they'll give us a run + for our money." +</p> +<p> + "Oh, this is a Republican district, sir. We can't hope to win it often, + and especially in a case like this." +</p> +<p> + "Why not?" +</p> +<p> + "Looks to me as if you'd bungled things, Hopkins. But I'm not interested + in this campaign. Excuse me; if there's nothing you want, I've got a + prescription to fill." +</p> +<p> + Mr. Hopkins walked out moodily. It was very evident that Latham had + changed front. But they had never been very staunch friends; and he + could find a way to even scores with the little druggist later. +</p> +<p> + Thompson was behind his desk at the general store when Hopkins walked + in. +</p> +<p> + "Look here," said the Honorable Representative, angrily, "what's been + going on in Elmwood? What's all this plugging for Forbes mean?" +</p> +<p> + Thompson gave him a sour look over the top of his desk. +</p> +<p> + "Addressin' them remarks to me, 'Rast?" +</p> +<p> + "Yes—to you! You've been loafing on your job, old man, and it won't + do—it won't do at all. You should have put a stop to these things. What + right have these girls to interfere in a game like this?" +</p> +<p> + "Oh, shut up, 'Rast." +</p> +<p> + "Thompson! By crickey, I won't stand this from you. Goin' back on me, + eh?" +</p> +<p> + "I'm a Republication, 'Rast." +</p> +<p> + "So you are," said Mr. Hopkins slowly, his temper at white heat "And + that mortgage is two months overdue." +</p> +<p> + "Go over to the bank and get your money, then. It's waiting for you, + Hopkins—interest and all. Go and get it and let me alone. I'm busy." +</p> +<p> + Perhaps the politician had never been so surprised in his life. Anger + gave way to sudden fear, and he scrutinized the averted countenance of + Thompson carefully. +</p> +<p> + "Where'd you raise the money, Thompson?" +</p> +<p> + "None of your business. I raised it." +</p> +<p> + "Forbes, eh? Forbes has bought you up, I see. Grateful fellow, ain't + you—when I loaned you money to keep you from bankruptcy!" +</p> +<p> + "You did, Hopkins. You made me your slave, and threatened me every + minute, unless I did all your dirty work. Grateful? You've led me a + dog's life. But I'm through with you now—for good and all." +</p> +<p> + Hopkins turned and walked out without another word. In the dentist's + office Dr. Squiers was sharpening and polishing his instruments. +</p> +<p> + "Hello, Archie." +</p> +<p> + "Hello, 'Rast. 'Bout time you was getting back, old man. We're having a + big fight on our hands, I can tell you." +</p> +<p> + "Tell me more," said Mr. Hopkins, taking a chair with a sigh of relief + at finding one faithful friend. "What's up, Archie?" +</p> +<p> + "An invasion of girls, mostly. They took us by surprise, the other day, + and started a campaign worthy of old political war-horses. There's some + shrewd politician behind them, I know, or they wouldn't have nailed us + up in our coffins with such business-like celerity." +</p> +<p> + "Talk sense, Archie. What have they done? What <i>can</i> they do? Pah! + Girls!" +</p> +<p> + "Don't make a mistake, 'Rast. That's what I did, before I understood. + When I heard that three girls were electioneering for Forbes I just + laughed. Then I made a discovery. They're young and rich, and evidently + ladies. They're pretty, too, and the men give in at the first attack. + They don't try to roast you. That's their cleverness. They tell what + Forbes can do, with all his money, if he's Representative, and they + swear he'll do it." +</p> +<p> + "Never mind," said Hopkins, easily. "We'll win the men back again." +</p> +<p> + "But these girls are riding all over the country, talking to farmers' + wives, and they're organizing a woman's political club. The club is to + meet at Elmhurst and to be fed on the fat of the land; so every woman + wants to belong. They've got two expensive automobiles down from the + city, with men to make them go, and they're spending money right and + left." +</p> +<p> + "That's bad," said Hopkins, shifting uneasily, "for I haven't much to + spend, myself. But most money is fooled away in politics. When I spend a + cent it counts, I can tell you." +</p> +<p> + "You'll have to spend some, 'Rast, to keep your end up. I'm glad you're + back, for we Democrats have been getting demoralized. Some of the boys + are out for Forbes already." +</p> +<p> + Hopkins nodded, busy with his thoughts. +</p> +<p> + "I've talked with Latham. But he didn't count. And they've bought up + Thompson. What else they've done I can't tell yet. But one thing's + certain, Doc; we'll win out in a canter. I'm too old a rat to be caught + in a trap like this. I've got resources they don't suspect." +</p> +<p> + "I believe you, 'Rast. They've caught on to the outside fakes to win + votes; but they don't know the inside deals yet." +</p> +<p> + "You're right. But I must make a bluff to offset their daylight + campaign, so as not to lose ground with the farmers. They're the ones + that count, after all; not the town people. See here, Doc, I had an idea + something might happen, and so I arranged with my breakfast food company + to let me paint a hundred signs in this neighborhood. A hundred, mind + you! and that means a big laugh on Forbes, and the good will of the + farmers who sell their spaces, and not a cent out of my pocket. How's + that for a checkmate?" +</p> +<p> + "That's fine," replied Dr. Squiers. "There's been considerable talk + about this sign business, and I'm told that at the meeting last night + one of the girls made a speech about it, and said the farmers were being + converted, and were now standing out for clean fences and barns." +</p> +<p> + "That's all humbug!" +</p> +<p> + "I think so, myself. These people are like a flock of sheep. Get them + started a certain way and you can't head them off," observed the + dentist. +</p> +<p> + "Then we must start them our way," declared Hopkins. "I've got the order + for these signs in my pocket, and I'll have 'em painted all over the + district in a week. Keep your eyes open, Doc. If we've got to fight we + won't shirk it; but I don't look for much trouble from a parcel of + girls." +</p> +<p> + Mr. Hopkins was quite cheerful by this time, for he had thought out the + situation and his "fighting blood was up," as he expressed it. +</p> +<p> + He walked away whistling softly to himself and decided that he would go + over to the livery stable, get a horse and buggy, drive out into the + country, and spend the day talking with the farmers. +</p> +<p> + But when he turned the corner into the side street where the livery was + located he was astonished to find a row of horses and wagons lining each + side of the street, and in each vehicle two men in white jumpers and + overalls. The men were in charge of huge cans of paints, assorted + brushes, ladders, scaffolds and other paraphernalia. +</p> +<p> + There must have been twenty vehicles, altogether, and some of the rigs + were already starting out and driving briskly away in different + directions. +</p> +<p> + Mr. Hopkins was puzzled. He approached one of the white-overalled men + who was loading cans of paint into a wagon and inquired: +</p> +<p> + "Who are you fellows?" +</p> +<p> + "Sign painters," answered the man, with an amused look. +</p> +<p> + "Who do you work for?" +</p> +<p> + "The Carson Advertising Sign Company of Cleveland." +</p> +<p> + "Oh, I see," replied Hopkins. "Got a big job in this neighborhood?" +</p> +<p> + "Pretty big, sir." +</p> +<p> + "Who's your foreman?" +</p> +<p> + "Smith. He's in the livery office." +</p> +<p> + Then the man climbed into his wagon and drove away, and Hopkins turned + into the livery office. A thin-faced man with sharp eyes was Talking + with the proprietor. +</p> +<p> + "Is this Mr. Smith?" asked Hopkins. +</p> +<p> + "Yes." +</p> +<p> + "Of the Carson Advertising Sign Company?" +</p> +<p> + "Yes." +</p> +<p> + "Well, I've got a big job for you. My name's Hopkins. I want a hundred + big signs painted mighty quick." +</p> +<p> + "Sorry, sir; we've got all we can handle here for two or three weeks." +</p> +<p> + "It's got to be done quick or not at all. Can't you send for more men?" +</p> +<p> + "We've got thirty-eight on this job, and can't get any more for love or + money. Had to send to Chicago for some of these." +</p> +<p> + "Rush job?" +</p> +<p> + "Yes, sir. You'll have to excuse me. I've got to get started. This is + only our second day and we're pretty busy." +</p> +<p> + "Wait a minute," called the bewildered Hopkins, following Smith to his + buggy. "What concern is your firm doing all this painting for?" +</p> +<p> + "A man named Merrick." +</p> +<p> + Then the foreman drove away, and Mr. Hopkins was left greatly puzzled. +</p> +<p> + "Merrick—Merrick!" he repeated. "I don't remember any big advertiser by + that name. It must be some new concern. Anyhow, it all helps in my fight + against Forbes." +</p> +<p> + He again returned to the livery office and asked for a rig. +</p> +<p> + "Everything out, Mr. Hopkins. I've hired everything to be had in town + for this sign-painting gang." +</p> +<p> + But Mr. Hopkins was not to be balked. As long as these sign-painters + were doing missionary work for his cause among the farmers, he decided + to drive over to Fairview and see the party leaders in that important + town. So he went back to Dr. Squiers's house and borrowed the Doctor's + horse and buggy. +</p> +<p> + He drove along the turnpike for a time in silence. Then it struck him + that there was a peculiar air of neatness about the places he passed. + The barns and fences all seemed newly painted, and he remembered that he + hadn't seen an advertising sign since he left town. +</p> +<p> + A mile farther on he came upon a gang of the sign painters, who with + their huge brushes were rapidly painting the entire length of a + weather-worn fence with white paint. +</p> +<p> + Mr. Hopkins reined in and watched them for a few moments. +</p> +<p> + "You sign-painters don't seem to be getting any signs started," he + observed. +</p> +<p> + "No," replied one of the men, laughing. "This is a peculiar job for our + firm to tackle. We've made a contract to paint out every sign in the + district." +</p> +<p> + "Paint 'em out!" +</p> +<p> + "Yes, cover them up with new paint, and get rid of them." +</p> +<p> + "But how about the advertisers? Don't they own the spaces now?" +</p> +<p> + "They did; but they've all been bought up. John Merrick owns the spaces + now, and we're working for John Merrick." +</p> +<p> + "Who's he?" +</p> +<p> + "Some friend of Mr. Forbes, up at Elmhurst." +</p> +<p> + Mr. Hopkins was not a profane man, but he said a naughty word. And then + he cut his horse so fiercely with the whip that the poor beast gave a + neigh of terror, and started down the road at a gallop. +</p> +<a name="CH9"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<h2> + CHAPTER IX +</h2> +<center> + OL' WILL ROGERS +</center> +<p> + Beth had her folding table out in the rose garden where Kenneth was + working at his easel, and while the boy painted she wrote her campaign + letters and "editorials." +</p> +<p> + At first Ken had resented the management of his campaign by his three + girl friends; but soon he was grateful for their assistance and proud of + their talents. It was at their own request that he refrained from any + active work himself, merely appearing at the meetings they planned, + where he made his speeches and impressed his hearers with his + earnestness. He was really an excellent speaker, and his youth and + enthusiasm counted much in his favor. +</p> +<p> + He protested mildly when Louise invited the Women's Political Club to + meet at Elmhurst on Thursday afternoon, but Mr. Watson assured him that + this was an important play for popularity, so he promised to meet them. + Tables were to be spread upon the lawn, for the late October weather was + mild and delightful, and Louise planned to feed the women in a way that + they would long remember. +</p> +<p> + Patsy had charge of the towns and Louise of the country districts, but + Beth often aided Louise, who had a great deal of territory to cover. +</p> +<p> + The automobiles Uncle John had ordered sent down were a great assistance + to the girls, and enabled them to cover twice as much territory in a day + as would have been done with horses. +</p> +<p> + But, although they worked so tirelessly and earnestly, it was not all + plain sailing with the girl campaigners. Yet though they met with many + rebuffs, they met very little downright impertinence. Twice Louise was + asked to leave a house where she had attempted to make a proselyte, and + once a dog was set upon Beth by an irate farmer, who resented her + automobile as much as he did her mission. As for Patsy, she was often + told in the towns that "a young girl ought to be in better business than + mixing up in politics," and she was sensitive enough once or twice to + cry over these reproaches when alone in her chamber. But she maintained + a cheerful front; and, in truth, all the girls enjoyed their work + immensely. +</p> +<p> + While Beth and Kenneth were in the garden this sunny afternoon James + came to say that a man wanted to see "one of the politics young ladies." +</p> +<p> + "Shall we send him about his business, Beth?" asked the boy. +</p> +<p> + "Oh, no; we can't afford to lose a single vote. Bring him here, James, + please," said the girl. +</p> +<p> + So presently a wizened little man in worn and threadbare garments, his + hat in his hand, came slowly into the garden. His sunken cheeks were + covered with stubby gray whiskers, his shoulders were stooped and bent + from hard work, and his hands bore evidences of a life of toil. Yet the + eyes he turned upon Beth, as she faced him had a wistful and pleading + look that affected her strangely. +</p> +<p> + "Afternoon, miss," he said, in a hesitating voice. "I—I'm Rogers, miss; + ol' Will Rogers. I—I s'pose you hain't heerd o' me before." +</p> +<p> + "I'm glad to meet you, Mr. Rogers," replied the girl in her pleasant + voice. "Have you come to see me about the election?" +</p> +<p> + "It's—it's sump'n 'bout the 'lection, an' then agin it ain't. But I run + the chanct o' seein' ye, because we're in desprit straits, an' Nell + advised that I hev a talk with ye. 'Frank an' outright,' says Nell. + 'Don't beat about the bush,' says she. 'Go right to th' point an' + they'll say yes or no." +</p> +<p> + Beth laughed merrily, and the boy smiled as he wielded his brush with + delicate strokes. +</p> +<p> + "Ye mustn't mind me, miss," said Will Rogers, in a deprecating tone. + "I'm—I'm sommut broke up an' discouraged, an' ain't th' man I used to + be. Nell knows that, an' she orter came herself; but it jes' made her + cry to think o' it, an' so I says I'll come an' do the best I kin." +</p> +<p> + Beth was really interested now. +</p> +<p> + "Sit down on this bench, Mr. Rogers," she said, "and I'll listen to + whatever you have to say." +</p> +<p> + He sat down willingly, bent forward as he rested upon the garden bench, + and twirled his hat slowly in his hands. +</p> +<p> + "'Taint easy, ye know, miss, to say some things, an' this is one o' the + hardest," he began. +</p> +<p> + "Go on," said Beth, encouragingly, for old Will had suddenly stopped + short and seemed unable to proceed. +</p> +<p> + "They say, miss, as you folks is a-spendin' uv a lot o' money on this + election, a-gittin' votes, an' sich like," he said, in an altered tone. +</p> +<p> + "It costs a little to run a political campaign," acknowledged Beth. +</p> +<p> + "They say money's bein' poured out liken water—to git votes," he + persisted. +</p> +<p> + "Well, Mr. Rogers?" +</p> +<p> + "Well, thet's how it started, ye see. We're so agonizin' poor, Nell + thought we orter git some o' the money while it's goin'." +</p> +<p> + The girl was much amused. Such frankness was both unusual and + refreshing. +</p> +<p> + "Have you a vote to sell?" she asked. +</p> +<p> + He did not answer at once, but sat slowly twirling his hat. +</p> +<p> + "That's jet' what Nell thought ye'd ask," he said, finally, "an' she + knew if ye did it was all up with our plan. Guess I'll be goin', miss." +</p> +<p> + He rose slowly from his seat, but the girl did not intend to lose any of + the fun this queer individual might yet furnish. +</p> +<p> + "Sit down, Mr. Rogers," she said, "and tell me why you can't answer my + questions?" +</p> +<p> + "I guess I'll hev to speak out an' tell all," said he, his voice + trembling a little, "although I thought fer a minnit I could see my way + without. I can't sell my vote, miss, 'cause I've been plannin' t'vote + fer Mr. Forbes anyhow. But we wanted some uv th' money that's being + wasted, an' we wanted it mighty bad." +</p> +<p> + "Why?" +</p> +<p> + "Thet's the hard part uv it, miss; but I'm goin' to tell you. Did ye + ever hear o' Lucy?" +</p> +<p> + "No, Mr. Rogers." +</p> +<p> + "Lucy's our girl—the on'y chick er child we ever had. She's a pretty + girl, is Lucy; a good deal liken her mother; wi' the same high spirits + my Nell had afore she broke down. Mostly Nell cries, nowadays." +</p> +<p> + "Yes. Go on." +</p> +<p> + "Lucy had a schoolin', an' we worked hard to give it her, fer my land + ain't much account, nohow. An' when she grew up she had more boys comin' + to see her than any gal this side o' Fairview, an' one o' 'em caught + Lucy's fancy. But she was too young to marry, an' she wanted to be + earnin' money; so she got a job workin' fer Doc Squiers, over to + Elmwood. He's the dentist there, an' Lucy helped with the housework an' + kept the office slicked up, an' earned ev'ry penny she got." +</p> +<p> + He stopped here, and looked vacantly around. +</p> +<p> + Beth tried to help the old man. +</p> +<p> + "And then?" she asked, softly. +</p> +<p> + "Then come the trouble, miss. One day ol' Mis' Squiers, the Doc's + mother, missed a di'mon' ring. She laid it on the mantel an' it was + gone, an' she said as Lucy took it. Lucy didn't take it, an' after + they'd tried to make my gal confess as she was a thief they give 'er + three days to hand up the ring or the money it was worth, or else they'd + hev her arrested and sent t' jail. Lucy didn't take it, ye know. She + jes' <i>couldn't</i> do sech a thing, natcherly." +</p> +<p> + "I know," said Beth, sympathetically. +</p> +<p> + "So she comes home, heartbroken, an' told us about it, an' we didn't hev + th' money nuther. It were sixty dollars they wanted, or th' ring; an' we + didn't hev neither of 'em." +</p> +<p> + "Of course not." +</p> +<p> + "Well, Tom come over thet night to see Lucy, hearin' she was home, + an'—" +</p> +<p> + "Who is Tom?" +</p> +<p> + "Thet's Tom Gates, him thet—but I'm comin' to thet, miss. Tom always + loved Lucy, an' wanted to marry her; but his folks is as poor as we are, + so the young 'uns had to wait. Tom worked at the mill over t' + Fairview—the big saw-mill where they make the lumber an' things." +</p> +<p> + "I know." +</p> +<p> + "He was the bookkeeper, fer Tom had schoolin', too; an' he took private + lessons in bookkeepin' from ol' Cheeseman. So he had got hired at the + mill, an' had a likely job, an' was doin' well. An' when Tom heerd about + Lucy's trouble, an' thet she had only two days left before goin' to + jail, he up an' says: 'I'll get the money, Lucy: don' you worry a bit.' + 'Oh, Tom!' says she, 'hev you got sixty dollars saved already?' 'I've + got it, Lucy,' says he, 'an' I'll go over tomorrow an' pay Doc Squiers. + Don' you worry any more. Forget all about it.' Well o' course, miss, + that helped a lot. Nell an' Lucy both felt the disgrace of the thing, + but it wouldn't be a public disgrace, like goin' to jail; so we was all + mighty glad Tom had that sixty dollars." +</p> +<p> + "It was very fortunate," said Beth, filling in another pause. +</p> +<p> + "The nex' day Tom were as good as his word. He paid Doc Squiers an' got + a receipt an' giv it to Lucy. Then we thought th' trouble was over, but + it had on'y just begun. Monday mornin' Tom was arrested over t' the mill + fer passin' a forged check an' gettin' sixty dollars on it. Lucy was + near frantic with grief. She walked all the way to Fairview, an' they + let her see Tom in the jail. He tol' her it was true he forged th' + check, but he did it to save her. He was a man an' it wouldn't hurt fer + him to go to jail so much as it would a girl. He said he was glad he did + it, an' didn't mind servin' a sentence in prison. I think, miss, as Tom + meant thet—ev'ry word uv it. But Lucy broke down under the thing an' + raved an' cried, an' nuther Nell ner I could do anything with her. She + said she'd ruined Tom's life an' all thet, an' she didn't want to live + herself. Then she took sick, an' Nell an' I nursed her as careful as we + could. How'n the wurld she ever got away we can't make out, nohow." +</p> +<p> + "Did she get away?" asked the girl, noting that the old man's eyes were + full of tears and his lips trembling. +</p> +<p> + "Yes, miss. She's bin gone over ten days, now, an' we don't even know + where to look fer her; our girl—our poor Lucy. She ain't right in her + head, ye know, or she'd never a done it. She'd never a left us like this + in th' world. 'Taint like our Lucy." +</p> +<p> + Kenneth had turned around on his stool and was regarding old Will Rogers + earnestly, brush and pallet alike forgotten. Beth was trying to keep the + tears out of her own eyes, for the old man's voice was even more + pathetic than his words. +</p> +<p> + "Ten days ago!" said Kenneth. "And she hasn't been found yet?" +</p> +<p> + "We can't trace her anywhere, an' Nell has broke down at las', an' don't + do much but cry. It's hard, sir—I can't bear to see Nell cry. She'd + sich high sperrits, onct." +</p> +<p> + "Where's the boy Tom?" asked Kenneth, somewhat gruffly. +</p> +<p> + "He's in the jail yet, waitin' to be tried. Court don't set till next + week, they say." +</p> +<p> + "And where do you live, Rogers?" +</p> +<p> + "Five miles up the Fairview road. 'Taint much of a place—Nell says I've + always bin a shif'les lot, an' I guess it's true. Yesterday your hired + men painted all the front o' my fence—painted it white—not only where + th' signs was, but th' whole length of it. We didn't ask it done, but + they jes' done it. I watched 'em, an' Nell says if we on'y had th' money + thet was wasted on thet paint an' labor, we might find our Lucy. 'It's a + shame,' says Nell, 'all thet 'lection money bein' thrown away on paint + when it might save our poor crazy child.' I hope it ain't wrong, sir; + but thet's what I thought, too. So we laid plans fer me to come here + today. Ef I kin get a-hold o' any o' thet money honest, I want to do + it." +</p> +<p> + "Have you got a horse?" asked Kenneth. +</p> +<p> + "Not now. I owned one las' year, but he died on me an' I can't get + another nohow." +</p> +<p> + "Did you walk here?" asked Beth. +</p> +<p> + "Yes, miss; o' course. I've walked the hull county over a-tryin' to find + Lucy. I don' mind the walking much." +</p> +<p> + There was another pause, while old Will Rogers looked anxiously at the + boy and the girl, and they looked at each other. Then Beth took out her + purse. +</p> +<p> + "I want to hire your services to help us in the election," she said, + briskly. "I'll furnish you a horse and buggy and you can drive around + and talk with people and try to find Lucy at the same time. This twenty + dollars is to help you pay expenses. You needn't account for it; just + help us as much as you can." +</p> +<p> + The old man straightened up and his eyes filled again. +</p> +<p> + "Nell said if it was a matter o' charity I mustn't take a cent," he + observed, in a low voice. +</p> +<p> + '"It isn't charity. It's business. And now that we know your story we + mean to help you find your girl. Anyone would do that, you know. Tell + me, what is Lucy like?" +</p> +<p> + "She's like Nell used to be." +</p> +<p> + "But we don't know your wife. Describe Lucy as well as you can. Is she + tall?" +</p> +<p> + "Middlin', miss." +</p> +<p> + "Light or dark?" +</p> +<p> + "Heh?" +</p> +<p> + "Is her hair light or dark colored?" +</p> +<p> + "Middlin'; jes' middlin', miss." +</p> +<p> + "Well, is she stout or thin?" +</p> +<p> + "I should say sorter betwixt an' between, miss." +</p> +<p> + "How old is Lucy?" +</p> +<p> + "Jes' turned eighteen, miss." +</p> +<p> + "Never mind, Beth," interrupted the boy; "you won't learn much from old + Will's description. But we'll see what can be done tomorrow. Call James + and have him sent home in the rig he's going to use. It seems to me + you're disposing rather freely of my horses and carts." +</p> +<p> + "Yes, Ken. You've nothing to say about your belongings just now. But if + you object to this plan—" +</p> +<p> + "I don't. The girl must be found, and her father is more likely to find + her than a dozen other searchers. He shall have the rig and welcome." +</p> +<p> + So it was that Will Rogers drove back to his heartbroken wife in a smart + top-buggy, with twenty dollars in his pocket and a heart full of wonder + and thanksgiving. +</p> +<a name="CH10"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<h2> + CHAPTER X +</h2> +<p> + The Forged Check +</p> +<p> + Kenneth and Beth refrained from telling the other girls or Uncle John of + old Will Rogers's visit, but they got Mr. Watson in the library and + questioned him closely about the penalty for forging a check. +</p> +<p> + It was a serious crime indeed, Mr. Watson told them, and Tom Gates bade + fair to serve a lengthy term in state's prison as a consequence of his + rash act. +</p> +<p> + "But it was a generous act, too," said Beth. +</p> +<p> + "I can't see it in that light," said the old lawyer. "It was a + deliberate theft from his employers to protect a girl he loved. I do not + doubt the girl was unjustly accused. The Squierses are a selfish, + hard-fisted lot, and the old lady, especially, is a well known virago. + But they could not have proven a case against Lucy, if she was innocent, + and all their threats of arresting her were probably mere bluff. So this + boy was doubly foolish in ruining himself to get sixty dollars to pay an + unjust demand." +</p> +<p> + "He was soft-hearted and impetuous," said Beth; "and, being in love, he + didn't stop to count the cost." +</p> +<p> + "That is no excuse, my dear," declared Mr. Watson. "Indeed there is + never an excuse for crime. The young man is guilty, and he must suffer + the penalty." +</p> +<p> + "Is there no way to save him?" asked Kenneth. +</p> +<p> + "If the prosecution were withdrawn and the case settled with the victim + of the forged check, then the young man would be allowed his freedom. + But under the circumstances I doubt if such an arrangement could be + made." +</p> +<p> + "We're going to try it, anyhow," was the prompt decision. +</p> +<p> + So as soon as breakfast was over the next morning Beth and Kenneth took + one of the automobiles, the boy consenting unwillingly to this sort of + locomotion because it would save much time. Fairview was twelve miles + away, but by ten o'clock they drew up at the county jail. +</p> +<p> + They were received in the little office by a man named Markham, who was + the jailer. He was a round-faced, respectable appearing fellow, but his + mood was distinctly unsociable. +</p> +<p> + "Want to see Tom Gates, eh? Well! what for?" he demanded. +</p> +<p> + "We wish to talk with him," answered Kenneth. +</p> +<p> + "Talk! what's the good? You're no friend of Tom Gates. I can't be + bothered this way, anyhow." +</p> +<p> + "I am Kenneth Forbes, of Elmhurst. I'm running for Representative on the + Republican ticket," said Kenneth, quietly. +</p> +<p> + "Oh, say! that's different," observed Markham, altering his demeanor. + "You mustn't mind my being gruff and grumpy, Mr. Forbes. I've just + stopped smoking a few days ago, and it's got on my nerves something + awful!" +</p> +<p> + "May we see Gates at once?" asked Kenneth. +</p> +<p> + "Sure-ly! I'll take you to his cell, myself. It's just shocking how such + a little thing as stoppin' smoking will rile up a fellow. Come this way, + please." +</p> +<p> + They followed the jailer along a succession of passages. +</p> +<p> + "Smoked ever sence I was a boy, you know, an' had to stop last week + because Doc said it would kill me if I didn't," remarked the jailer, + leading the way. "Sometimes I'm that yearning for a smoke I'm nearly + crazy, an' I dunno which is worst, dyin' one way or another. This is + Gates' cell—the best in the shop." +</p> +<p> + He unlocked the door, and called: +</p> +<p> + "Here's visitors, Tom." +</p> +<p> + "Thank you, Mr. Markham," replied a quiet voice, as a young man came + forward from the dim interior of the cell. "How are you feeling, today?" +</p> +<p> + "Worse, Tom; worse 'n ever," replied the jailer, gloomily. +</p> +<p> + "Well, stick it out, old man; don't give in." +</p> +<p> + "I won't, Tom. Smokin' 'll kill me sure, an' there's a faint hope o' + livin' through this struggle to give it up. This visitor is Mr. Forbes + of Elmhurst, an' the young lady is—" +</p> +<p> + "Miss DeGraf," said Kenneth, noticing the boy's face critically, as he + stood where the light from the passage fell upon it. "Will you leave us + alone, please, Mr. Markham?" +</p> +<p> + "Sure-ly, Mr. Forbes. You've got twenty minutes according to + regulations. I'll come and get you then. Sorry we haven't any reception + room in the jail. All visits has to be made in the cells." +</p> +<p> + Then he deliberately locked Kenneth and Beth in with the forger, and + retreated along the passage. +</p> +<p> + "Sit down, please," said Gates, in a cheerful and pleasant voice. + "There's a bench here." +</p> +<p> + "We've come to inquire about your case, Gates," said Kenneth. "It seems + you have forged a check." +</p> +<p> + "Yes, sir, I plead guilty, although I've been told I ought not to + confess. But the fact is that I forged the check and got the money, and + I'm willing to stand the consequences." +</p> +<p> + "Why did you do it?" asked Beth. +</p> +<p> + He was silent and turned his face away. +</p> +<p> + A fresh, wholesome looking boy, was Tom Gates, with steady gray eyes, an + intelligent forehead, but a sensitive, rather weak mouth. He was of + sturdy, athletic build and dressed neatly in a suit that was of coarse + material but well brushed and cared for. +</p> +<p> + Beth thought his appearance pleasing and manly. Kenneth decided that he + was ill at ease and in a state of dogged self-repression. +</p> +<p> + "We have heard something of your story," said Kenneth, "and are + interested in it. But there is no doubt you have acted very foolishly." +</p> +<p> + "Do you know Lucy, sir?" asked the young man. +</p> +<p> + "No." +</p> +<p> + "Lucy is very proud. The thing was killing her, and I couldn't bear it. + I didn't stop to think whether it was foolish or not. I did it; and I'm + glad I did." +</p> +<p> + "You have made her still more unhappy," said Beth, gently. +</p> +<p> + "Yes; she'll worry about me, I know. I'm disgraced for life; but I've + saved Lucy from any disgrace, and she's young. She'll forget me before + I've served my term, and—and take up with some other young fellow." +</p> +<p> + "Would you like that?" asked Beth. +</p> +<p> + "No, indeed," he replied, frankly. "But it will be best that way. I had + to stand by Lucy—she's so sweet and gentle, and so sensitive. I don't + say I did right. I only say I'd do the same thing again." +</p> +<p> + "Couldn't her parents have helped her?" inquired Kenneth. +</p> +<p> + "No. Old Will is a fine fellow, but poor and helpless since Mrs. Rogers + had her accident." +</p> +<p> + "Oh, did she have an accident?" asked Beth. +</p> +<p> + "Yes. Didn't you know? She's blind." +</p> +<p> + "Her husband didn't tell us that," said the girl. +</p> +<p> + "He was fairly prosperous before that, for Mrs. Rogers was an energetic + and sensible woman, and kept old Will hard at work. One morning she + tried to light the fire with kerosene, and lost her sight. Then Rogers + wouldn't do anything but lead her around, and wait upon her, and the + place went to rack and ruin." +</p> +<p> + "I understand now," said Beth. +</p> +<p> + "Lucy could have looked after her mother," said young Bates, "but old + Will was stubborn and wouldn't let her. So the girl saw something must + be done and went to work. That's how all the trouble came about." +</p> +<p> + He spoke simply, but paced up and down the narrow cell in front of them. + It was evident that his feelings were deeper than he cared to make + evident. +</p> +<p> + "Whose name did you sign to the check?" asked Kenneth. +</p> +<p> + "That of John E. Marshall, the manager of the mill. He is supposed to + sign all the checks of the concern. It's a stock company, and rich. I + was bookkeeper, so it was easy to get a blank check and forge the + signature. As regards my robbing the company, I'll say that I saved them + a heavy loss one day. I discovered and put out a fire that would have + destroyed the whole plant. But Marshall never even thanked me. He only + discharged the man who was responsible for the fire." +</p> +<p> + "How long ago were you arrested?" asked Beth. +</p> +<p> + "It's nearly two weeks now. But I'll have a trial in a few days, they + say. My crime is so serious that the circuit judge has to sit on the + case." +</p> +<p> + "Do you know where Lucy is?" +</p> +<p> + "She's at home, I suppose. I haven't heard from her since the day she + came here to see me—right after my arrest." +</p> +<p> + They did not think best to enlighten him at that time. It was better for + him to think the girl unfeeling than to know the truth. +</p> +<p> + "I'm going to see Mr. Marshall," said Kenneth, "and discover what I can + do to assist you." +</p> +<p> + "Thank you, sir. It won't be much, but I'm grateful to find a friend. + I'm guilty, you know, and there's no one to blame but myself." +</p> +<p> + They left him then, for the jailer arrived to unlock the door, and + escort them to the office. +</p> +<p> + "Tom's a very decent lad," remarked the jailer, on the way. "He ain't a + natural criminal, you know; just one o' them that gives in to temptation + and is foolish enough to get caught. I've seen lots of that kind in my + day. You don't smoke, do you, Mr. Forbes?" +</p> +<p> + "No, Mr. Markham." +</p> +<p> + "Then don't begin it; or, if you do, never try to quit. It's—it's + <i>awful</i>, it is. And it ruins a man's disposition." +</p> +<p> + The mill was at the outskirts of the town. It was a busy place, perhaps + the busiest in the whole of the Eighth District, and in it were employed + a large number of men. The office was a small brick edifice, separated + from the main buildings, in which the noise of machinery was so great + that one speaking could scarcely be heard. The manager was in, Kenneth + and Beth learned, but could not see them until he had signed the letters + he had dictated for the noon mail. +</p> +<p> + So they sat on a bench until a summons came to admit them to Mr. + Marshall's private office. +</p> +<p> + He looked up rather ungraciously, but motioned them to be seated. +</p> +<p> + "Mr. Forbes, of Elmhurst?" he asked, glancing at the card Kenneth had + sent in. +</p> +<p> + "Yes, sir." +</p> +<p> + "I've been bothered already over your election campaign," resumed the + manager, arranging his papers in a bored manner. "Some girl has been + here twice to interview my men and I have refused to admit her. You may + as well understand, sir, that I stand for the Democratic candidate, and + have no sympathy with your side." +</p> +<p> + "That doesn't interest me, especially, sir," answered Kenneth, smiling. + "I'm not electioneering just now. I've come to talk with you about young + Gates." +</p> +<p> + "Oh. Well, sir, what about him?" +</p> +<p> + "I'm interested in the boy, and want to save him from prosecution." +</p> +<p> + "He's a forger, Mr. Forbes; a deliberate criminal." +</p> +<p> + "I admit that. But he's very young, and his youth is largely responsible + for his folly." +</p> +<p> + "He stole my money." +</p> +<p> + "It is true, Mr. Marshall." +</p> +<p> + "And he deserves a term in state's prison." +</p> +<p> + "I agree to all that. Nevertheless, I should like to save him," said + Kenneth. "His trial has not yet taken place, and instead of your + devoting considerable of your valuable time appearing against him it + would be much simpler to settle the matter right here and now." +</p> +<p> + "In what way, Mr. Forbes?" +</p> +<p> + "I'll make your money loss good." +</p> +<p> + "It has cost me twice sixty dollars in annoyance." +</p> +<p> + "I can well believe it, sir. I'll pay twice sixty dollars for the + delivery to me of the forged check, and the withdrawal of the + prosecution." +</p> +<p> + "And the costs?" +</p> +<p> + "I'll pay all the costs besides." +</p> +<p> + "You're foolish. Why should you do all this?" +</p> +<p> + "I have my own reasons, Mr. Marshall. Please look at the matter from a + business standpoint. If you send the boy to prison you will still suffer + the loss of the money. By compromising with me you can recover your loss + and are paid for your annoyance." +</p> +<p> + "You're right. Give me a check for a hundred and fifty, and I'll turn + over to you the forged check and quash further proceedings." +</p> +<p> + Kenneth hesitated a moment. He detested the grasping disposition that + would endeavor to take advantage of his evident desire to help young + Gates. He had hoped to find Mr. Marshall a man of sympathy; but the + manager was as cold as an icicle. +</p> +<p> + Beth, uneasy at his silence, nudged him. +</p> +<p> + "Pay it, Ken," she whispered. +</p> +<p> + "Very well, Mr. Marshall," said he, "I accept your terms." +</p> +<p> + The check was written and handed over, and Marshall took the forged + check from his safe and delivered it, with the other papers in the case, + to Mr. Forbes. He also wrote a note to his lawyer directing him to + withdraw the prosecution. +</p> +<p> + Kenneth and Beth went away quite happy with their success, and the + manager stood in his little window and watched them depart. There was a + grim smile of amusement on his shrewd face. +</p> +<p> + "Of all the easy marks I ever encountered," muttered Mr. Marshall, "this + young Forbes is the easiest. Why, he's a fool, that's what he is. He + might have had that forged check for the face of it, if he'd been sharp. + You wouldn't catch 'Rast Hopkins doing such a fool stunt. Not in a + thousand years!" +</p> +<p> + Meantime Beth was pressing Kenneth's arm as she sat beside him and + saying happily: +</p> +<p> + "I'm so glad, Ken—so glad! And to think we can save all that misery and + despair by the payment of a hundred and fifty dollars! And now we must + find the girl." +</p> +<p> + "Yes," replied the boy, cheerfully, "we must find Lucy." +</p> +<a name="CH11"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<h2> + CHAPTER XI +</h2> +<center> + A MYSTERIOUS DISAPPEARANCE +</center> +<p> + A woman was sitting in a low room, engaged in knitting. Her feet were + stretched out toward a small fire that smouldered in an open hearth. She + wore a simple calico gown, neat and well-fitting, and her face bore + traces of much beauty that time and care had been unable wholly to + efface. +</p> +<p> + Suddenly she paused in her work, her head turned slightly to one side to + listen. +</p> +<p> + "Come in, sir," she called in a soft but distinct voice; "come in, + miss." +</p> +<p> + So Kenneth and Beth entered at the half-open porch door and advanced + into the room. +</p> +<p> + "Is this Mrs. Rogers?" asked Beth, looking at the woman curiously. The + woman's eyes were closed, but the lashes fell in graceful dark curves + over her withered cheeks. The girl wondered how she had been able to + know her visitors' sex so accurately. +</p> +<p> + "Yes, I am Mrs. Rogers," said the sweet, sad voice. "And I think you are + one of the young ladies from Elmhurst—perhaps the one Will talked to." +</p> +<p> + "You are right, Mrs. Rogers. I am Elizabeth DeGraf." +</p> +<p> + "And your companion—is it Mr. Forbes?" the woman asked. +</p> +<p> + "Yes, madam," replied Kenneth, astonished to find Will's wife speaking + with so much refinement and gracious ease. +</p> +<p> + "You are very welcome. Will you please find seats? My affliction renders + me helpless, as you may see." +</p> +<p> + "We are very comfortable, I assure you, Mrs. Rogers," said Beth. "We + have come to ask if you have heard anything of your daughter." +</p> +<p> + "Not a word as yet, Miss DeGraf, Will is out with the horse and buggy + doing his best to get information. But Lucy has been gone so long now + that I realize it will be difficult to find her, if, indeed, the poor + girl has not—is not—" +</p> +<p> + Her voice broke. +</p> +<p> + "Oh, you don't fear <i>that</i>, do you, Mrs. Rogers?" asked Beth, quickly. +</p> +<p> + "I fear anything—everything!" wailed the poor creature, the tears + streaming from between her closed lids. "My darling was frantic with + grief, and she couldn't bear the humiliation and disgrace of her + position. Will told you, didn't he?" +</p> +<p> + "Yes, of course. But it wasn't so bad, Mrs. Rogers; it wasn't a + desperate condition, by any means." +</p> +<p> + "With poor Tom in prison for years—and just for trying to help her." +</p> +<p> + "Tom isn't in prison, you know, any more," said Beth quietly. "He has + been released." +</p> +<p> + "Released! When?" +</p> +<p> + "Last evening. His fault has been forgiven, and he is now free." +</p> +<p> + The woman sat silent for a time. Then she asked: +</p> +<p> + "You have done this, Mr. Forbes?" +</p> +<p> + "Why, Miss DeGraf and I assisted, perhaps. The young man is not really + bad, and—" +</p> +<p> + "Tom's a fine boy!" she cried, with eagerness. "He's honest and true, + Mr. Forbes—he is, indeed!" +</p> +<p> + "I think so," said Kenneth. +</p> +<p> + "If he wasn't my Lucy would never have loved him. He had a bright future + before him, sir, and that's why my child went mad when he ruined his + life for her sake." +</p> +<p> + "Was she mad, do you think?" asked Beth, softly. +</p> +<p> + "She must have been," said the mother, sadly. "Lucy was a sensible girl, + and until this thing happened she was as bright and cheerful as the day + is long. But she is very sensitive—she inherited that from me, I + think—and Tom's action drove her distracted. At first she raved and + rambled incoherently, and Will and I feared brain fever would set in. + Then she disappeared in the night, without leaving a word or message for + us, which was unlike her—and we've never heard a word of her since. + The—the river has a strange fascination for people in that condition. + At times in my life it has almost drawn <i>me</i> into its depths—and I am + not mad. I have never been mad." +</p> +<p> + "Let us hope for the best, Mrs. Rogers," said Beth. "Somehow, I have an + idea this trouble will all turn out well in the end." +</p> +<p> + "Have you?" asked the woman, earnestly. +</p> +<p> + "Yes. It all came about through such a little thing—merely an unjust + accusation." +</p> +<p> + "The little things are the ones that ruin lives," she said. "Will you + let me tell you something of myself? You have been so kind to us, my + dear, that I feel you ought to know." +</p> +<p> + "I shall be glad to know whatever you care to tell me," said Beth, + simply. +</p> +<p> + "I am the wife of a poor farmer," began the woman, speaking softly and + with some hesitation, but gaining strength as she proceeded. "As a girl + I was considered attractive, and my father was a man of great wealth and + social standing. We lived in Baltimore. Then I fell in love with a young + man who, after obtaining my promise to marry him, found some one he + loved better and carelessly discarded me. As I have said, I have a + sensitive nature. In my girlhood I was especially susceptible to any + slight, and this young man's heartless action made it impossible for me + to remain at home and face the humiliation he had thrust upon me. My + father was a hard man, and demanded that I marry the man he had himself + chosen; but I resented this command and ran away. My mother had passed + on long before, and there was nothing to keep me at home. I came west + and secured a position to teach school in this county, and for a time I + was quite contented and succeeded in living down my disappointment. I + heard but once from my father. He had married again and disinherited me. + He forbade me to ever communicate with him again. +</p> +<p> + "At that time Will Rogers was one of the most promising and manly of the + country lads around here. He was desperately in love with me, and at + this period, when I seemed completely cut off from my old life and the + future contained no promise, I thought it best to wear out the remainder + of my existence in the seclusion of a farm-house. I put all the past + behind me, and told Will Rogers I would marry him and be a faithful + wife; but that my heart was dead. He accepted me on that condition, and + it was not until after we were married some time that my husband + realized how impossible it would ever be to arouse my affection. Then he + lost courage, and became careless and reckless. When our child came—our + Lucy—Will was devoted to her, and the baby wakened in me all the old + passionate capacity to love. Lucy drew Will and me a little closer + together, but he never recovered his youthful ambition. He was a + disappointed man, and went from bad to worse. I don't say Will hasn't + always been tender and true to me, and absolutely devoted to Lucy. But + he lost all hope of being loved as he loved me, and the disappointment + broke him down. He became an old man early in life, and his lack of + energy kept us very poor. I used to take in sewing before the accident + to my eyes, and that helped a good deal to pay expenses. But now I am + helpless, and my husband devotes all his time to me, although I beg him + to work the farm and try to earn some money. +</p> +<p> + "I wouldn't have minded the poverty; I wouldn't mind being blind, even, + if Lucy had been spared to me. I have had to bear so much in my life + that I could even bear my child's death. But to have her disappear and + not know what has become of her—whether she is living miserably or + lying at the bottom of the river—it is this that is driving me + distracted." +</p> +<p> + Kenneth and Beth remained silent for a time after Mrs. Rogers had + finished her tragic story, for their hearts were full of sympathy for + the poor woman. It was hard to realize that a refined, beautiful and + educated girl had made so sad a mistake of her life and suffered so many + afflictions as a consequence. That old Will had never been a fitting + mate for his wife could readily be understood, and yet the man was still + devoted to his helpless, unresponsive spouse. The fault was not his. +</p> +<p> + The boy and the girl both perceived that there was but one way they + could assist Mrs. Rogers, and that was to discover what had become of + her child. +</p> +<p> + "Was Lucy like you, or did she resemble her father?" asked Beth. +</p> +<p> + "She is—she was very like me when I was young," replied the woman. + "There is a photograph of her on the wall there between the windows; but + it was taken five years ago, when she was a child. Now she is—she was + eighteen, and a well-developed young woman." +</p> +<p> + "I've been looking at the picture," said Kenneth. +</p> +<p> + "And you mustn't think of her as dead, Mrs. Rogers," said Beth, + pleadingly. "I'm sure she is alive, and that we shall find her. We're + going right to work, and everything possible shall be done to trace your + daughter. Don't worry, please. Be as cheerful as you can, and leave the + search to us." +</p> +<p> + The woman sighed. +</p> +<p> + "Will believes she is alive, too," she said. "He can't sleep or rest + till he finds her, for my husband loves her as well as I do. But + sometimes I feel it's wicked to hope she is alive. I know what she + suffers, for I suffered, myself; and life isn't worth living when + despair and disappointment fills it." +</p> +<p> + "I cannot see why Lucy shouldn't yet be happy," protested Beth. "Tom + Gates is now free, and can begin life anew." +</p> +<p> + "His trouble will follow him everywhere," said Mrs. Rogers, with + conviction. "Who will employ a bookkeeper, or even a clerk who has been + guilty of forgery?" +</p> +<p> + "I think I shall give him employment," replied Kenneth. +</p> +<p> + "You, Mr. Forbes!" +</p> +<p> + "Yes. I'm not afraid of a boy who became a criminal to save the girl he + loved." +</p> +<p> + "But all the world knows of his crime!" she exclaimed. +</p> +<p> + "The world forgets these things sooner than you suppose," he answered. + "I need a secretary, and in that position Tom Gates will quickly be able + to live down this unfortunate affair. And if he turns out as well as I + expect, he will soon be able to marry Lucy and give her a comfortable + home. So now nothing remains but to find your girl, and we'll try to do + that, I assure you." +</p> +<p> + Mrs. Rogers was crying softly by this time, but it was from joy and + relief. When they left her she promised to be as cheerful as possible + and to look on the bright side of life. +</p> +<p> + "I can't thank you," she said, "so I won't try. You must know how + grateful we are to you." +</p> +<p> + As Beth and Kenneth drove back to Elmhurst they were both rather silent, + for they had been strongly affected by the scene at the farm-house. +</p> +<p> + "It's so good of you, Ken, to take Tom Gates into your employ," said the + girl, pressing her cousin's arm. "And I'm sure he'll be true and + grateful." +</p> +<p> + "I really need him, Beth," said the boy. "There is getting to be too + much correspondence for Mr. Watson to attend to, and I ought to relieve + him of many other details. It's a good arrangement, and I'm glad I + thought of it." +</p> +<p> + They had almost reached Elmhurst when they met the Honorable Erastus + Hopkins driving along the road. On the seat beside him was a young girl, + and as the vehicles passed each other Beth gave a start and clung to the + boy's arm. +</p> +<p> + "Oh, Ken!" she cried, "did you see? Did you see that?" +</p> +<p> + "Yes; it's my respected adversary." +</p> +<p> + "But the girl! It's Lucy—I'm sure it's Lucy! She's the living image of + Mrs. Rogers! Stop—stop—and let's go back!" +</p> +<p> + "Nonsense, Beth," said the boy. "It can't be." +</p> +<p> + "But it is. I'm sure it is!" +</p> +<p> + "I saw the girl," he said. "She was laughing gaily and talking with the + Honorable Erastus. Is that your idea of the mad, broken-hearted Lucy + Rogers?" +</p> +<p> + "N-no. She <i>was</i> laughing, Ken, I noticed it." +</p> +<p> + "And she wasn't unhappy a bit. You mustn't think that every pretty girl + with dark eyes you meet is Lucy Rogers, you know. And there's another + thing." +</p> +<p> + "What, Ken?" +</p> +<p> + "Any companion of Mr. Hopkins can be easily traced." +</p> +<p> + "That's true," answered the girl, thoughtfully. "I must have been + mistaken," she added, with a sigh. +</p> +<a name="CH12"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<h2> + CHAPTER XII +</h2> +<center> + BETH MEETS A REBUFF +</center> +<p> + The campaign was now growing warm. Mr. Hopkins had come to realize that + he had "the fight of his life" on his hands, and that defeat meant his + political ruin. Close-fisted and miserly as he was, no one knew so well + as the Honorable Erastus how valuable this position of Representative + was to him in a financial way, and that by winning re-election he could + find means to reimburse himself for all he had expended in the fight. + So, to the surprise of the Democratic Committee and all his friends, Mr. + Hopkins announced that he would oppose Forbes's aggressive campaign with + an equal aggressiveness, and spend as many dollars in doing so as might + be necessary. +</p> +<p> + He did not laugh at his opponents any longer. To himself he admitted + their shrewdness and activity and acknowledged that an experienced head + was managing their affairs. +</p> +<p> + One of Mr. Hopkins's first tasks after calling his faithful henchmen + around him was to make a careful canvass of the voters of his district, + to see what was still to be accomplished. +</p> +<p> + This canvass was quite satisfactory, for final report showed only about + a hundred majority for Forbes. The district was naturally Republican by + six hundred majority, and Hopkins had previously been elected by a + plurality of eighty-three; so that all the electioneering of the girl + politicians, and the expenditure of vast sums of money in painting + fences and barns, buying newspapers and flaunting Forbes banners in the + breezes, had not cut into the Hopkins following to any serious extent. +</p> +<p> + But, to offset this cheering condition, the Democratic agents who made + the canvass reported that there was an air of uncertainty throughout the + district, and that many of those who declared for Hopkins were lukewarm + and faint-hearted, and might easily be induced to change their votes. + This was what must be prevented. The "weak-kneed" contingency must be + strengthened and fortified, and a couple of hundred votes in one way or + another secured from the opposition. +</p> +<p> + The Democratic Committee figured out a way to do this. Monroe County, + where both Forbes and Hopkins resided, was one of the Democratic + strongholds of the State. The portions of Washington and Jefferson + Counties included in the Eighth District were as strongly Republican, + and being more populous gave to the district its natural Republican + majority. On the same ticket that was to elect a Representative to the + State Legislature was the candidate for Sheriff of Monroe County. A man + named Cummings was the Republican and Seth Reynolds, the liveryman, the + Democratic nominee. Under ordinary conditions Reynolds was sure to be + elected, but the Committee proposed to sacrifice him in order to elect + Hopkins. The Democrats would bargain with the Republicans to vote for + the Republican Sheriff if the Republicans would vote for the Democratic + Representative. This "trading votes," which was often done, was + considered by the politicians quite legitimate. The only thing necessary + was to "fix" Seth Reynolds, and this Hopkins arranged personally. The + office of Sheriff would pay about two thousand a year, and this sum + Hopkins agreed to pay the liveryman and so relieve him of all the + annoyance of earning it. +</p> +<p> + Reynolds saw the political necessity of this sacrifice, and consented + readily to the arrangement. Mr. Cummings, who was to profit by the deal, + was called to a private consultation and agreed to slaughter Kenneth + Forbes to secure votes for himself. It was thought that this clever + arrangement would easily win the fight for Hopkins. +</p> +<p> + But the Honorable Erastus had no intention of "taking chances," or + "monkeying with fate," as he tersely expressed it. Every scheme known to + politicians must be worked, and none knew the intricate game better than + Hopkins. This was why he held several long conferences with his friend + Marshall, the manager at the mill. And this was why Kenneth and Beth + discovered him conversing with the young woman in the buggy. Mr. Hopkins + had picked her up from the path leading from the rear gate of the + Elmhurst grounds, and she had given him accurate information concerning + the movements of the girl campaigners. The description she gave of the + coming reception to the Woman's Political League was so humorous and + diverting that they were both laughing heartily over the thing when the + young people passed them, and thus Mr. Hopkins failed to notice who the + occupants of the other vehicle were. +</p> +<p> + He talked for an hour with the girl, gave her explicit instructions, + thrust some money into her hand, and then drove her back to the bend in + the path whence she quickly made her way up to the great house. +</p> +<p> + Louise was making great preparations to entertain the Woman's Political + League, an organization she had herself founded, the members of which + were wives of farmers in the district. These women were flattered by the + attention of the young lady and had promised to assist in electing Mr. + Forbes. Louise hoped for excellent results from this organization and + wished the entertainment to be so effective in winning their good-will + that they would work earnestly for the cause in which they were + enlisted. +</p> +<p> + Patsy and Beth supported their cousin loyally and assisted in the + preparations. The Fairview band was engaged to discourse as much harmony + as it could produce, and the resources of the great house were taxed to + entertain the guests. Tables were spread on the lawn and a dainty but + substantial repast was to be served. +</p> +<p> + The day of the entertainment was as sunny and mild as heart could + desire. +</p> +<p> + By ten o'clock the farm wagons began to drive up, loaded with women and + children, for all were invited except the grown men. This was the first + occasion within a generation when such an entertainment had been given + at Elmhurst, and the only one within the memory of man where the + neighbors and country people had been invited guests. So all were eager + to attend and enjoy the novel event. +</p> +<p> + The gardens and grounds were gaily decorated with Chinese and Japanese + lanterns, streamers and Forbes banners. There were great tanks of + lemonade, and tables covered with candies and fruits for the children, + and maids and other servants distributed the things and looked after the + comfort of the guests. The band played briskly, and before noon the + scene was one of great animation. A speakers' stand, profusely + decorated, had been erected on the lawn, and hundreds of folding chairs + provided for seats. The attendance was unexpectedly large, and the girls + were delighted, foreseeing great success for their fjte. +</p> +<p> + "We ought to have more attendants, Beth," said Louise, approaching her + cousin. "Won't you run into the house and see if Martha can't spare one + or two more maids?" +</p> +<p> + Beth went at once, and found the housekeeper in her little room. Martha + was old and somewhat feeble in body, but her mind was still active and + her long years of experience in directing the household at Elmhurst made + her a very useful and important personage. She was very fond of the + young ladies, whom she had known when Aunt Jane was the mistress here, + and Beth was her especial favorite. +</p> +<p> + So she greeted the girl cordially, and said: +</p> +<p> + "Maids? My dear, I haven't another one to give you, and my legs are too + tottering to be of any use. I counted on Eliza Parsons, the new girl I + hired for the linen room and to do mending; but Eliza said she had a + headache this morning and couldn't stand the sun, So I let her off. But + she didn't seem very sick to me." +</p> +<p> + "Perhaps she is better and will help us until after the luncheon is + served," said Beth. "Where is she, Martha? I'll go and ask her." +</p> +<p> + "I'd better show you the way, miss. She's in her own room." +</p> +<p> + The housekeeper led the way and Beth followed. When she rapped upon the + door, a sweet, quiet voice said: +</p> +<p> + "Come in." +</p> +<p> + The girl entered, and gave an involuntary cry of surprise. Standing + before her was the young girl she had seen riding with Mr. Hopkins—the + girl she had declared to be the missing daughter of Mrs. Rogers. +</p> +<p> + For a moment Beth stood staring, while the new maid regarded her with + composure and a slight smile upon her beautiful face. She was dressed in + the regulation costume of the maids at Elmhurst, a plain black gown with + white apron and cap. +</p> +<p> + "I—I beg your pardon," said Beth, with a slight gasp; for the likeness + to Mrs. Rogers was something amazing. "Aren't you Lucy Rogers?" +</p> +<p> + The maid raised her eyebrows with a gesture of genuine surprise. Then + she gave a little laugh, and replied: +</p> +<p> + "No, Miss Beth. I'm Elizabeth Parsons." +</p> +<p> + "But it can't be," protested the girl. "How do you know my name, and why + haven't I seen you here before?" +</p> +<p> + "I'm not a very important person at Elmhurst," replied Eliza, in a + pleasant, even tone. "I obtained the situation only a few days ago. I + attend to the household mending, you know, and care for the linen. But + one can't be here without knowing the names of the young ladies, so I + recognize you as Miss Beth, one of Mr. Forbes's cousins." +</p> +<p> + "You speak like an educated person," said Beth, wonderingly. "Where is + your home?" +</p> +<p> + For the first time the maid seemed a little confused, and her gaze + wandered from the face of her visitor. +</p> +<p> + "Will you excuse my answering that question?" she asked. +</p> +<p> + "It is very simple and natural," persisted Beth. "Why cannot you answer + it?" +</p> +<p> + "Excuse me, please. I—I am not well today. I have a headache." +</p> +<p> + She sat down in a rocking chair, and clasping her hands in her lap, + rocked slowly back and forth. +</p> +<p> + "I'm sorry," said Beth. "I hoped you would be able to assist me on the + lawn. There are so many people that we can't give them proper + attention." +</p> +<p> + Eliza Parsons shook her head. +</p> +<p> + "I am not able," she declared. "I abhor crowds. They—they excite me, in + some way, and I—I can't bear them. You must excuse me." +</p> +<p> + Beth looked at the strange girl without taking the hint to retire. + Somehow, she could not rid herself of the impression that whether or not + she was mistaken in supposing Eliza to be the missing Lucy, she had + stumbled upon a sphinx whose riddle was well worth solving. +</p> +<p> + But Eliza bore the scrutiny with quiet unconcern. She even seemed mildly + amused at the attention she attracted. Beth was a beautiful girl—the + handsomest of the three cousins, by far; yet Eliza surpassed her in + natural charm, and seemed well aware of the fact. Her manner was neither + independent nor assertive, but rather one of well-bred composure and + calm reliance. Beth felt that she was intruding and knew that she ought + to go; yet some fascination held her to the spot. Her eyes wandered to + the maid's hands. However her features and form might repress any + evidence of nervousness, these hands told a different story. The thin + fingers clasped and unclasped in little spasmodic jerks and belied the + quiet smile upon the face above them. +</p> +<p> + "I wish," said Beth, slowly, "I knew you." +</p> +<p> + A sudden wave of scarlet swept over Eliza's face. She rose quickly to + her feet, with an impetuous gesture that made her visitor catch her + breath. +</p> +<p> + "I wish I knew myself," she cried, fiercely. "Why do you annoy me in + this manner? What am I to you? Will you leave me alone in my own room, + or must I go away to escape you?" +</p> +<p> + "I will go," said Beth, a little frightened at the passionate appeal. +</p> +<p> + Eliza closed the door behind her with a decided slam, and a key clicked + in the lock. The sound made Beth indignant, and she hurried back to + where her cousins were busy with the laughing, chattering throng of + visitors. +</p> +<a name="CH13"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<h2> + CHAPTER XIII +</h2> +<center> + THE BOOMERANG +</center> +<p> + The lawn fjte was a tremendous success, and every farmer's wife was + proud of her satin badge bearing the monogram: "W. P. L.," and the + words: "FORBES FOR REPRESENTATIVE." +</p> +<p> + Certain edibles, such as charlotte-russe, Spanish cream, wine jellies + and mousses, to say nothing of the caviars and anchovies, were wholly + unknown to them; but they ate the dainties with a wise disregard of + their inexperience and enjoyed them immensely. +</p> +<p> + The old butler was a general in his way, and in view of the fact that + the staff of servants at Elmhurst was insufficient to cope with such a + throng, he allowed Louise to impress several farmers' daughters into + service, and was able to feed everyone without delay and in an abundant + and satisfactory manner. +</p> +<p> + After luncheon began the speech-making, interspersed with music by the + band. +</p> +<p> + Louise made the preliminary address, and, although her voice was not + very strong, the silent attention of her hearers permitted her to be + generally understood. +</p> +<p> + She called attention to the fact that this campaign was important + because it promised more beautiful and attractive houses for the farmers + and townsmen alike. +</p> +<p> + "We had all grown so accustomed to advertising signs," she said, "that + we failed to notice how thick they were becoming or how bold and + overpowering. From a few scattered announcements on fence boards, they + had crowded themselves into more prominent places until the barns and + sheds and the very rocks were daubed with glaring letters asking us to + buy the medicines, soaps, tobaccos, and other wares the manufacturers + were anxious to sell. Every country road became an advertising avenue. + Scarcely a country house was free from signs of some sort. Yet the + people tamely submitted to this imposition because they knew no way to + avoid it. When Mr. Forbes began his campaign to restore the homesteads + to their former beauty and dignity, a cry was raised against him. But + this was because the farmers did not understand how much this reform + meant to them. So we gave them an object lesson. We painted out all the + signs in this section at our own expense, that you might see how much + more beautiful your homes are without them. We believe that none of you + will ever care to allow advertising signs on your property again, and + that the quiet refinement of this part of the country will induce many + other places to follow our example, until advertisers are forced to + confine themselves to newspapers, magazines and circulars, their only + legitimate channels. This much Mr. Forbes has already done for you, and + he will now tell you what else, if he is elected, he proposes to do." +</p> +<p> + Kenneth then took the platform and was welcomed with a hearty cheer. He + modestly assured them that a Representative in the State Legislature + could accomplish much good for his district if he honestly desired to do + so. That was what a Representative was for—to represent his people. It + was folly to elect any man who would forget that duty and promote only + his own interests through the position of power to which the people had + appointed him. Mr. Forbes admitted that he had undertaken this campaign + because he was opposed to offensive advertising signs; but now he had + become interested in other issues, and was anxious to be elected so that + he could carry on the work of reform. They needed more school-houses for + their children, and many other things which he hoped to provide as their + Representative. +</p> +<p> + During this oration Beth happened to glance up at the house, and her + sharp eyes detected the maid, Eliza, standing shielded behind the + half-closed blind of an upper window and listening to, as well as + watching, the proceedings below. Then she remembered how the girl had + been laughing and talking with Mr. Hopkins, when she first saw her, and + with sudden dismay realized that Eliza was a spy in the service of the + enemy. +</p> +<p> + Her first impulse was to denounce the maid at once, and have her + discharged; but the time was not opportune, so she waited until the + festivities were ended. +</p> +<p> + It had been a great day for the families of the neighboring farmers, and + they drove homeward in the late afternoon full of enthusiasm over the + royal manner in which they had been entertained and admiration for the + girls who had provided the fun and feasting. Indeed, there were more + kindly thoughts expressed for the inhabitants of Elmhurst than had ever + before been heard in a single day in the history of the county, and the + great and the humble seemed more closely drawn together. +</p> +<p> + When the last guest had departed Beth got her cousins and Kenneth + together and told them of her discovery of the spy. +</p> +<p> + Kenneth was at first greatly annoyed, and proposed to call Martha and + have the false maid ejected from the premises; but Patsy's wise little + head counselled caution in handling the matter. +</p> +<p> + "Now that we know her secret," she said, "the girl cannot cause us more + real harm, and there may be a way to circumvent this unscrupulous + Hopkins and turn the incident to our own advantage. Let's think it over + carefully before we act." +</p> +<p> + "There's another thing," said Beth, supporting her cousin. "I'm + interested in the mystery surrounding the girl. I now think I was wrong + in suspecting her to be the lost Lucy Rogers; but there is surely some + romance connected with her, and she is not what she seems to be. I'd + like to study her a little." +</p> +<p> + "It was absurd to connect her with Lucy Rogers," observed Kenneth, "for + there is nothing in her character to remind one of the unhappy girl." +</p> +<p> + "Except her looks," added Beth. "She's the living image of Mrs. Rogers." +</p> +<p> + "That isn't important," replied Louise. "It is probably a mere + coincidence. None of us have ever seen the real Lucy, and she may not + resemble her mother at all." +</p> +<p> + "Mrs. Rogers claims she does," said Beth. "But anyhow, I have a wish to + keep this girl at the house, where I can study her character." +</p> +<p> + "Then keep her, my dear," decided Kenneth. "I'll set a couple of men to + watch the gates, and if she goes out we'll know whom she meets. The most + she can do is to report our movements to Mr. Hopkins, and there's no + great harm in that." +</p> +<p> + So the matter was left, for the time; and as if to verify Beth's + suspicions Eliza was seen to leave the grounds after dusk and meet Mr. + Hopkins in the lane. They conversed together a few moments, and then the + maid calmly returned and went to her room. +</p> +<p> + The next day Mr. Hopkins scattered flaring hand-bills over the district + which were worded in a way designed to offset any advantage his opponent + had gained from the lawn fjte of the previous day. They read: "Hopkins, + the Man of the Times, is the Champion of the Signs of the Times. Forbes, + who never earned a dollar in his life, but inherited his money, is + trying to take the dollars out of the pockets of the farmers by + depriving them of the income derived by selling spaces for advertising + signs. He is robbing the farmers while claiming he wants to beautify + their homes. The farmers can't eat beauty; they want money. Therefore + they are going to vote for the Honorable Erastus Hopkins for + Representative." Then followed an estimate of the money paid the farmers + of the district by the advertisers during the past five years, amounting + to several thousands of dollars in the aggregate. The circular ended in + this way: "Hopkins challenges Forbes to deny these facts. Hopkins is + willing to meet Forbes before the public at any time and place he may + select, to settle this argument in joint debate." +</p> +<p> + The girls accepted the challenge at once. Within two days every farmer + had received a notice that Mr. Forbes would meet Mr. Hopkins at the + Fairview Opera House on Saturday afternoon to debate the question as to + whether advertising signs brought good or evil to the community. +</p> +<p> + The campaign was now getting hot. Because of the activity of the + opposing candidates every voter in the district had become more or less + interested in the fight, and people were taking one side or the other + with unusual earnestness. +</p> +<p> + Mr. Hopkins was not greatly pleased that his challenge had been + accepted. He had imagined that the Forbes party would ignore it and + leave him the prestige of crowing over his opponent's timidity. But he + remembered how easily he had subdued Kenneth at the school-house meeting + before the nominations, and had no doubt of his ability to repeat the + operation. +</p> +<p> + He was much incensed against the girls who were working for Kenneth + Forbes, for he realized that they were proving an important factor in + the campaign. He even attributed to them more than they deserved, for + Uncle John's telling activities were so quietly conducted that he was + personally lost sight of entirely by Mr. Hopkins. +</p> +<p> + Mr. Hopkins had therefore become so enraged that, against the advice of + his friends, he issued a circular sneering at "Women in Politics." The + newspapers having been subsidized by the opposition so early in the + game, Mr. Hopkins had driven to employ the circular method of + communicating with the voters. Scarcely a day passed now that his corps + of distributors did not leave some of his literature at every dwelling + in the district. +</p> +<p> + His tirade against the girls was neither convincing nor in good taste. + He asked the voters if they were willing to submit to "petticoat + government," and permit a "lot of boarding-school girls, with more + boldness than modesty" to dictate the policies of the community. "These + frizzle-headed females," continued the circular, "are trying to make + your wives and daughters as rebellious and unreasonable as they are + themselves; but no man of sense will permit a woman to influence his + vote. It is a disgrace to this district that Mr. Forbes allows his + girlish campaign to be run by a lot of misses who should be at home + darning stockings; or, if they were not able to do that, practicing + their music-lessons." +</p> +<p> + "Good!" exclaimed shrewd Miss Patsy, when she read this circular. "If + I'm not much mistaken, Mr. Hopkins has thrown a boomerang. Every woman + who attended the fjte is now linked with us as an ally, and every one of + them will resent this foolish circular." +</p> +<p> + "I'm sorry," said Kenneth, "that you girls should be forced to endure + this. I feared something like it when you insisted on taking a hand in + the game." +</p> +<p> + But they laughed at him and at Mr. Hopkins, and declared they were not + at all offended. +</p> +<p> + "One cannot touch pitch without being defiled," said Mr. Watson, + gravely, "and politics, as Mr. Hopkins knows it, is little more than + pitch." +</p> +<p> + "I cannot see that there is anything my girls have done to forfeit + respect and admiration," asserted Uncle John, stoutly. "To accuse them + of boldness or immodesty is absurd. They have merely gone to work in a + business-like manner and used their wits and common-sense in educating + the voters. Really, my dears, I'm more proud of you today than I've ever + been before," he concluded. +</p> +<p> + And Uncle John was right. There had been no loss of dignity by any one + of the three, and their evident refinement, as well as their gentleness + and good humor, had until now protected them from any reproach. It had + remained for Mr. Hopkins to accuse them, and his circular had a wide + influence in determining the issue of the campaign. +</p> +<a name="CH14"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<h2> + CHAPTER XIV +</h2> +<center> + LUCY'S GHOST +</center> +<p> + Kenneth had sent word to Tom Gates, asking the young man to come to + Elmhurst, but it was not until two days after the lawn party that Tom + appeared and asked permission to see Mr. Forbes. +</p> +<p> + Beth and Louise were with Kenneth at the time, and were eager to remain + during the interview, so the young man was shown into the library. +</p> +<p> + Beth could scarcely recognize in him the calm and cheerful Tom Gates + they had visited in the county jail; for his face was drawn with care + and anxiety, eyes were bloodshot, and his former neat appearance was + changed to one careless and untidy. +</p> +<p> + Kenneth scrutinized him closely. +</p> +<p> + "What have you been up to, Tom?" he asked. +</p> +<p> + "I've been searching for Lucy, sir, night and day. I haven't slept a + wink since I heard the awful news of her sickness and escape. Where do + you think she can be, sir?" +</p> +<p> + His question was full of agonized entreaty, and his manner pitifully + appealing. +</p> +<p> + "I don't know," answered Kenneth. "Where have you searched?" +</p> +<p> + "Everywhere, sir, that she might be likely to go. I've inquired in every + town, and along every road leading out of the county. She didn't take a + train, because poor Lucy hadn't any money—and I've asked at all the + stations. And—and—along the river they say no girl answering her + description has been seen." +</p> +<p> + "It's strange," remarked Kenneth, thoughtfully, while the girls regarded + the youth with silent sympathy. +</p> +<p> + "If you knew Lucy, sir, you'd realize how strange it is," went on young + Gates, earnestly. "She was such a gentle, shrinking girl, as shy and + retiring as a child. And she never did a thing that would cause anyone + the least worry or unhappiness. But she was out of her head, sir, and + didn't know what she was about. That was the reason she went away. And + from the moment she left her home all trace of her was lost." +</p> +<p> + "One would think," observed Kenneth, "that a poor, demented girl, + wandering about the country, would be noticed by scores of people. Did + she take any clothing with her?" +</p> +<p> + "Only the dress she had on, sir, and not even a hat or a shawl." +</p> +<p> + "What was her dress like?" asked Beth, quickly. +</p> +<p> + "It was a light grey in color, and plainly made. She wore a white + collar, but that is all we can be certain she had on. You see her mother + is blind, and old Will doesn't observe very closely." +</p> +<p> + "Does Lucy resemble her mother?" inquired Beth. +</p> +<p> + "Very much, miss. She was a beautiful girl, everyone acknowledged. And + it's all my fault—all my fault. I thought to save her, and drove her + mad, instead!" +</p> +<p> + "You might have known that," declared Kenneth. "A girl of her character, + sensitive to a fault, would be greatly shocked to find the man she loved + a criminal." +</p> +<p> + "It was for her sake." +</p> +<p> + "That is a poor excuse. If you had waited Lucy would have proved her + innocence." +</p> +<p> + "They threatened to arrest her, sir. It would have killed her." +</p> +<p> + "They wouldn't dare arrest her on suspicion." +</p> +<p> + "The Squierses would dare do anything. You don't know old Mrs. Squiers." +</p> +<p> + "I know the law, sir, and in any event it was a foolish thing, as well + as criminal, to forge a check to get the money they demanded." +</p> +<p> + "You are right, sir," replied Tom Gates, despondently. "It was foolish + and criminal. I wouldn't mind my own punishment, but it drove my Lucy + mad." +</p> +<p> + "See here," said Kenneth, sternly, "you are getting morbid, young man, + and pretty soon you'll be mad yourself. If Lucy is found do you want her + to see you in this condition?" +</p> +<p> + "Can she be found, sir, do you think?" +</p> +<p> + "We are trying to find her," replied Kenneth. "You have failed, it + seems, and Will Rogers had failed. I've had one of the cleverest + detectives of Chicago trying to find her for the last three days." +</p> +<p> + "Oh, Kenneth!" exclaimed Beth. "I didn't know that. How good of you!" +</p> +<p> + "It must have been the detective that came to see Mrs. Rogers," said + Tom, musingly. "She told me a strange man had been there from Mr. + Forbes, to inquire all about Lucy." +</p> +<p> + "Yes; he makes a report to me every evening," remarked Kenneth; "and Mr. + Burke says this is the most mystifying case he has ever encountered. So + far there isn't a clew to follow. But you may rest assured that what any + man can do, Burke will do." +</p> +<p> + "I'm so grateful, sir!" said Tom. +</p> +<p> + "Then you must show it by being a man, and not by giving way to your + trouble in this foolish manner." +</p> +<p> + "I'll try, sir, now that there's something to hope for." +</p> +<p> + "There's a good deal to hope for. Despair won't help you. You must go to + work." +</p> +<p> + "I will. It won't be very easy to get work, for I've disgraced myself in + this neighborhood, and I can't leave here till something is known of + Lucy's fate. But I'll do something—any kind of work—if I can get it." +</p> +<p> + "I need someone to assist me in my correspondence," said Kenneth. "Would + you like to be my secretary?" +</p> +<p> + "Me, Mr. Forbes—me!" +</p> +<p> + "Yes, Tom. I'll pay you twenty dollars a week to start with, and more if + you serve me faithfully. And you'll board here, of course." +</p> +<p> + Then Tom Gates broke down and began to cry like a child, although he + tried hard to control himself. +</p> +<p> + "You—you must forgive me, Mr. Forbes," he said, penitently; "I—I've + been without sleep for so long that I haven't any nerves left." +</p> +<p> + "Then you must go to sleep now, and get a good rest." He turned to Beth. + "Will you see Martha," he asked, "and have her give Tom Gates a room?" +</p> +<p> + She went on her errand at once, and gradually the young man recovered + his composure. +</p> +<p> + "I can do typewriting and stenography, Mr. Forbes," he said, "and I can + keep accounts. I'll serve you faithfully, sir." +</p> +<p> + "We'll talk of all this by and by, Tom," replied Kenneth, kindly. "Just + now you must have some sleep and get your strength back. And don't worry + about Lucy. Burke will do everything that can be done, and I am + confident he will be able to trace the girl in time." +</p> +<p> + "Thank you, sir." +</p> +<p> + Then he followed the butler away to his room, and after the girls had + discussed him and expressed their sympathy for the unfortunate fellow, + they all turned their attention to the important matter of the campaign. + The debate with Hopkins was the thing that occupied them just now, and + when Patsy joined the group of workers they began to discuss some means + of scoring a decisive victory at the Fairview Opera House. The Honorable + Erastus still insisted upon making the anti-sign fight the prominent + issue of the campaign, and they must reply forcibly to the misleading + statements made in his last hand-bill. +</p> +<p> + Meantime Tom Gates was sunk in the deep sleep of physical exhaustion, + and the day wore away before he wakened. When at last he regained + consciousness he found the sun sinking in the west and feared he had + been guilty of indiscretion. He remembered that he was Mr. Forbes's + secretary now, and that Mr. Forbes might want him. He was not yet + thoroughly rested, but night was approaching and he reflected that he + could obtain all the sleep that he needed then. +</p> +<p> + So, greatly refreshed, and in a quieter mood than he had been for days, + the young man dressed and entered the hall to find his way downstairs. +</p> +<p> + It happened that Beth, whose room was near this rear corridor, had just + gone there to dress for dinner, and as she was closing her door she + heard a wild, impassioned cry: +</p> +<p> + "Lucy!" +</p> +<p> + Quickly she sprang out into the hall and turned the corner in time to + see a strange tableau. +</p> +<p> + Young Gates was standing with his arms outstretched toward Eliza + Parsons, who, a few paces away, had her back to the door of her own + chamber, from which she had evidently just stepped. She stood + motionless, looking curiously at the youth who confronted her. +</p> +<p> + "Lucy! don't you know me?" he asked, his voice trembling with emotion. +</p> +<p> + "To begin with," said the girl, composedly, "my name happens to be + Eliza. And as we've not been properly introduced I really don't see why + I should know you," she added, with a light laugh. +</p> +<p> + Tom Gates shrank away from her as if he had been struck. +</p> +<p> + "You can't be Lucy!" he murmured. "And yet—and yet—oh, you <i>must</i> be + Lucy! You must know me! Look at me, dear—I'm Tom. I'm your own Tom, + Lucy!" +</p> +<p> + "It's very gratifying, I'm sure, young man," said the girl, a touch of + scorn in her tones. "If you're my own Tom you'll perhaps stand out of my + way and let me go to my work." +</p> +<p> + Without another word he backed up again; the wall and permitted her to + sweep by him, which she did with a gesture of disdain. +</p> +<p> + When Eliza Parsons had disappeared down the back stairs Beth drew a long + breath and approached Tom Gates, who still stood by the wall staring at + the place where the girl had disappeared. +</p> +<p> + "I overheard," said Beth. "Tell me, Tom, is she really like Lucy?" +</p> +<p> + He looked at her with a dazed expression, as if he scarcely comprehended + her words. +</p> +<p> + "Could you have been mistaken?" persisted the questioner. +</p> +<p> + He passed his hand over his eyes and gave a shudder. +</p> +<p> + "Either it was Lucy or her ghost," he muttered. +</p> +<p> + "Eliza Parsons is no ghost," declared Beth. "She's one of the maids here + at Elmhurst, and you're quite likely to see her again." +</p> +<p> + "Has she been here long?" he asked, eagerly. +</p> +<p> + "No; only a few days." +</p> +<p> + "Oh!" +</p> +<p> + "When I first saw her I was struck by her resemblance to Mrs. Rogers," + continued the girl. +</p> +<p> + "But she's so different," said Tom, choking back a sob. "Lucy couldn't + be so—so airy, so heartless. She isn't at all that style of a girl, + miss." +</p> +<p> + "She may be acting," suggested Beth. +</p> +<p> + But he shook his head gloomily. +</p> +<p> + "No; Lucy couldn't act that way. She's quick and impulsive, but she—she + couldn't act. And she wouldn't treat me that way, either, Miss Beth. + Lucy and I have been sweethearts for years, and I know every expression + of her dear face. But the look that this girl gave me was one that my + Lucy never could assume. I must have been mistaken. I—I'm sure I was + mistaken." +</p> +<p> + Beth sighed. She was disappointed. +</p> +<p> + "I suppose," continued Tom, "that I've thought of Lucy so long and so + much, lately, and worried so over her disappearance, that I'm not quite + myself, and imagined this girl was more like her than she really is. + What did you say her name was?" +</p> +<p> + "Eliza Parsons." +</p> +<p> + "Thank you. Can you tell me where I'll find Mr. Forbes?" +</p> +<p> + "He's getting ready for dinner, now, and won't need you at present." +</p> +<p> + "Then I'll go back to my room. It—it was a great shock to me, that + likeness, Miss DeGraf." +</p> +<p> + "I can well believe it," said Beth; and then she went to her own + apartment, greatly puzzled at a resemblance so strong that it had even + deceived Lucy Rogers's own sweetheart. +</p> +<a name="CH15"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<h2> + CHAPTER XV +</h2> +<center> + SIGNS OF THE TIMES +</center> +<p> + "If she is really Lucy Rogers, she'll be missing tomorrow morning," said + Beth when she had told her cousins of the encounter in the corridor. +</p> +<p> + But Eliza Parsons was still at Elmhurst the next day, calmly pursuing + her duties, and evidently having forgotten or decided to ignore the + young man who had so curiously mistaken her for another. Beth took + occasion to watch her movements, so far as she could, and came to the + conclusion that the girl was not acting a part. She laughed naturally + and was too light-hearted and gay to harbor a care of any sort in her + frivolous mind. +</p> +<p> + But there was a mystery about her; that could not be denied. Even if she + were but a paid spy of Erastus Hopkins there was a story in this girl's + life, brief as it had been. +</p> +<p> + Beth was full of curiosity to know this story. +</p> +<p> + As for Tom Gates, he had been so horrified by his mistake that he tried + to avoid meeting Eliza again. This was not difficult because the girl + kept pretty closely to the linen room, and Tom was chiefly occupied in + the library. +</p> +<p> + Kenneth had little chance to test his secretary's abilities just then, + because the girls pounced upon the new recruit and used his services in + a variety of ways. Tom Gates's anxiety to give satisfaction made him + willing to do anything, but they refrained from sending him often to + town because he was sensitive to the averted looks and evident repulsion + of those who knew he had recently been a "jail-bird." But there was + plenty for him to do at Elmhurst, where they were all as busy as bees; + and whatever the young man undertook he accomplished in a satisfactory + manner. +</p> +<p> + Saturday forenoon the three girls, with Kenneth, Mr. Watson and Uncle + John, rode over to Fairview to prepare for the debate that was to take + place in the afternoon, leaving only Tom Gates at home. As Mr. Hopkins + had thrust upon his opponent the task of naming the place and time, the + Republican candidate was obliged to make all the arrangements, and pay + all the costs. But whatever the girl managers undertook they did well. + So the Opera House had been in the hands of a special committee for two + days, the orchestra had been hired, and the news of the joint debate had + spread far and wide. +</p> +<p> + The party from Elmhurst lunched at the Fairview Hotel, and then the + girls hurried to the Opera House while Kenneth remained to attend a + conference of the Republican Committee. These gentlemen were much + worried over the discovery of a scheme to trade votes that had been + sprung, and that Forbes and Reynolds were being sacrificed for Hopkins + and Cummings. Mr. Cummings was called into the meeting, and he denied + that the trading was being done with his consent, but defiantly refused + to make a public announcement to that effect. +</p> +<p> + The matter was really serious, because every vote lost in that way + counted as two for the other side, and Hopkins's rabid hand-bills had + influenced many of the more ignorant voters and created endless disputes + that were not of benefit to the Republican party. +</p> +<p> + "As nearly as we can figure from our recent canvass," said Mr. + Cunningham, the chairman, "we are fast losing ground, and our chances of + success are smaller than if no interest in the election had been + aroused. Hopkins has cut our majority down to nothing, and it will be a + hard struggle to carry our ticket through to success. This is the more + discouraging because Mr. Forbes has spent so much money, while Hopkins's + expenses have been very little." +</p> +<p> + "I do not mind that," said Kenneth, quietly. "It was my desire that the + voters should fully understand the issues of the campaign. Then, if they + vote against me, it is because they are not worthy of honest + representation in the Legislature, and I shall in the future leave them + to their own devices." +</p> +<p> + The committee adjourned a little before two o'clock with rather grave + faces, and prepared to attend the debate at the Opera House. Mr. + Cunningham feared this debate would prove a mistake, as it would give + Hopkins a chance to ridicule and brow-beat his opponent in public, and + his greatest talent as a speaker lay in that direction. +</p> +<p> + As Kenneth and his supporters approached the Opera House they heard loud + cheering, and from a band-wagon covered with bunting and banners, in + which he had driven to the meeting, descended the Honorable Erastus. He + met Kenneth face to face, and the latter said pleasantly: +</p> +<p> + "Good afternoon, Mr. Hopkins." +</p> +<p> + "Ah, it's Forbes, isn't it?" replied Hopkins, slightingly. "I've met you + before, somewheres, haven't I?" +</p> +<p> + "You have, sir." +</p> +<p> + "Glad you're here, Forbes; glad you're here," continued the + Representative, airily, as he made his way through the crowd that + blocked the entrance. "These meetings are educational to young men. + Girls all well, I hope?" +</p> +<p> + There was a boisterous laugh at this sally, and Mr. Hopkins smiled and + entered the Opera House, while Kenneth followed with the feeling that he + would take great delight in punching the Honorable Erastus's nose at the + first opportunity. +</p> +<p> + The house was packed full of eager spectators who had come to see "the + fun." Although the girls had taken charge of all the arrangements they + had devoted the left side of the ample stage to the use of the Hopkins + party, where a speaker's table and chairs for important guests had been + placed. The right side was similarly arranged for the Forbes party, and + between the two the entire center of the stage was occupied by a group + of fifty young girls. Above this group a great banner was suspended, + reading: "The Signs of the Times," a catchword Mr. Hopkins had employed + throughout the campaign. But the most astonishing thing was the + appearance of the group of girls. They all wore plain white slips, upon + which a variety of signs had been painted in prominent letters. Some + costumes advertised baking-powders, others patent medicines, others + soaps, chewing tobacco, breakfast foods, etc. From where they were + seated in full view of the vast audience the girls appeared as a mass of + advertising signs, and the banner above them indicated quite plainly + that these were the "Signs of the Times." +</p> +<p> + Mr. Hopkins, as he observed this scene, smiled with satisfaction. He + believed some of his friends had prepared this display to assist him and + to disconcert the opposition, for nothing could have clinched his + arguments better than the pretty young girls covered with advertisements + of well known products. Even the Eagle Eye Breakfast Food was well + represented. +</p> +<p> + After the orchestra had finished a selection, Mr. Hopkins rose to make + the first argument and was greeted with cheers. +</p> +<p> + "We are having a jolly campaign, my dear friends," he began; "but you + musn't take it altogether as a joke; because, while Mr. Forbes's erratic + views and actions have done little real harm, we have been educated to + an appreciation of certain benefits we enjoy which otherwise might have + escaped our attention. +</p> +<p> + "This is a progressive, strenuous age, and no section of the country has + progressed more rapidly than this, the Eighth District of our great and + glorious State. I may say without danger of contradiction that the + people I have the honor to represent in the State Legislature, and + expect to have the honor of representing the next term, are the most + intelligent, the most thoughtful and the most prosperous to be found in + any like district in the United States. (Cheers.) Who, then, dares to + denounce them as fools? Who dares interfere with these liberties, who + dares intrude uninvited into their premises and paint out the signs they + have permitted to occupy their fences and barns and sheds? Who would do + these things but an impertinent meddler who is so inexperienced in life + that he sets his own flimsy judgment against that of the people?" +</p> +<p> + The orator paused impressively to wait for more cheers, but the audience + was silent. In the outskirts of the crowd a faint hissing began to be + heard. It reached the speaker's ear and he hurriedly resumed the + oration. +</p> +<p> + "I do not say Mr. Forbes is not a good citizen," said he, "but that he + is misguided and unreasonable. A certain degree of deference is due the + young man because he inherited considerable wealth from his uncle, + and—" +</p> +<p> + Again the hisses began, and Mr. Hopkins knew he must abandon personal + attacks or he would himself be discredited before his hearers. Kenneth + and his supporters sat silent in their places, the three girls, who were + now well known in the district, forming part of the Republican group; + and none of them displayed the least annoyance at the vituperation Mr. + Hopkins had employed. +</p> +<p> + "I have already called your attention in my circulars," resumed the + speaker, "to the fact that advertising signs are the source of large + income to the farmers of this district. I find that three thousand, + seven hundred and eighty-three dollars have been paid the farmers in the + last five years, without the least trouble or expense on their part; and + this handsome sum of money belongs to them and should not be taken away. + Stop and think for a moment. Advertising is the life of every business, + and to fight successfully the great army of advertisers whose business + is the life-blood of our institutions is as impossible as it is absurd. + Suppose every farmer in this district refused to permit signs upon his + property; what would be the result? Why, the farmers of other sections + would get that much more money for letting privileges, and you would be + that much out of pocket without suppressing the evil—if evil can attach + to an industry that pays you good money without requiring either + investment or labor in return." +</p> +<p> + After continuing in this strain for some time, Mr. Hopkins announced + that "he would now give way to his youthful and inexperienced opponent," + and asked the audience to be patient with Mr. Forbes and considerate of + "his extraordinary prejudices." +</p> +<p> + Hopkins's policy of discrediting his opponent in advance was not very + effective, for when Kenneth arose he was more enthusiastically cheered + than Hopkins had been. The meeting was disposed to be fair-minded and + quite willing to give Mr. Forbes a chance to explain his position. +</p> +<p> + "The arguments of our distinguished Representative are well worthy of + your consideration," he began, quietly. "It is only by understanding + fully both sides of an argument that you can hope to arrive at a just + and impartial decision. Mr. Hopkins has advocated advertising signs on + the ground that your financial gain warrants permitting them to be + placed upon your premises. I will not deny his statement that three + thousand, seven hundred and eighty-three dollars have been paid the + farmers of this district by advertisers in the last five years. It is + quite likely to be true. I have here the report of the Department of + Agriculture showing that the total amount paid to farmers of the eighth + district in the last five years, for produce of all kinds, is eleven + millions, five-hundred thousand dollars." +</p> +<p> + A murmur of amazement rose from the audience. Kenneth waited until it + had subsided. +</p> +<p> + "This seems surprising, at first," he said, "and proves how startling + aggregate figures are. You must remember I have covered five years in + this estimate, as did Mr. Hopkins in his, and if you will figure it out + you will see that the yearly average of earnings is about six hundred + dollars to each farmer. That is a good showing, for we have a wealthy + district; but it is not surprising when reduced to that basis. Mr. + Hopkins slates that the farmers of this district received three + thousand, seven hundred and eighty-three dollars during the last five + years for advertising signs. Let us examine these figures. One-fifth of + that sum is seven hundred and fifty-six dollars and sixty cents as the + income to you per year. We have, in this district, twenty-five hundred + farmers according to the latest reports of the Bureau of Statistics, and + dividing seven hundred and fifty-six dollars and sixty cents by + twenty-five hundred, we find that each farmer receives an average of + thirty and one-quarter cents per year for allowing his fences and + buildings to be smothered in lurid advertising signs. So we find that + the money received by the farmers from the advertising amounts to about + one-quarter of one per cent of their income, a matter so insignificant + that it cannot affect them materially, one way or another. +</p> +<p> + "But, Mr. Hopkins states that you give nothing in return for this + one-quarter of one per cent, while I claim you pay tremendously for it. + For you sacrifice the privacy of your homes and lands, and lend + yourselves to the selfish desire of advertisers to use your property to + promote their sales. You have been given an example of clean barns and + fences, and I cannot tell you how proud I am of this district when I + ride through it and see neatly painted barns and fences replacing the + flaring and obtrusive advertising signs that formerly disfigured the + highways. Why should you paint advertising signs upon your barns any + more than upon your houses? Carry the thing a step farther, and you may + as well paint signs upon your children's dresses, in the manner you see + illustrated before you." +</p> +<p> + At this, Louise made a signal and the fifty children so grotesquely + covered with signs rose and stepped forward upon the stage. The + orchestra struck up an air and the little girls sang the following + ditty: +<br><br> + "Teas and soaps,<br> + Pills and dopes,<br> +We all must advertise.<br> + Copper cents,<br> + Not common sense.<br> +Are the things we prize.<br> + We confess<br> + Such a dress<br> +Isn't quite becoming,<br> + But we suppose<br> + Hopkins knows<br> +This keeps business humming."<br> +</p> +<p> + As the girls ceased singing, Kenneth said: +</p> +<p> + "To the encroaching advertiser these signs of + the times are considered legitimate. There is no + respect for personal privacy on the advertiser's + part. Once they used only the newspapers, the + legitimate channels for advertising. Then they + began painting their advertising on your fences. + When the farmers protested against this the advertisers + gave them a few pennies as a sop to + quiet them. After this they gave you small sums + to paint the broad sides of your barns, your + board fences, and to place signs in your field. If + you allowed them to do so they would paint signs + on the dresses of your children and wives, so + callous are they to all decency and so regardless + of private rights. Look on this picture, my + friends, and tell me, would you prefer to see this—or this?" +</p> +<p> + At the word each child pulled away the sign-painted + slip and stood arrayed in a pretty gown + of spotless white. +</p> +<p> + The surprise was so complete that the audience + cheered, shouted and laughed for several minutes + before silence was restored. Then the children + sang another verse, as follows: +<br><br> + "Now it is clear<br> + That we appear<br> +Just as we should be;<br> + We are seen<br> + Sweet and clean<br> +From corruption free:<br> + We're the signs<br> + Of the times—<br> +Fair as heaven's orbs.<br> + If we look good,<br> + Then all men should<br> +Vote for Kenneth Forbes!" +</p> +<p> + The cheering was renewed at this, and Mr. Hopkins became angry. He tried + to make himself heard, but the popular fancy had been caught by the + object lesson so cleverly placed before them, and they shouted: "Forbes! + Forbes! Forbes!" until the Honorable Erastus became so furious that he + left the meeting in disgust. +</p> +<p> + This was the most impolite thing he could have done, but he vowed that + the meeting had been "packed" with Forbes partisans and that he was + wasting his time in addressing them. +</p> +<p> + After he was gone Kenneth resumed his speech and created more + enthusiasm. The victory was certainly with the Republican candidate, and + the Elmhurst people returned home thoroughly satisfied with the result + of the "joint debate." +</p> +<a name="CH16"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<h2> + CHAPTER XVI +</h2> +<center> + A CLEW AT LAST +</center> +<p> + The servants at Elmhurst all ate in a pleasant dining room with windows + facing a garden of geraniums. Tom Gates had been at the house two days + before he encountered Eliza Parsons at the table, for the servants were + not all able to take their meals at the same time. +</p> +<p> + It was at luncheon, the day of the joint debate at Fairview, that the + young man first met Eliza, who sat opposite him. The only other person + present was old Donald, the coachman, who was rather deaf and never paid + any attention to the chatter around him. +</p> +<p> + As he took his seat Tom gave a half-frightened glance into Eliza's face + and then turned red as she smiled coquettishly and said: +</p> +<p> + "Dear me! It's the young man who called me his dear Lucy." +</p> +<p> + "You—you're very like her," stammered Tom, unable to take his eyes from + her face. "Even now I—I can't believe I'm mistaken." +</p> +<p> + She laughed merrily in a sweet, musical voice, and then suddenly stopped + with her hand on her heart and cast at him a startled look that was in + such sharp contrast to her former demeanor that he rose from his chair. +</p> +<p> + "Sit down, please," she said, slowly. And then she studied his face with + sober earnestness—with almost wistful longing. But she shook her head + presently, and sighed; and a moment later had regained her lightness of + manner. +</p> +<p> + "It's a relief to have a quiet house for a day, isn't it?" she asked, + eating her soup calmly. "I'll be glad when the election's over." +</p> +<p> + "Have you been here long?" he asked, although Beth had told him of + Eliza's coming to Elmhurst. +</p> +<p> + "Only a short time. And you?" +</p> +<p> + "Two days," said he. "But where did you live before you came here?" +</p> +<p> + She shook her head. +</p> +<p> + "I wish you would answer me," he begged. "I have a reason for asking." +</p> +<p> + "What reason?" she demanded, suddenly serious again. +</p> +<p> + "Two people have never lived that were so near alike as you and Lucy + Rogers." +</p> +<p> + "Indeed?" +</p> +<p> + "Will you show me your left arm?" +</p> +<p> + "No." +</p> +<p> + She was again studying his face. +</p> +<p> + "If you are Lucy Rogers you have a scar there—a scar where you burned + yourself years ago." +</p> +<p> + She seemed frightened for a moment. Then she said: +</p> +<p> + "I have no scar on my left arm." +</p> +<p> + "Will you prove it?" +</p> +<p> + "No. You are annoying me. What did you say your name is?" +</p> +<p> + "Tom Gates." +</p> +<p> + She was thoughtful for a moment and then shook her head. +</p> +<p> + "I have never heard of you," she declared, positively, and resumed her + eating. +</p> +<p> + Tom was nonplussed. One moment he believed she was Lucy, and the next + told himself that it was impossible. This girl possessed mannerisms that + Lucy had never exhibited in all the years he had known her. She was bold + and unabashed where Lucy was shy and unassuming. This girl's eyes + laughed, while Lucy's were grave and serious; yet they were the same + eyes. +</p> +<p> + "Let me tell you about my lost Lucy," he said, with a glance at the + unconscious Donald. +</p> +<p> + "Go ahead, if it will relieve you," she answered, demurely. +</p> +<p> + "She lived on a farm five miles from here, and she was my sweetheart. + Her mother is blind and her father old and feeble. She worked for a + dentist in the town and was accused of stealing a ring, and it nearly + broke her heart to be so unjustly suspected. In order to make good the + loss of the ring, a valuable diamond—I—I got into trouble, and Lucy + was so shocked and distressed that she—she lost her head—became mad, + you know—and left home during the night without a word to any one. We + haven't been able to find her since." +</p> +<p> + "That's too bad," remarked Eliza Parsons, buttering her bread. +</p> +<p> + "About the time that Lucy went away, you appeared at Elmhurst," + continued Tom. "And in face and form you're the image of my Lucy. That + is why I asked you to tell me where you came from and how you came + here." +</p> +<p> + "Ah, you think I'm mad, do you?" asked the girl, with a quizzical smile. + "Well, I'm not going to satisfy your curiosity, even to prove my sanity; + and I'm not anxious to pose as your lost Lucy. So please pass the sugar + and try to be sociable, instead of staring at me as if I scared you." +</p> +<p> + Tom passed the sugar, but he could not eat, nor could he tear himself + away from this strange girl's presence. He tried again to draw her into + conversation, but she showed annoyance and resented his persistence. + Presently she went away, giving him an amused smile as she left the + room—a smile that made him feel that this was indeed a case of mistaken + identity. +</p> +<p> + In fact, Tom Gates, on sober reflection, knew that the girl could not be + Lucy, yet he could not still the yearning in his heart whenever he saw + her. His heart declared that she was Lucy, and his head realized that + she could not be. +</p> +<p> + While he waited in the library for Mr. Forbes to return from Fairview a + man was shown into the room and sat down quietly in a corner. +</p> +<p> + He was a small, lean man, of unassuming appearance, with a thin face and + gray eyes set close together. When he looked at Tom Gates he scarcely + seemed to see him, and his manner conveyed the impression that he + disliked to attract notice. +</p> +<p> + "Waiting for Mr. Forbes, sir?" asked Tom. +</p> +<p> + "Yes," was the quiet reply. +</p> +<p> + Suddenly it struck the young man that this might be the detective who + called every evening to give his report, and if so Tom was anxious to + talk with him. So he ventured to say: +</p> +<p> + "It's Mr. Burke, isn't it?" +</p> +<p> + The man nodded, and looked out of the window. +</p> +<p> + "I'm Tom Gates, sir." +</p> +<p> + "Yes; I know." +</p> +<p> + "You've seen me before?" asked the youth, astonished. +</p> +<p> + "No; I've heard of you. That's all." +</p> +<p> + Tom flushed, remembering his recent crime. But he was eager to question + the detective. +</p> +<p> + "Have you heard anything of Lucy Rogers, Mr. Burke?" +</p> +<p> + "Not yet." +</p> +<p> + "Is there no trace of her at all?" +</p> +<p> + "A slight trace—nothing worth mentioning," said Mr. Burke. +</p> +<p> + For a few moments Tom sat in silence. Then he said: +</p> +<p> + "I thought I'd found her, day before yesterday." +</p> +<p> + "Yes?" There was little interest in the tone. +</p> +<p> + "There's a girl in the house, sir, one of the maids, who is the living + image of Lucy Rogers." +</p> +<p> + "You ought to be able to identify her," suggested the detective, his + gaze still out of the window. +</p> +<p> + "But they are not alike except in looks. Her form and face are identical + with Lucy's. I was so sure that I begged her to let me see if there was + a scar on her left arm; but she refused." +</p> +<p> + "Was there a scar on Lucy Rogers's left arm?" +</p> +<p> + "Yes, sir. Several years ago, when we were children, we were making + candy in the kitchen and Lucy burned herself badly. It left a broad scar + on her left forearm, which she will bear as long as she lives." +</p> +<p> + "It is well to know that," said Mr. Burke. +</p> +<p> + "This girl," continued Tom, musingly, "says her name is Eliza Parsons, + and she says it in Lucy's voice. But her manner is not the same at all. + Eliza laughs at me and quizzes me; she is forward and scornful, and—and + perfectly self-possessed, which Lucy could not be, under the + circumstances." +</p> +<p> + "Have you seen her closely?" asked the detective. +</p> +<p> + "Yes, sir." +</p> +<p> + "And are still unable to decide who she is?" +</p> +<p> + "That's it, sir; I'm unable to decide. It's Lucy: and yet it isn't + Lucy." +</p> +<p> + "Who is Eliza Parsons?" +</p> +<p> + "She refuses to say where she came from. But it seems she arrived at + Elmhurst only a day or two after Lucy disappeared from home. It's that + coincidence that makes me doubt the evidence of my own senses." +</p> +<p> + "Who hires the servants here?" +</p> +<p> + "I don't know, sir." +</p> +<p> + Mr. Burke abandoned the conversation, then, and confined his gaze to the + landscape as it showed through the window. Tom busied himself addressing + circulars of instruction to the Republicans who were to work at the + polling places. This was Saturday, and the election was to be on the + following Tuesday. The meeting at Fairview was therefore the last + important rally of the campaign. +</p> +<p> + At dusk the party arrived from Fairview in the automobiles, the girls + greatly delighted with the success of the meeting. They all followed + Kenneth into the library, where the butler had just lighted the lamps. + The evenings were getting cool, now, and a grate fire was burning. +</p> +<p> + Kenneth greeted Mr. Burke and introduced him to the young ladies, who + begged to remain during the interview. +</p> +<p> + "We are all alike interested in Lucy Rogers, Mr. Burke," said the boy; + "so you may speak freely. Is there any news?" +</p> +<p> + "Nothing of importance, sir, unless a clew has been found in your own + house," replied the detective. +</p> +<p> + "Here at Elmhurst?" asked the astonished Kenneth. +</p> +<p> + "Yes. Tom Gates has seen a girl—one of your maids—who so strongly + resembles Lucy Rogers that he at first believed she was the missing + girl." +</p> +<p> + "I know," said Beth, quickly. "It's Eliza Parsons. But Tom was mistaken. + He saw her in the dim light of a corridor, and the resemblance confused + him." +</p> +<p> + "I've seen her since," remarked Tom, "and the likeness is really + bewildering. It's only her manner that is different." +</p> +<p> + "When I first saw her, before Tom came, I was astonished at her + resemblance to Mrs. Rogers," announced Beth. "I have never seen Lucy, + but I know Mrs. Rogers, and it seemed to me that Eliza was exactly like + her in features. Mr. Forbes and I first saw her riding in a buggy with + Mr. Hopkins. That was before either of us knew she was employed at + Elmhurst. You see she isn't one of the servants who come much in contact + with the family; she does the mending and takes charge of the linen + room." +</p> +<p> + Beth then related the manner in which they first noticed Eliza, and how + they had discovered her to be a spy in the service of Mr. Hopkins. +</p> +<p> + The detective was much interested in the recital and seemed surprised + that he had not been informed of this before. +</p> +<p> + "Of course," said Kenneth, "the girl is not Lucy Rogers. It is not + possible they could be the same." +</p> +<p> + "Why not?" asked Mr. Burke. +</p> +<p> + "Well, Lucy was a gentle, sweet country girl, of little experience in + life. Her nature was so susceptible, so very sensitive, that when she + discovered Tom Gates, whom she loved, to be guilty of a forgery, she + worried herself into an attack of brain-fever; or at least she became + insane, reproaching herself for having driven the boy to this dreadful + deed. Under the influence of her mania she wandered away from her home, + and has not been seen since. That's the story of Lucy Rogers. Now look + at Eliza Parsons. She appeared the very day after Lucy's disappearance, + to be sure; but that proves they are not the same person. For Eliza is + not demented. She is a cold, hard woman of the world, in spite of her + tender years. She is doing the work of an experienced spy, while any + deceit was foreign to Lucy's nature. Instead of being plunged in grief + Eliza is happy and gay, reckless of consequences and fully + self-possessed. She is also well and healthy, to all appearances. Taking + all these things into consideration, it is impossible to connect the two + girls in any way—save the coincidence of personal resemblance." +</p> +<p> + Mr. Burke listened to this quietly, and then shook his head. +</p> +<p> + "Your arguments all tend to make me suspect that she is Lucy Rogers," he + said, quietly. +</p> +<p> + For a moment there was an impressive silence, while everyone eagerly, + inquiringly or doubtfully looked at the detective, according to their + diverse acceptance of his statement. +</p> +<p> + "In pursuance of the task set me," began Mr. Burke, "I had met with such + absolute failure to trace the missing girl that I began to suspect no + ordinary conditions were attached to this case. In my experience, which + covers many years, I have had occasion to study sudden dementia, caused + by shocks of grief or horror, and I have come to comprehend the fact + that the human mind, once unbalanced, is liable to accomplish many + surprising feats. Usually the victim is absolutely transformed, and + becomes the very opposite, in many ways, of the normal personality. I + imagine this is what happened to Lucy Rogers." +</p> +<p> + "Do you imagine that Lucy would try to deceive <i>me</i>, sir?" asked Tom, + reproachfully. +</p> +<p> + "I am sure she doesn't know who you are," answered the detective, + positively. "She doesn't even know herself. I have known instances where + every recollection of the past was wiped out of the patient's mind." +</p> +<p> + There was another thoughtful pause, for the detective's assertions were + so astonishing that they fairly overwhelmed his hearers. +</p> +<p> + Then Louise asked: +</p> +<p> + "Is such a case of dementia hopeless, Mr. Burke?" +</p> +<p> + "Not at all hopeless. Often, I admit, it develops into permanent + insanity, but there are many examples of complete recovery. Our first + business must be to assure ourselves that we are right in this + conjecture. I may be entirely wrong, for the unexpected is what I have + been taught to look for in every case of mystery that has come under my + observation. But I believe I have the material at hand to prove the + personality of this Eliza Parsons, and after that I shall know what to + do. Who employs your servants, Mr. Forbes?" +</p> +<p> + "Martha, my housekeeper, usually employs the maids." +</p> +<p> + "Will you send for her, please?" +</p> +<p> + Kenneth at once obeyed the request, and presently Martha entered the + library. +</p> +<p> + She was a little, withered old woman, but with a pleasant face and + shrewd but kindly eyes. +</p> +<p> + "Martha," said Kenneth, "did you employ the new linen maid, Eliza + Parsons?" +</p> +<p> + "Yes, sir," she replied, apparently surprised at the question. +</p> +<p> + "This is Mr. Burke, Martha. Please answer any questions he may ask you." +</p> +<p> + "Yes, Master Kenneth." +</p> +<p> + "Did the girl bring any recommendations?" asked the detective. +</p> +<p> + Martha reflected. +</p> +<p> + "I do not think she did, sir." +</p> +<p> + "Are you accustomed to hiring maids without recommendations?" asked Mr. + Burke. +</p> +<p> + "Oh, Eliza had a letter from my cousin, Mrs. Hopkins, who lives in + Elmwood." +</p> +<p> + "Is Mrs. Hopkins your cousin?" asked Kenneth. +</p> +<p> + "Yes, sir. She were a Phibbs before she married Erastus, and my name is + Phibbs." +</p> +<p> + "What did the letter from Mrs. Hopkins say?" +</p> +<p> + "It said she knew Eliza to be a clever and worthy girl, and if I had a + place for her I couldn't do better than take her on. So I needed a linen + maid and Eliza went right to work. Isn't she satisfactory, sir? Has she + been doing anything wrong?" +</p> +<p> + "No. Please do not mention this interview to her at present, Miss + Phibbs," said the detective. "That is all, I believe." +</p> +<p> + "Would you like to see Eliza?" asked Kenneth, when the housekeeper had + retired. +</p> +<p> + "Not at present. I want to interview Mrs. Hopkins first." +</p> +<p> + "Tonight?" asked Tom, eagerly. +</p> +<p> + "I will go at once, with Mr. Forbes's permission." +</p> +<p> + "Certainly, sir," said Kenneth. "Shall we see you tomorrow?" +</p> +<p> + "Just as soon as I have accomplished anything." +</p> +<p> + "Would you like a horse or an automobile?" +</p> +<p> + "Your man may drive me to the town, sir, if it is convenient." +</p> +<p> + Kenneth gave the required order, and then Mr. Burke asked: +</p> +<p> + "How far are you prepared to go in this matter, sir?" +</p> +<p> + "In what way?" +</p> +<p> + "In expending money." +</p> +<p> + "Will any large expenditure be required?" +</p> +<p> + "I cannot say. But we may require the services and advice of an expert + physician—a specialist in brain diseases." +</p> +<p> + "Do you know of one?" asked Kenneth. +</p> +<p> + "Yes; but he must be brought from Buffalo. It will be expensive, sir. + That is why I ask if your interest in the girl warrants our going to the + limit to save her." +</p> +<p> + Kenneth was thoughtful, while the girls looked at him expectantly and + Tom Gates with visible anxiety. +</p> +<p> + "My original idea was merely to find the missing girl in order to + relieve the anxiety of her blind mother," said young Forbes. "To + accomplish that I was willing to employ your services. But, as a matter + of fact, I have never seen the girl Lucy Rogers, nor am I particularly + interested in her." +</p> +<p> + "I am," declared Beth. +</p> +<p> + "And I!" +</p> +<p> + "And I!" repeated Patsy and Louise. +</p> +<p> + "I think," said Uncle John, who had been a quiet listener until now, + "that Kenneth has assumed enough expense in this matter." +</p> +<p> + "Oh, Uncle!" The remonstrance was from all three of the girls. +</p> +<p> + "Therefore," continued Mr. Merrick, "I propose that I undertake any + further expense that may be incurred, so as to divide the burden." +</p> +<p> + "That's better!" declared Patsy. "But I might have known Uncle John + would do that." +</p> +<p> + "You have my authority to wire the physician, if necessary, or to go to + any expense you deem advisable," continued Mr. Merrick, turning to the + detective. "We seem to have undertaken to unravel an interesting + mystery, and we'll see it through to the end." +</p> +<p> + "Very good, sir," said Mr. Burke, and left them with a brief nod of + farewell. +</p> +<p> + "Somehow," said Beth, "I've a lot of confidence in that little man." +</p> +<p> + "Why, he's a detective," replied Uncle John, with a smile, "and the + chief business of detectives is to make mistakes." +</p> +<a name="CH17"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<h2> + CHAPTER XVII +</h2> +<center> + MRS. HOPKINS GOSSIPS +</center> +<p> + The home of Representative Hopkins was not a very imposing edifice. It + was a modest frame building standing well back in a little yard at the + outskirts of the village, and Mrs. Hopkins did the housework, unaided, + to save the expense of a maid. It never occurred to the politician, who + had risen from the position of a poor stable-boy to one of affluence, to + save his wife from this drudgery. To him poor Mary was merely one of his + possessions, and it would have astonished him to know that her sharp + tongue and irritable temper were due to overwork and neglect. The + Honorable Erastus was not averse to champagne dinners and other costly + excesses while at the state capital, and his fellow legislators + considered him a good fellow, although rather lax in "keeping his end + up." Moreover, he employed a good tailor and was careful to keep up an + appearance of sound financial standing. But his home, which he avoided + as much as possible, had little share in his personal prosperity. Mary + Hopkins's requests for new and decent gowns were more often refused than + acceded to, and he constantly cautioned her to keep down expenses or she + would drive them both to the poor-house. +</p> +<p> + The woman well knew that Erastus could afford to keep her in luxury, if + he would, but some women are so constituted that they accept their fate + rather than rebel, and Mary Hopkins lived the life of a slave, + contenting herself with petty scoldings and bickerings that did nothing + to relieve her hard lot. +</p> +<p> + She had little interest in politics and resented the intrusion of the + many who came to the house to see and consult with her husband during + the tiresome political campaigns. On these occasions Mr. Hopkins used + the sitting-room as his office and committee headquarters, but this did + not materially interfere with his wife's comfort, as she was usually + busy in the kitchen. +</p> +<p> + On this Saturday evening, however, they had an early supper and she + finished her dishes betimes and sat down to darn stockings in the + sitting-room. Erastus had hurried away to a meeting of his henchmen in + the town, and would not be home until after his wife was in bed. +</p> +<p> + So she was rather surprised when a timid knock sounded upon the door. + She opened it to find a little, lean man standing upon the porch. +</p> +<p> + "Mrs. Hopkins?" he asked, quietly. +</p> +<p> + "Yes. What do you want?" +</p> +<p> + "Your husband asked me to come here and wait for him. It's important or + I wouldn't disturb you." +</p> +<p> + "Well, then; come in," she replied, tartly. "Thank the Lord this thing + is nearly over, and we'll have a few weeks of peace." +</p> +<p> + "It is rather imposing on you," remarked the man, following her to the + sitting-room, where he sat down with his hat in his hands. "A political + campaign is trying to everybody. I'm tired out and sick of the whole + thing myself." +</p> +<p> + "Then why don't you chuck it," she retorted, scornfully, "and go to work + makin' an honest living?" +</p> +<p> + "Oh, this is honest enough," he said, mildly. +</p> +<p> + "I don't believe it. All them secret confabs an' trickery to win votes + can't be on the square. Don't talk to me! Politics is another name for + rascality!" +</p> +<p> + "Perhaps you're right, ma'am; perhaps you're right," he said, with a + sigh. +</p> +<p> + She looked at him sharply. +</p> +<p> + "You don't belong in Elmwood." +</p> +<p> + "No, ma'am; I'm from beyond Fairview. I've come to see your husband on + business." +</p> +<p> + She sniffed, at that, but picked up her darning and relapsed into + silence. The little man was patient. He sat quietly in his chair and + watched her work. +</p> +<p> + His mildness disarmed Mary Hopkins. She was not especially averse to + having him sit there. It relieved the loneliness of her occupation. On + occasions she loved to talk, as Erastus had long ago discovered; and + this visitor would not try to shut her up the way Erastus did. +</p> +<p> + "You don't often get out, ma'am; into society, and such like," ventured + the caller, presently. +</p> +<p> + "What makes you think that?" she demanded. +</p> +<p> + "A woman can't keep a house neat and trim like this, and be a social + gadder," he observed. +</p> +<p> + "You're right about that," she returned, somewhat mollified. "If I was + like them girls up at Elmhurst, fussin' round over politics all the + time, this house would go to rack an' ruin." +</p> +<p> + "Oh, them!" he said, with mild scorn. "Them girls 'll never be + housekeepers." +</p> +<p> + "Not for a minute," she affirmed. +</p> +<p> + There was another pause, then; but the ice was broken. A subtle sympathy + seemed established between the two. +</p> +<p> + "What do you think of 'Rast's chances?" she asked, presently, as she + threaded new cotton into her needle. +</p> +<p> + "I guess he'll win. He's worked hard enough, anyhow." +</p> +<p> + "Has he?" +</p> +<p> + "Yes; 'Rast's a good worker. He don't leave any stone unturned. He's up + to all the tricks o' the trade, is 'Rast Hopkins!" +</p> +<p> + Here he began shaking with silent laughter, and Mrs. Hopkins looked at + him curiously. +</p> +<p> + "What are you laughing at?" she inquired, with a sniff of disdain. +</p> +<p> + "At—at the way he come it over the gals up at Elmhurst. 'Rast's a + pretty slick one, he is!" +</p> +<p> + "What do you mean?" +</p> +<p> + "Why, settin' that 'Liza to watch 'em, and tell all they does. Who'd a + thought of it but 'Rast Hopkins?" +</p> +<p> + "I don't see anything mighty funny about that," declared Mrs. Hopkins, + contemptuously. "The girl's too pert and forward for anything. I told + 'Rast not to fool with her, or she'd make him trouble." +</p> +<p> + "Did you, now!" exclaimed the man, wonderingly. +</p> +<p> + "Yes, indeed," said Mrs. Hopkins, pleased to have made an impression. "I + suspected there was something wrong about her the morning she came to + the house here. And she changed her name, too, as brassy as you please." +</p> +<p> + "Well, I declare!" said the visitor. "Did you know her before that, Mrs. + Hopkins?" +</p> +<p> + "Why, I didn't exactly know her, but I seen her workin' around Miss + Squiers's place many a time, and she didn't seem to 'mount to much, even + then. One day she stole a di'mond ring off'n old Miss Squiers and dug + out, and I told Nancy then—Nancy's young Miss Squiers—that I'd always + had my suspicions of the hussy. She hid the ring in a vase on the mantle + and they found it after she was gone." +</p> +<p> + "Well, well! I didn't know that about her," said the man, looking with + admiration at Mrs. Hopkins. +</p> +<p> + "That's why I told 'Rast not to have any truck with her, when she came + here bright and early one morning and asked for work." +</p> +<p> + "Oh, she came here, did she?" +</p> +<p> + "While I was gettin' breakfast. She said her name was Eliza Parsons, an' + she was looking fer a job. I told her I knew her record an' to get out, + and while we was arguin' 'Rast come out and took a hand in the talk. She + laughed and flirted with him outrageous, and said she was a stranger in + these parts, when I'd seen her many a time at Miss Squiers's." +</p> +<p> + "What was her name then?" asked the man. +</p> +<p> + "I think it was Rosie—or Lucy, or something—. Anyhow, it wasn't Eliza, + and that I'll swear to. But the girl laughed at me and made such silly + smiles at 'Rast that he told me to shut up, 'cause he had a use for her + in politics." +</p> +<p> + "Well, well!" repeated the visitor. "Just see how stories get twisted. I + heard you gave the girl a letter to your cousin Martha." +</p> +<p> + "Well, I did. 'Rast wanted to get her in at Elmhurst, to watch what + Forbes was doing to defeat him, so he made me write the letter. But + how'd you know so much about this girl?" she inquired, with sudden + suspicion. +</p> +<p> + "Me? I only know what Mr. Hopkins told me. I'm one of his confidential + men. But he never said how he happened to find the girl, or what he knew + about her." +</p> +<p> + "He didn't know nothing. He'd never seen her 'till that morning when she + came here. But he said she was clever, and she is, if pertness and a + ready tongue counts for cleverness. I suppose he pays her for what she + tells him about Forbes, but he'd better save his money and fight on the + square. I don't like this tricky politics, an' never did." +</p> +<p> + "I don't either," declared the man. "But I'm in it, and can't get out." +</p> +<p> + "That's what 'Rast says. But some day they'll put him out, neck and + crop, if he ain't careful." +</p> +<p> + "Is the girl Eliza much use to him?" +</p> +<p> + "I can't say. He drove her over to Elmhurst that morning, and he drives + over two or three evenings a week to meet her on the sly and get her + report. That may be politics, but it ain't very respectable, to my + notion." +</p> +<p> + "Well, the campaign is nearly over, Mrs. Hopkins." +</p> +<p> + "Thank goodness for that!" she replied. +</p> +<p> + The visitor sat silent after this, for he had learned all that the poor + gossiping woman could tell him. Finally he said: +</p> +<p> + "I guess your husband's going to be late." +</p> +<p> + "Yes; if he ain't more prompt than usual you'll have a long spell of + waiting." +</p> +<p> + "Perhaps I'd better go over to the hotel and look him up. I have to get + back to Fairview tonight, you know." +</p> +<p> + "Do as you please," she answered carelessly. +</p> +<p> + So Mr. Burke, for it was the detective, bade her good-night and took his + leave, and it was not until after he had gone that Mary Hopkins + remembered she had forgotten to ask him his name. +</p> +<p> + "But it don't matter," she decided. "He's just one o' 'Rast's + politicians, and I probably treated the fellow better than he deserved." +</p> +<a name="CH18"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<h2> + CHAPTER XVIII +</h2> +<center> + ELIZA PARSONS +</center> +<p> + On Sunday morning Mr. Burke again appeared at Elmhurst, and told Kenneth + he wanted an interview with Eliza Parsons. +</p> +<p> + "I don't want you to send for her, or anything like that, for it would + make her suspicious," he said. "I'd like to meet her in some way that + would seem accidental, and not startle her." +</p> +<p> + "That is rather a hard thing to arrange, Mr. Burke," said the boy, with + a smile. +</p> +<p> + "Why, I think not," declared Louise. "It seems to me quite easy." +</p> +<p> + "That's the woman of it, sir," laughed Kenneth; "if it's a question of + wits her sex has the advantage of us." +</p> +<p> + "What do you propose, miss?" asked the detective, turning to Louise. +</p> +<p> + "I'll have Martha send the girl into the garden to gather flowers," she + replied; "and you can wander around there and engage her in + conversation." +</p> +<p> + "Excellent!" he exclaimed. "Can this be arranged now?" +</p> +<p> + "I'll see, sir." +</p> +<p> + She found Martha and asked her to send Eliza Parsons for some roses and + chrysanthemums, which were in a retired place shut in by evergreen + hedges. +</p> +<p> + "One of the other maids will know the garden better," suggested the + housekeeper. +</p> +<p> + "But I wish Eliza to go." +</p> +<p> + "Very well, Miss Louise." +</p> +<p> + From an upper window the girl watched until she saw Eliza Parsons leave + the house with a basket and go into the retired garden she had chosen. + Then she returned to the library for Mr. Burke and led him toward the + same place. +</p> +<p> + "Eliza is just beyond that gap in the hedge," she said, and turned away. +</p> +<p> + "Wait a moment, please," he said, detaining her. "On second thought I + would like you to come with me, for your tact may be of great + assistance. Have you spoken much with Eliza?" +</p> +<p> + "Not at all, I think. Beth has talked with her, but I have scarcely been + near her since she came here." +</p> +<p> + "You are willing to come?" +</p> +<p> + "I shall be glad to." +</p> +<p> + "The poet Saxe," said Mr. Burke, walking through the gap beside Louise, + "has never been properly appreciated by his countrymen, although since + his death his verses are in greater demand than while he lived. Do you + care for them?" +</p> +<p> + "I don't know Saxe very well," she answered, observing that they were + approaching a place where Eliza was bending over a rose-bush. "But one + or two of his poems are so amusing that they linger in my memory." +</p> +<p> + Eliza turned at the sound of their voices and gave them a quick glance. + But the next moment she resumed her occupation of cutting roses. +</p> +<p> + "The man's greatest fault was his habit of punning," remarked the + detective, watching the girl's form as he drew nearer. "It is that which + blinded his contemporaries to his real talents. What exquisite roses, + Miss Merrick! May I ask for one for my button-hole?" +</p> +<p> + "Yes, indeed!" she replied, pausing with him just beside Eliza. "Will + you cut that bud yonder, for Mr. Burke, my dear?" +</p> +<p> + The maid silently obeyed and as the detective took the flower from her + hand he said: +</p> +<p> + "Why, isn't this Eliza Parsons?" +</p> +<p> + "Yes, sir," she replied, carelessly. +</p> +<p> + "Don't you remember me, Eliza?" +</p> +<p> + She seemed a little surprised, but answered promptly: +</p> +<p> + "No, sir." +</p> +<p> + "I'm William Burke, your mother's cousin. How did you leave your brother + Harry, and have you heard from Josephine lately?" +</p> +<p> + The girl gave him a startled look and shrank back. +</p> +<p> + "Why, how nice!" cried Louise. "I did not know you knew Eliza's family, + Mr. Burke." +</p> +<p> + "Yes, she is one of my relatives, and came from Roanoke, Virginia. Isn't + that correct, Eliza?" +</p> +<p> + "Yes, sir—no! I—I don't remember!" she said, in a low tone. +</p> +<p> + "Don't remember, Eliza? That is strange." +</p> +<p> + The girl stared at him half frightened, and drew her hand over her eyes + with a gesture of bewilderment. +</p> +<p> + "I hope, my dear, you are not going to be like your mother," said Mr. + Burke, gently. "My poor cousin Nora was subject to a strange lapse of + memory at times," he remarked to Louise. "She always recovered in time, + but for days she could remember nothing of her former life—not even her + own name. Are you ever affected that way Eliza?" +</p> +<p> + She looked up at him pleadingly, and murmured in a low voice: +</p> +<p> + "Let me go! Please let me go!" +</p> +<p> + "In a moment, Eliza." +</p> +<p> + Her hands were clasped together nervously and she had dropped her basket + and scissors on the path before her. The man looked intently into her + eyes, in a shrewd yet kindly way, and she seemed as if fascinated by his + gaze. +</p> +<p> + "Tell me, my dear, have you forgotten your old life?" he asked. +</p> +<p> + "Yes," she whispered. +</p> +<p> + "Poor girl! And you are trying to keep this a secret and not let anyone + know of your trouble?" +</p> +<p> + Suddenly she started and sprang away, uttering a cry of terror. +</p> +<p> + "You're trying to trap me," she panted. "You know my name is not Eliza + Parsons. You—you want to ruin me!" +</p> +<p> + From the position in which they stood in the corner of the garden, with + high hedges behind the maid, and Mr. Burke and Louise blocking the path + in front, there was little chance of escape. But she looked around + wildly, as if about to make the attempt, when Louise stepped forward and + gently took Eliza's hand in her own. +</p> +<p> + "Mr. Burke is a good man, my dear, and means well by you," she said in + her sweet, sympathetic tones. "He shall not bother you if you are afraid + of him." +</p> +<p> + "I—I'm not afraid," said Eliza, with a resumption of her old manner and + a toss of her head. +</p> +<p> + The detective gave Louise a look which she thought she understood. +</p> +<p> + "Will you finish cutting these roses, Mr. Burke?" she asked, with a + smile. "Eliza and I are going to my room. Come, my dear," and without + waiting for a reply she led the girl, whose hand was still clasped in + her own, along the path. +</p> +<p> + Eliza came willingly. Her manner was a little defiant at first, but when + Louise drew her unobserved to the side entrance and up the staircase she + grew gentle and permitted the other girl to take her arm. +</p> +<p> + Once in her room with the strange maid, Louise locked the door quietly + and said to her companion with a cheerful smile: +</p> +<p> + "Now we are quite alone, and can talk at our ease. Take that low chair, + dear, and I'll sit here." +</p> +<p> + Eliza obeyed, looking wistfully into the fair face of her new friend. +</p> +<p> + "You are very pretty, Eliza; and I'm sure you are as good as you're + pretty," announced Louise. "So you must tell me about yourself, and + whether you are happy here or not. From this time on I'm going to be + your friend, you know, and keep all your secrets; and I'll help you all + I can." +</p> +<p> + This rambling speech seemed to impress Eliza favorably. She relaxed + somewhat from the tense alertness that was habitual with her, and looked + at the other girl with a softened expression. +</p> +<p> + "I'm afraid you won't be much interested in me," she replied, "but I + need a friend—indeed I need a friend, Miss Louise!" +</p> +<p> + "I'm sure you do." +</p> +<p> + "At first I thought I could do without one. I felt I must stand alone, + and let no one suspect. But—I'm getting puzzled and bewildered, and I + don't know what to do next." +</p> +<p> + "Of course not. Tell me about it, dear." +</p> +<p> + "I can't; for I don't know, myself." She leaned forward in her chair and + added, in a whisper: "I don't even know who I am! But that man," with a + shudder, "tried to trap me. He said he knew Eliza Parsons, and there is + no Eliza Parsons. It's a name I—I invented." +</p> +<p> + "I think I understand," said Louise, with a little nod. "You had to have + a name, so you took that one." +</p> +<p> + "Yes. I don't know why I am telling you this. I've tried to hide it all + so carefully. And perhaps I'm wrong in letting this thing worry me. In + the main, I've been very happy and content, lately; and—I have a + feeling I was not happy before—before—" +</p> +<p> + "Before what, dear?" +</p> +<p> + The girl looked at her steadily and her face grew red. +</p> +<p> + "Before I lost my memory." +</p> +<p> + For a few moments they sat silently regarding one another, the + expressive features of Louise showing a silent sympathy. +</p> +<p> + "Have you really lost your memory?" she asked. +</p> +<p> + "Absolutely. Think of it! I wakened one morning lying by the roadside, + and shivering with cold. I had on a simple gray dress, with no hat. The + sun was just rising, and no one was near. I examined myself with wonder, + for I had no idea who I was, or how I came there. There was no money in + my pocket, and I had no jewels. To keep warm I began walking along the + road. The scenery was all new to me; so far as I knew I had never been + in the place before. +</p> +<p> + "The birds were singing and the cows mooed in the meadow. I tried to + sing, too, for my heart was light and gay and I was happy. By and bye I + came to a town; but no one seemed to be awakened because it was yet so + early. As I walked down the street I saw smoke coming from one of the + chimneys, and it suddenly occurred to me that I was hungry. I entered + the yard and went around to the back door. A woman was working in the + kitchen and I laughed joyfully and wished her a good morning. She was + not very pleasant, but it did me good to talk with her; I liked to hear + my own voice and it pleased me to be able to talk easily and well. She + grudgingly gave me something to eat and then bade me begone, calling me + by some strange name and saying I was a thief. It was then that I + invented the name of Eliza Parsons. I don't know why, but it popped into + my head and I claimed it for my name and have clung to it ever since." +</p> +<p> + "Have you no idea what your real name is?" asked Louise, greatly + interested in this terse relation. +</p> +<p> + "I have no idea of anything that dates beyond that morning," replied + Eliza. "The first time I looked in the mirror I saw a strange face + reflected there. I had to make my own acquaintance," she added, with one + of her bright laughs. "I suppose I am between seventeen and twenty years + of age, but what my life was during past years is to me a sealed book. I + cannot remember a person I knew or associated with, yet things outside + of my personal life seem to have clung to me. I remembered books I must + have read; I can write, sing and sew—I sew remarkably well, and must + have once been trained to it. I know all about my country's history, yet + I cannot recollect where I lived, and this part of the country is + unknown to me. When I came to Elmhurst I knew all about it and about Mr. + Forbes, but could not connect them with my former life." +</p> +<p> + "How did you happen to come here?" asked Louise. +</p> +<p> + "I forgot to tell you that. While I was arguing with the woman, who was + a Mrs. Hopkins, her husband heard us and came out into the kitchen. He + began to question me about myself and I gave any answer that came into + my head, for I could not tell him the truth. It pleased me to hear my + voice, I seemed to have a keen sense of the humorous, and if I said + anything at all clever, I laughed as heartily as anyone. My heart was + light and free from all care. I had no worries or responsibilities at + all. I was like the birds who see the sunshine and feel the breeze and + are content to sing and be happy. +</p> +<p> + "Mr. Hopkins saw I was wholly irresponsible and reckless, and he decided + to use me to spy upon the people here at Elmhurst and report to him what + they said and did. I agreed to this readily, prompted by a spirit of + mischief, for I cared nothing for Hopkins and had nothing against Mr. + Forbes. Also Hopkins paid me money, which I had sufficient knowledge to + realize was necessary to me. +</p> +<p> + "Oh, how happy and gay I was in those first few days! There was not a + thought of the past, not an ambition or desire of any sort to bother me. + Just to live seemed pleasure enough. I enjoyed eating and sleeping; I + loved to talk and laugh; I was glad to have work to occupy me—and + that was all! Then things began to happen that puzzled me. The man + Hopkins declared he could not trust me because I had once been a thief, + and I wondered if he could speak truly. I resented the thought that I + may once have been a thief, although I wouldn't mind stealing, even now, + if I wanted anything and could take it." +</p> +<p> + "Oh, Eliza!" gasped Louise. +</p> +<p> + "It sounds wicked, doesn't it? But it is true. Nothing seems to + influence me so strongly as my own whims. I know what is good and what + is bad. I must have been taught these things once. But I am as likely to + do evil as good, and this recklessness has begun, in the last few days, + to worry me. +</p> +<p> + "Then I met a young man here—he says his name is Tom Gates—who called + me his dear Lucy, and said I used to love him. I laughed at him at + first, for it seemed very absurd and I do not want him to love me. But + then he proved to me there was some truth in his statement. He said his + Lucy had a scar on her left arm, and that made me afraid, because I had + discovered a scar on my own arm. I don't know how it got there. I don't + know anything about this old Lucy. And I'm afraid to find out. I'm + afraid of Lucy." +</p> +<p> + "Why, dear?" +</p> +<p> + "I cannot tell. I only know I have a horror of her, a sudden shrinking + whenever her name is mentioned. Who was she, do you suppose?" +</p> +<p> + "Shall I tell you?" asked Louise. +</p> +<p> + "No—no! Don't, I beg of you!" cried Eliza, starting up. "I—I can't + bear it! I don't want to know her." +</p> +<p> + The protest was passionate and sincere, and Louise marvelled at the + workings of this evidently unbalanced intellect. +</p> +<p> + "What would you like to do, dear?" she inquired. +</p> +<p> + "I'd like to remain Eliza Parsons—always. I'd like to get away from + <i>her</i>—far away from anyone who ever heard of that dreadful Lucy who + frightens me so. Will you help me to get away, to escape to some place + where no one will ever be able to trace me?" +</p> +<p> + "Do you think you would be happy then?" +</p> +<p> + "I am sure of it. The only thing that makes me unhappy now is the horror + that this past life will be thrust upon me. I must have had a past, of + course, or I shouldn't be a grown woman now. But I'm afraid of it; I + don't want to know anything about it! Will you help me to escape?" +</p> +<p> + She looked eagerly at Louise as she asked this pitiful question, and the + other girl replied, softly: "I will be your friend, Eliza. I'll think + all this over, and we will see what can be done. Be patient a little + while and as soon as I find a way to free you from all this trouble I'll + send for you, and we'll talk it over together." +</p> +<p> + "Will you keep my secret?" demanded Eliza, uneasily. +</p> +<p> + Louise glanced at the door that communicated with Beth's room. It stood + open, but Eliza had not noticed that, as it was behind her. Just now a + shadow cast from the other room wavered an instant over the rug, and + Louise's quick eyes caught it. +</p> +<p> + "I promise to keep your secret, dear," she said earnestly. +</p> +<p> + The two girls rose and stood facing each other. Louise kissed the + beautiful Eliza and whispered: +</p> +<p> + "Here is one thing for you to remember—that we are always to be true + friends, from this time forward. If anyone annoys you, come to me, and I + will protect you." +</p> +<p> + "Thank you, Miss Louise," said Eliza, and then she went away to her own + room in a quieter and more thoughtful mood than usual. +</p> +<p> + When she had gone Louise ran to the door communicating with Beth's room, + and to her satisfaction found both her cousins, with Kenneth, Uncle John + and Mr. Burke, seated in a group where they must have overheard all that + had been said. +</p> +<p> + "Well!" she cried, eagerly, "did you hear? And what do you think of it + all?" +</p> +<p> + "It's Lucy Rogers, sure enough," said Kenneth. +</p> +<p> + Louise looked at Mr. Burke. +</p> +<p> + "It is the most singular case that has ever come under my observation," + stated that gentleman. "The girl is perfectly sane, but she has suffered + a strange lapse of memory. I have two alternatives to advise. One is to + telegraph at once for a specialist. The other is to permit the girl to + go away, as she suggests. She will be happier to do so, I am sure." +</p> +<p> + "Oh, no!" cried the girls. +</p> +<p> + "She owes a duty to her parents and friends, as well as to herself," + said Kenneth, "and I see no reason why she should be unhappy in the + future as Lucy Rogers." +</p> +<p> + Mr. Burke merely shrugged his shoulders. +</p> +<p> + "Please wire for the specialist at once," said Uncle John. +</p> +<a name="CH19"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<h2> + CHAPTER XIX +</h2> +<center> + PATSY INDULGES IN EAVESDROPPING +</center> +<p> + Miss Patricia Doyle awakened at daybreak next morning with a throbbing + toothache. She wasn't accustomed to such pains and found it hard to + bear. She tried the application of a hot-water bag, and the tooth ached + harder; she tried a cold compress, and it jumped with renewed activity. + So she dressed herself and walked the floor, with the persistent ache as + an intimate companion. +</p> +<p> + She tried to find a cavity in the tooth, but it seemed perfectly sound. + Evidently she had caught cold and the wicked molar was signaling the + fact. +</p> +<p> + To be patient under the torture of a toothache was a virtue Patsy did + not possess. Louise and Beth, to whom she appealed, were sorry for her, + but could not relieve the pain. After breakfast Uncle John ordered her + to drive to town and see a dentist. +</p> +<p> + "Have it pulled, or filled, or something," he said. "The dentist will + know what to do." +</p> +<p> + So James drove Patsy to town, where they arrived about nine o'clock this + Monday morning. The only dentist at Elmwood was Dr. Squiers, so the girl + ran up the flight of stairs to his office, which was located over the + hardware store. +</p> +<p> + The pain had eased on the journey, and now the thought of having the + offending tooth pulled was weighing heavily upon Patsy's mind. The door + of Dr. Squiers's office stood ajar, and she hesitated whether to enter + or not. +</p> +<p> + The dentist's reception room was divided from his operating room by a + thin wooden partition, and as Patsy was deciding whether to employ Dr. + Squiers's services or not she heard high words coming from behind the + partition, and the voice was that of the Honorable Erastus Hopkins. +</p> +<p> + Softly she slid into the outer room and sank into a chair. +</p> +<p> + "But you're the clerk of the election, Squiers; you can't deny that," + Hopkins was saying in a blustering, imperious voice. +</p> +<p> + "That's true enough," answered the dentist, more calmly. +</p> +<p> + "Then you've got the registration books in your possession." +</p> +<p> + "I admit that," was the reply. "But you're asking me to incriminate + myself, 'Rast. If the thing was discovered it would mean prison for both + of us." +</p> +<p> + "Fiddlesticks!" cried the irascible Hopkins. "These things are done + every day, and no one's the wiser for it. It's merely a part of the + political game." +</p> +<p> + "I'm afraid, 'Rast," said Dr. Squiers. "Honest Injun, I'm afraid." +</p> +<p> + "What are you 'fraid of? I've got the other clerks all fixed, and + they'll stand by us. All you need do is to add these sixty-six names to + the registration list, and then we'll vote 'em without opposition and + win out." +</p> +<p> + Patsy gave a gasp, which she tried to stifle. The toothache was all + forgotten. +</p> +<p> + "Where are these men?" inquired Dr. Squiers, thoughtfully. +</p> +<p> + "They're over at the mill. Marshall got 'em from all over the country, + and they'll be set to work today, so everything will seem reg'lar." +</p> +<p> + "Where do they sleep and eat?" inquired the doctor. +</p> +<p> + "Forty sleep in Hayes's barn, and the other twenty-six in the stock loft + over the planing mill. Marshall's got a commissary department and feeds + 'em regular rations, like so many soldiers. Of course I'm paying for all + this expense," acknowledged Mr. Hopkins, somewhat regretfully. +</p> +<p> + "And do you suppose these sixty-six votes will turn the scale?" asked + Dr. Squiers. +</p> +<p> + "They're sure to. We finished the last canvass yesterday, and according + to our figures Forbes has about eighteen votes the best of us. That's + getting it down pretty close, but we may as well make up our minds we're + beaten if we don't vote the men over at the mill. Marshall could have + got me a hundred if necessary, but sixty-six is more than enough. Say + Forbes has twice eighteen for his plurality, instead of eighteen; these + sixty-six for me would wipe that out and let us win in a walk." +</p> +<p> + When Hopkins ceased there was a brief silence. Perhaps Dr. Squiers was + thinking. +</p> +<p> + "I simply <i>must</i> have those votes, Doc," resumed the Representative. + "It's the only way I can win." +</p> +<p> + "You've made a bungle of the whole campaign," said Squiers, bitterly. +</p> +<p> + "That's a lie. I've done a lot of clever work. But these infernal city + girls came down here and stirred up all the trouble." +</p> +<p> + "You made a mistake pushing that sign issue. The girls beat you on + that." +</p> +<p> + "If it hadn't been signs it might have been something worse. But I ain't + beaten yet, Doc. Squiers. This deal is going to win. It's a trick the + boarding-school misses won't understand until after they've cut their + eye-teeth in politics." +</p> +<p> + "There's a pretty heavy penalty against false registration," observed + the dentist, gloomily. +</p> +<p> + "There's no penalty unless we're found out, and there ain't the ghost of + a chance of that. The books are in your hands; I got all the clerks + fixed. Not a question will even be raised. I know it. Do you suppose I'd + risk state's prison myself, if I wasn't sure?" +</p> +<p> + "Look here, 'Rast," said Squiers, doggedly, "you're making a tool of me + in this campaign. Why should I be used and abused just to elect Erastus + Hopkins, I'd like to know. You sacrificed me when I might have been + Sheriff." +</p> +<p> + "You're well paid for that, Doc." +</p> +<p> + "And now you want me to put my neck in a noose for your advantage. I + won't do it, 'Rast, and that's a fact." +</p> +<p> + Mr. Hopkins coughed. +</p> +<p> + "How much, Doc?" he inquired. +</p> +<p> + The dentist was silent. +</p> +<p> + "State the figure. But for mercy's sake don't bleed me any more than you + can help. This fight has cost me a pretty penny already." +</p> +<p> + "I don't want your money," growled Squiers. +</p> +<p> + "Yes you do, Doc. I know you better than you know yourself. The trouble + with you is, you'll want too much." +</p> +<p> + Squiers laughed bitterly. +</p> +<p> + "Is Marshall to be trusted?" he asked. +</p> +<p> + "Of course. If he said a word he'd lose his job as manager. Marshall's + all right. There's nothing to worry about, Doc." +</p> +<p> + Patsy's tooth wasn't aching a bit. But her heart was throbbing as madly + as the tooth ever did, and fortunately there was no pain connected with + the throbbing—only joy. +</p> +<p> + "It ought to be worth two thousand dollars, 'Rast," said the dentist. +</p> +<p> + "What! In addition to all other expenses?" +</p> +<p> + "Why, man; it means the election. It means your whole future. If you're + defeated now, you're a back number in this district, and you know it." +</p> +<p> + "It's too much, Doc. On my word it is." +</p> +<p> + "It's too little, come to think of it. I'll make it three thousand." +</p> +<p> + "Doc!" +</p> +<p> + "If you don't close with me, 'Rast, by the jumping Jupiter, I'll make it + four thousand," cried the dentist, with exasperation. +</p> +<p> + "Say twenty-five hundred, Doc." +</p> +<p> + "Right on the nail. Give me your check here—this minute." +</p> +<p> + "And you'll enter the names in the books?" +</p> +<p> + "Before you leave the office. Have you got the list?" +</p> +<p> + "Yes; in my pocket," said Mr. Hopkins. +</p> +<p> + "Then make out your check and I'll get the books." +</p> +<p> + There was a stir behind the partition and a sound of chairs scraping the + floor. Patsy slid out the door and flew down the stairs at the imminent + danger of breaking her neck. James was seated in the buggy outside, + engaged in rumination. +</p> +<p> + Patsy bounded in beside him and startled him. +</p> +<p> + "Drive for your life!" she cried. "Drive for home!" +</p> +<p> + He whipped up the spirited horse and they dashed away. Presently the man + asked, with a grin: +</p> +<p> + "Did it hurt much, Miss Patsy?" +</p> +<p> + "Did what hurt, James?" +</p> +<p> + "The tooth pullin', Miss Patsy." +</p> +<p> + "The tooth wasn't pulled," answered the girl, sweetly. "It didn't need + it, James. The only thing that was pulled was the Honorable Erastus's + leg." +</p> +<a name="CH20"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<h2> + CHAPTER XX +</h2> +<center> + PRICKING A BUBBLE. +</center> +<p> + When Patsy arrived home she called a council of war and related the + conversation she had overheard in the dentist's office. +</p> +<p> + "It isn't a very nice thing to do—listening to a private conversation," + said the girl, "but when I discovered they were going to play such a + trick on Kenneth I couldn't help eavesdropping." +</p> +<p> + "I think you were justified," declared Mr. Watson, with a grave face; + "for this matter is very serious indeed. Tomorrow is election day, and + if a toothache hadn't carried you to the dentist's office Kenneth would + surely have been defeated." +</p> +<p> + "And we'd never have known how it happened," declared Uncle John. +</p> +<p> + "But can the plot be foiled at this late date?" inquired Louise, + anxiously. +</p> +<p> + "I think so," said Mr. Watson. "Dr. Squiers was correct in saying that + such a crime was a state's prison offense. Our discovery of it will send + both Erastus Hopkins and Dr. Squiers to prison. Probably Mr. Marshall, + the manager of the mill, will go with them." +</p> +<p> + "Oh, I don't like that!" exclaimed Patsy. +</p> +<p> + "Nor do I," added Kenneth. "It would be a sad beginning to my political + career to send three such men to prison. I'd like to avoid it, if I + can." +</p> +<p> + "Perhaps it may be quietly arranged," said the lawyer. "If they knew you + had discovered the false registration of these men, they would never + dare vote them." +</p> +<p> + "How would it be to send Mr. Burke, the detective, over to the mill to + talk with Mr. Marshall?" suggested Beth. +</p> +<p> + "That is an excellent plan, and would be very effective in determining + the manager to abandon the plot." +</p> +<p> + "I'll go and see Hopkins myself," announced Uncle John. "I know how to + manage men of his sort." +</p> +<p> + "Very good," approved the lawyer, "and I'll see Squiers." +</p> +<p> + "If you do," said Patsy, "just ask him to sign a paper saying that Lucy + Rogers was falsely accused of stealing the ring, and that his mother + found it in a vase, where she had forgotten she put it." +</p> +<p> + "I'll do that," replied Mr. Watson. "And I'll get the sixty dollars back + that Tom Gates paid him. I'll make it a condition of our agreeing not to + prosecute the man." +</p> +<p> + "It looks as if we were going to win the election," said Uncle John in a + pleased voice. "If Hopkins was driven to such methods as stuffing + ballot-boxes, he must know very well he's defeated." +</p> +<p> + "He acknowledged it to Dr. Squiers." said Patsy, gaily. "We have + eighteen sure majority, and perhaps more." +</p> +<p> + "It's likely to be more," predicted Uncle John. +</p> +<p> + "I suppose congratulations are in order, Ken," said Louise. +</p> +<p> + "Not yet, cousin," he replied. "Wait until tomorrow night; and then + don't congratulate me, but the campaign managers—three of the nicest + and cleverest girls in existence!" +</p> +<p> + "You're right, my boy," declared Uncle John. "If you pull through and + take your seat in the Legislature, you'll owe it all to these girls." +</p> +<p> + "That is true," smiled the lawyer. "Kenneth was badly beaten when you + arrived." +</p> +<p> + Of course our girls were very happy at receiving this praise, but more + pleased to realize they had actually been of service to their boy + friend. They believed that Kenneth would prove a good Representative and + carry out his promises to the voters; and if he did, that his political + career was assured. +</p> +<p> + Mr. Burke appeared in the afternoon with a telegram from Dr. Hoyt, the + specialist, saying that he would be at Elmwood on the noon train + Wednesday. His engagements prevented him from coming any sooner, and in + the meantime Mr. Burke advised keeping a close watch on Eliza Parsons, + to see that she did not run away. +</p> +<p> + "I'll attend to that," said Louise, quickly. "Eliza and I are friends, + and I'll take care of her." +</p> +<p> + "Aren't you going to the polls?" asked Patsy. +</p> +<p> + "No, dear; why should I go? Our work is done now, isn't it?" +</p> +<p> + "Well, I'm going to the polls and work for every vote," declared Patsy. + "I shan't be happy unless Kenneth gets more than eighteen majority." +</p> +<p> + When the Hopkins plot was explained to Mr. Burke, the detective readily + agreed to go to Fairview and see Mr. Marshall. As no time was to be lost + he was sent over in an automobile, and arrived at the mill just before + the hour for closing. +</p> +<p> + The next day being election day the mill was to be closed, and the + manager was very busy in his office when Mr. Burke requested to see him. +</p> +<p> + "You will have to come around Wednesday," said Marshall, fussily. "I + can't attend to you now." +</p> +<p> + "I'm sorry to disturb you, sir," replied the detective, "but my business + won't wait until Wednesday." +</p> +<p> + "What is it about, sir?" +</p> +<p> + "About the election." +</p> +<p> + "Then I won't be bothered. The election doesn't interest me," said Mr. + Marshall, turning away. +</p> +<p> + "Very well, I'll call Wednesday, sir, at the jail." +</p> +<p> + Marshall gave him a quick look. +</p> +<p> + "Who are you, sir?" he asked. +</p> +<p> + "John Burke, a detective." +</p> +<p> + The manager hesitated a moment. +</p> +<p> + "Come in, Mr. Burke," he said. +</p> +<p> + "I represent the Forbes interests," said the detective, seating himself + in the private office, "and it has come to our notice that Dr. Squiers + has permitted sixty-six fraudulent registrations to be entered on the + books. These sixty-six men are supposed to have been imported by you and + are now working at this mill." +</p> +<p> + "This is all nonsense!" protested the manager, growing pale. +</p> +<p> + "Forty men are sleeping in a near-by barn, and twenty-six in the + stock-room of the mill," added Mr. Burke. +</p> +<p> + "That isn't criminal, sir." +</p> +<p> + "No, indeed. The criminal act is their false registration, so far," said + the detective, blandly. +</p> +<p> + "But mark you, sir; if an attempt is made to vote those men tomorrow, I + shall arrest you, as well as Mr. Hopkins and Dr. Squiers." +</p> +<p> + "This is preposterous, sir!" blustered the manager. "There will be no + attempt made to vote them." +</p> +<p> + "I am quite sure of it," was the reply. "You may thank Mr. Forbes for + warning you in time. He wished to save you, and so sent me here." +</p> +<p> + "Oh, he did!" Mr. Marshall was evidently surprised. "May I ask how you + discovered all this?" he added. +</p> +<p> + "I am not at liberty to give you the details. But I may say the exposure + of the plot occurred through Mr. Hopkins's own carelessness. I've seen + lots of crooked politicians, Mr. Marshall, but this man is too reckless + and foolish ever to be a success. He deserves to be defeated and he will + be." +</p> +<p> + The manager was thoughtful. +</p> +<p> + "This is all news to me," he declared. "I needed these extra men to help + me fill a contract on time, and so employed them. I had no idea Hopkins + and Squiers would try to vote them tomorrow." +</p> +<p> + This was a palpable falsehood, but Mr. Burke accepted the lame excuse + without question. +</p> +<p> + "You are a valuable man in this community, Mr. Marshall, and Mr. Forbes + seemed to think the Hopkins people were trying to get you into trouble. + Of course it would have caused trouble had these men voted." +</p> +<p> + "Of course, Mr. Burke. I'm much obliged to Mr. Forbes for warning me." +</p> +<p> + "You'll find the next Representative a very agreeable man to get along + with, Mr. Marshall. Good day, sir." +</p> +<p> + "Good day, Mr. Burke." +</p> +<p> + When the detective had gone Mr. Marshall sat in a brown study for a few + moments. Then he summoned his superintendent and said: +</p> +<p> + "Please ask the men to assemble in the yard before they go home. I want + to have a word with them." +</p> +<p> + The request came just in time, for the men were already beginning to + stream out of the mill. They waited good-naturedly, however, grouping + themselves in the big yard. +</p> +<p> + Then Marshall mounted a lumber pile and addressed them briefly. +</p> +<p> + "Boys," he said, "I told you all, a week or so ago, I'd like you to vote + for Hopkins for Representative, as I believed his election would result + in more work for the mill and better wages for the employees. But I've + been watching matters pretty closely, and I've changed my mind. Forbes + is a coming man, and he'll do more for us all than Hopkins could. So + every man who is entitled to vote will please me best by voting for + Kenneth Forbes." +</p> +<p> + There was a cheer at this, and when it subsided, the manager continued: +</p> +<p> + "Of course none of the new men, who were not properly registered, have a + right to vote at this election, and I command them to keep away from the + polls. Anyone who attempts to vote illegally will be promptly arrested." +</p> +<p> + This caused more cheering, for the workmen had suspected that the new + hands would be voted illegally, and they were relieved to find that it + was a "square deal all 'round," as one of them remarked with + satisfaction. +</p> +<p> + Meantime, Uncle John was having a "barrel of fun" with Mr. Hopkins. +</p> +<p> + The little millionaire, although a man of simple and unobtrusive ways, + was a shrewd judge of human nature. Moreover he had acquired a fund of + experience in dealing with all sorts of people, and was delighted to + meet Mr. Hopkins under the present circumstances. +</p> +<p> + So he drove over to Elmwood and was fortunate to find Mr. Hopkins in his + "office" at home where he was busily engaged instructing his "workers" + in their duties at the polls. +</p> +<p> + At sight of Mr. Merrick, whom he knew by this time to be a friend of + Kenneth Forbes, staying at Elmhurst, the politician scented some pending + difficulty, or at least an argument, and was sufficiently interested to + dismiss his men without delay. +</p> +<p> + "Ah, this is Mr. Merrick, I believe," began Mr. Hopkins, suavely. "What + can I do for you, sir?" +</p> +<p> + "Considerable, if you're disposed," answered the other. "For one thing + I'd like to hire Eliza Parsons away from you." +</p> +<p> + "Eliza Parsons!" gasped the Representative. +</p> +<p> + "Yes, your spy. Election's about over and you won't need her any longer, + will you?" +</p> +<p> + "Sir, do you mean to insult me?" asked the Honorable Erastus, + indignantly. +</p> +<p> + "By no means. I thought you were through with the girl," said Uncle John + with a chuckle. +</p> +<p> + Mr. Hopkins was distinctly relieved. With a full recollection of his + wicked schemes in his mind, he had feared some more important attack + than this; so he assumed a virtuous look, and replied: +</p> +<p> + "Sir, you wrong me. Eliza Parsons was no spy of mine. I was merely + trying to encourage her to a higher spiritual life. She is rather + flighty and irresponsible, sir, and I was sorry for the poor girl. That + is all. If she has been telling tales, they are untrue. I have found + her, I regret to say, inclined at times to be—ah—inventive." +</p> +<p> + "Perhaps that's so," remarked Uncle John, carelessly. "You're said to be + a good man, Mr. Hopkins; a leetle too honest and straightforward for a + politician; but that's an excusable fault." +</p> +<p> + "I hope I deserve my reputation, Mr. Merrick," said Erastus, + straightening up at this praise. "I do, indeed, try to live an upright + life." +</p> +<p> + "I guess so, Mr. Hopkins, I guess so. You wouldn't try, for instance, to + encourage false registration." +</p> +<p> + "Sir!" +</p> +<p> + "Anything wrong, Mr. Hopkins?" asked Uncle John, innocently. +</p> +<p> + Erastus looked at his visitor tremblingly, although he tried to control + his nerves. Of course Mr. Merrick couldn't mean anything by this chance + shot, so he must be thrown off the scent. +</p> +<p> + "You have a disagreeable way of making remarks, sir, and I have no time + to listen to foolish speeches. Tomorrow is election day and I've a good + many details yet to arrange." +</p> +<p> + "No chance of you're getting in jail, is there?" +</p> +<p> + "What do you mean by that?" +</p> +<p> + "I only thought that if you'd done anything liable to make trouble, + you'd have to arrange your affairs for a long spell in jail. Politicians + sometimes make mistakes. But you're such an honest man, Mr. Hopkins, you + couldn't possibly go crooked." +</p> +<p> + Mr. Hopkins felt shaky again, and looked at his tormentor earnestly, + trying to discern whether there was any real knowledge beneath this + innuendo. But Uncle John met his gaze with a cheerful smile and + continued: +</p> +<p> + "I guess you've got a hard fight ahead of you. My young friend Forbes is + trying to get elected himself, and you can't both win." +</p> +<p> + "Oh, yes; Forbes," said Erastus, trying to regain his accustomed ease. + "A worthy young man, sir; but I'm afraid his chances are slim." +</p> +<p> + "Are they, now?" asked Uncle John, pretending a mild interest. +</p> +<p> + "Pretty thin, Mr. Merrick. Our majority is too great to overcome." +</p> +<p> + "What do you think your majority will be? About sixty-six?" +</p> +<p> + Mr. Hopkins gave a start and turned red. +</p> +<p> + "About sixty-six," he repeated, vacantly, trying to decide if this was + another chance shot. +</p> +<p> + "Yes; about sixty-six mill hands." +</p> +<p> + The cat was out of the bag now. Hopkins realized that Merrick had some + knowledge or at least suspicion of this plot. He tried to think what to + do, and it occurred to him that if his visitor positively knew anything + he would not act in this absurd manner, but come straight to the point. + So he ignored the speech, merely saying: +</p> +<p> + "Anything else, sir?" +</p> +<p> + "No," replied Uncle John; "I'll go home, I guess. Folks'll be expecting + me. Sorry Forbes hasn't got that sixty-six mill hands; but Doc. Squiers + probably registered 'em all right, and they'll probably vote for + Hopkins." +</p> +<p> + "Wait a moment, sir!" cried Erastus, as Uncle John was turning away. + "That speech demands an explanation, and I mean to have it." +</p> +<p> + "Oh, you do? Well, I don't object. You may not know it, but Squiers has + registered sixty-six non-voters, and I want to know whether you're + prepared to give half of them to Forbes, or mean to keep them all for + yourself." +</p> +<p> + "If Squiers has made false registrations he must stand the consequences. + I want you to understand, sir, that I do not countenance any underhand + dealing." +</p> +<p> + "Then it's all off? You won't vote the mill hands?" +</p> +<p> + "Not a man shall vote who is not properly registered." +</p> +<p> + "I'm glad to hear it, Mr. Hopkins. Perhaps you can get that twenty-five + hundred back. I don't think Squiers has cashed the check yet." +</p> +<p> + The Honorable Erastus gave a roar like a wild bull, but Uncle John had + walked quietly out and climbed into his buggy. He looked back, and + seeing Mr. Hopkins's scowling face at the window returned a pleasant + smile as he drove away. +</p> +<p> + Mr. Watson had just finished his interview with the dentist when Uncle + John picked him up at the corner. The lawyer had accomplished more than + the other two, for he had secured a paper exonerating Lucy Rogers and + another incriminating the Honorable Erastus Hopkins, as well as the + sixty dollars paid by Tom Gates. The dentist was thoroughly frightened, + but determined, now that the conspiracy was defeated, that the man who + had led him to the crime should not escape in case he was himself + arrested. So he made a plain statement of the whole matter and signed + it, and Mr. Watson assured Squiers immunity from arrest, pending good + behavior. The man had already cashed Hopkins's check, and he knew the + Representative could not get the money away from him, so after all the + dentist lost nothing by the exposure. +</p> +<p> + It was a jolly party that assembled at the dinner-table in Elmhurst that + evening. +</p> +<p> + "You see," explained Uncle John, "the thing looked as big as a balloon + to us at first; but it was only a bubble, after all, and as soon as we + pricked it—it disappeared." +</p> +<a name="CH21"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<h2> + CHAPTER XXI +</h2> +<center> + THE "RETURNS" FROM FAIRVIEW +</center> +<p> + Election day dawned sunny and bright; but there was a chill in the air + that betokened the approach of winter. +</p> +<p> + Uncle John had suggested serving coffee to the voters at the different + polling places, and Kenneth had therefore arranged for a booth at each + place, where excellent coffee was served free all day long. These booths + were decorated with Forbes banners and attracted a great deal of + comment, as the idea was a distinct innovation in this district. +</p> +<p> + "You wouldn't catch Hopkins giving anything away," remarked one farmer + to another. "'Rast is too close-fisted." +</p> +<p> + "Why, as fer that," was the reply, "the thing is done to catch votes. + You know that as well as I do." +</p> +<p> + "S'pose it is," said the first speaker. "I'd ruther my vote was caught + by a cup of hot coffee on a cold day, than by nothin' at all. If we've + got to bite anyhow, why not take a hook that's baited?" +</p> +<p> + Patsy and Beth made the rounds of the polling places in an automobile + covered with flags and bunting, and wherever they appeared they were + greeted with cordial cheers. +</p> +<p> + Mr. Hopkins was noticeable by his absence, and this was due not so much + to his cowardice as to an unfortunate accident. +</p> +<p> + Neither Squiers nor Hopkins knew just how their secret had leaked out, + for Patsy's presence in the dentist's office had not been disclosed; so + each one suspected the other of culpable foolishness if not downright + rascality. After Uncle John's visit Erastus stormed over to Squiers's + office and found his accomplice boiling with indignation at having been + trapped in a criminal undertaking. +</p> +<p> + As the two men angrily faced each other they could not think of any + gentle words to say, and Dr. Squiers became so excited by the other's + reproaches that he indulged in careless gestures. One of these gestures + bumped against the Honorable Erastus's right eye with such force that + the eye was badly injured. +</p> +<p> + The candidate for re-election, therefore, wakened on election morning + with the damaged optic swollen shut and sadly discolored. Realizing that + this unfortunate condition would not win votes, Mr. Hopkins remained at + home all day and nagged his long-suffering spouse, whose tongue was her + only defence. +</p> +<p> + The Representative had promptly telephoned to Marshall at Fairview + telling him not to vote the men as arranged. He was not especially + charmed with the manager's brief reply: +</p> +<p> + "Don't be alarmed. We're not <i>all</i> fools!" +</p> +<p> + "I guess, 'Rast," remarked Mary Hopkins, looking at her damaged and + irritable husband with a blending of curiosity and contempt, "that + you're 'bout at the end of your rope." +</p> +<p> + "You wait," said Erastus, grimly. "This thing ain't over yet." +</p> +<p> + The day passed very quietly and without any especial incident. A full + vote was polled, and by sundown the fate of the candidates had been + decided. But the counting seemed to progress slowly and the group + assembled around the telephone in Kenneth's library thought the returns + would never arrive. +</p> +<p> + The Republican Committee had given Mr. Forbes a table showing what the + vote of each precinct should be, according to their canvass. +</p> +<p> + The first report was from Elmwood, and showed a gain of seventeen over + the estimate. Patsy was delighted, for she had worked hard in Elmwood, + and this proved that her efforts had been successful. Then came a report + from Longville, in Jefferson County. It showed a gain of forty-three + votes for Hopkins, and a consequent loss for Forbes. This was a + startling surprise, and the next advice from a country precinct in + Washington County showed another gain of twelve for Hopkins. +</p> +<p> + The little group of workers looked at one another with inquiring eyes, + and Patsy could hardly refrain from crying. +</p> +<p> + The butler announced dinner, but only Louise and Mr. Watson could eat + anything. The others were too intent on learning their fate and could + not leave the telephone. +</p> +<p> + It seemed queer that the precincts furthest away should be first to + respond, but so it was. Jefferson County returns began to come in + rapidly, and were received in dismal silence. Hopkins gained four here, + seven there, and twenty-two in another precinct. +</p> +<p> + "It looks," said Kenneth, quietly, "like a landslide for Hopkins, and I + wonder how our Committee was so badly informed." +</p> +<p> + "You see," said Uncle John, "voters won't usually tell the truth about + how they've decided to vote. Lots of them tell both sides they're going + to vote their way. And people change their minds at the last minute, + too. You can't do much more than average the thing by means of a + canvass." +</p> +<p> + By nine o'clock, complete returns from the part of Jefferson County + included in the Eighth District showed a net gain of one hundred and + eight for Hopkins—a lead that it seemed impossible to overcome. + Washington County was not so bad. Incomplete returns indicated a slight + gain for Hopkins, but not more than a dozen votes altogether. +</p> +<p> + "Everything now depends upon Dupree and Fairview," announced Kenneth, + "but I can't get any connection with them yet. We won in Elmwood, + anyhow, and Hopkins isn't ahead more than a hundred and sixty as the + thing stands now. Cheer up, girls. A defeat won't hurt us much, for + we've all made a good fight. Better get to bed and sleep, for you're + tired out. We'll know all about everything in the morning." +</p> +<p> + But they would not move. Disappointment unnerved them more than victory + would have done. They resolved to wait until the last returns were in. +</p> +<p> + "Telephone, sir," said Tom Gates. +</p> +<p> + Kenneth picked up the receiver. +</p> +<p> + "Here's Dupree," he said. "Our majority over Hopkins is two hundred and + eleven. Let's see, that's a gain of seventy-four votes, my dears." +</p> +<p> + "Hooray!" cried Patsy, delightedly. "I don't care a rap now, what + happens. Old Hopkins won't have much to crow over if—" +</p> +<p> + "Wait a minute," said Kenneth. "Here's Fairview, at last!" +</p> +<p> + They held their breaths and watched his face. Kenneth flushed red as he + held the receiver to his ear, and then grew white. He turned around to + the expectant group and Beth knew from the sparkle in his eyes what had + happened. +</p> +<p> + "Fairview's six precincts give us six hundred and forty-one majority," + announced the boy, in an awed tone. "That's a gain of nearly four + hundred!" +</p> +<p> + They gazed at him in silent wonder. Then Uncle John rose slowly and took + the boy's hand. +</p> +<p> + "That means we've won—and won in a walk," said the little man. + "Kenneth, we congratulate you." +</p> +<p> + Patsy's face was buried in her handkerchief, and Beth's great eyes were + bright with unshed tears. But Louise laughed her soft, musical laugh and + remarked: +</p> +<p> + "Why, I knew all the time we would win. We had the better candidate, you + see." +</p> +<p> + "And the best campaign managers," added Uncle John, with a proud smile. +</p> +<p> + "That may be true," admitted Beth. "But the thing that really won the + fight was Patsy's sore tooth." +</p> +<a name="CH22"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<h2> + CHAPTER XXII +</h2> +<center> + THE AWAKENING +</center> +<p> + James and Mr. Burke met the great specialist in brain diseases at the + noon train on Wednesday and drove him to Elmhurst. +</p> +<p> + Dr. Hoyt was a handsome, gray-haired man, with kindly eyes and a + distinguished manner. When he was ushered into the library the young + ladies were attracted by the physician at once, and from the first + glance were inspired by confidence in his powers. Yet Dr. Hoyt spoke + rather doubtfully of the case in hand. +</p> +<p> + "These cases are not so rare as you might suppose," he said; "yet no two + of them are exactly alike. Usually the recovery is slow and tedious; but + recovery is not always assured. In some instances, however, the memory + is absolutely restored, and from what Mr. Burke has explained to me of + Lucy Rogers's history this is what we may expect now. Or else, we must + trust to time or an accident to awaken her dormant mental faculties. The + case is so interesting that I should like, with your permission, to make + an experiment which can result in no harm if it does not succeed." +</p> +<p> + "We put the matter entirely in your hands, sir," said Uncle John. "Act + as you think best." +</p> +<p> + "I thank you," replied Dr. Hoyt, bowing. Then he turned to the girls. + "Which of you young ladies has won the friendship of Lucy Rogers?" he + asked. +</p> +<p> + Louise answered that she and Eliza Parsons had become good friends. +</p> +<p> + "Will you assist me?" asked the physician. +</p> +<p> + "Willingly, sir." +</p> +<p> + "I wish to send the girl into a deep sleep, to render her unconscious + without her suspecting my intention, or realizing the fact. Can you + suggest a way to do this?" +</p> +<p> + Louise tried to think. +</p> +<p> + "What means will you employ, sir?" she asked. +</p> +<p> + "There are many ways to accomplish this. I prefer to administer a + powerful sleeping potion. Have you any confectionery or bon-bons at + hand?" +</p> +<p> + "Yes, indeed. I have just received a fresh box of bon-bons from New + York. But I'm not sure I can induce Eliza to eat candy." +</p> +<p> + "Then let us prepare the potion in various ways. But you must be + careful, Miss Merrick, not to make a mistake and take the dose + yourself." +</p> +<p> + Louise laughed. +</p> +<p> + "I'll be careful, sir," she promised. +</p> +<p> + The two then retired to perfect their plan, and in an hour every + arrangement was complete. +</p> +<p> + Louise went to her room, donned a wrapper, and bandaged her head. Then + she summoned Martha and asked the housekeeper to send Eliza Parsons to + sit with her in the darkened room, as she was suffering from a headache. +</p> +<p> + The maid came at once, to all appearances, as happy and careless as + ever. After expressing her sympathy she asked what she could do. +</p> +<p> + "Just sit down and keep me company, dear," replied Louise. "I'm not very + bad, but I'm restless and can't sleep, and I want you to talk to me and + amuse me." +</p> +<p> + Eliza laughed. +</p> +<p> + "That is easy, as far as talking is concerned," she said. "But to amuse + you, Miss Louise, may be more difficult." +</p> +<p> + But the girls found a topic of conversation in the election, in which + Eliza was much interested, and they chatted together for an hour or so + before Louise made any move to consummate her plot. +</p> +<p> + "I hope my foolish reports to Mr. Hopkins did no harm to Mr. Forbes," + Eliza was saying. "I really had little to tell him of your conversation + or movements." +</p> +<p> + "You did no harm at all, for Mr. Forbes was elected," replied Louise. + Then she said, carelessly: +</p> +<p> + "Martha has sent me this pitcher of lemonade, and I don't care for it. + Won't you drink a glass, Eliza?" +</p> +<p> + "No, thank you," she replied, shaking her head. "I never drink + lemonade." +</p> +<p> + "Then have one of these sandwiches?" +</p> +<p> + "I'm not hungry, Miss Louise." +</p> +<p> + Louise sighed. Both the lemonade and the sandwiches had been "dosed" by + Dr. Hoyt. Then she picked up the box of bon-bons that was beside her. +</p> +<p> + "But you will eat some candy, dear. Every girl likes candy." +</p> +<p> + "I don't seem to care for it," said Eliza carelessly. +</p> +<p> + "Just one piece, to please me," coaxed Louise, and selected a piece from + the box with dainty care. "Here, my dear; you'll find this sort very + nice." +</p> +<p> + Eliza hesitated, but finally reached out her hand and took the bon-bon. + Louise lay back in her chair and closed her eyes, fearing their + eagerness might betray her. When after a time she opened them again + Eliza was slowly rocking back and forth and chewing the confection. +</p> +<p> + Dr. Hoyt's first suggestion had been best. The potion had been prepared + in several ways to tempt Eliza, but the candy had been the effectual + bait. +</p> +<p> + Louise felt a glow of triumph, but managed to continue the conversation, + relating in an amusing way the anxiety of the Elmhurst folks when the + first returns seemed to indicate the election of Hopkins. +</p> +<p> + Eliza laughed once or twice, her head resting upon the back of her + chair. Then the words of Louise began to sound dreamy and indistinct in + her ears. The chair rocked with less regularity; soon it came to a stop, + and Eliza was peacefully sleeping in its ample depths. +</p> +<p> + Louise now rose softly and rang her bell. Footsteps approached, and a + knock came upon the door. She admitted Dr. Hoyt, Mr. Burke, and two + servants. +</p> +<p> + The physician approached the sleeping girl and gently lifted the lids of + her eyes. Then he nodded with satisfaction. +</p> +<p> + "There was no suspicion on her part? She made no struggle—no attempt to + evade unconsciousness?" he asked. +</p> +<p> + "None at all, sir," replied Louise. "She ate the bon-bon, and was asleep + before she realized it." +</p> +<p> + "Excellent!" said the doctor. "We will now place her in her own room, + upon her bed, while Mr. Burke and I drive over to her former home to + complete our arrangements." +</p> +<p> + "Won't she waken?" asked Louise. +</p> +<p> + "Not until tomorrow morning, and when she does I hope for a complete + restoration of her memory." +</p> +<p> + Beth went with Dr. Hoyt to the Rogers farm, because she knew Mrs. + Rogers. It was necessary to break the news to the poor, blind woman + gently, but Beth's natural tact stood her in good stead. She related the + story of the search for Lucy, the discovery that one of the maids at + Elmhurst resembled the missing girl, and the detective's conclusion that + Eliza Parsons was none other than Lucy Rogers, who was suffering from a + peculiar mental aberration and had forgotten every detail of her former + life. +</p> +<p> + Mrs. Rogers followed the tale with intelligent understanding, and her + joy at the discovery of her wandering child was only tempered by the + fear that Lucy would never know her mother again or be content to remain + in her humble home. +</p> +<p> + Then Dr. Hoyt took up the conversation and related the many instances of + complete recovery that had come under his observation. +</p> +<p> + "I am adopting heroic methods in this case," said he, "but I have + reasonable hopes of their success. Your child doubtless became mentally + confused while under this roof. How many hours she wandered, we do not + know, but it could not have been long before she lay down by the + roadside and fell asleep. When she awakened her mind was a blank as + regards her identity and former history. Now, in order to effect a + recovery, I have reversed these experiences with her. She is at present + plunged into a deep sleep, under the influence of narcotics that have + rendered her brain absolutely inactive. It is really a state of coma, + and I wish her to waken in this house, amid the scenes with which she + was formerly familiar. By this means I hope to induce her mental + faculties to resume their normal functions." +</p> +<p> + Mrs. Rogers accepted this proposal with calmness and a confidence in the + physician that was admirable. Old Will trembled with nervous excitement, + and was so "flustered" by the importance of the experiment that Dr. Hoyt + decided to give him a quieting potion. +</p> +<p> + Lucy's room was prepared in the exact manner in which she had left it, + and presently the visitors drove back to Elmhurst. +</p> +<p> + In the evening the doctor made the journey a second time, accompanying + the unconscious form of Lucy, which was attended by a maid Louise had + sent with her. +</p> +<p> + The girl was undressed and put to bed in her own room, and then everyone + except Dr. Hoyt returned to Elmhurst. +</p> +<p> + The physician sat late in conversation with the blind woman and old + Will, and when they retired for the night he lay down upon a lounge in + the little living-room. The question of fees or of comfort was wholly + ignored by the specialist at the moment. His sole interest was in his + remarkable case. +</p> +<p> + Mrs. Rogers rose at daylight and with old Will's assistance prepared the + breakfast. The little table was set in the humble living-room, and the + fragrant odor of coffee pervaded the house. Dr. Hoyt drank a cup and + then stepped out upon the little porch, taking a position of observation + by the window. +</p> +<p> + "All right, Nell," muttered old Will, his knees knocking together, in + spite of himself. +</p> +<p> + Mrs. Rogers rose quietly and walked to the foot of the stairs. +</p> +<p> + "Lucy! Lucy!" she called. +</p> +<p> + "Yes!" came a faint reply. +</p> +<p> + "Breakfast is ready!" +</p> +<p> + Then the two old people sat in suppressed excitement for what seemed to + them an age. But the physician, calmly stationed at the window, knew it + was not very long. +</p> +<p> + Presently a light step sounded upon the stairs and Lucy came into the + room. +</p> +<p> + "Good morning, mother dear!" she said, a new, sweet tenderness in her + voice. And then she knelt and kissed the woman upon her brow. +</p> +<p> + The doctor looked at his watch. +</p> +<p> + "I must be going," he muttered, turning away. "There's time for me to + catch the early train." +</p> +<center> + THE END +</center> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> + +<div>*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 13110 ***</div> +</body> +</html> diff --git a/LICENSE.txt b/LICENSE.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6312041 --- /dev/null +++ b/LICENSE.txt @@ -0,0 +1,11 @@ +This eBook, including all associated images, markup, improvements, +metadata, and any other content or labor, has been confirmed to be +in the PUBLIC DOMAIN IN THE UNITED STATES. + +Procedures for determining public domain status are described in +the "Copyright How-To" at https://www.gutenberg.org. + +No investigation has been made concerning possible copyrights in +jurisdictions other than the United States. Anyone seeking to utilize +this eBook outside of the United States should confirm copyright +status under the laws that apply to them. diff --git a/README.md b/README.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..ee944d8 --- /dev/null +++ b/README.md @@ -0,0 +1,2 @@ +Project Gutenberg (https://www.gutenberg.org) public repository for +eBook #13110 (https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/13110) diff --git a/old/13110-8.txt b/old/13110-8.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..1af24c6 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/13110-8.txt @@ -0,0 +1,6937 @@ +The Project Gutenberg EBook of Aunt Jane's Nieces at Work, by Edith Van Dyne + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Aunt Jane's Nieces at Work + +Author: Edith Van Dyne + +Release Date: August 3, 2004 [EBook #13110] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK AUNT JANE'S NIECES AT WORK *** + + + + +Produced by Afra Ullah and PG Distributed Proofreaders + + + + +AUNT JANE'S NIECES AT WORK + +BY + +EDITH VAN DYNE + + +1909 + + + +LIST OF CHAPTERS + +I MISS DOYLE INTERFERES + +II THE ARTIST + +III DON QUIXOTE + +IV KENNETH TAKES A BOLD STEP + +V PLANNING THE WORK + +VI A GOOD START + +VII PATSY MAKES PROGRESS + +VIII THE HONORABLE ERASTUS IS ASTONISHED + +IX OL' WILL ROGERS + +X THE FORGED CHECK + +XI A MYSTERIOUS DISAPPEARANCE + +XII BETH MEETS A REBUFF + +XIII THE BOOMERANG + +XIV LUCY'S GHOST + +XV SIGNS OF THE TIMES + +XVI A CLEW AT LAST + +XVII MRS. HOPKINS GOSSIPS + +XVIII ELIZA PARSONS + +XIX PATSY INDULGES IN EAVESDROPPING + +XX PRICKING A BUBBLE + +XXI THE "RETURNS" FROM FAIRVIEW + +XXII THE AWAKENING + + + + +CHAPTER I + +MISS DOYLE INTERFERES + + +"Daddy," said Patricia Doyle at the breakfast table in her cosy New York +apartment, "here is something that will make you sit up and take +notice." + +"My dear Patsy," was the reply, "it's already sitting up I am, an' +taking waffles. If anything at all would make me take notice it's your +own pretty phiz." + +"Major," remarked Uncle John, helping himself to waffles from a fresh +plate Nora brought in, "you Irish are such confirmed flatterers that you +flatter your own daughters. Patsy isn't at all pretty this morning. +She's too red and freckled." + +Patsy laughed and her blue eyes danced. + +"That comes from living on your old farm at Millville," she retorted. +"We've only been back three days, and the sunburn sticks to me like a +burr to a kitten." + +"Pay no attention to the ould rascal, Patsy," advised the Major, +composedly. "An' stop wavin' that letter like a white flag of surrender. +Who's it from?" + +"Kenneth." + +"Aha! An' how is our lad?" + +"Why, he's got himself into a peck of trouble. That's what I want to +talk to you and Uncle John about," she replied, her happy face growing +as serious as it could ever become. + +"Can't he wiggle out?" asked Uncle John. + +"Out of what?" + +"His trouble." + +"It seems not. Listen--" + +"Oh, tell us about it, lassie," said the Major. "If I judge right +there's some sixty pages in that epistle. Don't bother to read it +again." + +"But every word is important," declared Patsy, turning the letter over, +"--except the last page," with a swift flush. + +Uncle John laughed. His shrewd old eyes saw everything. + +"Then read us the last page, my dear." + +"I'll tell you about it," said Patsy, quickly. "It's this way, you see. +Kenneth has gone into politics!" + +"More power to his elbow!" exclaimed the Major. + +"I can't imagine it in Kenneth," said Uncle John, soberly. "What's he in +for?" + +"For--for--let's see. Oh, here it is. For member of the House of +Representatives from the Eighth District." + +"He's flying high, for a fledgling," observed the Major. "But Kenneth's +a bright lad and a big gun in his county. He'll win, hands down." + +Patsy shook her head. + +"He's afraid not," she said, "and it's worrying him to death. He doesn't +like to be beaten, and that's what's troubling him." + +Uncle John pushed back his chair. + +"Poor boy!" he said. "What ever induced him to attempt such a thing?" + +"He wanted to defeat a bad man who now represents Kenneth's district," +explained Patsy, whose wise little head was full of her friend's +difficulties; "and--" + +"And the bad man objects to the idea and won't be defeated," added the +Major. "It's a way these bad men have." + +Uncle John was looking very serious indeed, and Patsy regarded him +gratefully. Her father never would be serious where Kenneth was +concerned. Perhaps in his heart the grizzled old Major was a bit jealous +of the boy. + +"I think," said the girl, "that Mr. Watson got Ken into politics, for he +surely wouldn't have undertaken such a thing himself. And, now he's in, +he finds he's doomed to defeat; and it's breaking his heart, Uncle +John." + +The little man nodded silently. His chubby face was for once destitute +of a smile. That meant a good deal with Uncle John, and Patsy knew she +had interested him in Kenneth's troubles. + +"Once," said the Major, from behind the morning paper, "I was in +politics, meself. I ran for coroner an' got two whole votes--me own an' +the undertaker's. It's because the public's so indiscriminating that +I've not run for anything since--except th' street-car." + +"But it's a big game," said Uncle John, standing at the window with his +hands deep in his pockets; "and an important game. Every good American +should take an interest in politics; and Kenneth, especially, who has +such large landed interests, ought to direct the political affairs of +his district." + +"I'm much interested in politics, too, Uncle," declared the girl. "If I +were a man I'd--I'd--be President!" + +"An' I'd vote fer ye twenty times a day, mavourneen!" cried the Major. +"But luckily ye'll be no president--unless it's of a woman's club." + +"There's the bell!" cried Patsy. "It must be the girls. No one else +would call so early." + +"It's Beth's voice, talking to Nora," added her father, listening; and +then the door flew open and in came two girls whose bright and eager +faces might well warrant the warm welcome they received. + +"Oh, Louise," cried Patsy, "however did you get up so early?" + +"I've got a letter from Kenneth," was the answer, "and I'm so excited I +couldn't wait a minute!" + +"Imagine Louise being excited," said Beth, calmly, as she kissed Uncle +John and sat down by Patsy's side. "She read her letter in bed and +bounced out of bed like a cannon-ball. We dressed like the 'lightning +change' artist at the vaudeville, and I'm sure our hats are not on +straight." + +"This bids fair to be a strenuous day," observed the Major. "Patsy's had +a letter from the boy, herself." + +"Oh, did you?" inquired Louise; "and do you know all about it, dear?" + +"She knows sixty pages about it," replied Major Doyle. + +"Well, then, what's to be done?" + +The question was addressed to Patsy, who was not prepared to reply. The +three cousins first exchanged inquiring glances and then turned their +eager eyes upon the broad chubby back of Uncle John, who maintained his +position at the window as if determined to shut out the morning +sunlight. + +Louise Merrick lived with her mother a few blocks away from Patsy's +apartment, and her cousin Beth DeGraf was staying with her for a time. +They had all spent the summer with Uncle John at Millville, and had only +returned to New York a few days before. Beth's home was in Ohio, but +there was so little sympathy between the girl and her parents that she +was happy only when away from them. Her mother was Uncle John's sister, +but as selfish and cold as Uncle John was generous and genial. Beth's +father was a "genius" and a professor of music--one of those geniuses +who live only in their own atmosphere and forget there is a world around +them. So Beth had a loveless and disappointed childhood, and only after +Uncle John arrived from the far west and took his three nieces "under +his wing," as he said, did her life assume any brightness or interest. + +Her new surroundings, however, had developed Beth's character +wonderfully, and although she still had her periods of sullen depression +she was generally as gay and lovable as her two cousins, but in a +quieter and more self-possessed way. + +Louise was the eldest--a fair, dainty creature with that indescribable +"air" which invariably wins the admiring regard of all beholders. +Whatever gown the girl wore looked appropriate and becoming, and her +manner was as delightful as her appearance. She was somewhat frivolous +and designing in character, but warm-hearted and staunch in her +friendships. Indeed, Louise was one of those girls who are so complex as +to be a puzzle to everyone, including themselves. + +Beth DeGraf was the beauty of the group of three, and she also possessed +great depth of character. Beth did not like herself very well, and was +always afraid others would fail to like her, so she did not win friends +as easily as did Louise. But those who knew the beautiful girl +intimately could read much to admire in the depth of her great dark +eyes, and she was not the least interesting of the three nieces whose +fortunes had been so greatly influenced by Aunt Jane and Uncle John +Merrick. + +But Patricia Doyle--usually called "Patsy" by her friends--was after all +the general favorite with strangers and friends alike. There was a +subtle magnetism about the girl's laughing, freckled face and dancing +blue eyes that could not well be resisted. Patsy was not beautiful; she +was not accomplished; she had no especial air of distinction. But she +was winning from the top of her red hair to the tips of her toes, and so +absolutely unaffected that she won all hearts. + +"And for wisdom she's got Solomon beat to a frazzle," declared the Major +to Uncle John, in discussing his daughter's character. But it is +possible that Major Doyle was prejudiced. + +"Well, what's to be done?" demanded Louise, for the second time. + +"We don't vote in Ken's district," remarked the Major, "or there would +be six votes to his credit, and that would beat my own record by four!" + +"Ken is so impressionable that I'm afraid this defeat will ruin his +life," said Beth, softly. "I wish we could get him away. Couldn't we get +him to withdraw?" + +"He might be suddenly called to Europe," suggested Louise. "That would +take him away from the place and give him a change of scene." + +Patsy shook her head. + +"Kenneth isn't a coward," she said. "He won't run away. He must accept +his defeat like a man, and some time try again. Eh, Uncle John?" + +Uncle John turned around and regarded his three nieces critically. + +"What makes you think he will be defeated?" he asked. + +"He says so himself," answered Patsy. + +"He writes me he can see no hope, for the people are all against him," +added Louise. + +"Pah!" said Uncle John, contemptuously. "What else does the idiot say?" + +"That he's lonely and discouraged, and had to pour out his heart to some +one or go wild," said Patsy, the tears of sympathy filling her eyes. + +"And you girls propose to sit down and allow all this?" inquired their +uncle sternly. + +"We?" answered Louise, lifting her brows and making a pretty gesture. +"What can we do?" + +"Go to work!" said Uncle John. + +"How?" asked Patsy, eagerly. + +"Politics is a game," declared Mr. Merrick. "It's never won until the +last card is played. And success doesn't lie so much in the cards as the +way you play 'em. Here are three girls with plenty of shrewdness and +energy. Why don't you take a hand in the game and win it?" + +"Oh, Uncle John!" + +The proposition was certainly disconcerting at first. + +"Yes, yes!" laughed the Major, derisively. "Put on some blue stockings, +read the history of woman's suffrage, cultivate a liking for depraved +eggs, and then face Kenneth's enraged constituents!" + +"I shouldn't mind, daddy, if it would help Kenneth any," declared Patsy, +stoutly. + +"Go on, Uncle John," said Beth, encouragingly. + +"Women in politics," observed their uncle, "have often been a tremendous +power. You won't need to humiliate yourselves, my dears. All you'll need +to do is to exercise your wits and work earnestly for the cause. There +are a hundred ways to do that." + +"Mention a few," proposed the Major. + +"I will when I get to Elmhurst and look over the ground," answered Uncle +John. + +"You're going on, then?" + +"Yes." + +"I'll go with you," said Patsy promptly. + +"So will I," said Beth. "Kenneth needs moral encouragement and support +as much as anything else, just now." + +"He's imagining all sorts of horrors and making himself miserable," said +Louise. "Let's all go, Uncle, and try to cheer him up." + +By this time Uncle John was smiling genially. + +"Why, I was sure of you, my dears, from the first," he said. "The +Major's an old croaker, but he'd go, too, if it were not necessary for +him to stay in New York and attend to business. But we mustn't lose any +time, if we're going to direct the politics of the Eighth District +Election the eighth of November." + +"I can go any time, and so can Beth," said Louise. + +"All I need is the blue stockings," laughed Patsy. + +"It won't be play. This means work," said Uncle John seriously. + +"Well, I believe we're capable of a certain amount of work," replied +Beth. "Aren't we, girls?" + +"We are!" + +"All right," said Mr. Merrick. "I'll go and look up the next train. Go +home, Louise, and pack up. I'll telephone you." + +"That bad man 'd better look out," chuckled the Major. "He doesn't +suspect that an army of invasion is coming." + +"Daddy," cried Patsy, "you hush up. We mean business." + +"If you win," said the Major, "I'll run for alderman on a petticoat +platform, and hire your services." + + + + +CHAPTER II + +THE ARTIST + + +To most people the great rambling mansion at Elmhurst, with its ample +grounds and profusion of flowers and shrubbery, would afford endless +delight. But Kenneth Forbes, the youthful proprietor, was at times +dreadfully bored by the loneliness of it all, though no one could better +have appreciated the beauties of his fine estate. + +The town, an insignificant village, was five miles distant, and +surrounding the mansion were many broad acres which rather isolated it +from its neighbors. Moreover, Elmhurst was the one important estate in +the county, and the simple, hard-working farmers in its vicinity +considered, justly enough, that the owner was wholly out of their class. + +This was not the owner's fault, and Kenneth had brooded upon the matter +until he had come to regard it as a distinct misfortune. For it isolated +him and deprived him of any social intercourse with his neighbors. + +The boy had come to live at Elmhurst when he was a mere child, but only +as a dependent upon the charities of Aunt Jane, who had accepted the +charge of the orphan because he was a nephew of her dead lover, who had +bequeathed her his estate of Elmhurst. Aunt Jane was Kenneth's aunt +merely in name, since she had never even married the uncle to whom she +had been betrothed, and who had been killed in an accident before the +boy was born. + +She was an irritable old woman, as Kenneth knew her, and had never shown +him any love or consideration. He grew up in a secluded corner of the +great house, tended merely by servants and suffered to play in those +quarters of the ample grounds which Aunt Jane did not herself visit. The +neglect which Kenneth had suffered and his lonely life had influenced +the youth's temperament, and he was far from being an agreeable +companion at the time Aunt Jane summoned her three nieces to Elmhurst in +order to choose one of them as her heiress. These girls, bright, cheery +and wholesome as they were, penetrated the boy's reserve and drew him +out of his misanthropic moods. They discovered that he had remarkable +talent as an artist, and encouraged him to draw and paint, something he +had long loved to do in secret. + +Then came the great surprise of the boy's life, which changed his +condition from one of dependency into affluence. Aunt Jane died and it +was discovered that she had no right to transfer the estate to one of +her nieces, because by the terms of his uncle's deed to her the property +reverted on her death to Kenneth himself. Louise Merrick, Beth DeGraf +and Patsy Doyle, the three nieces, were really glad that the boy +inherited Elmhurst, and returned to their eastern homes with the most +cordial friendship existing between them all. + +Kenneth was left the master of Elmhurst and possessor of considerable +wealth besides, and at first he could scarcely realize his good fortune +or decide how to take advantage of it. He had one good and helpful +friend, an old lawyer named Watson, who had not only been a friend of +his uncle, and the confidant of Aunt Jane for years, but had taken an +interest in the lonely boy and had done his best to make his life +brighter and happier. + +When Kenneth became a landed proprietor Mr. Watson was appointed his +guardian, and the genial old lawyer abandoned the practice of law and +henceforth devoted himself to his ward's welfare and service. + +They made a trip to Europe together, where Kenneth studied the pictures +of the old masters and obtained instruction from some of the foremost +living artists of the old world. + +It was while they were abroad, a year before the time of this story, +that the boy met Aunt Jane's three nieces again. They were "doing" +Europe in company with a wealthy bachelor uncle, John Merrick, a +generous, kind-hearted and simple-minded old gentleman who had taken the +girls "under his wing," as he expressed it, and had really provided for +their worldly welfare better than Aunt Jane, his sister, could have +done. + +This "Uncle John" was indeed a whimsical character, as the reader will +presently perceive. Becoming a millionaire "against his will," as he +declared, he had learned to know his nieces late in life, and found in +their society so much to enjoy that he was now wholly devoted to their +interests. His one friend was Major Doyle, Patsy's father, a dignified +but agreeable old Irish gentleman who amused Uncle John nearly as much +as the girls delighted him. The Major managed John Merrick's financial +affairs, leaving the old millionaire free to do as he pleased. + +So he took the girls to Europe, and the four had a fine, adventurous +trip, as may be imagined. Kenneth and Mr. Watson met them in Sicily, and +afterward in the Italian cities, and the friendship already existing +between the young people was more firmly cemented than before. + +In the spring Kenneth returned with his guardian to Elmhurst, where he +devoted himself largely to painting from the sketches he had made +abroad, while Mr. Watson sat beside him comfortably smoking his pipe and +reading his favorite authors. The elder man was contented enough in his +condition, but the boy grew restless and impatient, and longed for +social intercourse. His nature was moody and he had a tendency to brood +if left much to himself. + +Uncle John had carried his nieces to a farm at Millville, in the +Adirondack region, for the summer, so that Kenneth heard but seldom from +his friends. + +Such was the disposition of the characters when our story opens. + +Kenneth Forbes, although I have called him a boy, had attained his +majority on the fifteenth day of May. At this time Mr. Watson rendered +his accounts and turned over the estate to its owner. He would then have +retired, but Kenneth would not let him go. Twenty-one years of age +sounds mature, but the owner of Elmhurst was as boyish and inexperienced +as it is possible for one twenty-one years old to be. He had grown +accustomed, moreover, to depend much on Mr. Watson's legal acumen in the +management of his affairs, and would have been embarrassed and +bewildered if obliged to shoulder the burden all at once. + +The lawyer, who had always had an affection for the young man, perceived +this clearly; so an arrangement was made that he should remain with his +young friend indefinitely and strive to teach him such elements of +business as would enable him in time to attend to his extensive +interests understandingly and wisely. + +The country around Elmhurst is thickly settled with agriculturists, for +the farms are rich and productive in that part of the state. But it is +not a flat country, and Nature has given it many pretty woodland glades +and rocky glens to add to its charm. + +From the hill country at the west came several rushing streams which +tumbled along rocky paths to the river nine miles below Elmhurst, and +there are scenes along these routes that might well delight the eye of +an artist. Kenneth had often wandered into these out-of-the-way places +when a half-forgotten, neglected lad, but had not visited them for +years. Now, however, with the spirit of loneliness upon him, he suddenly +thought of a glen that would make an interesting study for a picture; so +one morning he mounted his horse and rode away to pay the place a +preliminary visit. + +The farmers along the road nodded at the young fellow good-naturedly as +he passed them. Everyone knew him well by sight, yet Kenneth could not +have named many of his neighbors, having held little intercourse with +them. It struck him, this morning, that they had little cause to be +interested in him. He had been an unsociable lad, and since he had +become master of Elmhurst had done little to cultivate acquaintance with +the people who lived around him. + +One reason for this was that they held little in common with him. The +neighboring farmers were honest, thrifty souls, and among them were many +both shrewd and thoughtful; but they naturally would not force +themselves upon the society of the one really rich man in their +community, especially as that man had shown no desire to know them. + +Kenneth was the subject of much speculation among them, and opinions +widely differed concerning his character. Some called him a "prig" and +declared that he was "stuck up" and conceited. Others said he was a +"namby-pamby" without brains or wit. But there were a few who had +occasionally talked with the boy, who understood him better, and hinted +that he might develop into "quite a man" in time. + +Kenneth surprised himself this morning by greeting several of his +neighbors with unusual cordiality. He even stopped a man who was driving +along the highway to inquire about his horse, which he perceived was +very lame. The boy knew something about horses and suggested a method of +treatment that he thought would help the nag; a suggestion the farmer +received with real gratitude. + +This simple incident cheered Kenneth more than you might suppose, and he +was actually whistling as he rode through the glen, where the country +road wound its way beside the noisy, rushing stream. + +Pausing in front of the picturesque "table rock" that he had come to +inspect, the boy uttered an exclamation of chagrin and disappointment. +Painted broadly upon the face of the rock, in great white letters, was +the advertisement of a patent medicine. The beauty of the scene was +ruined--only the glaring advertisement caught and held the eye of the +observer. + +At first Kenneth's mind held only a feeling of disgust that such a +desecration of Nature's gifts to humanity should be allowed. Then he +remembered another place further along the glen which was almost as +pretty as this had been before the defiling brush of the advertiser had +ruined it. So he spurred his horse and rode up the winding way to the +spot. There a red-lettered announcement of "Simpson's Soap" stared him +in the face. + +This was too much for his temper, and his disappointment quickly turned +to resentment. While he sat on his mare, considering the matter, the man +with the lame horse, whom he had passed, overtook him. + +"Can you tell me," Kenneth asked, "who owns this property?" + +"Why, I do," replied the man, reining up. + +"And you permitted these vile signs to be painted on the rocks?" +demanded the boy angrily. + +"O' course," replied the man, with a grin of amusement. "I can't farm +the rocks, can I? An' these 'ere signs pays me ten dollars a year, +each." + +Kenneth groaned. + +"I'll give you fifteen dollars a year each if you'll let me wash off the +letters and restore the scene to its original beauty," he declared. + +"I'm willin'," was the response. "But ye see they're contracted. I'd git +into trouble with the sign-painter." + +"Who is he?" + +"Lives in Cleveland. I've got his name up t' th' house, if you'll come +along. He comes up here every spring and paints fences an' rocks, payin' +spot cash fer th' privilege." + +"Oh, I see." + +"Then he contracts with the soap man an' the medicine man to paint up +their ads. You're the young 'un from Elmhurst, ain't ye?" + +"Yes." + +"Well, I'd like to earn that extra five, well enough. My name's Parsons. +I've got three signs let on my property in the glen. Ef ye'll jest ride +up t' the house I'll giv' ye the feller's name." + +"All right. Come along," said Kenneth, with sudden resolve. + +The farmer rode a time in silent thought. He could not go fast, for the +beast was very lame. Finally he remarked: + +"Ef ye buy up the sign painters, so's ye can wash off the letters, like +enough ye'll hev to pay him fer th' paint an' paintin', too." + +"I don't mind," was the response. + +The farmer chuckled. Here was an interesting adventure, for a fact. What +on earth could possess the "young 'un" from Elmhurst to object to signs, +and be willing to pay for having them erased? + +"Like enough ye'll hev to pay back the money the soap an' medicine men +guv th' painter, too," he hazarded. + +"Like enough," said Kenneth, grimly. + +One of his stubborn moods had seized him. At all hazards he was resolved +to eliminate those ugly signs. + +He got the name of the sign painter, accepted a glass of buttermilk at +the farm house, and then rode slowly home by another route, so that he +might not have to face the signs again. + +But on this route he saw even more. They were painted on the fences and +barns as he passed along. He scowled at each one, but they did not +appear to him quite so inharmonious as those which marred the more +picturesque and retired spots which were his favorite haunts. + + + + +CHAPTER III + +DON QUIXOTE + + +When Kenneth got home he told Mr. Watson of his discovery and asked the +old gentleman to write to the sign painter and find out what could be +done. The lawyer laughed heartily at his young friend's whim, but agreed +to help him. + +"If you are going to try to prevent rural advertising," he remarked, +"you'll find your hands full." + +Kenneth looked up smiling. + +"Thank you," he said. + +"For what?" + +"For finding me something to do. I'm sick of this inaction." + +Again the lawyer laughed. + +"What is your idea?" he asked. + +"To remove such eyesores as advertising signs from the neighborhood of +Elmhurst." + +"It's a Titan's task, Ken." + +"So much the better." + +The lawyer grew thoughtful. + +"I believe it's impossible," he ventured. + +"Better yet. I don't say I'll succeed, but I promise to try. I want +something to occupy myself--something really difficult, so that I may +test my own powers." + +"But, my dear boy! This foolish proposition isn't worthy your effort. If +you want to be up and doing we'll find something else to occupy your +mind." + +"No, Mr. Watson; I'm set on this. It's a crime to allow these signs to +flaunt themselves in our prettiest scenes. My instinct revolts at the +desecration. Besides, no one else seems to have undertaken the task of +exterminating them." + +"True enough. If you're serious, Ken, I'll frankly say the thing can't +be done. You may, perhaps, buy the privilege of maintaining the rocks of +the glen free from advertising; but the advertisers will paint more +signs on all the approaches, and you won't have gained much." + +"I'll drive every advertising sign out of this country." + +"Impossible. The great corporations who control these industries make +their fortunes by this style of advertising. The rural districts are +their strongholds. And they must advertise or they can't sell their +products." + +"Let them advertise in decent ways, then. What right has any soap maker +to flaunt his wares in my face, whether I'm interested in them or not?" + +"The right of custom. People have submitted to these things so long that +the manufacturers consider themselves justified in covering every barn, +rock and fence with their signs. I see no way to stop them." + +"Nor I, at present. But there must be a way." + +"Drive out one, and another will take his place. They pay liberally for +locations--" + +"Pshaw! Ten dollars a year for a rock as big as a barn!" + +"But they rent thousands of such positions, and in the aggregate our +farmers get large sums from them." + +"And ruin the appearance of their homes and farms." + +Mr. Watson smiled. + +"They're not artists, Ken. They can't realize on appearances, but they +can use the money the signs bring them." + +"They need to be educated, that's all. These farmers seem very honest, +decent fellows." + +"They are, Ken. I wish you knew them better." + +"So do I, Mr. Watson. This campaign ought to bring us closer together, +for I mean to get them to help me." + +"You'll have to buy them, I'm afraid." + +"Not all of them. There must be some refinement among them." + +But the lawyer was not convinced. However, it was not his desire to +stifle this new-born enthusiasm of Kenneth's, even though he believed it +misdirected. He wanted the young man to rouse himself and take an +interest in life, and if his antagonism to advertising signs would +effect this, the futile fight against them was to be welcomed. It would +cost the boy something, but he would gain his money's worth in +experience. + +After a few days the sign painter answered the letter. He would +relinquish the three signs in the glen for a payment of fifty dollars +each, with the understanding that no other competing signs were to take +their place. Kenneth promptly mailed a check for the amount demanded and +early next morning started for the glen with what he called his +"eliminators." + +These "eliminators" consisted of two men with cans of turpentine and +gasoline and an equipment of scrubbing brushes. Parsons, the farmer, +came over to watch this novel proceeding, happy in the possession of +three crisp five-dollar notes given in accordance with the agreement +made with him. All day the two men scrubbed the rocks faithfully, +assisted at odd times by their impatient employer; but the thick +splashes of paint clung desperately to the rugged surface of the rock, +and the task was a hard one. When evening came the letters had almost +disappeared when viewed closely; but when Kenneth rode to the mouth of +the glen on his way home and paused to look back, he could see the +injunction "Take Smith's Liver Pills" staring at him, in grim defiance +of the scrubbing brushes. + +But his energy was not exhausted. No one ever knew what it cost in labor +and material to erase those three signs; but after ten days they had +vanished completely, and the boy heaved a sigh of satisfaction and +turned his attention to extending the campaign. + +On the farm nearest to Elmhurst at the north, which belonged to a man +named Webb, was a barn, facing the road, that displayed on its side a +tobacco sign. Kenneth interviewed Mr. Webb and found that he received no +money for the sign; but the man contended that the paint preserved his +barn from the weather on that side. So Kenneth agreed to repaint the +entire barn for him, and actually had the work done. As it took many +coats of paint to blot out the sign it was rather a expensive operation. + +By this time the campaign of the youthful proprietor of Elmhurst against +advertising signs began to be talked of throughout the county, and was +the subject of much merriment among the farmers. Some of them were +intelligent enough to admire the young Quixote, and acknowledged frankly +that it was a pity to decorate their premises with signs of patent +medicines and questionable soaps. + +But the majority of them sneered at the champion, and many refused +point-blank to consider any proposition to discard the advertisements. +Indeed, some were proud of them, and believed it a mark of distinction +to have their fences and sheds announce an eye-remedy or several +varieties of pickles. + +Mr. Watson, at first an amused observer of the campaign, soon became +indignant at the way that Kenneth was ridiculed and reviled; and he took +a hand in the fight himself. He decided to call a meeting of the +neighboring farmers at the district school-house on Saturday night, +where Kenneth could address them with logical arguments and endeavor to +win them over to his way of thinking. + +The invitation was promptly accepted by the rural population; not so +much because they were interested in the novel ideas of the young artist +as because they expected to be amused by hearing the boyish master of +Elmhurst "lecture at 'em." So they filled the little room to +overflowing, and to add to the dignity of the proceedings the Hon. +Erastus Hopkins, State Representative for the district, lent his +presence to the assemblage. + +Not that the Honorable Erastus cared a fig about this foolish talk of +exterminating advertising signs. He was himself a large stockholder in a +breakfast-food factory, which painted signs wherever it could secure +space. These signs were not works of art, but they were distinctly +helpful to business, and only a fool, in the opinion of the Honorable +Erastus, would protest against the inevitable. + +What brought the legislator to the meeting was the fact that he was +coming forward for re-election in November, and believed that this +afforded a good chance to meet some of his constituents and make a +favorable impression. So he came early and shook hands with everyone +that arrived, and afterward took as prominent a seat as possible. + +Indeed, the gathering had at first the appearance of being a political +one, so entirely did the Representative dominate it. But Mr. Watson took +the platform and shyly introduced the speaker of the evening. + +The farmers all knew Mr. Watson, and liked him; so when Kenneth rose +they prepared to listen in respectful silence. + +Usually a young man making his maiden speech is somewhat diffident; but +young Forbes was so thoroughly in earnest and so indignant at the +opposition that his plans had encountered that he forgot that it was his +first public speech and thought only of impressing his hearers with his +views, exulting in the fact that on this occasion they could not "talk +back," as they usually did in private when he tried to argue with them. +So he exhorted them earnestly to keep their homes beautiful and free +from the degradation of advertising, and never to permit glaring +commercialism to mar the scenery around them. He told them what he had +been able to accomplish by himself, in a short time; how he had redeemed +the glen from its disgraceful condition and restored it to its former +beauty. He asked them to observe Webb's pretty homestead, no longer +marred by the unsightly sign upon the barn. And then he appealed to them +to help him in driving all the advertising signs out of the community. + +When he ended they applauded his speech mildly; but it was chiefly for +the reason that he had spoken so forcibly and well. + +Then the Honorable Erastus Hopkins, quick to catch the lack of sympathy +in the audience, stood up and begged leave to reply to young Forbes. + +He said the objection to advertising signs was only a rich man's +aristocratic hobby, and that it could not be indulged in a democratic +community of honest people. His own firm, he said, bought thousands of +bushels of oats from the farmers and converted them into the celebrated +Eagle-Eye Breakfast Food, three packages for a quarter. They sold this +breakfast food to thousands of farmers, to give them health and strength +to harvest another crop of oats. Thus he "benefited the community going +and coming." What! Should he not advertise this mutual-benefit commodity +wherever he pleased, and especially among the farmers? What aristocratic +notion could prevent him? It was a mighty good thing for the farmers to +be reminded, by means of the signs on their barns and fences, of the +things they needed in daily life. + +If the young man at Elmhurst would like to be of public service he might +find some better way to do so than by advancing such crazy ideas. But +this, continued the Representative, was a subject of small importance. +What he wished especially to call their attention to was the fact that +he had served the district faithfully as Representative, and deserved +their suffrages for renomination. And then he began to discuss political +questions in general and his own merits in particular, so that Kenneth +and Mr. Watson, disgusted at the way in which the Honorable Erastus had +captured the meeting, left the school-house and indignantly returned to +Elmhurst. + +"This man Hopkins," said Mr. Watson, angrily, "is not a gentleman. He's +an impertinent meddler." + +"He ruined any good effect my speech might have created," said Kenneth, +gloomily. + +"Give it up, my boy," advised the elder man, laying a kindly hand on the +youth's shoulder. "It really isn't worth the struggle." + +"But I can't give it up and acknowledge myself beaten," protested +Kenneth, almost ready to weep with disappointment. + +"Well, well, let's think it over, Ken, and see what can be done. Perhaps +that rascally Hopkins was right when he advised you to find some other +way to serve the community." + +"I can't do better than to make it clean--to do away with these +disreputable signs," said the boy, stubbornly. + +"You made a fine speech," declared Mr. Watson, gravely puffing his pipe. +"I am very proud of you, my lad." + +Kenneth flushed red. He was by nature shy and retiring to a degree. Only +his pent-up enthusiasm had carried him through the ordeal, and now that +it was over he was chagrined to think that the speech had been so +ineffective. He was modest enough to believe that another speaker might +have done better. + + + + +CHAPTER IV + +KENNETH TAKES A BOLD STEP + + +"This man Hopkins gets on my nerves," said Mr. Watson, a week or two +after the eventful meeting in the school-house. He was at the breakfast +table opposite Kenneth, and held up a big, glaring post-card which was +in his mail. + +"What is it now?" asked the boy, rousing himself from a fit of +abstraction. + +"An announcement offering himself for renomination at the primaries. +It's like a circus advertisement. Isn't it a shame to think that modern +politics has descended to such a level in our free and enlightened +republic?" + +Kenneth nodded, stirring his coffee thoughtfully. He had lost his spirit +and enthusiasm since the meeting, and was fast relapsing into his old +state of apathy and boredom. It grieved Mr. Watson to note this. + +"Hopkins isn't fit to be the Representative for this district," observed +the old gentleman, with sudden energy. + +The boy looked at him. + +"Who is Hopkins?" he asked. + +"His mother once kept a stationery shop in town, and he was stable boy +at the hotel. But he was shrewd and prospered, and when he grew up +became a county-clerk or tax-collector; then an assessor, and finally he +ran last term for State Representative from this district and was +elected by a mighty small majority." + +"Why small?" asked Kenneth. + +"Because he's a Democrat, and the district is strongly Republican. But +Thompson ran against him on the Republican ticket and couldn't win his +party vote." + +"Who's Thompson?" + +"The general store keeper. He has a reputation for short weights and +measures." + +The boy sipped his coffee thoughtfully. + +"Tell me, sir; how did you happen to know all this?" he asked. + +"I've been looking up Hopkins's record. I have disliked the man ever +since he treated us so shabbily on the night of the meeting." + +"Never mind him. We've done with him." + +Mr. Watson shifted uneasily in his chair. + +"I wonder if we have?" he said. + +"Why not, sir?" + +"Well, Kenneth, we have to reside at Elmhurst, which is Hopkins's +district. Also I believe Elmhurst to be the most important estate in the +district, and you to be the largest taxpayer. This man wishes to go to +the State Legislature and make laws for you to obey." + +"Well?" + +"Well, it's our duty to watch him. If he isn't a fit man it's our duty +to prevent him from representing us." + +The young man nodded somewhat dreamily. + +"Some of these country yokels must represent us," he observed. "It +doesn't matter much whether it's Hopkins or someone else." + +"Except that you, being a prominent man, owe it to the community to +protect its interests," added the lawyer. + +"Do you want me to mix in these petty politics?" asked the boy, +irritably. + +"Oh, do as you like, my boy. If you can shirk your duties with a clear +conscience, I've nothing to say." + +For a time the young man was silent. Finally he asked: + +"Why isn't Hopkins a good Representative?" + +"He's what is called a 'grafter'; a term signifying that he is willing +to vote for any measure that he is paid to vote for, whether it benefits +his constituents or not." + +"Oh. Is he singular in this?" + +"By no means. The 'grafter' is all too common in politics." + +Again the boy fell into a thoughtful mood. + +"Mr. Watson, am I a Democrat or a Republican?" + +The old gentleman laughed outright. + +"Don't you know, Ken?" + +"No, sir, I haven't asked myself before." + +"Then I advise you to be a Republican." + +"Why?" + +"Because Hopkins is a Democrat, and we may then fight him openly." + +"What is the difference, sir, between the two parties?" + +"There is no difference of importance. All Americans are loyal citizens, +whichever side they adopt in politics. But the two parties are the +positive and negative poles that provide the current of electricity for +our nation, and keep it going properly. Also they safeguard our +interests by watching one another." + +"What is your preference, sir?" + +"I've always been a Republican, whenever I dabbled in politics, which +hasn't been often." + +"Then I will be a Republican." + +"Very good." + +"I am sorry to say that I know nothing about politics and have no +convictions on the subject. Who is to oppose the Honorable Erastus on +the--on _our_ side?" + +"I don't know yet. The primaries for the nomination are not to be held +for two weeks, and the Republican candidates seem shy about coming +forward." + +"Didn't you say the district was Republican?" + +"Yes; but since Hopkins defeated them last term they seem to be +terrified, and no one likes to offer himself as a possible sacrifice." + +"That feeling will probably elect Mr. Hopkins," declared Kenneth, with +conviction. + +"Unless--" + +"Unless what, sir?" + +"Unless we come to the rescue of the Republicans and take a hand in +local politics ourselves, my lad." + +Kenneth pushed back his chair and rose from the table. He walked to the +window and stood there whistling for a few moments, and then left the +room without a word. + +For a time Mr. Watson sat silently musing. + +"Perhaps I'm inviting trouble," he murmured; "but I am sure I am doing +right. The boy needs a good shaking up and more knowledge of his +fellow-men. If I can get Kenneth interested, this plan of mine will be +of great benefit to him." + +Then he, too, left the breakfast table, and wandering into the garden +saw Kenneth busy at his easel in a shady corner. + +For a day or so the, subject was not resumed, and then Mr. Watson +casually introduced it. + +"A law could be passed in the State Legislature forbidding the display +of all advertising signs in public places in this county," he suggested. + +The boy looked at him eagerly. + +"Are you sure?" he asked. + +"I am positive," was the answer. "It is merely a question of privilege." + +"And you think we might hire Hopkins to pass such a law?" + +"No; we couldn't trust him." + +"Then what do you propose?" + +"I'll think it over, my lad, and let you know." + +Then he walked away, leaving Kenneth much pleased with the idea he had +advanced. Indeed, he was so much interested in the suggestion that he +himself referred to the subject at the first opportunity. + +"I don't like to be beaten, sir, once I've undertaken to do a thing," he +said. "So if such a law can be passed I'll do all I can to elect the man +who will pass it." + +"I thought as much," the old lawyer replied, smiling. "But there's only +one man who could go to the legislature with enough influence to win the +votes to carry such a unique measure through." + +"And who is that, sir?" + +"Kenneth Forbes, the owner of Elmhurst, and the largest taxpayer in the +county." + +"Me, sir?" + +"You're the man." + +"A State Representative?" + +"It's an honorable office. It's an important office, properly filled. +You might not only beautify your district by having those objectionable +signs prohibited, but do many other things to better the condition of +the farmers. And that isn't all." + +"What's the rest, Mr. Watson?" + +"You owe something to yourself, lad. All your young life you've been too +self-contained and exclusive in your habits. 'The noblest study of +mankind is man.' It would broaden you to go into politics for a time, +and do much to develop your character and relieve the monotony of your +existence." + +Kenneth frowned. + +"It won't be easy, you know. It'll be a fight, and a hard one, for +Hopkins won't give up his job if he can help it." + +The boy brightened again. + +"I like a good fight," he said, wistfully. "If I thought--if I believed +I could fill the position with credit--I might undertake it." + +"I'll answer for that," retorted the old man, highly pleased with his +easy victory. "You win the fight, Ken, and I'll guarantee you'll +outclass the majority of your fellow Representatives. It's a good state, +too." + +So the thing was undertaken, and both the young man and the old threw +themselves into the contest with energy and determination. + +Mr. Watson rode in his buggy all over their district during the next +fortnight, and interviewed the farmers and townsmen of the legislative +district. When it became noised about that the young owner of Elmhurst, +now barely twenty-one, had determined to enter politics, and asked for +the nomination of Representative, no other Republican ventured to oppose +him. + +It was understood to mean a hard fight, and even the most sturdy +Republican was inclined to fear that the present incumbent of the office +would be elected to succeed himself. + +So the primaries were held and Kenneth attended and made a speech, and +was warmly applauded. His nomination was a matter of course, and he went +home the unanimous choice of his party, because none of the older and +more discreet politicians ventured to risk defeat. + +The Hon. Erastus Hopkins well knew this feeling, and smiled in his +pompous and most sardonic manner when he learned who was his opponent. +Having conquered an old and tried Republican warrior in the last +campaign, he had no fears in regard to this mere boy, who could know +little of political intrigue. + +"He won't put up enough of a fight to make it interesting, I'm afraid," +Mr. Hopkins confided to his cronies. + +But he didn't intend to take chances, so he began the campaign with his +usual vigor. + +It was now the middle of September, and the election was to be early in +November. + + + + +CHAPTER V + +PLANNING THE WORK + + +The Honorable Erastus Hopkins was thoroughly enjoying his campaign. + +He was not an especially popular man in his district, and he knew it. +Physically he was big and stout, with a florid face and small eyes that +blinked continually. His head was bald, his hands fat and red and his +feet enormous. + +To offset this Mr. Hopkins wore a silk hat and a "Prince Albert" coat +morning, noon and night. His gold watch-chain was huge and imposing; he +had a big diamond shirt-stud, and upon his puffy fingers several rings. +He conveyed, nevertheless, the impression that he was more prosperous +than refined, and the farmers and townsmen were as quick to recognize +this as was Mr. Watson himself. + +Moreover, the Honorable Erastus was dubbed "close-fisted" by his +neighbors. He never spent a penny on anyone but himself, and being +unscrupulous in politics he was naturally unscrupulous in smaller things +of a business nature. But since he had risen from a stable-boy to his +present affluent position he had never been unwise or careless enough to +be caught in any crooked action; and while his acquaintances had an +indefinite fear of dealing with him they could not accuse him openly. + +It seems strange that such a man should have been chosen to represent a +wealthy and important district in the State Legislature, but politics +can show many a similar case. In the first place, Mr. Hopkins was +aggressive, and knew political methods thoroughly. He had usurped the +position of Democratic leader in his community and the others were +afraid to antagonize him openly. When he was nominated for +Representative he managed to dictate, by shrewd methods, the nomination +of Thompson, the store-keeper, on the Republican ticket. Thompson owed +Hopkins a large sum of money and Hopkins held a mortgage on the stock. +Therefore Thompson dared not make a fight, and although the Republican +vote was normally the largest in the district, Hopkins had managed to +win enough of them to his side to win. + +He had been a little anxious about his renomination, because he knew +that he had not represented his district very satisfactorily; but when +Kenneth Forbes received the nomination on the Republican ticket he felt +that "all was over but the shouting" and that he would "win in a walk." +Had it been an issue between the personality of the two men, Hopkins +would have had little chance of success; but young Forbes had already +raised another issue by his anti-sign speech at the school-house, and +Hopkins intended to force that issue and so defeat Kenneth because of +the ridicule the latter's position had already brought upon him. + +He began to circulate humorous stories about Kenneth's antipathy to +sign-boards, saying that the young man demanded that the signs be taken +off the Zodiac, and that he wouldn't buy goods of the village grocer +because the man had a sign out. + +Mr. Hopkins also printed thousands of large hand-bills reading "The +Signs of the Times vs. Aristocratic Snobbery. Vote for the Hon. Erastus +Hopkins, the man who believes in advertising." + +These things had their effect upon all classes of people. There were +many good-natured laughs at young Forbes's expense. All this was soon +realized at Elmhurst, and had the effect of plunging the youthful +aspirant for political honors into the depths of despair. The campaign +was hot against him, but Kenneth made no defense. + +At this juncture, with election but three weeks away, he received a +telegram asking him to send the drag and baggage wagon to the noon +train. It was signed by John Merrick, and the boy was overjoyed at the +prospect of seeing his jolly old friend again. And the girls? Well, some +of them surely must be coming, or Uncle John wouldn't have asked for the +drag. + +"Now then, the election can go to blazes," said Kenneth, cheerfully, to +Mr. Watson. "The sight of some friendly faces will be a great relief." + +The old lawyer sighed. His attempt to "wake up" Kenneth had resulted in +failure, mainly because the boy had become discouraged so early in the +game. Kenneth felt keenly the humiliating experiences he had passed +through, and had sunk back into his old moody reserve. + +But here was a welcome diversion. The visitors, whoever they might prove +to be, would afford relief to the situation and brighten the dullness of +life at the big house. So both Kenneth and Mr. Watson were with the drag +at the station when the noon train drew in. + +And there were Patsy Doyle, Beth DeGraf, and Louise Merrick, a bevy of +dainty and sprightly girls, alighting eagerly from the coaches, with +Uncle John handing out the grips and packages and giving the checks for +the baggage, with business-like celerity, to Thomas the groom. + +"We've come for a visit, Ken!" cried Palsy, laughing at his eager +delight. "Are you glad to see us, boy? And do you suppose old Martha has +our rooms aired?" + +"And it's a long visit, too," added Uncle John, "as you'll believe when +you see the pile of baggage. You'd think these minxes were prepared for +a tour of the world. Each one of 'em brought a carload of clothes." + +But they couldn't phase Kenneth in that way. His sensitive face had not +beamed with so much animation for months. + +The guests were helped into the tall drag and merrily they drove the +five miles to Elmhurst, not a word of politics being spoken on the way. + +The girls had not been to the house since Aunt Jane's death, two years +ago, and after a hasty luncheon they began an inspection of every room, +as well as the garden, grounds and stables. The horses, cows, pig and +chickens were alike inspected, the roses and dahlias visited and +admired, and after all this they returned to their rooms with old +Martha, the housekeeper, and proceeded to unpack their trunks and get +settled. Kenneth had been their guide and companion in these various +explorations, but when the girls went to their rooms he wandered into +the library where Uncle John and Mr. Watson had been having a quiet talk +over their pipes of tobacco. They welcomed the young man, but adroitly +turned the topic of conversation, and again the subject of was rejoined. + +It was a merry dinner party that graced the table during dinner that +evening, and the boy forgot his troubles and was as jolly and sociable +as he had ever been in his life. + +But when they were all assembled in the long living room where they +grouped themselves around the fireplace, a sudden change took place in +the demeanor of the young ladies. Patsy, the delegated leader, looked +gravely at the boy and asked: + +"How goes the campaign, Ken?" + +"Wh--what campaign?" he stammered, to gain time. + +"Why, this election business. Tell us about it," said Patsy. + +"Some other time, girls," answered the boy, red and distressed. "It--it +wouldn't interest you a bit." + +"Why not?" asked Louise, softly. + +"Because it doesn't interest me," he replied. + +"Are you so sure of election?" inquired Beth. + +"I'm sure of defeat, if you must know," he declared, scowling at the +recollection of his predicament. + +"You haven't been cowardly enough to give up?" asked Patricia, boldly. + +"What do you mean by that, Patsy Doyle?" he asked, the scowl deepening. + +"Just what I say, Ken. A brave man doesn't know when he's beaten, much +less beforehand." + +He looked at her fixedly. + +"I'm not brave, my dear," he replied, more gently than they had +expected. "The people here don't understand me, nor I them. I'm laughed +at and reviled, a subject for contemptuous jeers, and--and it hurts me. +I don't like to be beaten. I'd fight to the last gasp, if I had any show +to win. But these conditions, which I foolishly but honestly brought +about myself, have defeated me so far in advance that I have absolutely +no hope to redeem myself. That's all. Don't speak of it again, girls. +Play me that nocturne that I like, Beth." + +"We've got to speak of this, Kenneth, and speak of it often. For we +girls have come down here to electioneer, and for no other reason on +earth," declared Patsy. + +"_What! You_ electioneer?"--a slight smile curled his lips. + +"Exactly. We're here to brace up and get to work." + +"And to win," added Beth, quietly. + +"And to put you in the Legislature where you belong," declared Louise. + +Kenneth turned to Mr. Merrick. + +"Talk to them, Uncle John," he begged. + +"I have," said the little man, smiling, "and they've convinced me that +they mean business. It's all up with you, my boy, as a private citizen. +You're as good as elected." + +Ken's eyes filled. + +"You're all very kind, sir," he said, "as you were bound to be. And--and +I appreciate it all--very much. But Mr. Watson will tell you that the +case is hopeless, and there's nothing to be done." + +"How about it, Watson?" inquired Uncle John, turning to the lawyer. + +"I'll explain the proposition, sir, so you will all understand it," he +replied, and drew his chair into the circle. "To begin with, Kenneth +visited the glen one day, to make a sketch, and found his old table-rock +covered with an advertising sign." + +"How preposterous!" exclaimed Louise. + +"There were three of these huge signs in different parts of the glen, +and they ruined its natural beauty. Kenneth managed to buy up the spaces +and then he scrubbed away the signs. By that time he had come to detest +the unsightly advertisements that confronted him every time he rode out, +and he began a war of extermination against them." + +"Quite right," said Patsy, nodding energetically. + +"But our friend made little headway because the sympathies of the people +were not with him." + +"Why not, sir?" inquired Beth, while Kenneth sat inwardly groaning at +this baring of his terrible experiences. + +"Because through custom they had come to tolerate such things, and could +see no harm in them," replied the lawyer. "They permit their buildings +which face the roads to be covered with big advertisements, and the +fences are decorated in the same way. In some places a sign-board has +been built in their yards or fields, advertising medicines or groceries +or tobacco. In other words, our country roads and country homes have +become mere advertising mediums to proclaim the goods of more or less +unscrupulous manufacturers, and so all their attractiveness is +destroyed. Kenneth, being a man of artistic instincts and loving country +scenes, resented this invasion of commercialism and tried to fight it." + +"And so ran my head against a stone wall," added the young man, with a +bitter laugh. + +"But you were quite right," said Patsy, decidedly. "Such things ought +not to be permitted." + +"The people think differently," he replied. + +"Then we must educate the people to a different way of thinking," +announced Louise. + +"In three weeks?" + +"That is long enough, if we get to work. Isn't it, girls?" said Beth. + +"Kenneth accepted the nomination with the idea of having a law passed +prohibiting such signs," explained the lawyer. "But Mr. Hopkins, his +opponent, has used this very thing to arouse public sentiment against +him. Farmers around here are thrifty people, and they fear to lose the +trifling sums paid them for the privilege of painting signs on their +premises." + +Patsy nodded gravely. + +"We will change all that," she said. "The thing is really more serious +than we expected, and more difficult. But we came here to work and win, +and we're going to do it. Aren't we, Uncle John?" + +"I'll bet on your trio, Patsy," replied her uncle. "But I won't bet all +I'm worth." + +"It's all foolishness," declared Kenneth. + +"I do not think so," said the lawyer, gravely. "The girls have a fine +show to win. I know our country people, and they are more intelligent +than you suppose. Once they are brought to a proper way of thinking they +will support Kenneth loyally." + +"Then we must bring them to a proper way of thinking," said Patsy, with +decision. "From this time on, Ken, we become your campaign managers. +Don't worry any more about the matter. Go on with your painting and be +happy. We may require you to make a few speeches, but all the details +will be arranged for you." + +"Do you intend to permit this, Uncle John?" asked Kenneth. + +"I'm wholly in sympathy with the girls, Ken, and I believe in them." + +"But consider the humiliation to which they will subject themselves! +I've had a taste of that medicine, myself." + +"We're going to be the most popular young ladies in this district!" +exclaimed Patsy. "Don't you worry about us, Ken. But tell me, how big is +your district?" + +"It includes parts of three counties--Monroe, Washington and Jackson +Counties." + +"What county is this?" + +"Monroe." + +"Any cities?" + +"No; only a few towns. It's mostly a rural district. Fairview, just +across the border in Washington County, is the biggest village." + +"Have you an automobile?" + +"No; I don't like the things. I've always loved horses and prefer them +to machines." + +"How much money are you prepared to spend?" + +"How much--what's that?" he asked, bewildered. + +"You can't win a political election without spending money," declared +Patsy, wisely. "I'll bet the bad man is scattering money in every +direction. It will cost something on our side to run this campaign in a +way to win." + +The young man frowned. + +"I don't mind spending money, Patsy," he said, "but I don't approve of +buying votes, and I won't allow it, either!" + +"Tut-tut! Who said anything about buying votes? But we're going to work +on a broad and liberal basis, I assure you, and we need money." + +"Spend all you like, then, so long as you don't try to corrupt the +voters." + +"Very good. Now, then, how much land do you own at Elmhurst?" + +Kenneth looked inquiringly at the lawyer. + +"About twelve hundred acres," said Mr. Watson. "It is divided into small +farms which are let out on shares." + +"How many votes do you control among your servants and tenants?" +proceeded Patsy, in a business-like tone. + +"Perhaps thirty or forty." + +"And what is the total vote of the district?" + +"Thirty-five hundred." + +Patsy gasped. + +"So many?" + +"Fully that many," said Mr. Watson, smiling. + +"Then we've got to have over seventeen hundred and fifty votes to elect +Kenneth?" + +"Exactly." + +The girl drew a long breath and looked at Beth and Louise. Then they all +laughed. + +"Suppose you resign as campaign managers," said Kenneth, beginning to be +amused. + +"Oh, no! It's--it's easier than we expected. Isn't it, girls?" + +"It's child's play," observed Louise, languidly. + +The boy was astonished. + +"Very well," said he. "Try it and see." + +"Of course," said Patsy, cheerfully. "Tomorrow morning we begin work." + + + + +CHAPTER VI + +A GOOD START + + +At an early breakfast next morning Patsy announced the program for the +day. + +"Uncle John and I will drive over to the village," she said, "and +perhaps we'll be gone all day. Don't worry if we're not back for +luncheon. Louise and Mr. Watson are going in the phaeton to visit some +of the near-by farmers. Take one road, dear, and follow it straight +along, as far as it keeps within our legislative district, and visit +every farm-house on the way." + +"The farmers will all be busy in the fields," said Kenneth. + +"Louise doesn't care about the farmers," retorted Patsy. "She's going to +talk to their wives." + +"Wives don't vote, Patsy." + +"They tell their husbands how to vote, though," declared Louise, with a +laugh. "Let me win the women and I'll win the men." + +"What am I to do?" asked Beth. + +"You're to stay at home and write several articles for the newspapers. +There are seven important papers in our district, and five of them are +Republican. Make a strong argument, Beth. You're our publicity +department. Also get up copy for some hand-hills and circular letters. I +want to get a circular letter to every voter in the district." + +"All right," said Beth. "I know what you want." + +There was an inspiring air of business about these preparations, and the +girls were all eager to begin work. Scarcely was breakfast finished when +the two equipages were at the door. Louise and Mr. Watson at once +entered the phaeton and drove away, the girl delighted at the prospect +of visiting the farmers' wives and winning them by her plausible +speeches. Conversation was Louise's strong point. She loved to talk and +argue, and her manner was so confiding and gracious that she seldom +failed to interest her listeners. + +Patsy and Uncle John drove away. In Kenneth's buggy to the town, and +during the five-mile drive Patsy counseled gravely with her shrewd uncle +in regard to "ways and means." + +"This thing requires prompt action, Patsy," he said, "and if we're going +to do things that count they've got to be done on a big scale." + +"True," she admitted. "But oughtn't we to be a little careful about +spending Kenneth's money?" + +"I'll be your temporary banker," said the old gentleman, "and keep track +of the accounts. If we win we'll present Kenneth our bill, and if we +fail I'll have the satisfaction of getting rid of some of that dreadful +income that is swamping me." + +This was always Uncle John's cry. His enormous fortune was a constant +bugbear to him. He had been so interested in his business enterprises +for many years that he had failed to realize how his fortune was +growing, and it astounded him to wake up one day and find himself +possessed of many millions. He had at once retired from active business +and invested his millions in ways that would cause him the least +annoyance; but the income on so large a sum was more than he could take +care of, and even Major Doyle, who managed these affairs for his +brother-in-law, was often puzzled to know what to do with the money that +accumulated. + +Doubtless no one will ever know how much good these two kindly men +accomplished between them in their quiet, secretive way. Dozens of +deserving young men were furnished capital to start them in business; +dozens more were being educated at universities at Uncle John's expense. +Managers of worthy charities were familiar with John Merrick's signature +on checks, and yet the vast fortune grew with leaps and bounds. Mr. +Merrick's life was so simple and unostentatious that his personal +expenses, however erratic some of his actions, could not make much +headway against his interest account, and nothing delighted him more +than to find a way to "get even with fate by reckless squandering," as +he quaintly expressed it. He was far too shrewd to become the prey of +designing people, but welcomed any legitimate channel in which to unload +his surplus. + +So Mr. Merrick had been revolving the possibilities of this unique +political campaign in his mind, and had decided to do some things that +would open the bucolic eyes of Kenneth's constituents in wonder. He did +not confide all his schemes to Patsy, but having urged his nieces to +attempt this conquest he had no intention of allowing them to suffer +defeat if he could help it. + +The little town of Elmwood was quiet and practically deserted when they +drove into it. The farmers were too busy with the harvest to "come to +town for trading" except on Saturdays, and the arrival and departure of +the two daily trains did not cause more than a ripple of excitement in +the village. + +Patsy decided she would shop at each and every store in the place, and +engage the store-keepers in conversation about the election. + +"It's important to win these people," she declared, "because they are +close to every farmer who comes to town to trade; and their own votes +count, too." + +"I'll run over to the bank," said Uncle John, "and get acquainted +there." + +So he tied the horses to a post and let Patsy proceed alone upon her +mission, while he wandered over to a little brick building of neat +appearance which bore the inscription "Bank" in gold letters on its +plate-glass window. + +"Mr. Warren in?" he asked the clerk at the window. + +The banker, a dignified old gentleman of considerable ability, came out +of his private office and greeted his visitor very cordially. He had +known Uncle John when the millionaire visited Elmhurst two years before, +and since then had learned more particulars concerning him. So there was +no need of an introduction, and Mr. Warren was delighted at the prospect +of business relations with this famous personage. + +The bank, although small and only one story high, was the most modern +and imposing building in the village; and it was fitted with modern +conveniences, for Mr. Warren had been successful and prosperous. In his +private office were local and long distance telephones, a direct +connection with the telegraph operator at the station, and other +facilities for accomplishing business promptly. Uncle John had +remembered this fact, and it had a prominent place in his plans. + +He followed the banker into his private office and told him briefly his +intention to forward the interests of his young friend Kenneth Forbes +for Member of the Legislature. + +The old gentleman shook his head, at first, predicting failure. Young +Forbes was his most important customer, and he respected him highly; but +this anti-sign issue bade fair to ruin all his chances. + +"The idea is too progressive and advanced to be considered at this +time," he stated, positively. "The encroachments of advertisers on +personal property may lead to a revolt in the future, but it is still +too early to direct popular opinion against them." + +"Isn't Forbes a better man for the place than Hopkins?" asked Uncle +John. + +"Undoubtedly, sir. And I think Forbes would have won, had not Hopkins +forced this unfortunate issue upon him. As it is, our young friend +cannot avoid the consequences of his quixotic action." + +"He doesn't wish to avoid them," was the quiet reply. "We're going to +win on that issue or not at all." + +"I'm afraid it's hopeless, sir." + +"May I count on your assistance?" + +"In every way." + +"Thank you, Mr. Warren, I'm going to spend a lot of money. Put this +draft for fifty thousand to my credit as a starter." + +"Ah, I begin to understand. But--" + +"You don't understand at all, yet. May I use your long distance +telephone?" + +"Of course, sir." + +Uncle John had secured considerable information from Mr. Watson, and +this enabled him to act comprehensively. The advertising sign business +in this part of the state was controlled by two firms, who contracted +directly with the advertisers and then had the signs painted upon spaces +secured from the farmers by their wide-awake agents. These signs were +contracted for by the year, but the firms controlling the spaces always +inserted protective clauses that provided for the removal of any sign +when certain conditions required such removal. In such cases a rebate +was allowed to the advertiser. This protective clause was absolutely +necessary in case of fire, alteration or removal of buildings or +destruction of fences and sign-boards by weather or the requirements of +the owners. It was this saving clause in the contracts of which Uncle +John had decided to take advantage. The contracting sign painters were +merely in the business to make money. + +Mr. Merrick got the head of the concern in Cleveland over the telephone +within half an hour. He talked with the man at length, and talked with +the convincing effect that the mention of money has. When he hung up the +receiver Uncle John was smiling. Then he called for the Chicago firm. +With this second advertising company he met with more difficulties, and +Mr. Warren had to come to the telephone and assure the man that Mr. +Merrick was able to pay all he agreed to, and that the money was on +deposit in his bank. That enabled Mr. Merrick to conclude his +arrangements. He knew that he was being robbed, but the co-operation of +the big Chicago firm was necessary to his plans. + +Then, the telephone having served its purpose, Mr. Warren took Uncle +John across the street to the newspaper office and introduced him to +Charley Briggs, the editor. + +Briggs was a man with one eye, a sallow complexion and sandy hair that +stuck straight up from his head. He set type for his paper, besides +editing it, and Uncle John found him wearing a much soiled apron, with +his bare arms and fingers smeared with printer's ink. + +"Mr. Merrick wants to see you on business, Charley," said the banker. +"Whatever he agrees to I will guarantee, to the full resources of my +bank." + +The editor pricked up his ears and dusted a chair for his visitor with +his apron. It wasn't easy to make a living running a paper in Elmwood, +and if there was any business pending he was anxious to secure it. + +Uncle John waited until Mr. Warren had left him alone with the newspaper +man. Then he said: + +"I understand your paper is Democratic, Mr. Briggs." + +"That's a mistake, sir," replied the editor, evasively. "The _Herald_ is +really independent, but in political campaigns we adopt the side we +consider the most deserving of support." + +"You're supporting Hopkins just now." + +"Only mildly; only mildly, sir." + +"What is he paying you?" + +"Why, 'Rast and I haven't come to a definite settlement yet. I ought to +get a hundred dollars out of this campaign, but 'Rast thinks fifty is +enough. You see, he plans on my support anyhow, and don't like to spend +more than he's obliged to." + +"Why does he plan on your support?" + +"He's the only live one in the game, Mr. Merrick. 'Rast is one of +us--he's one of the people--and it's policy for me to support him +instead of the icicle up at Elmhurst, who don't need the job and don't +care whether he gets it or not." + +"Is that true?" + +"I think so. And there's another thing. Young Forbes is dead against +advertising, and advertising is the life of a newspaper. Why, there +isn't a paper in the district that's supporting Forbes this year." + +"You've a wrong idea of the campaign, Mr. Briggs," said Uncle John. "It +is because Mr. Forbes believes in newspaper advertising, and wants to +protect it, that he's against these signs. That's one reason, anyhow. +Can't you understand that every dollar spent for painting signs takes +that much away from your newspapers?" + +"Why, perhaps there's something in that, Mr. Merrick. I'd never looked +at it that way before." + +"Now, see here, Mr. Briggs. I'll make you a proposition. I'll give you +two hundred and fifty to support Mr. Forbes in this campaign, and if +he's elected I'll give you five hundred extra." + +"Do you mean that, sir?" asked the editor, scarcely able to believe the +evidence of his ears. + +"I do. Draw up a contract and I'll sign it. And here's a check for your +two-fifty in advance." + +The editor drew up the agreement with a pen that trembled a little. + +"And now," said Uncle John, "get busy and hustle for Kenneth Forbes." + +"I will, sir," said Briggs, with unexpected energy. "I mean to win that +extra five hundred!" + + + + +CHAPTER VII + +PATSY MAKES PROGRESS + + +Meantime Patsy was in the thick of the fray. The druggist was a +deep-dyed Democrat, and sniffed when she asked him what he thought of +Forbes for Representative. + +"He's no politician at all--just an aristocrat," declared Latham, a +dapper little man with his hair slicked down to his ears and a waxed +moustache. "And he's got fool notions, too. If he stopped the +advertising signs I wouldn't sell half as many pain-killers and +liver-pills." + +"He's my cousin," said Patsy, mendaciously; for although they called +themselves cousins there was no relationship even of marriage, as +Patsy's Aunt Jane had merely been betrothed to Kenneth's uncle when he +died. + +"I'm sorry for that, miss," replied the druggist. "He's going to be +badly beaten." + +"I think I'll take two ounces of this perfumery. It is really +delightful. Some druggists have so little taste in selecting such +things." + +"Yes, miss, I do rather pride myself on my perfumes," replied Latham, +graciously. "Now here's a sachet powder that gives fine satisfaction." + +"I'll take a couple of packets of that, too, since you recommend it." + +Latham began doing up the purchases. There was no other customer in the +store. + +"You know, miss, I haven't anything against Mr. Forbes myself. His +people are good customers. It's his ideas I object to, and he's a +Republican." + +"Haven't you ever voted for a Republican?" asked the girl. "Don't you +think it better to vote for the best man, rather than the best party, in +a case like this?" + +"Why, perhaps it is. But in what way is Mr. Forbes the best man?" + +"He's honest. He doesn't want to make any money out of the office. On +the contrary, he's willing and able to spend a good deal in passing laws +that will benefit his district." + +"And Hopkins?" + +"Don't you know Mr. Hopkins?" she asked, pointedly. + +"Yes, miss; I do." And Latham frowned a little. + +"As regards the advertising signs," continued the girl, "I've heard you +spoken of as a man of excellent taste, and I can believe it since I've +examined the class of goods you keep. And your store is as neat and +attractive as can be. The fight is not against the signs themselves, but +against putting them on fences and barns, and so making great glaring +spots in a landscape where all should be beautiful and harmonious. I +suppose a man of your refinement and good taste has often thought of +that, and said the same thing." + +"Why--ahem!--yes; of course, miss. I agree with you that the signs are +often out of place, and--and inharmonious." + +"To be sure; and so you must sympathize with Mr. Forbes's campaign." + +"In that way, yes; of course," said Mr. Latham, puzzled to find himself +changing front so suddenly. + +"Mr. Hopkins has taken a lot of money out of this town," remarked Patsy, +examining a new kind of tooth wash. "But I can't find that he's ever +given much of it back." + +"That's true. He buys his cigars of Thompson, the general store man, and +I keep the finest line ever brought to this town." + +"Oh, that reminds me!" exclaimed Patsy. "Mr. Forbes wanted me to +purchase a box of your choicest brand, and have you just hand them out +to your customers with his compliments. He thinks he ought to show a +little cordiality to the men who vote for him, and he said you would +know just the people to give them to." + +Latham gasped, but he assumed an air of much importance. + +"I know every man that comes to this town, miss, as well as any you'll +find," he said. + +"The best brand, mind you, Mr. Latham," said the girl. "How much will +they be?" + +"Why, the very best--these imported perfectos, you know--are worth six +dollars a box of fifty. Perhaps for election purposes something a little +cheaper--" + +"Oh, no; the best is none too good for the friends of Mr. Forbes, you +know. And fifty--why fifty will scarcely go around. I'll pay for a +hundred, Mr. Latham, and you'll see they go to the right persons." + +"Of course; of course, miss. And much obliged. You see, young Forbes is +well liked, and he's quite a decent fellow. I wouldn't be surprised if +he gave Hopkins a hard fight." + +"I'll tell you a secret," said Patsy, sweetly. "Mr. Forbes is bound to +be elected. Why, it's all arranged in advance, Mr. Latham, and the +better element, like yourself, is sure to support him. By the way, you +won't forget to tell people about those signs, I hope? That the fight is +not against advertising, but for beautiful rural homes and scenes." + +"Oh, I'll fix that, Miss--" + +"Doyle. I'm Miss Doyle, Mr. Forbes's cousin." + +"I'll see that the people understand this campaign, Miss Doyle. You can +depend on me." + +"And if the cigars give out, don't hesitate to open more boxes. I'll +call in, now and then, and settle for them." + +I really think this young lady might have been ashamed of herself; but +she wasn't. She smiled sweetly upon the druggist when he bowed her out, +and Mr. Latham from that moment began to seek for friends of Mr. Forbes +to give cigars to. If they were not friends, he argued with them until +they were, for he was an honest little man, in his way, and tried to act +in good faith. + +So the girl went from one shop to another, making liberal purchases and +seeking for every opening that would enable her to make a convert. And +her shrewd Irish wit made her quick to take advantage of any weakness +she discovered in the characters of the people she interviewed. + +When noon came Uncle John hunted her up, which was not difficult, in +Elmwood, and together they went to the village "hotel" to get something +to eat. The mid-day dinner was not very inviting, but Patsy praised the +cooking to the landlord's wife, who waited upon the table, and Uncle +John bought one of the landlord's cigars after the meal and talked +politics with him while he smoked it. + +Then Patsy went over to the general store, and there she met her first +rebuff. Thompson, the proprietor, was a sour-visaged man, tall and lanky +and evidently a dyspeptic. Having been beaten by Hopkins at the last +election, when he ran against him on the Republican ticket, Thompson had +no desire to see Forbes more successful than he had been himself. And +there were other reasons that made it necessary for him to support +Hopkins. + +So he was both gruff and disagreeable when Patsy, after buying a lot of +ribbons of him, broached the subject of politics. He told her plainly +that her cousin hadn't a "ghost of a show," and that he was glad of it. + +"The young fool had no business to monkey with politics," he added, "and +this will teach him to keep his fingers out of someone else's pie." + +"It isn't Mr. Hopkins's pie," declared Patsy, stoutly. "It belongs to +whoever gets the votes." + +"Well, that's Hopkins. He knows the game, and Forbes don't." + +"Can't he learn?" asked the girl. + +"No. He's an idiot. Always was a crank and an unsociable cuss when a +boy, and he's worse now he's grown up. Oh, I know Forbes, all right; and +I haven't got no use for him, neither." + +Argument was useless in this case. The girl sighed, gathered up her +purchases, and went into the hardware store. + +Immediately her spirits rose. Here was a man who knew Kenneth, believed +in him and was going to vote for him. She had a nice talk with the +hardware man, and he gave her much useful information about the most +important people in the neighborhood--those it would be desirable to win +for their candidate. When he mentioned Thompson, she said: + +"Oh, he's impossible. I've talked with him." + +"Thompson is really a good Republican," replied Mr. Andrews, the +hardware man. "But he's under Hopkins's thumb and doesn't dare defy +him." + +"Doesn't he like Mr. Hopkins?" asked Patsy, in surprise. + +"No; he really hates him. You see, Thompson isn't a very successful +merchant. He has needed money at times, and borrowed it of Hopkins at a +high rate of interest. It's a pretty big sum now, and Hopkins holds a +mortgage on the stock. If he ever forecloses, as he will do some day, +Thompson will be ruined. So he's obliged to shout for Hopkins, whether +he believes in him or not." + +"I think I understand him now," said Patsy, smiling. "But he needn't +have been so disagreeable." + +"He's a disagreeable man at any time," returned Mr. Andrews. + +"Has he any political influence?" asked the girl. + +"Yes, considerable. Otherwise he couldn't have secured the nomination +when he pretended to run against Hopkins--for it was only a pretense. +You see, he's a well known Republican, and when he sides for Hopkins +he's bound to carry many Republicans with him." + +But there were other important people whom Mr. Andrews thought might be +influenced, and he gave Patsy a list of their names. He seemed much +amused at the earnestness of this girlish champion of the Republican +candidate. + +"I do not think we can win," he said, as she left him; "but we ought to +make a good showing for your cousin, and I'll do my very best to help +you." + +As she rode home with Uncle John in the afternoon, after a day of really +hard work, Patsy sized up the situation and declared that she was +satisfied that she had made progress. She told Mr. Merrick of the +mortgage held over Thompson by Mr. Hopkins, and the little man made a +mental note of the fact. He also was satisfied with his day's work, and +agreed to ride over to Fairview the next day with her and carry the war +into this, the largest village in Kenneth's district. + +Meantime Louise and Mr. Watson were having some interesting interviews +with the farmers' wives along the Marville road. The old lawyer knew +nearly everyone in this part of the country, for he had lived here all +his life. But he let Louise do the talking and was much pleased at the +tact and good nature she displayed in dealing with the widely different +types of character she encountered. + +Her method was quite simple, and for that reason doubly effective. She +sat down in Mrs. Simmons's kitchen, where the good woman was ironing, +and said: + +"I'm a cousin of Mr. Forbes, up at Elmhurst, you know. He's running for +a political office, so as to do some good for his county and district, +and I've come to see if you'll help me get votes for him." + +"Law sakes, child!" exclaimed Mrs. Simmons, "I ain't got nuthin' to do +with politics." + +"No; but you've got a lot to do with Mr. Simmons, and that's where we +need your help. You see, Mr. Forbes thinks Mr. Simmons is one of the +most important men in this district, and he's very anxious to win his +vote." + +"Why don't you see Dan, then? He's out'n the rye field," replied the +woman. + +"It's because I'm only a girl, and he wouldn't listen to me," replied +Louise, sweetly. "But he takes your advice about everything, I hear--" + +"He don't take it as often as he orter, don't Dan," interrupted Mrs. +Simmons, pausing to feel whether her iron was hot. + +"Perhaps not," agreed Louise; "but in important things, such as this, +he's sure to listen to you; and we women must stick together if we want +to win this election." + +"But I don't know nothin' about it," protested Mrs. Simmons; "an' I +don't believe Dan does." + +"You don't need to know much, Mrs. Simmons," replied the girl. "What a +pretty baby that is! All you need do is to tell Dan he must vote for Mr. +Forbes, and see that he agrees to do so." + +"Why?" was the pointed query. + +"Well, there are several reasons. One is that Mr. Hopkins--Mr. Erastus +Hopkins, you know, is the other candidate, and a person must vote for +either one or the other of them." + +"Dan's a friend o' 'Rastus," said the woman, thoughtfully. "I seen 'em +talkin' together the other day." + +"But this isn't a matter of friendship; it's business, and Mr. Forbes is +very anxious to have your husband with him. If Mr. Forbes is elected it +means lighter taxes, better roads and good schools. If Mr. Hopkins is +elected it does not mean anything good except for Mr. Hopkins." + +"I guess you're right about that," laughed the woman. "'Rast don't let +much get away from him." + +"You're very clever, Mrs. Simmons. You have discovered the fact without +being told." + +"Oh, I know 'Rast Hopkins, an' so does Dan." + +"Then I can depend on you to help us?" asked the girl, patting the +tousled head of a little girl who stood by staring at "the pretty lady." + +"I'll talk to him, but I dunno what good it'll do," said Mrs. Simmons, +thoughtfully. + +"I know. He won't refuse to do what you ask him, for a man always +listens to his wife when he knows she's right. You'll win, Mrs. Simmons, +and I want to thank you for saving the election for us. If we get Mr. +Simmons on our side I believe we'll be sure to defeat Hopkins." + +"Oh, I'll do what I kin," was the ready promise, and after a few more +remarks about the children and the neatness of the house, Louise took +her leave. + +"Will she win him over?" asked the girl of Mr. Watson, when they were +jogging on to the next homestead. + +"I really can't say, my dear," replied the old lawyer, thoughtfully; +"but I imagine she'll try to, and if Dan doesn't give in Mrs. Simmons +will probably make his life miserable for a time. You flattered them +both outrageously; but that will do no harm." + +And so it went on throughout the day. Sometimes the farmer himself was +around the house, and then they held a sort of conference; Louise asked +his advice about the best way to win votes, and said she depended a +great deal upon his judgment. She never asked a man which side he +favored, but took it for granted that he was anxious to support Mr. +Forbes; and this subtle flattery was so acceptable that not one declared +outright that he was for Hopkins, whatever his private views might have +been. + +When evening came and they had arrived at Elmhurst again, Louise was +enthusiastic over her work of the day, and had many amusing tales to +tell of her experiences. + +"How many votes did you win?" asked Uncle John, smiling at her. + +"I can't say," she replied; "but I didn't lose any. If one sows plenty +of seed, some of it is bound to sprout." + +"We can tell better after election," said Mr. Watson. "But I'm satisfied +that this is the right sort of work, Mr. Merrick, to get results." + +"So am I," returned Uncle John heartily. "Are you willing to keep it up, +Louise?" + +"Of course!" she exclaimed. "We start again bright and early tomorrow +morning." + + + + +CHAPTER VIII + +THE HONORABLE ERASTUS IS ASTONISHED + + +The Honorable Erastus Hopkins had been absent at the state capital for +several days, looking after various matters of business; for he was a +thrifty man, and watched his investments carefully. + +Whenever his acquaintances asked about his chances for re-election, the +Honorable Erastus Hopkins winked, laughed and declared, "it's a regular +walk-over." + +"Who is opposing you?" once asked a gray-haired Senator of much +political experience, who had met Mr. Hopkins at luncheon. + +"Young feller named Forbes--a boy, sir--with no notion about the game at +all. He was pledged to an unpopular issue, so I was mighty glad to have +him run against me." + +"What issue is he pledged to?" asked the Senator. + +"Oh, he's agin putting advertising signs on fences and barns, and wants +to have them prohibited, like the infernal fool he is." + +"Indeed. Then he's a progressive fellow. And you say his issue is +unpopular?" + +"That's what it is. It'll kill his chances--if he ever had any." + +"Strange," mused the Senator. "That issue has been a winning one +usually." + +"What do you mean?" asked the astonished Hopkins. + +"Why, the anti-sign fight has won in several places throughout the +country, and local laws have been passed prohibiting them. Didn't you +know that?" + +"No!" said Hopkins. + +"Well, it's true. Of course I do not know the temper of your people, but +in a country district such as yours I would think an issue of that sort +very hard to combat." + +"Nonsense!" exclaimed the Honorable Erastus. "Ev'ry man Jack's agin the +fool notion." + +"Then perhaps the people don't understand it." + +"Forbes has given up already," continued Hopkins, laughing at the +recollection. "He's gone back into his shell like a turtle, an' won't +come out to fight. I tell you, Senator, he's the worst licked candidate +that ever ran for office." + +Nevertheless, the suggestion that the anti-sign issue had been +successful in other localities made Mr. Hopkins a trifle uneasy, and he +decided to return home and keep the fight going until after election, +whether young Forbes came out of his shell or not. + +He arrived at Hilldale on the early morning train and went to his house +for breakfast. To his amazement he found two great banners strung across +the village streets bearing the words: "_Vote for Forbes--the People's +Champion!_" + +"Who in thunder could 'a' done that?" murmured Mr. Hopkins, staring +open-mouthed at the great banners. Then he scratched his head with a +puzzled air and went home. + +Mrs. Hopkins, a tired-looking woman in a bedraggled morning wrapper, was +getting the breakfast. She did not participate largely in the prosperity +of her husband, and often declared she was "worked to death," although +there were no children to care for. + +"When did those Forbes banners go up?" asked Mr. Hopkins, irritably. + +"I dunno, 'Rast. I don't keep track o' such things. But all the town was +out to the girls' meetin' last night, an' I went along to watch the +fun." + +"What girls' meeting?" + +"The girls thet air workin' fer to elect Mr. Forbes. It was in the town +hall, an' all three of the girls made speeches." + +"What about?" + +"About Mr. Forbes, and how he orter be elected. He wants to beautify the +farm places by doin' away with signs, an' he wants better roads, an' +three new school-houses, 'cause the ones we've got now ain't big enough. +An--" + +"You blamed idiot! What are you talking about?" roared the exasperated +Hopkins. + +"Oh, you needn't rave at me, 'Rast Hopkins, just 'cause you're gettin' +licked. I thought your goose was cooked the minnit these girls got to +work." + +Mr. Hopkins stared at her with a dazed expression. + +"Be sensible, Mary, and tell me who these girls are. I haven't heard of +'em." + +"Why, they're cousins o' Kenneth Forbes, it seems, an' come from New +York to git him elected." + +"What are they like?" + +"They're swell dressers, 'Rast, an' nice appearin' girls, and mighty +sharp with their tongues. They had a good meetin' last night and +there'll be another at the town hall next week." + +"Pah! Girls! Forbes oughter be ashamed of himself, to send a bunch o' +girls out electioneerin'. I never heard of such an irregular thing. What +do the boys say?" + +"Folks don't say much to me, 'Rast. They wouldn't, you know. But I guess +your game is up." + +He made no reply. Here, indeed, was information of a startling +character. And it came upon him like thunder out of a clear sky. Yet the +thing might not be so important as Mrs. Hopkins feared. + +Very thoughtfully he unfolded the morning paper, and the next moment +uttered a roar of wrath and vexation. Briggs was one of his stand-bys, +and the _Herald_ heretofore had always supported him; yet here across +the first page were big black letters saying: _"Vote for Forbes!"_ And +the columns were full of articles and paragraphs praising Forbes and +declaring that he could and would do more for the district than Hopkins. + +"I must see Briggs," muttered the Honorable Erastus. "He's tryin' to +make me put up that hundred--an' I guess I'll have to do it." + +He looked over the other newspapers which were heaped upon his desk in +the sitting-room, and was disgusted to find all but one of the seven +papers in the district supporting Forbes. Really, the thing began to +look serious. And he had only been absent a week! + +He had not much appetite for breakfast when Mrs. Hopkins set it before +him. But the Honorable Erastus was a born fighter, and his discovery had +only dismayed him for a brief time. Already he was revolving ways of +contesting this new activity in the enemy's camp, and decided that he +must talk with "the boys" at once. + +So he hurried away from the breakfast table and walked down-town. Latham +was first on his route and he entered the drug store. + +"Hullo, Jim." + +"Good morning, Mr. Hopkins. Anything I can do for you?" asked the polite +druggist. + +"Yes, a lot. Tell me what these fool girls are up to, that are plugging +for Forbes. I've been away for a week, you know." + +"Can't say, Mr. Hopkins, I'm sure. Business is pretty lively these days, +and it keeps me hustling. I've no time for politics." + +"But we've got to wake up, Jim, we Democrats, or they'll give us a run +for our money." + +"Oh, this is a Republican district, sir. We can't hope to win it often, +and especially in a case like this." + +"Why not?" + +"Looks to me as if you'd bungled things, Hopkins. But I'm not interested +in this campaign. Excuse me; if there's nothing you want, I've got a +prescription to fill." + +Mr. Hopkins walked out moodily. It was very evident that Latham had +changed front. But they had never been very staunch friends; and he +could find a way to even scores with the little druggist later. + +Thompson was behind his desk at the general store when Hopkins walked +in. + +"Look here," said the Honorable Representative, angrily, "what's been +going on in Elmwood? What's all this plugging for Forbes mean?" + +Thompson gave him a sour look over the top of his desk. + +"Addressin' them remarks to me, 'Rast?" + +"Yes--to you! You've been loafing on your job, old man, and it won't +do--it won't do at all. You should have put a stop to these things. What +right have these girls to interfere in a game like this?" + +"Oh, shut up, 'Rast." + +"Thompson! By crickey, I won't stand this from you. Goin' back on me, +eh?" + +"I'm a Republication, 'Rast." + +"So you are," said Mr. Hopkins slowly, his temper at white heat "And +that mortgage is two months overdue." + +"Go over to the bank and get your money, then. It's waiting for you, +Hopkins--interest and all. Go and get it and let me alone. I'm busy." + +Perhaps the politician had never been so surprised in his life. Anger +gave way to sudden fear, and he scrutinized the averted countenance of +Thompson carefully. + +"Where'd you raise the money, Thompson?" + +"None of your business. I raised it." + +"Forbes, eh? Forbes has bought you up, I see. Grateful fellow, ain't +you--when I loaned you money to keep you from bankruptcy!" + +"You did, Hopkins. You made me your slave, and threatened me every +minute, unless I did all your dirty work. Grateful? You've led me a +dog's life. But I'm through with you now--for good and all." + +Hopkins turned and walked out without another word. In the dentist's +office Dr. Squiers was sharpening and polishing his instruments. + +"Hello, Archie." + +"Hello, 'Rast. 'Bout time you was getting back, old man. We're having a +big fight on our hands, I can tell you." + +"Tell me more," said Mr. Hopkins, taking a chair with a sigh of relief +at finding one faithful friend. "What's up, Archie?" + +"An invasion of girls, mostly. They took us by surprise, the other day, +and started a campaign worthy of old political war-horses. There's some +shrewd politician behind them, I know, or they wouldn't have nailed us +up in our coffins with such business-like celerity." + +"Talk sense, Archie. What have they done? What _can_ they do? Pah! +Girls!" + +"Don't make a mistake, 'Rast. That's what I did, before I understood. +When I heard that three girls were electioneering for Forbes I just +laughed. Then I made a discovery. They're young and rich, and evidently +ladies. They're pretty, too, and the men give in at the first attack. +They don't try to roast you. That's their cleverness. They tell what +Forbes can do, with all his money, if he's Representative, and they +swear he'll do it." + +"Never mind," said Hopkins, easily. "We'll win the men back again." + +"But these girls are riding all over the country, talking to farmers' +wives, and they're organizing a woman's political club. The club is to +meet at Elmhurst and to be fed on the fat of the land; so every woman +wants to belong. They've got two expensive automobiles down from the +city, with men to make them go, and they're spending money right and +left." + +"That's bad," said Hopkins, shifting uneasily, "for I haven't much to +spend, myself. But most money is fooled away in politics. When I spend a +cent it counts, I can tell you." + +"You'll have to spend some, 'Rast, to keep your end up. I'm glad you're +back, for we Democrats have been getting demoralized. Some of the boys +are out for Forbes already." + +Hopkins nodded, busy with his thoughts. + +"I've talked with Latham. But he didn't count. And they've bought up +Thompson. What else they've done I can't tell yet. But one thing's +certain, Doc; we'll win out in a canter. I'm too old a rat to be caught +in a trap like this. I've got resources they don't suspect." + +"I believe you, 'Rast. They've caught on to the outside fakes to win +votes; but they don't know the inside deals yet." + +"You're right. But I must make a bluff to offset their daylight +campaign, so as not to lose ground with the farmers. They're the ones +that count, after all; not the town people. See here, Doc, I had an idea +something might happen, and so I arranged with my breakfast food company +to let me paint a hundred signs in this neighborhood. A hundred, mind +you! and that means a big laugh on Forbes, and the good will of the +farmers who sell their spaces, and not a cent out of my pocket. How's +that for a checkmate?" + +"That's fine," replied Dr. Squiers. "There's been considerable talk +about this sign business, and I'm told that at the meeting last night +one of the girls made a speech about it, and said the farmers were being +converted, and were now standing out for clean fences and barns." + +"That's all humbug!" + +"I think so, myself. These people are like a flock of sheep. Get them +started a certain way and you can't head them off," observed the +dentist. + +"Then we must start them our way," declared Hopkins. "I've got the order +for these signs in my pocket, and I'll have 'em painted all over the +district in a week. Keep your eyes open, Doc. If we've got to fight we +won't shirk it; but I don't look for much trouble from a parcel of +girls." + +Mr. Hopkins was quite cheerful by this time, for he had thought out the +situation and his "fighting blood was up," as he expressed it. + +He walked away whistling softly to himself and decided that he would go +over to the livery stable, get a horse and buggy, drive out into the +country, and spend the day talking with the farmers. + +But when he turned the corner into the side street where the livery was +located he was astonished to find a row of horses and wagons lining each +side of the street, and in each vehicle two men in white jumpers and +overalls. The men were in charge of huge cans of paints, assorted +brushes, ladders, scaffolds and other paraphernalia. + +There must have been twenty vehicles, altogether, and some of the rigs +were already starting out and driving briskly away in different +directions. + +Mr. Hopkins was puzzled. He approached one of the white-overalled men +who was loading cans of paint into a wagon and inquired: + +"Who are you fellows?" + +"Sign painters," answered the man, with an amused look. + +"Who do you work for?" + +"The Carson Advertising Sign Company of Cleveland." + +"Oh, I see," replied Hopkins. "Got a big job in this neighborhood?" + +"Pretty big, sir." + +"Who's your foreman?" + +"Smith. He's in the livery office." + +Then the man climbed into his wagon and drove away, and Hopkins turned +into the livery office. A thin-faced man with sharp eyes was Talking +with the proprietor. + +"Is this Mr. Smith?" asked Hopkins. + +"Yes." + +"Of the Carson Advertising Sign Company?" + +"Yes." + +"Well, I've got a big job for you. My name's Hopkins. I want a hundred +big signs painted mighty quick." + +"Sorry, sir; we've got all we can handle here for two or three weeks." + +"It's got to be done quick or not at all. Can't you send for more men?" + +"We've got thirty-eight on this job, and can't get any more for love or +money. Had to send to Chicago for some of these." + +"Rush job?" + +"Yes, sir. You'll have to excuse me. I've got to get started. This is +only our second day and we're pretty busy." + +"Wait a minute," called the bewildered Hopkins, following Smith to his +buggy. "What concern is your firm doing all this painting for?" + +"A man named Merrick." + +Then the foreman drove away, and Mr. Hopkins was left greatly puzzled. + +"Merrick--Merrick!" he repeated. "I don't remember any big advertiser by +that name. It must be some new concern. Anyhow, it all helps in my fight +against Forbes." + +He again returned to the livery office and asked for a rig. + +"Everything out, Mr. Hopkins. I've hired everything to be had in town +for this sign-painting gang." + +But Mr. Hopkins was not to be balked. As long as these sign-painters +were doing missionary work for his cause among the farmers, he decided +to drive over to Fairview and see the party leaders in that important +town. So he went back to Dr. Squiers's house and borrowed the Doctor's +horse and buggy. + +He drove along the turnpike for a time in silence. Then it struck him +that there was a peculiar air of neatness about the places he passed. +The barns and fences all seemed newly painted, and he remembered that he +hadn't seen an advertising sign since he left town. + +A mile farther on he came upon a gang of the sign painters, who with +their huge brushes were rapidly painting the entire length of a +weather-worn fence with white paint. + +Mr. Hopkins reined in and watched them for a few moments. + +"You sign-painters don't seem to be getting any signs started," he +observed. + +"No," replied one of the men, laughing. "This is a peculiar job for our +firm to tackle. We've made a contract to paint out every sign in the +district." + +"Paint 'em out!" + +"Yes, cover them up with new paint, and get rid of them." + +"But how about the advertisers? Don't they own the spaces now?" + +"They did; but they've all been bought up. John Merrick owns the spaces +now, and we're working for John Merrick." + +"Who's he?" + +"Some friend of Mr. Forbes, up at Elmhurst." + +Mr. Hopkins was not a profane man, but he said a naughty word. And then +he cut his horse so fiercely with the whip that the poor beast gave a +neigh of terror, and started down the road at a gallop. + + + + +CHAPTER IX + +OL' WILL ROGERS + + +Beth had her folding table out in the rose garden where Kenneth was +working at his easel, and while the boy painted she wrote her campaign +letters and "editorials." + +At first Ken had resented the management of his campaign by his three +girl friends; but soon he was grateful for their assistance and proud of +their talents. It was at their own request that he refrained from any +active work himself, merely appearing at the meetings they planned, +where he made his speeches and impressed his hearers with his +earnestness. He was really an excellent speaker, and his youth and +enthusiasm counted much in his favor. + +He protested mildly when Louise invited the Women's Political Club to +meet at Elmhurst on Thursday afternoon, but Mr. Watson assured him that +this was an important play for popularity, so he promised to meet them. +Tables were to be spread upon the lawn, for the late October weather was +mild and delightful, and Louise planned to feed the women in a way that +they would long remember. + +Patsy had charge of the towns and Louise of the country districts, but +Beth often aided Louise, who had a great deal of territory to cover. + +The automobiles Uncle John had ordered sent down were a great assistance +to the girls, and enabled them to cover twice as much territory in a day +as would have been done with horses. + +But, although they worked so tirelessly and earnestly, it was not all +plain sailing with the girl campaigners. Yet though they met with many +rebuffs, they met very little downright impertinence. Twice Louise was +asked to leave a house where she had attempted to make a proselyte, and +once a dog was set upon Beth by an irate farmer, who resented her +automobile as much as he did her mission. As for Patsy, she was often +told in the towns that "a young girl ought to be in better business than +mixing up in politics," and she was sensitive enough once or twice to +cry over these reproaches when alone in her chamber. But she maintained +a cheerful front; and, in truth, all the girls enjoyed their work +immensely. + +While Beth and Kenneth were in the garden this sunny afternoon James +came to say that a man wanted to see "one of the politics young ladies." + +"Shall we send him about his business, Beth?" asked the boy. + +"Oh, no; we can't afford to lose a single vote. Bring him here, James, +please," said the girl. + +So presently a wizened little man in worn and threadbare garments, his +hat in his hand, came slowly into the garden. His sunken cheeks were +covered with stubby gray whiskers, his shoulders were stooped and bent +from hard work, and his hands bore evidences of a life of toil. Yet the +eyes he turned upon Beth, as she faced him had a wistful and pleading +look that affected her strangely. + +"Afternoon, miss," he said, in a hesitating voice. "I--I'm Rogers, miss; +ol' Will Rogers. I--I s'pose you hain't heerd o' me before." + +"I'm glad to meet you, Mr. Rogers," replied the girl in her pleasant +voice. "Have you come to see me about the election?" + +"It's--it's sump'n 'bout the 'lection, an' then agin it ain't. But I run +the chanct o' seein' ye, because we're in desprit straits, an' Nell +advised that I hev a talk with ye. 'Frank an' outright,' says Nell. +'Don't beat about the bush,' says she. 'Go right to th' point an' +they'll say yes or no." + +Beth laughed merrily, and the boy smiled as he wielded his brush with +delicate strokes. + +"Ye mustn't mind me, miss," said Will Rogers, in a deprecating tone. +"I'm--I'm sommut broke up an' discouraged, an' ain't th' man I used to +be. Nell knows that, an' she orter came herself; but it jes' made her +cry to think o' it, an' so I says I'll come an' do the best I kin." + +Beth was really interested now. + +"Sit down on this bench, Mr. Rogers," she said, "and I'll listen to +whatever you have to say." + +He sat down willingly, bent forward as he rested upon the garden bench, +and twirled his hat slowly in his hands. + +"'Taint easy, ye know, miss, to say some things, an' this is one o' the +hardest," he began. + +"Go on," said Beth, encouragingly, for old Will had suddenly stopped +short and seemed unable to proceed. + +"They say, miss, as you folks is a-spendin' uv a lot o' money on this +election, a-gittin' votes, an' sich like," he said, in an altered tone. + +"It costs a little to run a political campaign," acknowledged Beth. + +"They say money's bein' poured out liken water--to git votes," he +persisted. + +"Well, Mr. Rogers?" + +"Well, thet's how it started, ye see. We're so agonizin' poor, Nell +thought we orter git some o' the money while it's goin'." + +The girl was much amused. Such frankness was both unusual and +refreshing. + +"Have you a vote to sell?" she asked. + +He did not answer at once, but sat slowly twirling his hat. + +"That's jet' what Nell thought ye'd ask," he said, finally, "an' she +knew if ye did it was all up with our plan. Guess I'll be goin', miss." + +He rose slowly from his seat, but the girl did not intend to lose any of +the fun this queer individual might yet furnish. + +"Sit down, Mr. Rogers," she said, "and tell me why you can't answer my +questions?" + +"I guess I'll hev to speak out an' tell all," said he, his voice +trembling a little, "although I thought fer a minnit I could see my way +without. I can't sell my vote, miss, 'cause I've been plannin' t'vote +fer Mr. Forbes anyhow. But we wanted some uv th' money that's being +wasted, an' we wanted it mighty bad." + +"Why?" + +"Thet's the hard part uv it, miss; but I'm goin' to tell you. Did ye +ever hear o' Lucy?" + +"No, Mr. Rogers." + +"Lucy's our girl--the on'y chick er child we ever had. She's a pretty +girl, is Lucy; a good deal liken her mother; wi' the same high spirits +my Nell had afore she broke down. Mostly Nell cries, nowadays." + +"Yes. Go on." + +"Lucy had a schoolin', an' we worked hard to give it her, fer my land +ain't much account, nohow. An' when she grew up she had more boys comin' +to see her than any gal this side o' Fairview, an' one o' 'em caught +Lucy's fancy. But she was too young to marry, an' she wanted to be +earnin' money; so she got a job workin' fer Doc Squiers, over to +Elmwood. He's the dentist there, an' Lucy helped with the housework an' +kept the office slicked up, an' earned ev'ry penny she got." + +He stopped here, and looked vacantly around. + +Beth tried to help the old man. + +"And then?" she asked, softly. + +"Then come the trouble, miss. One day ol' Mis' Squiers, the Doc's +mother, missed a di'mon' ring. She laid it on the mantel an' it was +gone, an' she said as Lucy took it. Lucy didn't take it, an' after +they'd tried to make my gal confess as she was a thief they give 'er +three days to hand up the ring or the money it was worth, or else they'd +hev her arrested and sent t' jail. Lucy didn't take it, ye know. She +jes' _couldn't_ do sech a thing, natcherly." + +"I know," said Beth, sympathetically. + +"So she comes home, heartbroken, an' told us about it, an' we didn't hev +th' money nuther. It were sixty dollars they wanted, or th' ring; an' we +didn't hev neither of 'em." + +"Of course not." + +"Well, Tom come over thet night to see Lucy, hearin' she was home, +an'--" + +"Who is Tom?" + +"Thet's Tom Gates, him thet--but I'm comin' to thet, miss. Tom always +loved Lucy, an' wanted to marry her; but his folks is as poor as we are, +so the young 'uns had to wait. Tom worked at the mill over t' +Fairview--the big saw-mill where they make the lumber an' things." + +"I know." + +"He was the bookkeeper, fer Tom had schoolin', too; an' he took private +lessons in bookkeepin' from ol' Cheeseman. So he had got hired at the +mill, an' had a likely job, an' was doin' well. An' when Tom heerd about +Lucy's trouble, an' thet she had only two days left before goin' to +jail, he up an' says: 'I'll get the money, Lucy: don' you worry a bit.' +'Oh, Tom!' says she, 'hev you got sixty dollars saved already?' 'I've +got it, Lucy,' says he, 'an' I'll go over tomorrow an' pay Doc Squiers. +Don' you worry any more. Forget all about it.' Well o' course, miss, +that helped a lot. Nell an' Lucy both felt the disgrace of the thing, +but it wouldn't be a public disgrace, like goin' to jail; so we was all +mighty glad Tom had that sixty dollars." + +"It was very fortunate," said Beth, filling in another pause. + +"The nex' day Tom were as good as his word. He paid Doc Squiers an' got +a receipt an' giv it to Lucy. Then we thought th' trouble was over, but +it had on'y just begun. Monday mornin' Tom was arrested over t' the mill +fer passin' a forged check an' gettin' sixty dollars on it. Lucy was +near frantic with grief. She walked all the way to Fairview, an' they +let her see Tom in the jail. He tol' her it was true he forged th' +check, but he did it to save her. He was a man an' it wouldn't hurt fer +him to go to jail so much as it would a girl. He said he was glad he did +it, an' didn't mind servin' a sentence in prison. I think, miss, as Tom +meant thet--ev'ry word uv it. But Lucy broke down under the thing an' +raved an' cried, an' nuther Nell ner I could do anything with her. She +said she'd ruined Tom's life an' all thet, an' she didn't want to live +herself. Then she took sick, an' Nell an' I nursed her as careful as we +could. How'n the wurld she ever got away we can't make out, nohow." + +"Did she get away?" asked the girl, noting that the old man's eyes were +full of tears and his lips trembling. + +"Yes, miss. She's bin gone over ten days, now, an' we don't even know +where to look fer her; our girl--our poor Lucy. She ain't right in her +head, ye know, or she'd never a done it. She'd never a left us like this +in th' world. 'Taint like our Lucy." + +Kenneth had turned around on his stool and was regarding old Will Rogers +earnestly, brush and pallet alike forgotten. Beth was trying to keep the +tears out of her own eyes, for the old man's voice was even more +pathetic than his words. + +"Ten days ago!" said Kenneth. "And she hasn't been found yet?" + +"We can't trace her anywhere, an' Nell has broke down at las', an' don't +do much but cry. It's hard, sir--I can't bear to see Nell cry. She'd +sich high sperrits, onct." + +"Where's the boy Tom?" asked Kenneth, somewhat gruffly. + +"He's in the jail yet, waitin' to be tried. Court don't set till next +week, they say." + +"And where do you live, Rogers?" + +"Five miles up the Fairview road. 'Taint much of a place--Nell says I've +always bin a shif'les lot, an' I guess it's true. Yesterday your hired +men painted all the front o' my fence--painted it white--not only where +th' signs was, but th' whole length of it. We didn't ask it done, but +they jes' done it. I watched 'em, an' Nell says if we on'y had th' money +thet was wasted on thet paint an' labor, we might find our Lucy. 'It's a +shame,' says Nell, 'all thet 'lection money bein' thrown away on paint +when it might save our poor crazy child.' I hope it ain't wrong, sir; +but thet's what I thought, too. So we laid plans fer me to come here +today. Ef I kin get a-hold o' any o' thet money honest, I want to do +it." + +"Have you got a horse?" asked Kenneth. + +"Not now. I owned one las' year, but he died on me an' I can't get +another nohow." + +"Did you walk here?" asked Beth. + +"Yes, miss; o' course. I've walked the hull county over a-tryin' to find +Lucy. I don' mind the walking much." + +There was another pause, while old Will Rogers looked anxiously at the +boy and the girl, and they looked at each other. Then Beth took out her +purse. + +"I want to hire your services to help us in the election," she said, +briskly. "I'll furnish you a horse and buggy and you can drive around +and talk with people and try to find Lucy at the same time. This twenty +dollars is to help you pay expenses. You needn't account for it; just +help us as much as you can." + +The old man straightened up and his eyes filled again. + +"Nell said if it was a matter o' charity I mustn't take a cent," he +observed, in a low voice. + +'"It isn't charity. It's business. And now that we know your story we +mean to help you find your girl. Anyone would do that, you know. Tell +me, what is Lucy like?" + +"She's like Nell used to be." + +"But we don't know your wife. Describe Lucy as well as you can. Is she +tall?" + +"Middlin', miss." + +"Light or dark?" + +"Heh?" + +"Is her hair light or dark colored?" + +"Middlin'; jes' middlin', miss." + +"Well, is she stout or thin?" + +"I should say sorter betwixt an' between, miss." + +"How old is Lucy?" + +"Jes' turned eighteen, miss." + +"Never mind, Beth," interrupted the boy; "you won't learn much from old +Will's description. But we'll see what can be done tomorrow. Call James +and have him sent home in the rig he's going to use. It seems to me +you're disposing rather freely of my horses and carts." + +"Yes, Ken. You've nothing to say about your belongings just now. But if +you object to this plan--" + +"I don't. The girl must be found, and her father is more likely to find +her than a dozen other searchers. He shall have the rig and welcome." + +So it was that Will Rogers drove back to his heartbroken wife in a smart +top-buggy, with twenty dollars in his pocket and a heart full of wonder +and thanksgiving. + + + + +CHAPTER X + +THE FORGED CHECK + + +Kenneth and Beth refrained from telling the other girls or Uncle John of +old Will Rogers's visit, but they got Mr. Watson in the library and +questioned him closely about the penalty for forging a check. + +It was a serious crime indeed, Mr. Watson told them, and Tom Gates bade +fair to serve a lengthy term in state's prison as a consequence of his +rash act. + +"But it was a generous act, too," said Beth. + +"I can't see it in that light," said the old lawyer. "It was a +deliberate theft from his employers to protect a girl he loved. I do not +doubt the girl was unjustly accused. The Squierses are a selfish, +hard-fisted lot, and the old lady, especially, is a well known virago. +But they could not have proven a case against Lucy, if she was innocent, +and all their threats of arresting her were probably mere bluff. So this +boy was doubly foolish in ruining himself to get sixty dollars to pay an +unjust demand." + +"He was soft-hearted and impetuous," said Beth; "and, being in love, he +didn't stop to count the cost." + +"That is no excuse, my dear," declared Mr. Watson. "Indeed there is +never an excuse for crime. The young man is guilty, and he must suffer +the penalty." + +"Is there no way to save him?" asked Kenneth. + +"If the prosecution were withdrawn and the case settled with the victim +of the forged check, then the young man would be allowed his freedom. +But under the circumstances I doubt if such an arrangement could be +made." + +"We're going to try it, anyhow," was the prompt decision. + +So as soon as breakfast was over the next morning Beth and Kenneth took +one of the automobiles, the boy consenting unwillingly to this sort of +locomotion because it would save much time. Fairview was twelve miles +away, but by ten o'clock they drew up at the county jail. + +They were received in the little office by a man named Markham, who was +the jailer. He was a round-faced, respectable appearing fellow, but his +mood was distinctly unsociable. + +"Want to see Tom Gates, eh? Well! what for?" he demanded. + +"We wish to talk with him," answered Kenneth. + +"Talk! what's the good? You're no friend of Tom Gates. I can't be +bothered this way, anyhow." + +"I am Kenneth Forbes, of Elmhurst. I'm running for Representative on the +Republican ticket," said Kenneth, quietly. + +"Oh, say! that's different," observed Markham, altering his demeanor. +"You mustn't mind my being gruff and grumpy, Mr. Forbes. I've just +stopped smoking a few days ago, and it's got on my nerves something +awful!" + +"May we see Gates at once?" asked Kenneth. + +"Sure-ly! I'll take you to his cell, myself. It's just shocking how such +a little thing as stoppin' smoking will rile up a fellow. Come this way, +please." + +They followed the jailer along a succession of passages. + +"Smoked ever sence I was a boy, you know, an' had to stop last week +because Doc said it would kill me if I didn't," remarked the jailer, +leading the way. "Sometimes I'm that yearning for a smoke I'm nearly +crazy, an' I dunno which is worst, dyin' one way or another. This is +Gates' cell--the best in the shop." + +He unlocked the door, and called: + +"Here's visitors, Tom." + +"Thank you, Mr. Markham," replied a quiet voice, as a young man came +forward from the dim interior of the cell. "How are you feeling, today?" + +"Worse, Tom; worse 'n ever," replied the jailer, gloomily. + +"Well, stick it out, old man; don't give in." + +"I won't, Tom. Smokin' 'll kill me sure, an' there's a faint hope o' +livin' through this struggle to give it up. This visitor is Mr. Forbes +of Elmhurst, an' the young lady is--" + +"Miss DeGraf," said Kenneth, noticing the boy's face critically, as he +stood where the light from the passage fell upon it. "Will you leave us +alone, please, Mr. Markham?" + +"Sure-ly, Mr. Forbes. You've got twenty minutes according to +regulations. I'll come and get you then. Sorry we haven't any reception +room in the jail. All visits has to be made in the cells." + +Then he deliberately locked Kenneth and Beth in with the forger, and +retreated along the passage. + +"Sit down, please," said Gates, in a cheerful and pleasant voice. +"There's a bench here." + +"We've come to inquire about your case, Gates," said Kenneth. "It seems +you have forged a check." + +"Yes, sir, I plead guilty, although I've been told I ought not to +confess. But the fact is that I forged the check and got the money, and +I'm willing to stand the consequences." + +"Why did you do it?" asked Beth. + +He was silent and turned his face away. + +A fresh, wholesome looking boy, was Tom Gates, with steady gray eyes, an +intelligent forehead, but a sensitive, rather weak mouth. He was of +sturdy, athletic build and dressed neatly in a suit that was of coarse +material but well brushed and cared for. + +Beth thought his appearance pleasing and manly. Kenneth decided that he +was ill at ease and in a state of dogged self-repression. + +"We have heard something of your story," said Kenneth, "and are +interested in it. But there is no doubt you have acted very foolishly." + +"Do you know Lucy, sir?" asked the young man. + +"No." + +"Lucy is very proud. The thing was killing her, and I couldn't bear it. +I didn't stop to think whether it was foolish or not. I did it; and I'm +glad I did." + +"You have made her still more unhappy," said Beth, gently. + +"Yes; she'll worry about me, I know. I'm disgraced for life; but I've +saved Lucy from any disgrace, and she's young. She'll forget me before +I've served my term, and--and take up with some other young fellow." + +"Would you like that?" asked Beth. + +"No, indeed," he replied, frankly. "But it will be best that way. I had +to stand by Lucy--she's so sweet and gentle, and so sensitive. I don't +say I did right. I only say I'd do the same thing again." + +"Couldn't her parents have helped her?" inquired Kenneth. + +"No. Old Will is a fine fellow, but poor and helpless since Mrs. Rogers +had her accident." + +"Oh, did she have an accident?" asked Beth. + +"Yes. Didn't you know? She's blind." + +"Her husband didn't tell us that," said the girl. + +"He was fairly prosperous before that, for Mrs. Rogers was an energetic +and sensible woman, and kept old Will hard at work. One morning she +tried to light the fire with kerosene, and lost her sight. Then Rogers +wouldn't do anything but lead her around, and wait upon her, and the +place went to rack and ruin." + +"I understand now," said Beth. + +"Lucy could have looked after her mother," said young Bates, "but old +Will was stubborn and wouldn't let her. So the girl saw something must +be done and went to work. That's how all the trouble came about." + +He spoke simply, but paced up and down the narrow cell in front of them. +It was evident that his feelings were deeper than he cared to make +evident. + +"Whose name did you sign to the check?" asked Kenneth. + +"That of John E. Marshall, the manager of the mill. He is supposed to +sign all the checks of the concern. It's a stock company, and rich. I +was bookkeeper, so it was easy to get a blank check and forge the +signature. As regards my robbing the company, I'll say that I saved them +a heavy loss one day. I discovered and put out a fire that would have +destroyed the whole plant. But Marshall never even thanked me. He only +discharged the man who was responsible for the fire." + +"How long ago were you arrested?" asked Beth. + +"It's nearly two weeks now. But I'll have a trial in a few days, they +say. My crime is so serious that the circuit judge has to sit on the +case." + +"Do you know where Lucy is?" + +"She's at home, I suppose. I haven't heard from her since the day she +came here to see me--right after my arrest." + +They did not think best to enlighten him at that time. It was better for +him to think the girl unfeeling than to know the truth. + +"I'm going to see Mr. Marshall," said Kenneth, "and discover what I can +do to assist you." + +"Thank you, sir. It won't be much, but I'm grateful to find a friend. +I'm guilty, you know, and there's no one to blame but myself." + +They left him then, for the jailer arrived to unlock the door, and +escort them to the office. + +"Tom's a very decent lad," remarked the jailer, on the way. "He ain't a +natural criminal, you know; just one o' them that gives in to temptation +and is foolish enough to get caught. I've seen lots of that kind in my +day. You don't smoke, do you, Mr. Forbes?" + +"No, Mr. Markham." + +"Then don't begin it; or, if you do, never try to quit. It's--it's +_awful_, it is. And it ruins a man's disposition." + +The mill was at the outskirts of the town. It was a busy place, perhaps +the busiest in the whole of the Eighth District, and in it were employed +a large number of men. The office was a small brick edifice, separated +from the main buildings, in which the noise of machinery was so great +that one speaking could scarcely be heard. The manager was in, Kenneth +and Beth learned, but could not see them until he had signed the letters +he had dictated for the noon mail. + +So they sat on a bench until a summons came to admit them to Mr. +Marshall's private office. + +He looked up rather ungraciously, but motioned them to be seated. + +"Mr. Forbes, of Elmhurst?" he asked, glancing at the card Kenneth had +sent in. + +"Yes, sir." + +"I've been bothered already over your election campaign," resumed the +manager, arranging his papers in a bored manner. "Some girl has been +here twice to interview my men and I have refused to admit her. You may +as well understand, sir, that I stand for the Democratic candidate, and +have no sympathy with your side." + +"That doesn't interest me, especially, sir," answered Kenneth, smiling. +"I'm not electioneering just now. I've come to talk with you about young +Gates." + +"Oh. Well, sir, what about him?" + +"I'm interested in the boy, and want to save him from prosecution." + +"He's a forger, Mr. Forbes; a deliberate criminal." + +"I admit that. But he's very young, and his youth is largely responsible +for his folly." + +"He stole my money." + +"It is true, Mr. Marshall." + +"And he deserves a term in state's prison." + +"I agree to all that. Nevertheless, I should like to save him," said +Kenneth. "His trial has not yet taken place, and instead of your +devoting considerable of your valuable time appearing against him it +would be much simpler to settle the matter right here and now." + +"In what way, Mr. Forbes?" + +"I'll make your money loss good." + +"It has cost me twice sixty dollars in annoyance." + +"I can well believe it, sir. I'll pay twice sixty dollars for the +delivery to me of the forged check, and the withdrawal of the +prosecution." + +"And the costs?" + +"I'll pay all the costs besides." + +"You're foolish. Why should you do all this?" + +"I have my own reasons, Mr. Marshall. Please look at the matter from a +business standpoint. If you send the boy to prison you will still suffer +the loss of the money. By compromising with me you can recover your loss +and are paid for your annoyance." + +"You're right. Give me a check for a hundred and fifty, and I'll turn +over to you the forged check and quash further proceedings." + +Kenneth hesitated a moment. He detested the grasping disposition that +would endeavor to take advantage of his evident desire to help young +Gates. He had hoped to find Mr. Marshall a man of sympathy; but the +manager was as cold as an icicle. + +Beth, uneasy at his silence, nudged him. + +"Pay it, Ken," she whispered. + +"Very well, Mr. Marshall," said he, "I accept your terms." + +The check was written and handed over, and Marshall took the forged +check from his safe and delivered it, with the other papers in the case, +to Mr. Forbes. He also wrote a note to his lawyer directing him to +withdraw the prosecution. + +Kenneth and Beth went away quite happy with their success, and the +manager stood in his little window and watched them depart. There was a +grim smile of amusement on his shrewd face. + +"Of all the easy marks I ever encountered," muttered Mr. Marshall, "this +young Forbes is the easiest. Why, he's a fool, that's what he is. He +might have had that forged check for the face of it, if he'd been sharp. +You wouldn't catch 'Rast Hopkins doing such a fool stunt. Not in a +thousand years!" + +Meantime Beth was pressing Kenneth's arm as she sat beside him and +saying happily: + +"I'm so glad, Ken--so glad! And to think we can save all that misery and +despair by the payment of a hundred and fifty dollars! And now we must +find the girl." + +"Yes," replied the boy, cheerfully, "we must find Lucy." + + + + +CHAPTER XI + +A MYSTERIOUS DISAPPEARANCE + + +A woman was sitting in a low room, engaged in knitting. Her feet were +stretched out toward a small fire that smouldered in an open hearth. She +wore a simple calico gown, neat and well-fitting, and her face bore +traces of much beauty that time and care had been unable wholly to +efface. + +Suddenly she paused in her work, her head turned slightly to one side to +listen. + +"Come in, sir," she called in a soft but distinct voice; "come in, +miss." + +So Kenneth and Beth entered at the half-open porch door and advanced +into the room. + +"Is this Mrs. Rogers?" asked Beth, looking at the woman curiously. The +woman's eyes were closed, but the lashes fell in graceful dark curves +over her withered cheeks. The girl wondered how she had been able to +know her visitors' sex so accurately. + +"Yes, I am Mrs. Rogers," said the sweet, sad voice. "And I think you are +one of the young ladies from Elmhurst--perhaps the one Will talked to." + +"You are right, Mrs. Rogers. I am Elizabeth DeGraf." + +"And your companion--is it Mr. Forbes?" the woman asked. + +"Yes, madam," replied Kenneth, astonished to find Will's wife speaking +with so much refinement and gracious ease. + +"You are very welcome. Will you please find seats? My affliction renders +me helpless, as you may see." + +"We are very comfortable, I assure you, Mrs. Rogers," said Beth. "We +have come to ask if you have heard anything of your daughter." + +"Not a word as yet, Miss DeGraf, Will is out with the horse and buggy +doing his best to get information. But Lucy has been gone so long now +that I realize it will be difficult to find her, if, indeed, the poor +girl has not--is not--" + +Her voice broke. + +"Oh, you don't fear _that_, do you, Mrs. Rogers?" asked Beth, quickly. + +"I fear anything--everything!" wailed the poor creature, the tears +streaming from between her closed lids. "My darling was frantic with +grief, and she couldn't bear the humiliation and disgrace of her +position. Will told you, didn't he?" + +"Yes, of course. But it wasn't so bad, Mrs. Rogers; it wasn't a +desperate condition, by any means." + +"With poor Tom in prison for years--and just for trying to help her." + +"Tom isn't in prison, you know, any more," said Beth quietly. "He has +been released." + +"Released! When?" + +"Last evening. His fault has been forgiven, and he is now free." + +The woman sat silent for a time. Then she asked: + +"You have done this, Mr. Forbes?" + +"Why, Miss DeGraf and I assisted, perhaps. The young man is not really +bad, and--" + +"Tom's a fine boy!" she cried, with eagerness. "He's honest and true, +Mr. Forbes--he is, indeed!" + +"I think so," said Kenneth. + +"If he wasn't my Lucy would never have loved him. He had a bright future +before him, sir, and that's why my child went mad when he ruined his +life for her sake." + +"Was she mad, do you think?" asked Beth, softly. + +"She must have been," said the mother, sadly. "Lucy was a sensible girl, +and until this thing happened she was as bright and cheerful as the day +is long. But she is very sensitive--she inherited that from me, I +think--and Tom's action drove her distracted. At first she raved and +rambled incoherently, and Will and I feared brain fever would set in. +Then she disappeared in the night, without leaving a word or message for +us, which was unlike her--and we've never heard a word of her since. +The--the river has a strange fascination for people in that condition. +At times in my life it has almost drawn _me_ into its depths--and I am +not mad. I have never been mad." + +"Let us hope for the best, Mrs. Rogers," said Beth. "Somehow, I have an +idea this trouble will all turn out well in the end." + +"Have you?" asked the woman, earnestly. + +"Yes. It all came about through such a little thing--merely an unjust +accusation." + +"The little things are the ones that ruin lives," she said. "Will you +let me tell you something of myself? You have been so kind to us, my +dear, that I feel you ought to know." + +"I shall be glad to know whatever you care to tell me," said Beth, +simply. + +"I am the wife of a poor farmer," began the woman, speaking softly and +with some hesitation, but gaining strength as she proceeded. "As a girl +I was considered attractive, and my father was a man of great wealth and +social standing. We lived in Baltimore. Then I fell in love with a young +man who, after obtaining my promise to marry him, found some one he +loved better and carelessly discarded me. As I have said, I have a +sensitive nature. In my girlhood I was especially susceptible to any +slight, and this young man's heartless action made it impossible for me +to remain at home and face the humiliation he had thrust upon me. My +father was a hard man, and demanded that I marry the man he had himself +chosen; but I resented this command and ran away. My mother had passed +on long before, and there was nothing to keep me at home. I came west +and secured a position to teach school in this county, and for a time I +was quite contented and succeeded in living down my disappointment. I +heard but once from my father. He had married again and disinherited me. +He forbade me to ever communicate with him again. + +"At that time Will Rogers was one of the most promising and manly of the +country lads around here. He was desperately in love with me, and at +this period, when I seemed completely cut off from my old life and the +future contained no promise, I thought it best to wear out the remainder +of my existence in the seclusion of a farm-house. I put all the past +behind me, and told Will Rogers I would marry him and be a faithful +wife; but that my heart was dead. He accepted me on that condition, and +it was not until after we were married some time that my husband +realized how impossible it would ever be to arouse my affection. Then he +lost courage, and became careless and reckless. When our child came--our +Lucy--Will was devoted to her, and the baby wakened in me all the old +passionate capacity to love. Lucy drew Will and me a little closer +together, but he never recovered his youthful ambition. He was a +disappointed man, and went from bad to worse. I don't say Will hasn't +always been tender and true to me, and absolutely devoted to Lucy. But +he lost all hope of being loved as he loved me, and the disappointment +broke him down. He became an old man early in life, and his lack of +energy kept us very poor. I used to take in sewing before the accident +to my eyes, and that helped a good deal to pay expenses. But now I am +helpless, and my husband devotes all his time to me, although I beg him +to work the farm and try to earn some money. + +"I wouldn't have minded the poverty; I wouldn't mind being blind, even, +if Lucy had been spared to me. I have had to bear so much in my life +that I could even bear my child's death. But to have her disappear and +not know what has become of her--whether she is living miserably or +lying at the bottom of the river--it is this that is driving me +distracted." + +Kenneth and Beth remained silent for a time after Mrs. Rogers had +finished her tragic story, for their hearts were full of sympathy for +the poor woman. It was hard to realize that a refined, beautiful and +educated girl had made so sad a mistake of her life and suffered so many +afflictions as a consequence. That old Will had never been a fitting +mate for his wife could readily be understood, and yet the man was still +devoted to his helpless, unresponsive spouse. The fault was not his. + +The boy and the girl both perceived that there was but one way they +could assist Mrs. Rogers, and that was to discover what had become of +her child. + +"Was Lucy like you, or did she resemble her father?" asked Beth. + +"She is--she was very like me when I was young," replied the woman. +"There is a photograph of her on the wall there between the windows; but +it was taken five years ago, when she was a child. Now she is--she was +eighteen, and a well-developed young woman." + +"I've been looking at the picture," said Kenneth. + +"And you mustn't think of her as dead, Mrs. Rogers," said Beth, +pleadingly. "I'm sure she is alive, and that we shall find her. We're +going right to work, and everything possible shall be done to trace your +daughter. Don't worry, please. Be as cheerful as you can, and leave the +search to us." + +The woman sighed. + +"Will believes she is alive, too," she said. "He can't sleep or rest +till he finds her, for my husband loves her as well as I do. But +sometimes I feel it's wicked to hope she is alive. I know what she +suffers, for I suffered, myself; and life isn't worth living when +despair and disappointment fills it." + +"I cannot see why Lucy shouldn't yet be happy," protested Beth. "Tom +Gates is now free, and can begin life anew." + +"His trouble will follow him everywhere," said Mrs. Rogers, with +conviction. "Who will employ a bookkeeper, or even a clerk who has been +guilty of forgery?" + +"I think I shall give him employment," replied Kenneth. + +"You, Mr. Forbes!" + +"Yes. I'm not afraid of a boy who became a criminal to save the girl he +loved." + +"But all the world knows of his crime!" she exclaimed. + +"The world forgets these things sooner than you suppose," he answered. +"I need a secretary, and in that position Tom Gates will quickly be able +to live down this unfortunate affair. And if he turns out as well as I +expect, he will soon be able to marry Lucy and give her a comfortable +home. So now nothing remains but to find your girl, and we'll try to do +that, I assure you." + +Mrs. Rogers was crying softly by this time, but it was from joy and +relief. When they left her she promised to be as cheerful as possible +and to look on the bright side of life. + +"I can't thank you," she said, "so I won't try. You must know how +grateful we are to you." + +As Beth and Kenneth drove back to Elmhurst they were both rather silent, +for they had been strongly affected by the scene at the farm-house. + +"It's so good of you, Ken, to take Tom Gates into your employ," said the +girl, pressing her cousin's arm. "And I'm sure he'll be true and +grateful." + +"I really need him, Beth," said the boy. "There is getting to be too +much correspondence for Mr. Watson to attend to, and I ought to relieve +him of many other details. It's a good arrangement, and I'm glad I +thought of it." + +They had almost reached Elmhurst when they met the Honorable Erastus +Hopkins driving along the road. On the seat beside him was a young girl, +and as the vehicles passed each other Beth gave a start and clung to the +boy's arm. + +"Oh, Ken!" she cried, "did you see? Did you see that?" + +"Yes; it's my respected adversary." + +"But the girl! It's Lucy--I'm sure it's Lucy! She's the living image of +Mrs. Rogers! Stop--stop--and let's go back!" + +"Nonsense, Beth," said the boy. "It can't be." + +"But it is. I'm sure it is!" + +"I saw the girl," he said. "She was laughing gaily and talking with the +Honorable Erastus. Is that your idea of the mad, broken-hearted Lucy +Rogers?" + +"N-no. She _was_ laughing, Ken, I noticed it." + +"And she wasn't unhappy a bit. You mustn't think that every pretty girl +with dark eyes you meet is Lucy Rogers, you know. And there's another +thing." + +"What, Ken?" + +"Any companion of Mr. Hopkins can be easily traced." + +"That's true," answered the girl, thoughtfully. "I must have been +mistaken," she added, with a sigh. + + + + +CHAPTER XII + +BETH MEETS A REBUFF + + +The campaign was now growing warm. Mr. Hopkins had come to realize that +he had "the fight of his life" on his hands, and that defeat meant his +political ruin. Close-fisted and miserly as he was, no one knew so well +as the Honorable Erastus how valuable this position of Representative +was to him in a financial way, and that by winning re-election he could +find means to reimburse himself for all he had expended in the fight. +So, to the surprise of the Democratic Committee and all his friends, Mr. +Hopkins announced that he would oppose Forbes's aggressive campaign with +an equal aggressiveness, and spend as many dollars in doing so as might +be necessary. + +He did not laugh at his opponents any longer. To himself he admitted +their shrewdness and activity and acknowledged that an experienced head +was managing their affairs. + +One of Mr. Hopkins's first tasks after calling his faithful henchmen +around him was to make a careful canvass of the voters of his district, +to see what was still to be accomplished. + +This canvass was quite satisfactory, for final report showed only about +a hundred majority for Forbes. The district was naturally Republican by +six hundred majority, and Hopkins had previously been elected by a +plurality of eighty-three; so that all the electioneering of the girl +politicians, and the expenditure of vast sums of money in painting +fences and barns, buying newspapers and flaunting Forbes banners in the +breezes, had not cut into the Hopkins following to any serious extent. + +But, to offset this cheering condition, the Democratic agents who made +the canvass reported that there was an air of uncertainty throughout the +district, and that many of those who declared for Hopkins were lukewarm +and faint-hearted, and might easily be induced to change their votes. +This was what must be prevented. The "weak-kneed" contingency must be +strengthened and fortified, and a couple of hundred votes in one way or +another secured from the opposition. + +The Democratic Committee figured out a way to do this. Monroe County, +where both Forbes and Hopkins resided, was one of the Democratic +strongholds of the State. The portions of Washington and Jefferson +Counties included in the Eighth District were as strongly Republican, +and being more populous gave to the district its natural Republican +majority. On the same ticket that was to elect a Representative to the +State Legislature was the candidate for Sheriff of Monroe County. A man +named Cummings was the Republican and Seth Reynolds, the liveryman, the +Democratic nominee. Under ordinary conditions Reynolds was sure to be +elected, but the Committee proposed to sacrifice him in order to elect +Hopkins. The Democrats would bargain with the Republicans to vote for +the Republican Sheriff if the Republicans would vote for the Democratic +Representative. This "trading votes," which was often done, was +considered by the politicians quite legitimate. The only thing necessary +was to "fix" Seth Reynolds, and this Hopkins arranged personally. The +office of Sheriff would pay about two thousand a year, and this sum +Hopkins agreed to pay the liveryman and so relieve him of all the +annoyance of earning it. + +Reynolds saw the political necessity of this sacrifice, and consented +readily to the arrangement. Mr. Cummings, who was to profit by the deal, +was called to a private consultation and agreed to slaughter Kenneth +Forbes to secure votes for himself. It was thought that this clever +arrangement would easily win the fight for Hopkins. + +But the Honorable Erastus had no intention of "taking chances," or +"monkeying with fate," as he tersely expressed it. Every scheme known to +politicians must be worked, and none knew the intricate game better than +Hopkins. This was why he held several long conferences with his friend +Marshall, the manager at the mill. And this was why Kenneth and Beth +discovered him conversing with the young woman in the buggy. Mr. Hopkins +had picked her up from the path leading from the rear gate of the +Elmhurst grounds, and she had given him accurate information concerning +the movements of the girl campaigners. The description she gave of the +coming reception to the Woman's Political League was so humorous and +diverting that they were both laughing heartily over the thing when the +young people passed them, and thus Mr. Hopkins failed to notice who the +occupants of the other vehicle were. + +He talked for an hour with the girl, gave her explicit instructions, +thrust some money into her hand, and then drove her back to the bend in +the path whence she quickly made her way up to the great house. + +Louise was making great preparations to entertain the Woman's Political +League, an organization she had herself founded, the members of which +were wives of farmers in the district. These women were flattered by the +attention of the young lady and had promised to assist in electing Mr. +Forbes. Louise hoped for excellent results from this organization and +wished the entertainment to be so effective in winning their good-will +that they would work earnestly for the cause in which they were +enlisted. + +Patsy and Beth supported their cousin loyally and assisted in the +preparations. The Fairview band was engaged to discourse as much harmony +as it could produce, and the resources of the great house were taxed to +entertain the guests. Tables were spread on the lawn and a dainty but +substantial repast was to be served. + +The day of the entertainment was as sunny and mild as heart could +desire. + +By ten o'clock the farm wagons began to drive up, loaded with women and +children, for all were invited except the grown men. This was the first +occasion within a generation when such an entertainment had been given +at Elmhurst, and the only one within the memory of man where the +neighbors and country people had been invited guests. So all were eager +to attend and enjoy the novel event. + +The gardens and grounds were gaily decorated with Chinese and Japanese +lanterns, streamers and Forbes banners. There were great tanks of +lemonade, and tables covered with candies and fruits for the children, +and maids and other servants distributed the things and looked after the +comfort of the guests. The band played briskly, and before noon the +scene was one of great animation. A speakers' stand, profusely +decorated, had been erected on the lawn, and hundreds of folding chairs +provided for seats. The attendance was unexpectedly large, and the girls +were delighted, foreseeing great success for their fête. + +"We ought to have more attendants, Beth," said Louise, approaching her +cousin. "Won't you run into the house and see if Martha can't spare one +or two more maids?" + +Beth went at once, and found the housekeeper in her little room. Martha +was old and somewhat feeble in body, but her mind was still active and +her long years of experience in directing the household at Elmhurst made +her a very useful and important personage. She was very fond of the +young ladies, whom she had known when Aunt Jane was the mistress here, +and Beth was her especial favorite. + +So she greeted the girl cordially, and said: + +"Maids? My dear, I haven't another one to give you, and my legs are too +tottering to be of any use. I counted on Eliza Parsons, the new girl I +hired for the linen room and to do mending; but Eliza said she had a +headache this morning and couldn't stand the sun, So I let her off. But +she didn't seem very sick to me." + +"Perhaps she is better and will help us until after the luncheon is +served," said Beth. "Where is she, Martha? I'll go and ask her." + +"I'd better show you the way, miss. She's in her own room." + +The housekeeper led the way and Beth followed. When she rapped upon the +door, a sweet, quiet voice said: + +"Come in." + +The girl entered, and gave an involuntary cry of surprise. Standing +before her was the young girl she had seen riding with Mr. Hopkins--the +girl she had declared to be the missing daughter of Mrs. Rogers. + +For a moment Beth stood staring, while the new maid regarded her with +composure and a slight smile upon her beautiful face. She was dressed in +the regulation costume of the maids at Elmhurst, a plain black gown with +white apron and cap. + +"I--I beg your pardon," said Beth, with a slight gasp; for the likeness +to Mrs. Rogers was something amazing. "Aren't you Lucy Rogers?" + +The maid raised her eyebrows with a gesture of genuine surprise. Then +she gave a little laugh, and replied: + +"No, Miss Beth. I'm Elizabeth Parsons." + +"But it can't be," protested the girl. "How do you know my name, and why +haven't I seen you here before?" + +"I'm not a very important person at Elmhurst," replied Eliza, in a +pleasant, even tone. "I obtained the situation only a few days ago. I +attend to the household mending, you know, and care for the linen. But +one can't be here without knowing the names of the young ladies, so I +recognize you as Miss Beth, one of Mr. Forbes's cousins." + +"You speak like an educated person," said Beth, wonderingly. "Where is +your home?" + +For the first time the maid seemed a little confused, and her gaze +wandered from the face of her visitor. + +"Will you excuse my answering that question?" she asked. + +"It is very simple and natural," persisted Beth. "Why cannot you answer +it?" + +"Excuse me, please. I--I am not well today. I have a headache." + +She sat down in a rocking chair, and clasping her hands in her lap, +rocked slowly back and forth. + +"I'm sorry," said Beth. "I hoped you would be able to assist me on the +lawn. There are so many people that we can't give them proper +attention." + +Eliza Parsons shook her head. + +"I am not able," she declared. "I abhor crowds. They--they excite me, in +some way, and I--I can't bear them. You must excuse me." + +Beth looked at the strange girl without taking the hint to retire. +Somehow, she could not rid herself of the impression that whether or not +she was mistaken in supposing Eliza to be the missing Lucy, she had +stumbled upon a sphinx whose riddle was well worth solving. + +But Eliza bore the scrutiny with quiet unconcern. She even seemed mildly +amused at the attention she attracted. Beth was a beautiful girl--the +handsomest of the three cousins, by far; yet Eliza surpassed her in +natural charm, and seemed well aware of the fact. Her manner was neither +independent nor assertive, but rather one of well-bred composure and +calm reliance. Beth felt that she was intruding and knew that she ought +to go; yet some fascination held her to the spot. Her eyes wandered to +the maid's hands. However her features and form might repress any +evidence of nervousness, these hands told a different story. The thin +fingers clasped and unclasped in little spasmodic jerks and belied the +quiet smile upon the face above them. + +"I wish," said Beth, slowly, "I knew you." + +A sudden wave of scarlet swept over Eliza's face. She rose quickly to +her feet, with an impetuous gesture that made her visitor catch her +breath. + +"I wish I knew myself," she cried, fiercely. "Why do you annoy me in +this manner? What am I to you? Will you leave me alone in my own room, +or must I go away to escape you?" + +"I will go," said Beth, a little frightened at the passionate appeal. + +Eliza closed the door behind her with a decided slam, and a key clicked +in the lock. The sound made Beth indignant, and she hurried back to +where her cousins were busy with the laughing, chattering throng of +visitors. + + + + +CHAPTER XIII + +THE BOOMERANG + + +The lawn fête was a tremendous success, and every farmer's wife was +proud of her satin badge bearing the monogram: "W. P. L.," and the +words: "FORBES FOR REPRESENTATIVE." + +Certain edibles, such as charlotte-russe, Spanish cream, wine jellies +and mousses, to say nothing of the caviars and anchovies, were wholly +unknown to them; but they ate the dainties with a wise disregard of +their inexperience and enjoyed them immensely. + +The old butler was a general in his way, and in view of the fact that +the staff of servants at Elmhurst was insufficient to cope with such a +throng, he allowed Louise to impress several farmers' daughters into +service, and was able to feed everyone without delay and in an abundant +and satisfactory manner. + +After luncheon began the speech-making, interspersed with music by the +band. + +Louise made the preliminary address, and, although her voice was not +very strong, the silent attention of her hearers permitted her to be +generally understood. + +She called attention to the fact that this campaign was important +because it promised more beautiful and attractive houses for the farmers +and townsmen alike. + +"We had all grown so accustomed to advertising signs," she said, "that +we failed to notice how thick they were becoming or how bold and +overpowering. From a few scattered announcements on fence boards, they +had crowded themselves into more prominent places until the barns and +sheds and the very rocks were daubed with glaring letters asking us to +buy the medicines, soaps, tobaccos, and other wares the manufacturers +were anxious to sell. Every country road became an advertising avenue. +Scarcely a country house was free from signs of some sort. Yet the +people tamely submitted to this imposition because they knew no way to +avoid it. When Mr. Forbes began his campaign to restore the homesteads +to their former beauty and dignity, a cry was raised against him. But +this was because the farmers did not understand how much this reform +meant to them. So we gave them an object lesson. We painted out all the +signs in this section at our own expense, that you might see how much +more beautiful your homes are without them. We believe that none of you +will ever care to allow advertising signs on your property again, and +that the quiet refinement of this part of the country will induce many +other places to follow our example, until advertisers are forced to +confine themselves to newspapers, magazines and circulars, their only +legitimate channels. This much Mr. Forbes has already done for you, and +he will now tell you what else, if he is elected, he proposes to do." + +Kenneth then took the platform and was welcomed with a hearty cheer. He +modestly assured them that a Representative in the State Legislature +could accomplish much good for his district if he honestly desired to do +so. That was what a Representative was for--to represent his people. It +was folly to elect any man who would forget that duty and promote only +his own interests through the position of power to which the people had +appointed him. Mr. Forbes admitted that he had undertaken this campaign +because he was opposed to offensive advertising signs; but now he had +become interested in other issues, and was anxious to be elected so that +he could carry on the work of reform. They needed more school-houses for +their children, and many other things which he hoped to provide as their +Representative. + +During this oration Beth happened to glance up at the house, and her +sharp eyes detected the maid, Eliza, standing shielded behind the +half-closed blind of an upper window and listening to, as well as +watching, the proceedings below. Then she remembered how the girl had +been laughing and talking with Mr. Hopkins, when she first saw her, and +with sudden dismay realized that Eliza was a spy in the service of the +enemy. + +Her first impulse was to denounce the maid at once, and have her +discharged; but the time was not opportune, so she waited until the +festivities were ended. + +It had been a great day for the families of the neighboring farmers, and +they drove homeward in the late afternoon full of enthusiasm over the +royal manner in which they had been entertained and admiration for the +girls who had provided the fun and feasting. Indeed, there were more +kindly thoughts expressed for the inhabitants of Elmhurst than had ever +before been heard in a single day in the history of the county, and the +great and the humble seemed more closely drawn together. + +When the last guest had departed Beth got her cousins and Kenneth +together and told them of her discovery of the spy. + +Kenneth was at first greatly annoyed, and proposed to call Martha and +have the false maid ejected from the premises; but Patsy's wise little +head counselled caution in handling the matter. + +"Now that we know her secret," she said, "the girl cannot cause us more +real harm, and there may be a way to circumvent this unscrupulous +Hopkins and turn the incident to our own advantage. Let's think it over +carefully before we act." + +"There's another thing," said Beth, supporting her cousin. "I'm +interested in the mystery surrounding the girl. I now think I was wrong +in suspecting her to be the lost Lucy Rogers; but there is surely some +romance connected with her, and she is not what she seems to be. I'd +like to study her a little." + +"It was absurd to connect her with Lucy Rogers," observed Kenneth, "for +there is nothing in her character to remind one of the unhappy girl." + +"Except her looks," added Beth. "She's the living image of Mrs. Rogers." + +"That isn't important," replied Louise. "It is probably a mere +coincidence. None of us have ever seen the real Lucy, and she may not +resemble her mother at all." + +"Mrs. Rogers claims she does," said Beth. "But anyhow, I have a wish to +keep this girl at the house, where I can study her character." + +"Then keep her, my dear," decided Kenneth. "I'll set a couple of men to +watch the gates, and if she goes out we'll know whom she meets. The most +she can do is to report our movements to Mr. Hopkins, and there's no +great harm in that." + +So the matter was left, for the time; and as if to verify Beth's +suspicions Eliza was seen to leave the grounds after dusk and meet Mr. +Hopkins in the lane. They conversed together a few moments, and then the +maid calmly returned and went to her room. + +The next day Mr. Hopkins scattered flaring hand-bills over the district +which were worded in a way designed to offset any advantage his opponent +had gained from the lawn fête of the previous day. They read: "Hopkins, +the Man of the Times, is the Champion of the Signs of the Times. Forbes, +who never earned a dollar in his life, but inherited his money, is +trying to take the dollars out of the pockets of the farmers by +depriving them of the income derived by selling spaces for advertising +signs. He is robbing the farmers while claiming he wants to beautify +their homes. The farmers can't eat beauty; they want money. Therefore +they are going to vote for the Honorable Erastus Hopkins for +Representative." Then followed an estimate of the money paid the farmers +of the district by the advertisers during the past five years, amounting +to several thousands of dollars in the aggregate. The circular ended in +this way: "Hopkins challenges Forbes to deny these facts. Hopkins is +willing to meet Forbes before the public at any time and place he may +select, to settle this argument in joint debate." + +The girls accepted the challenge at once. Within two days every farmer +had received a notice that Mr. Forbes would meet Mr. Hopkins at the +Fairview Opera House on Saturday afternoon to debate the question as to +whether advertising signs brought good or evil to the community. + +The campaign was now getting hot. Because of the activity of the +opposing candidates every voter in the district had become more or less +interested in the fight, and people were taking one side or the other +with unusual earnestness. + +Mr. Hopkins was not greatly pleased that his challenge had been +accepted. He had imagined that the Forbes party would ignore it and +leave him the prestige of crowing over his opponent's timidity. But he +remembered how easily he had subdued Kenneth at the school-house meeting +before the nominations, and had no doubt of his ability to repeat the +operation. + +He was much incensed against the girls who were working for Kenneth +Forbes, for he realized that they were proving an important factor in +the campaign. He even attributed to them more than they deserved, for +Uncle John's telling activities were so quietly conducted that he was +personally lost sight of entirely by Mr. Hopkins. + +Mr. Hopkins had therefore become so enraged that, against the advice of +his friends, he issued a circular sneering at "Women in Politics." The +newspapers having been subsidized by the opposition so early in the +game, Mr. Hopkins had driven to employ the circular method of +communicating with the voters. Scarcely a day passed now that his corps +of distributors did not leave some of his literature at every dwelling +in the district. + +His tirade against the girls was neither convincing nor in good taste. +He asked the voters if they were willing to submit to "petticoat +government," and permit a "lot of boarding-school girls, with more +boldness than modesty" to dictate the policies of the community. "These +frizzle-headed females," continued the circular, "are trying to make +your wives and daughters as rebellious and unreasonable as they are +themselves; but no man of sense will permit a woman to influence his +vote. It is a disgrace to this district that Mr. Forbes allows his +girlish campaign to be run by a lot of misses who should be at home +darning stockings; or, if they were not able to do that, practicing +their music-lessons." + +"Good!" exclaimed shrewd Miss Patsy, when she read this circular. "If +I'm not much mistaken, Mr. Hopkins has thrown a boomerang. Every woman +who attended the fête is now linked with us as an ally, and every one of +them will resent this foolish circular." + +"I'm sorry," said Kenneth, "that you girls should be forced to endure +this. I feared something like it when you insisted on taking a hand in +the game." + +But they laughed at him and at Mr. Hopkins, and declared they were not +at all offended. + +"One cannot touch pitch without being defiled," said Mr. Watson, +gravely, "and politics, as Mr. Hopkins knows it, is little more than +pitch." + +"I cannot see that there is anything my girls have done to forfeit +respect and admiration," asserted Uncle John, stoutly. "To accuse them +of boldness or immodesty is absurd. They have merely gone to work in a +business-like manner and used their wits and common-sense in educating +the voters. Really, my dears, I'm more proud of you today than I've ever +been before," he concluded. + +And Uncle John was right. There had been no loss of dignity by any one +of the three, and their evident refinement, as well as their gentleness +and good humor, had until now protected them from any reproach. It had +remained for Mr. Hopkins to accuse them, and his circular had a wide +influence in determining the issue of the campaign. + + + + +CHAPTER XIV + +LUCY'S GHOST + + +Kenneth had sent word to Tom Gates, asking the young man to come to +Elmhurst, but it was not until two days after the lawn party that Tom +appeared and asked permission to see Mr. Forbes. + +Beth and Louise were with Kenneth at the time, and were eager to remain +during the interview, so the young man was shown into the library. + +Beth could scarcely recognize in him the calm and cheerful Tom Gates +they had visited in the county jail; for his face was drawn with care +and anxiety, eyes were bloodshot, and his former neat appearance was +changed to one careless and untidy. + +Kenneth scrutinized him closely. + +"What have you been up to, Tom?" he asked. + +"I've been searching for Lucy, sir, night and day. I haven't slept a +wink since I heard the awful news of her sickness and escape. Where do +you think she can be, sir?" + +His question was full of agonized entreaty, and his manner pitifully +appealing. + +"I don't know," answered Kenneth. "Where have you searched?" + +"Everywhere, sir, that she might be likely to go. I've inquired in every +town, and along every road leading out of the county. She didn't take a +train, because poor Lucy hadn't any money--and I've asked at all the +stations. And--and--along the river they say no girl answering her +description has been seen." + +"It's strange," remarked Kenneth, thoughtfully, while the girls regarded +the youth with silent sympathy. + +"If you knew Lucy, sir, you'd realize how strange it is," went on young +Gates, earnestly. "She was such a gentle, shrinking girl, as shy and +retiring as a child. And she never did a thing that would cause anyone +the least worry or unhappiness. But she was out of her head, sir, and +didn't know what she was about. That was the reason she went away. And +from the moment she left her home all trace of her was lost." + +"One would think," observed Kenneth, "that a poor, demented girl, +wandering about the country, would be noticed by scores of people. Did +she take any clothing with her?" + +"Only the dress she had on, sir, and not even a hat or a shawl." + +"What was her dress like?" asked Beth, quickly. + +"It was a light grey in color, and plainly made. She wore a white +collar, but that is all we can be certain she had on. You see her mother +is blind, and old Will doesn't observe very closely." + +"Does Lucy resemble her mother?" inquired Beth. + +"Very much, miss. She was a beautiful girl, everyone acknowledged. And +it's all my fault--all my fault. I thought to save her, and drove her +mad, instead!" + +"You might have known that," declared Kenneth. "A girl of her character, +sensitive to a fault, would be greatly shocked to find the man she loved +a criminal." + +"It was for her sake." + +"That is a poor excuse. If you had waited Lucy would have proved her +innocence." + +"They threatened to arrest her, sir. It would have killed her." + +"They wouldn't dare arrest her on suspicion." + +"The Squierses would dare do anything. You don't know old Mrs. Squiers." + +"I know the law, sir, and in any event it was a foolish thing, as well +as criminal, to forge a check to get the money they demanded." + +"You are right, sir," replied Tom Gates, despondently. "It was foolish +and criminal. I wouldn't mind my own punishment, but it drove my Lucy +mad." + +"See here," said Kenneth, sternly, "you are getting morbid, young man, +and pretty soon you'll be mad yourself. If Lucy is found do you want her +to see you in this condition?" + +"Can she be found, sir, do you think?" + +"We are trying to find her," replied Kenneth. "You have failed, it +seems, and Will Rogers had failed. I've had one of the cleverest +detectives of Chicago trying to find her for the last three days." + +"Oh, Kenneth!" exclaimed Beth. "I didn't know that. How good of you!" + +"It must have been the detective that came to see Mrs. Rogers," said +Tom, musingly. "She told me a strange man had been there from Mr. +Forbes, to inquire all about Lucy." + +"Yes; he makes a report to me every evening," remarked Kenneth; "and Mr. +Burke says this is the most mystifying case he has ever encountered. So +far there isn't a clew to follow. But you may rest assured that what any +man can do, Burke will do." + +"I'm so grateful, sir!" said Tom. + +"Then you must show it by being a man, and not by giving way to your +trouble in this foolish manner." + +"I'll try, sir, now that there's something to hope for." + +"There's a good deal to hope for. Despair won't help you. You must go to +work." + +"I will. It won't be very easy to get work, for I've disgraced myself in +this neighborhood, and I can't leave here till something is known of +Lucy's fate. But I'll do something--any kind of work--if I can get it." + +"I need someone to assist me in my correspondence," said Kenneth. "Would +you like to be my secretary?" + +"Me, Mr. Forbes--me!" + +"Yes, Tom. I'll pay you twenty dollars a week to start with, and more if +you serve me faithfully. And you'll board here, of course." + +Then Tom Gates broke down and began to cry like a child, although he +tried hard to control himself. + +"You--you must forgive me, Mr. Forbes," he said, penitently; "I--I've +been without sleep for so long that I haven't any nerves left." + +"Then you must go to sleep now, and get a good rest." He turned to Beth. +"Will you see Martha," he asked, "and have her give Tom Gates a room?" + +She went on her errand at once, and gradually the young man recovered +his composure. + +"I can do typewriting and stenography, Mr. Forbes," he said, "and I can +keep accounts. I'll serve you faithfully, sir." + +"We'll talk of all this by and by, Tom," replied Kenneth, kindly. "Just +now you must have some sleep and get your strength back. And don't worry +about Lucy. Burke will do everything that can be done, and I am +confident he will be able to trace the girl in time." + +"Thank you, sir." + +Then he followed the butler away to his room, and after the girls had +discussed him and expressed their sympathy for the unfortunate fellow, +they all turned their attention to the important matter of the campaign. +The debate with Hopkins was the thing that occupied them just now, and +when Patsy joined the group of workers they began to discuss some means +of scoring a decisive victory at the Fairview Opera House. The Honorable +Erastus still insisted upon making the anti-sign fight the prominent +issue of the campaign, and they must reply forcibly to the misleading +statements made in his last hand-bill. + +Meantime Tom Gates was sunk in the deep sleep of physical exhaustion, +and the day wore away before he wakened. When at last he regained +consciousness he found the sun sinking in the west and feared he had +been guilty of indiscretion. He remembered that he was Mr. Forbes's +secretary now, and that Mr. Forbes might want him. He was not yet +thoroughly rested, but night was approaching and he reflected that he +could obtain all the sleep that he needed then. + +So, greatly refreshed, and in a quieter mood than he had been for days, +the young man dressed and entered the hall to find his way downstairs. + +It happened that Beth, whose room was near this rear corridor, had just +gone there to dress for dinner, and as she was closing her door she +heard a wild, impassioned cry: + +"Lucy!" + +Quickly she sprang out into the hall and turned the corner in time to +see a strange tableau. + +Young Gates was standing with his arms outstretched toward Eliza +Parsons, who, a few paces away, had her back to the door of her own +chamber, from which she had evidently just stepped. She stood +motionless, looking curiously at the youth who confronted her. + +"Lucy! don't you know me?" he asked, his voice trembling with emotion. + +"To begin with," said the girl, composedly, "my name happens to be +Eliza. And as we've not been properly introduced I really don't see why +I should know you," she added, with a light laugh. + +Tom Gates shrank away from her as if he had been struck. + +"You can't be Lucy!" he murmured. "And yet--and yet--oh, you _must_ be +Lucy! You must know me! Look at me, dear--I'm Tom. I'm your own Tom, +Lucy!" + +"It's very gratifying, I'm sure, young man," said the girl, a touch of +scorn in her tones. "If you're my own Tom you'll perhaps stand out of my +way and let me go to my work." + +Without another word he backed up again; the wall and permitted her to +sweep by him, which she did with a gesture of disdain. + +When Eliza Parsons had disappeared down the back stairs Beth drew a long +breath and approached Tom Gates, who still stood by the wall staring at +the place where the girl had disappeared. + +"I overheard," said Beth. "Tell me, Tom, is she really like Lucy?" + +He looked at her with a dazed expression, as if he scarcely comprehended +her words. + +"Could you have been mistaken?" persisted the questioner. + +He passed his hand over his eyes and gave a shudder. + +"Either it was Lucy or her ghost," he muttered. + +"Eliza Parsons is no ghost," declared Beth. "She's one of the maids here +at Elmhurst, and you're quite likely to see her again." + +"Has she been here long?" he asked, eagerly. + +"No; only a few days." + +"Oh!" + +"When I first saw her I was struck by her resemblance to Mrs. Rogers," +continued the girl. + +"But she's so different," said Tom, choking back a sob. "Lucy couldn't +be so--so airy, so heartless. She isn't at all that style of a girl, +miss." + +"She may be acting," suggested Beth. + +But he shook his head gloomily. + +"No; Lucy couldn't act that way. She's quick and impulsive, but she--she +couldn't act. And she wouldn't treat me that way, either, Miss Beth. +Lucy and I have been sweethearts for years, and I know every expression +of her dear face. But the look that this girl gave me was one that my +Lucy never could assume. I must have been mistaken. I--I'm sure I was +mistaken." + +Beth sighed. She was disappointed. + +"I suppose," continued Tom, "that I've thought of Lucy so long and so +much, lately, and worried so over her disappearance, that I'm not quite +myself, and imagined this girl was more like her than she really is. +What did you say her name was?" + +"Eliza Parsons." + +"Thank you. Can you tell me where I'll find Mr. Forbes?" + +"He's getting ready for dinner, now, and won't need you at present." + +"Then I'll go back to my room. It--it was a great shock to me, that +likeness, Miss DeGraf." + +"I can well believe it," said Beth; and then she went to her own +apartment, greatly puzzled at a resemblance so strong that it had even +deceived Lucy Rogers's own sweetheart. + + + + +CHAPTER XV + +SIGNS OF THE TIMES + + +"If she is really Lucy Rogers, she'll be missing tomorrow morning," said +Beth when she had told her cousins of the encounter in the corridor. + +But Eliza Parsons was still at Elmhurst the next day, calmly pursuing +her duties, and evidently having forgotten or decided to ignore the +young man who had so curiously mistaken her for another. Beth took +occasion to watch her movements, so far as she could, and came to the +conclusion that the girl was not acting a part. She laughed naturally +and was too light-hearted and gay to harbor a care of any sort in her +frivolous mind. + +But there was a mystery about her; that could not be denied. Even if she +were but a paid spy of Erastus Hopkins there was a story in this girl's +life, brief as it had been. + +Beth was full of curiosity to know this story. + +As for Tom Gates, he had been so horrified by his mistake that he tried +to avoid meeting Eliza again. This was not difficult because the girl +kept pretty closely to the linen room, and Tom was chiefly occupied in +the library. + +Kenneth had little chance to test his secretary's abilities just then, +because the girls pounced upon the new recruit and used his services in +a variety of ways. Tom Gates's anxiety to give satisfaction made him +willing to do anything, but they refrained from sending him often to +town because he was sensitive to the averted looks and evident repulsion +of those who knew he had recently been a "jail-bird." But there was +plenty for him to do at Elmhurst, where they were all as busy as bees; +and whatever the young man undertook he accomplished in a satisfactory +manner. + +Saturday forenoon the three girls, with Kenneth, Mr. Watson and Uncle +John, rode over to Fairview to prepare for the debate that was to take +place in the afternoon, leaving only Tom Gates at home. As Mr. Hopkins +had thrust upon his opponent the task of naming the place and time, the +Republican candidate was obliged to make all the arrangements, and pay +all the costs. But whatever the girl managers undertook they did well. +So the Opera House had been in the hands of a special committee for two +days, the orchestra had been hired, and the news of the joint debate had +spread far and wide. + +The party from Elmhurst lunched at the Fairview Hotel, and then the +girls hurried to the Opera House while Kenneth remained to attend a +conference of the Republican Committee. These gentlemen were much +worried over the discovery of a scheme to trade votes that had been +sprung, and that Forbes and Reynolds were being sacrificed for Hopkins +and Cummings. Mr. Cummings was called into the meeting, and he denied +that the trading was being done with his consent, but defiantly refused +to make a public announcement to that effect. + +The matter was really serious, because every vote lost in that way +counted as two for the other side, and Hopkins's rabid hand-bills had +influenced many of the more ignorant voters and created endless disputes +that were not of benefit to the Republican party. + +"As nearly as we can figure from our recent canvass," said Mr. +Cunningham, the chairman, "we are fast losing ground, and our chances of +success are smaller than if no interest in the election had been +aroused. Hopkins has cut our majority down to nothing, and it will be a +hard struggle to carry our ticket through to success. This is the more +discouraging because Mr. Forbes has spent so much money, while Hopkins's +expenses have been very little." + +"I do not mind that," said Kenneth, quietly. "It was my desire that the +voters should fully understand the issues of the campaign. Then, if they +vote against me, it is because they are not worthy of honest +representation in the Legislature, and I shall in the future leave them +to their own devices." + +The committee adjourned a little before two o'clock with rather grave +faces, and prepared to attend the debate at the Opera House. Mr. +Cunningham feared this debate would prove a mistake, as it would give +Hopkins a chance to ridicule and brow-beat his opponent in public, and +his greatest talent as a speaker lay in that direction. + +As Kenneth and his supporters approached the Opera House they heard loud +cheering, and from a band-wagon covered with bunting and banners, in +which he had driven to the meeting, descended the Honorable Erastus. He +met Kenneth face to face, and the latter said pleasantly: + +"Good afternoon, Mr. Hopkins." + +"Ah, it's Forbes, isn't it?" replied Hopkins, slightingly. "I've met you +before, somewheres, haven't I?" + +"You have, sir." + +"Glad you're here, Forbes; glad you're here," continued the +Representative, airily, as he made his way through the crowd that +blocked the entrance. "These meetings are educational to young men. +Girls all well, I hope?" + +There was a boisterous laugh at this sally, and Mr. Hopkins smiled and +entered the Opera House, while Kenneth followed with the feeling that he +would take great delight in punching the Honorable Erastus's nose at the +first opportunity. + +The house was packed full of eager spectators who had come to see "the +fun." Although the girls had taken charge of all the arrangements they +had devoted the left side of the ample stage to the use of the Hopkins +party, where a speaker's table and chairs for important guests had been +placed. The right side was similarly arranged for the Forbes party, and +between the two the entire center of the stage was occupied by a group +of fifty young girls. Above this group a great banner was suspended, +reading: "The Signs of the Times," a catchword Mr. Hopkins had employed +throughout the campaign. But the most astonishing thing was the +appearance of the group of girls. They all wore plain white slips, upon +which a variety of signs had been painted in prominent letters. Some +costumes advertised baking-powders, others patent medicines, others +soaps, chewing tobacco, breakfast foods, etc. From where they were +seated in full view of the vast audience the girls appeared as a mass of +advertising signs, and the banner above them indicated quite plainly +that these were the "Signs of the Times." + +Mr. Hopkins, as he observed this scene, smiled with satisfaction. He +believed some of his friends had prepared this display to assist him and +to disconcert the opposition, for nothing could have clinched his +arguments better than the pretty young girls covered with advertisements +of well known products. Even the Eagle Eye Breakfast Food was well +represented. + +After the orchestra had finished a selection, Mr. Hopkins rose to make +the first argument and was greeted with cheers. + +"We are having a jolly campaign, my dear friends," he began; "but you +musn't take it altogether as a joke; because, while Mr. Forbes's erratic +views and actions have done little real harm, we have been educated to +an appreciation of certain benefits we enjoy which otherwise might have +escaped our attention. + +"This is a progressive, strenuous age, and no section of the country has +progressed more rapidly than this, the Eighth District of our great and +glorious State. I may say without danger of contradiction that the +people I have the honor to represent in the State Legislature, and +expect to have the honor of representing the next term, are the most +intelligent, the most thoughtful and the most prosperous to be found in +any like district in the United States. (Cheers.) Who, then, dares to +denounce them as fools? Who dares interfere with these liberties, who +dares intrude uninvited into their premises and paint out the signs they +have permitted to occupy their fences and barns and sheds? Who would do +these things but an impertinent meddler who is so inexperienced in life +that he sets his own flimsy judgment against that of the people?" + +The orator paused impressively to wait for more cheers, but the audience +was silent. In the outskirts of the crowd a faint hissing began to be +heard. It reached the speaker's ear and he hurriedly resumed the +oration. + +"I do not say Mr. Forbes is not a good citizen," said he, "but that he +is misguided and unreasonable. A certain degree of deference is due the +young man because he inherited considerable wealth from his uncle, +and--" + +Again the hisses began, and Mr. Hopkins knew he must abandon personal +attacks or he would himself be discredited before his hearers. Kenneth +and his supporters sat silent in their places, the three girls, who were +now well known in the district, forming part of the Republican group; +and none of them displayed the least annoyance at the vituperation Mr. +Hopkins had employed. + +"I have already called your attention in my circulars," resumed the +speaker, "to the fact that advertising signs are the source of large +income to the farmers of this district. I find that three thousand, +seven hundred and eighty-three dollars have been paid the farmers in the +last five years, without the least trouble or expense on their part; and +this handsome sum of money belongs to them and should not be taken away. +Stop and think for a moment. Advertising is the life of every business, +and to fight successfully the great army of advertisers whose business +is the life-blood of our institutions is as impossible as it is absurd. +Suppose every farmer in this district refused to permit signs upon his +property; what would be the result? Why, the farmers of other sections +would get that much more money for letting privileges, and you would be +that much out of pocket without suppressing the evil--if evil can attach +to an industry that pays you good money without requiring either +investment or labor in return." + +After continuing in this strain for some time, Mr. Hopkins announced +that "he would now give way to his youthful and inexperienced opponent," +and asked the audience to be patient with Mr. Forbes and considerate of +"his extraordinary prejudices." + +Hopkins's policy of discrediting his opponent in advance was not very +effective, for when Kenneth arose he was more enthusiastically cheered +than Hopkins had been. The meeting was disposed to be fair-minded and +quite willing to give Mr. Forbes a chance to explain his position. + +"The arguments of our distinguished Representative are well worthy of +your consideration," he began, quietly. "It is only by understanding +fully both sides of an argument that you can hope to arrive at a just +and impartial decision. Mr. Hopkins has advocated advertising signs on +the ground that your financial gain warrants permitting them to be +placed upon your premises. I will not deny his statement that three +thousand, seven hundred and eighty-three dollars have been paid the +farmers of this district by advertisers in the last five years. It is +quite likely to be true. I have here the report of the Department of +Agriculture showing that the total amount paid to farmers of the eighth +district in the last five years, for produce of all kinds, is eleven +millions, five-hundred thousand dollars." + +A murmur of amazement rose from the audience. Kenneth waited until it +had subsided. + +"This seems surprising, at first," he said, "and proves how startling +aggregate figures are. You must remember I have covered five years in +this estimate, as did Mr. Hopkins in his, and if you will figure it out +you will see that the yearly average of earnings is about six hundred +dollars to each farmer. That is a good showing, for we have a wealthy +district; but it is not surprising when reduced to that basis. Mr. +Hopkins slates that the farmers of this district received three +thousand, seven hundred and eighty-three dollars during the last five +years for advertising signs. Let us examine these figures. One-fifth of +that sum is seven hundred and fifty-six dollars and sixty cents as the +income to you per year. We have, in this district, twenty-five hundred +farmers according to the latest reports of the Bureau of Statistics, and +dividing seven hundred and fifty-six dollars and sixty cents by +twenty-five hundred, we find that each farmer receives an average of +thirty and one-quarter cents per year for allowing his fences and +buildings to be smothered in lurid advertising signs. So we find that +the money received by the farmers from the advertising amounts to about +one-quarter of one per cent of their income, a matter so insignificant +that it cannot affect them materially, one way or another. + +"But, Mr. Hopkins states that you give nothing in return for this +one-quarter of one per cent, while I claim you pay tremendously for it. +For you sacrifice the privacy of your homes and lands, and lend +yourselves to the selfish desire of advertisers to use your property to +promote their sales. You have been given an example of clean barns and +fences, and I cannot tell you how proud I am of this district when I +ride through it and see neatly painted barns and fences replacing the +flaring and obtrusive advertising signs that formerly disfigured the +highways. Why should you paint advertising signs upon your barns any +more than upon your houses? Carry the thing a step farther, and you may +as well paint signs upon your children's dresses, in the manner you see +illustrated before you." + +At this, Louise made a signal and the fifty children so grotesquely +covered with signs rose and stepped forward upon the stage. The +orchestra struck up an air and the little girls sang the following +ditty: + + "Teas and soaps, + Pills and dopes, +We all must advertise. + Copper cents, + Not common sense. +Are the things we prize. + We confess + Such a dress +Isn't quite becoming, + But we suppose + Hopkins knows +This keeps business humming." + +As the girls ceased singing, Kenneth said: + +"To the encroaching advertiser these signs of +the times are considered legitimate. There is no +respect for personal privacy on the advertiser's +part. Once they used only the newspapers, the +legitimate channels for advertising. Then they +began painting their advertising on your fences. +When the farmers protested against this the advertisers +gave them a few pennies as a sop to +quiet them. After this they gave you small sums +to paint the broad sides of your barns, your +board fences, and to place signs in your field. If +you allowed them to do so they would paint signs +on the dresses of your children and wives, so +callous are they to all decency and so regardless +of private rights. Look on this picture, my +friends, and tell me, would you prefer to see this--or this?" + +At the word each child pulled away the sign-painted +slip and stood arrayed in a pretty gown +of spotless white. + +The surprise was so complete that the audience +cheered, shouted and laughed for several minutes +before silence was restored. Then the children +sang another verse, as follows: + + "Now it is clear + That we appear +Just as we should be; + We are seen + Sweet and clean +From corruption free: + We're the signs + Of the times-- +Fair as heaven's orbs. + If we look good, + Then all men should +Vote for Kenneth Forbes!" + +The cheering was renewed at this, and Mr. Hopkins became angry. He tried +to make himself heard, but the popular fancy had been caught by the +object lesson so cleverly placed before them, and they shouted: "Forbes! +Forbes! Forbes!" until the Honorable Erastus became so furious that he +left the meeting in disgust. + +This was the most impolite thing he could have done, but he vowed that +the meeting had been "packed" with Forbes partisans and that he was +wasting his time in addressing them. + +After he was gone Kenneth resumed his speech and created more +enthusiasm. The victory was certainly with the Republican candidate, and +the Elmhurst people returned home thoroughly satisfied with the result +of the "joint debate." + + + + +CHAPTER XVI + +A CLEW AT LAST + + +The servants at Elmhurst all ate in a pleasant dining room with windows +facing a garden of geraniums. Tom Gates had been at the house two days +before he encountered Eliza Parsons at the table, for the servants were +not all able to take their meals at the same time. + +It was at luncheon, the day of the joint debate at Fairview, that the +young man first met Eliza, who sat opposite him. The only other person +present was old Donald, the coachman, who was rather deaf and never paid +any attention to the chatter around him. + +As he took his seat Tom gave a half-frightened glance into Eliza's face +and then turned red as she smiled coquettishly and said: + +"Dear me! It's the young man who called me his dear Lucy." + +"You--you're very like her," stammered Tom, unable to take his eyes from +her face. "Even now I--I can't believe I'm mistaken." + +She laughed merrily in a sweet, musical voice, and then suddenly stopped +with her hand on her heart and cast at him a startled look that was in +such sharp contrast to her former demeanor that he rose from his chair. + +"Sit down, please," she said, slowly. And then she studied his face with +sober earnestness--with almost wistful longing. But she shook her head +presently, and sighed; and a moment later had regained her lightness of +manner. + +"It's a relief to have a quiet house for a day, isn't it?" she asked, +eating her soup calmly. "I'll be glad when the election's over." + +"Have you been here long?" he asked, although Beth had told him of +Eliza's coming to Elmhurst. + +"Only a short time. And you?" + +"Two days," said he. "But where did you live before you came here?" + +She shook her head. + +"I wish you would answer me," he begged. "I have a reason for asking." + +"What reason?" she demanded, suddenly serious again. + +"Two people have never lived that were so near alike as you and Lucy +Rogers." + +"Indeed?" + +"Will you show me your left arm?" + +"No." + +She was again studying his face. + +"If you are Lucy Rogers you have a scar there--a scar where you burned +yourself years ago." + +She seemed frightened for a moment. Then she said: + +"I have no scar on my left arm." + +"Will you prove it?" + +"No. You are annoying me. What did you say your name is?" + +"Tom Gates." + +She was thoughtful for a moment and then shook her head. + +"I have never heard of you," she declared, positively, and resumed her +eating. + +Tom was nonplussed. One moment he believed she was Lucy, and the next +told himself that it was impossible. This girl possessed mannerisms that +Lucy had never exhibited in all the years he had known her. She was bold +and unabashed where Lucy was shy and unassuming. This girl's eyes +laughed, while Lucy's were grave and serious; yet they were the same +eyes. + +"Let me tell you about my lost Lucy," he said, with a glance at the +unconscious Donald. + +"Go ahead, if it will relieve you," she answered, demurely. + +"She lived on a farm five miles from here, and she was my sweetheart. +Her mother is blind and her father old and feeble. She worked for a +dentist in the town and was accused of stealing a ring, and it nearly +broke her heart to be so unjustly suspected. In order to make good the +loss of the ring, a valuable diamond--I--I got into trouble, and Lucy +was so shocked and distressed that she--she lost her head--became mad, +you know--and left home during the night without a word to any one. We +haven't been able to find her since." + +"That's too bad," remarked Eliza Parsons, buttering her bread. + +"About the time that Lucy went away, you appeared at Elmhurst," +continued Tom. "And in face and form you're the image of my Lucy. That +is why I asked you to tell me where you came from and how you came +here." + +"Ah, you think I'm mad, do you?" asked the girl, with a quizzical smile. +"Well, I'm not going to satisfy your curiosity, even to prove my sanity; +and I'm not anxious to pose as your lost Lucy. So please pass the sugar +and try to be sociable, instead of staring at me as if I scared you." + +Tom passed the sugar, but he could not eat, nor could he tear himself +away from this strange girl's presence. He tried again to draw her into +conversation, but she showed annoyance and resented his persistence. +Presently she went away, giving him an amused smile as she left the +room--a smile that made him feel that this was indeed a case of mistaken +identity. + +In fact, Tom Gates, on sober reflection, knew that the girl could not be +Lucy, yet he could not still the yearning in his heart whenever he saw +her. His heart declared that she was Lucy, and his head realized that +she could not be. + +While he waited in the library for Mr. Forbes to return from Fairview a +man was shown into the room and sat down quietly in a corner. + +He was a small, lean man, of unassuming appearance, with a thin face and +gray eyes set close together. When he looked at Tom Gates he scarcely +seemed to see him, and his manner conveyed the impression that he +disliked to attract notice. + +"Waiting for Mr. Forbes, sir?" asked Tom. + +"Yes," was the quiet reply. + +Suddenly it struck the young man that this might be the detective who +called every evening to give his report, and if so Tom was anxious to +talk with him. So he ventured to say: + +"It's Mr. Burke, isn't it?" + +The man nodded, and looked out of the window. + +"I'm Tom Gates, sir." + +"Yes; I know." + +"You've seen me before?" asked the youth, astonished. + +"No; I've heard of you. That's all." + +Tom flushed, remembering his recent crime. But he was eager to question +the detective. + +"Have you heard anything of Lucy Rogers, Mr. Burke?" + +"Not yet." + +"Is there no trace of her at all?" + +"A slight trace--nothing worth mentioning," said Mr. Burke. + +For a few moments Tom sat in silence. Then he said: + +"I thought I'd found her, day before yesterday." + +"Yes?" There was little interest in the tone. + +"There's a girl in the house, sir, one of the maids, who is the living +image of Lucy Rogers." + +"You ought to be able to identify her," suggested the detective, his +gaze still out of the window. + +"But they are not alike except in looks. Her form and face are identical +with Lucy's. I was so sure that I begged her to let me see if there was +a scar on her left arm; but she refused." + +"Was there a scar on Lucy Rogers's left arm?" + +"Yes, sir. Several years ago, when we were children, we were making +candy in the kitchen and Lucy burned herself badly. It left a broad scar +on her left forearm, which she will bear as long as she lives." + +"It is well to know that," said Mr. Burke. + +"This girl," continued Tom, musingly, "says her name is Eliza Parsons, +and she says it in Lucy's voice. But her manner is not the same at all. +Eliza laughs at me and quizzes me; she is forward and scornful, and--and +perfectly self-possessed, which Lucy could not be, under the +circumstances." + +"Have you seen her closely?" asked the detective. + +"Yes, sir." + +"And are still unable to decide who she is?" + +"That's it, sir; I'm unable to decide. It's Lucy: and yet it isn't +Lucy." + +"Who is Eliza Parsons?" + +"She refuses to say where she came from. But it seems she arrived at +Elmhurst only a day or two after Lucy disappeared from home. It's that +coincidence that makes me doubt the evidence of my own senses." + +"Who hires the servants here?" + +"I don't know, sir." + +Mr. Burke abandoned the conversation, then, and confined his gaze to the +landscape as it showed through the window. Tom busied himself addressing +circulars of instruction to the Republicans who were to work at the +polling places. This was Saturday, and the election was to be on the +following Tuesday. The meeting at Fairview was therefore the last +important rally of the campaign. + +At dusk the party arrived from Fairview in the automobiles, the girls +greatly delighted with the success of the meeting. They all followed +Kenneth into the library, where the butler had just lighted the lamps. +The evenings were getting cool, now, and a grate fire was burning. + +Kenneth greeted Mr. Burke and introduced him to the young ladies, who +begged to remain during the interview. + +"We are all alike interested in Lucy Rogers, Mr. Burke," said the boy; +"so you may speak freely. Is there any news?" + +"Nothing of importance, sir, unless a clew has been found in your own +house," replied the detective. + +"Here at Elmhurst?" asked the astonished Kenneth. + +"Yes. Tom Gates has seen a girl--one of your maids--who so strongly +resembles Lucy Rogers that he at first believed she was the missing +girl." + +"I know," said Beth, quickly. "It's Eliza Parsons. But Tom was mistaken. +He saw her in the dim light of a corridor, and the resemblance confused +him." + +"I've seen her since," remarked Tom, "and the likeness is really +bewildering. It's only her manner that is different." + +"When I first saw her, before Tom came, I was astonished at her +resemblance to Mrs. Rogers," announced Beth. "I have never seen Lucy, +but I know Mrs. Rogers, and it seemed to me that Eliza was exactly like +her in features. Mr. Forbes and I first saw her riding in a buggy with +Mr. Hopkins. That was before either of us knew she was employed at +Elmhurst. You see she isn't one of the servants who come much in contact +with the family; she does the mending and takes charge of the linen +room." + +Beth then related the manner in which they first noticed Eliza, and how +they had discovered her to be a spy in the service of Mr. Hopkins. + +The detective was much interested in the recital and seemed surprised +that he had not been informed of this before. + +"Of course," said Kenneth, "the girl is not Lucy Rogers. It is not +possible they could be the same." + +"Why not?" asked Mr. Burke. + +"Well, Lucy was a gentle, sweet country girl, of little experience in +life. Her nature was so susceptible, so very sensitive, that when she +discovered Tom Gates, whom she loved, to be guilty of a forgery, she +worried herself into an attack of brain-fever; or at least she became +insane, reproaching herself for having driven the boy to this dreadful +deed. Under the influence of her mania she wandered away from her home, +and has not been seen since. That's the story of Lucy Rogers. Now look +at Eliza Parsons. She appeared the very day after Lucy's disappearance, +to be sure; but that proves they are not the same person. For Eliza is +not demented. She is a cold, hard woman of the world, in spite of her +tender years. She is doing the work of an experienced spy, while any +deceit was foreign to Lucy's nature. Instead of being plunged in grief +Eliza is happy and gay, reckless of consequences and fully +self-possessed. She is also well and healthy, to all appearances. Taking +all these things into consideration, it is impossible to connect the two +girls in any way--save the coincidence of personal resemblance." + +Mr. Burke listened to this quietly, and then shook his head. + +"Your arguments all tend to make me suspect that she is Lucy Rogers," he +said, quietly. + +For a moment there was an impressive silence, while everyone eagerly, +inquiringly or doubtfully looked at the detective, according to their +diverse acceptance of his statement. + +"In pursuance of the task set me," began Mr. Burke, "I had met with such +absolute failure to trace the missing girl that I began to suspect no +ordinary conditions were attached to this case. In my experience, which +covers many years, I have had occasion to study sudden dementia, caused +by shocks of grief or horror, and I have come to comprehend the fact +that the human mind, once unbalanced, is liable to accomplish many +surprising feats. Usually the victim is absolutely transformed, and +becomes the very opposite, in many ways, of the normal personality. I +imagine this is what happened to Lucy Rogers." + +"Do you imagine that Lucy would try to deceive _me_, sir?" asked Tom, +reproachfully. + +"I am sure she doesn't know who you are," answered the detective, +positively. "She doesn't even know herself. I have known instances where +every recollection of the past was wiped out of the patient's mind." + +There was another thoughtful pause, for the detective's assertions were +so astonishing that they fairly overwhelmed his hearers. + +Then Louise asked: + +"Is such a case of dementia hopeless, Mr. Burke?" + +"Not at all hopeless. Often, I admit, it develops into permanent +insanity, but there are many examples of complete recovery. Our first +business must be to assure ourselves that we are right in this +conjecture. I may be entirely wrong, for the unexpected is what I have +been taught to look for in every case of mystery that has come under my +observation. But I believe I have the material at hand to prove the +personality of this Eliza Parsons, and after that I shall know what to +do. Who employs your servants, Mr. Forbes?" + +"Martha, my housekeeper, usually employs the maids." + +"Will you send for her, please?" + +Kenneth at once obeyed the request, and presently Martha entered the +library. + +She was a little, withered old woman, but with a pleasant face and +shrewd but kindly eyes. + +"Martha," said Kenneth, "did you employ the new linen maid, Eliza +Parsons?" + +"Yes, sir," she replied, apparently surprised at the question. + +"This is Mr. Burke, Martha. Please answer any questions he may ask you." + +"Yes, Master Kenneth." + +"Did the girl bring any recommendations?" asked the detective. + +Martha reflected. + +"I do not think she did, sir." + +"Are you accustomed to hiring maids without recommendations?" asked Mr. +Burke. + +"Oh, Eliza had a letter from my cousin, Mrs. Hopkins, who lives in +Elmwood." + +"Is Mrs. Hopkins your cousin?" asked Kenneth. + +"Yes, sir. She were a Phibbs before she married Erastus, and my name is +Phibbs." + +"What did the letter from Mrs. Hopkins say?" + +"It said she knew Eliza to be a clever and worthy girl, and if I had a +place for her I couldn't do better than take her on. So I needed a linen +maid and Eliza went right to work. Isn't she satisfactory, sir? Has she +been doing anything wrong?" + +"No. Please do not mention this interview to her at present, Miss +Phibbs," said the detective. "That is all, I believe." + +"Would you like to see Eliza?" asked Kenneth, when the housekeeper had +retired. + +"Not at present. I want to interview Mrs. Hopkins first." + +"Tonight?" asked Tom, eagerly. + +"I will go at once, with Mr. Forbes's permission." + +"Certainly, sir," said Kenneth. "Shall we see you tomorrow?" + +"Just as soon as I have accomplished anything." + +"Would you like a horse or an automobile?" + +"Your man may drive me to the town, sir, if it is convenient." + +Kenneth gave the required order, and then Mr. Burke asked: + +"How far are you prepared to go in this matter, sir?" + +"In what way?" + +"In expending money." + +"Will any large expenditure be required?" + +"I cannot say. But we may require the services and advice of an expert +physician--a specialist in brain diseases." + +"Do you know of one?" asked Kenneth. + +"Yes; but he must be brought from Buffalo. It will be expensive, sir. +That is why I ask if your interest in the girl warrants our going to the +limit to save her." + +Kenneth was thoughtful, while the girls looked at him expectantly and +Tom Gates with visible anxiety. + +"My original idea was merely to find the missing girl in order to +relieve the anxiety of her blind mother," said young Forbes. "To +accomplish that I was willing to employ your services. But, as a matter +of fact, I have never seen the girl Lucy Rogers, nor am I particularly +interested in her." + +"I am," declared Beth. + +"And I!" + +"And I!" repeated Patsy and Louise. + +"I think," said Uncle John, who had been a quiet listener until now, +"that Kenneth has assumed enough expense in this matter." + +"Oh, Uncle!" The remonstrance was from all three of the girls. + +"Therefore," continued Mr. Merrick, "I propose that I undertake any +further expense that may be incurred, so as to divide the burden." + +"That's better!" declared Patsy. "But I might have known Uncle John +would do that." + +"You have my authority to wire the physician, if necessary, or to go to +any expense you deem advisable," continued Mr. Merrick, turning to the +detective. "We seem to have undertaken to unravel an interesting +mystery, and we'll see it through to the end." + +"Very good, sir," said Mr. Burke, and left them with a brief nod of +farewell. + +"Somehow," said Beth, "I've a lot of confidence in that little man." + +"Why, he's a detective," replied Uncle John, with a smile, "and the +chief business of detectives is to make mistakes." + + + + +CHAPTER XVII + +MRS. HOPKINS GOSSIPS + + +The home of Representative Hopkins was not a very imposing edifice. It +was a modest frame building standing well back in a little yard at the +outskirts of the village, and Mrs. Hopkins did the housework, unaided, +to save the expense of a maid. It never occurred to the politician, who +had risen from the position of a poor stable-boy to one of affluence, to +save his wife from this drudgery. To him poor Mary was merely one of his +possessions, and it would have astonished him to know that her sharp +tongue and irritable temper were due to overwork and neglect. The +Honorable Erastus was not averse to champagne dinners and other costly +excesses while at the state capital, and his fellow legislators +considered him a good fellow, although rather lax in "keeping his end +up." Moreover, he employed a good tailor and was careful to keep up an +appearance of sound financial standing. But his home, which he avoided +as much as possible, had little share in his personal prosperity. Mary +Hopkins's requests for new and decent gowns were more often refused than +acceded to, and he constantly cautioned her to keep down expenses or she +would drive them both to the poor-house. + +The woman well knew that Erastus could afford to keep her in luxury, if +he would, but some women are so constituted that they accept their fate +rather than rebel, and Mary Hopkins lived the life of a slave, +contenting herself with petty scoldings and bickerings that did nothing +to relieve her hard lot. + +She had little interest in politics and resented the intrusion of the +many who came to the house to see and consult with her husband during +the tiresome political campaigns. On these occasions Mr. Hopkins used +the sitting-room as his office and committee headquarters, but this did +not materially interfere with his wife's comfort, as she was usually +busy in the kitchen. + +On this Saturday evening, however, they had an early supper and she +finished her dishes betimes and sat down to darn stockings in the +sitting-room. Erastus had hurried away to a meeting of his henchmen in +the town, and would not be home until after his wife was in bed. + +So she was rather surprised when a timid knock sounded upon the door. +She opened it to find a little, lean man standing upon the porch. + +"Mrs. Hopkins?" he asked, quietly. + +"Yes. What do you want?" + +"Your husband asked me to come here and wait for him. It's important or +I wouldn't disturb you." + +"Well, then; come in," she replied, tartly. "Thank the Lord this thing +is nearly over, and we'll have a few weeks of peace." + +"It is rather imposing on you," remarked the man, following her to the +sitting-room, where he sat down with his hat in his hands. "A political +campaign is trying to everybody. I'm tired out and sick of the whole +thing myself." + +"Then why don't you chuck it," she retorted, scornfully, "and go to work +makin' an honest living?" + +"Oh, this is honest enough," he said, mildly. + +"I don't believe it. All them secret confabs an' trickery to win votes +can't be on the square. Don't talk to me! Politics is another name for +rascality!" + +"Perhaps you're right, ma'am; perhaps you're right," he said, with a +sigh. + +She looked at him sharply. + +"You don't belong in Elmwood." + +"No, ma'am; I'm from beyond Fairview. I've come to see your husband on +business." + +She sniffed, at that, but picked up her darning and relapsed into +silence. The little man was patient. He sat quietly in his chair and +watched her work. + +His mildness disarmed Mary Hopkins. She was not especially averse to +having him sit there. It relieved the loneliness of her occupation. On +occasions she loved to talk, as Erastus had long ago discovered; and +this visitor would not try to shut her up the way Erastus did. + +"You don't often get out, ma'am; into society, and such like," ventured +the caller, presently. + +"What makes you think that?" she demanded. + +"A woman can't keep a house neat and trim like this, and be a social +gadder," he observed. + +"You're right about that," she returned, somewhat mollified. "If I was +like them girls up at Elmhurst, fussin' round over politics all the +time, this house would go to rack an' ruin." + +"Oh, them!" he said, with mild scorn. "Them girls 'll never be +housekeepers." + +"Not for a minute," she affirmed. + +There was another pause, then; but the ice was broken. A subtle sympathy +seemed established between the two. + +"What do you think of 'Rast's chances?" she asked, presently, as she +threaded new cotton into her needle. + +"I guess he'll win. He's worked hard enough, anyhow." + +"Has he?" + +"Yes; 'Rast's a good worker. He don't leave any stone unturned. He's up +to all the tricks o' the trade, is 'Rast Hopkins!" + +Here he began shaking with silent laughter, and Mrs. Hopkins looked at +him curiously. + +"What are you laughing at?" she inquired, with a sniff of disdain. + +"At--at the way he come it over the gals up at Elmhurst. 'Rast's a +pretty slick one, he is!" + +"What do you mean?" + +"Why, settin' that 'Liza to watch 'em, and tell all they does. Who'd a +thought of it but 'Rast Hopkins?" + +"I don't see anything mighty funny about that," declared Mrs. Hopkins, +contemptuously. "The girl's too pert and forward for anything. I told +'Rast not to fool with her, or she'd make him trouble." + +"Did you, now!" exclaimed the man, wonderingly. + +"Yes, indeed," said Mrs. Hopkins, pleased to have made an impression. "I +suspected there was something wrong about her the morning she came to +the house here. And she changed her name, too, as brassy as you please." + +"Well, I declare!" said the visitor. "Did you know her before that, Mrs. +Hopkins?" + +"Why, I didn't exactly know her, but I seen her workin' around Miss +Squiers's place many a time, and she didn't seem to 'mount to much, even +then. One day she stole a di'mond ring off'n old Miss Squiers and dug +out, and I told Nancy then--Nancy's young Miss Squiers--that I'd always +had my suspicions of the hussy. She hid the ring in a vase on the mantle +and they found it after she was gone." + +"Well, well! I didn't know that about her," said the man, looking with +admiration at Mrs. Hopkins. + +"That's why I told 'Rast not to have any truck with her, when she came +here bright and early one morning and asked for work." + +"Oh, she came here, did she?" + +"While I was gettin' breakfast. She said her name was Eliza Parsons, an' +she was looking fer a job. I told her I knew her record an' to get out, +and while we was arguin' 'Rast come out and took a hand in the talk. She +laughed and flirted with him outrageous, and said she was a stranger in +these parts, when I'd seen her many a time at Miss Squiers's." + +"What was her name then?" asked the man. + +"I think it was Rosie--or Lucy, or something--. Anyhow, it wasn't Eliza, +and that I'll swear to. But the girl laughed at me and made such silly +smiles at 'Rast that he told me to shut up, 'cause he had a use for her +in politics." + +"Well, well!" repeated the visitor. "Just see how stories get twisted. I +heard you gave the girl a letter to your cousin Martha." + +"Well, I did. 'Rast wanted to get her in at Elmhurst, to watch what +Forbes was doing to defeat him, so he made me write the letter. But +how'd you know so much about this girl?" she inquired, with sudden +suspicion. + +"Me? I only know what Mr. Hopkins told me. I'm one of his confidential +men. But he never said how he happened to find the girl, or what he knew +about her." + +"He didn't know nothing. He'd never seen her 'till that morning when she +came here. But he said she was clever, and she is, if pertness and a +ready tongue counts for cleverness. I suppose he pays her for what she +tells him about Forbes, but he'd better save his money and fight on the +square. I don't like this tricky politics, an' never did." + +"I don't either," declared the man. "But I'm in it, and can't get out." + +"That's what 'Rast says. But some day they'll put him out, neck and +crop, if he ain't careful." + +"Is the girl Eliza much use to him?" + +"I can't say. He drove her over to Elmhurst that morning, and he drives +over two or three evenings a week to meet her on the sly and get her +report. That may be politics, but it ain't very respectable, to my +notion." + +"Well, the campaign is nearly over, Mrs. Hopkins." + +"Thank goodness for that!" she replied. + +The visitor sat silent after this, for he had learned all that the poor +gossiping woman could tell him. Finally he said: + +"I guess your husband's going to be late." + +"Yes; if he ain't more prompt than usual you'll have a long spell of +waiting." + +"Perhaps I'd better go over to the hotel and look him up. I have to get +back to Fairview tonight, you know." + +"Do as you please," she answered carelessly. + +So Mr. Burke, for it was the detective, bade her good-night and took his +leave, and it was not until after he had gone that Mary Hopkins +remembered she had forgotten to ask him his name. + +"But it don't matter," she decided. "He's just one o' 'Rast's +politicians, and I probably treated the fellow better than he deserved." + + + + +CHAPTER XVIII + +ELIZA PARSONS + + +On Sunday morning Mr. Burke again appeared at Elmhurst, and told Kenneth +he wanted an interview with Eliza Parsons. + +"I don't want you to send for her, or anything like that, for it would +make her suspicious," he said. "I'd like to meet her in some way that +would seem accidental, and not startle her." + +"That is rather a hard thing to arrange, Mr. Burke," said the boy, with +a smile. + +"Why, I think not," declared Louise. "It seems to me quite easy." + +"That's the woman of it, sir," laughed Kenneth; "if it's a question of +wits her sex has the advantage of us." + +"What do you propose, miss?" asked the detective, turning to Louise. + +"I'll have Martha send the girl into the garden to gather flowers," she +replied; "and you can wander around there and engage her in +conversation." + +"Excellent!" he exclaimed. "Can this be arranged now?" + +"I'll see, sir." + +She found Martha and asked her to send Eliza Parsons for some roses and +chrysanthemums, which were in a retired place shut in by evergreen +hedges. + +"One of the other maids will know the garden better," suggested the +housekeeper. + +"But I wish Eliza to go." + +"Very well, Miss Louise." + +From an upper window the girl watched until she saw Eliza Parsons leave +the house with a basket and go into the retired garden she had chosen. +Then she returned to the library for Mr. Burke and led him toward the +same place. + +"Eliza is just beyond that gap in the hedge," she said, and turned away. + +"Wait a moment, please," he said, detaining her. "On second thought I +would like you to come with me, for your tact may be of great +assistance. Have you spoken much with Eliza?" + +"Not at all, I think. Beth has talked with her, but I have scarcely been +near her since she came here." + +"You are willing to come?" + +"I shall be glad to." + +"The poet Saxe," said Mr. Burke, walking through the gap beside Louise, +"has never been properly appreciated by his countrymen, although since +his death his verses are in greater demand than while he lived. Do you +care for them?" + +"I don't know Saxe very well," she answered, observing that they were +approaching a place where Eliza was bending over a rose-bush. "But one +or two of his poems are so amusing that they linger in my memory." + +Eliza turned at the sound of their voices and gave them a quick glance. +But the next moment she resumed her occupation of cutting roses. + +"The man's greatest fault was his habit of punning," remarked the +detective, watching the girl's form as he drew nearer. "It is that which +blinded his contemporaries to his real talents. What exquisite roses, +Miss Merrick! May I ask for one for my button-hole?" + +"Yes, indeed!" she replied, pausing with him just beside Eliza. "Will +you cut that bud yonder, for Mr. Burke, my dear?" + +The maid silently obeyed and as the detective took the flower from her +hand he said: + +"Why, isn't this Eliza Parsons?" + +"Yes, sir," she replied, carelessly. + +"Don't you remember me, Eliza?" + +She seemed a little surprised, but answered promptly: + +"No, sir." + +"I'm William Burke, your mother's cousin. How did you leave your brother +Harry, and have you heard from Josephine lately?" + +The girl gave him a startled look and shrank back. + +"Why, how nice!" cried Louise. "I did not know you knew Eliza's family, +Mr. Burke." + +"Yes, she is one of my relatives, and came from Roanoke, Virginia. Isn't +that correct, Eliza?" + +"Yes, sir--no! I--I don't remember!" she said, in a low tone. + +"Don't remember, Eliza? That is strange." + +The girl stared at him half frightened, and drew her hand over her eyes +with a gesture of bewilderment. + +"I hope, my dear, you are not going to be like your mother," said Mr. +Burke, gently. "My poor cousin Nora was subject to a strange lapse of +memory at times," he remarked to Louise. "She always recovered in time, +but for days she could remember nothing of her former life--not even her +own name. Are you ever affected that way Eliza?" + +She looked up at him pleadingly, and murmured in a low voice: + +"Let me go! Please let me go!" + +"In a moment, Eliza." + +Her hands were clasped together nervously and she had dropped her basket +and scissors on the path before her. The man looked intently into her +eyes, in a shrewd yet kindly way, and she seemed as if fascinated by his +gaze. + +"Tell me, my dear, have you forgotten your old life?" he asked. + +"Yes," she whispered. + +"Poor girl! And you are trying to keep this a secret and not let anyone +know of your trouble?" + +Suddenly she started and sprang away, uttering a cry of terror. + +"You're trying to trap me," she panted. "You know my name is not Eliza +Parsons. You--you want to ruin me!" + +From the position in which they stood in the corner of the garden, with +high hedges behind the maid, and Mr. Burke and Louise blocking the path +in front, there was little chance of escape. But she looked around +wildly, as if about to make the attempt, when Louise stepped forward and +gently took Eliza's hand in her own. + +"Mr. Burke is a good man, my dear, and means well by you," she said in +her sweet, sympathetic tones. "He shall not bother you if you are afraid +of him." + +"I--I'm not afraid," said Eliza, with a resumption of her old manner and +a toss of her head. + +The detective gave Louise a look which she thought she understood. + +"Will you finish cutting these roses, Mr. Burke?" she asked, with a +smile. "Eliza and I are going to my room. Come, my dear," and without +waiting for a reply she led the girl, whose hand was still clasped in +her own, along the path. + +Eliza came willingly. Her manner was a little defiant at first, but when +Louise drew her unobserved to the side entrance and up the staircase she +grew gentle and permitted the other girl to take her arm. + +Once in her room with the strange maid, Louise locked the door quietly +and said to her companion with a cheerful smile: + +"Now we are quite alone, and can talk at our ease. Take that low chair, +dear, and I'll sit here." + +Eliza obeyed, looking wistfully into the fair face of her new friend. + +"You are very pretty, Eliza; and I'm sure you are as good as you're +pretty," announced Louise. "So you must tell me about yourself, and +whether you are happy here or not. From this time on I'm going to be +your friend, you know, and keep all your secrets; and I'll help you all +I can." + +This rambling speech seemed to impress Eliza favorably. She relaxed +somewhat from the tense alertness that was habitual with her, and looked +at the other girl with a softened expression. + +"I'm afraid you won't be much interested in me," she replied, "but I +need a friend--indeed I need a friend, Miss Louise!" + +"I'm sure you do." + +"At first I thought I could do without one. I felt I must stand alone, +and let no one suspect. But--I'm getting puzzled and bewildered, and I +don't know what to do next." + +"Of course not. Tell me about it, dear." + +"I can't; for I don't know, myself." She leaned forward in her chair and +added, in a whisper: "I don't even know who I am! But that man," with a +shudder, "tried to trap me. He said he knew Eliza Parsons, and there is +no Eliza Parsons. It's a name I--I invented." + +"I think I understand," said Louise, with a little nod. "You had to have +a name, so you took that one." + +"Yes. I don't know why I am telling you this. I've tried to hide it all +so carefully. And perhaps I'm wrong in letting this thing worry me. In +the main, I've been very happy and content, lately; and--I have a +feeling I was not happy before--before--" + +"Before what, dear?" + +The girl looked at her steadily and her face grew red. + +"Before I lost my memory." + +For a few moments they sat silently regarding one another, the +expressive features of Louise showing a silent sympathy. + +"Have you really lost your memory?" she asked. + +"Absolutely. Think of it! I wakened one morning lying by the roadside, +and shivering with cold. I had on a simple gray dress, with no hat. The +sun was just rising, and no one was near. I examined myself with wonder, +for I had no idea who I was, or how I came there. There was no money in +my pocket, and I had no jewels. To keep warm I began walking along the +road. The scenery was all new to me; so far as I knew I had never been +in the place before. + +"The birds were singing and the cows mooed in the meadow. I tried to +sing, too, for my heart was light and gay and I was happy. By and bye I +came to a town; but no one seemed to be awakened because it was yet so +early. As I walked down the street I saw smoke coming from one of the +chimneys, and it suddenly occurred to me that I was hungry. I entered +the yard and went around to the back door. A woman was working in the +kitchen and I laughed joyfully and wished her a good morning. She was +not very pleasant, but it did me good to talk with her; I liked to hear +my own voice and it pleased me to be able to talk easily and well. She +grudgingly gave me something to eat and then bade me begone, calling me +by some strange name and saying I was a thief. It was then that I +invented the name of Eliza Parsons. I don't know why, but it popped into +my head and I claimed it for my name and have clung to it ever since." + +"Have you no idea what your real name is?" asked Louise, greatly +interested in this terse relation. + +"I have no idea of anything that dates beyond that morning," replied +Eliza. "The first time I looked in the mirror I saw a strange face +reflected there. I had to make my own acquaintance," she added, with one +of her bright laughs. "I suppose I am between seventeen and twenty years +of age, but what my life was during past years is to me a sealed book. I +cannot remember a person I knew or associated with, yet things outside +of my personal life seem to have clung to me. I remembered books I must +have read; I can write, sing and sew--I sew remarkably well, and must +have once been trained to it. I know all about my country's history, yet +I cannot recollect where I lived, and this part of the country is +unknown to me. When I came to Elmhurst I knew all about it and about Mr. +Forbes, but could not connect them with my former life." + +"How did you happen to come here?" asked Louise. + +"I forgot to tell you that. While I was arguing with the woman, who was +a Mrs. Hopkins, her husband heard us and came out into the kitchen. He +began to question me about myself and I gave any answer that came into +my head, for I could not tell him the truth. It pleased me to hear my +voice, I seemed to have a keen sense of the humorous, and if I said +anything at all clever, I laughed as heartily as anyone. My heart was +light and free from all care. I had no worries or responsibilities at +all. I was like the birds who see the sunshine and feel the breeze and +are content to sing and be happy. + +"Mr. Hopkins saw I was wholly irresponsible and reckless, and he decided +to use me to spy upon the people here at Elmhurst and report to him what +they said and did. I agreed to this readily, prompted by a spirit of +mischief, for I cared nothing for Hopkins and had nothing against Mr. +Forbes. Also Hopkins paid me money, which I had sufficient knowledge to +realize was necessary to me. + +"Oh, how happy and gay I was in those first few days! There was not a +thought of the past, not an ambition or desire of any sort to bother me. +Just to live seemed pleasure enough. I enjoyed eating and sleeping; I +loved to talk and laugh; I was glad to have work to occupy me--and +that was all! Then things began to happen that puzzled me. The man +Hopkins declared he could not trust me because I had once been a thief, +and I wondered if he could speak truly. I resented the thought that I +may once have been a thief, although I wouldn't mind stealing, even now, +if I wanted anything and could take it." + +"Oh, Eliza!" gasped Louise. + +"It sounds wicked, doesn't it? But it is true. Nothing seems to +influence me so strongly as my own whims. I know what is good and what +is bad. I must have been taught these things once. But I am as likely to +do evil as good, and this recklessness has begun, in the last few days, +to worry me. + +"Then I met a young man here--he says his name is Tom Gates--who called +me his dear Lucy, and said I used to love him. I laughed at him at +first, for it seemed very absurd and I do not want him to love me. But +then he proved to me there was some truth in his statement. He said his +Lucy had a scar on her left arm, and that made me afraid, because I had +discovered a scar on my own arm. I don't know how it got there. I don't +know anything about this old Lucy. And I'm afraid to find out. I'm +afraid of Lucy." + +"Why, dear?" + +"I cannot tell. I only know I have a horror of her, a sudden shrinking +whenever her name is mentioned. Who was she, do you suppose?" + +"Shall I tell you?" asked Louise. + +"No--no! Don't, I beg of you!" cried Eliza, starting up. "I--I can't +bear it! I don't want to know her." + +The protest was passionate and sincere, and Louise marvelled at the +workings of this evidently unbalanced intellect. + +"What would you like to do, dear?" she inquired. + +"I'd like to remain Eliza Parsons--always. I'd like to get away from +_her_--far away from anyone who ever heard of that dreadful Lucy who +frightens me so. Will you help me to get away, to escape to some place +where no one will ever be able to trace me?" + +"Do you think you would be happy then?" + +"I am sure of it. The only thing that makes me unhappy now is the horror +that this past life will be thrust upon me. I must have had a past, of +course, or I shouldn't be a grown woman now. But I'm afraid of it; I +don't want to know anything about it! Will you help me to escape?" + +She looked eagerly at Louise as she asked this pitiful question, and the +other girl replied, softly: "I will be your friend, Eliza. I'll think +all this over, and we will see what can be done. Be patient a little +while and as soon as I find a way to free you from all this trouble I'll +send for you, and we'll talk it over together." + +"Will you keep my secret?" demanded Eliza, uneasily. + +Louise glanced at the door that communicated with Beth's room. It stood +open, but Eliza had not noticed that, as it was behind her. Just now a +shadow cast from the other room wavered an instant over the rug, and +Louise's quick eyes caught it. + +"I promise to keep your secret, dear," she said earnestly. + +The two girls rose and stood facing each other. Louise kissed the +beautiful Eliza and whispered: + +"Here is one thing for you to remember--that we are always to be true +friends, from this time forward. If anyone annoys you, come to me, and I +will protect you." + +"Thank you, Miss Louise," said Eliza, and then she went away to her own +room in a quieter and more thoughtful mood than usual. + +When she had gone Louise ran to the door communicating with Beth's room, +and to her satisfaction found both her cousins, with Kenneth, Uncle John +and Mr. Burke, seated in a group where they must have overheard all that +had been said. + +"Well!" she cried, eagerly, "did you hear? And what do you think of it +all?" + +"It's Lucy Rogers, sure enough," said Kenneth. + +Louise looked at Mr. Burke. + +"It is the most singular case that has ever come under my observation," +stated that gentleman. "The girl is perfectly sane, but she has suffered +a strange lapse of memory. I have two alternatives to advise. One is to +telegraph at once for a specialist. The other is to permit the girl to +go away, as she suggests. She will be happier to do so, I am sure." + +"Oh, no!" cried the girls. + +"She owes a duty to her parents and friends, as well as to herself," +said Kenneth, "and I see no reason why she should be unhappy in the +future as Lucy Rogers." + +Mr. Burke merely shrugged his shoulders. + +"Please wire for the specialist at once," said Uncle John. + + + + +CHAPTER XIX + +PATSY INDULGES IN EAVESDROPPING + + +Miss Patricia Doyle awakened at daybreak next morning with a throbbing +toothache. She wasn't accustomed to such pains and found it hard to +bear. She tried the application of a hot-water bag, and the tooth ached +harder; she tried a cold compress, and it jumped with renewed activity. +So she dressed herself and walked the floor, with the persistent ache as +an intimate companion. + +She tried to find a cavity in the tooth, but it seemed perfectly sound. +Evidently she had caught cold and the wicked molar was signaling the +fact. + +To be patient under the torture of a toothache was a virtue Patsy did +not possess. Louise and Beth, to whom she appealed, were sorry for her, +but could not relieve the pain. After breakfast Uncle John ordered her +to drive to town and see a dentist. + +"Have it pulled, or filled, or something," he said. "The dentist will +know what to do." + +So James drove Patsy to town, where they arrived about nine o'clock this +Monday morning. The only dentist at Elmwood was Dr. Squiers, so the girl +ran up the flight of stairs to his office, which was located over the +hardware store. + +The pain had eased on the journey, and now the thought of having the +offending tooth pulled was weighing heavily upon Patsy's mind. The door +of Dr. Squiers's office stood ajar, and she hesitated whether to enter +or not. + +The dentist's reception room was divided from his operating room by a +thin wooden partition, and as Patsy was deciding whether to employ Dr. +Squiers's services or not she heard high words coming from behind the +partition, and the voice was that of the Honorable Erastus Hopkins. + +Softly she slid into the outer room and sank into a chair. + +"But you're the clerk of the election, Squiers; you can't deny that," +Hopkins was saying in a blustering, imperious voice. + +"That's true enough," answered the dentist, more calmly. + +"Then you've got the registration books in your possession." + +"I admit that," was the reply. "But you're asking me to incriminate +myself, 'Rast. If the thing was discovered it would mean prison for both +of us." + +"Fiddlesticks!" cried the irascible Hopkins. "These things are done +every day, and no one's the wiser for it. It's merely a part of the +political game." + +"I'm afraid, 'Rast," said Dr. Squiers. "Honest Injun, I'm afraid." + +"What are you 'fraid of? I've got the other clerks all fixed, and +they'll stand by us. All you need do is to add these sixty-six names to +the registration list, and then we'll vote 'em without opposition and +win out." + +Patsy gave a gasp, which she tried to stifle. The toothache was all +forgotten. + +"Where are these men?" inquired Dr. Squiers, thoughtfully. + +"They're over at the mill. Marshall got 'em from all over the country, +and they'll be set to work today, so everything will seem reg'lar." + +"Where do they sleep and eat?" inquired the doctor. + +"Forty sleep in Hayes's barn, and the other twenty-six in the stock loft +over the planing mill. Marshall's got a commissary department and feeds +'em regular rations, like so many soldiers. Of course I'm paying for all +this expense," acknowledged Mr. Hopkins, somewhat regretfully. + +"And do you suppose these sixty-six votes will turn the scale?" asked +Dr. Squiers. + +"They're sure to. We finished the last canvass yesterday, and according +to our figures Forbes has about eighteen votes the best of us. That's +getting it down pretty close, but we may as well make up our minds we're +beaten if we don't vote the men over at the mill. Marshall could have +got me a hundred if necessary, but sixty-six is more than enough. Say +Forbes has twice eighteen for his plurality, instead of eighteen; these +sixty-six for me would wipe that out and let us win in a walk." + +When Hopkins ceased there was a brief silence. Perhaps Dr. Squiers was +thinking. + +"I simply _must_ have those votes, Doc," resumed the Representative. +"It's the only way I can win." + +"You've made a bungle of the whole campaign," said Squiers, bitterly. + +"That's a lie. I've done a lot of clever work. But these infernal city +girls came down here and stirred up all the trouble." + +"You made a mistake pushing that sign issue. The girls beat you on +that." + +"If it hadn't been signs it might have been something worse. But I ain't +beaten yet, Doc. Squiers. This deal is going to win. It's a trick the +boarding-school misses won't understand until after they've cut their +eye-teeth in politics." + +"There's a pretty heavy penalty against false registration," observed +the dentist, gloomily. + +"There's no penalty unless we're found out, and there ain't the ghost of +a chance of that. The books are in your hands; I got all the clerks +fixed. Not a question will even be raised. I know it. Do you suppose I'd +risk state's prison myself, if I wasn't sure?" + +"Look here, 'Rast," said Squiers, doggedly, "you're making a tool of me +in this campaign. Why should I be used and abused just to elect Erastus +Hopkins, I'd like to know. You sacrificed me when I might have been +Sheriff." + +"You're well paid for that, Doc." + +"And now you want me to put my neck in a noose for your advantage. I +won't do it, 'Rast, and that's a fact." + +Mr. Hopkins coughed. + +"How much, Doc?" he inquired. + +The dentist was silent. + +"State the figure. But for mercy's sake don't bleed me any more than you +can help. This fight has cost me a pretty penny already." + +"I don't want your money," growled Squiers. + +"Yes you do, Doc. I know you better than you know yourself. The trouble +with you is, you'll want too much." + +Squiers laughed bitterly. + +"Is Marshall to be trusted?" he asked. + +"Of course. If he said a word he'd lose his job as manager. Marshall's +all right. There's nothing to worry about, Doc." + +Patsy's tooth wasn't aching a bit. But her heart was throbbing as madly +as the tooth ever did, and fortunately there was no pain connected with +the throbbing--only joy. + +"It ought to be worth two thousand dollars, 'Rast," said the dentist. + +"What! In addition to all other expenses?" + +"Why, man; it means the election. It means your whole future. If you're +defeated now, you're a back number in this district, and you know it." + +"It's too much, Doc. On my word it is." + +"It's too little, come to think of it. I'll make it three thousand." + +"Doc!" + +"If you don't close with me, 'Rast, by the jumping Jupiter, I'll make it +four thousand," cried the dentist, with exasperation. + +"Say twenty-five hundred, Doc." + +"Right on the nail. Give me your check here--this minute." + +"And you'll enter the names in the books?" + +"Before you leave the office. Have you got the list?" + +"Yes; in my pocket," said Mr. Hopkins. + +"Then make out your check and I'll get the books." + +There was a stir behind the partition and a sound of chairs scraping the +floor. Patsy slid out the door and flew down the stairs at the imminent +danger of breaking her neck. James was seated in the buggy outside, +engaged in rumination. + +Patsy bounded in beside him and startled him. + +"Drive for your life!" she cried. "Drive for home!" + +He whipped up the spirited horse and they dashed away. Presently the man +asked, with a grin: + +"Did it hurt much, Miss Patsy?" + +"Did what hurt, James?" + +"The tooth pullin', Miss Patsy." + +"The tooth wasn't pulled," answered the girl, sweetly. "It didn't need +it, James. The only thing that was pulled was the Honorable Erastus's +leg." + + + + +CHAPTER XX + +PRICKING A BUBBLE. + + +When Patsy arrived home she called a council of war and related the +conversation she had overheard in the dentist's office. + +"It isn't a very nice thing to do--listening to a private conversation," +said the girl, "but when I discovered they were going to play such a +trick on Kenneth I couldn't help eavesdropping." + +"I think you were justified," declared Mr. Watson, with a grave face; +"for this matter is very serious indeed. Tomorrow is election day, and +if a toothache hadn't carried you to the dentist's office Kenneth would +surely have been defeated." + +"And we'd never have known how it happened," declared Uncle John. + +"But can the plot be foiled at this late date?" inquired Louise, +anxiously. + +"I think so," said Mr. Watson. "Dr. Squiers was correct in saying that +such a crime was a state's prison offense. Our discovery of it will send +both Erastus Hopkins and Dr. Squiers to prison. Probably Mr. Marshall, +the manager of the mill, will go with them." + +"Oh, I don't like that!" exclaimed Patsy. + +"Nor do I," added Kenneth. "It would be a sad beginning to my political +career to send three such men to prison. I'd like to avoid it, if I +can." + +"Perhaps it may be quietly arranged," said the lawyer. "If they knew you +had discovered the false registration of these men, they would never +dare vote them." + +"How would it be to send Mr. Burke, the detective, over to the mill to +talk with Mr. Marshall?" suggested Beth. + +"That is an excellent plan, and would be very effective in determining +the manager to abandon the plot." + +"I'll go and see Hopkins myself," announced Uncle John. "I know how to +manage men of his sort." + +"Very good," approved the lawyer, "and I'll see Squiers." + +"If you do," said Patsy, "just ask him to sign a paper saying that Lucy +Rogers was falsely accused of stealing the ring, and that his mother +found it in a vase, where she had forgotten she put it." + +"I'll do that," replied Mr. Watson. "And I'll get the sixty dollars back +that Tom Gates paid him. I'll make it a condition of our agreeing not to +prosecute the man." + +"It looks as if we were going to win the election," said Uncle John in a +pleased voice. "If Hopkins was driven to such methods as stuffing +ballot-boxes, he must know very well he's defeated." + +"He acknowledged it to Dr. Squiers." said Patsy, gaily. "We have +eighteen sure majority, and perhaps more." + +"It's likely to be more," predicted Uncle John. + +"I suppose congratulations are in order, Ken," said Louise. + +"Not yet, cousin," he replied. "Wait until tomorrow night; and then +don't congratulate me, but the campaign managers--three of the nicest +and cleverest girls in existence!" + +"You're right, my boy," declared Uncle John. "If you pull through and +take your seat in the Legislature, you'll owe it all to these girls." + +"That is true," smiled the lawyer. "Kenneth was badly beaten when you +arrived." + +Of course our girls were very happy at receiving this praise, but more +pleased to realize they had actually been of service to their boy +friend. They believed that Kenneth would prove a good Representative and +carry out his promises to the voters; and if he did, that his political +career was assured. + +Mr. Burke appeared in the afternoon with a telegram from Dr. Hoyt, the +specialist, saying that he would be at Elmwood on the noon train +Wednesday. His engagements prevented him from coming any sooner, and in +the meantime Mr. Burke advised keeping a close watch on Eliza Parsons, +to see that she did not run away. + +"I'll attend to that," said Louise, quickly. "Eliza and I are friends, +and I'll take care of her." + +"Aren't you going to the polls?" asked Patsy. + +"No, dear; why should I go? Our work is done now, isn't it?" + +"Well, I'm going to the polls and work for every vote," declared Patsy. +"I shan't be happy unless Kenneth gets more than eighteen majority." + +When the Hopkins plot was explained to Mr. Burke, the detective readily +agreed to go to Fairview and see Mr. Marshall. As no time was to be lost +he was sent over in an automobile, and arrived at the mill just before +the hour for closing. + +The next day being election day the mill was to be closed, and the +manager was very busy in his office when Mr. Burke requested to see him. + +"You will have to come around Wednesday," said Marshall, fussily. "I +can't attend to you now." + +"I'm sorry to disturb you, sir," replied the detective, "but my business +won't wait until Wednesday." + +"What is it about, sir?" + +"About the election." + +"Then I won't be bothered. The election doesn't interest me," said Mr. +Marshall, turning away. + +"Very well, I'll call Wednesday, sir, at the jail." + +Marshall gave him a quick look. + +"Who are you, sir?" he asked. + +"John Burke, a detective." + +The manager hesitated a moment. + +"Come in, Mr. Burke," he said. + +"I represent the Forbes interests," said the detective, seating himself +in the private office, "and it has come to our notice that Dr. Squiers +has permitted sixty-six fraudulent registrations to be entered on the +books. These sixty-six men are supposed to have been imported by you and +are now working at this mill." + +"This is all nonsense!" protested the manager, growing pale. + +"Forty men are sleeping in a near-by barn, and twenty-six in the +stock-room of the mill," added Mr. Burke. + +"That isn't criminal, sir." + +"No, indeed. The criminal act is their false registration, so far," said +the detective, blandly. + +"But mark you, sir; if an attempt is made to vote those men tomorrow, I +shall arrest you, as well as Mr. Hopkins and Dr. Squiers." + +"This is preposterous, sir!" blustered the manager. "There will be no +attempt made to vote them." + +"I am quite sure of it," was the reply. "You may thank Mr. Forbes for +warning you in time. He wished to save you, and so sent me here." + +"Oh, he did!" Mr. Marshall was evidently surprised. "May I ask how you +discovered all this?" he added. + +"I am not at liberty to give you the details. But I may say the exposure +of the plot occurred through Mr. Hopkins's own carelessness. I've seen +lots of crooked politicians, Mr. Marshall, but this man is too reckless +and foolish ever to be a success. He deserves to be defeated and he will +be." + +The manager was thoughtful. + +"This is all news to me," he declared. "I needed these extra men to help +me fill a contract on time, and so employed them. I had no idea Hopkins +and Squiers would try to vote them tomorrow." + +This was a palpable falsehood, but Mr. Burke accepted the lame excuse +without question. + +"You are a valuable man in this community, Mr. Marshall, and Mr. Forbes +seemed to think the Hopkins people were trying to get you into trouble. +Of course it would have caused trouble had these men voted." + +"Of course, Mr. Burke. I'm much obliged to Mr. Forbes for warning me." + +"You'll find the next Representative a very agreeable man to get along +with, Mr. Marshall. Good day, sir." + +"Good day, Mr. Burke." + +When the detective had gone Mr. Marshall sat in a brown study for a few +moments. Then he summoned his superintendent and said: + +"Please ask the men to assemble in the yard before they go home. I want +to have a word with them." + +The request came just in time, for the men were already beginning to +stream out of the mill. They waited good-naturedly, however, grouping +themselves in the big yard. + +Then Marshall mounted a lumber pile and addressed them briefly. + +"Boys," he said, "I told you all, a week or so ago, I'd like you to vote +for Hopkins for Representative, as I believed his election would result +in more work for the mill and better wages for the employees. But I've +been watching matters pretty closely, and I've changed my mind. Forbes +is a coming man, and he'll do more for us all than Hopkins could. So +every man who is entitled to vote will please me best by voting for +Kenneth Forbes." + +There was a cheer at this, and when it subsided, the manager continued: + +"Of course none of the new men, who were not properly registered, have a +right to vote at this election, and I command them to keep away from the +polls. Anyone who attempts to vote illegally will be promptly arrested." + +This caused more cheering, for the workmen had suspected that the new +hands would be voted illegally, and they were relieved to find that it +was a "square deal all 'round," as one of them remarked with +satisfaction. + +Meantime, Uncle John was having a "barrel of fun" with Mr. Hopkins. + +The little millionaire, although a man of simple and unobtrusive ways, +was a shrewd judge of human nature. Moreover he had acquired a fund of +experience in dealing with all sorts of people, and was delighted to +meet Mr. Hopkins under the present circumstances. + +So he drove over to Elmwood and was fortunate to find Mr. Hopkins in his +"office" at home where he was busily engaged instructing his "workers" +in their duties at the polls. + +At sight of Mr. Merrick, whom he knew by this time to be a friend of +Kenneth Forbes, staying at Elmhurst, the politician scented some pending +difficulty, or at least an argument, and was sufficiently interested to +dismiss his men without delay. + +"Ah, this is Mr. Merrick, I believe," began Mr. Hopkins, suavely. "What +can I do for you, sir?" + +"Considerable, if you're disposed," answered the other. "For one thing +I'd like to hire Eliza Parsons away from you." + +"Eliza Parsons!" gasped the Representative. + +"Yes, your spy. Election's about over and you won't need her any longer, +will you?" + +"Sir, do you mean to insult me?" asked the Honorable Erastus, +indignantly. + +"By no means. I thought you were through with the girl," said Uncle John +with a chuckle. + +Mr. Hopkins was distinctly relieved. With a full recollection of his +wicked schemes in his mind, he had feared some more important attack +than this; so he assumed a virtuous look, and replied: + +"Sir, you wrong me. Eliza Parsons was no spy of mine. I was merely +trying to encourage her to a higher spiritual life. She is rather +flighty and irresponsible, sir, and I was sorry for the poor girl. That +is all. If she has been telling tales, they are untrue. I have found +her, I regret to say, inclined at times to be--ah--inventive." + +"Perhaps that's so," remarked Uncle John, carelessly. "You're said to be +a good man, Mr. Hopkins; a leetle too honest and straightforward for a +politician; but that's an excusable fault." + +"I hope I deserve my reputation, Mr. Merrick," said Erastus, +straightening up at this praise. "I do, indeed, try to live an upright +life." + +"I guess so, Mr. Hopkins, I guess so. You wouldn't try, for instance, to +encourage false registration." + +"Sir!" + +"Anything wrong, Mr. Hopkins?" asked Uncle John, innocently. + +Erastus looked at his visitor tremblingly, although he tried to control +his nerves. Of course Mr. Merrick couldn't mean anything by this chance +shot, so he must be thrown off the scent. + +"You have a disagreeable way of making remarks, sir, and I have no time +to listen to foolish speeches. Tomorrow is election day and I've a good +many details yet to arrange." + +"No chance of you're getting in jail, is there?" + +"What do you mean by that?" + +"I only thought that if you'd done anything liable to make trouble, +you'd have to arrange your affairs for a long spell in jail. Politicians +sometimes make mistakes. But you're such an honest man, Mr. Hopkins, you +couldn't possibly go crooked." + +Mr. Hopkins felt shaky again, and looked at his tormentor earnestly, +trying to discern whether there was any real knowledge beneath this +innuendo. But Uncle John met his gaze with a cheerful smile and +continued: + +"I guess you've got a hard fight ahead of you. My young friend Forbes is +trying to get elected himself, and you can't both win." + +"Oh, yes; Forbes," said Erastus, trying to regain his accustomed ease. +"A worthy young man, sir; but I'm afraid his chances are slim." + +"Are they, now?" asked Uncle John, pretending a mild interest. + +"Pretty thin, Mr. Merrick. Our majority is too great to overcome." + +"What do you think your majority will be? About sixty-six?" + +Mr. Hopkins gave a start and turned red. + +"About sixty-six," he repeated, vacantly, trying to decide if this was +another chance shot. + +"Yes; about sixty-six mill hands." + +The cat was out of the bag now. Hopkins realized that Merrick had some +knowledge or at least suspicion of this plot. He tried to think what to +do, and it occurred to him that if his visitor positively knew anything +he would not act in this absurd manner, but come straight to the point. +So he ignored the speech, merely saying: + +"Anything else, sir?" + +"No," replied Uncle John; "I'll go home, I guess. Folks'll be expecting +me. Sorry Forbes hasn't got that sixty-six mill hands; but Doc. Squiers +probably registered 'em all right, and they'll probably vote for +Hopkins." + +"Wait a moment, sir!" cried Erastus, as Uncle John was turning away. +"That speech demands an explanation, and I mean to have it." + +"Oh, you do? Well, I don't object. You may not know it, but Squiers has +registered sixty-six non-voters, and I want to know whether you're +prepared to give half of them to Forbes, or mean to keep them all for +yourself." + +"If Squiers has made false registrations he must stand the consequences. +I want you to understand, sir, that I do not countenance any underhand +dealing." + +"Then it's all off? You won't vote the mill hands?" + +"Not a man shall vote who is not properly registered." + +"I'm glad to hear it, Mr. Hopkins. Perhaps you can get that twenty-five +hundred back. I don't think Squiers has cashed the check yet." + +The Honorable Erastus gave a roar like a wild bull, but Uncle John had +walked quietly out and climbed into his buggy. He looked back, and +seeing Mr. Hopkins's scowling face at the window returned a pleasant +smile as he drove away. + +Mr. Watson had just finished his interview with the dentist when Uncle +John picked him up at the corner. The lawyer had accomplished more than +the other two, for he had secured a paper exonerating Lucy Rogers and +another incriminating the Honorable Erastus Hopkins, as well as the +sixty dollars paid by Tom Gates. The dentist was thoroughly frightened, +but determined, now that the conspiracy was defeated, that the man who +had led him to the crime should not escape in case he was himself +arrested. So he made a plain statement of the whole matter and signed +it, and Mr. Watson assured Squiers immunity from arrest, pending good +behavior. The man had already cashed Hopkins's check, and he knew the +Representative could not get the money away from him, so after all the +dentist lost nothing by the exposure. + +It was a jolly party that assembled at the dinner-table in Elmhurst that +evening. + +"You see," explained Uncle John, "the thing looked as big as a balloon +to us at first; but it was only a bubble, after all, and as soon as we +pricked it--it disappeared." + + + + +CHAPTER XXI + +THE "RETURNS" FROM FAIRVIEW + + +Election day dawned sunny and bright; but there was a chill in the air +that betokened the approach of winter. + +Uncle John had suggested serving coffee to the voters at the different +polling places, and Kenneth had therefore arranged for a booth at each +place, where excellent coffee was served free all day long. These booths +were decorated with Forbes banners and attracted a great deal of +comment, as the idea was a distinct innovation in this district. + +"You wouldn't catch Hopkins giving anything away," remarked one farmer +to another. "'Rast is too close-fisted." + +"Why, as fer that," was the reply, "the thing is done to catch votes. +You know that as well as I do." + +"S'pose it is," said the first speaker. "I'd ruther my vote was caught +by a cup of hot coffee on a cold day, than by nothin' at all. If we've +got to bite anyhow, why not take a hook that's baited?" + +Patsy and Beth made the rounds of the polling places in an automobile +covered with flags and bunting, and wherever they appeared they were +greeted with cordial cheers. + +Mr. Hopkins was noticeable by his absence, and this was due not so much +to his cowardice as to an unfortunate accident. + +Neither Squiers nor Hopkins knew just how their secret had leaked out, +for Patsy's presence in the dentist's office had not been disclosed; so +each one suspected the other of culpable foolishness if not downright +rascality. After Uncle John's visit Erastus stormed over to Squiers's +office and found his accomplice boiling with indignation at having been +trapped in a criminal undertaking. + +As the two men angrily faced each other they could not think of any +gentle words to say, and Dr. Squiers became so excited by the other's +reproaches that he indulged in careless gestures. One of these gestures +bumped against the Honorable Erastus's right eye with such force that +the eye was badly injured. + +The candidate for re-election, therefore, wakened on election morning +with the damaged optic swollen shut and sadly discolored. Realizing that +this unfortunate condition would not win votes, Mr. Hopkins remained at +home all day and nagged his long-suffering spouse, whose tongue was her +only defence. + +The Representative had promptly telephoned to Marshall at Fairview +telling him not to vote the men as arranged. He was not especially +charmed with the manager's brief reply: + +"Don't be alarmed. We're not _all_ fools!" + +"I guess, 'Rast," remarked Mary Hopkins, looking at her damaged and +irritable husband with a blending of curiosity and contempt, "that +you're 'bout at the end of your rope." + +"You wait," said Erastus, grimly. "This thing ain't over yet." + +The day passed very quietly and without any especial incident. A full +vote was polled, and by sundown the fate of the candidates had been +decided. But the counting seemed to progress slowly and the group +assembled around the telephone in Kenneth's library thought the returns +would never arrive. + +The Republican Committee had given Mr. Forbes a table showing what the +vote of each precinct should be, according to their canvass. + +The first report was from Elmwood, and showed a gain of seventeen over +the estimate. Patsy was delighted, for she had worked hard in Elmwood, +and this proved that her efforts had been successful. Then came a report +from Longville, in Jefferson County. It showed a gain of forty-three +votes for Hopkins, and a consequent loss for Forbes. This was a +startling surprise, and the next advice from a country precinct in +Washington County showed another gain of twelve for Hopkins. + +The little group of workers looked at one another with inquiring eyes, +and Patsy could hardly refrain from crying. + +The butler announced dinner, but only Louise and Mr. Watson could eat +anything. The others were too intent on learning their fate and could +not leave the telephone. + +It seemed queer that the precincts furthest away should be first to +respond, but so it was. Jefferson County returns began to come in +rapidly, and were received in dismal silence. Hopkins gained four here, +seven there, and twenty-two in another precinct. + +"It looks," said Kenneth, quietly, "like a landslide for Hopkins, and I +wonder how our Committee was so badly informed." + +"You see," said Uncle John, "voters won't usually tell the truth about +how they've decided to vote. Lots of them tell both sides they're going +to vote their way. And people change their minds at the last minute, +too. You can't do much more than average the thing by means of a +canvass." + +By nine o'clock, complete returns from the part of Jefferson County +included in the Eighth District showed a net gain of one hundred and +eight for Hopkins--a lead that it seemed impossible to overcome. +Washington County was not so bad. Incomplete returns indicated a slight +gain for Hopkins, but not more than a dozen votes altogether. + +"Everything now depends upon Dupree and Fairview," announced Kenneth, +"but I can't get any connection with them yet. We won in Elmwood, +anyhow, and Hopkins isn't ahead more than a hundred and sixty as the +thing stands now. Cheer up, girls. A defeat won't hurt us much, for +we've all made a good fight. Better get to bed and sleep, for you're +tired out. We'll know all about everything in the morning." + +But they would not move. Disappointment unnerved them more than victory +would have done. They resolved to wait until the last returns were in. + +"Telephone, sir," said Tom Gates. + +Kenneth picked up the receiver. + +"Here's Dupree," he said. "Our majority over Hopkins is two hundred and +eleven. Let's see, that's a gain of seventy-four votes, my dears." + +"Hooray!" cried Patsy, delightedly. "I don't care a rap now, what +happens. Old Hopkins won't have much to crow over if--" + +"Wait a minute," said Kenneth. "Here's Fairview, at last!" + +They held their breaths and watched his face. Kenneth flushed red as he +held the receiver to his ear, and then grew white. He turned around to +the expectant group and Beth knew from the sparkle in his eyes what had +happened. + +"Fairview's six precincts give us six hundred and forty-one majority," +announced the boy, in an awed tone. "That's a gain of nearly four +hundred!" + +They gazed at him in silent wonder. Then Uncle John rose slowly and took +the boy's hand. + +"That means we've won--and won in a walk," said the little man. +"Kenneth, we congratulate you." + +Patsy's face was buried in her handkerchief, and Beth's great eyes were +bright with unshed tears. But Louise laughed her soft, musical laugh and +remarked: + +"Why, I knew all the time we would win. We had the better candidate, you +see." + +"And the best campaign managers," added Uncle John, with a proud smile. + +"That may be true," admitted Beth. "But the thing that really won the +fight was Patsy's sore tooth." + + + + +CHAPTER XXII + +THE AWAKENING + + +James and Mr. Burke met the great specialist in brain diseases at the +noon train on Wednesday and drove him to Elmhurst. + +Dr. Hoyt was a handsome, gray-haired man, with kindly eyes and a +distinguished manner. When he was ushered into the library the young +ladies were attracted by the physician at once, and from the first +glance were inspired by confidence in his powers. Yet Dr. Hoyt spoke +rather doubtfully of the case in hand. + +"These cases are not so rare as you might suppose," he said; "yet no two +of them are exactly alike. Usually the recovery is slow and tedious; but +recovery is not always assured. In some instances, however, the memory +is absolutely restored, and from what Mr. Burke has explained to me of +Lucy Rogers's history this is what we may expect now. Or else, we must +trust to time or an accident to awaken her dormant mental faculties. The +case is so interesting that I should like, with your permission, to make +an experiment which can result in no harm if it does not succeed." + +"We put the matter entirely in your hands, sir," said Uncle John. "Act +as you think best." + +"I thank you," replied Dr. Hoyt, bowing. Then he turned to the girls. +"Which of you young ladies has won the friendship of Lucy Rogers?" he +asked. + +Louise answered that she and Eliza Parsons had become good friends. + +"Will you assist me?" asked the physician. + +"Willingly, sir." + +"I wish to send the girl into a deep sleep, to render her unconscious +without her suspecting my intention, or realizing the fact. Can you +suggest a way to do this?" + +Louise tried to think. + +"What means will you employ, sir?" she asked. + +"There are many ways to accomplish this. I prefer to administer a +powerful sleeping potion. Have you any confectionery or bon-bons at +hand?" + +"Yes, indeed. I have just received a fresh box of bon-bons from New +York. But I'm not sure I can induce Eliza to eat candy." + +"Then let us prepare the potion in various ways. But you must be +careful, Miss Merrick, not to make a mistake and take the dose +yourself." + +Louise laughed. + +"I'll be careful, sir," she promised. + +The two then retired to perfect their plan, and in an hour every +arrangement was complete. + +Louise went to her room, donned a wrapper, and bandaged her head. Then +she summoned Martha and asked the housekeeper to send Eliza Parsons to +sit with her in the darkened room, as she was suffering from a headache. + +The maid came at once, to all appearances, as happy and careless as +ever. After expressing her sympathy she asked what she could do. + +"Just sit down and keep me company, dear," replied Louise. "I'm not very +bad, but I'm restless and can't sleep, and I want you to talk to me and +amuse me." + +Eliza laughed. + +"That is easy, as far as talking is concerned," she said. "But to amuse +you, Miss Louise, may be more difficult." + +But the girls found a topic of conversation in the election, in which +Eliza was much interested, and they chatted together for an hour or so +before Louise made any move to consummate her plot. + +"I hope my foolish reports to Mr. Hopkins did no harm to Mr. Forbes," +Eliza was saying. "I really had little to tell him of your conversation +or movements." + +"You did no harm at all, for Mr. Forbes was elected," replied Louise. +Then she said, carelessly: + +"Martha has sent me this pitcher of lemonade, and I don't care for it. +Won't you drink a glass, Eliza?" + +"No, thank you," she replied, shaking her head. "I never drink +lemonade." + +"Then have one of these sandwiches?" + +"I'm not hungry, Miss Louise." + +Louise sighed. Both the lemonade and the sandwiches had been "dosed" by +Dr. Hoyt. Then she picked up the box of bon-bons that was beside her. + +"But you will eat some candy, dear. Every girl likes candy." + +"I don't seem to care for it," said Eliza carelessly. + +"Just one piece, to please me," coaxed Louise, and selected a piece from +the box with dainty care. "Here, my dear; you'll find this sort very +nice." + +Eliza hesitated, but finally reached out her hand and took the bon-bon. +Louise lay back in her chair and closed her eyes, fearing their +eagerness might betray her. When after a time she opened them again +Eliza was slowly rocking back and forth and chewing the confection. + +Dr. Hoyt's first suggestion had been best. The potion had been prepared +in several ways to tempt Eliza, but the candy had been the effectual +bait. + +Louise felt a glow of triumph, but managed to continue the conversation, +relating in an amusing way the anxiety of the Elmhurst folks when the +first returns seemed to indicate the election of Hopkins. + +Eliza laughed once or twice, her head resting upon the back of her +chair. Then the words of Louise began to sound dreamy and indistinct in +her ears. The chair rocked with less regularity; soon it came to a stop, +and Eliza was peacefully sleeping in its ample depths. + +Louise now rose softly and rang her bell. Footsteps approached, and a +knock came upon the door. She admitted Dr. Hoyt, Mr. Burke, and two +servants. + +The physician approached the sleeping girl and gently lifted the lids of +her eyes. Then he nodded with satisfaction. + +"There was no suspicion on her part? She made no struggle--no attempt to +evade unconsciousness?" he asked. + +"None at all, sir," replied Louise. "She ate the bon-bon, and was asleep +before she realized it." + +"Excellent!" said the doctor. "We will now place her in her own room, +upon her bed, while Mr. Burke and I drive over to her former home to +complete our arrangements." + +"Won't she waken?" asked Louise. + +"Not until tomorrow morning, and when she does I hope for a complete +restoration of her memory." + +Beth went with Dr. Hoyt to the Rogers farm, because she knew Mrs. +Rogers. It was necessary to break the news to the poor, blind woman +gently, but Beth's natural tact stood her in good stead. She related the +story of the search for Lucy, the discovery that one of the maids at +Elmhurst resembled the missing girl, and the detective's conclusion that +Eliza Parsons was none other than Lucy Rogers, who was suffering from a +peculiar mental aberration and had forgotten every detail of her former +life. + +Mrs. Rogers followed the tale with intelligent understanding, and her +joy at the discovery of her wandering child was only tempered by the +fear that Lucy would never know her mother again or be content to remain +in her humble home. + +Then Dr. Hoyt took up the conversation and related the many instances of +complete recovery that had come under his observation. + +"I am adopting heroic methods in this case," said he, "but I have +reasonable hopes of their success. Your child doubtless became mentally +confused while under this roof. How many hours she wandered, we do not +know, but it could not have been long before she lay down by the +roadside and fell asleep. When she awakened her mind was a blank as +regards her identity and former history. Now, in order to effect a +recovery, I have reversed these experiences with her. She is at present +plunged into a deep sleep, under the influence of narcotics that have +rendered her brain absolutely inactive. It is really a state of coma, +and I wish her to waken in this house, amid the scenes with which she +was formerly familiar. By this means I hope to induce her mental +faculties to resume their normal functions." + +Mrs. Rogers accepted this proposal with calmness and a confidence in the +physician that was admirable. Old Will trembled with nervous excitement, +and was so "flustered" by the importance of the experiment that Dr. Hoyt +decided to give him a quieting potion. + +Lucy's room was prepared in the exact manner in which she had left it, +and presently the visitors drove back to Elmhurst. + +In the evening the doctor made the journey a second time, accompanying +the unconscious form of Lucy, which was attended by a maid Louise had +sent with her. + +The girl was undressed and put to bed in her own room, and then everyone +except Dr. Hoyt returned to Elmhurst. + +The physician sat late in conversation with the blind woman and old +Will, and when they retired for the night he lay down upon a lounge in +the little living-room. The question of fees or of comfort was wholly +ignored by the specialist at the moment. His sole interest was in his +remarkable case. + +Mrs. Rogers rose at daylight and with old Will's assistance prepared the +breakfast. The little table was set in the humble living-room, and the +fragrant odor of coffee pervaded the house. Dr. Hoyt drank a cup and +then stepped out upon the little porch, taking a position of observation +by the window. + +"All right, Nell," muttered old Will, his knees knocking together, in +spite of himself. + +Mrs. Rogers rose quietly and walked to the foot of the stairs. + +"Lucy! Lucy!" she called. + +"Yes!" came a faint reply. + +"Breakfast is ready!" + +Then the two old people sat in suppressed excitement for what seemed to +them an age. But the physician, calmly stationed at the window, knew it +was not very long. + +Presently a light step sounded upon the stairs and Lucy came into the +room. + +"Good morning, mother dear!" she said, a new, sweet tenderness in her +voice. And then she knelt and kissed the woman upon her brow. + +The doctor looked at his watch. + +"I must be going," he muttered, turning away. "There's time for me to +catch the early train." + + +THE END + + + + + + + +End of Project Gutenberg's Aunt Jane's Nieces at Work, by Edith Van Dyne + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK AUNT JANE'S NIECES AT WORK *** + +***** This file should be named 13110-8.txt or 13110-8.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + https://www.gutenberg.org/1/3/1/1/13110/ + +Produced by Afra Ullah and PG Distributed Proofreaders + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Aunt Jane's Nieces at Work + +Author: Edith Van Dyne + +Release Date: August 3, 2004 [EBook #13110] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK AUNT JANE'S NIECES AT WORK *** + + + + +Produced by Afra Ullah and PG Distributed Proofreaders + + + + + +</pre> + +<h1> + AUNT JANE'S NIECES AT WORK +</h1> +<center><b> + BY +</b></center> +<h2> + EDITH VAN DYNE +</h2> +<center> + 1909 +</center> +<a name="2HLIS1"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<h2> + LIST OF CHAPTERS +</h2> +<p><a href="#CH1"> + I. MISS DOYLE INTERFERES +</a></p> +<p><a href="#CH2"> + II. THE ARTIST +</a></p> +<p><a href="#CH3"> + III. DON QUIXOTE +</a></p> +<p><a href="#CH4"> + IV. KENNETH TAKES A BOLD STEP +</a></p> +<p><a href="#CH5"> + V. PLANNING THE WORK +</a></p> +<p><a href="#CH6"> + VI. A GOOD START </a></p> +<p><a href="#CH7"> + VII. PATSY MAKES PROGRESS +</a></p> +<p><a href="#CH8"> + VIII. THE HONORABLE ERASTUS IS ASTONISHED +</a></p> +<p><a href="#CH9"> + IX. OL' WILL ROGERS +</a></p> +<p><a href="#CH10"> + X. THE FORGED CHECK +</a></p> +<p><a href="#CH11"> + XI. A MYSTERIOUS DISAPPEARANCE +</a></p> +<p><a href="#CH12"> + XII. BETH MEETS A REBUFF +</a></p> +<p><a href="#CH13"> + XIII. THE BOOMERANG +</a></p> +<p><a href="#CH14"> + XIV. LUCY'S GHOST +</a></p> +<p><a href="#CH15"> + XV. SIGNS OF THE TIMES +</a></p> +<p><a href="#CH16"> + XVI. A CLEW AT LAST +</a></p> +<p><a href="#CH17"> + XVII. MRS. HOPKINS GOSSIPS +</a></p> +<p><a href="#CH18"> + XVIII. ELIZA PARSONS +</a></p> +<p><a href="#CH19"> + XIX. PATSY INDULGES IN EAVESDROPPING +</a></p> +<p><a href="#CH20"> + XX. PRICKING A BUBBLE +</a></p> +<p><a href="#CH21"> + XXI. THE "RETURNS" FROM FAIRVIEW +</a></p> +<p><a href="#CH22"> + XXII. THE AWAKENING +</a></p> +<a name="CH1"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<h2> + CHAPTER I +</h2> +<center> + MISS DOYLE INTERFERES +</center> +<p> + "Daddy," said Patricia Doyle at the breakfast table in her cosy New York + apartment, "here is something that will make you sit up and take + notice." +</p> +<p> + "My dear Patsy," was the reply, "it's already sitting up I am, an' + taking waffles. If anything at all would make me take notice it's your + own pretty phiz." +</p> +<p> + "Major," remarked Uncle John, helping himself to waffles from a fresh + plate Nora brought in, "you Irish are such confirmed flatterers that you + flatter your own daughters. Patsy isn't at all pretty this morning. + She's too red and freckled." +</p> +<p> + Patsy laughed and her blue eyes danced. +</p> +<p> + "That comes from living on your old farm at Millville," she retorted. + "We've only been back three days, and the sunburn sticks to me like a + burr to a kitten." +</p> +<p> + "Pay no attention to the ould rascal, Patsy," advised the Major, + composedly. "An' stop wavin' that letter like a white flag of surrender. + Who's it from?" +</p> +<p> + "Kenneth." +</p> +<p> + "Aha! An' how is our lad?" +</p> +<p> + "Why, he's got himself into a peck of trouble. That's what I want to + talk to you and Uncle John about," she replied, her happy face growing + as serious as it could ever become. +</p> +<p> + "Can't he wiggle out?" asked Uncle John. +</p> +<p> + "Out of what?" +</p> +<p> + "His trouble." +</p> +<p> + "It seems not. Listen—" +</p> +<p> + "Oh, tell us about it, lassie," said the Major. "If I judge right + there's some sixty pages in that epistle. Don't bother to read it + again." +</p> +<p> + "But every word is important," declared Patsy, turning the letter over, + "—except the last page," with a swift flush. +</p> +<p> + Uncle John laughed. His shrewd old eyes saw everything. +</p> +<p> + "Then read us the last page, my dear." +</p> +<p> + "I'll tell you about it," said Patsy, quickly. "It's this way, you see. + Kenneth has gone into politics!" +</p> +<p> + "More power to his elbow!" exclaimed the Major. +</p> +<p> + "I can't imagine it in Kenneth," said Uncle John, soberly. "What's he in + for?" +</p> +<p> + "For—for—let's see. Oh, here it is. For member of the House of + Representatives from the Eighth District." +</p> +<p> + "He's flying high, for a fledgling," observed the Major. "But Kenneth's + a bright lad and a big gun in his county. He'll win, hands down." +</p> +<p> + Patsy shook her head. +</p> +<p> + "He's afraid not," she said, "and it's worrying him to death. He doesn't + like to be beaten, and that's what's troubling him." +</p> +<p> + Uncle John pushed back his chair. +</p> +<p> + "Poor boy!" he said. "What ever induced him to attempt such a thing?" +</p> +<p> + "He wanted to defeat a bad man who now represents Kenneth's district," + explained Patsy, whose wise little head was full of her friend's + difficulties; "and—" +</p> +<p> + "And the bad man objects to the idea and won't be defeated," added the + Major. "It's a way these bad men have." +</p> +<p> + Uncle John was looking very serious indeed, and Patsy regarded him + gratefully. Her father never would be serious where Kenneth was + concerned. Perhaps in his heart the grizzled old Major was a bit jealous + of the boy. +</p> +<p> + "I think," said the girl, "that Mr. Watson got Ken into politics, for he + surely wouldn't have undertaken such a thing himself. And, now he's in, + he finds he's doomed to defeat; and it's breaking his heart, Uncle + John." +</p> +<p> + The little man nodded silently. His chubby face was for once destitute + of a smile. That meant a good deal with Uncle John, and Patsy knew she + had interested him in Kenneth's troubles. +</p> +<p> + "Once," said the Major, from behind the morning paper, "I was in + politics, meself. I ran for coroner an' got two whole votes—me own an' + the undertaker's. It's because the public's so indiscriminating that + I've not run for anything since—except th' street-car." +</p> +<p> + "But it's a big game," said Uncle John, standing at the window with his + hands deep in his pockets; "and an important game. Every good American + should take an interest in politics; and Kenneth, especially, who has + such large landed interests, ought to direct the political affairs of + his district." +</p> +<p> + "I'm much interested in politics, too, Uncle," declared the girl. "If I + were a man I'd—I'd—be President!" +</p> +<p> + "An' I'd vote fer ye twenty times a day, mavourneen!" cried the Major. + "But luckily ye'll be no president—unless it's of a woman's club." +</p> +<p> + "There's the bell!" cried Patsy. "It must be the girls. No one else + would call so early." +</p> +<p> + "It's Beth's voice, talking to Nora," added her father, listening; and + then the door flew open and in came two girls whose bright and eager + faces might well warrant the warm welcome they received. +</p> +<p> + "Oh, Louise," cried Patsy, "however did you get up so early?" +</p> +<p> + "I've got a letter from Kenneth," was the answer, "and I'm so excited I + couldn't wait a minute!" +</p> +<p> + "Imagine Louise being excited," said Beth, calmly, as she kissed Uncle + John and sat down by Patsy's side. "She read her letter in bed and + bounced out of bed like a cannon-ball. We dressed like the 'lightning + change' artist at the vaudeville, and I'm sure our hats are not on + straight." +</p> +<p> + "This bids fair to be a strenuous day," observed the Major. "Patsy's had + a letter from the boy, herself." +</p> +<p> + "Oh, did you?" inquired Louise; "and do you know all about it, dear?" +</p> +<p> + "She knows sixty pages about it," replied Major Doyle. +</p> +<p> + "Well, then, what's to be done?" +</p> +<p> + The question was addressed to Patsy, who was not prepared to reply. The + three cousins first exchanged inquiring glances and then turned their + eager eyes upon the broad chubby back of Uncle John, who maintained his + position at the window as if determined to shut out the morning + sunlight. +</p> +<p> + Louise Merrick lived with her mother a few blocks away from Patsy's + apartment, and her cousin Beth DeGraf was staying with her for a time. + They had all spent the summer with Uncle John at Millville, and had only + returned to New York a few days before. Beth's home was in Ohio, but + there was so little sympathy between the girl and her parents that she + was happy only when away from them. Her mother was Uncle John's sister, + but as selfish and cold as Uncle John was generous and genial. Beth's + father was a "genius" and a professor of music—one of those geniuses + who live only in their own atmosphere and forget there is a world around + them. So Beth had a loveless and disappointed childhood, and only after + Uncle John arrived from the far west and took his three nieces "under + his wing," as he said, did her life assume any brightness or interest. +</p> +<p> + Her new surroundings, however, had developed Beth's character + wonderfully, and although she still had her periods of sullen depression + she was generally as gay and lovable as her two cousins, but in a + quieter and more self-possessed way. +</p> +<p> + Louise was the eldest—a fair, dainty creature with that indescribable + "air" which invariably wins the admiring regard of all beholders. + Whatever gown the girl wore looked appropriate and becoming, and her + manner was as delightful as her appearance. She was somewhat frivolous + and designing in character, but warm-hearted and staunch in her + friendships. Indeed, Louise was one of those girls who are so complex as + to be a puzzle to everyone, including themselves. +</p> +<p> + Beth DeGraf was the beauty of the group of three, and she also possessed + great depth of character. Beth did not like herself very well, and was + always afraid others would fail to like her, so she did not win friends + as easily as did Louise. But those who knew the beautiful girl + intimately could read much to admire in the depth of her great dark + eyes, and she was not the least interesting of the three nieces whose + fortunes had been so greatly influenced by Aunt Jane and Uncle John + Merrick. +</p> +<p> + But Patricia Doyle—usually called "Patsy" by her friends—was after all + the general favorite with strangers and friends alike. There was a + subtle magnetism about the girl's laughing, freckled face and dancing + blue eyes that could not well be resisted. Patsy was not beautiful; she + was not accomplished; she had no especial air of distinction. But she + was winning from the top of her red hair to the tips of her toes, and so + absolutely unaffected that she won all hearts. +</p> +<p> + "And for wisdom she's got Solomon beat to a frazzle," declared the Major + to Uncle John, in discussing his daughter's character. But it is + possible that Major Doyle was prejudiced. +</p> +<p> + "Well, what's to be done?" demanded Louise, for the second time. +</p> +<p> + "We don't vote in Ken's district," remarked the Major, "or there would + be six votes to his credit, and that would beat my own record by four!" +</p> +<p> + "Ken is so impressionable that I'm afraid this defeat will ruin his + life," said Beth, softly. "I wish we could get him away. Couldn't we get + him to withdraw?" +</p> +<p> + "He might be suddenly called to Europe," suggested Louise. "That would + take him away from the place and give him a change of scene." +</p> +<p> + Patsy shook her head. +</p> +<p> + "Kenneth isn't a coward," she said. "He won't run away. He must accept + his defeat like a man, and some time try again. Eh, Uncle John?" +</p> +<p> + Uncle John turned around and regarded his three nieces critically. +</p> +<p> + "What makes you think he will be defeated?" he asked. +</p> +<p> + "He says so himself," answered Patsy. +</p> +<p> + "He writes me he can see no hope, for the people are all against him," + added Louise. +</p> +<p> + "Pah!" said Uncle John, contemptuously. "What else does the idiot say?" +</p> +<p> + "That he's lonely and discouraged, and had to pour out his heart to some + one or go wild," said Patsy, the tears of sympathy filling her eyes. +</p> +<p> + "And you girls propose to sit down and allow all this?" inquired their + uncle sternly. +</p> +<p> + "We?" answered Louise, lifting her brows and making a pretty gesture. + "What can we do?" +</p> +<p> + "Go to work!" said Uncle John. +</p> +<p> + "How?" asked Patsy, eagerly. +</p> +<p> + "Politics is a game," declared Mr. Merrick. "It's never won until the + last card is played. And success doesn't lie so much in the cards as the + way you play 'em. Here are three girls with plenty of shrewdness and + energy. Why don't you take a hand in the game and win it?" +</p> +<p> + "Oh, Uncle John!" +</p> +<p> + The proposition was certainly disconcerting at first. +</p> +<p> + "Yes, yes!" laughed the Major, derisively. "Put on some blue stockings, + read the history of woman's suffrage, cultivate a liking for depraved + eggs, and then face Kenneth's enraged constituents!" +</p> +<p> + "I shouldn't mind, daddy, if it would help Kenneth any," declared Patsy, + stoutly. +</p> +<p> + "Go on, Uncle John," said Beth, encouragingly. +</p> +<p> + "Women in politics," observed their uncle, "have often been a tremendous + power. You won't need to humiliate yourselves, my dears. All you'll need + to do is to exercise your wits and work earnestly for the cause. There + are a hundred ways to do that." +</p> +<p> + "Mention a few," proposed the Major. +</p> +<p> + "I will when I get to Elmhurst and look over the ground," answered Uncle + John. +</p> +<p> + "You're going on, then?" +</p> +<p> + "Yes." +</p> +<p> + "I'll go with you," said Patsy promptly. +</p> +<p> + "So will I," said Beth. "Kenneth needs moral encouragement and support + as much as anything else, just now." +</p> +<p> + "He's imagining all sorts of horrors and making himself miserable," said + Louise. "Let's all go, Uncle, and try to cheer him up." +</p> +<p> + By this time Uncle John was smiling genially. +</p> +<p> + "Why, I was sure of you, my dears, from the first," he said. "The + Major's an old croaker, but he'd go, too, if it were not necessary for + him to stay in New York and attend to business. But we mustn't lose any + time, if we're going to direct the politics of the Eighth District + Election the eighth of November." +</p> +<p> + "I can go any time, and so can Beth," said Louise. +</p> +<p> + "All I need is the blue stockings," laughed Patsy. +</p> +<p> + "It won't be play. This means work," said Uncle John seriously. +</p> +<p> + "Well, I believe we're capable of a certain amount of work," replied + Beth. "Aren't we, girls?" +</p> +<p> + "We are!" +</p> +<p> + "All right," said Mr. Merrick. "I'll go and look up the next train. Go + home, Louise, and pack up. I'll telephone you." +</p> +<p> + "That bad man 'd better look out," chuckled the Major. "He doesn't + suspect that an army of invasion is coming." +</p> +<p> + "Daddy," cried Patsy, "you hush up. We mean business." +</p> +<p> + "If you win," said the Major, "I'll run for alderman on a petticoat + platform, and hire your services." +</p> +<a name="CH2"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<h2> + CHAPTER II +</h2> +<center> + THE ARTIST +</center> +<p> + To most people the great rambling mansion at Elmhurst, with its ample + grounds and profusion of flowers and shrubbery, would afford endless + delight. But Kenneth Forbes, the youthful proprietor, was at times + dreadfully bored by the loneliness of it all, though no one could better + have appreciated the beauties of his fine estate. +</p> +<p> + The town, an insignificant village, was five miles distant, and + surrounding the mansion were many broad acres which rather isolated it + from its neighbors. Moreover, Elmhurst was the one important estate in + the county, and the simple, hard-working farmers in its vicinity + considered, justly enough, that the owner was wholly out of their class. +</p> +<p> + This was not the owner's fault, and Kenneth had brooded upon the matter + until he had come to regard it as a distinct misfortune. For it isolated + him and deprived him of any social intercourse with his neighbors. +</p> +<p> + The boy had come to live at Elmhurst when he was a mere child, but only + as a dependent upon the charities of Aunt Jane, who had accepted the + charge of the orphan because he was a nephew of her dead lover, who had + bequeathed her his estate of Elmhurst. Aunt Jane was Kenneth's aunt + merely in name, since she had never even married the uncle to whom she + had been betrothed, and who had been killed in an accident before the + boy was born. +</p> +<p> + She was an irritable old woman, as Kenneth knew her, and had never shown + him any love or consideration. He grew up in a secluded corner of the + great house, tended merely by servants and suffered to play in those + quarters of the ample grounds which Aunt Jane did not herself visit. The + neglect which Kenneth had suffered and his lonely life had influenced + the youth's temperament, and he was far from being an agreeable + companion at the time Aunt Jane summoned her three nieces to Elmhurst in + order to choose one of them as her heiress. These girls, bright, cheery + and wholesome as they were, penetrated the boy's reserve and drew him + out of his misanthropic moods. They discovered that he had remarkable + talent as an artist, and encouraged him to draw and paint, something he + had long loved to do in secret. +</p> +<p> + Then came the great surprise of the boy's life, which changed his + condition from one of dependency into affluence. Aunt Jane died and it + was discovered that she had no right to transfer the estate to one of + her nieces, because by the terms of his uncle's deed to her the property + reverted on her death to Kenneth himself. Louise Merrick, Beth DeGraf + and Patsy Doyle, the three nieces, were really glad that the boy + inherited Elmhurst, and returned to their eastern homes with the most + cordial friendship existing between them all. +</p> +<p> + Kenneth was left the master of Elmhurst and possessor of considerable + wealth besides, and at first he could scarcely realize his good fortune + or decide how to take advantage of it. He had one good and helpful + friend, an old lawyer named Watson, who had not only been a friend of + his uncle, and the confidant of Aunt Jane for years, but had taken an + interest in the lonely boy and had done his best to make his life + brighter and happier. +</p> +<p> + When Kenneth became a landed proprietor Mr. Watson was appointed his + guardian, and the genial old lawyer abandoned the practice of law and + henceforth devoted himself to his ward's welfare and service. +</p> +<p> + They made a trip to Europe together, where Kenneth studied the pictures + of the old masters and obtained instruction from some of the foremost + living artists of the old world. +</p> +<p> + It was while they were abroad, a year before the time of this story, + that the boy met Aunt Jane's three nieces again. They were "doing" + Europe in company with a wealthy bachelor uncle, John Merrick, a + generous, kind-hearted and simple-minded old gentleman who had taken the + girls "under his wing," as he expressed it, and had really provided for + their worldly welfare better than Aunt Jane, his sister, could have + done. +</p> +<p> + This "Uncle John" was indeed a whimsical character, as the reader will + presently perceive. Becoming a millionaire "against his will," as he + declared, he had learned to know his nieces late in life, and found in + their society so much to enjoy that he was now wholly devoted to their + interests. His one friend was Major Doyle, Patsy's father, a dignified + but agreeable old Irish gentleman who amused Uncle John nearly as much + as the girls delighted him. The Major managed John Merrick's financial + affairs, leaving the old millionaire free to do as he pleased. +</p> +<p> + So he took the girls to Europe, and the four had a fine, adventurous + trip, as may be imagined. Kenneth and Mr. Watson met them in Sicily, and + afterward in the Italian cities, and the friendship already existing + between the young people was more firmly cemented than before. +</p> +<p> + In the spring Kenneth returned with his guardian to Elmhurst, where he + devoted himself largely to painting from the sketches he had made + abroad, while Mr. Watson sat beside him comfortably smoking his pipe and + reading his favorite authors. The elder man was contented enough in his + condition, but the boy grew restless and impatient, and longed for + social intercourse. His nature was moody and he had a tendency to brood + if left much to himself. +</p> +<p> + Uncle John had carried his nieces to a farm at Millville, in the + Adirondack region, for the summer, so that Kenneth heard but seldom from + his friends. +</p> +<p> + Such was the disposition of the characters when our story opens. +</p> +<p> + Kenneth Forbes, although I have called him a boy, had attained his + majority on the fifteenth day of May. At this time Mr. Watson rendered + his accounts and turned over the estate to its owner. He would then have + retired, but Kenneth would not let him go. Twenty-one years of age + sounds mature, but the owner of Elmhurst was as boyish and inexperienced + as it is possible for one twenty-one years old to be. He had grown + accustomed, moreover, to depend much on Mr. Watson's legal acumen in the + management of his affairs, and would have been embarrassed and + bewildered if obliged to shoulder the burden all at once. +</p> +<p> + The lawyer, who had always had an affection for the young man, perceived + this clearly; so an arrangement was made that he should remain with his + young friend indefinitely and strive to teach him such elements of + business as would enable him in time to attend to his extensive + interests understandingly and wisely. +</p> +<p> + The country around Elmhurst is thickly settled with agriculturists, for + the farms are rich and productive in that part of the state. But it is + not a flat country, and Nature has given it many pretty woodland glades + and rocky glens to add to its charm. +</p> +<p> + From the hill country at the west came several rushing streams which + tumbled along rocky paths to the river nine miles below Elmhurst, and + there are scenes along these routes that might well delight the eye of + an artist. Kenneth had often wandered into these out-of-the-way places + when a half-forgotten, neglected lad, but had not visited them for + years. Now, however, with the spirit of loneliness upon him, he suddenly + thought of a glen that would make an interesting study for a picture; so + one morning he mounted his horse and rode away to pay the place a + preliminary visit. +</p> +<p> + The farmers along the road nodded at the young fellow good-naturedly as + he passed them. Everyone knew him well by sight, yet Kenneth could not + have named many of his neighbors, having held little intercourse with + them. It struck him, this morning, that they had little cause to be + interested in him. He had been an unsociable lad, and since he had + become master of Elmhurst had done little to cultivate acquaintance with + the people who lived around him. +</p> +<p> + One reason for this was that they held little in common with him. The + neighboring farmers were honest, thrifty souls, and among them were many + both shrewd and thoughtful; but they naturally would not force + themselves upon the society of the one really rich man in their + community, especially as that man had shown no desire to know them. +</p> +<p> + Kenneth was the subject of much speculation among them, and opinions + widely differed concerning his character. Some called him a "prig" and + declared that he was "stuck up" and conceited. Others said he was a + "namby-pamby" without brains or wit. But there were a few who had + occasionally talked with the boy, who understood him better, and hinted + that he might develop into "quite a man" in time. +</p> +<p> + Kenneth surprised himself this morning by greeting several of his + neighbors with unusual cordiality. He even stopped a man who was driving + along the highway to inquire about his horse, which he perceived was + very lame. The boy knew something about horses and suggested a method of + treatment that he thought would help the nag; a suggestion the farmer + received with real gratitude. +</p> +<p> + This simple incident cheered Kenneth more than you might suppose, and he + was actually whistling as he rode through the glen, where the country + road wound its way beside the noisy, rushing stream. +</p> +<p> + Pausing in front of the picturesque "table rock" that he had come to + inspect, the boy uttered an exclamation of chagrin and disappointment. + Painted broadly upon the face of the rock, in great white letters, was + the advertisement of a patent medicine. The beauty of the scene was + ruined—only the glaring advertisement caught and held the eye of the + observer. +</p> +<p> + At first Kenneth's mind held only a feeling of disgust that such a + desecration of Nature's gifts to humanity should be allowed. Then he + remembered another place further along the glen which was almost as + pretty as this had been before the defiling brush of the advertiser had + ruined it. So he spurred his horse and rode up the winding way to the + spot. There a red-lettered announcement of "Simpson's Soap" stared him + in the face. +</p> +<p> + This was too much for his temper, and his disappointment quickly turned + to resentment. While he sat on his mare, considering the matter, the man + with the lame horse, whom he had passed, overtook him. +</p> +<p> + "Can you tell me," Kenneth asked, "who owns this property?" +</p> +<p> + "Why, I do," replied the man, reining up. +</p> +<p> + "And you permitted these vile signs to be painted on the rocks?" + demanded the boy angrily. +</p> +<p> + "O' course," replied the man, with a grin of amusement. "I can't farm + the rocks, can I? An' these 'ere signs pays me ten dollars a year, + each." +</p> +<p> + Kenneth groaned. +</p> +<p> + "I'll give you fifteen dollars a year each if you'll let me wash off the + letters and restore the scene to its original beauty," he declared. +</p> +<p> + "I'm willin'," was the response. "But ye see they're contracted. I'd git + into trouble with the sign-painter." +</p> +<p> + "Who is he?" +</p> +<p> + "Lives in Cleveland. I've got his name up t' th' house, if you'll come + along. He comes up here every spring and paints fences an' rocks, payin' + spot cash fer th' privilege." +</p> +<p> + "Oh, I see." +</p> +<p> + "Then he contracts with the soap man an' the medicine man to paint up + their ads. You're the young 'un from Elmhurst, ain't ye?" +</p> +<p> + "Yes." +</p> +<p> + "Well, I'd like to earn that extra five, well enough. My name's Parsons. + I've got three signs let on my property in the glen. Ef ye'll jest ride + up t' the house I'll giv' ye the feller's name." +</p> +<p> + "All right. Come along," said Kenneth, with sudden resolve. +</p> +<p> + The farmer rode a time in silent thought. He could not go fast, for the + beast was very lame. Finally he remarked: +</p> +<p> + "Ef ye buy up the sign painters, so's ye can wash off the letters, like + enough ye'll hev to pay him fer th' paint an' paintin', too." +</p> +<p> + "I don't mind," was the response. +</p> +<p> + The farmer chuckled. Here was an interesting adventure, for a fact. What + on earth could possess the "young 'un" from Elmhurst to object to signs, + and be willing to pay for having them erased? +</p> +<p> + "Like enough ye'll hev to pay back the money the soap an' medicine men + guv th' painter, too," he hazarded. +</p> +<p> + "Like enough," said Kenneth, grimly. +</p> +<p> + One of his stubborn moods had seized him. At all hazards he was resolved + to eliminate those ugly signs. +</p> +<p> + He got the name of the sign painter, accepted a glass of buttermilk at + the farm house, and then rode slowly home by another route, so that he + might not have to face the signs again. +</p> +<p> + But on this route he saw even more. They were painted on the fences and + barns as he passed along. He scowled at each one, but they did not + appear to him quite so inharmonious as those which marred the more + picturesque and retired spots which were his favorite haunts. +</p> +<a name="CH3"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<h2> + CHAPTER III +</h2> +<center> + DON QUIXOTE +</center> +<p> + When Kenneth got home he told Mr. Watson of his discovery and asked the + old gentleman to write to the sign painter and find out what could be + done. The lawyer laughed heartily at his young friend's whim, but agreed + to help him. +</p> +<p> + "If you are going to try to prevent rural advertising," he remarked, + "you'll find your hands full." +</p> +<p> + Kenneth looked up smiling. +</p> +<p> + "Thank you," he said. +</p> +<p> + "For what?" +</p> +<p> + "For finding me something to do. I'm sick of this inaction." +</p> +<p> + Again the lawyer laughed. +</p> +<p> + "What is your idea?" he asked. +</p> +<p> + "To remove such eyesores as advertising signs from the neighborhood of + Elmhurst." +</p> +<p> + "It's a Titan's task, Ken." +</p> +<p> + "So much the better." +</p> +<p> + The lawyer grew thoughtful. +</p> +<p> + "I believe it's impossible," he ventured. +</p> +<p> + "Better yet. I don't say I'll succeed, but I promise to try. I want + something to occupy myself—something really difficult, so that I may + test my own powers." +</p> +<p> + "But, my dear boy! This foolish proposition isn't worthy your effort. If + you want to be up and doing we'll find something else to occupy your + mind." +</p> +<p> + "No, Mr. Watson; I'm set on this. It's a crime to allow these signs to + flaunt themselves in our prettiest scenes. My instinct revolts at the + desecration. Besides, no one else seems to have undertaken the task of + exterminating them." +</p> +<p> + "True enough. If you're serious, Ken, I'll frankly say the thing can't + be done. You may, perhaps, buy the privilege of maintaining the rocks of + the glen free from advertising; but the advertisers will paint more + signs on all the approaches, and you won't have gained much." +</p> +<p> + "I'll drive every advertising sign out of this country." +</p> +<p> + "Impossible. The great corporations who control these industries make + their fortunes by this style of advertising. The rural districts are + their strongholds. And they must advertise or they can't sell their + products." +</p> +<p> + "Let them advertise in decent ways, then. What right has any soap maker + to flaunt his wares in my face, whether I'm interested in them or not?" +</p> +<p> + "The right of custom. People have submitted to these things so long that + the manufacturers consider themselves justified in covering every barn, + rock and fence with their signs. I see no way to stop them." +</p> +<p> + "Nor I, at present. But there must be a way." +</p> +<p> + "Drive out one, and another will take his place. They pay liberally for + locations—" +</p> +<p> + "Pshaw! Ten dollars a year for a rock as big as a barn!" +</p> +<p> + "But they rent thousands of such positions, and in the aggregate our + farmers get large sums from them." +</p> +<p> + "And ruin the appearance of their homes and farms." +</p> +<p> + Mr. Watson smiled. +</p> +<p> + "They're not artists, Ken. They can't realize on appearances, but they + can use the money the signs bring them." +</p> +<p> + "They need to be educated, that's all. These farmers seem very honest, + decent fellows." +</p> +<p> + "They are, Ken. I wish you knew them better." +</p> +<p> + "So do I, Mr. Watson. This campaign ought to bring us closer together, + for I mean to get them to help me." +</p> +<p> + "You'll have to buy them, I'm afraid." +</p> +<p> + "Not all of them. There must be some refinement among them." +</p> +<p> + But the lawyer was not convinced. However, it was not his desire to + stifle this new-born enthusiasm of Kenneth's, even though he believed it + misdirected. He wanted the young man to rouse himself and take an + interest in life, and if his antagonism to advertising signs would + effect this, the futile fight against them was to be welcomed. It would + cost the boy something, but he would gain his money's worth in + experience. +</p> +<p> + After a few days the sign painter answered the letter. He would + relinquish the three signs in the glen for a payment of fifty dollars + each, with the understanding that no other competing signs were to take + their place. Kenneth promptly mailed a check for the amount demanded and + early next morning started for the glen with what he called his + "eliminators." +</p> +<p> + These "eliminators" consisted of two men with cans of turpentine and + gasoline and an equipment of scrubbing brushes. Parsons, the farmer, + came over to watch this novel proceeding, happy in the possession of + three crisp five-dollar notes given in accordance with the agreement + made with him. All day the two men scrubbed the rocks faithfully, + assisted at odd times by their impatient employer; but the thick + splashes of paint clung desperately to the rugged surface of the rock, + and the task was a hard one. When evening came the letters had almost + disappeared when viewed closely; but when Kenneth rode to the mouth of + the glen on his way home and paused to look back, he could see the + injunction "Take Smith's Liver Pills" staring at him, in grim defiance + of the scrubbing brushes. +</p> +<p> + But his energy was not exhausted. No one ever knew what it cost in labor + and material to erase those three signs; but after ten days they had + vanished completely, and the boy heaved a sigh of satisfaction and + turned his attention to extending the campaign. +</p> +<p> + On the farm nearest to Elmhurst at the north, which belonged to a man + named Webb, was a barn, facing the road, that displayed on its side a + tobacco sign. Kenneth interviewed Mr. Webb and found that he received no + money for the sign; but the man contended that the paint preserved his + barn from the weather on that side. So Kenneth agreed to repaint the + entire barn for him, and actually had the work done. As it took many + coats of paint to blot out the sign it was rather a expensive operation. +</p> +<p> + By this time the campaign of the youthful proprietor of Elmhurst against + advertising signs began to be talked of throughout the county, and was + the subject of much merriment among the farmers. Some of them were + intelligent enough to admire the young Quixote, and acknowledged frankly + that it was a pity to decorate their premises with signs of patent + medicines and questionable soaps. +</p> +<p> + But the majority of them sneered at the champion, and many refused + point-blank to consider any proposition to discard the advertisements. + Indeed, some were proud of them, and believed it a mark of distinction + to have their fences and sheds announce an eye-remedy or several + varieties of pickles. +</p> +<p> + Mr. Watson, at first an amused observer of the campaign, soon became + indignant at the way that Kenneth was ridiculed and reviled; and he took + a hand in the fight himself. He decided to call a meeting of the + neighboring farmers at the district school-house on Saturday night, + where Kenneth could address them with logical arguments and endeavor to + win them over to his way of thinking. +</p> +<p> + The invitation was promptly accepted by the rural population; not so + much because they were interested in the novel ideas of the young artist + as because they expected to be amused by hearing the boyish master of + Elmhurst "lecture at 'em." So they filled the little room to + overflowing, and to add to the dignity of the proceedings the Hon. + Erastus Hopkins, State Representative for the district, lent his + presence to the assemblage. +</p> +<p> + Not that the Honorable Erastus cared a fig about this foolish talk of + exterminating advertising signs. He was himself a large stockholder in a + breakfast-food factory, which painted signs wherever it could secure + space. These signs were not works of art, but they were distinctly + helpful to business, and only a fool, in the opinion of the Honorable + Erastus, would protest against the inevitable. +</p> +<p> + What brought the legislator to the meeting was the fact that he was + coming forward for re-election in November, and believed that this + afforded a good chance to meet some of his constituents and make a + favorable impression. So he came early and shook hands with everyone + that arrived, and afterward took as prominent a seat as possible. +</p> +<p> + Indeed, the gathering had at first the appearance of being a political + one, so entirely did the Representative dominate it. But Mr. Watson took + the platform and shyly introduced the speaker of the evening. +</p> +<p> + The farmers all knew Mr. Watson, and liked him; so when Kenneth rose + they prepared to listen in respectful silence. +</p> +<p> + Usually a young man making his maiden speech is somewhat diffident; but + young Forbes was so thoroughly in earnest and so indignant at the + opposition that his plans had encountered that he forgot that it was his + first public speech and thought only of impressing his hearers with his + views, exulting in the fact that on this occasion they could not "talk + back," as they usually did in private when he tried to argue with them. + So he exhorted them earnestly to keep their homes beautiful and free + from the degradation of advertising, and never to permit glaring + commercialism to mar the scenery around them. He told them what he had + been able to accomplish by himself, in a short time; how he had redeemed + the glen from its disgraceful condition and restored it to its former + beauty. He asked them to observe Webb's pretty homestead, no longer + marred by the unsightly sign upon the barn. And then he appealed to them + to help him in driving all the advertising signs out of the community. +</p> +<p> + When he ended they applauded his speech mildly; but it was chiefly for + the reason that he had spoken so forcibly and well. +</p> +<p> + Then the Honorable Erastus Hopkins, quick to catch the lack of sympathy + in the audience, stood up and begged leave to reply to young Forbes. +</p> +<p> + He said the objection to advertising signs was only a rich man's + aristocratic hobby, and that it could not be indulged in a democratic + community of honest people. His own firm, he said, bought thousands of + bushels of oats from the farmers and converted them into the celebrated + Eagle-Eye Breakfast Food, three packages for a quarter. They sold this + breakfast food to thousands of farmers, to give them health and strength + to harvest another crop of oats. Thus he "benefited the community going + and coming." What! Should he not advertise this mutual-benefit commodity + wherever he pleased, and especially among the farmers? What aristocratic + notion could prevent him? It was a mighty good thing for the farmers to + be reminded, by means of the signs on their barns and fences, of the + things they needed in daily life. +</p> +<p> + If the young man at Elmhurst would like to be of public service he might + find some better way to do so than by advancing such crazy ideas. But + this, continued the Representative, was a subject of small importance. + What he wished especially to call their attention to was the fact that + he had served the district faithfully as Representative, and deserved + their suffrages for renomination. And then he began to discuss political + questions in general and his own merits in particular, so that Kenneth + and Mr. Watson, disgusted at the way in which the Honorable Erastus had + captured the meeting, left the school-house and indignantly returned to + Elmhurst. +</p> +<p> + "This man Hopkins," said Mr. Watson, angrily, "is not a gentleman. He's + an impertinent meddler." +</p> +<p> + "He ruined any good effect my speech might have created," said Kenneth, + gloomily. +</p> +<p> + "Give it up, my boy," advised the elder man, laying a kindly hand on the + youth's shoulder. "It really isn't worth the struggle." +</p> +<p> + "But I can't give it up and acknowledge myself beaten," protested + Kenneth, almost ready to weep with disappointment. +</p> +<p> + "Well, well, let's think it over, Ken, and see what can be done. Perhaps + that rascally Hopkins was right when he advised you to find some other + way to serve the community." +</p> +<p> + "I can't do better than to make it clean—to do away with these + disreputable signs," said the boy, stubbornly. +</p> +<p> + "You made a fine speech," declared Mr. Watson, gravely puffing his pipe. + "I am very proud of you, my lad." +</p> +<p> + Kenneth flushed red. He was by nature shy and retiring to a degree. Only + his pent-up enthusiasm had carried him through the ordeal, and now that + it was over he was chagrined to think that the speech had been so + ineffective. He was modest enough to believe that another speaker might + have done better. +</p> +<a name="CH4"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<h2> + CHAPTER IV +</h2> +<center> + KENNETH TAKES A BOLD STEP +</center> +<p> + "This man Hopkins gets on my nerves," said Mr. Watson, a week or two + after the eventful meeting in the school-house. He was at the breakfast + table opposite Kenneth, and held up a big, glaring post-card which was + in his mail. +</p> +<p> + "What is it now?" asked the boy, rousing himself from a fit of + abstraction. +</p> +<p> + "An announcement offering himself for renomination at the primaries. + It's like a circus advertisement. Isn't it a shame to think that modern + politics has descended to such a level in our free and enlightened + republic?" +</p> +<p> + Kenneth nodded, stirring his coffee thoughtfully. He had lost his spirit + and enthusiasm since the meeting, and was fast relapsing into his old + state of apathy and boredom. It grieved Mr. Watson to note this. +</p> +<p> + "Hopkins isn't fit to be the Representative for this district," observed + the old gentleman, with sudden energy. +</p> +<p> + The boy looked at him. +</p> +<p> + "Who is Hopkins?" he asked. +</p> +<p> + "His mother once kept a stationery shop in town, and he was stable boy + at the hotel. But he was shrewd and prospered, and when he grew up + became a county-clerk or tax-collector; then an assessor, and finally he + ran last term for State Representative from this district and was + elected by a mighty small majority." +</p> +<p> + "Why small?" asked Kenneth. +</p> +<p> + "Because he's a Democrat, and the district is strongly Republican. But + Thompson ran against him on the Republican ticket and couldn't win his + party vote." +</p> +<p> + "Who's Thompson?" +</p> +<p> + "The general store keeper. He has a reputation for short weights and + measures." +</p> +<p> + The boy sipped his coffee thoughtfully. +</p> +<p> + "Tell me, sir; how did you happen to know all this?" he asked. +</p> +<p> + "I've been looking up Hopkins's record. I have disliked the man ever + since he treated us so shabbily on the night of the meeting." +</p> +<p> + "Never mind him. We've done with him." +</p> +<p> + Mr. Watson shifted uneasily in his chair. +</p> +<p> + "I wonder if we have?" he said. +</p> +<p> + "Why not, sir?" +</p> +<p> + "Well, Kenneth, we have to reside at Elmhurst, which is Hopkins's + district. Also I believe Elmhurst to be the most important estate in the + district, and you to be the largest taxpayer. This man wishes to go to + the State Legislature and make laws for you to obey." +</p> +<p> + "Well?" +</p> +<p> + "Well, it's our duty to watch him. If he isn't a fit man it's our duty + to prevent him from representing us." +</p> +<p> + The young man nodded somewhat dreamily. +</p> +<p> + "Some of these country yokels must represent us," he observed. "It + doesn't matter much whether it's Hopkins or someone else." +</p> +<p> + "Except that you, being a prominent man, owe it to the community to + protect its interests," added the lawyer. +</p> +<p> + "Do you want me to mix in these petty politics?" asked the boy, + irritably. +</p> +<p> + "Oh, do as you like, my boy. If you can shirk your duties with a clear + conscience, I've nothing to say." +</p> +<p> + For a time the young man was silent. Finally he asked: +</p> +<p> + "Why isn't Hopkins a good Representative?" +</p> +<p> + "He's what is called a 'grafter'; a term signifying that he is willing + to vote for any measure that he is paid to vote for, whether it benefits + his constituents or not." +</p> +<p> + "Oh. Is he singular in this?" +</p> +<p> + "By no means. The 'grafter' is all too common in politics." +</p> +<p> + Again the boy fell into a thoughtful mood. +</p> +<p> + "Mr. Watson, am I a Democrat or a Republican?" +</p> +<p> + The old gentleman laughed outright. +</p> +<p> + "Don't you know, Ken?" +</p> +<p> + "No, sir, I haven't asked myself before." +</p> +<p> + "Then I advise you to be a Republican." +</p> +<p> + "Why?" +</p> +<p> + "Because Hopkins is a Democrat, and we may then fight him openly." +</p> +<p> + "What is the difference, sir, between the two parties?" +</p> +<p> + "There is no difference of importance. All Americans are loyal citizens, + whichever side they adopt in politics. But the two parties are the + positive and negative poles that provide the current of electricity for + our nation, and keep it going properly. Also they safeguard our + interests by watching one another." +</p> +<p> + "What is your preference, sir?" +</p> +<p> + "I've always been a Republican, whenever I dabbled in politics, which + hasn't been often." +</p> +<p> + "Then I will be a Republican." +</p> +<p> + "Very good." +</p> +<p> + "I am sorry to say that I know nothing about politics and have no + convictions on the subject. Who is to oppose the Honorable Erastus on + the—on <i>our</i> side?" +</p> +<p> + "I don't know yet. The primaries for the nomination are not to be held + for two weeks, and the Republican candidates seem shy about coming + forward." +</p> +<p> + "Didn't you say the district was Republican?" +</p> +<p> + "Yes; but since Hopkins defeated them last term they seem to be + terrified, and no one likes to offer himself as a possible sacrifice." +</p> +<p> + "That feeling will probably elect Mr. Hopkins," declared Kenneth, with + conviction. +</p> +<p> + "Unless—" +</p> +<p> + "Unless what, sir?" +</p> +<p> + "Unless we come to the rescue of the Republicans and take a hand in + local politics ourselves, my lad." +</p> +<p> + Kenneth pushed back his chair and rose from the table. He walked to the + window and stood there whistling for a few moments, and then left the + room without a word. +</p> +<p> + For a time Mr. Watson sat silently musing. +</p> +<p> + "Perhaps I'm inviting trouble," he murmured; "but I am sure I am doing + right. The boy needs a good shaking up and more knowledge of his + fellow-men. If I can get Kenneth interested, this plan of mine will be + of great benefit to him." +</p> +<p> + Then he, too, left the breakfast table, and wandering into the garden + saw Kenneth busy at his easel in a shady corner. +</p> +<p> + For a day or so the, subject was not resumed, and then Mr. Watson + casually introduced it. +</p> +<p> + "A law could be passed in the State Legislature forbidding the display + of all advertising signs in public places in this county," he suggested. +</p> +<p> + The boy looked at him eagerly. +</p> +<p> + "Are you sure?" he asked. +</p> +<p> + "I am positive," was the answer. "It is merely a question of privilege." +</p> +<p> + "And you think we might hire Hopkins to pass such a law?" +</p> +<p> + "No; we couldn't trust him." +</p> +<p> + "Then what do you propose?" +</p> +<p> + "I'll think it over, my lad, and let you know." +</p> +<p> + Then he walked away, leaving Kenneth much pleased with the idea he had + advanced. Indeed, he was so much interested in the suggestion that he + himself referred to the subject at the first opportunity. +</p> +<p> + "I don't like to be beaten, sir, once I've undertaken to do a thing," he + said. "So if such a law can be passed I'll do all I can to elect the man + who will pass it." +</p> +<p> + "I thought as much," the old lawyer replied, smiling. "But there's only + one man who could go to the legislature with enough influence to win the + votes to carry such a unique measure through." +</p> +<p> + "And who is that, sir?" +</p> +<p> + "Kenneth Forbes, the owner of Elmhurst, and the largest taxpayer in the + county." +</p> +<p> + "Me, sir?" +</p> +<p> + "You're the man." +</p> +<p> + "A State Representative?" +</p> +<p> + "It's an honorable office. It's an important office, properly filled. + You might not only beautify your district by having those objectionable + signs prohibited, but do many other things to better the condition of + the farmers. And that isn't all." +</p> +<p> + "What's the rest, Mr. Watson?" +</p> +<p> + "You owe something to yourself, lad. All your young life you've been too + self-contained and exclusive in your habits. 'The noblest study of + mankind is man.' It would broaden you to go into politics for a time, + and do much to develop your character and relieve the monotony of your + existence." +</p> +<p> + Kenneth frowned. +</p> +<p> + "It won't be easy, you know. It'll be a fight, and a hard one, for + Hopkins won't give up his job if he can help it." +</p> +<p> + The boy brightened again. +</p> +<p> + "I like a good fight," he said, wistfully. "If I thought—if I believed + I could fill the position with credit—I might undertake it." +</p> +<p> + "I'll answer for that," retorted the old man, highly pleased with his + easy victory. "You win the fight, Ken, and I'll guarantee you'll + outclass the majority of your fellow Representatives. It's a good state, + too." +</p> +<p> + So the thing was undertaken, and both the young man and the old threw + themselves into the contest with energy and determination. +</p> +<p> + Mr. Watson rode in his buggy all over their district during the next + fortnight, and interviewed the farmers and townsmen of the legislative + district. When it became noised about that the young owner of Elmhurst, + now barely twenty-one, had determined to enter politics, and asked for + the nomination of Representative, no other Republican ventured to oppose + him. +</p> +<p> + It was understood to mean a hard fight, and even the most sturdy + Republican was inclined to fear that the present incumbent of the office + would be elected to succeed himself. +</p> +<p> + So the primaries were held and Kenneth attended and made a speech, and + was warmly applauded. His nomination was a matter of course, and he went + home the unanimous choice of his party, because none of the older and + more discreet politicians ventured to risk defeat. +</p> +<p> + The Hon. Erastus Hopkins well knew this feeling, and smiled in his + pompous and most sardonic manner when he learned who was his opponent. + Having conquered an old and tried Republican warrior in the last + campaign, he had no fears in regard to this mere boy, who could know + little of political intrigue. +</p> +<p> + "He won't put up enough of a fight to make it interesting, I'm afraid," + Mr. Hopkins confided to his cronies. +</p> +<p> + But he didn't intend to take chances, so he began the campaign with his + usual vigor. +</p> +<p> + It was now the middle of September, and the election was to be early in + November. +</p> +<a name="CH5"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<h2> + CHAPTER V +</h2> +<center> + PLANNING THE WORK +</center> +<p> + The Honorable Erastus Hopkins was thoroughly enjoying his campaign. +</p> +<p> + He was not an especially popular man in his district, and he knew it. + Physically he was big and stout, with a florid face and small eyes that + blinked continually. His head was bald, his hands fat and red and his + feet enormous. +</p> +<p> + To offset this Mr. Hopkins wore a silk hat and a "Prince Albert" coat + morning, noon and night. His gold watch-chain was huge and imposing; he + had a big diamond shirt-stud, and upon his puffy fingers several rings. + He conveyed, nevertheless, the impression that he was more prosperous + than refined, and the farmers and townsmen were as quick to recognize + this as was Mr. Watson himself. +</p> +<p> + Moreover, the Honorable Erastus was dubbed "close-fisted" by his + neighbors. He never spent a penny on anyone but himself, and being + unscrupulous in politics he was naturally unscrupulous in smaller things + of a business nature. But since he had risen from a stable-boy to his + present affluent position he had never been unwise or careless enough to + be caught in any crooked action; and while his acquaintances had an + indefinite fear of dealing with him they could not accuse him openly. +</p> +<p> + It seems strange that such a man should have been chosen to represent a + wealthy and important district in the State Legislature, but politics + can show many a similar case. In the first place, Mr. Hopkins was + aggressive, and knew political methods thoroughly. He had usurped the + position of Democratic leader in his community and the others were + afraid to antagonize him openly. When he was nominated for + Representative he managed to dictate, by shrewd methods, the nomination + of Thompson, the store-keeper, on the Republican ticket. Thompson owed + Hopkins a large sum of money and Hopkins held a mortgage on the stock. + Therefore Thompson dared not make a fight, and although the Republican + vote was normally the largest in the district, Hopkins had managed to + win enough of them to his side to win. +</p> +<p> + He had been a little anxious about his renomination, because he knew + that he had not represented his district very satisfactorily; but when + Kenneth Forbes received the nomination on the Republican ticket he felt + that "all was over but the shouting" and that he would "win in a walk." + Had it been an issue between the personality of the two men, Hopkins + would have had little chance of success; but young Forbes had already + raised another issue by his anti-sign speech at the school-house, and + Hopkins intended to force that issue and so defeat Kenneth because of + the ridicule the latter's position had already brought upon him. +</p> +<p> + He began to circulate humorous stories about Kenneth's antipathy to + sign-boards, saying that the young man demanded that the signs be taken + off the Zodiac, and that he wouldn't buy goods of the village grocer + because the man had a sign out. +</p> +<p> + Mr. Hopkins also printed thousands of large hand-bills reading "The + Signs of the Times vs. Aristocratic Snobbery. Vote for the Hon. Erastus + Hopkins, the man who believes in advertising." +</p> +<p> + These things had their effect upon all classes of people. There were + many good-natured laughs at young Forbes's expense. All this was soon + realized at Elmhurst, and had the effect of plunging the youthful + aspirant for political honors into the depths of despair. The campaign + was hot against him, but Kenneth made no defense. +</p> +<p> + At this juncture, with election but three weeks away, he received a + telegram asking him to send the drag and baggage wagon to the noon + train. It was signed by John Merrick, and the boy was overjoyed at the + prospect of seeing his jolly old friend again. And the girls? Well, some + of them surely must be coming, or Uncle John wouldn't have asked for the + drag. +</p> +<p> + "Now then, the election can go to blazes," said Kenneth, cheerfully, to + Mr. Watson. "The sight of some friendly faces will be a great relief." +</p> +<p> + The old lawyer sighed. His attempt to "wake up" Kenneth had resulted in + failure, mainly because the boy had become discouraged so early in the + game. Kenneth felt keenly the humiliating experiences he had passed + through, and had sunk back into his old moody reserve. +</p> +<p> + But here was a welcome diversion. The visitors, whoever they might prove + to be, would afford relief to the situation and brighten the dullness of + life at the big house. So both Kenneth and Mr. Watson were with the drag + at the station when the noon train drew in. +</p> +<p> + And there were Patsy Doyle, Beth DeGraf, and Louise Merrick, a bevy of + dainty and sprightly girls, alighting eagerly from the coaches, with + Uncle John handing out the grips and packages and giving the checks for + the baggage, with business-like celerity, to Thomas the groom. +</p> +<p> + "We've come for a visit, Ken!" cried Palsy, laughing at his eager + delight. "Are you glad to see us, boy? And do you suppose old Martha has + our rooms aired?" +</p> +<p> + "And it's a long visit, too," added Uncle John, "as you'll believe when + you see the pile of baggage. You'd think these minxes were prepared for + a tour of the world. Each one of 'em brought a carload of clothes." +</p> +<p> + But they couldn't phase Kenneth in that way. His sensitive face had not + beamed with so much animation for months. +</p> +<p> + The guests were helped into the tall drag and merrily they drove the + five miles to Elmhurst, not a word of politics being spoken on the way. +</p> +<p> + The girls had not been to the house since Aunt Jane's death, two years + ago, and after a hasty luncheon they began an inspection of every room, + as well as the garden, grounds and stables. The horses, cows, pig and + chickens were alike inspected, the roses and dahlias visited and + admired, and after all this they returned to their rooms with old + Martha, the housekeeper, and proceeded to unpack their trunks and get + settled. Kenneth had been their guide and companion in these various + explorations, but when the girls went to their rooms he wandered into + the library where Uncle John and Mr. Watson had been having a quiet talk + over their pipes of tobacco. They welcomed the young man, but adroitly + turned the topic of conversation, and again the subject of was rejoined. +</p> +<p> + It was a merry dinner party that graced the table during dinner that + evening, and the boy forgot his troubles and was as jolly and sociable + as he had ever been in his life. +</p> +<p> + But when they were all assembled in the long living room where they + grouped themselves around the fireplace, a sudden change took place in + the demeanor of the young ladies. Patsy, the delegated leader, looked + gravely at the boy and asked: +</p> +<p> + "How goes the campaign, Ken?" +</p> +<p> + "Wh—what campaign?" he stammered, to gain time. +</p> +<p> + "Why, this election business. Tell us about it," said Patsy. +</p> +<p> + "Some other time, girls," answered the boy, red and distressed. "It—it + wouldn't interest you a bit." +</p> +<p> + "Why not?" asked Louise, softly. +</p> +<p> + "Because it doesn't interest me," he replied. +</p> +<p> + "Are you so sure of election?" inquired Beth. +</p> +<p> + "I'm sure of defeat, if you must know," he declared, scowling at the + recollection of his predicament. +</p> +<p> + "You haven't been cowardly enough to give up?" asked Patricia, boldly. +</p> +<p> + "What do you mean by that, Patsy Doyle?" he asked, the scowl deepening. +</p> +<p> + "Just what I say, Ken. A brave man doesn't know when he's beaten, much + less beforehand." +</p> +<p> + He looked at her fixedly. +</p> +<p> + "I'm not brave, my dear," he replied, more gently than they had + expected. "The people here don't understand me, nor I them. I'm laughed + at and reviled, a subject for contemptuous jeers, and—and it hurts me. + I don't like to be beaten. I'd fight to the last gasp, if I had any show + to win. But these conditions, which I foolishly but honestly brought + about myself, have defeated me so far in advance that I have absolutely + no hope to redeem myself. That's all. Don't speak of it again, girls. + Play me that nocturne that I like, Beth." +</p> +<p> + "We've got to speak of this, Kenneth, and speak of it often. For we + girls have come down here to electioneer, and for no other reason on + earth," declared Patsy. +</p> +<p> + "<i>What! You</i> electioneer?"—a slight smile curled his lips. +</p> +<p> + "Exactly. We're here to brace up and get to work." +</p> +<p> + "And to win," added Beth, quietly. +</p> +<p> + "And to put you in the Legislature where you belong," declared Louise. +</p> +<p> + Kenneth turned to Mr. Merrick. +</p> +<p> + "Talk to them, Uncle John," he begged. +</p> +<p> + "I have," said the little man, smiling, "and they've convinced me that + they mean business. It's all up with you, my boy, as a private citizen. + You're as good as elected." +</p> +<p> + Ken's eyes filled. +</p> +<p> + "You're all very kind, sir," he said, "as you were bound to be. And—and + I appreciate it all—very much. But Mr. Watson will tell you that the + case is hopeless, and there's nothing to be done." +</p> +<p> + "How about it, Watson?" inquired Uncle John, turning to the lawyer. +</p> +<p> + "I'll explain the proposition, sir, so you will all understand it," he + replied, and drew his chair into the circle. "To begin with, Kenneth + visited the glen one day, to make a sketch, and found his old table-rock + covered with an advertising sign." +</p> +<p> + "How preposterous!" exclaimed Louise. +</p> +<p> + "There were three of these huge signs in different parts of the glen, + and they ruined its natural beauty. Kenneth managed to buy up the spaces + and then he scrubbed away the signs. By that time he had come to detest + the unsightly advertisements that confronted him every time he rode out, + and he began a war of extermination against them." +</p> +<p> + "Quite right," said Patsy, nodding energetically. +</p> +<p> + "But our friend made little headway because the sympathies of the people + were not with him." +</p> +<p> + "Why not, sir?" inquired Beth, while Kenneth sat inwardly groaning at + this baring of his terrible experiences. +</p> +<p> + "Because through custom they had come to tolerate such things, and could + see no harm in them," replied the lawyer. "They permit their buildings + which face the roads to be covered with big advertisements, and the + fences are decorated in the same way. In some places a sign-board has + been built in their yards or fields, advertising medicines or groceries + or tobacco. In other words, our country roads and country homes have + become mere advertising mediums to proclaim the goods of more or less + unscrupulous manufacturers, and so all their attractiveness is + destroyed. Kenneth, being a man of artistic instincts and loving country + scenes, resented this invasion of commercialism and tried to fight it." +</p> +<p> + "And so ran my head against a stone wall," added the young man, with a + bitter laugh. +</p> +<p> + "But you were quite right," said Patsy, decidedly. "Such things ought + not to be permitted." +</p> +<p> + "The people think differently," he replied. +</p> +<p> + "Then we must educate the people to a different way of thinking," + announced Louise. +</p> +<p> + "In three weeks?" +</p> +<p> + "That is long enough, if we get to work. Isn't it, girls?" said Beth. +</p> +<p> + "Kenneth accepted the nomination with the idea of having a law passed + prohibiting such signs," explained the lawyer. "But Mr. Hopkins, his + opponent, has used this very thing to arouse public sentiment against + him. Farmers around here are thrifty people, and they fear to lose the + trifling sums paid them for the privilege of painting signs on their + premises." +</p> +<p> + Patsy nodded gravely. +</p> +<p> + "We will change all that," she said. "The thing is really more serious + than we expected, and more difficult. But we came here to work and win, + and we're going to do it. Aren't we, Uncle John?" +</p> +<p> + "I'll bet on your trio, Patsy," replied her uncle. "But I won't bet all + I'm worth." +</p> +<p> + "It's all foolishness," declared Kenneth. +</p> +<p> + "I do not think so," said the lawyer, gravely. "The girls have a fine + show to win. I know our country people, and they are more intelligent + than you suppose. Once they are brought to a proper way of thinking they + will support Kenneth loyally." +</p> +<p> + "Then we must bring them to a proper way of thinking," said Patsy, with + decision. "From this time on, Ken, we become your campaign managers. + Don't worry any more about the matter. Go on with your painting and be + happy. We may require you to make a few speeches, but all the details + will be arranged for you." +</p> +<p> + "Do you intend to permit this, Uncle John?" asked Kenneth. +</p> +<p> + "I'm wholly in sympathy with the girls, Ken, and I believe in them." +</p> +<p> + "But consider the humiliation to which they will subject themselves! + I've had a taste of that medicine, myself." +</p> +<p> + "We're going to be the most popular young ladies in this district!" + exclaimed Patsy. "Don't you worry about us, Ken. But tell me, how big is + your district?" +</p> +<p> + "It includes parts of three counties—Monroe, Washington and Jackson + Counties." +</p> +<p> + "What county is this?" +</p> +<p> + "Monroe." +</p> +<p> + "Any cities?" +</p> +<p> + "No; only a few towns. It's mostly a rural district. Fairview, just + across the border in Washington County, is the biggest village." +</p> +<p> + "Have you an automobile?" +</p> +<p> + "No; I don't like the things. I've always loved horses and prefer them + to machines." +</p> +<p> + "How much money are you prepared to spend?" +</p> +<p> + "How much—what's that?" he asked, bewildered. +</p> +<p> + "You can't win a political election without spending money," declared + Patsy, wisely. "I'll bet the bad man is scattering money in every + direction. It will cost something on our side to run this campaign in a + way to win." +</p> +<p> + The young man frowned. +</p> +<p> + "I don't mind spending money, Patsy," he said, "but I don't approve of + buying votes, and I won't allow it, either!" +</p> +<p> + "Tut-tut! Who said anything about buying votes? But we're going to work + on a broad and liberal basis, I assure you, and we need money." +</p> +<p> + "Spend all you like, then, so long as you don't try to corrupt the + voters." +</p> +<p> + "Very good. Now, then, how much land do you own at Elmhurst?" +</p> +<p> + Kenneth looked inquiringly at the lawyer. +</p> +<p> + "About twelve hundred acres," said Mr. Watson. "It is divided into small + farms which are let out on shares." +</p> +<p> + "How many votes do you control among your servants and tenants?" + proceeded Patsy, in a business-like tone. +</p> +<p> + "Perhaps thirty or forty." +</p> +<p> + "And what is the total vote of the district?" +</p> +<p> + "Thirty-five hundred." +</p> +<p> + Patsy gasped. +</p> +<p> + "So many?" +</p> +<p> + "Fully that many," said Mr. Watson, smiling. +</p> +<p> + "Then we've got to have over seventeen hundred and fifty votes to elect + Kenneth?" +</p> +<p> + "Exactly." +</p> +<p> + The girl drew a long breath and looked at Beth and Louise. Then they all + laughed. +</p> +<p> + "Suppose you resign as campaign managers," said Kenneth, beginning to be + amused. +</p> +<p> + "Oh, no! It's—it's easier than we expected. Isn't it, girls?" +</p> +<p> + "It's child's play," observed Louise, languidly. +</p> +<p> + The boy was astonished. +</p> +<p> + "Very well," said he. "Try it and see." +</p> +<p> + "Of course," said Patsy, cheerfully. "Tomorrow morning we begin work." +</p> +<a name="CH6"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<h2> + CHAPTER VI +</h2> +<center> + A GOOD START +</center> +<p> + At an early breakfast next morning Patsy announced the program for the + day. +</p> +<p> + "Uncle John and I will drive over to the village," she said, "and + perhaps we'll be gone all day. Don't worry if we're not back for + luncheon. Louise and Mr. Watson are going in the phaeton to visit some + of the near-by farmers. Take one road, dear, and follow it straight + along, as far as it keeps within our legislative district, and visit + every farm-house on the way." +</p> +<p> + "The farmers will all be busy in the fields," said Kenneth. +</p> +<p> + "Louise doesn't care about the farmers," retorted Patsy. "She's going to + talk to their wives." +</p> +<p> + "Wives don't vote, Patsy." +</p> +<p> + "They tell their husbands how to vote, though," declared Louise, with a + laugh. "Let me win the women and I'll win the men." +</p> +<p> + "What am I to do?" asked Beth. +</p> +<p> + "You're to stay at home and write several articles for the newspapers. + There are seven important papers in our district, and five of them are + Republican. Make a strong argument, Beth. You're our publicity + department. Also get up copy for some hand-hills and circular letters. I + want to get a circular letter to every voter in the district." +</p> +<p> + "All right," said Beth. "I know what you want." +</p> +<p> + There was an inspiring air of business about these preparations, and the + girls were all eager to begin work. Scarcely was breakfast finished when + the two equipages were at the door. Louise and Mr. Watson at once + entered the phaeton and drove away, the girl delighted at the prospect + of visiting the farmers' wives and winning them by her plausible + speeches. Conversation was Louise's strong point. She loved to talk and + argue, and her manner was so confiding and gracious that she seldom + failed to interest her listeners. +</p> +<p> + Patsy and Uncle John drove away. In Kenneth's buggy to the town, and + during the five-mile drive Patsy counseled gravely with her shrewd uncle + in regard to "ways and means." +</p> +<p> + "This thing requires prompt action, Patsy," he said, "and if we're going + to do things that count they've got to be done on a big scale." +</p> +<p> + "True," she admitted. "But oughtn't we to be a little careful about + spending Kenneth's money?" +</p> +<p> + "I'll be your temporary banker," said the old gentleman, "and keep track + of the accounts. If we win we'll present Kenneth our bill, and if we + fail I'll have the satisfaction of getting rid of some of that dreadful + income that is swamping me." +</p> +<p> + This was always Uncle John's cry. His enormous fortune was a constant + bugbear to him. He had been so interested in his business enterprises + for many years that he had failed to realize how his fortune was + growing, and it astounded him to wake up one day and find himself + possessed of many millions. He had at once retired from active business + and invested his millions in ways that would cause him the least + annoyance; but the income on so large a sum was more than he could take + care of, and even Major Doyle, who managed these affairs for his + brother-in-law, was often puzzled to know what to do with the money that + accumulated. +</p> +<p> + Doubtless no one will ever know how much good these two kindly men + accomplished between them in their quiet, secretive way. Dozens of + deserving young men were furnished capital to start them in business; + dozens more were being educated at universities at Uncle John's expense. + Managers of worthy charities were familiar with John Merrick's signature + on checks, and yet the vast fortune grew with leaps and bounds. Mr. + Merrick's life was so simple and unostentatious that his personal + expenses, however erratic some of his actions, could not make much + headway against his interest account, and nothing delighted him more + than to find a way to "get even with fate by reckless squandering," as + he quaintly expressed it. He was far too shrewd to become the prey of + designing people, but welcomed any legitimate channel in which to unload + his surplus. +</p> +<p> + So Mr. Merrick had been revolving the possibilities of this unique + political campaign in his mind, and had decided to do some things that + would open the bucolic eyes of Kenneth's constituents in wonder. He did + not confide all his schemes to Patsy, but having urged his nieces to + attempt this conquest he had no intention of allowing them to suffer + defeat if he could help it. +</p> +<p> + The little town of Elmwood was quiet and practically deserted when they + drove into it. The farmers were too busy with the harvest to "come to + town for trading" except on Saturdays, and the arrival and departure of + the two daily trains did not cause more than a ripple of excitement in + the village. +</p> +<p> + Patsy decided she would shop at each and every store in the place, and + engage the store-keepers in conversation about the election. +</p> +<p> + "It's important to win these people," she declared, "because they are + close to every farmer who comes to town to trade; and their own votes + count, too." +</p> +<p> + "I'll run over to the bank," said Uncle John, "and get acquainted + there." +</p> +<p> + So he tied the horses to a post and let Patsy proceed alone upon her + mission, while he wandered over to a little brick building of neat + appearance which bore the inscription "Bank" in gold letters on its + plate-glass window. +</p> +<p> + "Mr. Warren in?" he asked the clerk at the window. +</p> +<p> + The banker, a dignified old gentleman of considerable ability, came out + of his private office and greeted his visitor very cordially. He had + known Uncle John when the millionaire visited Elmhurst two years before, + and since then had learned more particulars concerning him. So there was + no need of an introduction, and Mr. Warren was delighted at the prospect + of business relations with this famous personage. +</p> +<p> + The bank, although small and only one story high, was the most modern + and imposing building in the village; and it was fitted with modern + conveniences, for Mr. Warren had been successful and prosperous. In his + private office were local and long distance telephones, a direct + connection with the telegraph operator at the station, and other + facilities for accomplishing business promptly. Uncle John had + remembered this fact, and it had a prominent place in his plans. +</p> +<p> + He followed the banker into his private office and told him briefly his + intention to forward the interests of his young friend Kenneth Forbes + for Member of the Legislature. +</p> +<p> + The old gentleman shook his head, at first, predicting failure. Young + Forbes was his most important customer, and he respected him highly; but + this anti-sign issue bade fair to ruin all his chances. +</p> +<p> + "The idea is too progressive and advanced to be considered at this + time," he stated, positively. "The encroachments of advertisers on + personal property may lead to a revolt in the future, but it is still + too early to direct popular opinion against them." +</p> +<p> + "Isn't Forbes a better man for the place than Hopkins?" asked Uncle + John. +</p> +<p> + "Undoubtedly, sir. And I think Forbes would have won, had not Hopkins + forced this unfortunate issue upon him. As it is, our young friend + cannot avoid the consequences of his quixotic action." +</p> +<p> + "He doesn't wish to avoid them," was the quiet reply. "We're going to + win on that issue or not at all." +</p> +<p> + "I'm afraid it's hopeless, sir." +</p> +<p> + "May I count on your assistance?" +</p> +<p> + "In every way." +</p> +<p> + "Thank you, Mr. Warren, I'm going to spend a lot of money. Put this + draft for fifty thousand to my credit as a starter." +</p> +<p> + "Ah, I begin to understand. But—" +</p> +<p> + "You don't understand at all, yet. May I use your long distance + telephone?" +</p> +<p> + "Of course, sir." +</p> +<p> + Uncle John had secured considerable information from Mr. Watson, and + this enabled him to act comprehensively. The advertising sign business + in this part of the state was controlled by two firms, who contracted + directly with the advertisers and then had the signs painted upon spaces + secured from the farmers by their wide-awake agents. These signs were + contracted for by the year, but the firms controlling the spaces always + inserted protective clauses that provided for the removal of any sign + when certain conditions required such removal. In such cases a rebate + was allowed to the advertiser. This protective clause was absolutely + necessary in case of fire, alteration or removal of buildings or + destruction of fences and sign-boards by weather or the requirements of + the owners. It was this saving clause in the contracts of which Uncle + John had decided to take advantage. The contracting sign painters were + merely in the business to make money. +</p> +<p> + Mr. Merrick got the head of the concern in Cleveland over the telephone + within half an hour. He talked with the man at length, and talked with + the convincing effect that the mention of money has. When he hung up the + receiver Uncle John was smiling. Then he called for the Chicago firm. + With this second advertising company he met with more difficulties, and + Mr. Warren had to come to the telephone and assure the man that Mr. + Merrick was able to pay all he agreed to, and that the money was on + deposit in his bank. That enabled Mr. Merrick to conclude his + arrangements. He knew that he was being robbed, but the co-operation of + the big Chicago firm was necessary to his plans. +</p> +<p> + Then, the telephone having served its purpose, Mr. Warren took Uncle + John across the street to the newspaper office and introduced him to + Charley Briggs, the editor. +</p> +<p> + Briggs was a man with one eye, a sallow complexion and sandy hair that + stuck straight up from his head. He set type for his paper, besides + editing it, and Uncle John found him wearing a much soiled apron, with + his bare arms and fingers smeared with printer's ink. +</p> +<p> + "Mr. Merrick wants to see you on business, Charley," said the banker. + "Whatever he agrees to I will guarantee, to the full resources of my + bank." +</p> +<p> + The editor pricked up his ears and dusted a chair for his visitor with + his apron. It wasn't easy to make a living running a paper in Elmwood, + and if there was any business pending he was anxious to secure it. +</p> +<p> + Uncle John waited until Mr. Warren had left him alone with the newspaper + man. Then he said: +</p> +<p> + "I understand your paper is Democratic, Mr. Briggs." +</p> +<p> + "That's a mistake, sir," replied the editor, evasively. "The <i>Herald</i> is + really independent, but in political campaigns we adopt the side we + consider the most deserving of support." +</p> +<p> + "You're supporting Hopkins just now." +</p> +<p> + "Only mildly; only mildly, sir." +</p> +<p> + "What is he paying you?" +</p> +<p> + "Why, 'Rast and I haven't come to a definite settlement yet. I ought to + get a hundred dollars out of this campaign, but 'Rast thinks fifty is + enough. You see, he plans on my support anyhow, and don't like to spend + more than he's obliged to." +</p> +<p> + "Why does he plan on your support?" +</p> +<p> + "He's the only live one in the game, Mr. Merrick. 'Rast is one of + us—he's one of the people—and it's policy for me to support him + instead of the icicle up at Elmhurst, who don't need the job and don't + care whether he gets it or not." +</p> +<p> + "Is that true?" +</p> +<p> + "I think so. And there's another thing. Young Forbes is dead against + advertising, and advertising is the life of a newspaper. Why, there + isn't a paper in the district that's supporting Forbes this year." +</p> +<p> + "You've a wrong idea of the campaign, Mr. Briggs," said Uncle John. "It + is because Mr. Forbes believes in newspaper advertising, and wants to + protect it, that he's against these signs. That's one reason, anyhow. + Can't you understand that every dollar spent for painting signs takes + that much away from your newspapers?" +</p> +<p> + "Why, perhaps there's something in that, Mr. Merrick. I'd never looked + at it that way before." +</p> +<p> + "Now, see here, Mr. Briggs. I'll make you a proposition. I'll give you + two hundred and fifty to support Mr. Forbes in this campaign, and if + he's elected I'll give you five hundred extra." +</p> +<p> + "Do you mean that, sir?" asked the editor, scarcely able to believe the + evidence of his ears. +</p> +<p> + "I do. Draw up a contract and I'll sign it. And here's a check for your + two-fifty in advance." +</p> +<p> + The editor drew up the agreement with a pen that trembled a little. +</p> +<p> + "And now," said Uncle John, "get busy and hustle for Kenneth Forbes." +</p> +<p> + "I will, sir," said Briggs, with unexpected energy. "I mean to win that + extra five hundred!" +</p> +<a name="CH7"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<h2> + CHAPTER VII +</h2> +<center> + PATSY MAKES PROGRESS +</center> +<p> + Meantime Patsy was in the thick of the fray. The druggist was a + deep-dyed Democrat, and sniffed when she asked him what he thought of + Forbes for Representative. +</p> +<p> + "He's no politician at all—just an aristocrat," declared Latham, a + dapper little man with his hair slicked down to his ears and a waxed + moustache. "And he's got fool notions, too. If he stopped the + advertising signs I wouldn't sell half as many pain-killers and + liver-pills." +</p> +<p> + "He's my cousin," said Patsy, mendaciously; for although they called + themselves cousins there was no relationship even of marriage, as + Patsy's Aunt Jane had merely been betrothed to Kenneth's uncle when he + died. +</p> +<p> + "I'm sorry for that, miss," replied the druggist. "He's going to be + badly beaten." +</p> +<p> + "I think I'll take two ounces of this perfumery. It is really + delightful. Some druggists have so little taste in selecting such + things." +</p> +<p> + "Yes, miss, I do rather pride myself on my perfumes," replied Latham, + graciously. "Now here's a sachet powder that gives fine satisfaction." +</p> +<p> + "I'll take a couple of packets of that, too, since you recommend it." +</p> +<p> + Latham began doing up the purchases. There was no other customer in the + store. +</p> +<p> + "You know, miss, I haven't anything against Mr. Forbes myself. His + people are good customers. It's his ideas I object to, and he's a + Republican." +</p> +<p> + "Haven't you ever voted for a Republican?" asked the girl. "Don't you + think it better to vote for the best man, rather than the best party, in + a case like this?" +</p> +<p> + "Why, perhaps it is. But in what way is Mr. Forbes the best man?" +</p> +<p> + "He's honest. He doesn't want to make any money out of the office. On + the contrary, he's willing and able to spend a good deal in passing laws + that will benefit his district." +</p> +<p> + "And Hopkins?" +</p> +<p> + "Don't you know Mr. Hopkins?" she asked, pointedly. +</p> +<p> + "Yes, miss; I do." And Latham frowned a little. +</p> +<p> + "As regards the advertising signs," continued the girl, "I've heard you + spoken of as a man of excellent taste, and I can believe it since I've + examined the class of goods you keep. And your store is as neat and + attractive as can be. The fight is not against the signs themselves, but + against putting them on fences and barns, and so making great glaring + spots in a landscape where all should be beautiful and harmonious. I + suppose a man of your refinement and good taste has often thought of + that, and said the same thing." +</p> +<p> + "Why—ahem!—yes; of course, miss. I agree with you that the signs are + often out of place, and—and inharmonious." +</p> +<p> + "To be sure; and so you must sympathize with Mr. Forbes's campaign." +</p> +<p> + "In that way, yes; of course," said Mr. Latham, puzzled to find himself + changing front so suddenly. +</p> +<p> + "Mr. Hopkins has taken a lot of money out of this town," remarked Patsy, + examining a new kind of tooth wash. "But I can't find that he's ever + given much of it back." +</p> +<p> + "That's true. He buys his cigars of Thompson, the general store man, and + I keep the finest line ever brought to this town." +</p> +<p> + "Oh, that reminds me!" exclaimed Patsy. "Mr. Forbes wanted me to + purchase a box of your choicest brand, and have you just hand them out + to your customers with his compliments. He thinks he ought to show a + little cordiality to the men who vote for him, and he said you would + know just the people to give them to." +</p> +<p> + Latham gasped, but he assumed an air of much importance. +</p> +<p> + "I know every man that comes to this town, miss, as well as any you'll + find," he said. +</p> +<p> + "The best brand, mind you, Mr. Latham," said the girl. "How much will + they be?" +</p> +<p> + "Why, the very best—these imported perfectos, you know—are worth six + dollars a box of fifty. Perhaps for election purposes something a little + cheaper—" +</p> +<p> + "Oh, no; the best is none too good for the friends of Mr. Forbes, you + know. And fifty—why fifty will scarcely go around. I'll pay for a + hundred, Mr. Latham, and you'll see they go to the right persons." +</p> +<p> + "Of course; of course, miss. And much obliged. You see, young Forbes is + well liked, and he's quite a decent fellow. I wouldn't be surprised if + he gave Hopkins a hard fight." +</p> +<p> + "I'll tell you a secret," said Patsy, sweetly. "Mr. Forbes is bound to + be elected. Why, it's all arranged in advance, Mr. Latham, and the + better element, like yourself, is sure to support him. By the way, you + won't forget to tell people about those signs, I hope? That the fight is + not against advertising, but for beautiful rural homes and scenes." +</p> +<p> + "Oh, I'll fix that, Miss—" +</p> +<p> + "Doyle. I'm Miss Doyle, Mr. Forbes's cousin." +</p> +<p> + "I'll see that the people understand this campaign, Miss Doyle. You can + depend on me." +</p> +<p> + "And if the cigars give out, don't hesitate to open more boxes. I'll + call in, now and then, and settle for them." +</p> +<p> + I really think this young lady might have been ashamed of herself; but + she wasn't. She smiled sweetly upon the druggist when he bowed her out, + and Mr. Latham from that moment began to seek for friends of Mr. Forbes + to give cigars to. If they were not friends, he argued with them until + they were, for he was an honest little man, in his way, and tried to act + in good faith. +</p> +<p> + So the girl went from one shop to another, making liberal purchases and + seeking for every opening that would enable her to make a convert. And + her shrewd Irish wit made her quick to take advantage of any weakness + she discovered in the characters of the people she interviewed. +</p> +<p> + When noon came Uncle John hunted her up, which was not difficult, in + Elmwood, and together they went to the village "hotel" to get something + to eat. The mid-day dinner was not very inviting, but Patsy praised the + cooking to the landlord's wife, who waited upon the table, and Uncle + John bought one of the landlord's cigars after the meal and talked + politics with him while he smoked it. +</p> +<p> + Then Patsy went over to the general store, and there she met her first + rebuff. Thompson, the proprietor, was a sour-visaged man, tall and lanky + and evidently a dyspeptic. Having been beaten by Hopkins at the last + election, when he ran against him on the Republican ticket, Thompson had + no desire to see Forbes more successful than he had been himself. And + there were other reasons that made it necessary for him to support + Hopkins. +</p> +<p> + So he was both gruff and disagreeable when Patsy, after buying a lot of + ribbons of him, broached the subject of politics. He told her plainly + that her cousin hadn't a "ghost of a show," and that he was glad of it. +</p> +<p> + "The young fool had no business to monkey with politics," he added, "and + this will teach him to keep his fingers out of someone else's pie." +</p> +<p> + "It isn't Mr. Hopkins's pie," declared Patsy, stoutly. "It belongs to + whoever gets the votes." +</p> +<p> + "Well, that's Hopkins. He knows the game, and Forbes don't." +</p> +<p> + "Can't he learn?" asked the girl. +</p> +<p> + "No. He's an idiot. Always was a crank and an unsociable cuss when a + boy, and he's worse now he's grown up. Oh, I know Forbes, all right; and + I haven't got no use for him, neither." +</p> +<p> + Argument was useless in this case. The girl sighed, gathered up her + purchases, and went into the hardware store. +</p> +<p> + Immediately her spirits rose. Here was a man who knew Kenneth, believed + in him and was going to vote for him. She had a nice talk with the + hardware man, and he gave her much useful information about the most + important people in the neighborhood—those it would be desirable to win + for their candidate. When he mentioned Thompson, she said: +</p> +<p> + "Oh, he's impossible. I've talked with him." +</p> +<p> + "Thompson is really a good Republican," replied Mr. Andrews, the + hardware man. "But he's under Hopkins's thumb and doesn't dare defy + him." +</p> +<p> + "Doesn't he like Mr. Hopkins?" asked Patsy, in surprise. +</p> +<p> + "No; he really hates him. You see, Thompson isn't a very successful + merchant. He has needed money at times, and borrowed it of Hopkins at a + high rate of interest. It's a pretty big sum now, and Hopkins holds a + mortgage on the stock. If he ever forecloses, as he will do some day, + Thompson will be ruined. So he's obliged to shout for Hopkins, whether + he believes in him or not." +</p> +<p> + "I think I understand him now," said Patsy, smiling. "But he needn't + have been so disagreeable." +</p> +<p> + "He's a disagreeable man at any time," returned Mr. Andrews. +</p> +<p> + "Has he any political influence?" asked the girl. +</p> +<p> + "Yes, considerable. Otherwise he couldn't have secured the nomination + when he pretended to run against Hopkins—for it was only a pretense. + You see, he's a well known Republican, and when he sides for Hopkins + he's bound to carry many Republicans with him." +</p> +<p> + But there were other important people whom Mr. Andrews thought might be + influenced, and he gave Patsy a list of their names. He seemed much + amused at the earnestness of this girlish champion of the Republican + candidate. +</p> +<p> + "I do not think we can win," he said, as she left him; "but we ought to + make a good showing for your cousin, and I'll do my very best to help + you." +</p> +<p> + As she rode home with Uncle John in the afternoon, after a day of really + hard work, Patsy sized up the situation and declared that she was + satisfied that she had made progress. She told Mr. Merrick of the + mortgage held over Thompson by Mr. Hopkins, and the little man made a + mental note of the fact. He also was satisfied with his day's work, and + agreed to ride over to Fairview the next day with her and carry the war + into this, the largest village in Kenneth's district. +</p> +<p> + Meantime Louise and Mr. Watson were having some interesting interviews + with the farmers' wives along the Marville road. The old lawyer knew + nearly everyone in this part of the country, for he had lived here all + his life. But he let Louise do the talking and was much pleased at the + tact and good nature she displayed in dealing with the widely different + types of character she encountered. +</p> +<p> + Her method was quite simple, and for that reason doubly effective. She + sat down in Mrs. Simmons's kitchen, where the good woman was ironing, + and said: +</p> +<p> + "I'm a cousin of Mr. Forbes, up at Elmhurst, you know. He's running for + a political office, so as to do some good for his county and district, + and I've come to see if you'll help me get votes for him." +</p> +<p> + "Law sakes, child!" exclaimed Mrs. Simmons, "I ain't got nuthin' to do + with politics." +</p> +<p> + "No; but you've got a lot to do with Mr. Simmons, and that's where we + need your help. You see, Mr. Forbes thinks Mr. Simmons is one of the + most important men in this district, and he's very anxious to win his + vote." +</p> +<p> + "Why don't you see Dan, then? He's out'n the rye field," replied the + woman. +</p> +<p> + "It's because I'm only a girl, and he wouldn't listen to me," replied + Louise, sweetly. "But he takes your advice about everything, I hear—" +</p> +<p> + "He don't take it as often as he orter, don't Dan," interrupted Mrs. + Simmons, pausing to feel whether her iron was hot. +</p> +<p> + "Perhaps not," agreed Louise; "but in important things, such as this, + he's sure to listen to you; and we women must stick together if we want + to win this election." +</p> +<p> + "But I don't know nothin' about it," protested Mrs. Simmons; "an' I + don't believe Dan does." +</p> +<p> + "You don't need to know much, Mrs. Simmons," replied the girl. "What a + pretty baby that is! All you need do is to tell Dan he must vote for Mr. + Forbes, and see that he agrees to do so." +</p> +<p> + "Why?" was the pointed query. +</p> +<p> + "Well, there are several reasons. One is that Mr. Hopkins—Mr. Erastus + Hopkins, you know, is the other candidate, and a person must vote for + either one or the other of them." +</p> +<p> + "Dan's a friend o' 'Rastus," said the woman, thoughtfully. "I seen 'em + talkin' together the other day." +</p> +<p> + "But this isn't a matter of friendship; it's business, and Mr. Forbes is + very anxious to have your husband with him. If Mr. Forbes is elected it + means lighter taxes, better roads and good schools. If Mr. Hopkins is + elected it does not mean anything good except for Mr. Hopkins." +</p> +<p> + "I guess you're right about that," laughed the woman. "'Rast don't let + much get away from him." +</p> +<p> + "You're very clever, Mrs. Simmons. You have discovered the fact without + being told." +</p> +<p> + "Oh, I know 'Rast Hopkins, an' so does Dan." +</p> +<p> + "Then I can depend on you to help us?" asked the girl, patting the + tousled head of a little girl who stood by staring at "the pretty lady." +</p> +<p> + "I'll talk to him, but I dunno what good it'll do," said Mrs. Simmons, + thoughtfully. +</p> +<p> + "I know. He won't refuse to do what you ask him, for a man always + listens to his wife when he knows she's right. You'll win, Mrs. Simmons, + and I want to thank you for saving the election for us. If we get Mr. + Simmons on our side I believe we'll be sure to defeat Hopkins." +</p> +<p> + "Oh, I'll do what I kin," was the ready promise, and after a few more + remarks about the children and the neatness of the house, Louise took + her leave. +</p> +<p> + "Will she win him over?" asked the girl of Mr. Watson, when they were + jogging on to the next homestead. +</p> +<p> + "I really can't say, my dear," replied the old lawyer, thoughtfully; + "but I imagine she'll try to, and if Dan doesn't give in Mrs. Simmons + will probably make his life miserable for a time. You flattered them + both outrageously; but that will do no harm." +</p> +<p> + And so it went on throughout the day. Sometimes the farmer himself was + around the house, and then they held a sort of conference; Louise asked + his advice about the best way to win votes, and said she depended a + great deal upon his judgment. She never asked a man which side he + favored, but took it for granted that he was anxious to support Mr. + Forbes; and this subtle flattery was so acceptable that not one declared + outright that he was for Hopkins, whatever his private views might have + been. +</p> +<p> + When evening came and they had arrived at Elmhurst again, Louise was + enthusiastic over her work of the day, and had many amusing tales to + tell of her experiences. +</p> +<p> + "How many votes did you win?" asked Uncle John, smiling at her. +</p> +<p> + "I can't say," she replied; "but I didn't lose any. If one sows plenty + of seed, some of it is bound to sprout." +</p> +<p> + "We can tell better after election," said Mr. Watson. "But I'm satisfied + that this is the right sort of work, Mr. Merrick, to get results." +</p> +<p> + "So am I," returned Uncle John heartily. "Are you willing to keep it up, + Louise?" +</p> +<p> + "Of course!" she exclaimed. "We start again bright and early tomorrow + morning." +</p> +<a name="CH8"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<h2> + CHAPTER VIII +</h2> +<center> + THE HONORABLE ERASTUS IS ASTONISHED +</center> +<p> + The Honorable Erastus Hopkins had been absent at the state capital for + several days, looking after various matters of business; for he was a + thrifty man, and watched his investments carefully. +</p> +<p> + Whenever his acquaintances asked about his chances for re-election, the + Honorable Erastus Hopkins winked, laughed and declared, "it's a regular + walk-over." +</p> +<p> + "Who is opposing you?" once asked a gray-haired Senator of much + political experience, who had met Mr. Hopkins at luncheon. +</p> +<p> + "Young feller named Forbes—a boy, sir—with no notion about the game at + all. He was pledged to an unpopular issue, so I was mighty glad to have + him run against me." +</p> +<p> + "What issue is he pledged to?" asked the Senator. +</p> +<p> + "Oh, he's agin putting advertising signs on fences and barns, and wants + to have them prohibited, like the infernal fool he is." +</p> +<p> + "Indeed. Then he's a progressive fellow. And you say his issue is + unpopular?" +</p> +<p> + "That's what it is. It'll kill his chances—if he ever had any." +</p> +<p> + "Strange," mused the Senator. "That issue has been a winning one + usually." +</p> +<p> + "What do you mean?" asked the astonished Hopkins. +</p> +<p> + "Why, the anti-sign fight has won in several places throughout the + country, and local laws have been passed prohibiting them. Didn't you + know that?" +</p> +<p> + "No!" said Hopkins. +</p> +<p> + "Well, it's true. Of course I do not know the temper of your people, but + in a country district such as yours I would think an issue of that sort + very hard to combat." +</p> +<p> + "Nonsense!" exclaimed the Honorable Erastus. "Ev'ry man Jack's agin the + fool notion." +</p> +<p> + "Then perhaps the people don't understand it." +</p> +<p> + "Forbes has given up already," continued Hopkins, laughing at the + recollection. "He's gone back into his shell like a turtle, an' won't + come out to fight. I tell you, Senator, he's the worst licked candidate + that ever ran for office." +</p> +<p> + Nevertheless, the suggestion that the anti-sign issue had been + successful in other localities made Mr. Hopkins a trifle uneasy, and he + decided to return home and keep the fight going until after election, + whether young Forbes came out of his shell or not. +</p> +<p> + He arrived at Hilldale on the early morning train and went to his house + for breakfast. To his amazement he found two great banners strung across + the village streets bearing the words: "<i>Vote for Forbes—the People's + Champion!</i>" +</p> +<p> + "Who in thunder could 'a' done that?" murmured Mr. Hopkins, staring + open-mouthed at the great banners. Then he scratched his head with a + puzzled air and went home. +</p> +<p> + Mrs. Hopkins, a tired-looking woman in a bedraggled morning wrapper, was + getting the breakfast. She did not participate largely in the prosperity + of her husband, and often declared she was "worked to death," although + there were no children to care for. +</p> +<p> + "When did those Forbes banners go up?" asked Mr. Hopkins, irritably. +</p> +<p> + "I dunno, 'Rast. I don't keep track o' such things. But all the town was + out to the girls' meetin' last night, an' I went along to watch the + fun." +</p> +<p> + "What girls' meeting?" +</p> +<p> + "The girls thet air workin' fer to elect Mr. Forbes. It was in the town + hall, an' all three of the girls made speeches." +</p> +<p> + "What about?" +</p> +<p> + "About Mr. Forbes, and how he orter be elected. He wants to beautify the + farm places by doin' away with signs, an' he wants better roads, an' + three new school-houses, 'cause the ones we've got now ain't big enough. + An—" +</p> +<p> + "You blamed idiot! What are you talking about?" roared the exasperated + Hopkins. +</p> +<p> + "Oh, you needn't rave at me, 'Rast Hopkins, just 'cause you're gettin' + licked. I thought your goose was cooked the minnit these girls got to + work." +</p> +<p> + Mr. Hopkins stared at her with a dazed expression. +</p> +<p> + "Be sensible, Mary, and tell me who these girls are. I haven't heard of + 'em." +</p> +<p> + "Why, they're cousins o' Kenneth Forbes, it seems, an' come from New + York to git him elected." +</p> +<p> + "What are they like?" +</p> +<p> + "They're swell dressers, 'Rast, an' nice appearin' girls, and mighty + sharp with their tongues. They had a good meetin' last night and + there'll be another at the town hall next week." +</p> +<p> + "Pah! Girls! Forbes oughter be ashamed of himself, to send a bunch o' + girls out electioneerin'. I never heard of such an irregular thing. What + do the boys say?" +</p> +<p> + "Folks don't say much to me, 'Rast. They wouldn't, you know. But I guess + your game is up." +</p> +<p> + He made no reply. Here, indeed, was information of a startling + character. And it came upon him like thunder out of a clear sky. Yet the + thing might not be so important as Mrs. Hopkins feared. +</p> +<p> + Very thoughtfully he unfolded the morning paper, and the next moment + uttered a roar of wrath and vexation. Briggs was one of his stand-bys, + and the <i>Herald</i> heretofore had always supported him; yet here across + the first page were big black letters saying: <i>"Vote for Forbes!"</i> And + the columns were full of articles and paragraphs praising Forbes and + declaring that he could and would do more for the district than Hopkins. +</p> +<p> + "I must see Briggs," muttered the Honorable Erastus. "He's tryin' to + make me put up that hundred—an' I guess I'll have to do it." +</p> +<p> + He looked over the other newspapers which were heaped upon his desk in + the sitting-room, and was disgusted to find all but one of the seven + papers in the district supporting Forbes. Really, the thing began to + look serious. And he had only been absent a week! +</p> +<p> + He had not much appetite for breakfast when Mrs. Hopkins set it before + him. But the Honorable Erastus was a born fighter, and his discovery had + only dismayed him for a brief time. Already he was revolving ways of + contesting this new activity in the enemy's camp, and decided that he + must talk with "the boys" at once. +</p> +<p> + So he hurried away from the breakfast table and walked down-town. Latham + was first on his route and he entered the drug store. +</p> +<p> + "Hullo, Jim." +</p> +<p> + "Good morning, Mr. Hopkins. Anything I can do for you?" asked the polite + druggist. +</p> +<p> + "Yes, a lot. Tell me what these fool girls are up to, that are plugging + for Forbes. I've been away for a week, you know." +</p> +<p> + "Can't say, Mr. Hopkins, I'm sure. Business is pretty lively these days, + and it keeps me hustling. I've no time for politics." +</p> +<p> + "But we've got to wake up, Jim, we Democrats, or they'll give us a run + for our money." +</p> +<p> + "Oh, this is a Republican district, sir. We can't hope to win it often, + and especially in a case like this." +</p> +<p> + "Why not?" +</p> +<p> + "Looks to me as if you'd bungled things, Hopkins. But I'm not interested + in this campaign. Excuse me; if there's nothing you want, I've got a + prescription to fill." +</p> +<p> + Mr. Hopkins walked out moodily. It was very evident that Latham had + changed front. But they had never been very staunch friends; and he + could find a way to even scores with the little druggist later. +</p> +<p> + Thompson was behind his desk at the general store when Hopkins walked + in. +</p> +<p> + "Look here," said the Honorable Representative, angrily, "what's been + going on in Elmwood? What's all this plugging for Forbes mean?" +</p> +<p> + Thompson gave him a sour look over the top of his desk. +</p> +<p> + "Addressin' them remarks to me, 'Rast?" +</p> +<p> + "Yes—to you! You've been loafing on your job, old man, and it won't + do—it won't do at all. You should have put a stop to these things. What + right have these girls to interfere in a game like this?" +</p> +<p> + "Oh, shut up, 'Rast." +</p> +<p> + "Thompson! By crickey, I won't stand this from you. Goin' back on me, + eh?" +</p> +<p> + "I'm a Republication, 'Rast." +</p> +<p> + "So you are," said Mr. Hopkins slowly, his temper at white heat "And + that mortgage is two months overdue." +</p> +<p> + "Go over to the bank and get your money, then. It's waiting for you, + Hopkins—interest and all. Go and get it and let me alone. I'm busy." +</p> +<p> + Perhaps the politician had never been so surprised in his life. Anger + gave way to sudden fear, and he scrutinized the averted countenance of + Thompson carefully. +</p> +<p> + "Where'd you raise the money, Thompson?" +</p> +<p> + "None of your business. I raised it." +</p> +<p> + "Forbes, eh? Forbes has bought you up, I see. Grateful fellow, ain't + you—when I loaned you money to keep you from bankruptcy!" +</p> +<p> + "You did, Hopkins. You made me your slave, and threatened me every + minute, unless I did all your dirty work. Grateful? You've led me a + dog's life. But I'm through with you now—for good and all." +</p> +<p> + Hopkins turned and walked out without another word. In the dentist's + office Dr. Squiers was sharpening and polishing his instruments. +</p> +<p> + "Hello, Archie." +</p> +<p> + "Hello, 'Rast. 'Bout time you was getting back, old man. We're having a + big fight on our hands, I can tell you." +</p> +<p> + "Tell me more," said Mr. Hopkins, taking a chair with a sigh of relief + at finding one faithful friend. "What's up, Archie?" +</p> +<p> + "An invasion of girls, mostly. They took us by surprise, the other day, + and started a campaign worthy of old political war-horses. There's some + shrewd politician behind them, I know, or they wouldn't have nailed us + up in our coffins with such business-like celerity." +</p> +<p> + "Talk sense, Archie. What have they done? What <i>can</i> they do? Pah! + Girls!" +</p> +<p> + "Don't make a mistake, 'Rast. That's what I did, before I understood. + When I heard that three girls were electioneering for Forbes I just + laughed. Then I made a discovery. They're young and rich, and evidently + ladies. They're pretty, too, and the men give in at the first attack. + They don't try to roast you. That's their cleverness. They tell what + Forbes can do, with all his money, if he's Representative, and they + swear he'll do it." +</p> +<p> + "Never mind," said Hopkins, easily. "We'll win the men back again." +</p> +<p> + "But these girls are riding all over the country, talking to farmers' + wives, and they're organizing a woman's political club. The club is to + meet at Elmhurst and to be fed on the fat of the land; so every woman + wants to belong. They've got two expensive automobiles down from the + city, with men to make them go, and they're spending money right and + left." +</p> +<p> + "That's bad," said Hopkins, shifting uneasily, "for I haven't much to + spend, myself. But most money is fooled away in politics. When I spend a + cent it counts, I can tell you." +</p> +<p> + "You'll have to spend some, 'Rast, to keep your end up. I'm glad you're + back, for we Democrats have been getting demoralized. Some of the boys + are out for Forbes already." +</p> +<p> + Hopkins nodded, busy with his thoughts. +</p> +<p> + "I've talked with Latham. But he didn't count. And they've bought up + Thompson. What else they've done I can't tell yet. But one thing's + certain, Doc; we'll win out in a canter. I'm too old a rat to be caught + in a trap like this. I've got resources they don't suspect." +</p> +<p> + "I believe you, 'Rast. They've caught on to the outside fakes to win + votes; but they don't know the inside deals yet." +</p> +<p> + "You're right. But I must make a bluff to offset their daylight + campaign, so as not to lose ground with the farmers. They're the ones + that count, after all; not the town people. See here, Doc, I had an idea + something might happen, and so I arranged with my breakfast food company + to let me paint a hundred signs in this neighborhood. A hundred, mind + you! and that means a big laugh on Forbes, and the good will of the + farmers who sell their spaces, and not a cent out of my pocket. How's + that for a checkmate?" +</p> +<p> + "That's fine," replied Dr. Squiers. "There's been considerable talk + about this sign business, and I'm told that at the meeting last night + one of the girls made a speech about it, and said the farmers were being + converted, and were now standing out for clean fences and barns." +</p> +<p> + "That's all humbug!" +</p> +<p> + "I think so, myself. These people are like a flock of sheep. Get them + started a certain way and you can't head them off," observed the + dentist. +</p> +<p> + "Then we must start them our way," declared Hopkins. "I've got the order + for these signs in my pocket, and I'll have 'em painted all over the + district in a week. Keep your eyes open, Doc. If we've got to fight we + won't shirk it; but I don't look for much trouble from a parcel of + girls." +</p> +<p> + Mr. Hopkins was quite cheerful by this time, for he had thought out the + situation and his "fighting blood was up," as he expressed it. +</p> +<p> + He walked away whistling softly to himself and decided that he would go + over to the livery stable, get a horse and buggy, drive out into the + country, and spend the day talking with the farmers. +</p> +<p> + But when he turned the corner into the side street where the livery was + located he was astonished to find a row of horses and wagons lining each + side of the street, and in each vehicle two men in white jumpers and + overalls. The men were in charge of huge cans of paints, assorted + brushes, ladders, scaffolds and other paraphernalia. +</p> +<p> + There must have been twenty vehicles, altogether, and some of the rigs + were already starting out and driving briskly away in different + directions. +</p> +<p> + Mr. Hopkins was puzzled. He approached one of the white-overalled men + who was loading cans of paint into a wagon and inquired: +</p> +<p> + "Who are you fellows?" +</p> +<p> + "Sign painters," answered the man, with an amused look. +</p> +<p> + "Who do you work for?" +</p> +<p> + "The Carson Advertising Sign Company of Cleveland." +</p> +<p> + "Oh, I see," replied Hopkins. "Got a big job in this neighborhood?" +</p> +<p> + "Pretty big, sir." +</p> +<p> + "Who's your foreman?" +</p> +<p> + "Smith. He's in the livery office." +</p> +<p> + Then the man climbed into his wagon and drove away, and Hopkins turned + into the livery office. A thin-faced man with sharp eyes was Talking + with the proprietor. +</p> +<p> + "Is this Mr. Smith?" asked Hopkins. +</p> +<p> + "Yes." +</p> +<p> + "Of the Carson Advertising Sign Company?" +</p> +<p> + "Yes." +</p> +<p> + "Well, I've got a big job for you. My name's Hopkins. I want a hundred + big signs painted mighty quick." +</p> +<p> + "Sorry, sir; we've got all we can handle here for two or three weeks." +</p> +<p> + "It's got to be done quick or not at all. Can't you send for more men?" +</p> +<p> + "We've got thirty-eight on this job, and can't get any more for love or + money. Had to send to Chicago for some of these." +</p> +<p> + "Rush job?" +</p> +<p> + "Yes, sir. You'll have to excuse me. I've got to get started. This is + only our second day and we're pretty busy." +</p> +<p> + "Wait a minute," called the bewildered Hopkins, following Smith to his + buggy. "What concern is your firm doing all this painting for?" +</p> +<p> + "A man named Merrick." +</p> +<p> + Then the foreman drove away, and Mr. Hopkins was left greatly puzzled. +</p> +<p> + "Merrick—Merrick!" he repeated. "I don't remember any big advertiser by + that name. It must be some new concern. Anyhow, it all helps in my fight + against Forbes." +</p> +<p> + He again returned to the livery office and asked for a rig. +</p> +<p> + "Everything out, Mr. Hopkins. I've hired everything to be had in town + for this sign-painting gang." +</p> +<p> + But Mr. Hopkins was not to be balked. As long as these sign-painters + were doing missionary work for his cause among the farmers, he decided + to drive over to Fairview and see the party leaders in that important + town. So he went back to Dr. Squiers's house and borrowed the Doctor's + horse and buggy. +</p> +<p> + He drove along the turnpike for a time in silence. Then it struck him + that there was a peculiar air of neatness about the places he passed. + The barns and fences all seemed newly painted, and he remembered that he + hadn't seen an advertising sign since he left town. +</p> +<p> + A mile farther on he came upon a gang of the sign painters, who with + their huge brushes were rapidly painting the entire length of a + weather-worn fence with white paint. +</p> +<p> + Mr. Hopkins reined in and watched them for a few moments. +</p> +<p> + "You sign-painters don't seem to be getting any signs started," he + observed. +</p> +<p> + "No," replied one of the men, laughing. "This is a peculiar job for our + firm to tackle. We've made a contract to paint out every sign in the + district." +</p> +<p> + "Paint 'em out!" +</p> +<p> + "Yes, cover them up with new paint, and get rid of them." +</p> +<p> + "But how about the advertisers? Don't they own the spaces now?" +</p> +<p> + "They did; but they've all been bought up. John Merrick owns the spaces + now, and we're working for John Merrick." +</p> +<p> + "Who's he?" +</p> +<p> + "Some friend of Mr. Forbes, up at Elmhurst." +</p> +<p> + Mr. Hopkins was not a profane man, but he said a naughty word. And then + he cut his horse so fiercely with the whip that the poor beast gave a + neigh of terror, and started down the road at a gallop. +</p> +<a name="CH9"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<h2> + CHAPTER IX +</h2> +<center> + OL' WILL ROGERS +</center> +<p> + Beth had her folding table out in the rose garden where Kenneth was + working at his easel, and while the boy painted she wrote her campaign + letters and "editorials." +</p> +<p> + At first Ken had resented the management of his campaign by his three + girl friends; but soon he was grateful for their assistance and proud of + their talents. It was at their own request that he refrained from any + active work himself, merely appearing at the meetings they planned, + where he made his speeches and impressed his hearers with his + earnestness. He was really an excellent speaker, and his youth and + enthusiasm counted much in his favor. +</p> +<p> + He protested mildly when Louise invited the Women's Political Club to + meet at Elmhurst on Thursday afternoon, but Mr. Watson assured him that + this was an important play for popularity, so he promised to meet them. + Tables were to be spread upon the lawn, for the late October weather was + mild and delightful, and Louise planned to feed the women in a way that + they would long remember. +</p> +<p> + Patsy had charge of the towns and Louise of the country districts, but + Beth often aided Louise, who had a great deal of territory to cover. +</p> +<p> + The automobiles Uncle John had ordered sent down were a great assistance + to the girls, and enabled them to cover twice as much territory in a day + as would have been done with horses. +</p> +<p> + But, although they worked so tirelessly and earnestly, it was not all + plain sailing with the girl campaigners. Yet though they met with many + rebuffs, they met very little downright impertinence. Twice Louise was + asked to leave a house where she had attempted to make a proselyte, and + once a dog was set upon Beth by an irate farmer, who resented her + automobile as much as he did her mission. As for Patsy, she was often + told in the towns that "a young girl ought to be in better business than + mixing up in politics," and she was sensitive enough once or twice to + cry over these reproaches when alone in her chamber. But she maintained + a cheerful front; and, in truth, all the girls enjoyed their work + immensely. +</p> +<p> + While Beth and Kenneth were in the garden this sunny afternoon James + came to say that a man wanted to see "one of the politics young ladies." +</p> +<p> + "Shall we send him about his business, Beth?" asked the boy. +</p> +<p> + "Oh, no; we can't afford to lose a single vote. Bring him here, James, + please," said the girl. +</p> +<p> + So presently a wizened little man in worn and threadbare garments, his + hat in his hand, came slowly into the garden. His sunken cheeks were + covered with stubby gray whiskers, his shoulders were stooped and bent + from hard work, and his hands bore evidences of a life of toil. Yet the + eyes he turned upon Beth, as she faced him had a wistful and pleading + look that affected her strangely. +</p> +<p> + "Afternoon, miss," he said, in a hesitating voice. "I—I'm Rogers, miss; + ol' Will Rogers. I—I s'pose you hain't heerd o' me before." +</p> +<p> + "I'm glad to meet you, Mr. Rogers," replied the girl in her pleasant + voice. "Have you come to see me about the election?" +</p> +<p> + "It's—it's sump'n 'bout the 'lection, an' then agin it ain't. But I run + the chanct o' seein' ye, because we're in desprit straits, an' Nell + advised that I hev a talk with ye. 'Frank an' outright,' says Nell. + 'Don't beat about the bush,' says she. 'Go right to th' point an' + they'll say yes or no." +</p> +<p> + Beth laughed merrily, and the boy smiled as he wielded his brush with + delicate strokes. +</p> +<p> + "Ye mustn't mind me, miss," said Will Rogers, in a deprecating tone. + "I'm—I'm sommut broke up an' discouraged, an' ain't th' man I used to + be. Nell knows that, an' she orter came herself; but it jes' made her + cry to think o' it, an' so I says I'll come an' do the best I kin." +</p> +<p> + Beth was really interested now. +</p> +<p> + "Sit down on this bench, Mr. Rogers," she said, "and I'll listen to + whatever you have to say." +</p> +<p> + He sat down willingly, bent forward as he rested upon the garden bench, + and twirled his hat slowly in his hands. +</p> +<p> + "'Taint easy, ye know, miss, to say some things, an' this is one o' the + hardest," he began. +</p> +<p> + "Go on," said Beth, encouragingly, for old Will had suddenly stopped + short and seemed unable to proceed. +</p> +<p> + "They say, miss, as you folks is a-spendin' uv a lot o' money on this + election, a-gittin' votes, an' sich like," he said, in an altered tone. +</p> +<p> + "It costs a little to run a political campaign," acknowledged Beth. +</p> +<p> + "They say money's bein' poured out liken water—to git votes," he + persisted. +</p> +<p> + "Well, Mr. Rogers?" +</p> +<p> + "Well, thet's how it started, ye see. We're so agonizin' poor, Nell + thought we orter git some o' the money while it's goin'." +</p> +<p> + The girl was much amused. Such frankness was both unusual and + refreshing. +</p> +<p> + "Have you a vote to sell?" she asked. +</p> +<p> + He did not answer at once, but sat slowly twirling his hat. +</p> +<p> + "That's jet' what Nell thought ye'd ask," he said, finally, "an' she + knew if ye did it was all up with our plan. Guess I'll be goin', miss." +</p> +<p> + He rose slowly from his seat, but the girl did not intend to lose any of + the fun this queer individual might yet furnish. +</p> +<p> + "Sit down, Mr. Rogers," she said, "and tell me why you can't answer my + questions?" +</p> +<p> + "I guess I'll hev to speak out an' tell all," said he, his voice + trembling a little, "although I thought fer a minnit I could see my way + without. I can't sell my vote, miss, 'cause I've been plannin' t'vote + fer Mr. Forbes anyhow. But we wanted some uv th' money that's being + wasted, an' we wanted it mighty bad." +</p> +<p> + "Why?" +</p> +<p> + "Thet's the hard part uv it, miss; but I'm goin' to tell you. Did ye + ever hear o' Lucy?" +</p> +<p> + "No, Mr. Rogers." +</p> +<p> + "Lucy's our girl—the on'y chick er child we ever had. She's a pretty + girl, is Lucy; a good deal liken her mother; wi' the same high spirits + my Nell had afore she broke down. Mostly Nell cries, nowadays." +</p> +<p> + "Yes. Go on." +</p> +<p> + "Lucy had a schoolin', an' we worked hard to give it her, fer my land + ain't much account, nohow. An' when she grew up she had more boys comin' + to see her than any gal this side o' Fairview, an' one o' 'em caught + Lucy's fancy. But she was too young to marry, an' she wanted to be + earnin' money; so she got a job workin' fer Doc Squiers, over to + Elmwood. He's the dentist there, an' Lucy helped with the housework an' + kept the office slicked up, an' earned ev'ry penny she got." +</p> +<p> + He stopped here, and looked vacantly around. +</p> +<p> + Beth tried to help the old man. +</p> +<p> + "And then?" she asked, softly. +</p> +<p> + "Then come the trouble, miss. One day ol' Mis' Squiers, the Doc's + mother, missed a di'mon' ring. She laid it on the mantel an' it was + gone, an' she said as Lucy took it. Lucy didn't take it, an' after + they'd tried to make my gal confess as she was a thief they give 'er + three days to hand up the ring or the money it was worth, or else they'd + hev her arrested and sent t' jail. Lucy didn't take it, ye know. She + jes' <i>couldn't</i> do sech a thing, natcherly." +</p> +<p> + "I know," said Beth, sympathetically. +</p> +<p> + "So she comes home, heartbroken, an' told us about it, an' we didn't hev + th' money nuther. It were sixty dollars they wanted, or th' ring; an' we + didn't hev neither of 'em." +</p> +<p> + "Of course not." +</p> +<p> + "Well, Tom come over thet night to see Lucy, hearin' she was home, + an'—" +</p> +<p> + "Who is Tom?" +</p> +<p> + "Thet's Tom Gates, him thet—but I'm comin' to thet, miss. Tom always + loved Lucy, an' wanted to marry her; but his folks is as poor as we are, + so the young 'uns had to wait. Tom worked at the mill over t' + Fairview—the big saw-mill where they make the lumber an' things." +</p> +<p> + "I know." +</p> +<p> + "He was the bookkeeper, fer Tom had schoolin', too; an' he took private + lessons in bookkeepin' from ol' Cheeseman. So he had got hired at the + mill, an' had a likely job, an' was doin' well. An' when Tom heerd about + Lucy's trouble, an' thet she had only two days left before goin' to + jail, he up an' says: 'I'll get the money, Lucy: don' you worry a bit.' + 'Oh, Tom!' says she, 'hev you got sixty dollars saved already?' 'I've + got it, Lucy,' says he, 'an' I'll go over tomorrow an' pay Doc Squiers. + Don' you worry any more. Forget all about it.' Well o' course, miss, + that helped a lot. Nell an' Lucy both felt the disgrace of the thing, + but it wouldn't be a public disgrace, like goin' to jail; so we was all + mighty glad Tom had that sixty dollars." +</p> +<p> + "It was very fortunate," said Beth, filling in another pause. +</p> +<p> + "The nex' day Tom were as good as his word. He paid Doc Squiers an' got + a receipt an' giv it to Lucy. Then we thought th' trouble was over, but + it had on'y just begun. Monday mornin' Tom was arrested over t' the mill + fer passin' a forged check an' gettin' sixty dollars on it. Lucy was + near frantic with grief. She walked all the way to Fairview, an' they + let her see Tom in the jail. He tol' her it was true he forged th' + check, but he did it to save her. He was a man an' it wouldn't hurt fer + him to go to jail so much as it would a girl. He said he was glad he did + it, an' didn't mind servin' a sentence in prison. I think, miss, as Tom + meant thet—ev'ry word uv it. But Lucy broke down under the thing an' + raved an' cried, an' nuther Nell ner I could do anything with her. She + said she'd ruined Tom's life an' all thet, an' she didn't want to live + herself. Then she took sick, an' Nell an' I nursed her as careful as we + could. How'n the wurld she ever got away we can't make out, nohow." +</p> +<p> + "Did she get away?" asked the girl, noting that the old man's eyes were + full of tears and his lips trembling. +</p> +<p> + "Yes, miss. She's bin gone over ten days, now, an' we don't even know + where to look fer her; our girl—our poor Lucy. She ain't right in her + head, ye know, or she'd never a done it. She'd never a left us like this + in th' world. 'Taint like our Lucy." +</p> +<p> + Kenneth had turned around on his stool and was regarding old Will Rogers + earnestly, brush and pallet alike forgotten. Beth was trying to keep the + tears out of her own eyes, for the old man's voice was even more + pathetic than his words. +</p> +<p> + "Ten days ago!" said Kenneth. "And she hasn't been found yet?" +</p> +<p> + "We can't trace her anywhere, an' Nell has broke down at las', an' don't + do much but cry. It's hard, sir—I can't bear to see Nell cry. She'd + sich high sperrits, onct." +</p> +<p> + "Where's the boy Tom?" asked Kenneth, somewhat gruffly. +</p> +<p> + "He's in the jail yet, waitin' to be tried. Court don't set till next + week, they say." +</p> +<p> + "And where do you live, Rogers?" +</p> +<p> + "Five miles up the Fairview road. 'Taint much of a place—Nell says I've + always bin a shif'les lot, an' I guess it's true. Yesterday your hired + men painted all the front o' my fence—painted it white—not only where + th' signs was, but th' whole length of it. We didn't ask it done, but + they jes' done it. I watched 'em, an' Nell says if we on'y had th' money + thet was wasted on thet paint an' labor, we might find our Lucy. 'It's a + shame,' says Nell, 'all thet 'lection money bein' thrown away on paint + when it might save our poor crazy child.' I hope it ain't wrong, sir; + but thet's what I thought, too. So we laid plans fer me to come here + today. Ef I kin get a-hold o' any o' thet money honest, I want to do + it." +</p> +<p> + "Have you got a horse?" asked Kenneth. +</p> +<p> + "Not now. I owned one las' year, but he died on me an' I can't get + another nohow." +</p> +<p> + "Did you walk here?" asked Beth. +</p> +<p> + "Yes, miss; o' course. I've walked the hull county over a-tryin' to find + Lucy. I don' mind the walking much." +</p> +<p> + There was another pause, while old Will Rogers looked anxiously at the + boy and the girl, and they looked at each other. Then Beth took out her + purse. +</p> +<p> + "I want to hire your services to help us in the election," she said, + briskly. "I'll furnish you a horse and buggy and you can drive around + and talk with people and try to find Lucy at the same time. This twenty + dollars is to help you pay expenses. You needn't account for it; just + help us as much as you can." +</p> +<p> + The old man straightened up and his eyes filled again. +</p> +<p> + "Nell said if it was a matter o' charity I mustn't take a cent," he + observed, in a low voice. +</p> +<p> + '"It isn't charity. It's business. And now that we know your story we + mean to help you find your girl. Anyone would do that, you know. Tell + me, what is Lucy like?" +</p> +<p> + "She's like Nell used to be." +</p> +<p> + "But we don't know your wife. Describe Lucy as well as you can. Is she + tall?" +</p> +<p> + "Middlin', miss." +</p> +<p> + "Light or dark?" +</p> +<p> + "Heh?" +</p> +<p> + "Is her hair light or dark colored?" +</p> +<p> + "Middlin'; jes' middlin', miss." +</p> +<p> + "Well, is she stout or thin?" +</p> +<p> + "I should say sorter betwixt an' between, miss." +</p> +<p> + "How old is Lucy?" +</p> +<p> + "Jes' turned eighteen, miss." +</p> +<p> + "Never mind, Beth," interrupted the boy; "you won't learn much from old + Will's description. But we'll see what can be done tomorrow. Call James + and have him sent home in the rig he's going to use. It seems to me + you're disposing rather freely of my horses and carts." +</p> +<p> + "Yes, Ken. You've nothing to say about your belongings just now. But if + you object to this plan—" +</p> +<p> + "I don't. The girl must be found, and her father is more likely to find + her than a dozen other searchers. He shall have the rig and welcome." +</p> +<p> + So it was that Will Rogers drove back to his heartbroken wife in a smart + top-buggy, with twenty dollars in his pocket and a heart full of wonder + and thanksgiving. +</p> +<a name="CH10"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<h2> + CHAPTER X +</h2> +<p> + The Forged Check +</p> +<p> + Kenneth and Beth refrained from telling the other girls or Uncle John of + old Will Rogers's visit, but they got Mr. Watson in the library and + questioned him closely about the penalty for forging a check. +</p> +<p> + It was a serious crime indeed, Mr. Watson told them, and Tom Gates bade + fair to serve a lengthy term in state's prison as a consequence of his + rash act. +</p> +<p> + "But it was a generous act, too," said Beth. +</p> +<p> + "I can't see it in that light," said the old lawyer. "It was a + deliberate theft from his employers to protect a girl he loved. I do not + doubt the girl was unjustly accused. The Squierses are a selfish, + hard-fisted lot, and the old lady, especially, is a well known virago. + But they could not have proven a case against Lucy, if she was innocent, + and all their threats of arresting her were probably mere bluff. So this + boy was doubly foolish in ruining himself to get sixty dollars to pay an + unjust demand." +</p> +<p> + "He was soft-hearted and impetuous," said Beth; "and, being in love, he + didn't stop to count the cost." +</p> +<p> + "That is no excuse, my dear," declared Mr. Watson. "Indeed there is + never an excuse for crime. The young man is guilty, and he must suffer + the penalty." +</p> +<p> + "Is there no way to save him?" asked Kenneth. +</p> +<p> + "If the prosecution were withdrawn and the case settled with the victim + of the forged check, then the young man would be allowed his freedom. + But under the circumstances I doubt if such an arrangement could be + made." +</p> +<p> + "We're going to try it, anyhow," was the prompt decision. +</p> +<p> + So as soon as breakfast was over the next morning Beth and Kenneth took + one of the automobiles, the boy consenting unwillingly to this sort of + locomotion because it would save much time. Fairview was twelve miles + away, but by ten o'clock they drew up at the county jail. +</p> +<p> + They were received in the little office by a man named Markham, who was + the jailer. He was a round-faced, respectable appearing fellow, but his + mood was distinctly unsociable. +</p> +<p> + "Want to see Tom Gates, eh? Well! what for?" he demanded. +</p> +<p> + "We wish to talk with him," answered Kenneth. +</p> +<p> + "Talk! what's the good? You're no friend of Tom Gates. I can't be + bothered this way, anyhow." +</p> +<p> + "I am Kenneth Forbes, of Elmhurst. I'm running for Representative on the + Republican ticket," said Kenneth, quietly. +</p> +<p> + "Oh, say! that's different," observed Markham, altering his demeanor. + "You mustn't mind my being gruff and grumpy, Mr. Forbes. I've just + stopped smoking a few days ago, and it's got on my nerves something + awful!" +</p> +<p> + "May we see Gates at once?" asked Kenneth. +</p> +<p> + "Sure-ly! I'll take you to his cell, myself. It's just shocking how such + a little thing as stoppin' smoking will rile up a fellow. Come this way, + please." +</p> +<p> + They followed the jailer along a succession of passages. +</p> +<p> + "Smoked ever sence I was a boy, you know, an' had to stop last week + because Doc said it would kill me if I didn't," remarked the jailer, + leading the way. "Sometimes I'm that yearning for a smoke I'm nearly + crazy, an' I dunno which is worst, dyin' one way or another. This is + Gates' cell—the best in the shop." +</p> +<p> + He unlocked the door, and called: +</p> +<p> + "Here's visitors, Tom." +</p> +<p> + "Thank you, Mr. Markham," replied a quiet voice, as a young man came + forward from the dim interior of the cell. "How are you feeling, today?" +</p> +<p> + "Worse, Tom; worse 'n ever," replied the jailer, gloomily. +</p> +<p> + "Well, stick it out, old man; don't give in." +</p> +<p> + "I won't, Tom. Smokin' 'll kill me sure, an' there's a faint hope o' + livin' through this struggle to give it up. This visitor is Mr. Forbes + of Elmhurst, an' the young lady is—" +</p> +<p> + "Miss DeGraf," said Kenneth, noticing the boy's face critically, as he + stood where the light from the passage fell upon it. "Will you leave us + alone, please, Mr. Markham?" +</p> +<p> + "Sure-ly, Mr. Forbes. You've got twenty minutes according to + regulations. I'll come and get you then. Sorry we haven't any reception + room in the jail. All visits has to be made in the cells." +</p> +<p> + Then he deliberately locked Kenneth and Beth in with the forger, and + retreated along the passage. +</p> +<p> + "Sit down, please," said Gates, in a cheerful and pleasant voice. + "There's a bench here." +</p> +<p> + "We've come to inquire about your case, Gates," said Kenneth. "It seems + you have forged a check." +</p> +<p> + "Yes, sir, I plead guilty, although I've been told I ought not to + confess. But the fact is that I forged the check and got the money, and + I'm willing to stand the consequences." +</p> +<p> + "Why did you do it?" asked Beth. +</p> +<p> + He was silent and turned his face away. +</p> +<p> + A fresh, wholesome looking boy, was Tom Gates, with steady gray eyes, an + intelligent forehead, but a sensitive, rather weak mouth. He was of + sturdy, athletic build and dressed neatly in a suit that was of coarse + material but well brushed and cared for. +</p> +<p> + Beth thought his appearance pleasing and manly. Kenneth decided that he + was ill at ease and in a state of dogged self-repression. +</p> +<p> + "We have heard something of your story," said Kenneth, "and are + interested in it. But there is no doubt you have acted very foolishly." +</p> +<p> + "Do you know Lucy, sir?" asked the young man. +</p> +<p> + "No." +</p> +<p> + "Lucy is very proud. The thing was killing her, and I couldn't bear it. + I didn't stop to think whether it was foolish or not. I did it; and I'm + glad I did." +</p> +<p> + "You have made her still more unhappy," said Beth, gently. +</p> +<p> + "Yes; she'll worry about me, I know. I'm disgraced for life; but I've + saved Lucy from any disgrace, and she's young. She'll forget me before + I've served my term, and—and take up with some other young fellow." +</p> +<p> + "Would you like that?" asked Beth. +</p> +<p> + "No, indeed," he replied, frankly. "But it will be best that way. I had + to stand by Lucy—she's so sweet and gentle, and so sensitive. I don't + say I did right. I only say I'd do the same thing again." +</p> +<p> + "Couldn't her parents have helped her?" inquired Kenneth. +</p> +<p> + "No. Old Will is a fine fellow, but poor and helpless since Mrs. Rogers + had her accident." +</p> +<p> + "Oh, did she have an accident?" asked Beth. +</p> +<p> + "Yes. Didn't you know? She's blind." +</p> +<p> + "Her husband didn't tell us that," said the girl. +</p> +<p> + "He was fairly prosperous before that, for Mrs. Rogers was an energetic + and sensible woman, and kept old Will hard at work. One morning she + tried to light the fire with kerosene, and lost her sight. Then Rogers + wouldn't do anything but lead her around, and wait upon her, and the + place went to rack and ruin." +</p> +<p> + "I understand now," said Beth. +</p> +<p> + "Lucy could have looked after her mother," said young Bates, "but old + Will was stubborn and wouldn't let her. So the girl saw something must + be done and went to work. That's how all the trouble came about." +</p> +<p> + He spoke simply, but paced up and down the narrow cell in front of them. + It was evident that his feelings were deeper than he cared to make + evident. +</p> +<p> + "Whose name did you sign to the check?" asked Kenneth. +</p> +<p> + "That of John E. Marshall, the manager of the mill. He is supposed to + sign all the checks of the concern. It's a stock company, and rich. I + was bookkeeper, so it was easy to get a blank check and forge the + signature. As regards my robbing the company, I'll say that I saved them + a heavy loss one day. I discovered and put out a fire that would have + destroyed the whole plant. But Marshall never even thanked me. He only + discharged the man who was responsible for the fire." +</p> +<p> + "How long ago were you arrested?" asked Beth. +</p> +<p> + "It's nearly two weeks now. But I'll have a trial in a few days, they + say. My crime is so serious that the circuit judge has to sit on the + case." +</p> +<p> + "Do you know where Lucy is?" +</p> +<p> + "She's at home, I suppose. I haven't heard from her since the day she + came here to see me—right after my arrest." +</p> +<p> + They did not think best to enlighten him at that time. It was better for + him to think the girl unfeeling than to know the truth. +</p> +<p> + "I'm going to see Mr. Marshall," said Kenneth, "and discover what I can + do to assist you." +</p> +<p> + "Thank you, sir. It won't be much, but I'm grateful to find a friend. + I'm guilty, you know, and there's no one to blame but myself." +</p> +<p> + They left him then, for the jailer arrived to unlock the door, and + escort them to the office. +</p> +<p> + "Tom's a very decent lad," remarked the jailer, on the way. "He ain't a + natural criminal, you know; just one o' them that gives in to temptation + and is foolish enough to get caught. I've seen lots of that kind in my + day. You don't smoke, do you, Mr. Forbes?" +</p> +<p> + "No, Mr. Markham." +</p> +<p> + "Then don't begin it; or, if you do, never try to quit. It's—it's + <i>awful</i>, it is. And it ruins a man's disposition." +</p> +<p> + The mill was at the outskirts of the town. It was a busy place, perhaps + the busiest in the whole of the Eighth District, and in it were employed + a large number of men. The office was a small brick edifice, separated + from the main buildings, in which the noise of machinery was so great + that one speaking could scarcely be heard. The manager was in, Kenneth + and Beth learned, but could not see them until he had signed the letters + he had dictated for the noon mail. +</p> +<p> + So they sat on a bench until a summons came to admit them to Mr. + Marshall's private office. +</p> +<p> + He looked up rather ungraciously, but motioned them to be seated. +</p> +<p> + "Mr. Forbes, of Elmhurst?" he asked, glancing at the card Kenneth had + sent in. +</p> +<p> + "Yes, sir." +</p> +<p> + "I've been bothered already over your election campaign," resumed the + manager, arranging his papers in a bored manner. "Some girl has been + here twice to interview my men and I have refused to admit her. You may + as well understand, sir, that I stand for the Democratic candidate, and + have no sympathy with your side." +</p> +<p> + "That doesn't interest me, especially, sir," answered Kenneth, smiling. + "I'm not electioneering just now. I've come to talk with you about young + Gates." +</p> +<p> + "Oh. Well, sir, what about him?" +</p> +<p> + "I'm interested in the boy, and want to save him from prosecution." +</p> +<p> + "He's a forger, Mr. Forbes; a deliberate criminal." +</p> +<p> + "I admit that. But he's very young, and his youth is largely responsible + for his folly." +</p> +<p> + "He stole my money." +</p> +<p> + "It is true, Mr. Marshall." +</p> +<p> + "And he deserves a term in state's prison." +</p> +<p> + "I agree to all that. Nevertheless, I should like to save him," said + Kenneth. "His trial has not yet taken place, and instead of your + devoting considerable of your valuable time appearing against him it + would be much simpler to settle the matter right here and now." +</p> +<p> + "In what way, Mr. Forbes?" +</p> +<p> + "I'll make your money loss good." +</p> +<p> + "It has cost me twice sixty dollars in annoyance." +</p> +<p> + "I can well believe it, sir. I'll pay twice sixty dollars for the + delivery to me of the forged check, and the withdrawal of the + prosecution." +</p> +<p> + "And the costs?" +</p> +<p> + "I'll pay all the costs besides." +</p> +<p> + "You're foolish. Why should you do all this?" +</p> +<p> + "I have my own reasons, Mr. Marshall. Please look at the matter from a + business standpoint. If you send the boy to prison you will still suffer + the loss of the money. By compromising with me you can recover your loss + and are paid for your annoyance." +</p> +<p> + "You're right. Give me a check for a hundred and fifty, and I'll turn + over to you the forged check and quash further proceedings." +</p> +<p> + Kenneth hesitated a moment. He detested the grasping disposition that + would endeavor to take advantage of his evident desire to help young + Gates. He had hoped to find Mr. Marshall a man of sympathy; but the + manager was as cold as an icicle. +</p> +<p> + Beth, uneasy at his silence, nudged him. +</p> +<p> + "Pay it, Ken," she whispered. +</p> +<p> + "Very well, Mr. Marshall," said he, "I accept your terms." +</p> +<p> + The check was written and handed over, and Marshall took the forged + check from his safe and delivered it, with the other papers in the case, + to Mr. Forbes. He also wrote a note to his lawyer directing him to + withdraw the prosecution. +</p> +<p> + Kenneth and Beth went away quite happy with their success, and the + manager stood in his little window and watched them depart. There was a + grim smile of amusement on his shrewd face. +</p> +<p> + "Of all the easy marks I ever encountered," muttered Mr. Marshall, "this + young Forbes is the easiest. Why, he's a fool, that's what he is. He + might have had that forged check for the face of it, if he'd been sharp. + You wouldn't catch 'Rast Hopkins doing such a fool stunt. Not in a + thousand years!" +</p> +<p> + Meantime Beth was pressing Kenneth's arm as she sat beside him and + saying happily: +</p> +<p> + "I'm so glad, Ken—so glad! And to think we can save all that misery and + despair by the payment of a hundred and fifty dollars! And now we must + find the girl." +</p> +<p> + "Yes," replied the boy, cheerfully, "we must find Lucy." +</p> +<a name="CH11"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<h2> + CHAPTER XI +</h2> +<center> + A MYSTERIOUS DISAPPEARANCE +</center> +<p> + A woman was sitting in a low room, engaged in knitting. Her feet were + stretched out toward a small fire that smouldered in an open hearth. She + wore a simple calico gown, neat and well-fitting, and her face bore + traces of much beauty that time and care had been unable wholly to + efface. +</p> +<p> + Suddenly she paused in her work, her head turned slightly to one side to + listen. +</p> +<p> + "Come in, sir," she called in a soft but distinct voice; "come in, + miss." +</p> +<p> + So Kenneth and Beth entered at the half-open porch door and advanced + into the room. +</p> +<p> + "Is this Mrs. Rogers?" asked Beth, looking at the woman curiously. The + woman's eyes were closed, but the lashes fell in graceful dark curves + over her withered cheeks. The girl wondered how she had been able to + know her visitors' sex so accurately. +</p> +<p> + "Yes, I am Mrs. Rogers," said the sweet, sad voice. "And I think you are + one of the young ladies from Elmhurst—perhaps the one Will talked to." +</p> +<p> + "You are right, Mrs. Rogers. I am Elizabeth DeGraf." +</p> +<p> + "And your companion—is it Mr. Forbes?" the woman asked. +</p> +<p> + "Yes, madam," replied Kenneth, astonished to find Will's wife speaking + with so much refinement and gracious ease. +</p> +<p> + "You are very welcome. Will you please find seats? My affliction renders + me helpless, as you may see." +</p> +<p> + "We are very comfortable, I assure you, Mrs. Rogers," said Beth. "We + have come to ask if you have heard anything of your daughter." +</p> +<p> + "Not a word as yet, Miss DeGraf, Will is out with the horse and buggy + doing his best to get information. But Lucy has been gone so long now + that I realize it will be difficult to find her, if, indeed, the poor + girl has not—is not—" +</p> +<p> + Her voice broke. +</p> +<p> + "Oh, you don't fear <i>that</i>, do you, Mrs. Rogers?" asked Beth, quickly. +</p> +<p> + "I fear anything—everything!" wailed the poor creature, the tears + streaming from between her closed lids. "My darling was frantic with + grief, and she couldn't bear the humiliation and disgrace of her + position. Will told you, didn't he?" +</p> +<p> + "Yes, of course. But it wasn't so bad, Mrs. Rogers; it wasn't a + desperate condition, by any means." +</p> +<p> + "With poor Tom in prison for years—and just for trying to help her." +</p> +<p> + "Tom isn't in prison, you know, any more," said Beth quietly. "He has + been released." +</p> +<p> + "Released! When?" +</p> +<p> + "Last evening. His fault has been forgiven, and he is now free." +</p> +<p> + The woman sat silent for a time. Then she asked: +</p> +<p> + "You have done this, Mr. Forbes?" +</p> +<p> + "Why, Miss DeGraf and I assisted, perhaps. The young man is not really + bad, and—" +</p> +<p> + "Tom's a fine boy!" she cried, with eagerness. "He's honest and true, + Mr. Forbes—he is, indeed!" +</p> +<p> + "I think so," said Kenneth. +</p> +<p> + "If he wasn't my Lucy would never have loved him. He had a bright future + before him, sir, and that's why my child went mad when he ruined his + life for her sake." +</p> +<p> + "Was she mad, do you think?" asked Beth, softly. +</p> +<p> + "She must have been," said the mother, sadly. "Lucy was a sensible girl, + and until this thing happened she was as bright and cheerful as the day + is long. But she is very sensitive—she inherited that from me, I + think—and Tom's action drove her distracted. At first she raved and + rambled incoherently, and Will and I feared brain fever would set in. + Then she disappeared in the night, without leaving a word or message for + us, which was unlike her—and we've never heard a word of her since. + The—the river has a strange fascination for people in that condition. + At times in my life it has almost drawn <i>me</i> into its depths—and I am + not mad. I have never been mad." +</p> +<p> + "Let us hope for the best, Mrs. Rogers," said Beth. "Somehow, I have an + idea this trouble will all turn out well in the end." +</p> +<p> + "Have you?" asked the woman, earnestly. +</p> +<p> + "Yes. It all came about through such a little thing—merely an unjust + accusation." +</p> +<p> + "The little things are the ones that ruin lives," she said. "Will you + let me tell you something of myself? You have been so kind to us, my + dear, that I feel you ought to know." +</p> +<p> + "I shall be glad to know whatever you care to tell me," said Beth, + simply. +</p> +<p> + "I am the wife of a poor farmer," began the woman, speaking softly and + with some hesitation, but gaining strength as she proceeded. "As a girl + I was considered attractive, and my father was a man of great wealth and + social standing. We lived in Baltimore. Then I fell in love with a young + man who, after obtaining my promise to marry him, found some one he + loved better and carelessly discarded me. As I have said, I have a + sensitive nature. In my girlhood I was especially susceptible to any + slight, and this young man's heartless action made it impossible for me + to remain at home and face the humiliation he had thrust upon me. My + father was a hard man, and demanded that I marry the man he had himself + chosen; but I resented this command and ran away. My mother had passed + on long before, and there was nothing to keep me at home. I came west + and secured a position to teach school in this county, and for a time I + was quite contented and succeeded in living down my disappointment. I + heard but once from my father. He had married again and disinherited me. + He forbade me to ever communicate with him again. +</p> +<p> + "At that time Will Rogers was one of the most promising and manly of the + country lads around here. He was desperately in love with me, and at + this period, when I seemed completely cut off from my old life and the + future contained no promise, I thought it best to wear out the remainder + of my existence in the seclusion of a farm-house. I put all the past + behind me, and told Will Rogers I would marry him and be a faithful + wife; but that my heart was dead. He accepted me on that condition, and + it was not until after we were married some time that my husband + realized how impossible it would ever be to arouse my affection. Then he + lost courage, and became careless and reckless. When our child came—our + Lucy—Will was devoted to her, and the baby wakened in me all the old + passionate capacity to love. Lucy drew Will and me a little closer + together, but he never recovered his youthful ambition. He was a + disappointed man, and went from bad to worse. I don't say Will hasn't + always been tender and true to me, and absolutely devoted to Lucy. But + he lost all hope of being loved as he loved me, and the disappointment + broke him down. He became an old man early in life, and his lack of + energy kept us very poor. I used to take in sewing before the accident + to my eyes, and that helped a good deal to pay expenses. But now I am + helpless, and my husband devotes all his time to me, although I beg him + to work the farm and try to earn some money. +</p> +<p> + "I wouldn't have minded the poverty; I wouldn't mind being blind, even, + if Lucy had been spared to me. I have had to bear so much in my life + that I could even bear my child's death. But to have her disappear and + not know what has become of her—whether she is living miserably or + lying at the bottom of the river—it is this that is driving me + distracted." +</p> +<p> + Kenneth and Beth remained silent for a time after Mrs. Rogers had + finished her tragic story, for their hearts were full of sympathy for + the poor woman. It was hard to realize that a refined, beautiful and + educated girl had made so sad a mistake of her life and suffered so many + afflictions as a consequence. That old Will had never been a fitting + mate for his wife could readily be understood, and yet the man was still + devoted to his helpless, unresponsive spouse. The fault was not his. +</p> +<p> + The boy and the girl both perceived that there was but one way they + could assist Mrs. Rogers, and that was to discover what had become of + her child. +</p> +<p> + "Was Lucy like you, or did she resemble her father?" asked Beth. +</p> +<p> + "She is—she was very like me when I was young," replied the woman. + "There is a photograph of her on the wall there between the windows; but + it was taken five years ago, when she was a child. Now she is—she was + eighteen, and a well-developed young woman." +</p> +<p> + "I've been looking at the picture," said Kenneth. +</p> +<p> + "And you mustn't think of her as dead, Mrs. Rogers," said Beth, + pleadingly. "I'm sure she is alive, and that we shall find her. We're + going right to work, and everything possible shall be done to trace your + daughter. Don't worry, please. Be as cheerful as you can, and leave the + search to us." +</p> +<p> + The woman sighed. +</p> +<p> + "Will believes she is alive, too," she said. "He can't sleep or rest + till he finds her, for my husband loves her as well as I do. But + sometimes I feel it's wicked to hope she is alive. I know what she + suffers, for I suffered, myself; and life isn't worth living when + despair and disappointment fills it." +</p> +<p> + "I cannot see why Lucy shouldn't yet be happy," protested Beth. "Tom + Gates is now free, and can begin life anew." +</p> +<p> + "His trouble will follow him everywhere," said Mrs. Rogers, with + conviction. "Who will employ a bookkeeper, or even a clerk who has been + guilty of forgery?" +</p> +<p> + "I think I shall give him employment," replied Kenneth. +</p> +<p> + "You, Mr. Forbes!" +</p> +<p> + "Yes. I'm not afraid of a boy who became a criminal to save the girl he + loved." +</p> +<p> + "But all the world knows of his crime!" she exclaimed. +</p> +<p> + "The world forgets these things sooner than you suppose," he answered. + "I need a secretary, and in that position Tom Gates will quickly be able + to live down this unfortunate affair. And if he turns out as well as I + expect, he will soon be able to marry Lucy and give her a comfortable + home. So now nothing remains but to find your girl, and we'll try to do + that, I assure you." +</p> +<p> + Mrs. Rogers was crying softly by this time, but it was from joy and + relief. When they left her she promised to be as cheerful as possible + and to look on the bright side of life. +</p> +<p> + "I can't thank you," she said, "so I won't try. You must know how + grateful we are to you." +</p> +<p> + As Beth and Kenneth drove back to Elmhurst they were both rather silent, + for they had been strongly affected by the scene at the farm-house. +</p> +<p> + "It's so good of you, Ken, to take Tom Gates into your employ," said the + girl, pressing her cousin's arm. "And I'm sure he'll be true and + grateful." +</p> +<p> + "I really need him, Beth," said the boy. "There is getting to be too + much correspondence for Mr. Watson to attend to, and I ought to relieve + him of many other details. It's a good arrangement, and I'm glad I + thought of it." +</p> +<p> + They had almost reached Elmhurst when they met the Honorable Erastus + Hopkins driving along the road. On the seat beside him was a young girl, + and as the vehicles passed each other Beth gave a start and clung to the + boy's arm. +</p> +<p> + "Oh, Ken!" she cried, "did you see? Did you see that?" +</p> +<p> + "Yes; it's my respected adversary." +</p> +<p> + "But the girl! It's Lucy—I'm sure it's Lucy! She's the living image of + Mrs. Rogers! Stop—stop—and let's go back!" +</p> +<p> + "Nonsense, Beth," said the boy. "It can't be." +</p> +<p> + "But it is. I'm sure it is!" +</p> +<p> + "I saw the girl," he said. "She was laughing gaily and talking with the + Honorable Erastus. Is that your idea of the mad, broken-hearted Lucy + Rogers?" +</p> +<p> + "N-no. She <i>was</i> laughing, Ken, I noticed it." +</p> +<p> + "And she wasn't unhappy a bit. You mustn't think that every pretty girl + with dark eyes you meet is Lucy Rogers, you know. And there's another + thing." +</p> +<p> + "What, Ken?" +</p> +<p> + "Any companion of Mr. Hopkins can be easily traced." +</p> +<p> + "That's true," answered the girl, thoughtfully. "I must have been + mistaken," she added, with a sigh. +</p> +<a name="CH12"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<h2> + CHAPTER XII +</h2> +<center> + BETH MEETS A REBUFF +</center> +<p> + The campaign was now growing warm. Mr. Hopkins had come to realize that + he had "the fight of his life" on his hands, and that defeat meant his + political ruin. Close-fisted and miserly as he was, no one knew so well + as the Honorable Erastus how valuable this position of Representative + was to him in a financial way, and that by winning re-election he could + find means to reimburse himself for all he had expended in the fight. + So, to the surprise of the Democratic Committee and all his friends, Mr. + Hopkins announced that he would oppose Forbes's aggressive campaign with + an equal aggressiveness, and spend as many dollars in doing so as might + be necessary. +</p> +<p> + He did not laugh at his opponents any longer. To himself he admitted + their shrewdness and activity and acknowledged that an experienced head + was managing their affairs. +</p> +<p> + One of Mr. Hopkins's first tasks after calling his faithful henchmen + around him was to make a careful canvass of the voters of his district, + to see what was still to be accomplished. +</p> +<p> + This canvass was quite satisfactory, for final report showed only about + a hundred majority for Forbes. The district was naturally Republican by + six hundred majority, and Hopkins had previously been elected by a + plurality of eighty-three; so that all the electioneering of the girl + politicians, and the expenditure of vast sums of money in painting + fences and barns, buying newspapers and flaunting Forbes banners in the + breezes, had not cut into the Hopkins following to any serious extent. +</p> +<p> + But, to offset this cheering condition, the Democratic agents who made + the canvass reported that there was an air of uncertainty throughout the + district, and that many of those who declared for Hopkins were lukewarm + and faint-hearted, and might easily be induced to change their votes. + This was what must be prevented. The "weak-kneed" contingency must be + strengthened and fortified, and a couple of hundred votes in one way or + another secured from the opposition. +</p> +<p> + The Democratic Committee figured out a way to do this. Monroe County, + where both Forbes and Hopkins resided, was one of the Democratic + strongholds of the State. The portions of Washington and Jefferson + Counties included in the Eighth District were as strongly Republican, + and being more populous gave to the district its natural Republican + majority. On the same ticket that was to elect a Representative to the + State Legislature was the candidate for Sheriff of Monroe County. A man + named Cummings was the Republican and Seth Reynolds, the liveryman, the + Democratic nominee. Under ordinary conditions Reynolds was sure to be + elected, but the Committee proposed to sacrifice him in order to elect + Hopkins. The Democrats would bargain with the Republicans to vote for + the Republican Sheriff if the Republicans would vote for the Democratic + Representative. This "trading votes," which was often done, was + considered by the politicians quite legitimate. The only thing necessary + was to "fix" Seth Reynolds, and this Hopkins arranged personally. The + office of Sheriff would pay about two thousand a year, and this sum + Hopkins agreed to pay the liveryman and so relieve him of all the + annoyance of earning it. +</p> +<p> + Reynolds saw the political necessity of this sacrifice, and consented + readily to the arrangement. Mr. Cummings, who was to profit by the deal, + was called to a private consultation and agreed to slaughter Kenneth + Forbes to secure votes for himself. It was thought that this clever + arrangement would easily win the fight for Hopkins. +</p> +<p> + But the Honorable Erastus had no intention of "taking chances," or + "monkeying with fate," as he tersely expressed it. Every scheme known to + politicians must be worked, and none knew the intricate game better than + Hopkins. This was why he held several long conferences with his friend + Marshall, the manager at the mill. And this was why Kenneth and Beth + discovered him conversing with the young woman in the buggy. Mr. Hopkins + had picked her up from the path leading from the rear gate of the + Elmhurst grounds, and she had given him accurate information concerning + the movements of the girl campaigners. The description she gave of the + coming reception to the Woman's Political League was so humorous and + diverting that they were both laughing heartily over the thing when the + young people passed them, and thus Mr. Hopkins failed to notice who the + occupants of the other vehicle were. +</p> +<p> + He talked for an hour with the girl, gave her explicit instructions, + thrust some money into her hand, and then drove her back to the bend in + the path whence she quickly made her way up to the great house. +</p> +<p> + Louise was making great preparations to entertain the Woman's Political + League, an organization she had herself founded, the members of which + were wives of farmers in the district. These women were flattered by the + attention of the young lady and had promised to assist in electing Mr. + Forbes. Louise hoped for excellent results from this organization and + wished the entertainment to be so effective in winning their good-will + that they would work earnestly for the cause in which they were + enlisted. +</p> +<p> + Patsy and Beth supported their cousin loyally and assisted in the + preparations. The Fairview band was engaged to discourse as much harmony + as it could produce, and the resources of the great house were taxed to + entertain the guests. Tables were spread on the lawn and a dainty but + substantial repast was to be served. +</p> +<p> + The day of the entertainment was as sunny and mild as heart could + desire. +</p> +<p> + By ten o'clock the farm wagons began to drive up, loaded with women and + children, for all were invited except the grown men. This was the first + occasion within a generation when such an entertainment had been given + at Elmhurst, and the only one within the memory of man where the + neighbors and country people had been invited guests. So all were eager + to attend and enjoy the novel event. +</p> +<p> + The gardens and grounds were gaily decorated with Chinese and Japanese + lanterns, streamers and Forbes banners. There were great tanks of + lemonade, and tables covered with candies and fruits for the children, + and maids and other servants distributed the things and looked after the + comfort of the guests. The band played briskly, and before noon the + scene was one of great animation. A speakers' stand, profusely + decorated, had been erected on the lawn, and hundreds of folding chairs + provided for seats. The attendance was unexpectedly large, and the girls + were delighted, foreseeing great success for their fjte. +</p> +<p> + "We ought to have more attendants, Beth," said Louise, approaching her + cousin. "Won't you run into the house and see if Martha can't spare one + or two more maids?" +</p> +<p> + Beth went at once, and found the housekeeper in her little room. Martha + was old and somewhat feeble in body, but her mind was still active and + her long years of experience in directing the household at Elmhurst made + her a very useful and important personage. She was very fond of the + young ladies, whom she had known when Aunt Jane was the mistress here, + and Beth was her especial favorite. +</p> +<p> + So she greeted the girl cordially, and said: +</p> +<p> + "Maids? My dear, I haven't another one to give you, and my legs are too + tottering to be of any use. I counted on Eliza Parsons, the new girl I + hired for the linen room and to do mending; but Eliza said she had a + headache this morning and couldn't stand the sun, So I let her off. But + she didn't seem very sick to me." +</p> +<p> + "Perhaps she is better and will help us until after the luncheon is + served," said Beth. "Where is she, Martha? I'll go and ask her." +</p> +<p> + "I'd better show you the way, miss. She's in her own room." +</p> +<p> + The housekeeper led the way and Beth followed. When she rapped upon the + door, a sweet, quiet voice said: +</p> +<p> + "Come in." +</p> +<p> + The girl entered, and gave an involuntary cry of surprise. Standing + before her was the young girl she had seen riding with Mr. Hopkins—the + girl she had declared to be the missing daughter of Mrs. Rogers. +</p> +<p> + For a moment Beth stood staring, while the new maid regarded her with + composure and a slight smile upon her beautiful face. She was dressed in + the regulation costume of the maids at Elmhurst, a plain black gown with + white apron and cap. +</p> +<p> + "I—I beg your pardon," said Beth, with a slight gasp; for the likeness + to Mrs. Rogers was something amazing. "Aren't you Lucy Rogers?" +</p> +<p> + The maid raised her eyebrows with a gesture of genuine surprise. Then + she gave a little laugh, and replied: +</p> +<p> + "No, Miss Beth. I'm Elizabeth Parsons." +</p> +<p> + "But it can't be," protested the girl. "How do you know my name, and why + haven't I seen you here before?" +</p> +<p> + "I'm not a very important person at Elmhurst," replied Eliza, in a + pleasant, even tone. "I obtained the situation only a few days ago. I + attend to the household mending, you know, and care for the linen. But + one can't be here without knowing the names of the young ladies, so I + recognize you as Miss Beth, one of Mr. Forbes's cousins." +</p> +<p> + "You speak like an educated person," said Beth, wonderingly. "Where is + your home?" +</p> +<p> + For the first time the maid seemed a little confused, and her gaze + wandered from the face of her visitor. +</p> +<p> + "Will you excuse my answering that question?" she asked. +</p> +<p> + "It is very simple and natural," persisted Beth. "Why cannot you answer + it?" +</p> +<p> + "Excuse me, please. I—I am not well today. I have a headache." +</p> +<p> + She sat down in a rocking chair, and clasping her hands in her lap, + rocked slowly back and forth. +</p> +<p> + "I'm sorry," said Beth. "I hoped you would be able to assist me on the + lawn. There are so many people that we can't give them proper + attention." +</p> +<p> + Eliza Parsons shook her head. +</p> +<p> + "I am not able," she declared. "I abhor crowds. They—they excite me, in + some way, and I—I can't bear them. You must excuse me." +</p> +<p> + Beth looked at the strange girl without taking the hint to retire. + Somehow, she could not rid herself of the impression that whether or not + she was mistaken in supposing Eliza to be the missing Lucy, she had + stumbled upon a sphinx whose riddle was well worth solving. +</p> +<p> + But Eliza bore the scrutiny with quiet unconcern. She even seemed mildly + amused at the attention she attracted. Beth was a beautiful girl—the + handsomest of the three cousins, by far; yet Eliza surpassed her in + natural charm, and seemed well aware of the fact. Her manner was neither + independent nor assertive, but rather one of well-bred composure and + calm reliance. Beth felt that she was intruding and knew that she ought + to go; yet some fascination held her to the spot. Her eyes wandered to + the maid's hands. However her features and form might repress any + evidence of nervousness, these hands told a different story. The thin + fingers clasped and unclasped in little spasmodic jerks and belied the + quiet smile upon the face above them. +</p> +<p> + "I wish," said Beth, slowly, "I knew you." +</p> +<p> + A sudden wave of scarlet swept over Eliza's face. She rose quickly to + her feet, with an impetuous gesture that made her visitor catch her + breath. +</p> +<p> + "I wish I knew myself," she cried, fiercely. "Why do you annoy me in + this manner? What am I to you? Will you leave me alone in my own room, + or must I go away to escape you?" +</p> +<p> + "I will go," said Beth, a little frightened at the passionate appeal. +</p> +<p> + Eliza closed the door behind her with a decided slam, and a key clicked + in the lock. The sound made Beth indignant, and she hurried back to + where her cousins were busy with the laughing, chattering throng of + visitors. +</p> +<a name="CH13"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<h2> + CHAPTER XIII +</h2> +<center> + THE BOOMERANG +</center> +<p> + The lawn fjte was a tremendous success, and every farmer's wife was + proud of her satin badge bearing the monogram: "W. P. L.," and the + words: "FORBES FOR REPRESENTATIVE." +</p> +<p> + Certain edibles, such as charlotte-russe, Spanish cream, wine jellies + and mousses, to say nothing of the caviars and anchovies, were wholly + unknown to them; but they ate the dainties with a wise disregard of + their inexperience and enjoyed them immensely. +</p> +<p> + The old butler was a general in his way, and in view of the fact that + the staff of servants at Elmhurst was insufficient to cope with such a + throng, he allowed Louise to impress several farmers' daughters into + service, and was able to feed everyone without delay and in an abundant + and satisfactory manner. +</p> +<p> + After luncheon began the speech-making, interspersed with music by the + band. +</p> +<p> + Louise made the preliminary address, and, although her voice was not + very strong, the silent attention of her hearers permitted her to be + generally understood. +</p> +<p> + She called attention to the fact that this campaign was important + because it promised more beautiful and attractive houses for the farmers + and townsmen alike. +</p> +<p> + "We had all grown so accustomed to advertising signs," she said, "that + we failed to notice how thick they were becoming or how bold and + overpowering. From a few scattered announcements on fence boards, they + had crowded themselves into more prominent places until the barns and + sheds and the very rocks were daubed with glaring letters asking us to + buy the medicines, soaps, tobaccos, and other wares the manufacturers + were anxious to sell. Every country road became an advertising avenue. + Scarcely a country house was free from signs of some sort. Yet the + people tamely submitted to this imposition because they knew no way to + avoid it. When Mr. Forbes began his campaign to restore the homesteads + to their former beauty and dignity, a cry was raised against him. But + this was because the farmers did not understand how much this reform + meant to them. So we gave them an object lesson. We painted out all the + signs in this section at our own expense, that you might see how much + more beautiful your homes are without them. We believe that none of you + will ever care to allow advertising signs on your property again, and + that the quiet refinement of this part of the country will induce many + other places to follow our example, until advertisers are forced to + confine themselves to newspapers, magazines and circulars, their only + legitimate channels. This much Mr. Forbes has already done for you, and + he will now tell you what else, if he is elected, he proposes to do." +</p> +<p> + Kenneth then took the platform and was welcomed with a hearty cheer. He + modestly assured them that a Representative in the State Legislature + could accomplish much good for his district if he honestly desired to do + so. That was what a Representative was for—to represent his people. It + was folly to elect any man who would forget that duty and promote only + his own interests through the position of power to which the people had + appointed him. Mr. Forbes admitted that he had undertaken this campaign + because he was opposed to offensive advertising signs; but now he had + become interested in other issues, and was anxious to be elected so that + he could carry on the work of reform. They needed more school-houses for + their children, and many other things which he hoped to provide as their + Representative. +</p> +<p> + During this oration Beth happened to glance up at the house, and her + sharp eyes detected the maid, Eliza, standing shielded behind the + half-closed blind of an upper window and listening to, as well as + watching, the proceedings below. Then she remembered how the girl had + been laughing and talking with Mr. Hopkins, when she first saw her, and + with sudden dismay realized that Eliza was a spy in the service of the + enemy. +</p> +<p> + Her first impulse was to denounce the maid at once, and have her + discharged; but the time was not opportune, so she waited until the + festivities were ended. +</p> +<p> + It had been a great day for the families of the neighboring farmers, and + they drove homeward in the late afternoon full of enthusiasm over the + royal manner in which they had been entertained and admiration for the + girls who had provided the fun and feasting. Indeed, there were more + kindly thoughts expressed for the inhabitants of Elmhurst than had ever + before been heard in a single day in the history of the county, and the + great and the humble seemed more closely drawn together. +</p> +<p> + When the last guest had departed Beth got her cousins and Kenneth + together and told them of her discovery of the spy. +</p> +<p> + Kenneth was at first greatly annoyed, and proposed to call Martha and + have the false maid ejected from the premises; but Patsy's wise little + head counselled caution in handling the matter. +</p> +<p> + "Now that we know her secret," she said, "the girl cannot cause us more + real harm, and there may be a way to circumvent this unscrupulous + Hopkins and turn the incident to our own advantage. Let's think it over + carefully before we act." +</p> +<p> + "There's another thing," said Beth, supporting her cousin. "I'm + interested in the mystery surrounding the girl. I now think I was wrong + in suspecting her to be the lost Lucy Rogers; but there is surely some + romance connected with her, and she is not what she seems to be. I'd + like to study her a little." +</p> +<p> + "It was absurd to connect her with Lucy Rogers," observed Kenneth, "for + there is nothing in her character to remind one of the unhappy girl." +</p> +<p> + "Except her looks," added Beth. "She's the living image of Mrs. Rogers." +</p> +<p> + "That isn't important," replied Louise. "It is probably a mere + coincidence. None of us have ever seen the real Lucy, and she may not + resemble her mother at all." +</p> +<p> + "Mrs. Rogers claims she does," said Beth. "But anyhow, I have a wish to + keep this girl at the house, where I can study her character." +</p> +<p> + "Then keep her, my dear," decided Kenneth. "I'll set a couple of men to + watch the gates, and if she goes out we'll know whom she meets. The most + she can do is to report our movements to Mr. Hopkins, and there's no + great harm in that." +</p> +<p> + So the matter was left, for the time; and as if to verify Beth's + suspicions Eliza was seen to leave the grounds after dusk and meet Mr. + Hopkins in the lane. They conversed together a few moments, and then the + maid calmly returned and went to her room. +</p> +<p> + The next day Mr. Hopkins scattered flaring hand-bills over the district + which were worded in a way designed to offset any advantage his opponent + had gained from the lawn fjte of the previous day. They read: "Hopkins, + the Man of the Times, is the Champion of the Signs of the Times. Forbes, + who never earned a dollar in his life, but inherited his money, is + trying to take the dollars out of the pockets of the farmers by + depriving them of the income derived by selling spaces for advertising + signs. He is robbing the farmers while claiming he wants to beautify + their homes. The farmers can't eat beauty; they want money. Therefore + they are going to vote for the Honorable Erastus Hopkins for + Representative." Then followed an estimate of the money paid the farmers + of the district by the advertisers during the past five years, amounting + to several thousands of dollars in the aggregate. The circular ended in + this way: "Hopkins challenges Forbes to deny these facts. Hopkins is + willing to meet Forbes before the public at any time and place he may + select, to settle this argument in joint debate." +</p> +<p> + The girls accepted the challenge at once. Within two days every farmer + had received a notice that Mr. Forbes would meet Mr. Hopkins at the + Fairview Opera House on Saturday afternoon to debate the question as to + whether advertising signs brought good or evil to the community. +</p> +<p> + The campaign was now getting hot. Because of the activity of the + opposing candidates every voter in the district had become more or less + interested in the fight, and people were taking one side or the other + with unusual earnestness. +</p> +<p> + Mr. Hopkins was not greatly pleased that his challenge had been + accepted. He had imagined that the Forbes party would ignore it and + leave him the prestige of crowing over his opponent's timidity. But he + remembered how easily he had subdued Kenneth at the school-house meeting + before the nominations, and had no doubt of his ability to repeat the + operation. +</p> +<p> + He was much incensed against the girls who were working for Kenneth + Forbes, for he realized that they were proving an important factor in + the campaign. He even attributed to them more than they deserved, for + Uncle John's telling activities were so quietly conducted that he was + personally lost sight of entirely by Mr. Hopkins. +</p> +<p> + Mr. Hopkins had therefore become so enraged that, against the advice of + his friends, he issued a circular sneering at "Women in Politics." The + newspapers having been subsidized by the opposition so early in the + game, Mr. Hopkins had driven to employ the circular method of + communicating with the voters. Scarcely a day passed now that his corps + of distributors did not leave some of his literature at every dwelling + in the district. +</p> +<p> + His tirade against the girls was neither convincing nor in good taste. + He asked the voters if they were willing to submit to "petticoat + government," and permit a "lot of boarding-school girls, with more + boldness than modesty" to dictate the policies of the community. "These + frizzle-headed females," continued the circular, "are trying to make + your wives and daughters as rebellious and unreasonable as they are + themselves; but no man of sense will permit a woman to influence his + vote. It is a disgrace to this district that Mr. Forbes allows his + girlish campaign to be run by a lot of misses who should be at home + darning stockings; or, if they were not able to do that, practicing + their music-lessons." +</p> +<p> + "Good!" exclaimed shrewd Miss Patsy, when she read this circular. "If + I'm not much mistaken, Mr. Hopkins has thrown a boomerang. Every woman + who attended the fjte is now linked with us as an ally, and every one of + them will resent this foolish circular." +</p> +<p> + "I'm sorry," said Kenneth, "that you girls should be forced to endure + this. I feared something like it when you insisted on taking a hand in + the game." +</p> +<p> + But they laughed at him and at Mr. Hopkins, and declared they were not + at all offended. +</p> +<p> + "One cannot touch pitch without being defiled," said Mr. Watson, + gravely, "and politics, as Mr. Hopkins knows it, is little more than + pitch." +</p> +<p> + "I cannot see that there is anything my girls have done to forfeit + respect and admiration," asserted Uncle John, stoutly. "To accuse them + of boldness or immodesty is absurd. They have merely gone to work in a + business-like manner and used their wits and common-sense in educating + the voters. Really, my dears, I'm more proud of you today than I've ever + been before," he concluded. +</p> +<p> + And Uncle John was right. There had been no loss of dignity by any one + of the three, and their evident refinement, as well as their gentleness + and good humor, had until now protected them from any reproach. It had + remained for Mr. Hopkins to accuse them, and his circular had a wide + influence in determining the issue of the campaign. +</p> +<a name="CH14"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<h2> + CHAPTER XIV +</h2> +<center> + LUCY'S GHOST +</center> +<p> + Kenneth had sent word to Tom Gates, asking the young man to come to + Elmhurst, but it was not until two days after the lawn party that Tom + appeared and asked permission to see Mr. Forbes. +</p> +<p> + Beth and Louise were with Kenneth at the time, and were eager to remain + during the interview, so the young man was shown into the library. +</p> +<p> + Beth could scarcely recognize in him the calm and cheerful Tom Gates + they had visited in the county jail; for his face was drawn with care + and anxiety, eyes were bloodshot, and his former neat appearance was + changed to one careless and untidy. +</p> +<p> + Kenneth scrutinized him closely. +</p> +<p> + "What have you been up to, Tom?" he asked. +</p> +<p> + "I've been searching for Lucy, sir, night and day. I haven't slept a + wink since I heard the awful news of her sickness and escape. Where do + you think she can be, sir?" +</p> +<p> + His question was full of agonized entreaty, and his manner pitifully + appealing. +</p> +<p> + "I don't know," answered Kenneth. "Where have you searched?" +</p> +<p> + "Everywhere, sir, that she might be likely to go. I've inquired in every + town, and along every road leading out of the county. She didn't take a + train, because poor Lucy hadn't any money—and I've asked at all the + stations. And—and—along the river they say no girl answering her + description has been seen." +</p> +<p> + "It's strange," remarked Kenneth, thoughtfully, while the girls regarded + the youth with silent sympathy. +</p> +<p> + "If you knew Lucy, sir, you'd realize how strange it is," went on young + Gates, earnestly. "She was such a gentle, shrinking girl, as shy and + retiring as a child. And she never did a thing that would cause anyone + the least worry or unhappiness. But she was out of her head, sir, and + didn't know what she was about. That was the reason she went away. And + from the moment she left her home all trace of her was lost." +</p> +<p> + "One would think," observed Kenneth, "that a poor, demented girl, + wandering about the country, would be noticed by scores of people. Did + she take any clothing with her?" +</p> +<p> + "Only the dress she had on, sir, and not even a hat or a shawl." +</p> +<p> + "What was her dress like?" asked Beth, quickly. +</p> +<p> + "It was a light grey in color, and plainly made. She wore a white + collar, but that is all we can be certain she had on. You see her mother + is blind, and old Will doesn't observe very closely." +</p> +<p> + "Does Lucy resemble her mother?" inquired Beth. +</p> +<p> + "Very much, miss. She was a beautiful girl, everyone acknowledged. And + it's all my fault—all my fault. I thought to save her, and drove her + mad, instead!" +</p> +<p> + "You might have known that," declared Kenneth. "A girl of her character, + sensitive to a fault, would be greatly shocked to find the man she loved + a criminal." +</p> +<p> + "It was for her sake." +</p> +<p> + "That is a poor excuse. If you had waited Lucy would have proved her + innocence." +</p> +<p> + "They threatened to arrest her, sir. It would have killed her." +</p> +<p> + "They wouldn't dare arrest her on suspicion." +</p> +<p> + "The Squierses would dare do anything. You don't know old Mrs. Squiers." +</p> +<p> + "I know the law, sir, and in any event it was a foolish thing, as well + as criminal, to forge a check to get the money they demanded." +</p> +<p> + "You are right, sir," replied Tom Gates, despondently. "It was foolish + and criminal. I wouldn't mind my own punishment, but it drove my Lucy + mad." +</p> +<p> + "See here," said Kenneth, sternly, "you are getting morbid, young man, + and pretty soon you'll be mad yourself. If Lucy is found do you want her + to see you in this condition?" +</p> +<p> + "Can she be found, sir, do you think?" +</p> +<p> + "We are trying to find her," replied Kenneth. "You have failed, it + seems, and Will Rogers had failed. I've had one of the cleverest + detectives of Chicago trying to find her for the last three days." +</p> +<p> + "Oh, Kenneth!" exclaimed Beth. "I didn't know that. How good of you!" +</p> +<p> + "It must have been the detective that came to see Mrs. Rogers," said + Tom, musingly. "She told me a strange man had been there from Mr. + Forbes, to inquire all about Lucy." +</p> +<p> + "Yes; he makes a report to me every evening," remarked Kenneth; "and Mr. + Burke says this is the most mystifying case he has ever encountered. So + far there isn't a clew to follow. But you may rest assured that what any + man can do, Burke will do." +</p> +<p> + "I'm so grateful, sir!" said Tom. +</p> +<p> + "Then you must show it by being a man, and not by giving way to your + trouble in this foolish manner." +</p> +<p> + "I'll try, sir, now that there's something to hope for." +</p> +<p> + "There's a good deal to hope for. Despair won't help you. You must go to + work." +</p> +<p> + "I will. It won't be very easy to get work, for I've disgraced myself in + this neighborhood, and I can't leave here till something is known of + Lucy's fate. But I'll do something—any kind of work—if I can get it." +</p> +<p> + "I need someone to assist me in my correspondence," said Kenneth. "Would + you like to be my secretary?" +</p> +<p> + "Me, Mr. Forbes—me!" +</p> +<p> + "Yes, Tom. I'll pay you twenty dollars a week to start with, and more if + you serve me faithfully. And you'll board here, of course." +</p> +<p> + Then Tom Gates broke down and began to cry like a child, although he + tried hard to control himself. +</p> +<p> + "You—you must forgive me, Mr. Forbes," he said, penitently; "I—I've + been without sleep for so long that I haven't any nerves left." +</p> +<p> + "Then you must go to sleep now, and get a good rest." He turned to Beth. + "Will you see Martha," he asked, "and have her give Tom Gates a room?" +</p> +<p> + She went on her errand at once, and gradually the young man recovered + his composure. +</p> +<p> + "I can do typewriting and stenography, Mr. Forbes," he said, "and I can + keep accounts. I'll serve you faithfully, sir." +</p> +<p> + "We'll talk of all this by and by, Tom," replied Kenneth, kindly. "Just + now you must have some sleep and get your strength back. And don't worry + about Lucy. Burke will do everything that can be done, and I am + confident he will be able to trace the girl in time." +</p> +<p> + "Thank you, sir." +</p> +<p> + Then he followed the butler away to his room, and after the girls had + discussed him and expressed their sympathy for the unfortunate fellow, + they all turned their attention to the important matter of the campaign. + The debate with Hopkins was the thing that occupied them just now, and + when Patsy joined the group of workers they began to discuss some means + of scoring a decisive victory at the Fairview Opera House. The Honorable + Erastus still insisted upon making the anti-sign fight the prominent + issue of the campaign, and they must reply forcibly to the misleading + statements made in his last hand-bill. +</p> +<p> + Meantime Tom Gates was sunk in the deep sleep of physical exhaustion, + and the day wore away before he wakened. When at last he regained + consciousness he found the sun sinking in the west and feared he had + been guilty of indiscretion. He remembered that he was Mr. Forbes's + secretary now, and that Mr. Forbes might want him. He was not yet + thoroughly rested, but night was approaching and he reflected that he + could obtain all the sleep that he needed then. +</p> +<p> + So, greatly refreshed, and in a quieter mood than he had been for days, + the young man dressed and entered the hall to find his way downstairs. +</p> +<p> + It happened that Beth, whose room was near this rear corridor, had just + gone there to dress for dinner, and as she was closing her door she + heard a wild, impassioned cry: +</p> +<p> + "Lucy!" +</p> +<p> + Quickly she sprang out into the hall and turned the corner in time to + see a strange tableau. +</p> +<p> + Young Gates was standing with his arms outstretched toward Eliza + Parsons, who, a few paces away, had her back to the door of her own + chamber, from which she had evidently just stepped. She stood + motionless, looking curiously at the youth who confronted her. +</p> +<p> + "Lucy! don't you know me?" he asked, his voice trembling with emotion. +</p> +<p> + "To begin with," said the girl, composedly, "my name happens to be + Eliza. And as we've not been properly introduced I really don't see why + I should know you," she added, with a light laugh. +</p> +<p> + Tom Gates shrank away from her as if he had been struck. +</p> +<p> + "You can't be Lucy!" he murmured. "And yet—and yet—oh, you <i>must</i> be + Lucy! You must know me! Look at me, dear—I'm Tom. I'm your own Tom, + Lucy!" +</p> +<p> + "It's very gratifying, I'm sure, young man," said the girl, a touch of + scorn in her tones. "If you're my own Tom you'll perhaps stand out of my + way and let me go to my work." +</p> +<p> + Without another word he backed up again; the wall and permitted her to + sweep by him, which she did with a gesture of disdain. +</p> +<p> + When Eliza Parsons had disappeared down the back stairs Beth drew a long + breath and approached Tom Gates, who still stood by the wall staring at + the place where the girl had disappeared. +</p> +<p> + "I overheard," said Beth. "Tell me, Tom, is she really like Lucy?" +</p> +<p> + He looked at her with a dazed expression, as if he scarcely comprehended + her words. +</p> +<p> + "Could you have been mistaken?" persisted the questioner. +</p> +<p> + He passed his hand over his eyes and gave a shudder. +</p> +<p> + "Either it was Lucy or her ghost," he muttered. +</p> +<p> + "Eliza Parsons is no ghost," declared Beth. "She's one of the maids here + at Elmhurst, and you're quite likely to see her again." +</p> +<p> + "Has she been here long?" he asked, eagerly. +</p> +<p> + "No; only a few days." +</p> +<p> + "Oh!" +</p> +<p> + "When I first saw her I was struck by her resemblance to Mrs. Rogers," + continued the girl. +</p> +<p> + "But she's so different," said Tom, choking back a sob. "Lucy couldn't + be so—so airy, so heartless. She isn't at all that style of a girl, + miss." +</p> +<p> + "She may be acting," suggested Beth. +</p> +<p> + But he shook his head gloomily. +</p> +<p> + "No; Lucy couldn't act that way. She's quick and impulsive, but she—she + couldn't act. And she wouldn't treat me that way, either, Miss Beth. + Lucy and I have been sweethearts for years, and I know every expression + of her dear face. But the look that this girl gave me was one that my + Lucy never could assume. I must have been mistaken. I—I'm sure I was + mistaken." +</p> +<p> + Beth sighed. She was disappointed. +</p> +<p> + "I suppose," continued Tom, "that I've thought of Lucy so long and so + much, lately, and worried so over her disappearance, that I'm not quite + myself, and imagined this girl was more like her than she really is. + What did you say her name was?" +</p> +<p> + "Eliza Parsons." +</p> +<p> + "Thank you. Can you tell me where I'll find Mr. Forbes?" +</p> +<p> + "He's getting ready for dinner, now, and won't need you at present." +</p> +<p> + "Then I'll go back to my room. It—it was a great shock to me, that + likeness, Miss DeGraf." +</p> +<p> + "I can well believe it," said Beth; and then she went to her own + apartment, greatly puzzled at a resemblance so strong that it had even + deceived Lucy Rogers's own sweetheart. +</p> +<a name="CH15"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<h2> + CHAPTER XV +</h2> +<center> + SIGNS OF THE TIMES +</center> +<p> + "If she is really Lucy Rogers, she'll be missing tomorrow morning," said + Beth when she had told her cousins of the encounter in the corridor. +</p> +<p> + But Eliza Parsons was still at Elmhurst the next day, calmly pursuing + her duties, and evidently having forgotten or decided to ignore the + young man who had so curiously mistaken her for another. Beth took + occasion to watch her movements, so far as she could, and came to the + conclusion that the girl was not acting a part. She laughed naturally + and was too light-hearted and gay to harbor a care of any sort in her + frivolous mind. +</p> +<p> + But there was a mystery about her; that could not be denied. Even if she + were but a paid spy of Erastus Hopkins there was a story in this girl's + life, brief as it had been. +</p> +<p> + Beth was full of curiosity to know this story. +</p> +<p> + As for Tom Gates, he had been so horrified by his mistake that he tried + to avoid meeting Eliza again. This was not difficult because the girl + kept pretty closely to the linen room, and Tom was chiefly occupied in + the library. +</p> +<p> + Kenneth had little chance to test his secretary's abilities just then, + because the girls pounced upon the new recruit and used his services in + a variety of ways. Tom Gates's anxiety to give satisfaction made him + willing to do anything, but they refrained from sending him often to + town because he was sensitive to the averted looks and evident repulsion + of those who knew he had recently been a "jail-bird." But there was + plenty for him to do at Elmhurst, where they were all as busy as bees; + and whatever the young man undertook he accomplished in a satisfactory + manner. +</p> +<p> + Saturday forenoon the three girls, with Kenneth, Mr. Watson and Uncle + John, rode over to Fairview to prepare for the debate that was to take + place in the afternoon, leaving only Tom Gates at home. As Mr. Hopkins + had thrust upon his opponent the task of naming the place and time, the + Republican candidate was obliged to make all the arrangements, and pay + all the costs. But whatever the girl managers undertook they did well. + So the Opera House had been in the hands of a special committee for two + days, the orchestra had been hired, and the news of the joint debate had + spread far and wide. +</p> +<p> + The party from Elmhurst lunched at the Fairview Hotel, and then the + girls hurried to the Opera House while Kenneth remained to attend a + conference of the Republican Committee. These gentlemen were much + worried over the discovery of a scheme to trade votes that had been + sprung, and that Forbes and Reynolds were being sacrificed for Hopkins + and Cummings. Mr. Cummings was called into the meeting, and he denied + that the trading was being done with his consent, but defiantly refused + to make a public announcement to that effect. +</p> +<p> + The matter was really serious, because every vote lost in that way + counted as two for the other side, and Hopkins's rabid hand-bills had + influenced many of the more ignorant voters and created endless disputes + that were not of benefit to the Republican party. +</p> +<p> + "As nearly as we can figure from our recent canvass," said Mr. + Cunningham, the chairman, "we are fast losing ground, and our chances of + success are smaller than if no interest in the election had been + aroused. Hopkins has cut our majority down to nothing, and it will be a + hard struggle to carry our ticket through to success. This is the more + discouraging because Mr. Forbes has spent so much money, while Hopkins's + expenses have been very little." +</p> +<p> + "I do not mind that," said Kenneth, quietly. "It was my desire that the + voters should fully understand the issues of the campaign. Then, if they + vote against me, it is because they are not worthy of honest + representation in the Legislature, and I shall in the future leave them + to their own devices." +</p> +<p> + The committee adjourned a little before two o'clock with rather grave + faces, and prepared to attend the debate at the Opera House. Mr. + Cunningham feared this debate would prove a mistake, as it would give + Hopkins a chance to ridicule and brow-beat his opponent in public, and + his greatest talent as a speaker lay in that direction. +</p> +<p> + As Kenneth and his supporters approached the Opera House they heard loud + cheering, and from a band-wagon covered with bunting and banners, in + which he had driven to the meeting, descended the Honorable Erastus. He + met Kenneth face to face, and the latter said pleasantly: +</p> +<p> + "Good afternoon, Mr. Hopkins." +</p> +<p> + "Ah, it's Forbes, isn't it?" replied Hopkins, slightingly. "I've met you + before, somewheres, haven't I?" +</p> +<p> + "You have, sir." +</p> +<p> + "Glad you're here, Forbes; glad you're here," continued the + Representative, airily, as he made his way through the crowd that + blocked the entrance. "These meetings are educational to young men. + Girls all well, I hope?" +</p> +<p> + There was a boisterous laugh at this sally, and Mr. Hopkins smiled and + entered the Opera House, while Kenneth followed with the feeling that he + would take great delight in punching the Honorable Erastus's nose at the + first opportunity. +</p> +<p> + The house was packed full of eager spectators who had come to see "the + fun." Although the girls had taken charge of all the arrangements they + had devoted the left side of the ample stage to the use of the Hopkins + party, where a speaker's table and chairs for important guests had been + placed. The right side was similarly arranged for the Forbes party, and + between the two the entire center of the stage was occupied by a group + of fifty young girls. Above this group a great banner was suspended, + reading: "The Signs of the Times," a catchword Mr. Hopkins had employed + throughout the campaign. But the most astonishing thing was the + appearance of the group of girls. They all wore plain white slips, upon + which a variety of signs had been painted in prominent letters. Some + costumes advertised baking-powders, others patent medicines, others + soaps, chewing tobacco, breakfast foods, etc. From where they were + seated in full view of the vast audience the girls appeared as a mass of + advertising signs, and the banner above them indicated quite plainly + that these were the "Signs of the Times." +</p> +<p> + Mr. Hopkins, as he observed this scene, smiled with satisfaction. He + believed some of his friends had prepared this display to assist him and + to disconcert the opposition, for nothing could have clinched his + arguments better than the pretty young girls covered with advertisements + of well known products. Even the Eagle Eye Breakfast Food was well + represented. +</p> +<p> + After the orchestra had finished a selection, Mr. Hopkins rose to make + the first argument and was greeted with cheers. +</p> +<p> + "We are having a jolly campaign, my dear friends," he began; "but you + musn't take it altogether as a joke; because, while Mr. Forbes's erratic + views and actions have done little real harm, we have been educated to + an appreciation of certain benefits we enjoy which otherwise might have + escaped our attention. +</p> +<p> + "This is a progressive, strenuous age, and no section of the country has + progressed more rapidly than this, the Eighth District of our great and + glorious State. I may say without danger of contradiction that the + people I have the honor to represent in the State Legislature, and + expect to have the honor of representing the next term, are the most + intelligent, the most thoughtful and the most prosperous to be found in + any like district in the United States. (Cheers.) Who, then, dares to + denounce them as fools? Who dares interfere with these liberties, who + dares intrude uninvited into their premises and paint out the signs they + have permitted to occupy their fences and barns and sheds? Who would do + these things but an impertinent meddler who is so inexperienced in life + that he sets his own flimsy judgment against that of the people?" +</p> +<p> + The orator paused impressively to wait for more cheers, but the audience + was silent. In the outskirts of the crowd a faint hissing began to be + heard. It reached the speaker's ear and he hurriedly resumed the + oration. +</p> +<p> + "I do not say Mr. Forbes is not a good citizen," said he, "but that he + is misguided and unreasonable. A certain degree of deference is due the + young man because he inherited considerable wealth from his uncle, + and—" +</p> +<p> + Again the hisses began, and Mr. Hopkins knew he must abandon personal + attacks or he would himself be discredited before his hearers. Kenneth + and his supporters sat silent in their places, the three girls, who were + now well known in the district, forming part of the Republican group; + and none of them displayed the least annoyance at the vituperation Mr. + Hopkins had employed. +</p> +<p> + "I have already called your attention in my circulars," resumed the + speaker, "to the fact that advertising signs are the source of large + income to the farmers of this district. I find that three thousand, + seven hundred and eighty-three dollars have been paid the farmers in the + last five years, without the least trouble or expense on their part; and + this handsome sum of money belongs to them and should not be taken away. + Stop and think for a moment. Advertising is the life of every business, + and to fight successfully the great army of advertisers whose business + is the life-blood of our institutions is as impossible as it is absurd. + Suppose every farmer in this district refused to permit signs upon his + property; what would be the result? Why, the farmers of other sections + would get that much more money for letting privileges, and you would be + that much out of pocket without suppressing the evil—if evil can attach + to an industry that pays you good money without requiring either + investment or labor in return." +</p> +<p> + After continuing in this strain for some time, Mr. Hopkins announced + that "he would now give way to his youthful and inexperienced opponent," + and asked the audience to be patient with Mr. Forbes and considerate of + "his extraordinary prejudices." +</p> +<p> + Hopkins's policy of discrediting his opponent in advance was not very + effective, for when Kenneth arose he was more enthusiastically cheered + than Hopkins had been. The meeting was disposed to be fair-minded and + quite willing to give Mr. Forbes a chance to explain his position. +</p> +<p> + "The arguments of our distinguished Representative are well worthy of + your consideration," he began, quietly. "It is only by understanding + fully both sides of an argument that you can hope to arrive at a just + and impartial decision. Mr. Hopkins has advocated advertising signs on + the ground that your financial gain warrants permitting them to be + placed upon your premises. I will not deny his statement that three + thousand, seven hundred and eighty-three dollars have been paid the + farmers of this district by advertisers in the last five years. It is + quite likely to be true. I have here the report of the Department of + Agriculture showing that the total amount paid to farmers of the eighth + district in the last five years, for produce of all kinds, is eleven + millions, five-hundred thousand dollars." +</p> +<p> + A murmur of amazement rose from the audience. Kenneth waited until it + had subsided. +</p> +<p> + "This seems surprising, at first," he said, "and proves how startling + aggregate figures are. You must remember I have covered five years in + this estimate, as did Mr. Hopkins in his, and if you will figure it out + you will see that the yearly average of earnings is about six hundred + dollars to each farmer. That is a good showing, for we have a wealthy + district; but it is not surprising when reduced to that basis. Mr. + Hopkins slates that the farmers of this district received three + thousand, seven hundred and eighty-three dollars during the last five + years for advertising signs. Let us examine these figures. One-fifth of + that sum is seven hundred and fifty-six dollars and sixty cents as the + income to you per year. We have, in this district, twenty-five hundred + farmers according to the latest reports of the Bureau of Statistics, and + dividing seven hundred and fifty-six dollars and sixty cents by + twenty-five hundred, we find that each farmer receives an average of + thirty and one-quarter cents per year for allowing his fences and + buildings to be smothered in lurid advertising signs. So we find that + the money received by the farmers from the advertising amounts to about + one-quarter of one per cent of their income, a matter so insignificant + that it cannot affect them materially, one way or another. +</p> +<p> + "But, Mr. Hopkins states that you give nothing in return for this + one-quarter of one per cent, while I claim you pay tremendously for it. + For you sacrifice the privacy of your homes and lands, and lend + yourselves to the selfish desire of advertisers to use your property to + promote their sales. You have been given an example of clean barns and + fences, and I cannot tell you how proud I am of this district when I + ride through it and see neatly painted barns and fences replacing the + flaring and obtrusive advertising signs that formerly disfigured the + highways. Why should you paint advertising signs upon your barns any + more than upon your houses? Carry the thing a step farther, and you may + as well paint signs upon your children's dresses, in the manner you see + illustrated before you." +</p> +<p> + At this, Louise made a signal and the fifty children so grotesquely + covered with signs rose and stepped forward upon the stage. The + orchestra struck up an air and the little girls sang the following + ditty: +<br><br> + "Teas and soaps,<br> + Pills and dopes,<br> +We all must advertise.<br> + Copper cents,<br> + Not common sense.<br> +Are the things we prize.<br> + We confess<br> + Such a dress<br> +Isn't quite becoming,<br> + But we suppose<br> + Hopkins knows<br> +This keeps business humming."<br> +</p> +<p> + As the girls ceased singing, Kenneth said: +</p> +<p> + "To the encroaching advertiser these signs of + the times are considered legitimate. There is no + respect for personal privacy on the advertiser's + part. Once they used only the newspapers, the + legitimate channels for advertising. Then they + began painting their advertising on your fences. + When the farmers protested against this the advertisers + gave them a few pennies as a sop to + quiet them. After this they gave you small sums + to paint the broad sides of your barns, your + board fences, and to place signs in your field. If + you allowed them to do so they would paint signs + on the dresses of your children and wives, so + callous are they to all decency and so regardless + of private rights. Look on this picture, my + friends, and tell me, would you prefer to see this—or this?" +</p> +<p> + At the word each child pulled away the sign-painted + slip and stood arrayed in a pretty gown + of spotless white. +</p> +<p> + The surprise was so complete that the audience + cheered, shouted and laughed for several minutes + before silence was restored. Then the children + sang another verse, as follows: +<br><br> + "Now it is clear<br> + That we appear<br> +Just as we should be;<br> + We are seen<br> + Sweet and clean<br> +From corruption free:<br> + We're the signs<br> + Of the times—<br> +Fair as heaven's orbs.<br> + If we look good,<br> + Then all men should<br> +Vote for Kenneth Forbes!" +</p> +<p> + The cheering was renewed at this, and Mr. Hopkins became angry. He tried + to make himself heard, but the popular fancy had been caught by the + object lesson so cleverly placed before them, and they shouted: "Forbes! + Forbes! Forbes!" until the Honorable Erastus became so furious that he + left the meeting in disgust. +</p> +<p> + This was the most impolite thing he could have done, but he vowed that + the meeting had been "packed" with Forbes partisans and that he was + wasting his time in addressing them. +</p> +<p> + After he was gone Kenneth resumed his speech and created more + enthusiasm. The victory was certainly with the Republican candidate, and + the Elmhurst people returned home thoroughly satisfied with the result + of the "joint debate." +</p> +<a name="CH16"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<h2> + CHAPTER XVI +</h2> +<center> + A CLEW AT LAST +</center> +<p> + The servants at Elmhurst all ate in a pleasant dining room with windows + facing a garden of geraniums. Tom Gates had been at the house two days + before he encountered Eliza Parsons at the table, for the servants were + not all able to take their meals at the same time. +</p> +<p> + It was at luncheon, the day of the joint debate at Fairview, that the + young man first met Eliza, who sat opposite him. The only other person + present was old Donald, the coachman, who was rather deaf and never paid + any attention to the chatter around him. +</p> +<p> + As he took his seat Tom gave a half-frightened glance into Eliza's face + and then turned red as she smiled coquettishly and said: +</p> +<p> + "Dear me! It's the young man who called me his dear Lucy." +</p> +<p> + "You—you're very like her," stammered Tom, unable to take his eyes from + her face. "Even now I—I can't believe I'm mistaken." +</p> +<p> + She laughed merrily in a sweet, musical voice, and then suddenly stopped + with her hand on her heart and cast at him a startled look that was in + such sharp contrast to her former demeanor that he rose from his chair. +</p> +<p> + "Sit down, please," she said, slowly. And then she studied his face with + sober earnestness—with almost wistful longing. But she shook her head + presently, and sighed; and a moment later had regained her lightness of + manner. +</p> +<p> + "It's a relief to have a quiet house for a day, isn't it?" she asked, + eating her soup calmly. "I'll be glad when the election's over." +</p> +<p> + "Have you been here long?" he asked, although Beth had told him of + Eliza's coming to Elmhurst. +</p> +<p> + "Only a short time. And you?" +</p> +<p> + "Two days," said he. "But where did you live before you came here?" +</p> +<p> + She shook her head. +</p> +<p> + "I wish you would answer me," he begged. "I have a reason for asking." +</p> +<p> + "What reason?" she demanded, suddenly serious again. +</p> +<p> + "Two people have never lived that were so near alike as you and Lucy + Rogers." +</p> +<p> + "Indeed?" +</p> +<p> + "Will you show me your left arm?" +</p> +<p> + "No." +</p> +<p> + She was again studying his face. +</p> +<p> + "If you are Lucy Rogers you have a scar there—a scar where you burned + yourself years ago." +</p> +<p> + She seemed frightened for a moment. Then she said: +</p> +<p> + "I have no scar on my left arm." +</p> +<p> + "Will you prove it?" +</p> +<p> + "No. You are annoying me. What did you say your name is?" +</p> +<p> + "Tom Gates." +</p> +<p> + She was thoughtful for a moment and then shook her head. +</p> +<p> + "I have never heard of you," she declared, positively, and resumed her + eating. +</p> +<p> + Tom was nonplussed. One moment he believed she was Lucy, and the next + told himself that it was impossible. This girl possessed mannerisms that + Lucy had never exhibited in all the years he had known her. She was bold + and unabashed where Lucy was shy and unassuming. This girl's eyes + laughed, while Lucy's were grave and serious; yet they were the same + eyes. +</p> +<p> + "Let me tell you about my lost Lucy," he said, with a glance at the + unconscious Donald. +</p> +<p> + "Go ahead, if it will relieve you," she answered, demurely. +</p> +<p> + "She lived on a farm five miles from here, and she was my sweetheart. + Her mother is blind and her father old and feeble. She worked for a + dentist in the town and was accused of stealing a ring, and it nearly + broke her heart to be so unjustly suspected. In order to make good the + loss of the ring, a valuable diamond—I—I got into trouble, and Lucy + was so shocked and distressed that she—she lost her head—became mad, + you know—and left home during the night without a word to any one. We + haven't been able to find her since." +</p> +<p> + "That's too bad," remarked Eliza Parsons, buttering her bread. +</p> +<p> + "About the time that Lucy went away, you appeared at Elmhurst," + continued Tom. "And in face and form you're the image of my Lucy. That + is why I asked you to tell me where you came from and how you came + here." +</p> +<p> + "Ah, you think I'm mad, do you?" asked the girl, with a quizzical smile. + "Well, I'm not going to satisfy your curiosity, even to prove my sanity; + and I'm not anxious to pose as your lost Lucy. So please pass the sugar + and try to be sociable, instead of staring at me as if I scared you." +</p> +<p> + Tom passed the sugar, but he could not eat, nor could he tear himself + away from this strange girl's presence. He tried again to draw her into + conversation, but she showed annoyance and resented his persistence. + Presently she went away, giving him an amused smile as she left the + room—a smile that made him feel that this was indeed a case of mistaken + identity. +</p> +<p> + In fact, Tom Gates, on sober reflection, knew that the girl could not be + Lucy, yet he could not still the yearning in his heart whenever he saw + her. His heart declared that she was Lucy, and his head realized that + she could not be. +</p> +<p> + While he waited in the library for Mr. Forbes to return from Fairview a + man was shown into the room and sat down quietly in a corner. +</p> +<p> + He was a small, lean man, of unassuming appearance, with a thin face and + gray eyes set close together. When he looked at Tom Gates he scarcely + seemed to see him, and his manner conveyed the impression that he + disliked to attract notice. +</p> +<p> + "Waiting for Mr. Forbes, sir?" asked Tom. +</p> +<p> + "Yes," was the quiet reply. +</p> +<p> + Suddenly it struck the young man that this might be the detective who + called every evening to give his report, and if so Tom was anxious to + talk with him. So he ventured to say: +</p> +<p> + "It's Mr. Burke, isn't it?" +</p> +<p> + The man nodded, and looked out of the window. +</p> +<p> + "I'm Tom Gates, sir." +</p> +<p> + "Yes; I know." +</p> +<p> + "You've seen me before?" asked the youth, astonished. +</p> +<p> + "No; I've heard of you. That's all." +</p> +<p> + Tom flushed, remembering his recent crime. But he was eager to question + the detective. +</p> +<p> + "Have you heard anything of Lucy Rogers, Mr. Burke?" +</p> +<p> + "Not yet." +</p> +<p> + "Is there no trace of her at all?" +</p> +<p> + "A slight trace—nothing worth mentioning," said Mr. Burke. +</p> +<p> + For a few moments Tom sat in silence. Then he said: +</p> +<p> + "I thought I'd found her, day before yesterday." +</p> +<p> + "Yes?" There was little interest in the tone. +</p> +<p> + "There's a girl in the house, sir, one of the maids, who is the living + image of Lucy Rogers." +</p> +<p> + "You ought to be able to identify her," suggested the detective, his + gaze still out of the window. +</p> +<p> + "But they are not alike except in looks. Her form and face are identical + with Lucy's. I was so sure that I begged her to let me see if there was + a scar on her left arm; but she refused." +</p> +<p> + "Was there a scar on Lucy Rogers's left arm?" +</p> +<p> + "Yes, sir. Several years ago, when we were children, we were making + candy in the kitchen and Lucy burned herself badly. It left a broad scar + on her left forearm, which she will bear as long as she lives." +</p> +<p> + "It is well to know that," said Mr. Burke. +</p> +<p> + "This girl," continued Tom, musingly, "says her name is Eliza Parsons, + and she says it in Lucy's voice. But her manner is not the same at all. + Eliza laughs at me and quizzes me; she is forward and scornful, and—and + perfectly self-possessed, which Lucy could not be, under the + circumstances." +</p> +<p> + "Have you seen her closely?" asked the detective. +</p> +<p> + "Yes, sir." +</p> +<p> + "And are still unable to decide who she is?" +</p> +<p> + "That's it, sir; I'm unable to decide. It's Lucy: and yet it isn't + Lucy." +</p> +<p> + "Who is Eliza Parsons?" +</p> +<p> + "She refuses to say where she came from. But it seems she arrived at + Elmhurst only a day or two after Lucy disappeared from home. It's that + coincidence that makes me doubt the evidence of my own senses." +</p> +<p> + "Who hires the servants here?" +</p> +<p> + "I don't know, sir." +</p> +<p> + Mr. Burke abandoned the conversation, then, and confined his gaze to the + landscape as it showed through the window. Tom busied himself addressing + circulars of instruction to the Republicans who were to work at the + polling places. This was Saturday, and the election was to be on the + following Tuesday. The meeting at Fairview was therefore the last + important rally of the campaign. +</p> +<p> + At dusk the party arrived from Fairview in the automobiles, the girls + greatly delighted with the success of the meeting. They all followed + Kenneth into the library, where the butler had just lighted the lamps. + The evenings were getting cool, now, and a grate fire was burning. +</p> +<p> + Kenneth greeted Mr. Burke and introduced him to the young ladies, who + begged to remain during the interview. +</p> +<p> + "We are all alike interested in Lucy Rogers, Mr. Burke," said the boy; + "so you may speak freely. Is there any news?" +</p> +<p> + "Nothing of importance, sir, unless a clew has been found in your own + house," replied the detective. +</p> +<p> + "Here at Elmhurst?" asked the astonished Kenneth. +</p> +<p> + "Yes. Tom Gates has seen a girl—one of your maids—who so strongly + resembles Lucy Rogers that he at first believed she was the missing + girl." +</p> +<p> + "I know," said Beth, quickly. "It's Eliza Parsons. But Tom was mistaken. + He saw her in the dim light of a corridor, and the resemblance confused + him." +</p> +<p> + "I've seen her since," remarked Tom, "and the likeness is really + bewildering. It's only her manner that is different." +</p> +<p> + "When I first saw her, before Tom came, I was astonished at her + resemblance to Mrs. Rogers," announced Beth. "I have never seen Lucy, + but I know Mrs. Rogers, and it seemed to me that Eliza was exactly like + her in features. Mr. Forbes and I first saw her riding in a buggy with + Mr. Hopkins. That was before either of us knew she was employed at + Elmhurst. You see she isn't one of the servants who come much in contact + with the family; she does the mending and takes charge of the linen + room." +</p> +<p> + Beth then related the manner in which they first noticed Eliza, and how + they had discovered her to be a spy in the service of Mr. Hopkins. +</p> +<p> + The detective was much interested in the recital and seemed surprised + that he had not been informed of this before. +</p> +<p> + "Of course," said Kenneth, "the girl is not Lucy Rogers. It is not + possible they could be the same." +</p> +<p> + "Why not?" asked Mr. Burke. +</p> +<p> + "Well, Lucy was a gentle, sweet country girl, of little experience in + life. Her nature was so susceptible, so very sensitive, that when she + discovered Tom Gates, whom she loved, to be guilty of a forgery, she + worried herself into an attack of brain-fever; or at least she became + insane, reproaching herself for having driven the boy to this dreadful + deed. Under the influence of her mania she wandered away from her home, + and has not been seen since. That's the story of Lucy Rogers. Now look + at Eliza Parsons. She appeared the very day after Lucy's disappearance, + to be sure; but that proves they are not the same person. For Eliza is + not demented. She is a cold, hard woman of the world, in spite of her + tender years. She is doing the work of an experienced spy, while any + deceit was foreign to Lucy's nature. Instead of being plunged in grief + Eliza is happy and gay, reckless of consequences and fully + self-possessed. She is also well and healthy, to all appearances. Taking + all these things into consideration, it is impossible to connect the two + girls in any way—save the coincidence of personal resemblance." +</p> +<p> + Mr. Burke listened to this quietly, and then shook his head. +</p> +<p> + "Your arguments all tend to make me suspect that she is Lucy Rogers," he + said, quietly. +</p> +<p> + For a moment there was an impressive silence, while everyone eagerly, + inquiringly or doubtfully looked at the detective, according to their + diverse acceptance of his statement. +</p> +<p> + "In pursuance of the task set me," began Mr. Burke, "I had met with such + absolute failure to trace the missing girl that I began to suspect no + ordinary conditions were attached to this case. In my experience, which + covers many years, I have had occasion to study sudden dementia, caused + by shocks of grief or horror, and I have come to comprehend the fact + that the human mind, once unbalanced, is liable to accomplish many + surprising feats. Usually the victim is absolutely transformed, and + becomes the very opposite, in many ways, of the normal personality. I + imagine this is what happened to Lucy Rogers." +</p> +<p> + "Do you imagine that Lucy would try to deceive <i>me</i>, sir?" asked Tom, + reproachfully. +</p> +<p> + "I am sure she doesn't know who you are," answered the detective, + positively. "She doesn't even know herself. I have known instances where + every recollection of the past was wiped out of the patient's mind." +</p> +<p> + There was another thoughtful pause, for the detective's assertions were + so astonishing that they fairly overwhelmed his hearers. +</p> +<p> + Then Louise asked: +</p> +<p> + "Is such a case of dementia hopeless, Mr. Burke?" +</p> +<p> + "Not at all hopeless. Often, I admit, it develops into permanent + insanity, but there are many examples of complete recovery. Our first + business must be to assure ourselves that we are right in this + conjecture. I may be entirely wrong, for the unexpected is what I have + been taught to look for in every case of mystery that has come under my + observation. But I believe I have the material at hand to prove the + personality of this Eliza Parsons, and after that I shall know what to + do. Who employs your servants, Mr. Forbes?" +</p> +<p> + "Martha, my housekeeper, usually employs the maids." +</p> +<p> + "Will you send for her, please?" +</p> +<p> + Kenneth at once obeyed the request, and presently Martha entered the + library. +</p> +<p> + She was a little, withered old woman, but with a pleasant face and + shrewd but kindly eyes. +</p> +<p> + "Martha," said Kenneth, "did you employ the new linen maid, Eliza + Parsons?" +</p> +<p> + "Yes, sir," she replied, apparently surprised at the question. +</p> +<p> + "This is Mr. Burke, Martha. Please answer any questions he may ask you." +</p> +<p> + "Yes, Master Kenneth." +</p> +<p> + "Did the girl bring any recommendations?" asked the detective. +</p> +<p> + Martha reflected. +</p> +<p> + "I do not think she did, sir." +</p> +<p> + "Are you accustomed to hiring maids without recommendations?" asked Mr. + Burke. +</p> +<p> + "Oh, Eliza had a letter from my cousin, Mrs. Hopkins, who lives in + Elmwood." +</p> +<p> + "Is Mrs. Hopkins your cousin?" asked Kenneth. +</p> +<p> + "Yes, sir. She were a Phibbs before she married Erastus, and my name is + Phibbs." +</p> +<p> + "What did the letter from Mrs. Hopkins say?" +</p> +<p> + "It said she knew Eliza to be a clever and worthy girl, and if I had a + place for her I couldn't do better than take her on. So I needed a linen + maid and Eliza went right to work. Isn't she satisfactory, sir? Has she + been doing anything wrong?" +</p> +<p> + "No. Please do not mention this interview to her at present, Miss + Phibbs," said the detective. "That is all, I believe." +</p> +<p> + "Would you like to see Eliza?" asked Kenneth, when the housekeeper had + retired. +</p> +<p> + "Not at present. I want to interview Mrs. Hopkins first." +</p> +<p> + "Tonight?" asked Tom, eagerly. +</p> +<p> + "I will go at once, with Mr. Forbes's permission." +</p> +<p> + "Certainly, sir," said Kenneth. "Shall we see you tomorrow?" +</p> +<p> + "Just as soon as I have accomplished anything." +</p> +<p> + "Would you like a horse or an automobile?" +</p> +<p> + "Your man may drive me to the town, sir, if it is convenient." +</p> +<p> + Kenneth gave the required order, and then Mr. Burke asked: +</p> +<p> + "How far are you prepared to go in this matter, sir?" +</p> +<p> + "In what way?" +</p> +<p> + "In expending money." +</p> +<p> + "Will any large expenditure be required?" +</p> +<p> + "I cannot say. But we may require the services and advice of an expert + physician—a specialist in brain diseases." +</p> +<p> + "Do you know of one?" asked Kenneth. +</p> +<p> + "Yes; but he must be brought from Buffalo. It will be expensive, sir. + That is why I ask if your interest in the girl warrants our going to the + limit to save her." +</p> +<p> + Kenneth was thoughtful, while the girls looked at him expectantly and + Tom Gates with visible anxiety. +</p> +<p> + "My original idea was merely to find the missing girl in order to + relieve the anxiety of her blind mother," said young Forbes. "To + accomplish that I was willing to employ your services. But, as a matter + of fact, I have never seen the girl Lucy Rogers, nor am I particularly + interested in her." +</p> +<p> + "I am," declared Beth. +</p> +<p> + "And I!" +</p> +<p> + "And I!" repeated Patsy and Louise. +</p> +<p> + "I think," said Uncle John, who had been a quiet listener until now, + "that Kenneth has assumed enough expense in this matter." +</p> +<p> + "Oh, Uncle!" The remonstrance was from all three of the girls. +</p> +<p> + "Therefore," continued Mr. Merrick, "I propose that I undertake any + further expense that may be incurred, so as to divide the burden." +</p> +<p> + "That's better!" declared Patsy. "But I might have known Uncle John + would do that." +</p> +<p> + "You have my authority to wire the physician, if necessary, or to go to + any expense you deem advisable," continued Mr. Merrick, turning to the + detective. "We seem to have undertaken to unravel an interesting + mystery, and we'll see it through to the end." +</p> +<p> + "Very good, sir," said Mr. Burke, and left them with a brief nod of + farewell. +</p> +<p> + "Somehow," said Beth, "I've a lot of confidence in that little man." +</p> +<p> + "Why, he's a detective," replied Uncle John, with a smile, "and the + chief business of detectives is to make mistakes." +</p> +<a name="CH17"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<h2> + CHAPTER XVII +</h2> +<center> + MRS. HOPKINS GOSSIPS +</center> +<p> + The home of Representative Hopkins was not a very imposing edifice. It + was a modest frame building standing well back in a little yard at the + outskirts of the village, and Mrs. Hopkins did the housework, unaided, + to save the expense of a maid. It never occurred to the politician, who + had risen from the position of a poor stable-boy to one of affluence, to + save his wife from this drudgery. To him poor Mary was merely one of his + possessions, and it would have astonished him to know that her sharp + tongue and irritable temper were due to overwork and neglect. The + Honorable Erastus was not averse to champagne dinners and other costly + excesses while at the state capital, and his fellow legislators + considered him a good fellow, although rather lax in "keeping his end + up." Moreover, he employed a good tailor and was careful to keep up an + appearance of sound financial standing. But his home, which he avoided + as much as possible, had little share in his personal prosperity. Mary + Hopkins's requests for new and decent gowns were more often refused than + acceded to, and he constantly cautioned her to keep down expenses or she + would drive them both to the poor-house. +</p> +<p> + The woman well knew that Erastus could afford to keep her in luxury, if + he would, but some women are so constituted that they accept their fate + rather than rebel, and Mary Hopkins lived the life of a slave, + contenting herself with petty scoldings and bickerings that did nothing + to relieve her hard lot. +</p> +<p> + She had little interest in politics and resented the intrusion of the + many who came to the house to see and consult with her husband during + the tiresome political campaigns. On these occasions Mr. Hopkins used + the sitting-room as his office and committee headquarters, but this did + not materially interfere with his wife's comfort, as she was usually + busy in the kitchen. +</p> +<p> + On this Saturday evening, however, they had an early supper and she + finished her dishes betimes and sat down to darn stockings in the + sitting-room. Erastus had hurried away to a meeting of his henchmen in + the town, and would not be home until after his wife was in bed. +</p> +<p> + So she was rather surprised when a timid knock sounded upon the door. + She opened it to find a little, lean man standing upon the porch. +</p> +<p> + "Mrs. Hopkins?" he asked, quietly. +</p> +<p> + "Yes. What do you want?" +</p> +<p> + "Your husband asked me to come here and wait for him. It's important or + I wouldn't disturb you." +</p> +<p> + "Well, then; come in," she replied, tartly. "Thank the Lord this thing + is nearly over, and we'll have a few weeks of peace." +</p> +<p> + "It is rather imposing on you," remarked the man, following her to the + sitting-room, where he sat down with his hat in his hands. "A political + campaign is trying to everybody. I'm tired out and sick of the whole + thing myself." +</p> +<p> + "Then why don't you chuck it," she retorted, scornfully, "and go to work + makin' an honest living?" +</p> +<p> + "Oh, this is honest enough," he said, mildly. +</p> +<p> + "I don't believe it. All them secret confabs an' trickery to win votes + can't be on the square. Don't talk to me! Politics is another name for + rascality!" +</p> +<p> + "Perhaps you're right, ma'am; perhaps you're right," he said, with a + sigh. +</p> +<p> + She looked at him sharply. +</p> +<p> + "You don't belong in Elmwood." +</p> +<p> + "No, ma'am; I'm from beyond Fairview. I've come to see your husband on + business." +</p> +<p> + She sniffed, at that, but picked up her darning and relapsed into + silence. The little man was patient. He sat quietly in his chair and + watched her work. +</p> +<p> + His mildness disarmed Mary Hopkins. She was not especially averse to + having him sit there. It relieved the loneliness of her occupation. On + occasions she loved to talk, as Erastus had long ago discovered; and + this visitor would not try to shut her up the way Erastus did. +</p> +<p> + "You don't often get out, ma'am; into society, and such like," ventured + the caller, presently. +</p> +<p> + "What makes you think that?" she demanded. +</p> +<p> + "A woman can't keep a house neat and trim like this, and be a social + gadder," he observed. +</p> +<p> + "You're right about that," she returned, somewhat mollified. "If I was + like them girls up at Elmhurst, fussin' round over politics all the + time, this house would go to rack an' ruin." +</p> +<p> + "Oh, them!" he said, with mild scorn. "Them girls 'll never be + housekeepers." +</p> +<p> + "Not for a minute," she affirmed. +</p> +<p> + There was another pause, then; but the ice was broken. A subtle sympathy + seemed established between the two. +</p> +<p> + "What do you think of 'Rast's chances?" she asked, presently, as she + threaded new cotton into her needle. +</p> +<p> + "I guess he'll win. He's worked hard enough, anyhow." +</p> +<p> + "Has he?" +</p> +<p> + "Yes; 'Rast's a good worker. He don't leave any stone unturned. He's up + to all the tricks o' the trade, is 'Rast Hopkins!" +</p> +<p> + Here he began shaking with silent laughter, and Mrs. Hopkins looked at + him curiously. +</p> +<p> + "What are you laughing at?" she inquired, with a sniff of disdain. +</p> +<p> + "At—at the way he come it over the gals up at Elmhurst. 'Rast's a + pretty slick one, he is!" +</p> +<p> + "What do you mean?" +</p> +<p> + "Why, settin' that 'Liza to watch 'em, and tell all they does. Who'd a + thought of it but 'Rast Hopkins?" +</p> +<p> + "I don't see anything mighty funny about that," declared Mrs. Hopkins, + contemptuously. "The girl's too pert and forward for anything. I told + 'Rast not to fool with her, or she'd make him trouble." +</p> +<p> + "Did you, now!" exclaimed the man, wonderingly. +</p> +<p> + "Yes, indeed," said Mrs. Hopkins, pleased to have made an impression. "I + suspected there was something wrong about her the morning she came to + the house here. And she changed her name, too, as brassy as you please." +</p> +<p> + "Well, I declare!" said the visitor. "Did you know her before that, Mrs. + Hopkins?" +</p> +<p> + "Why, I didn't exactly know her, but I seen her workin' around Miss + Squiers's place many a time, and she didn't seem to 'mount to much, even + then. One day she stole a di'mond ring off'n old Miss Squiers and dug + out, and I told Nancy then—Nancy's young Miss Squiers—that I'd always + had my suspicions of the hussy. She hid the ring in a vase on the mantle + and they found it after she was gone." +</p> +<p> + "Well, well! I didn't know that about her," said the man, looking with + admiration at Mrs. Hopkins. +</p> +<p> + "That's why I told 'Rast not to have any truck with her, when she came + here bright and early one morning and asked for work." +</p> +<p> + "Oh, she came here, did she?" +</p> +<p> + "While I was gettin' breakfast. She said her name was Eliza Parsons, an' + she was looking fer a job. I told her I knew her record an' to get out, + and while we was arguin' 'Rast come out and took a hand in the talk. She + laughed and flirted with him outrageous, and said she was a stranger in + these parts, when I'd seen her many a time at Miss Squiers's." +</p> +<p> + "What was her name then?" asked the man. +</p> +<p> + "I think it was Rosie—or Lucy, or something—. Anyhow, it wasn't Eliza, + and that I'll swear to. But the girl laughed at me and made such silly + smiles at 'Rast that he told me to shut up, 'cause he had a use for her + in politics." +</p> +<p> + "Well, well!" repeated the visitor. "Just see how stories get twisted. I + heard you gave the girl a letter to your cousin Martha." +</p> +<p> + "Well, I did. 'Rast wanted to get her in at Elmhurst, to watch what + Forbes was doing to defeat him, so he made me write the letter. But + how'd you know so much about this girl?" she inquired, with sudden + suspicion. +</p> +<p> + "Me? I only know what Mr. Hopkins told me. I'm one of his confidential + men. But he never said how he happened to find the girl, or what he knew + about her." +</p> +<p> + "He didn't know nothing. He'd never seen her 'till that morning when she + came here. But he said she was clever, and she is, if pertness and a + ready tongue counts for cleverness. I suppose he pays her for what she + tells him about Forbes, but he'd better save his money and fight on the + square. I don't like this tricky politics, an' never did." +</p> +<p> + "I don't either," declared the man. "But I'm in it, and can't get out." +</p> +<p> + "That's what 'Rast says. But some day they'll put him out, neck and + crop, if he ain't careful." +</p> +<p> + "Is the girl Eliza much use to him?" +</p> +<p> + "I can't say. He drove her over to Elmhurst that morning, and he drives + over two or three evenings a week to meet her on the sly and get her + report. That may be politics, but it ain't very respectable, to my + notion." +</p> +<p> + "Well, the campaign is nearly over, Mrs. Hopkins." +</p> +<p> + "Thank goodness for that!" she replied. +</p> +<p> + The visitor sat silent after this, for he had learned all that the poor + gossiping woman could tell him. Finally he said: +</p> +<p> + "I guess your husband's going to be late." +</p> +<p> + "Yes; if he ain't more prompt than usual you'll have a long spell of + waiting." +</p> +<p> + "Perhaps I'd better go over to the hotel and look him up. I have to get + back to Fairview tonight, you know." +</p> +<p> + "Do as you please," she answered carelessly. +</p> +<p> + So Mr. Burke, for it was the detective, bade her good-night and took his + leave, and it was not until after he had gone that Mary Hopkins + remembered she had forgotten to ask him his name. +</p> +<p> + "But it don't matter," she decided. "He's just one o' 'Rast's + politicians, and I probably treated the fellow better than he deserved." +</p> +<a name="CH18"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<h2> + CHAPTER XVIII +</h2> +<center> + ELIZA PARSONS +</center> +<p> + On Sunday morning Mr. Burke again appeared at Elmhurst, and told Kenneth + he wanted an interview with Eliza Parsons. +</p> +<p> + "I don't want you to send for her, or anything like that, for it would + make her suspicious," he said. "I'd like to meet her in some way that + would seem accidental, and not startle her." +</p> +<p> + "That is rather a hard thing to arrange, Mr. Burke," said the boy, with + a smile. +</p> +<p> + "Why, I think not," declared Louise. "It seems to me quite easy." +</p> +<p> + "That's the woman of it, sir," laughed Kenneth; "if it's a question of + wits her sex has the advantage of us." +</p> +<p> + "What do you propose, miss?" asked the detective, turning to Louise. +</p> +<p> + "I'll have Martha send the girl into the garden to gather flowers," she + replied; "and you can wander around there and engage her in + conversation." +</p> +<p> + "Excellent!" he exclaimed. "Can this be arranged now?" +</p> +<p> + "I'll see, sir." +</p> +<p> + She found Martha and asked her to send Eliza Parsons for some roses and + chrysanthemums, which were in a retired place shut in by evergreen + hedges. +</p> +<p> + "One of the other maids will know the garden better," suggested the + housekeeper. +</p> +<p> + "But I wish Eliza to go." +</p> +<p> + "Very well, Miss Louise." +</p> +<p> + From an upper window the girl watched until she saw Eliza Parsons leave + the house with a basket and go into the retired garden she had chosen. + Then she returned to the library for Mr. Burke and led him toward the + same place. +</p> +<p> + "Eliza is just beyond that gap in the hedge," she said, and turned away. +</p> +<p> + "Wait a moment, please," he said, detaining her. "On second thought I + would like you to come with me, for your tact may be of great + assistance. Have you spoken much with Eliza?" +</p> +<p> + "Not at all, I think. Beth has talked with her, but I have scarcely been + near her since she came here." +</p> +<p> + "You are willing to come?" +</p> +<p> + "I shall be glad to." +</p> +<p> + "The poet Saxe," said Mr. Burke, walking through the gap beside Louise, + "has never been properly appreciated by his countrymen, although since + his death his verses are in greater demand than while he lived. Do you + care for them?" +</p> +<p> + "I don't know Saxe very well," she answered, observing that they were + approaching a place where Eliza was bending over a rose-bush. "But one + or two of his poems are so amusing that they linger in my memory." +</p> +<p> + Eliza turned at the sound of their voices and gave them a quick glance. + But the next moment she resumed her occupation of cutting roses. +</p> +<p> + "The man's greatest fault was his habit of punning," remarked the + detective, watching the girl's form as he drew nearer. "It is that which + blinded his contemporaries to his real talents. What exquisite roses, + Miss Merrick! May I ask for one for my button-hole?" +</p> +<p> + "Yes, indeed!" she replied, pausing with him just beside Eliza. "Will + you cut that bud yonder, for Mr. Burke, my dear?" +</p> +<p> + The maid silently obeyed and as the detective took the flower from her + hand he said: +</p> +<p> + "Why, isn't this Eliza Parsons?" +</p> +<p> + "Yes, sir," she replied, carelessly. +</p> +<p> + "Don't you remember me, Eliza?" +</p> +<p> + She seemed a little surprised, but answered promptly: +</p> +<p> + "No, sir." +</p> +<p> + "I'm William Burke, your mother's cousin. How did you leave your brother + Harry, and have you heard from Josephine lately?" +</p> +<p> + The girl gave him a startled look and shrank back. +</p> +<p> + "Why, how nice!" cried Louise. "I did not know you knew Eliza's family, + Mr. Burke." +</p> +<p> + "Yes, she is one of my relatives, and came from Roanoke, Virginia. Isn't + that correct, Eliza?" +</p> +<p> + "Yes, sir—no! I—I don't remember!" she said, in a low tone. +</p> +<p> + "Don't remember, Eliza? That is strange." +</p> +<p> + The girl stared at him half frightened, and drew her hand over her eyes + with a gesture of bewilderment. +</p> +<p> + "I hope, my dear, you are not going to be like your mother," said Mr. + Burke, gently. "My poor cousin Nora was subject to a strange lapse of + memory at times," he remarked to Louise. "She always recovered in time, + but for days she could remember nothing of her former life—not even her + own name. Are you ever affected that way Eliza?" +</p> +<p> + She looked up at him pleadingly, and murmured in a low voice: +</p> +<p> + "Let me go! Please let me go!" +</p> +<p> + "In a moment, Eliza." +</p> +<p> + Her hands were clasped together nervously and she had dropped her basket + and scissors on the path before her. The man looked intently into her + eyes, in a shrewd yet kindly way, and she seemed as if fascinated by his + gaze. +</p> +<p> + "Tell me, my dear, have you forgotten your old life?" he asked. +</p> +<p> + "Yes," she whispered. +</p> +<p> + "Poor girl! And you are trying to keep this a secret and not let anyone + know of your trouble?" +</p> +<p> + Suddenly she started and sprang away, uttering a cry of terror. +</p> +<p> + "You're trying to trap me," she panted. "You know my name is not Eliza + Parsons. You—you want to ruin me!" +</p> +<p> + From the position in which they stood in the corner of the garden, with + high hedges behind the maid, and Mr. Burke and Louise blocking the path + in front, there was little chance of escape. But she looked around + wildly, as if about to make the attempt, when Louise stepped forward and + gently took Eliza's hand in her own. +</p> +<p> + "Mr. Burke is a good man, my dear, and means well by you," she said in + her sweet, sympathetic tones. "He shall not bother you if you are afraid + of him." +</p> +<p> + "I—I'm not afraid," said Eliza, with a resumption of her old manner and + a toss of her head. +</p> +<p> + The detective gave Louise a look which she thought she understood. +</p> +<p> + "Will you finish cutting these roses, Mr. Burke?" she asked, with a + smile. "Eliza and I are going to my room. Come, my dear," and without + waiting for a reply she led the girl, whose hand was still clasped in + her own, along the path. +</p> +<p> + Eliza came willingly. Her manner was a little defiant at first, but when + Louise drew her unobserved to the side entrance and up the staircase she + grew gentle and permitted the other girl to take her arm. +</p> +<p> + Once in her room with the strange maid, Louise locked the door quietly + and said to her companion with a cheerful smile: +</p> +<p> + "Now we are quite alone, and can talk at our ease. Take that low chair, + dear, and I'll sit here." +</p> +<p> + Eliza obeyed, looking wistfully into the fair face of her new friend. +</p> +<p> + "You are very pretty, Eliza; and I'm sure you are as good as you're + pretty," announced Louise. "So you must tell me about yourself, and + whether you are happy here or not. From this time on I'm going to be + your friend, you know, and keep all your secrets; and I'll help you all + I can." +</p> +<p> + This rambling speech seemed to impress Eliza favorably. She relaxed + somewhat from the tense alertness that was habitual with her, and looked + at the other girl with a softened expression. +</p> +<p> + "I'm afraid you won't be much interested in me," she replied, "but I + need a friend—indeed I need a friend, Miss Louise!" +</p> +<p> + "I'm sure you do." +</p> +<p> + "At first I thought I could do without one. I felt I must stand alone, + and let no one suspect. But—I'm getting puzzled and bewildered, and I + don't know what to do next." +</p> +<p> + "Of course not. Tell me about it, dear." +</p> +<p> + "I can't; for I don't know, myself." She leaned forward in her chair and + added, in a whisper: "I don't even know who I am! But that man," with a + shudder, "tried to trap me. He said he knew Eliza Parsons, and there is + no Eliza Parsons. It's a name I—I invented." +</p> +<p> + "I think I understand," said Louise, with a little nod. "You had to have + a name, so you took that one." +</p> +<p> + "Yes. I don't know why I am telling you this. I've tried to hide it all + so carefully. And perhaps I'm wrong in letting this thing worry me. In + the main, I've been very happy and content, lately; and—I have a + feeling I was not happy before—before—" +</p> +<p> + "Before what, dear?" +</p> +<p> + The girl looked at her steadily and her face grew red. +</p> +<p> + "Before I lost my memory." +</p> +<p> + For a few moments they sat silently regarding one another, the + expressive features of Louise showing a silent sympathy. +</p> +<p> + "Have you really lost your memory?" she asked. +</p> +<p> + "Absolutely. Think of it! I wakened one morning lying by the roadside, + and shivering with cold. I had on a simple gray dress, with no hat. The + sun was just rising, and no one was near. I examined myself with wonder, + for I had no idea who I was, or how I came there. There was no money in + my pocket, and I had no jewels. To keep warm I began walking along the + road. The scenery was all new to me; so far as I knew I had never been + in the place before. +</p> +<p> + "The birds were singing and the cows mooed in the meadow. I tried to + sing, too, for my heart was light and gay and I was happy. By and bye I + came to a town; but no one seemed to be awakened because it was yet so + early. As I walked down the street I saw smoke coming from one of the + chimneys, and it suddenly occurred to me that I was hungry. I entered + the yard and went around to the back door. A woman was working in the + kitchen and I laughed joyfully and wished her a good morning. She was + not very pleasant, but it did me good to talk with her; I liked to hear + my own voice and it pleased me to be able to talk easily and well. She + grudgingly gave me something to eat and then bade me begone, calling me + by some strange name and saying I was a thief. It was then that I + invented the name of Eliza Parsons. I don't know why, but it popped into + my head and I claimed it for my name and have clung to it ever since." +</p> +<p> + "Have you no idea what your real name is?" asked Louise, greatly + interested in this terse relation. +</p> +<p> + "I have no idea of anything that dates beyond that morning," replied + Eliza. "The first time I looked in the mirror I saw a strange face + reflected there. I had to make my own acquaintance," she added, with one + of her bright laughs. "I suppose I am between seventeen and twenty years + of age, but what my life was during past years is to me a sealed book. I + cannot remember a person I knew or associated with, yet things outside + of my personal life seem to have clung to me. I remembered books I must + have read; I can write, sing and sew—I sew remarkably well, and must + have once been trained to it. I know all about my country's history, yet + I cannot recollect where I lived, and this part of the country is + unknown to me. When I came to Elmhurst I knew all about it and about Mr. + Forbes, but could not connect them with my former life." +</p> +<p> + "How did you happen to come here?" asked Louise. +</p> +<p> + "I forgot to tell you that. While I was arguing with the woman, who was + a Mrs. Hopkins, her husband heard us and came out into the kitchen. He + began to question me about myself and I gave any answer that came into + my head, for I could not tell him the truth. It pleased me to hear my + voice, I seemed to have a keen sense of the humorous, and if I said + anything at all clever, I laughed as heartily as anyone. My heart was + light and free from all care. I had no worries or responsibilities at + all. I was like the birds who see the sunshine and feel the breeze and + are content to sing and be happy. +</p> +<p> + "Mr. Hopkins saw I was wholly irresponsible and reckless, and he decided + to use me to spy upon the people here at Elmhurst and report to him what + they said and did. I agreed to this readily, prompted by a spirit of + mischief, for I cared nothing for Hopkins and had nothing against Mr. + Forbes. Also Hopkins paid me money, which I had sufficient knowledge to + realize was necessary to me. +</p> +<p> + "Oh, how happy and gay I was in those first few days! There was not a + thought of the past, not an ambition or desire of any sort to bother me. + Just to live seemed pleasure enough. I enjoyed eating and sleeping; I + loved to talk and laugh; I was glad to have work to occupy me—and + that was all! Then things began to happen that puzzled me. The man + Hopkins declared he could not trust me because I had once been a thief, + and I wondered if he could speak truly. I resented the thought that I + may once have been a thief, although I wouldn't mind stealing, even now, + if I wanted anything and could take it." +</p> +<p> + "Oh, Eliza!" gasped Louise. +</p> +<p> + "It sounds wicked, doesn't it? But it is true. Nothing seems to + influence me so strongly as my own whims. I know what is good and what + is bad. I must have been taught these things once. But I am as likely to + do evil as good, and this recklessness has begun, in the last few days, + to worry me. +</p> +<p> + "Then I met a young man here—he says his name is Tom Gates—who called + me his dear Lucy, and said I used to love him. I laughed at him at + first, for it seemed very absurd and I do not want him to love me. But + then he proved to me there was some truth in his statement. He said his + Lucy had a scar on her left arm, and that made me afraid, because I had + discovered a scar on my own arm. I don't know how it got there. I don't + know anything about this old Lucy. And I'm afraid to find out. I'm + afraid of Lucy." +</p> +<p> + "Why, dear?" +</p> +<p> + "I cannot tell. I only know I have a horror of her, a sudden shrinking + whenever her name is mentioned. Who was she, do you suppose?" +</p> +<p> + "Shall I tell you?" asked Louise. +</p> +<p> + "No—no! Don't, I beg of you!" cried Eliza, starting up. "I—I can't + bear it! I don't want to know her." +</p> +<p> + The protest was passionate and sincere, and Louise marvelled at the + workings of this evidently unbalanced intellect. +</p> +<p> + "What would you like to do, dear?" she inquired. +</p> +<p> + "I'd like to remain Eliza Parsons—always. I'd like to get away from + <i>her</i>—far away from anyone who ever heard of that dreadful Lucy who + frightens me so. Will you help me to get away, to escape to some place + where no one will ever be able to trace me?" +</p> +<p> + "Do you think you would be happy then?" +</p> +<p> + "I am sure of it. The only thing that makes me unhappy now is the horror + that this past life will be thrust upon me. I must have had a past, of + course, or I shouldn't be a grown woman now. But I'm afraid of it; I + don't want to know anything about it! Will you help me to escape?" +</p> +<p> + She looked eagerly at Louise as she asked this pitiful question, and the + other girl replied, softly: "I will be your friend, Eliza. I'll think + all this over, and we will see what can be done. Be patient a little + while and as soon as I find a way to free you from all this trouble I'll + send for you, and we'll talk it over together." +</p> +<p> + "Will you keep my secret?" demanded Eliza, uneasily. +</p> +<p> + Louise glanced at the door that communicated with Beth's room. It stood + open, but Eliza had not noticed that, as it was behind her. Just now a + shadow cast from the other room wavered an instant over the rug, and + Louise's quick eyes caught it. +</p> +<p> + "I promise to keep your secret, dear," she said earnestly. +</p> +<p> + The two girls rose and stood facing each other. Louise kissed the + beautiful Eliza and whispered: +</p> +<p> + "Here is one thing for you to remember—that we are always to be true + friends, from this time forward. If anyone annoys you, come to me, and I + will protect you." +</p> +<p> + "Thank you, Miss Louise," said Eliza, and then she went away to her own + room in a quieter and more thoughtful mood than usual. +</p> +<p> + When she had gone Louise ran to the door communicating with Beth's room, + and to her satisfaction found both her cousins, with Kenneth, Uncle John + and Mr. Burke, seated in a group where they must have overheard all that + had been said. +</p> +<p> + "Well!" she cried, eagerly, "did you hear? And what do you think of it + all?" +</p> +<p> + "It's Lucy Rogers, sure enough," said Kenneth. +</p> +<p> + Louise looked at Mr. Burke. +</p> +<p> + "It is the most singular case that has ever come under my observation," + stated that gentleman. "The girl is perfectly sane, but she has suffered + a strange lapse of memory. I have two alternatives to advise. One is to + telegraph at once for a specialist. The other is to permit the girl to + go away, as she suggests. She will be happier to do so, I am sure." +</p> +<p> + "Oh, no!" cried the girls. +</p> +<p> + "She owes a duty to her parents and friends, as well as to herself," + said Kenneth, "and I see no reason why she should be unhappy in the + future as Lucy Rogers." +</p> +<p> + Mr. Burke merely shrugged his shoulders. +</p> +<p> + "Please wire for the specialist at once," said Uncle John. +</p> +<a name="CH19"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<h2> + CHAPTER XIX +</h2> +<center> + PATSY INDULGES IN EAVESDROPPING +</center> +<p> + Miss Patricia Doyle awakened at daybreak next morning with a throbbing + toothache. She wasn't accustomed to such pains and found it hard to + bear. She tried the application of a hot-water bag, and the tooth ached + harder; she tried a cold compress, and it jumped with renewed activity. + So she dressed herself and walked the floor, with the persistent ache as + an intimate companion. +</p> +<p> + She tried to find a cavity in the tooth, but it seemed perfectly sound. + Evidently she had caught cold and the wicked molar was signaling the + fact. +</p> +<p> + To be patient under the torture of a toothache was a virtue Patsy did + not possess. Louise and Beth, to whom she appealed, were sorry for her, + but could not relieve the pain. After breakfast Uncle John ordered her + to drive to town and see a dentist. +</p> +<p> + "Have it pulled, or filled, or something," he said. "The dentist will + know what to do." +</p> +<p> + So James drove Patsy to town, where they arrived about nine o'clock this + Monday morning. The only dentist at Elmwood was Dr. Squiers, so the girl + ran up the flight of stairs to his office, which was located over the + hardware store. +</p> +<p> + The pain had eased on the journey, and now the thought of having the + offending tooth pulled was weighing heavily upon Patsy's mind. The door + of Dr. Squiers's office stood ajar, and she hesitated whether to enter + or not. +</p> +<p> + The dentist's reception room was divided from his operating room by a + thin wooden partition, and as Patsy was deciding whether to employ Dr. + Squiers's services or not she heard high words coming from behind the + partition, and the voice was that of the Honorable Erastus Hopkins. +</p> +<p> + Softly she slid into the outer room and sank into a chair. +</p> +<p> + "But you're the clerk of the election, Squiers; you can't deny that," + Hopkins was saying in a blustering, imperious voice. +</p> +<p> + "That's true enough," answered the dentist, more calmly. +</p> +<p> + "Then you've got the registration books in your possession." +</p> +<p> + "I admit that," was the reply. "But you're asking me to incriminate + myself, 'Rast. If the thing was discovered it would mean prison for both + of us." +</p> +<p> + "Fiddlesticks!" cried the irascible Hopkins. "These things are done + every day, and no one's the wiser for it. It's merely a part of the + political game." +</p> +<p> + "I'm afraid, 'Rast," said Dr. Squiers. "Honest Injun, I'm afraid." +</p> +<p> + "What are you 'fraid of? I've got the other clerks all fixed, and + they'll stand by us. All you need do is to add these sixty-six names to + the registration list, and then we'll vote 'em without opposition and + win out." +</p> +<p> + Patsy gave a gasp, which she tried to stifle. The toothache was all + forgotten. +</p> +<p> + "Where are these men?" inquired Dr. Squiers, thoughtfully. +</p> +<p> + "They're over at the mill. Marshall got 'em from all over the country, + and they'll be set to work today, so everything will seem reg'lar." +</p> +<p> + "Where do they sleep and eat?" inquired the doctor. +</p> +<p> + "Forty sleep in Hayes's barn, and the other twenty-six in the stock loft + over the planing mill. Marshall's got a commissary department and feeds + 'em regular rations, like so many soldiers. Of course I'm paying for all + this expense," acknowledged Mr. Hopkins, somewhat regretfully. +</p> +<p> + "And do you suppose these sixty-six votes will turn the scale?" asked + Dr. Squiers. +</p> +<p> + "They're sure to. We finished the last canvass yesterday, and according + to our figures Forbes has about eighteen votes the best of us. That's + getting it down pretty close, but we may as well make up our minds we're + beaten if we don't vote the men over at the mill. Marshall could have + got me a hundred if necessary, but sixty-six is more than enough. Say + Forbes has twice eighteen for his plurality, instead of eighteen; these + sixty-six for me would wipe that out and let us win in a walk." +</p> +<p> + When Hopkins ceased there was a brief silence. Perhaps Dr. Squiers was + thinking. +</p> +<p> + "I simply <i>must</i> have those votes, Doc," resumed the Representative. + "It's the only way I can win." +</p> +<p> + "You've made a bungle of the whole campaign," said Squiers, bitterly. +</p> +<p> + "That's a lie. I've done a lot of clever work. But these infernal city + girls came down here and stirred up all the trouble." +</p> +<p> + "You made a mistake pushing that sign issue. The girls beat you on + that." +</p> +<p> + "If it hadn't been signs it might have been something worse. But I ain't + beaten yet, Doc. Squiers. This deal is going to win. It's a trick the + boarding-school misses won't understand until after they've cut their + eye-teeth in politics." +</p> +<p> + "There's a pretty heavy penalty against false registration," observed + the dentist, gloomily. +</p> +<p> + "There's no penalty unless we're found out, and there ain't the ghost of + a chance of that. The books are in your hands; I got all the clerks + fixed. Not a question will even be raised. I know it. Do you suppose I'd + risk state's prison myself, if I wasn't sure?" +</p> +<p> + "Look here, 'Rast," said Squiers, doggedly, "you're making a tool of me + in this campaign. Why should I be used and abused just to elect Erastus + Hopkins, I'd like to know. You sacrificed me when I might have been + Sheriff." +</p> +<p> + "You're well paid for that, Doc." +</p> +<p> + "And now you want me to put my neck in a noose for your advantage. I + won't do it, 'Rast, and that's a fact." +</p> +<p> + Mr. Hopkins coughed. +</p> +<p> + "How much, Doc?" he inquired. +</p> +<p> + The dentist was silent. +</p> +<p> + "State the figure. But for mercy's sake don't bleed me any more than you + can help. This fight has cost me a pretty penny already." +</p> +<p> + "I don't want your money," growled Squiers. +</p> +<p> + "Yes you do, Doc. I know you better than you know yourself. The trouble + with you is, you'll want too much." +</p> +<p> + Squiers laughed bitterly. +</p> +<p> + "Is Marshall to be trusted?" he asked. +</p> +<p> + "Of course. If he said a word he'd lose his job as manager. Marshall's + all right. There's nothing to worry about, Doc." +</p> +<p> + Patsy's tooth wasn't aching a bit. But her heart was throbbing as madly + as the tooth ever did, and fortunately there was no pain connected with + the throbbing—only joy. +</p> +<p> + "It ought to be worth two thousand dollars, 'Rast," said the dentist. +</p> +<p> + "What! In addition to all other expenses?" +</p> +<p> + "Why, man; it means the election. It means your whole future. If you're + defeated now, you're a back number in this district, and you know it." +</p> +<p> + "It's too much, Doc. On my word it is." +</p> +<p> + "It's too little, come to think of it. I'll make it three thousand." +</p> +<p> + "Doc!" +</p> +<p> + "If you don't close with me, 'Rast, by the jumping Jupiter, I'll make it + four thousand," cried the dentist, with exasperation. +</p> +<p> + "Say twenty-five hundred, Doc." +</p> +<p> + "Right on the nail. Give me your check here—this minute." +</p> +<p> + "And you'll enter the names in the books?" +</p> +<p> + "Before you leave the office. Have you got the list?" +</p> +<p> + "Yes; in my pocket," said Mr. Hopkins. +</p> +<p> + "Then make out your check and I'll get the books." +</p> +<p> + There was a stir behind the partition and a sound of chairs scraping the + floor. Patsy slid out the door and flew down the stairs at the imminent + danger of breaking her neck. James was seated in the buggy outside, + engaged in rumination. +</p> +<p> + Patsy bounded in beside him and startled him. +</p> +<p> + "Drive for your life!" she cried. "Drive for home!" +</p> +<p> + He whipped up the spirited horse and they dashed away. Presently the man + asked, with a grin: +</p> +<p> + "Did it hurt much, Miss Patsy?" +</p> +<p> + "Did what hurt, James?" +</p> +<p> + "The tooth pullin', Miss Patsy." +</p> +<p> + "The tooth wasn't pulled," answered the girl, sweetly. "It didn't need + it, James. The only thing that was pulled was the Honorable Erastus's + leg." +</p> +<a name="CH20"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<h2> + CHAPTER XX +</h2> +<center> + PRICKING A BUBBLE. +</center> +<p> + When Patsy arrived home she called a council of war and related the + conversation she had overheard in the dentist's office. +</p> +<p> + "It isn't a very nice thing to do—listening to a private conversation," + said the girl, "but when I discovered they were going to play such a + trick on Kenneth I couldn't help eavesdropping." +</p> +<p> + "I think you were justified," declared Mr. Watson, with a grave face; + "for this matter is very serious indeed. Tomorrow is election day, and + if a toothache hadn't carried you to the dentist's office Kenneth would + surely have been defeated." +</p> +<p> + "And we'd never have known how it happened," declared Uncle John. +</p> +<p> + "But can the plot be foiled at this late date?" inquired Louise, + anxiously. +</p> +<p> + "I think so," said Mr. Watson. "Dr. Squiers was correct in saying that + such a crime was a state's prison offense. Our discovery of it will send + both Erastus Hopkins and Dr. Squiers to prison. Probably Mr. Marshall, + the manager of the mill, will go with them." +</p> +<p> + "Oh, I don't like that!" exclaimed Patsy. +</p> +<p> + "Nor do I," added Kenneth. "It would be a sad beginning to my political + career to send three such men to prison. I'd like to avoid it, if I + can." +</p> +<p> + "Perhaps it may be quietly arranged," said the lawyer. "If they knew you + had discovered the false registration of these men, they would never + dare vote them." +</p> +<p> + "How would it be to send Mr. Burke, the detective, over to the mill to + talk with Mr. Marshall?" suggested Beth. +</p> +<p> + "That is an excellent plan, and would be very effective in determining + the manager to abandon the plot." +</p> +<p> + "I'll go and see Hopkins myself," announced Uncle John. "I know how to + manage men of his sort." +</p> +<p> + "Very good," approved the lawyer, "and I'll see Squiers." +</p> +<p> + "If you do," said Patsy, "just ask him to sign a paper saying that Lucy + Rogers was falsely accused of stealing the ring, and that his mother + found it in a vase, where she had forgotten she put it." +</p> +<p> + "I'll do that," replied Mr. Watson. "And I'll get the sixty dollars back + that Tom Gates paid him. I'll make it a condition of our agreeing not to + prosecute the man." +</p> +<p> + "It looks as if we were going to win the election," said Uncle John in a + pleased voice. "If Hopkins was driven to such methods as stuffing + ballot-boxes, he must know very well he's defeated." +</p> +<p> + "He acknowledged it to Dr. Squiers." said Patsy, gaily. "We have + eighteen sure majority, and perhaps more." +</p> +<p> + "It's likely to be more," predicted Uncle John. +</p> +<p> + "I suppose congratulations are in order, Ken," said Louise. +</p> +<p> + "Not yet, cousin," he replied. "Wait until tomorrow night; and then + don't congratulate me, but the campaign managers—three of the nicest + and cleverest girls in existence!" +</p> +<p> + "You're right, my boy," declared Uncle John. "If you pull through and + take your seat in the Legislature, you'll owe it all to these girls." +</p> +<p> + "That is true," smiled the lawyer. "Kenneth was badly beaten when you + arrived." +</p> +<p> + Of course our girls were very happy at receiving this praise, but more + pleased to realize they had actually been of service to their boy + friend. They believed that Kenneth would prove a good Representative and + carry out his promises to the voters; and if he did, that his political + career was assured. +</p> +<p> + Mr. Burke appeared in the afternoon with a telegram from Dr. Hoyt, the + specialist, saying that he would be at Elmwood on the noon train + Wednesday. His engagements prevented him from coming any sooner, and in + the meantime Mr. Burke advised keeping a close watch on Eliza Parsons, + to see that she did not run away. +</p> +<p> + "I'll attend to that," said Louise, quickly. "Eliza and I are friends, + and I'll take care of her." +</p> +<p> + "Aren't you going to the polls?" asked Patsy. +</p> +<p> + "No, dear; why should I go? Our work is done now, isn't it?" +</p> +<p> + "Well, I'm going to the polls and work for every vote," declared Patsy. + "I shan't be happy unless Kenneth gets more than eighteen majority." +</p> +<p> + When the Hopkins plot was explained to Mr. Burke, the detective readily + agreed to go to Fairview and see Mr. Marshall. As no time was to be lost + he was sent over in an automobile, and arrived at the mill just before + the hour for closing. +</p> +<p> + The next day being election day the mill was to be closed, and the + manager was very busy in his office when Mr. Burke requested to see him. +</p> +<p> + "You will have to come around Wednesday," said Marshall, fussily. "I + can't attend to you now." +</p> +<p> + "I'm sorry to disturb you, sir," replied the detective, "but my business + won't wait until Wednesday." +</p> +<p> + "What is it about, sir?" +</p> +<p> + "About the election." +</p> +<p> + "Then I won't be bothered. The election doesn't interest me," said Mr. + Marshall, turning away. +</p> +<p> + "Very well, I'll call Wednesday, sir, at the jail." +</p> +<p> + Marshall gave him a quick look. +</p> +<p> + "Who are you, sir?" he asked. +</p> +<p> + "John Burke, a detective." +</p> +<p> + The manager hesitated a moment. +</p> +<p> + "Come in, Mr. Burke," he said. +</p> +<p> + "I represent the Forbes interests," said the detective, seating himself + in the private office, "and it has come to our notice that Dr. Squiers + has permitted sixty-six fraudulent registrations to be entered on the + books. These sixty-six men are supposed to have been imported by you and + are now working at this mill." +</p> +<p> + "This is all nonsense!" protested the manager, growing pale. +</p> +<p> + "Forty men are sleeping in a near-by barn, and twenty-six in the + stock-room of the mill," added Mr. Burke. +</p> +<p> + "That isn't criminal, sir." +</p> +<p> + "No, indeed. The criminal act is their false registration, so far," said + the detective, blandly. +</p> +<p> + "But mark you, sir; if an attempt is made to vote those men tomorrow, I + shall arrest you, as well as Mr. Hopkins and Dr. Squiers." +</p> +<p> + "This is preposterous, sir!" blustered the manager. "There will be no + attempt made to vote them." +</p> +<p> + "I am quite sure of it," was the reply. "You may thank Mr. Forbes for + warning you in time. He wished to save you, and so sent me here." +</p> +<p> + "Oh, he did!" Mr. Marshall was evidently surprised. "May I ask how you + discovered all this?" he added. +</p> +<p> + "I am not at liberty to give you the details. But I may say the exposure + of the plot occurred through Mr. Hopkins's own carelessness. I've seen + lots of crooked politicians, Mr. Marshall, but this man is too reckless + and foolish ever to be a success. He deserves to be defeated and he will + be." +</p> +<p> + The manager was thoughtful. +</p> +<p> + "This is all news to me," he declared. "I needed these extra men to help + me fill a contract on time, and so employed them. I had no idea Hopkins + and Squiers would try to vote them tomorrow." +</p> +<p> + This was a palpable falsehood, but Mr. Burke accepted the lame excuse + without question. +</p> +<p> + "You are a valuable man in this community, Mr. Marshall, and Mr. Forbes + seemed to think the Hopkins people were trying to get you into trouble. + Of course it would have caused trouble had these men voted." +</p> +<p> + "Of course, Mr. Burke. I'm much obliged to Mr. Forbes for warning me." +</p> +<p> + "You'll find the next Representative a very agreeable man to get along + with, Mr. Marshall. Good day, sir." +</p> +<p> + "Good day, Mr. Burke." +</p> +<p> + When the detective had gone Mr. Marshall sat in a brown study for a few + moments. Then he summoned his superintendent and said: +</p> +<p> + "Please ask the men to assemble in the yard before they go home. I want + to have a word with them." +</p> +<p> + The request came just in time, for the men were already beginning to + stream out of the mill. They waited good-naturedly, however, grouping + themselves in the big yard. +</p> +<p> + Then Marshall mounted a lumber pile and addressed them briefly. +</p> +<p> + "Boys," he said, "I told you all, a week or so ago, I'd like you to vote + for Hopkins for Representative, as I believed his election would result + in more work for the mill and better wages for the employees. But I've + been watching matters pretty closely, and I've changed my mind. Forbes + is a coming man, and he'll do more for us all than Hopkins could. So + every man who is entitled to vote will please me best by voting for + Kenneth Forbes." +</p> +<p> + There was a cheer at this, and when it subsided, the manager continued: +</p> +<p> + "Of course none of the new men, who were not properly registered, have a + right to vote at this election, and I command them to keep away from the + polls. Anyone who attempts to vote illegally will be promptly arrested." +</p> +<p> + This caused more cheering, for the workmen had suspected that the new + hands would be voted illegally, and they were relieved to find that it + was a "square deal all 'round," as one of them remarked with + satisfaction. +</p> +<p> + Meantime, Uncle John was having a "barrel of fun" with Mr. Hopkins. +</p> +<p> + The little millionaire, although a man of simple and unobtrusive ways, + was a shrewd judge of human nature. Moreover he had acquired a fund of + experience in dealing with all sorts of people, and was delighted to + meet Mr. Hopkins under the present circumstances. +</p> +<p> + So he drove over to Elmwood and was fortunate to find Mr. Hopkins in his + "office" at home where he was busily engaged instructing his "workers" + in their duties at the polls. +</p> +<p> + At sight of Mr. Merrick, whom he knew by this time to be a friend of + Kenneth Forbes, staying at Elmhurst, the politician scented some pending + difficulty, or at least an argument, and was sufficiently interested to + dismiss his men without delay. +</p> +<p> + "Ah, this is Mr. Merrick, I believe," began Mr. Hopkins, suavely. "What + can I do for you, sir?" +</p> +<p> + "Considerable, if you're disposed," answered the other. "For one thing + I'd like to hire Eliza Parsons away from you." +</p> +<p> + "Eliza Parsons!" gasped the Representative. +</p> +<p> + "Yes, your spy. Election's about over and you won't need her any longer, + will you?" +</p> +<p> + "Sir, do you mean to insult me?" asked the Honorable Erastus, + indignantly. +</p> +<p> + "By no means. I thought you were through with the girl," said Uncle John + with a chuckle. +</p> +<p> + Mr. Hopkins was distinctly relieved. With a full recollection of his + wicked schemes in his mind, he had feared some more important attack + than this; so he assumed a virtuous look, and replied: +</p> +<p> + "Sir, you wrong me. Eliza Parsons was no spy of mine. I was merely + trying to encourage her to a higher spiritual life. She is rather + flighty and irresponsible, sir, and I was sorry for the poor girl. That + is all. If she has been telling tales, they are untrue. I have found + her, I regret to say, inclined at times to be—ah—inventive." +</p> +<p> + "Perhaps that's so," remarked Uncle John, carelessly. "You're said to be + a good man, Mr. Hopkins; a leetle too honest and straightforward for a + politician; but that's an excusable fault." +</p> +<p> + "I hope I deserve my reputation, Mr. Merrick," said Erastus, + straightening up at this praise. "I do, indeed, try to live an upright + life." +</p> +<p> + "I guess so, Mr. Hopkins, I guess so. You wouldn't try, for instance, to + encourage false registration." +</p> +<p> + "Sir!" +</p> +<p> + "Anything wrong, Mr. Hopkins?" asked Uncle John, innocently. +</p> +<p> + Erastus looked at his visitor tremblingly, although he tried to control + his nerves. Of course Mr. Merrick couldn't mean anything by this chance + shot, so he must be thrown off the scent. +</p> +<p> + "You have a disagreeable way of making remarks, sir, and I have no time + to listen to foolish speeches. Tomorrow is election day and I've a good + many details yet to arrange." +</p> +<p> + "No chance of you're getting in jail, is there?" +</p> +<p> + "What do you mean by that?" +</p> +<p> + "I only thought that if you'd done anything liable to make trouble, + you'd have to arrange your affairs for a long spell in jail. Politicians + sometimes make mistakes. But you're such an honest man, Mr. Hopkins, you + couldn't possibly go crooked." +</p> +<p> + Mr. Hopkins felt shaky again, and looked at his tormentor earnestly, + trying to discern whether there was any real knowledge beneath this + innuendo. But Uncle John met his gaze with a cheerful smile and + continued: +</p> +<p> + "I guess you've got a hard fight ahead of you. My young friend Forbes is + trying to get elected himself, and you can't both win." +</p> +<p> + "Oh, yes; Forbes," said Erastus, trying to regain his accustomed ease. + "A worthy young man, sir; but I'm afraid his chances are slim." +</p> +<p> + "Are they, now?" asked Uncle John, pretending a mild interest. +</p> +<p> + "Pretty thin, Mr. Merrick. Our majority is too great to overcome." +</p> +<p> + "What do you think your majority will be? About sixty-six?" +</p> +<p> + Mr. Hopkins gave a start and turned red. +</p> +<p> + "About sixty-six," he repeated, vacantly, trying to decide if this was + another chance shot. +</p> +<p> + "Yes; about sixty-six mill hands." +</p> +<p> + The cat was out of the bag now. Hopkins realized that Merrick had some + knowledge or at least suspicion of this plot. He tried to think what to + do, and it occurred to him that if his visitor positively knew anything + he would not act in this absurd manner, but come straight to the point. + So he ignored the speech, merely saying: +</p> +<p> + "Anything else, sir?" +</p> +<p> + "No," replied Uncle John; "I'll go home, I guess. Folks'll be expecting + me. Sorry Forbes hasn't got that sixty-six mill hands; but Doc. Squiers + probably registered 'em all right, and they'll probably vote for + Hopkins." +</p> +<p> + "Wait a moment, sir!" cried Erastus, as Uncle John was turning away. + "That speech demands an explanation, and I mean to have it." +</p> +<p> + "Oh, you do? Well, I don't object. You may not know it, but Squiers has + registered sixty-six non-voters, and I want to know whether you're + prepared to give half of them to Forbes, or mean to keep them all for + yourself." +</p> +<p> + "If Squiers has made false registrations he must stand the consequences. + I want you to understand, sir, that I do not countenance any underhand + dealing." +</p> +<p> + "Then it's all off? You won't vote the mill hands?" +</p> +<p> + "Not a man shall vote who is not properly registered." +</p> +<p> + "I'm glad to hear it, Mr. Hopkins. Perhaps you can get that twenty-five + hundred back. I don't think Squiers has cashed the check yet." +</p> +<p> + The Honorable Erastus gave a roar like a wild bull, but Uncle John had + walked quietly out and climbed into his buggy. He looked back, and + seeing Mr. Hopkins's scowling face at the window returned a pleasant + smile as he drove away. +</p> +<p> + Mr. Watson had just finished his interview with the dentist when Uncle + John picked him up at the corner. The lawyer had accomplished more than + the other two, for he had secured a paper exonerating Lucy Rogers and + another incriminating the Honorable Erastus Hopkins, as well as the + sixty dollars paid by Tom Gates. The dentist was thoroughly frightened, + but determined, now that the conspiracy was defeated, that the man who + had led him to the crime should not escape in case he was himself + arrested. So he made a plain statement of the whole matter and signed + it, and Mr. Watson assured Squiers immunity from arrest, pending good + behavior. The man had already cashed Hopkins's check, and he knew the + Representative could not get the money away from him, so after all the + dentist lost nothing by the exposure. +</p> +<p> + It was a jolly party that assembled at the dinner-table in Elmhurst that + evening. +</p> +<p> + "You see," explained Uncle John, "the thing looked as big as a balloon + to us at first; but it was only a bubble, after all, and as soon as we + pricked it—it disappeared." +</p> +<a name="CH21"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<h2> + CHAPTER XXI +</h2> +<center> + THE "RETURNS" FROM FAIRVIEW +</center> +<p> + Election day dawned sunny and bright; but there was a chill in the air + that betokened the approach of winter. +</p> +<p> + Uncle John had suggested serving coffee to the voters at the different + polling places, and Kenneth had therefore arranged for a booth at each + place, where excellent coffee was served free all day long. These booths + were decorated with Forbes banners and attracted a great deal of + comment, as the idea was a distinct innovation in this district. +</p> +<p> + "You wouldn't catch Hopkins giving anything away," remarked one farmer + to another. "'Rast is too close-fisted." +</p> +<p> + "Why, as fer that," was the reply, "the thing is done to catch votes. + You know that as well as I do." +</p> +<p> + "S'pose it is," said the first speaker. "I'd ruther my vote was caught + by a cup of hot coffee on a cold day, than by nothin' at all. If we've + got to bite anyhow, why not take a hook that's baited?" +</p> +<p> + Patsy and Beth made the rounds of the polling places in an automobile + covered with flags and bunting, and wherever they appeared they were + greeted with cordial cheers. +</p> +<p> + Mr. Hopkins was noticeable by his absence, and this was due not so much + to his cowardice as to an unfortunate accident. +</p> +<p> + Neither Squiers nor Hopkins knew just how their secret had leaked out, + for Patsy's presence in the dentist's office had not been disclosed; so + each one suspected the other of culpable foolishness if not downright + rascality. After Uncle John's visit Erastus stormed over to Squiers's + office and found his accomplice boiling with indignation at having been + trapped in a criminal undertaking. +</p> +<p> + As the two men angrily faced each other they could not think of any + gentle words to say, and Dr. Squiers became so excited by the other's + reproaches that he indulged in careless gestures. One of these gestures + bumped against the Honorable Erastus's right eye with such force that + the eye was badly injured. +</p> +<p> + The candidate for re-election, therefore, wakened on election morning + with the damaged optic swollen shut and sadly discolored. Realizing that + this unfortunate condition would not win votes, Mr. Hopkins remained at + home all day and nagged his long-suffering spouse, whose tongue was her + only defence. +</p> +<p> + The Representative had promptly telephoned to Marshall at Fairview + telling him not to vote the men as arranged. He was not especially + charmed with the manager's brief reply: +</p> +<p> + "Don't be alarmed. We're not <i>all</i> fools!" +</p> +<p> + "I guess, 'Rast," remarked Mary Hopkins, looking at her damaged and + irritable husband with a blending of curiosity and contempt, "that + you're 'bout at the end of your rope." +</p> +<p> + "You wait," said Erastus, grimly. "This thing ain't over yet." +</p> +<p> + The day passed very quietly and without any especial incident. A full + vote was polled, and by sundown the fate of the candidates had been + decided. But the counting seemed to progress slowly and the group + assembled around the telephone in Kenneth's library thought the returns + would never arrive. +</p> +<p> + The Republican Committee had given Mr. Forbes a table showing what the + vote of each precinct should be, according to their canvass. +</p> +<p> + The first report was from Elmwood, and showed a gain of seventeen over + the estimate. Patsy was delighted, for she had worked hard in Elmwood, + and this proved that her efforts had been successful. Then came a report + from Longville, in Jefferson County. It showed a gain of forty-three + votes for Hopkins, and a consequent loss for Forbes. This was a + startling surprise, and the next advice from a country precinct in + Washington County showed another gain of twelve for Hopkins. +</p> +<p> + The little group of workers looked at one another with inquiring eyes, + and Patsy could hardly refrain from crying. +</p> +<p> + The butler announced dinner, but only Louise and Mr. Watson could eat + anything. The others were too intent on learning their fate and could + not leave the telephone. +</p> +<p> + It seemed queer that the precincts furthest away should be first to + respond, but so it was. Jefferson County returns began to come in + rapidly, and were received in dismal silence. Hopkins gained four here, + seven there, and twenty-two in another precinct. +</p> +<p> + "It looks," said Kenneth, quietly, "like a landslide for Hopkins, and I + wonder how our Committee was so badly informed." +</p> +<p> + "You see," said Uncle John, "voters won't usually tell the truth about + how they've decided to vote. Lots of them tell both sides they're going + to vote their way. And people change their minds at the last minute, + too. You can't do much more than average the thing by means of a + canvass." +</p> +<p> + By nine o'clock, complete returns from the part of Jefferson County + included in the Eighth District showed a net gain of one hundred and + eight for Hopkins—a lead that it seemed impossible to overcome. + Washington County was not so bad. Incomplete returns indicated a slight + gain for Hopkins, but not more than a dozen votes altogether. +</p> +<p> + "Everything now depends upon Dupree and Fairview," announced Kenneth, + "but I can't get any connection with them yet. We won in Elmwood, + anyhow, and Hopkins isn't ahead more than a hundred and sixty as the + thing stands now. Cheer up, girls. A defeat won't hurt us much, for + we've all made a good fight. Better get to bed and sleep, for you're + tired out. We'll know all about everything in the morning." +</p> +<p> + But they would not move. Disappointment unnerved them more than victory + would have done. They resolved to wait until the last returns were in. +</p> +<p> + "Telephone, sir," said Tom Gates. +</p> +<p> + Kenneth picked up the receiver. +</p> +<p> + "Here's Dupree," he said. "Our majority over Hopkins is two hundred and + eleven. Let's see, that's a gain of seventy-four votes, my dears." +</p> +<p> + "Hooray!" cried Patsy, delightedly. "I don't care a rap now, what + happens. Old Hopkins won't have much to crow over if—" +</p> +<p> + "Wait a minute," said Kenneth. "Here's Fairview, at last!" +</p> +<p> + They held their breaths and watched his face. Kenneth flushed red as he + held the receiver to his ear, and then grew white. He turned around to + the expectant group and Beth knew from the sparkle in his eyes what had + happened. +</p> +<p> + "Fairview's six precincts give us six hundred and forty-one majority," + announced the boy, in an awed tone. "That's a gain of nearly four + hundred!" +</p> +<p> + They gazed at him in silent wonder. Then Uncle John rose slowly and took + the boy's hand. +</p> +<p> + "That means we've won—and won in a walk," said the little man. + "Kenneth, we congratulate you." +</p> +<p> + Patsy's face was buried in her handkerchief, and Beth's great eyes were + bright with unshed tears. But Louise laughed her soft, musical laugh and + remarked: +</p> +<p> + "Why, I knew all the time we would win. We had the better candidate, you + see." +</p> +<p> + "And the best campaign managers," added Uncle John, with a proud smile. +</p> +<p> + "That may be true," admitted Beth. "But the thing that really won the + fight was Patsy's sore tooth." +</p> +<a name="CH22"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<h2> + CHAPTER XXII +</h2> +<center> + THE AWAKENING +</center> +<p> + James and Mr. Burke met the great specialist in brain diseases at the + noon train on Wednesday and drove him to Elmhurst. +</p> +<p> + Dr. Hoyt was a handsome, gray-haired man, with kindly eyes and a + distinguished manner. When he was ushered into the library the young + ladies were attracted by the physician at once, and from the first + glance were inspired by confidence in his powers. Yet Dr. Hoyt spoke + rather doubtfully of the case in hand. +</p> +<p> + "These cases are not so rare as you might suppose," he said; "yet no two + of them are exactly alike. Usually the recovery is slow and tedious; but + recovery is not always assured. In some instances, however, the memory + is absolutely restored, and from what Mr. Burke has explained to me of + Lucy Rogers's history this is what we may expect now. Or else, we must + trust to time or an accident to awaken her dormant mental faculties. The + case is so interesting that I should like, with your permission, to make + an experiment which can result in no harm if it does not succeed." +</p> +<p> + "We put the matter entirely in your hands, sir," said Uncle John. "Act + as you think best." +</p> +<p> + "I thank you," replied Dr. Hoyt, bowing. Then he turned to the girls. + "Which of you young ladies has won the friendship of Lucy Rogers?" he + asked. +</p> +<p> + Louise answered that she and Eliza Parsons had become good friends. +</p> +<p> + "Will you assist me?" asked the physician. +</p> +<p> + "Willingly, sir." +</p> +<p> + "I wish to send the girl into a deep sleep, to render her unconscious + without her suspecting my intention, or realizing the fact. Can you + suggest a way to do this?" +</p> +<p> + Louise tried to think. +</p> +<p> + "What means will you employ, sir?" she asked. +</p> +<p> + "There are many ways to accomplish this. I prefer to administer a + powerful sleeping potion. Have you any confectionery or bon-bons at + hand?" +</p> +<p> + "Yes, indeed. I have just received a fresh box of bon-bons from New + York. But I'm not sure I can induce Eliza to eat candy." +</p> +<p> + "Then let us prepare the potion in various ways. But you must be + careful, Miss Merrick, not to make a mistake and take the dose + yourself." +</p> +<p> + Louise laughed. +</p> +<p> + "I'll be careful, sir," she promised. +</p> +<p> + The two then retired to perfect their plan, and in an hour every + arrangement was complete. +</p> +<p> + Louise went to her room, donned a wrapper, and bandaged her head. Then + she summoned Martha and asked the housekeeper to send Eliza Parsons to + sit with her in the darkened room, as she was suffering from a headache. +</p> +<p> + The maid came at once, to all appearances, as happy and careless as + ever. After expressing her sympathy she asked what she could do. +</p> +<p> + "Just sit down and keep me company, dear," replied Louise. "I'm not very + bad, but I'm restless and can't sleep, and I want you to talk to me and + amuse me." +</p> +<p> + Eliza laughed. +</p> +<p> + "That is easy, as far as talking is concerned," she said. "But to amuse + you, Miss Louise, may be more difficult." +</p> +<p> + But the girls found a topic of conversation in the election, in which + Eliza was much interested, and they chatted together for an hour or so + before Louise made any move to consummate her plot. +</p> +<p> + "I hope my foolish reports to Mr. Hopkins did no harm to Mr. Forbes," + Eliza was saying. "I really had little to tell him of your conversation + or movements." +</p> +<p> + "You did no harm at all, for Mr. Forbes was elected," replied Louise. + Then she said, carelessly: +</p> +<p> + "Martha has sent me this pitcher of lemonade, and I don't care for it. + Won't you drink a glass, Eliza?" +</p> +<p> + "No, thank you," she replied, shaking her head. "I never drink + lemonade." +</p> +<p> + "Then have one of these sandwiches?" +</p> +<p> + "I'm not hungry, Miss Louise." +</p> +<p> + Louise sighed. Both the lemonade and the sandwiches had been "dosed" by + Dr. Hoyt. Then she picked up the box of bon-bons that was beside her. +</p> +<p> + "But you will eat some candy, dear. Every girl likes candy." +</p> +<p> + "I don't seem to care for it," said Eliza carelessly. +</p> +<p> + "Just one piece, to please me," coaxed Louise, and selected a piece from + the box with dainty care. "Here, my dear; you'll find this sort very + nice." +</p> +<p> + Eliza hesitated, but finally reached out her hand and took the bon-bon. + Louise lay back in her chair and closed her eyes, fearing their + eagerness might betray her. When after a time she opened them again + Eliza was slowly rocking back and forth and chewing the confection. +</p> +<p> + Dr. Hoyt's first suggestion had been best. The potion had been prepared + in several ways to tempt Eliza, but the candy had been the effectual + bait. +</p> +<p> + Louise felt a glow of triumph, but managed to continue the conversation, + relating in an amusing way the anxiety of the Elmhurst folks when the + first returns seemed to indicate the election of Hopkins. +</p> +<p> + Eliza laughed once or twice, her head resting upon the back of her + chair. Then the words of Louise began to sound dreamy and indistinct in + her ears. The chair rocked with less regularity; soon it came to a stop, + and Eliza was peacefully sleeping in its ample depths. +</p> +<p> + Louise now rose softly and rang her bell. Footsteps approached, and a + knock came upon the door. She admitted Dr. Hoyt, Mr. Burke, and two + servants. +</p> +<p> + The physician approached the sleeping girl and gently lifted the lids of + her eyes. Then he nodded with satisfaction. +</p> +<p> + "There was no suspicion on her part? She made no struggle—no attempt to + evade unconsciousness?" he asked. +</p> +<p> + "None at all, sir," replied Louise. "She ate the bon-bon, and was asleep + before she realized it." +</p> +<p> + "Excellent!" said the doctor. "We will now place her in her own room, + upon her bed, while Mr. Burke and I drive over to her former home to + complete our arrangements." +</p> +<p> + "Won't she waken?" asked Louise. +</p> +<p> + "Not until tomorrow morning, and when she does I hope for a complete + restoration of her memory." +</p> +<p> + Beth went with Dr. Hoyt to the Rogers farm, because she knew Mrs. + Rogers. It was necessary to break the news to the poor, blind woman + gently, but Beth's natural tact stood her in good stead. She related the + story of the search for Lucy, the discovery that one of the maids at + Elmhurst resembled the missing girl, and the detective's conclusion that + Eliza Parsons was none other than Lucy Rogers, who was suffering from a + peculiar mental aberration and had forgotten every detail of her former + life. +</p> +<p> + Mrs. Rogers followed the tale with intelligent understanding, and her + joy at the discovery of her wandering child was only tempered by the + fear that Lucy would never know her mother again or be content to remain + in her humble home. +</p> +<p> + Then Dr. Hoyt took up the conversation and related the many instances of + complete recovery that had come under his observation. +</p> +<p> + "I am adopting heroic methods in this case," said he, "but I have + reasonable hopes of their success. Your child doubtless became mentally + confused while under this roof. How many hours she wandered, we do not + know, but it could not have been long before she lay down by the + roadside and fell asleep. When she awakened her mind was a blank as + regards her identity and former history. Now, in order to effect a + recovery, I have reversed these experiences with her. She is at present + plunged into a deep sleep, under the influence of narcotics that have + rendered her brain absolutely inactive. It is really a state of coma, + and I wish her to waken in this house, amid the scenes with which she + was formerly familiar. By this means I hope to induce her mental + faculties to resume their normal functions." +</p> +<p> + Mrs. Rogers accepted this proposal with calmness and a confidence in the + physician that was admirable. Old Will trembled with nervous excitement, + and was so "flustered" by the importance of the experiment that Dr. Hoyt + decided to give him a quieting potion. +</p> +<p> + Lucy's room was prepared in the exact manner in which she had left it, + and presently the visitors drove back to Elmhurst. +</p> +<p> + In the evening the doctor made the journey a second time, accompanying + the unconscious form of Lucy, which was attended by a maid Louise had + sent with her. +</p> +<p> + The girl was undressed and put to bed in her own room, and then everyone + except Dr. Hoyt returned to Elmhurst. +</p> +<p> + The physician sat late in conversation with the blind woman and old + Will, and when they retired for the night he lay down upon a lounge in + the little living-room. The question of fees or of comfort was wholly + ignored by the specialist at the moment. His sole interest was in his + remarkable case. +</p> +<p> + Mrs. Rogers rose at daylight and with old Will's assistance prepared the + breakfast. The little table was set in the humble living-room, and the + fragrant odor of coffee pervaded the house. Dr. Hoyt drank a cup and + then stepped out upon the little porch, taking a position of observation + by the window. +</p> +<p> + "All right, Nell," muttered old Will, his knees knocking together, in + spite of himself. +</p> +<p> + Mrs. Rogers rose quietly and walked to the foot of the stairs. +</p> +<p> + "Lucy! Lucy!" she called. +</p> +<p> + "Yes!" came a faint reply. +</p> +<p> + "Breakfast is ready!" +</p> +<p> + Then the two old people sat in suppressed excitement for what seemed to + them an age. But the physician, calmly stationed at the window, knew it + was not very long. +</p> +<p> + Presently a light step sounded upon the stairs and Lucy came into the + room. +</p> +<p> + "Good morning, mother dear!" she said, a new, sweet tenderness in her + voice. And then she knelt and kissed the woman upon her brow. +</p> +<p> + The doctor looked at his watch. +</p> +<p> + "I must be going," he muttered, turning away. "There's time for me to + catch the early train." +</p> +<center> + THE END +</center> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> + + + + + + + +<pre> + + + + + +End of Project Gutenberg's Aunt Jane's Nieces at Work, by Edith Van Dyne + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK AUNT JANE'S NIECES AT WORK *** + +***** This file should be named 13110-h.htm or 13110-h.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + https://www.gutenberg.org/1/3/1/1/13110/ + +Produced by Afra Ullah and PG Distributed Proofreaders + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Aunt Jane's Nieces at Work + +Author: Edith Van Dyne + +Release Date: August 3, 2004 [EBook #13110] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK AUNT JANE'S NIECES AT WORK *** + + + + +Produced by Afra Ullah and PG Distributed Proofreaders + + + + +AUNT JANE'S NIECES AT WORK + +BY + +EDITH VAN DYNE + + +1909 + + + +LIST OF CHAPTERS + +I MISS DOYLE INTERFERES + +II THE ARTIST + +III DON QUIXOTE + +IV KENNETH TAKES A BOLD STEP + +V PLANNING THE WORK + +VI A GOOD START + +VII PATSY MAKES PROGRESS + +VIII THE HONORABLE ERASTUS IS ASTONISHED + +IX OL' WILL ROGERS + +X THE FORGED CHECK + +XI A MYSTERIOUS DISAPPEARANCE + +XII BETH MEETS A REBUFF + +XIII THE BOOMERANG + +XIV LUCY'S GHOST + +XV SIGNS OF THE TIMES + +XVI A CLEW AT LAST + +XVII MRS. HOPKINS GOSSIPS + +XVIII ELIZA PARSONS + +XIX PATSY INDULGES IN EAVESDROPPING + +XX PRICKING A BUBBLE + +XXI THE "RETURNS" FROM FAIRVIEW + +XXII THE AWAKENING + + + + +CHAPTER I + +MISS DOYLE INTERFERES + + +"Daddy," said Patricia Doyle at the breakfast table in her cosy New York +apartment, "here is something that will make you sit up and take +notice." + +"My dear Patsy," was the reply, "it's already sitting up I am, an' +taking waffles. If anything at all would make me take notice it's your +own pretty phiz." + +"Major," remarked Uncle John, helping himself to waffles from a fresh +plate Nora brought in, "you Irish are such confirmed flatterers that you +flatter your own daughters. Patsy isn't at all pretty this morning. +She's too red and freckled." + +Patsy laughed and her blue eyes danced. + +"That comes from living on your old farm at Millville," she retorted. +"We've only been back three days, and the sunburn sticks to me like a +burr to a kitten." + +"Pay no attention to the ould rascal, Patsy," advised the Major, +composedly. "An' stop wavin' that letter like a white flag of surrender. +Who's it from?" + +"Kenneth." + +"Aha! An' how is our lad?" + +"Why, he's got himself into a peck of trouble. That's what I want to +talk to you and Uncle John about," she replied, her happy face growing +as serious as it could ever become. + +"Can't he wiggle out?" asked Uncle John. + +"Out of what?" + +"His trouble." + +"It seems not. Listen--" + +"Oh, tell us about it, lassie," said the Major. "If I judge right +there's some sixty pages in that epistle. Don't bother to read it +again." + +"But every word is important," declared Patsy, turning the letter over, +"--except the last page," with a swift flush. + +Uncle John laughed. His shrewd old eyes saw everything. + +"Then read us the last page, my dear." + +"I'll tell you about it," said Patsy, quickly. "It's this way, you see. +Kenneth has gone into politics!" + +"More power to his elbow!" exclaimed the Major. + +"I can't imagine it in Kenneth," said Uncle John, soberly. "What's he in +for?" + +"For--for--let's see. Oh, here it is. For member of the House of +Representatives from the Eighth District." + +"He's flying high, for a fledgling," observed the Major. "But Kenneth's +a bright lad and a big gun in his county. He'll win, hands down." + +Patsy shook her head. + +"He's afraid not," she said, "and it's worrying him to death. He doesn't +like to be beaten, and that's what's troubling him." + +Uncle John pushed back his chair. + +"Poor boy!" he said. "What ever induced him to attempt such a thing?" + +"He wanted to defeat a bad man who now represents Kenneth's district," +explained Patsy, whose wise little head was full of her friend's +difficulties; "and--" + +"And the bad man objects to the idea and won't be defeated," added the +Major. "It's a way these bad men have." + +Uncle John was looking very serious indeed, and Patsy regarded him +gratefully. Her father never would be serious where Kenneth was +concerned. Perhaps in his heart the grizzled old Major was a bit jealous +of the boy. + +"I think," said the girl, "that Mr. Watson got Ken into politics, for he +surely wouldn't have undertaken such a thing himself. And, now he's in, +he finds he's doomed to defeat; and it's breaking his heart, Uncle +John." + +The little man nodded silently. His chubby face was for once destitute +of a smile. That meant a good deal with Uncle John, and Patsy knew she +had interested him in Kenneth's troubles. + +"Once," said the Major, from behind the morning paper, "I was in +politics, meself. I ran for coroner an' got two whole votes--me own an' +the undertaker's. It's because the public's so indiscriminating that +I've not run for anything since--except th' street-car." + +"But it's a big game," said Uncle John, standing at the window with his +hands deep in his pockets; "and an important game. Every good American +should take an interest in politics; and Kenneth, especially, who has +such large landed interests, ought to direct the political affairs of +his district." + +"I'm much interested in politics, too, Uncle," declared the girl. "If I +were a man I'd--I'd--be President!" + +"An' I'd vote fer ye twenty times a day, mavourneen!" cried the Major. +"But luckily ye'll be no president--unless it's of a woman's club." + +"There's the bell!" cried Patsy. "It must be the girls. No one else +would call so early." + +"It's Beth's voice, talking to Nora," added her father, listening; and +then the door flew open and in came two girls whose bright and eager +faces might well warrant the warm welcome they received. + +"Oh, Louise," cried Patsy, "however did you get up so early?" + +"I've got a letter from Kenneth," was the answer, "and I'm so excited I +couldn't wait a minute!" + +"Imagine Louise being excited," said Beth, calmly, as she kissed Uncle +John and sat down by Patsy's side. "She read her letter in bed and +bounced out of bed like a cannon-ball. We dressed like the 'lightning +change' artist at the vaudeville, and I'm sure our hats are not on +straight." + +"This bids fair to be a strenuous day," observed the Major. "Patsy's had +a letter from the boy, herself." + +"Oh, did you?" inquired Louise; "and do you know all about it, dear?" + +"She knows sixty pages about it," replied Major Doyle. + +"Well, then, what's to be done?" + +The question was addressed to Patsy, who was not prepared to reply. The +three cousins first exchanged inquiring glances and then turned their +eager eyes upon the broad chubby back of Uncle John, who maintained his +position at the window as if determined to shut out the morning +sunlight. + +Louise Merrick lived with her mother a few blocks away from Patsy's +apartment, and her cousin Beth DeGraf was staying with her for a time. +They had all spent the summer with Uncle John at Millville, and had only +returned to New York a few days before. Beth's home was in Ohio, but +there was so little sympathy between the girl and her parents that she +was happy only when away from them. Her mother was Uncle John's sister, +but as selfish and cold as Uncle John was generous and genial. Beth's +father was a "genius" and a professor of music--one of those geniuses +who live only in their own atmosphere and forget there is a world around +them. So Beth had a loveless and disappointed childhood, and only after +Uncle John arrived from the far west and took his three nieces "under +his wing," as he said, did her life assume any brightness or interest. + +Her new surroundings, however, had developed Beth's character +wonderfully, and although she still had her periods of sullen depression +she was generally as gay and lovable as her two cousins, but in a +quieter and more self-possessed way. + +Louise was the eldest--a fair, dainty creature with that indescribable +"air" which invariably wins the admiring regard of all beholders. +Whatever gown the girl wore looked appropriate and becoming, and her +manner was as delightful as her appearance. She was somewhat frivolous +and designing in character, but warm-hearted and staunch in her +friendships. Indeed, Louise was one of those girls who are so complex as +to be a puzzle to everyone, including themselves. + +Beth DeGraf was the beauty of the group of three, and she also possessed +great depth of character. Beth did not like herself very well, and was +always afraid others would fail to like her, so she did not win friends +as easily as did Louise. But those who knew the beautiful girl +intimately could read much to admire in the depth of her great dark +eyes, and she was not the least interesting of the three nieces whose +fortunes had been so greatly influenced by Aunt Jane and Uncle John +Merrick. + +But Patricia Doyle--usually called "Patsy" by her friends--was after all +the general favorite with strangers and friends alike. There was a +subtle magnetism about the girl's laughing, freckled face and dancing +blue eyes that could not well be resisted. Patsy was not beautiful; she +was not accomplished; she had no especial air of distinction. But she +was winning from the top of her red hair to the tips of her toes, and so +absolutely unaffected that she won all hearts. + +"And for wisdom she's got Solomon beat to a frazzle," declared the Major +to Uncle John, in discussing his daughter's character. But it is +possible that Major Doyle was prejudiced. + +"Well, what's to be done?" demanded Louise, for the second time. + +"We don't vote in Ken's district," remarked the Major, "or there would +be six votes to his credit, and that would beat my own record by four!" + +"Ken is so impressionable that I'm afraid this defeat will ruin his +life," said Beth, softly. "I wish we could get him away. Couldn't we get +him to withdraw?" + +"He might be suddenly called to Europe," suggested Louise. "That would +take him away from the place and give him a change of scene." + +Patsy shook her head. + +"Kenneth isn't a coward," she said. "He won't run away. He must accept +his defeat like a man, and some time try again. Eh, Uncle John?" + +Uncle John turned around and regarded his three nieces critically. + +"What makes you think he will be defeated?" he asked. + +"He says so himself," answered Patsy. + +"He writes me he can see no hope, for the people are all against him," +added Louise. + +"Pah!" said Uncle John, contemptuously. "What else does the idiot say?" + +"That he's lonely and discouraged, and had to pour out his heart to some +one or go wild," said Patsy, the tears of sympathy filling her eyes. + +"And you girls propose to sit down and allow all this?" inquired their +uncle sternly. + +"We?" answered Louise, lifting her brows and making a pretty gesture. +"What can we do?" + +"Go to work!" said Uncle John. + +"How?" asked Patsy, eagerly. + +"Politics is a game," declared Mr. Merrick. "It's never won until the +last card is played. And success doesn't lie so much in the cards as the +way you play 'em. Here are three girls with plenty of shrewdness and +energy. Why don't you take a hand in the game and win it?" + +"Oh, Uncle John!" + +The proposition was certainly disconcerting at first. + +"Yes, yes!" laughed the Major, derisively. "Put on some blue stockings, +read the history of woman's suffrage, cultivate a liking for depraved +eggs, and then face Kenneth's enraged constituents!" + +"I shouldn't mind, daddy, if it would help Kenneth any," declared Patsy, +stoutly. + +"Go on, Uncle John," said Beth, encouragingly. + +"Women in politics," observed their uncle, "have often been a tremendous +power. You won't need to humiliate yourselves, my dears. All you'll need +to do is to exercise your wits and work earnestly for the cause. There +are a hundred ways to do that." + +"Mention a few," proposed the Major. + +"I will when I get to Elmhurst and look over the ground," answered Uncle +John. + +"You're going on, then?" + +"Yes." + +"I'll go with you," said Patsy promptly. + +"So will I," said Beth. "Kenneth needs moral encouragement and support +as much as anything else, just now." + +"He's imagining all sorts of horrors and making himself miserable," said +Louise. "Let's all go, Uncle, and try to cheer him up." + +By this time Uncle John was smiling genially. + +"Why, I was sure of you, my dears, from the first," he said. "The +Major's an old croaker, but he'd go, too, if it were not necessary for +him to stay in New York and attend to business. But we mustn't lose any +time, if we're going to direct the politics of the Eighth District +Election the eighth of November." + +"I can go any time, and so can Beth," said Louise. + +"All I need is the blue stockings," laughed Patsy. + +"It won't be play. This means work," said Uncle John seriously. + +"Well, I believe we're capable of a certain amount of work," replied +Beth. "Aren't we, girls?" + +"We are!" + +"All right," said Mr. Merrick. "I'll go and look up the next train. Go +home, Louise, and pack up. I'll telephone you." + +"That bad man 'd better look out," chuckled the Major. "He doesn't +suspect that an army of invasion is coming." + +"Daddy," cried Patsy, "you hush up. We mean business." + +"If you win," said the Major, "I'll run for alderman on a petticoat +platform, and hire your services." + + + + +CHAPTER II + +THE ARTIST + + +To most people the great rambling mansion at Elmhurst, with its ample +grounds and profusion of flowers and shrubbery, would afford endless +delight. But Kenneth Forbes, the youthful proprietor, was at times +dreadfully bored by the loneliness of it all, though no one could better +have appreciated the beauties of his fine estate. + +The town, an insignificant village, was five miles distant, and +surrounding the mansion were many broad acres which rather isolated it +from its neighbors. Moreover, Elmhurst was the one important estate in +the county, and the simple, hard-working farmers in its vicinity +considered, justly enough, that the owner was wholly out of their class. + +This was not the owner's fault, and Kenneth had brooded upon the matter +until he had come to regard it as a distinct misfortune. For it isolated +him and deprived him of any social intercourse with his neighbors. + +The boy had come to live at Elmhurst when he was a mere child, but only +as a dependent upon the charities of Aunt Jane, who had accepted the +charge of the orphan because he was a nephew of her dead lover, who had +bequeathed her his estate of Elmhurst. Aunt Jane was Kenneth's aunt +merely in name, since she had never even married the uncle to whom she +had been betrothed, and who had been killed in an accident before the +boy was born. + +She was an irritable old woman, as Kenneth knew her, and had never shown +him any love or consideration. He grew up in a secluded corner of the +great house, tended merely by servants and suffered to play in those +quarters of the ample grounds which Aunt Jane did not herself visit. The +neglect which Kenneth had suffered and his lonely life had influenced +the youth's temperament, and he was far from being an agreeable +companion at the time Aunt Jane summoned her three nieces to Elmhurst in +order to choose one of them as her heiress. These girls, bright, cheery +and wholesome as they were, penetrated the boy's reserve and drew him +out of his misanthropic moods. They discovered that he had remarkable +talent as an artist, and encouraged him to draw and paint, something he +had long loved to do in secret. + +Then came the great surprise of the boy's life, which changed his +condition from one of dependency into affluence. Aunt Jane died and it +was discovered that she had no right to transfer the estate to one of +her nieces, because by the terms of his uncle's deed to her the property +reverted on her death to Kenneth himself. Louise Merrick, Beth DeGraf +and Patsy Doyle, the three nieces, were really glad that the boy +inherited Elmhurst, and returned to their eastern homes with the most +cordial friendship existing between them all. + +Kenneth was left the master of Elmhurst and possessor of considerable +wealth besides, and at first he could scarcely realize his good fortune +or decide how to take advantage of it. He had one good and helpful +friend, an old lawyer named Watson, who had not only been a friend of +his uncle, and the confidant of Aunt Jane for years, but had taken an +interest in the lonely boy and had done his best to make his life +brighter and happier. + +When Kenneth became a landed proprietor Mr. Watson was appointed his +guardian, and the genial old lawyer abandoned the practice of law and +henceforth devoted himself to his ward's welfare and service. + +They made a trip to Europe together, where Kenneth studied the pictures +of the old masters and obtained instruction from some of the foremost +living artists of the old world. + +It was while they were abroad, a year before the time of this story, +that the boy met Aunt Jane's three nieces again. They were "doing" +Europe in company with a wealthy bachelor uncle, John Merrick, a +generous, kind-hearted and simple-minded old gentleman who had taken the +girls "under his wing," as he expressed it, and had really provided for +their worldly welfare better than Aunt Jane, his sister, could have +done. + +This "Uncle John" was indeed a whimsical character, as the reader will +presently perceive. Becoming a millionaire "against his will," as he +declared, he had learned to know his nieces late in life, and found in +their society so much to enjoy that he was now wholly devoted to their +interests. His one friend was Major Doyle, Patsy's father, a dignified +but agreeable old Irish gentleman who amused Uncle John nearly as much +as the girls delighted him. The Major managed John Merrick's financial +affairs, leaving the old millionaire free to do as he pleased. + +So he took the girls to Europe, and the four had a fine, adventurous +trip, as may be imagined. Kenneth and Mr. Watson met them in Sicily, and +afterward in the Italian cities, and the friendship already existing +between the young people was more firmly cemented than before. + +In the spring Kenneth returned with his guardian to Elmhurst, where he +devoted himself largely to painting from the sketches he had made +abroad, while Mr. Watson sat beside him comfortably smoking his pipe and +reading his favorite authors. The elder man was contented enough in his +condition, but the boy grew restless and impatient, and longed for +social intercourse. His nature was moody and he had a tendency to brood +if left much to himself. + +Uncle John had carried his nieces to a farm at Millville, in the +Adirondack region, for the summer, so that Kenneth heard but seldom from +his friends. + +Such was the disposition of the characters when our story opens. + +Kenneth Forbes, although I have called him a boy, had attained his +majority on the fifteenth day of May. At this time Mr. Watson rendered +his accounts and turned over the estate to its owner. He would then have +retired, but Kenneth would not let him go. Twenty-one years of age +sounds mature, but the owner of Elmhurst was as boyish and inexperienced +as it is possible for one twenty-one years old to be. He had grown +accustomed, moreover, to depend much on Mr. Watson's legal acumen in the +management of his affairs, and would have been embarrassed and +bewildered if obliged to shoulder the burden all at once. + +The lawyer, who had always had an affection for the young man, perceived +this clearly; so an arrangement was made that he should remain with his +young friend indefinitely and strive to teach him such elements of +business as would enable him in time to attend to his extensive +interests understandingly and wisely. + +The country around Elmhurst is thickly settled with agriculturists, for +the farms are rich and productive in that part of the state. But it is +not a flat country, and Nature has given it many pretty woodland glades +and rocky glens to add to its charm. + +From the hill country at the west came several rushing streams which +tumbled along rocky paths to the river nine miles below Elmhurst, and +there are scenes along these routes that might well delight the eye of +an artist. Kenneth had often wandered into these out-of-the-way places +when a half-forgotten, neglected lad, but had not visited them for +years. Now, however, with the spirit of loneliness upon him, he suddenly +thought of a glen that would make an interesting study for a picture; so +one morning he mounted his horse and rode away to pay the place a +preliminary visit. + +The farmers along the road nodded at the young fellow good-naturedly as +he passed them. Everyone knew him well by sight, yet Kenneth could not +have named many of his neighbors, having held little intercourse with +them. It struck him, this morning, that they had little cause to be +interested in him. He had been an unsociable lad, and since he had +become master of Elmhurst had done little to cultivate acquaintance with +the people who lived around him. + +One reason for this was that they held little in common with him. The +neighboring farmers were honest, thrifty souls, and among them were many +both shrewd and thoughtful; but they naturally would not force +themselves upon the society of the one really rich man in their +community, especially as that man had shown no desire to know them. + +Kenneth was the subject of much speculation among them, and opinions +widely differed concerning his character. Some called him a "prig" and +declared that he was "stuck up" and conceited. Others said he was a +"namby-pamby" without brains or wit. But there were a few who had +occasionally talked with the boy, who understood him better, and hinted +that he might develop into "quite a man" in time. + +Kenneth surprised himself this morning by greeting several of his +neighbors with unusual cordiality. He even stopped a man who was driving +along the highway to inquire about his horse, which he perceived was +very lame. The boy knew something about horses and suggested a method of +treatment that he thought would help the nag; a suggestion the farmer +received with real gratitude. + +This simple incident cheered Kenneth more than you might suppose, and he +was actually whistling as he rode through the glen, where the country +road wound its way beside the noisy, rushing stream. + +Pausing in front of the picturesque "table rock" that he had come to +inspect, the boy uttered an exclamation of chagrin and disappointment. +Painted broadly upon the face of the rock, in great white letters, was +the advertisement of a patent medicine. The beauty of the scene was +ruined--only the glaring advertisement caught and held the eye of the +observer. + +At first Kenneth's mind held only a feeling of disgust that such a +desecration of Nature's gifts to humanity should be allowed. Then he +remembered another place further along the glen which was almost as +pretty as this had been before the defiling brush of the advertiser had +ruined it. So he spurred his horse and rode up the winding way to the +spot. There a red-lettered announcement of "Simpson's Soap" stared him +in the face. + +This was too much for his temper, and his disappointment quickly turned +to resentment. While he sat on his mare, considering the matter, the man +with the lame horse, whom he had passed, overtook him. + +"Can you tell me," Kenneth asked, "who owns this property?" + +"Why, I do," replied the man, reining up. + +"And you permitted these vile signs to be painted on the rocks?" +demanded the boy angrily. + +"O' course," replied the man, with a grin of amusement. "I can't farm +the rocks, can I? An' these 'ere signs pays me ten dollars a year, +each." + +Kenneth groaned. + +"I'll give you fifteen dollars a year each if you'll let me wash off the +letters and restore the scene to its original beauty," he declared. + +"I'm willin'," was the response. "But ye see they're contracted. I'd git +into trouble with the sign-painter." + +"Who is he?" + +"Lives in Cleveland. I've got his name up t' th' house, if you'll come +along. He comes up here every spring and paints fences an' rocks, payin' +spot cash fer th' privilege." + +"Oh, I see." + +"Then he contracts with the soap man an' the medicine man to paint up +their ads. You're the young 'un from Elmhurst, ain't ye?" + +"Yes." + +"Well, I'd like to earn that extra five, well enough. My name's Parsons. +I've got three signs let on my property in the glen. Ef ye'll jest ride +up t' the house I'll giv' ye the feller's name." + +"All right. Come along," said Kenneth, with sudden resolve. + +The farmer rode a time in silent thought. He could not go fast, for the +beast was very lame. Finally he remarked: + +"Ef ye buy up the sign painters, so's ye can wash off the letters, like +enough ye'll hev to pay him fer th' paint an' paintin', too." + +"I don't mind," was the response. + +The farmer chuckled. Here was an interesting adventure, for a fact. What +on earth could possess the "young 'un" from Elmhurst to object to signs, +and be willing to pay for having them erased? + +"Like enough ye'll hev to pay back the money the soap an' medicine men +guv th' painter, too," he hazarded. + +"Like enough," said Kenneth, grimly. + +One of his stubborn moods had seized him. At all hazards he was resolved +to eliminate those ugly signs. + +He got the name of the sign painter, accepted a glass of buttermilk at +the farm house, and then rode slowly home by another route, so that he +might not have to face the signs again. + +But on this route he saw even more. They were painted on the fences and +barns as he passed along. He scowled at each one, but they did not +appear to him quite so inharmonious as those which marred the more +picturesque and retired spots which were his favorite haunts. + + + + +CHAPTER III + +DON QUIXOTE + + +When Kenneth got home he told Mr. Watson of his discovery and asked the +old gentleman to write to the sign painter and find out what could be +done. The lawyer laughed heartily at his young friend's whim, but agreed +to help him. + +"If you are going to try to prevent rural advertising," he remarked, +"you'll find your hands full." + +Kenneth looked up smiling. + +"Thank you," he said. + +"For what?" + +"For finding me something to do. I'm sick of this inaction." + +Again the lawyer laughed. + +"What is your idea?" he asked. + +"To remove such eyesores as advertising signs from the neighborhood of +Elmhurst." + +"It's a Titan's task, Ken." + +"So much the better." + +The lawyer grew thoughtful. + +"I believe it's impossible," he ventured. + +"Better yet. I don't say I'll succeed, but I promise to try. I want +something to occupy myself--something really difficult, so that I may +test my own powers." + +"But, my dear boy! This foolish proposition isn't worthy your effort. If +you want to be up and doing we'll find something else to occupy your +mind." + +"No, Mr. Watson; I'm set on this. It's a crime to allow these signs to +flaunt themselves in our prettiest scenes. My instinct revolts at the +desecration. Besides, no one else seems to have undertaken the task of +exterminating them." + +"True enough. If you're serious, Ken, I'll frankly say the thing can't +be done. You may, perhaps, buy the privilege of maintaining the rocks of +the glen free from advertising; but the advertisers will paint more +signs on all the approaches, and you won't have gained much." + +"I'll drive every advertising sign out of this country." + +"Impossible. The great corporations who control these industries make +their fortunes by this style of advertising. The rural districts are +their strongholds. And they must advertise or they can't sell their +products." + +"Let them advertise in decent ways, then. What right has any soap maker +to flaunt his wares in my face, whether I'm interested in them or not?" + +"The right of custom. People have submitted to these things so long that +the manufacturers consider themselves justified in covering every barn, +rock and fence with their signs. I see no way to stop them." + +"Nor I, at present. But there must be a way." + +"Drive out one, and another will take his place. They pay liberally for +locations--" + +"Pshaw! Ten dollars a year for a rock as big as a barn!" + +"But they rent thousands of such positions, and in the aggregate our +farmers get large sums from them." + +"And ruin the appearance of their homes and farms." + +Mr. Watson smiled. + +"They're not artists, Ken. They can't realize on appearances, but they +can use the money the signs bring them." + +"They need to be educated, that's all. These farmers seem very honest, +decent fellows." + +"They are, Ken. I wish you knew them better." + +"So do I, Mr. Watson. This campaign ought to bring us closer together, +for I mean to get them to help me." + +"You'll have to buy them, I'm afraid." + +"Not all of them. There must be some refinement among them." + +But the lawyer was not convinced. However, it was not his desire to +stifle this new-born enthusiasm of Kenneth's, even though he believed it +misdirected. He wanted the young man to rouse himself and take an +interest in life, and if his antagonism to advertising signs would +effect this, the futile fight against them was to be welcomed. It would +cost the boy something, but he would gain his money's worth in +experience. + +After a few days the sign painter answered the letter. He would +relinquish the three signs in the glen for a payment of fifty dollars +each, with the understanding that no other competing signs were to take +their place. Kenneth promptly mailed a check for the amount demanded and +early next morning started for the glen with what he called his +"eliminators." + +These "eliminators" consisted of two men with cans of turpentine and +gasoline and an equipment of scrubbing brushes. Parsons, the farmer, +came over to watch this novel proceeding, happy in the possession of +three crisp five-dollar notes given in accordance with the agreement +made with him. All day the two men scrubbed the rocks faithfully, +assisted at odd times by their impatient employer; but the thick +splashes of paint clung desperately to the rugged surface of the rock, +and the task was a hard one. When evening came the letters had almost +disappeared when viewed closely; but when Kenneth rode to the mouth of +the glen on his way home and paused to look back, he could see the +injunction "Take Smith's Liver Pills" staring at him, in grim defiance +of the scrubbing brushes. + +But his energy was not exhausted. No one ever knew what it cost in labor +and material to erase those three signs; but after ten days they had +vanished completely, and the boy heaved a sigh of satisfaction and +turned his attention to extending the campaign. + +On the farm nearest to Elmhurst at the north, which belonged to a man +named Webb, was a barn, facing the road, that displayed on its side a +tobacco sign. Kenneth interviewed Mr. Webb and found that he received no +money for the sign; but the man contended that the paint preserved his +barn from the weather on that side. So Kenneth agreed to repaint the +entire barn for him, and actually had the work done. As it took many +coats of paint to blot out the sign it was rather a expensive operation. + +By this time the campaign of the youthful proprietor of Elmhurst against +advertising signs began to be talked of throughout the county, and was +the subject of much merriment among the farmers. Some of them were +intelligent enough to admire the young Quixote, and acknowledged frankly +that it was a pity to decorate their premises with signs of patent +medicines and questionable soaps. + +But the majority of them sneered at the champion, and many refused +point-blank to consider any proposition to discard the advertisements. +Indeed, some were proud of them, and believed it a mark of distinction +to have their fences and sheds announce an eye-remedy or several +varieties of pickles. + +Mr. Watson, at first an amused observer of the campaign, soon became +indignant at the way that Kenneth was ridiculed and reviled; and he took +a hand in the fight himself. He decided to call a meeting of the +neighboring farmers at the district school-house on Saturday night, +where Kenneth could address them with logical arguments and endeavor to +win them over to his way of thinking. + +The invitation was promptly accepted by the rural population; not so +much because they were interested in the novel ideas of the young artist +as because they expected to be amused by hearing the boyish master of +Elmhurst "lecture at 'em." So they filled the little room to +overflowing, and to add to the dignity of the proceedings the Hon. +Erastus Hopkins, State Representative for the district, lent his +presence to the assemblage. + +Not that the Honorable Erastus cared a fig about this foolish talk of +exterminating advertising signs. He was himself a large stockholder in a +breakfast-food factory, which painted signs wherever it could secure +space. These signs were not works of art, but they were distinctly +helpful to business, and only a fool, in the opinion of the Honorable +Erastus, would protest against the inevitable. + +What brought the legislator to the meeting was the fact that he was +coming forward for re-election in November, and believed that this +afforded a good chance to meet some of his constituents and make a +favorable impression. So he came early and shook hands with everyone +that arrived, and afterward took as prominent a seat as possible. + +Indeed, the gathering had at first the appearance of being a political +one, so entirely did the Representative dominate it. But Mr. Watson took +the platform and shyly introduced the speaker of the evening. + +The farmers all knew Mr. Watson, and liked him; so when Kenneth rose +they prepared to listen in respectful silence. + +Usually a young man making his maiden speech is somewhat diffident; but +young Forbes was so thoroughly in earnest and so indignant at the +opposition that his plans had encountered that he forgot that it was his +first public speech and thought only of impressing his hearers with his +views, exulting in the fact that on this occasion they could not "talk +back," as they usually did in private when he tried to argue with them. +So he exhorted them earnestly to keep their homes beautiful and free +from the degradation of advertising, and never to permit glaring +commercialism to mar the scenery around them. He told them what he had +been able to accomplish by himself, in a short time; how he had redeemed +the glen from its disgraceful condition and restored it to its former +beauty. He asked them to observe Webb's pretty homestead, no longer +marred by the unsightly sign upon the barn. And then he appealed to them +to help him in driving all the advertising signs out of the community. + +When he ended they applauded his speech mildly; but it was chiefly for +the reason that he had spoken so forcibly and well. + +Then the Honorable Erastus Hopkins, quick to catch the lack of sympathy +in the audience, stood up and begged leave to reply to young Forbes. + +He said the objection to advertising signs was only a rich man's +aristocratic hobby, and that it could not be indulged in a democratic +community of honest people. His own firm, he said, bought thousands of +bushels of oats from the farmers and converted them into the celebrated +Eagle-Eye Breakfast Food, three packages for a quarter. They sold this +breakfast food to thousands of farmers, to give them health and strength +to harvest another crop of oats. Thus he "benefited the community going +and coming." What! Should he not advertise this mutual-benefit commodity +wherever he pleased, and especially among the farmers? What aristocratic +notion could prevent him? It was a mighty good thing for the farmers to +be reminded, by means of the signs on their barns and fences, of the +things they needed in daily life. + +If the young man at Elmhurst would like to be of public service he might +find some better way to do so than by advancing such crazy ideas. But +this, continued the Representative, was a subject of small importance. +What he wished especially to call their attention to was the fact that +he had served the district faithfully as Representative, and deserved +their suffrages for renomination. And then he began to discuss political +questions in general and his own merits in particular, so that Kenneth +and Mr. Watson, disgusted at the way in which the Honorable Erastus had +captured the meeting, left the school-house and indignantly returned to +Elmhurst. + +"This man Hopkins," said Mr. Watson, angrily, "is not a gentleman. He's +an impertinent meddler." + +"He ruined any good effect my speech might have created," said Kenneth, +gloomily. + +"Give it up, my boy," advised the elder man, laying a kindly hand on the +youth's shoulder. "It really isn't worth the struggle." + +"But I can't give it up and acknowledge myself beaten," protested +Kenneth, almost ready to weep with disappointment. + +"Well, well, let's think it over, Ken, and see what can be done. Perhaps +that rascally Hopkins was right when he advised you to find some other +way to serve the community." + +"I can't do better than to make it clean--to do away with these +disreputable signs," said the boy, stubbornly. + +"You made a fine speech," declared Mr. Watson, gravely puffing his pipe. +"I am very proud of you, my lad." + +Kenneth flushed red. He was by nature shy and retiring to a degree. Only +his pent-up enthusiasm had carried him through the ordeal, and now that +it was over he was chagrined to think that the speech had been so +ineffective. He was modest enough to believe that another speaker might +have done better. + + + + +CHAPTER IV + +KENNETH TAKES A BOLD STEP + + +"This man Hopkins gets on my nerves," said Mr. Watson, a week or two +after the eventful meeting in the school-house. He was at the breakfast +table opposite Kenneth, and held up a big, glaring post-card which was +in his mail. + +"What is it now?" asked the boy, rousing himself from a fit of +abstraction. + +"An announcement offering himself for renomination at the primaries. +It's like a circus advertisement. Isn't it a shame to think that modern +politics has descended to such a level in our free and enlightened +republic?" + +Kenneth nodded, stirring his coffee thoughtfully. He had lost his spirit +and enthusiasm since the meeting, and was fast relapsing into his old +state of apathy and boredom. It grieved Mr. Watson to note this. + +"Hopkins isn't fit to be the Representative for this district," observed +the old gentleman, with sudden energy. + +The boy looked at him. + +"Who is Hopkins?" he asked. + +"His mother once kept a stationery shop in town, and he was stable boy +at the hotel. But he was shrewd and prospered, and when he grew up +became a county-clerk or tax-collector; then an assessor, and finally he +ran last term for State Representative from this district and was +elected by a mighty small majority." + +"Why small?" asked Kenneth. + +"Because he's a Democrat, and the district is strongly Republican. But +Thompson ran against him on the Republican ticket and couldn't win his +party vote." + +"Who's Thompson?" + +"The general store keeper. He has a reputation for short weights and +measures." + +The boy sipped his coffee thoughtfully. + +"Tell me, sir; how did you happen to know all this?" he asked. + +"I've been looking up Hopkins's record. I have disliked the man ever +since he treated us so shabbily on the night of the meeting." + +"Never mind him. We've done with him." + +Mr. Watson shifted uneasily in his chair. + +"I wonder if we have?" he said. + +"Why not, sir?" + +"Well, Kenneth, we have to reside at Elmhurst, which is Hopkins's +district. Also I believe Elmhurst to be the most important estate in the +district, and you to be the largest taxpayer. This man wishes to go to +the State Legislature and make laws for you to obey." + +"Well?" + +"Well, it's our duty to watch him. If he isn't a fit man it's our duty +to prevent him from representing us." + +The young man nodded somewhat dreamily. + +"Some of these country yokels must represent us," he observed. "It +doesn't matter much whether it's Hopkins or someone else." + +"Except that you, being a prominent man, owe it to the community to +protect its interests," added the lawyer. + +"Do you want me to mix in these petty politics?" asked the boy, +irritably. + +"Oh, do as you like, my boy. If you can shirk your duties with a clear +conscience, I've nothing to say." + +For a time the young man was silent. Finally he asked: + +"Why isn't Hopkins a good Representative?" + +"He's what is called a 'grafter'; a term signifying that he is willing +to vote for any measure that he is paid to vote for, whether it benefits +his constituents or not." + +"Oh. Is he singular in this?" + +"By no means. The 'grafter' is all too common in politics." + +Again the boy fell into a thoughtful mood. + +"Mr. Watson, am I a Democrat or a Republican?" + +The old gentleman laughed outright. + +"Don't you know, Ken?" + +"No, sir, I haven't asked myself before." + +"Then I advise you to be a Republican." + +"Why?" + +"Because Hopkins is a Democrat, and we may then fight him openly." + +"What is the difference, sir, between the two parties?" + +"There is no difference of importance. All Americans are loyal citizens, +whichever side they adopt in politics. But the two parties are the +positive and negative poles that provide the current of electricity for +our nation, and keep it going properly. Also they safeguard our +interests by watching one another." + +"What is your preference, sir?" + +"I've always been a Republican, whenever I dabbled in politics, which +hasn't been often." + +"Then I will be a Republican." + +"Very good." + +"I am sorry to say that I know nothing about politics and have no +convictions on the subject. Who is to oppose the Honorable Erastus on +the--on _our_ side?" + +"I don't know yet. The primaries for the nomination are not to be held +for two weeks, and the Republican candidates seem shy about coming +forward." + +"Didn't you say the district was Republican?" + +"Yes; but since Hopkins defeated them last term they seem to be +terrified, and no one likes to offer himself as a possible sacrifice." + +"That feeling will probably elect Mr. Hopkins," declared Kenneth, with +conviction. + +"Unless--" + +"Unless what, sir?" + +"Unless we come to the rescue of the Republicans and take a hand in +local politics ourselves, my lad." + +Kenneth pushed back his chair and rose from the table. He walked to the +window and stood there whistling for a few moments, and then left the +room without a word. + +For a time Mr. Watson sat silently musing. + +"Perhaps I'm inviting trouble," he murmured; "but I am sure I am doing +right. The boy needs a good shaking up and more knowledge of his +fellow-men. If I can get Kenneth interested, this plan of mine will be +of great benefit to him." + +Then he, too, left the breakfast table, and wandering into the garden +saw Kenneth busy at his easel in a shady corner. + +For a day or so the, subject was not resumed, and then Mr. Watson +casually introduced it. + +"A law could be passed in the State Legislature forbidding the display +of all advertising signs in public places in this county," he suggested. + +The boy looked at him eagerly. + +"Are you sure?" he asked. + +"I am positive," was the answer. "It is merely a question of privilege." + +"And you think we might hire Hopkins to pass such a law?" + +"No; we couldn't trust him." + +"Then what do you propose?" + +"I'll think it over, my lad, and let you know." + +Then he walked away, leaving Kenneth much pleased with the idea he had +advanced. Indeed, he was so much interested in the suggestion that he +himself referred to the subject at the first opportunity. + +"I don't like to be beaten, sir, once I've undertaken to do a thing," he +said. "So if such a law can be passed I'll do all I can to elect the man +who will pass it." + +"I thought as much," the old lawyer replied, smiling. "But there's only +one man who could go to the legislature with enough influence to win the +votes to carry such a unique measure through." + +"And who is that, sir?" + +"Kenneth Forbes, the owner of Elmhurst, and the largest taxpayer in the +county." + +"Me, sir?" + +"You're the man." + +"A State Representative?" + +"It's an honorable office. It's an important office, properly filled. +You might not only beautify your district by having those objectionable +signs prohibited, but do many other things to better the condition of +the farmers. And that isn't all." + +"What's the rest, Mr. Watson?" + +"You owe something to yourself, lad. All your young life you've been too +self-contained and exclusive in your habits. 'The noblest study of +mankind is man.' It would broaden you to go into politics for a time, +and do much to develop your character and relieve the monotony of your +existence." + +Kenneth frowned. + +"It won't be easy, you know. It'll be a fight, and a hard one, for +Hopkins won't give up his job if he can help it." + +The boy brightened again. + +"I like a good fight," he said, wistfully. "If I thought--if I believed +I could fill the position with credit--I might undertake it." + +"I'll answer for that," retorted the old man, highly pleased with his +easy victory. "You win the fight, Ken, and I'll guarantee you'll +outclass the majority of your fellow Representatives. It's a good state, +too." + +So the thing was undertaken, and both the young man and the old threw +themselves into the contest with energy and determination. + +Mr. Watson rode in his buggy all over their district during the next +fortnight, and interviewed the farmers and townsmen of the legislative +district. When it became noised about that the young owner of Elmhurst, +now barely twenty-one, had determined to enter politics, and asked for +the nomination of Representative, no other Republican ventured to oppose +him. + +It was understood to mean a hard fight, and even the most sturdy +Republican was inclined to fear that the present incumbent of the office +would be elected to succeed himself. + +So the primaries were held and Kenneth attended and made a speech, and +was warmly applauded. His nomination was a matter of course, and he went +home the unanimous choice of his party, because none of the older and +more discreet politicians ventured to risk defeat. + +The Hon. Erastus Hopkins well knew this feeling, and smiled in his +pompous and most sardonic manner when he learned who was his opponent. +Having conquered an old and tried Republican warrior in the last +campaign, he had no fears in regard to this mere boy, who could know +little of political intrigue. + +"He won't put up enough of a fight to make it interesting, I'm afraid," +Mr. Hopkins confided to his cronies. + +But he didn't intend to take chances, so he began the campaign with his +usual vigor. + +It was now the middle of September, and the election was to be early in +November. + + + + +CHAPTER V + +PLANNING THE WORK + + +The Honorable Erastus Hopkins was thoroughly enjoying his campaign. + +He was not an especially popular man in his district, and he knew it. +Physically he was big and stout, with a florid face and small eyes that +blinked continually. His head was bald, his hands fat and red and his +feet enormous. + +To offset this Mr. Hopkins wore a silk hat and a "Prince Albert" coat +morning, noon and night. His gold watch-chain was huge and imposing; he +had a big diamond shirt-stud, and upon his puffy fingers several rings. +He conveyed, nevertheless, the impression that he was more prosperous +than refined, and the farmers and townsmen were as quick to recognize +this as was Mr. Watson himself. + +Moreover, the Honorable Erastus was dubbed "close-fisted" by his +neighbors. He never spent a penny on anyone but himself, and being +unscrupulous in politics he was naturally unscrupulous in smaller things +of a business nature. But since he had risen from a stable-boy to his +present affluent position he had never been unwise or careless enough to +be caught in any crooked action; and while his acquaintances had an +indefinite fear of dealing with him they could not accuse him openly. + +It seems strange that such a man should have been chosen to represent a +wealthy and important district in the State Legislature, but politics +can show many a similar case. In the first place, Mr. Hopkins was +aggressive, and knew political methods thoroughly. He had usurped the +position of Democratic leader in his community and the others were +afraid to antagonize him openly. When he was nominated for +Representative he managed to dictate, by shrewd methods, the nomination +of Thompson, the store-keeper, on the Republican ticket. Thompson owed +Hopkins a large sum of money and Hopkins held a mortgage on the stock. +Therefore Thompson dared not make a fight, and although the Republican +vote was normally the largest in the district, Hopkins had managed to +win enough of them to his side to win. + +He had been a little anxious about his renomination, because he knew +that he had not represented his district very satisfactorily; but when +Kenneth Forbes received the nomination on the Republican ticket he felt +that "all was over but the shouting" and that he would "win in a walk." +Had it been an issue between the personality of the two men, Hopkins +would have had little chance of success; but young Forbes had already +raised another issue by his anti-sign speech at the school-house, and +Hopkins intended to force that issue and so defeat Kenneth because of +the ridicule the latter's position had already brought upon him. + +He began to circulate humorous stories about Kenneth's antipathy to +sign-boards, saying that the young man demanded that the signs be taken +off the Zodiac, and that he wouldn't buy goods of the village grocer +because the man had a sign out. + +Mr. Hopkins also printed thousands of large hand-bills reading "The +Signs of the Times vs. Aristocratic Snobbery. Vote for the Hon. Erastus +Hopkins, the man who believes in advertising." + +These things had their effect upon all classes of people. There were +many good-natured laughs at young Forbes's expense. All this was soon +realized at Elmhurst, and had the effect of plunging the youthful +aspirant for political honors into the depths of despair. The campaign +was hot against him, but Kenneth made no defense. + +At this juncture, with election but three weeks away, he received a +telegram asking him to send the drag and baggage wagon to the noon +train. It was signed by John Merrick, and the boy was overjoyed at the +prospect of seeing his jolly old friend again. And the girls? Well, some +of them surely must be coming, or Uncle John wouldn't have asked for the +drag. + +"Now then, the election can go to blazes," said Kenneth, cheerfully, to +Mr. Watson. "The sight of some friendly faces will be a great relief." + +The old lawyer sighed. His attempt to "wake up" Kenneth had resulted in +failure, mainly because the boy had become discouraged so early in the +game. Kenneth felt keenly the humiliating experiences he had passed +through, and had sunk back into his old moody reserve. + +But here was a welcome diversion. The visitors, whoever they might prove +to be, would afford relief to the situation and brighten the dullness of +life at the big house. So both Kenneth and Mr. Watson were with the drag +at the station when the noon train drew in. + +And there were Patsy Doyle, Beth DeGraf, and Louise Merrick, a bevy of +dainty and sprightly girls, alighting eagerly from the coaches, with +Uncle John handing out the grips and packages and giving the checks for +the baggage, with business-like celerity, to Thomas the groom. + +"We've come for a visit, Ken!" cried Palsy, laughing at his eager +delight. "Are you glad to see us, boy? And do you suppose old Martha has +our rooms aired?" + +"And it's a long visit, too," added Uncle John, "as you'll believe when +you see the pile of baggage. You'd think these minxes were prepared for +a tour of the world. Each one of 'em brought a carload of clothes." + +But they couldn't phase Kenneth in that way. His sensitive face had not +beamed with so much animation for months. + +The guests were helped into the tall drag and merrily they drove the +five miles to Elmhurst, not a word of politics being spoken on the way. + +The girls had not been to the house since Aunt Jane's death, two years +ago, and after a hasty luncheon they began an inspection of every room, +as well as the garden, grounds and stables. The horses, cows, pig and +chickens were alike inspected, the roses and dahlias visited and +admired, and after all this they returned to their rooms with old +Martha, the housekeeper, and proceeded to unpack their trunks and get +settled. Kenneth had been their guide and companion in these various +explorations, but when the girls went to their rooms he wandered into +the library where Uncle John and Mr. Watson had been having a quiet talk +over their pipes of tobacco. They welcomed the young man, but adroitly +turned the topic of conversation, and again the subject of was rejoined. + +It was a merry dinner party that graced the table during dinner that +evening, and the boy forgot his troubles and was as jolly and sociable +as he had ever been in his life. + +But when they were all assembled in the long living room where they +grouped themselves around the fireplace, a sudden change took place in +the demeanor of the young ladies. Patsy, the delegated leader, looked +gravely at the boy and asked: + +"How goes the campaign, Ken?" + +"Wh--what campaign?" he stammered, to gain time. + +"Why, this election business. Tell us about it," said Patsy. + +"Some other time, girls," answered the boy, red and distressed. "It--it +wouldn't interest you a bit." + +"Why not?" asked Louise, softly. + +"Because it doesn't interest me," he replied. + +"Are you so sure of election?" inquired Beth. + +"I'm sure of defeat, if you must know," he declared, scowling at the +recollection of his predicament. + +"You haven't been cowardly enough to give up?" asked Patricia, boldly. + +"What do you mean by that, Patsy Doyle?" he asked, the scowl deepening. + +"Just what I say, Ken. A brave man doesn't know when he's beaten, much +less beforehand." + +He looked at her fixedly. + +"I'm not brave, my dear," he replied, more gently than they had +expected. "The people here don't understand me, nor I them. I'm laughed +at and reviled, a subject for contemptuous jeers, and--and it hurts me. +I don't like to be beaten. I'd fight to the last gasp, if I had any show +to win. But these conditions, which I foolishly but honestly brought +about myself, have defeated me so far in advance that I have absolutely +no hope to redeem myself. That's all. Don't speak of it again, girls. +Play me that nocturne that I like, Beth." + +"We've got to speak of this, Kenneth, and speak of it often. For we +girls have come down here to electioneer, and for no other reason on +earth," declared Patsy. + +"_What! You_ electioneer?"--a slight smile curled his lips. + +"Exactly. We're here to brace up and get to work." + +"And to win," added Beth, quietly. + +"And to put you in the Legislature where you belong," declared Louise. + +Kenneth turned to Mr. Merrick. + +"Talk to them, Uncle John," he begged. + +"I have," said the little man, smiling, "and they've convinced me that +they mean business. It's all up with you, my boy, as a private citizen. +You're as good as elected." + +Ken's eyes filled. + +"You're all very kind, sir," he said, "as you were bound to be. And--and +I appreciate it all--very much. But Mr. Watson will tell you that the +case is hopeless, and there's nothing to be done." + +"How about it, Watson?" inquired Uncle John, turning to the lawyer. + +"I'll explain the proposition, sir, so you will all understand it," he +replied, and drew his chair into the circle. "To begin with, Kenneth +visited the glen one day, to make a sketch, and found his old table-rock +covered with an advertising sign." + +"How preposterous!" exclaimed Louise. + +"There were three of these huge signs in different parts of the glen, +and they ruined its natural beauty. Kenneth managed to buy up the spaces +and then he scrubbed away the signs. By that time he had come to detest +the unsightly advertisements that confronted him every time he rode out, +and he began a war of extermination against them." + +"Quite right," said Patsy, nodding energetically. + +"But our friend made little headway because the sympathies of the people +were not with him." + +"Why not, sir?" inquired Beth, while Kenneth sat inwardly groaning at +this baring of his terrible experiences. + +"Because through custom they had come to tolerate such things, and could +see no harm in them," replied the lawyer. "They permit their buildings +which face the roads to be covered with big advertisements, and the +fences are decorated in the same way. In some places a sign-board has +been built in their yards or fields, advertising medicines or groceries +or tobacco. In other words, our country roads and country homes have +become mere advertising mediums to proclaim the goods of more or less +unscrupulous manufacturers, and so all their attractiveness is +destroyed. Kenneth, being a man of artistic instincts and loving country +scenes, resented this invasion of commercialism and tried to fight it." + +"And so ran my head against a stone wall," added the young man, with a +bitter laugh. + +"But you were quite right," said Patsy, decidedly. "Such things ought +not to be permitted." + +"The people think differently," he replied. + +"Then we must educate the people to a different way of thinking," +announced Louise. + +"In three weeks?" + +"That is long enough, if we get to work. Isn't it, girls?" said Beth. + +"Kenneth accepted the nomination with the idea of having a law passed +prohibiting such signs," explained the lawyer. "But Mr. Hopkins, his +opponent, has used this very thing to arouse public sentiment against +him. Farmers around here are thrifty people, and they fear to lose the +trifling sums paid them for the privilege of painting signs on their +premises." + +Patsy nodded gravely. + +"We will change all that," she said. "The thing is really more serious +than we expected, and more difficult. But we came here to work and win, +and we're going to do it. Aren't we, Uncle John?" + +"I'll bet on your trio, Patsy," replied her uncle. "But I won't bet all +I'm worth." + +"It's all foolishness," declared Kenneth. + +"I do not think so," said the lawyer, gravely. "The girls have a fine +show to win. I know our country people, and they are more intelligent +than you suppose. Once they are brought to a proper way of thinking they +will support Kenneth loyally." + +"Then we must bring them to a proper way of thinking," said Patsy, with +decision. "From this time on, Ken, we become your campaign managers. +Don't worry any more about the matter. Go on with your painting and be +happy. We may require you to make a few speeches, but all the details +will be arranged for you." + +"Do you intend to permit this, Uncle John?" asked Kenneth. + +"I'm wholly in sympathy with the girls, Ken, and I believe in them." + +"But consider the humiliation to which they will subject themselves! +I've had a taste of that medicine, myself." + +"We're going to be the most popular young ladies in this district!" +exclaimed Patsy. "Don't you worry about us, Ken. But tell me, how big is +your district?" + +"It includes parts of three counties--Monroe, Washington and Jackson +Counties." + +"What county is this?" + +"Monroe." + +"Any cities?" + +"No; only a few towns. It's mostly a rural district. Fairview, just +across the border in Washington County, is the biggest village." + +"Have you an automobile?" + +"No; I don't like the things. I've always loved horses and prefer them +to machines." + +"How much money are you prepared to spend?" + +"How much--what's that?" he asked, bewildered. + +"You can't win a political election without spending money," declared +Patsy, wisely. "I'll bet the bad man is scattering money in every +direction. It will cost something on our side to run this campaign in a +way to win." + +The young man frowned. + +"I don't mind spending money, Patsy," he said, "but I don't approve of +buying votes, and I won't allow it, either!" + +"Tut-tut! Who said anything about buying votes? But we're going to work +on a broad and liberal basis, I assure you, and we need money." + +"Spend all you like, then, so long as you don't try to corrupt the +voters." + +"Very good. Now, then, how much land do you own at Elmhurst?" + +Kenneth looked inquiringly at the lawyer. + +"About twelve hundred acres," said Mr. Watson. "It is divided into small +farms which are let out on shares." + +"How many votes do you control among your servants and tenants?" +proceeded Patsy, in a business-like tone. + +"Perhaps thirty or forty." + +"And what is the total vote of the district?" + +"Thirty-five hundred." + +Patsy gasped. + +"So many?" + +"Fully that many," said Mr. Watson, smiling. + +"Then we've got to have over seventeen hundred and fifty votes to elect +Kenneth?" + +"Exactly." + +The girl drew a long breath and looked at Beth and Louise. Then they all +laughed. + +"Suppose you resign as campaign managers," said Kenneth, beginning to be +amused. + +"Oh, no! It's--it's easier than we expected. Isn't it, girls?" + +"It's child's play," observed Louise, languidly. + +The boy was astonished. + +"Very well," said he. "Try it and see." + +"Of course," said Patsy, cheerfully. "Tomorrow morning we begin work." + + + + +CHAPTER VI + +A GOOD START + + +At an early breakfast next morning Patsy announced the program for the +day. + +"Uncle John and I will drive over to the village," she said, "and +perhaps we'll be gone all day. Don't worry if we're not back for +luncheon. Louise and Mr. Watson are going in the phaeton to visit some +of the near-by farmers. Take one road, dear, and follow it straight +along, as far as it keeps within our legislative district, and visit +every farm-house on the way." + +"The farmers will all be busy in the fields," said Kenneth. + +"Louise doesn't care about the farmers," retorted Patsy. "She's going to +talk to their wives." + +"Wives don't vote, Patsy." + +"They tell their husbands how to vote, though," declared Louise, with a +laugh. "Let me win the women and I'll win the men." + +"What am I to do?" asked Beth. + +"You're to stay at home and write several articles for the newspapers. +There are seven important papers in our district, and five of them are +Republican. Make a strong argument, Beth. You're our publicity +department. Also get up copy for some hand-hills and circular letters. I +want to get a circular letter to every voter in the district." + +"All right," said Beth. "I know what you want." + +There was an inspiring air of business about these preparations, and the +girls were all eager to begin work. Scarcely was breakfast finished when +the two equipages were at the door. Louise and Mr. Watson at once +entered the phaeton and drove away, the girl delighted at the prospect +of visiting the farmers' wives and winning them by her plausible +speeches. Conversation was Louise's strong point. She loved to talk and +argue, and her manner was so confiding and gracious that she seldom +failed to interest her listeners. + +Patsy and Uncle John drove away. In Kenneth's buggy to the town, and +during the five-mile drive Patsy counseled gravely with her shrewd uncle +in regard to "ways and means." + +"This thing requires prompt action, Patsy," he said, "and if we're going +to do things that count they've got to be done on a big scale." + +"True," she admitted. "But oughtn't we to be a little careful about +spending Kenneth's money?" + +"I'll be your temporary banker," said the old gentleman, "and keep track +of the accounts. If we win we'll present Kenneth our bill, and if we +fail I'll have the satisfaction of getting rid of some of that dreadful +income that is swamping me." + +This was always Uncle John's cry. His enormous fortune was a constant +bugbear to him. He had been so interested in his business enterprises +for many years that he had failed to realize how his fortune was +growing, and it astounded him to wake up one day and find himself +possessed of many millions. He had at once retired from active business +and invested his millions in ways that would cause him the least +annoyance; but the income on so large a sum was more than he could take +care of, and even Major Doyle, who managed these affairs for his +brother-in-law, was often puzzled to know what to do with the money that +accumulated. + +Doubtless no one will ever know how much good these two kindly men +accomplished between them in their quiet, secretive way. Dozens of +deserving young men were furnished capital to start them in business; +dozens more were being educated at universities at Uncle John's expense. +Managers of worthy charities were familiar with John Merrick's signature +on checks, and yet the vast fortune grew with leaps and bounds. Mr. +Merrick's life was so simple and unostentatious that his personal +expenses, however erratic some of his actions, could not make much +headway against his interest account, and nothing delighted him more +than to find a way to "get even with fate by reckless squandering," as +he quaintly expressed it. He was far too shrewd to become the prey of +designing people, but welcomed any legitimate channel in which to unload +his surplus. + +So Mr. Merrick had been revolving the possibilities of this unique +political campaign in his mind, and had decided to do some things that +would open the bucolic eyes of Kenneth's constituents in wonder. He did +not confide all his schemes to Patsy, but having urged his nieces to +attempt this conquest he had no intention of allowing them to suffer +defeat if he could help it. + +The little town of Elmwood was quiet and practically deserted when they +drove into it. The farmers were too busy with the harvest to "come to +town for trading" except on Saturdays, and the arrival and departure of +the two daily trains did not cause more than a ripple of excitement in +the village. + +Patsy decided she would shop at each and every store in the place, and +engage the store-keepers in conversation about the election. + +"It's important to win these people," she declared, "because they are +close to every farmer who comes to town to trade; and their own votes +count, too." + +"I'll run over to the bank," said Uncle John, "and get acquainted +there." + +So he tied the horses to a post and let Patsy proceed alone upon her +mission, while he wandered over to a little brick building of neat +appearance which bore the inscription "Bank" in gold letters on its +plate-glass window. + +"Mr. Warren in?" he asked the clerk at the window. + +The banker, a dignified old gentleman of considerable ability, came out +of his private office and greeted his visitor very cordially. He had +known Uncle John when the millionaire visited Elmhurst two years before, +and since then had learned more particulars concerning him. So there was +no need of an introduction, and Mr. Warren was delighted at the prospect +of business relations with this famous personage. + +The bank, although small and only one story high, was the most modern +and imposing building in the village; and it was fitted with modern +conveniences, for Mr. Warren had been successful and prosperous. In his +private office were local and long distance telephones, a direct +connection with the telegraph operator at the station, and other +facilities for accomplishing business promptly. Uncle John had +remembered this fact, and it had a prominent place in his plans. + +He followed the banker into his private office and told him briefly his +intention to forward the interests of his young friend Kenneth Forbes +for Member of the Legislature. + +The old gentleman shook his head, at first, predicting failure. Young +Forbes was his most important customer, and he respected him highly; but +this anti-sign issue bade fair to ruin all his chances. + +"The idea is too progressive and advanced to be considered at this +time," he stated, positively. "The encroachments of advertisers on +personal property may lead to a revolt in the future, but it is still +too early to direct popular opinion against them." + +"Isn't Forbes a better man for the place than Hopkins?" asked Uncle +John. + +"Undoubtedly, sir. And I think Forbes would have won, had not Hopkins +forced this unfortunate issue upon him. As it is, our young friend +cannot avoid the consequences of his quixotic action." + +"He doesn't wish to avoid them," was the quiet reply. "We're going to +win on that issue or not at all." + +"I'm afraid it's hopeless, sir." + +"May I count on your assistance?" + +"In every way." + +"Thank you, Mr. Warren, I'm going to spend a lot of money. Put this +draft for fifty thousand to my credit as a starter." + +"Ah, I begin to understand. But--" + +"You don't understand at all, yet. May I use your long distance +telephone?" + +"Of course, sir." + +Uncle John had secured considerable information from Mr. Watson, and +this enabled him to act comprehensively. The advertising sign business +in this part of the state was controlled by two firms, who contracted +directly with the advertisers and then had the signs painted upon spaces +secured from the farmers by their wide-awake agents. These signs were +contracted for by the year, but the firms controlling the spaces always +inserted protective clauses that provided for the removal of any sign +when certain conditions required such removal. In such cases a rebate +was allowed to the advertiser. This protective clause was absolutely +necessary in case of fire, alteration or removal of buildings or +destruction of fences and sign-boards by weather or the requirements of +the owners. It was this saving clause in the contracts of which Uncle +John had decided to take advantage. The contracting sign painters were +merely in the business to make money. + +Mr. Merrick got the head of the concern in Cleveland over the telephone +within half an hour. He talked with the man at length, and talked with +the convincing effect that the mention of money has. When he hung up the +receiver Uncle John was smiling. Then he called for the Chicago firm. +With this second advertising company he met with more difficulties, and +Mr. Warren had to come to the telephone and assure the man that Mr. +Merrick was able to pay all he agreed to, and that the money was on +deposit in his bank. That enabled Mr. Merrick to conclude his +arrangements. He knew that he was being robbed, but the co-operation of +the big Chicago firm was necessary to his plans. + +Then, the telephone having served its purpose, Mr. Warren took Uncle +John across the street to the newspaper office and introduced him to +Charley Briggs, the editor. + +Briggs was a man with one eye, a sallow complexion and sandy hair that +stuck straight up from his head. He set type for his paper, besides +editing it, and Uncle John found him wearing a much soiled apron, with +his bare arms and fingers smeared with printer's ink. + +"Mr. Merrick wants to see you on business, Charley," said the banker. +"Whatever he agrees to I will guarantee, to the full resources of my +bank." + +The editor pricked up his ears and dusted a chair for his visitor with +his apron. It wasn't easy to make a living running a paper in Elmwood, +and if there was any business pending he was anxious to secure it. + +Uncle John waited until Mr. Warren had left him alone with the newspaper +man. Then he said: + +"I understand your paper is Democratic, Mr. Briggs." + +"That's a mistake, sir," replied the editor, evasively. "The _Herald_ is +really independent, but in political campaigns we adopt the side we +consider the most deserving of support." + +"You're supporting Hopkins just now." + +"Only mildly; only mildly, sir." + +"What is he paying you?" + +"Why, 'Rast and I haven't come to a definite settlement yet. I ought to +get a hundred dollars out of this campaign, but 'Rast thinks fifty is +enough. You see, he plans on my support anyhow, and don't like to spend +more than he's obliged to." + +"Why does he plan on your support?" + +"He's the only live one in the game, Mr. Merrick. 'Rast is one of +us--he's one of the people--and it's policy for me to support him +instead of the icicle up at Elmhurst, who don't need the job and don't +care whether he gets it or not." + +"Is that true?" + +"I think so. And there's another thing. Young Forbes is dead against +advertising, and advertising is the life of a newspaper. Why, there +isn't a paper in the district that's supporting Forbes this year." + +"You've a wrong idea of the campaign, Mr. Briggs," said Uncle John. "It +is because Mr. Forbes believes in newspaper advertising, and wants to +protect it, that he's against these signs. That's one reason, anyhow. +Can't you understand that every dollar spent for painting signs takes +that much away from your newspapers?" + +"Why, perhaps there's something in that, Mr. Merrick. I'd never looked +at it that way before." + +"Now, see here, Mr. Briggs. I'll make you a proposition. I'll give you +two hundred and fifty to support Mr. Forbes in this campaign, and if +he's elected I'll give you five hundred extra." + +"Do you mean that, sir?" asked the editor, scarcely able to believe the +evidence of his ears. + +"I do. Draw up a contract and I'll sign it. And here's a check for your +two-fifty in advance." + +The editor drew up the agreement with a pen that trembled a little. + +"And now," said Uncle John, "get busy and hustle for Kenneth Forbes." + +"I will, sir," said Briggs, with unexpected energy. "I mean to win that +extra five hundred!" + + + + +CHAPTER VII + +PATSY MAKES PROGRESS + + +Meantime Patsy was in the thick of the fray. The druggist was a +deep-dyed Democrat, and sniffed when she asked him what he thought of +Forbes for Representative. + +"He's no politician at all--just an aristocrat," declared Latham, a +dapper little man with his hair slicked down to his ears and a waxed +moustache. "And he's got fool notions, too. If he stopped the +advertising signs I wouldn't sell half as many pain-killers and +liver-pills." + +"He's my cousin," said Patsy, mendaciously; for although they called +themselves cousins there was no relationship even of marriage, as +Patsy's Aunt Jane had merely been betrothed to Kenneth's uncle when he +died. + +"I'm sorry for that, miss," replied the druggist. "He's going to be +badly beaten." + +"I think I'll take two ounces of this perfumery. It is really +delightful. Some druggists have so little taste in selecting such +things." + +"Yes, miss, I do rather pride myself on my perfumes," replied Latham, +graciously. "Now here's a sachet powder that gives fine satisfaction." + +"I'll take a couple of packets of that, too, since you recommend it." + +Latham began doing up the purchases. There was no other customer in the +store. + +"You know, miss, I haven't anything against Mr. Forbes myself. His +people are good customers. It's his ideas I object to, and he's a +Republican." + +"Haven't you ever voted for a Republican?" asked the girl. "Don't you +think it better to vote for the best man, rather than the best party, in +a case like this?" + +"Why, perhaps it is. But in what way is Mr. Forbes the best man?" + +"He's honest. He doesn't want to make any money out of the office. On +the contrary, he's willing and able to spend a good deal in passing laws +that will benefit his district." + +"And Hopkins?" + +"Don't you know Mr. Hopkins?" she asked, pointedly. + +"Yes, miss; I do." And Latham frowned a little. + +"As regards the advertising signs," continued the girl, "I've heard you +spoken of as a man of excellent taste, and I can believe it since I've +examined the class of goods you keep. And your store is as neat and +attractive as can be. The fight is not against the signs themselves, but +against putting them on fences and barns, and so making great glaring +spots in a landscape where all should be beautiful and harmonious. I +suppose a man of your refinement and good taste has often thought of +that, and said the same thing." + +"Why--ahem!--yes; of course, miss. I agree with you that the signs are +often out of place, and--and inharmonious." + +"To be sure; and so you must sympathize with Mr. Forbes's campaign." + +"In that way, yes; of course," said Mr. Latham, puzzled to find himself +changing front so suddenly. + +"Mr. Hopkins has taken a lot of money out of this town," remarked Patsy, +examining a new kind of tooth wash. "But I can't find that he's ever +given much of it back." + +"That's true. He buys his cigars of Thompson, the general store man, and +I keep the finest line ever brought to this town." + +"Oh, that reminds me!" exclaimed Patsy. "Mr. Forbes wanted me to +purchase a box of your choicest brand, and have you just hand them out +to your customers with his compliments. He thinks he ought to show a +little cordiality to the men who vote for him, and he said you would +know just the people to give them to." + +Latham gasped, but he assumed an air of much importance. + +"I know every man that comes to this town, miss, as well as any you'll +find," he said. + +"The best brand, mind you, Mr. Latham," said the girl. "How much will +they be?" + +"Why, the very best--these imported perfectos, you know--are worth six +dollars a box of fifty. Perhaps for election purposes something a little +cheaper--" + +"Oh, no; the best is none too good for the friends of Mr. Forbes, you +know. And fifty--why fifty will scarcely go around. I'll pay for a +hundred, Mr. Latham, and you'll see they go to the right persons." + +"Of course; of course, miss. And much obliged. You see, young Forbes is +well liked, and he's quite a decent fellow. I wouldn't be surprised if +he gave Hopkins a hard fight." + +"I'll tell you a secret," said Patsy, sweetly. "Mr. Forbes is bound to +be elected. Why, it's all arranged in advance, Mr. Latham, and the +better element, like yourself, is sure to support him. By the way, you +won't forget to tell people about those signs, I hope? That the fight is +not against advertising, but for beautiful rural homes and scenes." + +"Oh, I'll fix that, Miss--" + +"Doyle. I'm Miss Doyle, Mr. Forbes's cousin." + +"I'll see that the people understand this campaign, Miss Doyle. You can +depend on me." + +"And if the cigars give out, don't hesitate to open more boxes. I'll +call in, now and then, and settle for them." + +I really think this young lady might have been ashamed of herself; but +she wasn't. She smiled sweetly upon the druggist when he bowed her out, +and Mr. Latham from that moment began to seek for friends of Mr. Forbes +to give cigars to. If they were not friends, he argued with them until +they were, for he was an honest little man, in his way, and tried to act +in good faith. + +So the girl went from one shop to another, making liberal purchases and +seeking for every opening that would enable her to make a convert. And +her shrewd Irish wit made her quick to take advantage of any weakness +she discovered in the characters of the people she interviewed. + +When noon came Uncle John hunted her up, which was not difficult, in +Elmwood, and together they went to the village "hotel" to get something +to eat. The mid-day dinner was not very inviting, but Patsy praised the +cooking to the landlord's wife, who waited upon the table, and Uncle +John bought one of the landlord's cigars after the meal and talked +politics with him while he smoked it. + +Then Patsy went over to the general store, and there she met her first +rebuff. Thompson, the proprietor, was a sour-visaged man, tall and lanky +and evidently a dyspeptic. Having been beaten by Hopkins at the last +election, when he ran against him on the Republican ticket, Thompson had +no desire to see Forbes more successful than he had been himself. And +there were other reasons that made it necessary for him to support +Hopkins. + +So he was both gruff and disagreeable when Patsy, after buying a lot of +ribbons of him, broached the subject of politics. He told her plainly +that her cousin hadn't a "ghost of a show," and that he was glad of it. + +"The young fool had no business to monkey with politics," he added, "and +this will teach him to keep his fingers out of someone else's pie." + +"It isn't Mr. Hopkins's pie," declared Patsy, stoutly. "It belongs to +whoever gets the votes." + +"Well, that's Hopkins. He knows the game, and Forbes don't." + +"Can't he learn?" asked the girl. + +"No. He's an idiot. Always was a crank and an unsociable cuss when a +boy, and he's worse now he's grown up. Oh, I know Forbes, all right; and +I haven't got no use for him, neither." + +Argument was useless in this case. The girl sighed, gathered up her +purchases, and went into the hardware store. + +Immediately her spirits rose. Here was a man who knew Kenneth, believed +in him and was going to vote for him. She had a nice talk with the +hardware man, and he gave her much useful information about the most +important people in the neighborhood--those it would be desirable to win +for their candidate. When he mentioned Thompson, she said: + +"Oh, he's impossible. I've talked with him." + +"Thompson is really a good Republican," replied Mr. Andrews, the +hardware man. "But he's under Hopkins's thumb and doesn't dare defy +him." + +"Doesn't he like Mr. Hopkins?" asked Patsy, in surprise. + +"No; he really hates him. You see, Thompson isn't a very successful +merchant. He has needed money at times, and borrowed it of Hopkins at a +high rate of interest. It's a pretty big sum now, and Hopkins holds a +mortgage on the stock. If he ever forecloses, as he will do some day, +Thompson will be ruined. So he's obliged to shout for Hopkins, whether +he believes in him or not." + +"I think I understand him now," said Patsy, smiling. "But he needn't +have been so disagreeable." + +"He's a disagreeable man at any time," returned Mr. Andrews. + +"Has he any political influence?" asked the girl. + +"Yes, considerable. Otherwise he couldn't have secured the nomination +when he pretended to run against Hopkins--for it was only a pretense. +You see, he's a well known Republican, and when he sides for Hopkins +he's bound to carry many Republicans with him." + +But there were other important people whom Mr. Andrews thought might be +influenced, and he gave Patsy a list of their names. He seemed much +amused at the earnestness of this girlish champion of the Republican +candidate. + +"I do not think we can win," he said, as she left him; "but we ought to +make a good showing for your cousin, and I'll do my very best to help +you." + +As she rode home with Uncle John in the afternoon, after a day of really +hard work, Patsy sized up the situation and declared that she was +satisfied that she had made progress. She told Mr. Merrick of the +mortgage held over Thompson by Mr. Hopkins, and the little man made a +mental note of the fact. He also was satisfied with his day's work, and +agreed to ride over to Fairview the next day with her and carry the war +into this, the largest village in Kenneth's district. + +Meantime Louise and Mr. Watson were having some interesting interviews +with the farmers' wives along the Marville road. The old lawyer knew +nearly everyone in this part of the country, for he had lived here all +his life. But he let Louise do the talking and was much pleased at the +tact and good nature she displayed in dealing with the widely different +types of character she encountered. + +Her method was quite simple, and for that reason doubly effective. She +sat down in Mrs. Simmons's kitchen, where the good woman was ironing, +and said: + +"I'm a cousin of Mr. Forbes, up at Elmhurst, you know. He's running for +a political office, so as to do some good for his county and district, +and I've come to see if you'll help me get votes for him." + +"Law sakes, child!" exclaimed Mrs. Simmons, "I ain't got nuthin' to do +with politics." + +"No; but you've got a lot to do with Mr. Simmons, and that's where we +need your help. You see, Mr. Forbes thinks Mr. Simmons is one of the +most important men in this district, and he's very anxious to win his +vote." + +"Why don't you see Dan, then? He's out'n the rye field," replied the +woman. + +"It's because I'm only a girl, and he wouldn't listen to me," replied +Louise, sweetly. "But he takes your advice about everything, I hear--" + +"He don't take it as often as he orter, don't Dan," interrupted Mrs. +Simmons, pausing to feel whether her iron was hot. + +"Perhaps not," agreed Louise; "but in important things, such as this, +he's sure to listen to you; and we women must stick together if we want +to win this election." + +"But I don't know nothin' about it," protested Mrs. Simmons; "an' I +don't believe Dan does." + +"You don't need to know much, Mrs. Simmons," replied the girl. "What a +pretty baby that is! All you need do is to tell Dan he must vote for Mr. +Forbes, and see that he agrees to do so." + +"Why?" was the pointed query. + +"Well, there are several reasons. One is that Mr. Hopkins--Mr. Erastus +Hopkins, you know, is the other candidate, and a person must vote for +either one or the other of them." + +"Dan's a friend o' 'Rastus," said the woman, thoughtfully. "I seen 'em +talkin' together the other day." + +"But this isn't a matter of friendship; it's business, and Mr. Forbes is +very anxious to have your husband with him. If Mr. Forbes is elected it +means lighter taxes, better roads and good schools. If Mr. Hopkins is +elected it does not mean anything good except for Mr. Hopkins." + +"I guess you're right about that," laughed the woman. "'Rast don't let +much get away from him." + +"You're very clever, Mrs. Simmons. You have discovered the fact without +being told." + +"Oh, I know 'Rast Hopkins, an' so does Dan." + +"Then I can depend on you to help us?" asked the girl, patting the +tousled head of a little girl who stood by staring at "the pretty lady." + +"I'll talk to him, but I dunno what good it'll do," said Mrs. Simmons, +thoughtfully. + +"I know. He won't refuse to do what you ask him, for a man always +listens to his wife when he knows she's right. You'll win, Mrs. Simmons, +and I want to thank you for saving the election for us. If we get Mr. +Simmons on our side I believe we'll be sure to defeat Hopkins." + +"Oh, I'll do what I kin," was the ready promise, and after a few more +remarks about the children and the neatness of the house, Louise took +her leave. + +"Will she win him over?" asked the girl of Mr. Watson, when they were +jogging on to the next homestead. + +"I really can't say, my dear," replied the old lawyer, thoughtfully; +"but I imagine she'll try to, and if Dan doesn't give in Mrs. Simmons +will probably make his life miserable for a time. You flattered them +both outrageously; but that will do no harm." + +And so it went on throughout the day. Sometimes the farmer himself was +around the house, and then they held a sort of conference; Louise asked +his advice about the best way to win votes, and said she depended a +great deal upon his judgment. She never asked a man which side he +favored, but took it for granted that he was anxious to support Mr. +Forbes; and this subtle flattery was so acceptable that not one declared +outright that he was for Hopkins, whatever his private views might have +been. + +When evening came and they had arrived at Elmhurst again, Louise was +enthusiastic over her work of the day, and had many amusing tales to +tell of her experiences. + +"How many votes did you win?" asked Uncle John, smiling at her. + +"I can't say," she replied; "but I didn't lose any. If one sows plenty +of seed, some of it is bound to sprout." + +"We can tell better after election," said Mr. Watson. "But I'm satisfied +that this is the right sort of work, Mr. Merrick, to get results." + +"So am I," returned Uncle John heartily. "Are you willing to keep it up, +Louise?" + +"Of course!" she exclaimed. "We start again bright and early tomorrow +morning." + + + + +CHAPTER VIII + +THE HONORABLE ERASTUS IS ASTONISHED + + +The Honorable Erastus Hopkins had been absent at the state capital for +several days, looking after various matters of business; for he was a +thrifty man, and watched his investments carefully. + +Whenever his acquaintances asked about his chances for re-election, the +Honorable Erastus Hopkins winked, laughed and declared, "it's a regular +walk-over." + +"Who is opposing you?" once asked a gray-haired Senator of much +political experience, who had met Mr. Hopkins at luncheon. + +"Young feller named Forbes--a boy, sir--with no notion about the game at +all. He was pledged to an unpopular issue, so I was mighty glad to have +him run against me." + +"What issue is he pledged to?" asked the Senator. + +"Oh, he's agin putting advertising signs on fences and barns, and wants +to have them prohibited, like the infernal fool he is." + +"Indeed. Then he's a progressive fellow. And you say his issue is +unpopular?" + +"That's what it is. It'll kill his chances--if he ever had any." + +"Strange," mused the Senator. "That issue has been a winning one +usually." + +"What do you mean?" asked the astonished Hopkins. + +"Why, the anti-sign fight has won in several places throughout the +country, and local laws have been passed prohibiting them. Didn't you +know that?" + +"No!" said Hopkins. + +"Well, it's true. Of course I do not know the temper of your people, but +in a country district such as yours I would think an issue of that sort +very hard to combat." + +"Nonsense!" exclaimed the Honorable Erastus. "Ev'ry man Jack's agin the +fool notion." + +"Then perhaps the people don't understand it." + +"Forbes has given up already," continued Hopkins, laughing at the +recollection. "He's gone back into his shell like a turtle, an' won't +come out to fight. I tell you, Senator, he's the worst licked candidate +that ever ran for office." + +Nevertheless, the suggestion that the anti-sign issue had been +successful in other localities made Mr. Hopkins a trifle uneasy, and he +decided to return home and keep the fight going until after election, +whether young Forbes came out of his shell or not. + +He arrived at Hilldale on the early morning train and went to his house +for breakfast. To his amazement he found two great banners strung across +the village streets bearing the words: "_Vote for Forbes--the People's +Champion!_" + +"Who in thunder could 'a' done that?" murmured Mr. Hopkins, staring +open-mouthed at the great banners. Then he scratched his head with a +puzzled air and went home. + +Mrs. Hopkins, a tired-looking woman in a bedraggled morning wrapper, was +getting the breakfast. She did not participate largely in the prosperity +of her husband, and often declared she was "worked to death," although +there were no children to care for. + +"When did those Forbes banners go up?" asked Mr. Hopkins, irritably. + +"I dunno, 'Rast. I don't keep track o' such things. But all the town was +out to the girls' meetin' last night, an' I went along to watch the +fun." + +"What girls' meeting?" + +"The girls thet air workin' fer to elect Mr. Forbes. It was in the town +hall, an' all three of the girls made speeches." + +"What about?" + +"About Mr. Forbes, and how he orter be elected. He wants to beautify the +farm places by doin' away with signs, an' he wants better roads, an' +three new school-houses, 'cause the ones we've got now ain't big enough. +An--" + +"You blamed idiot! What are you talking about?" roared the exasperated +Hopkins. + +"Oh, you needn't rave at me, 'Rast Hopkins, just 'cause you're gettin' +licked. I thought your goose was cooked the minnit these girls got to +work." + +Mr. Hopkins stared at her with a dazed expression. + +"Be sensible, Mary, and tell me who these girls are. I haven't heard of +'em." + +"Why, they're cousins o' Kenneth Forbes, it seems, an' come from New +York to git him elected." + +"What are they like?" + +"They're swell dressers, 'Rast, an' nice appearin' girls, and mighty +sharp with their tongues. They had a good meetin' last night and +there'll be another at the town hall next week." + +"Pah! Girls! Forbes oughter be ashamed of himself, to send a bunch o' +girls out electioneerin'. I never heard of such an irregular thing. What +do the boys say?" + +"Folks don't say much to me, 'Rast. They wouldn't, you know. But I guess +your game is up." + +He made no reply. Here, indeed, was information of a startling +character. And it came upon him like thunder out of a clear sky. Yet the +thing might not be so important as Mrs. Hopkins feared. + +Very thoughtfully he unfolded the morning paper, and the next moment +uttered a roar of wrath and vexation. Briggs was one of his stand-bys, +and the _Herald_ heretofore had always supported him; yet here across +the first page were big black letters saying: _"Vote for Forbes!"_ And +the columns were full of articles and paragraphs praising Forbes and +declaring that he could and would do more for the district than Hopkins. + +"I must see Briggs," muttered the Honorable Erastus. "He's tryin' to +make me put up that hundred--an' I guess I'll have to do it." + +He looked over the other newspapers which were heaped upon his desk in +the sitting-room, and was disgusted to find all but one of the seven +papers in the district supporting Forbes. Really, the thing began to +look serious. And he had only been absent a week! + +He had not much appetite for breakfast when Mrs. Hopkins set it before +him. But the Honorable Erastus was a born fighter, and his discovery had +only dismayed him for a brief time. Already he was revolving ways of +contesting this new activity in the enemy's camp, and decided that he +must talk with "the boys" at once. + +So he hurried away from the breakfast table and walked down-town. Latham +was first on his route and he entered the drug store. + +"Hullo, Jim." + +"Good morning, Mr. Hopkins. Anything I can do for you?" asked the polite +druggist. + +"Yes, a lot. Tell me what these fool girls are up to, that are plugging +for Forbes. I've been away for a week, you know." + +"Can't say, Mr. Hopkins, I'm sure. Business is pretty lively these days, +and it keeps me hustling. I've no time for politics." + +"But we've got to wake up, Jim, we Democrats, or they'll give us a run +for our money." + +"Oh, this is a Republican district, sir. We can't hope to win it often, +and especially in a case like this." + +"Why not?" + +"Looks to me as if you'd bungled things, Hopkins. But I'm not interested +in this campaign. Excuse me; if there's nothing you want, I've got a +prescription to fill." + +Mr. Hopkins walked out moodily. It was very evident that Latham had +changed front. But they had never been very staunch friends; and he +could find a way to even scores with the little druggist later. + +Thompson was behind his desk at the general store when Hopkins walked +in. + +"Look here," said the Honorable Representative, angrily, "what's been +going on in Elmwood? What's all this plugging for Forbes mean?" + +Thompson gave him a sour look over the top of his desk. + +"Addressin' them remarks to me, 'Rast?" + +"Yes--to you! You've been loafing on your job, old man, and it won't +do--it won't do at all. You should have put a stop to these things. What +right have these girls to interfere in a game like this?" + +"Oh, shut up, 'Rast." + +"Thompson! By crickey, I won't stand this from you. Goin' back on me, +eh?" + +"I'm a Republication, 'Rast." + +"So you are," said Mr. Hopkins slowly, his temper at white heat "And +that mortgage is two months overdue." + +"Go over to the bank and get your money, then. It's waiting for you, +Hopkins--interest and all. Go and get it and let me alone. I'm busy." + +Perhaps the politician had never been so surprised in his life. Anger +gave way to sudden fear, and he scrutinized the averted countenance of +Thompson carefully. + +"Where'd you raise the money, Thompson?" + +"None of your business. I raised it." + +"Forbes, eh? Forbes has bought you up, I see. Grateful fellow, ain't +you--when I loaned you money to keep you from bankruptcy!" + +"You did, Hopkins. You made me your slave, and threatened me every +minute, unless I did all your dirty work. Grateful? You've led me a +dog's life. But I'm through with you now--for good and all." + +Hopkins turned and walked out without another word. In the dentist's +office Dr. Squiers was sharpening and polishing his instruments. + +"Hello, Archie." + +"Hello, 'Rast. 'Bout time you was getting back, old man. We're having a +big fight on our hands, I can tell you." + +"Tell me more," said Mr. Hopkins, taking a chair with a sigh of relief +at finding one faithful friend. "What's up, Archie?" + +"An invasion of girls, mostly. They took us by surprise, the other day, +and started a campaign worthy of old political war-horses. There's some +shrewd politician behind them, I know, or they wouldn't have nailed us +up in our coffins with such business-like celerity." + +"Talk sense, Archie. What have they done? What _can_ they do? Pah! +Girls!" + +"Don't make a mistake, 'Rast. That's what I did, before I understood. +When I heard that three girls were electioneering for Forbes I just +laughed. Then I made a discovery. They're young and rich, and evidently +ladies. They're pretty, too, and the men give in at the first attack. +They don't try to roast you. That's their cleverness. They tell what +Forbes can do, with all his money, if he's Representative, and they +swear he'll do it." + +"Never mind," said Hopkins, easily. "We'll win the men back again." + +"But these girls are riding all over the country, talking to farmers' +wives, and they're organizing a woman's political club. The club is to +meet at Elmhurst and to be fed on the fat of the land; so every woman +wants to belong. They've got two expensive automobiles down from the +city, with men to make them go, and they're spending money right and +left." + +"That's bad," said Hopkins, shifting uneasily, "for I haven't much to +spend, myself. But most money is fooled away in politics. When I spend a +cent it counts, I can tell you." + +"You'll have to spend some, 'Rast, to keep your end up. I'm glad you're +back, for we Democrats have been getting demoralized. Some of the boys +are out for Forbes already." + +Hopkins nodded, busy with his thoughts. + +"I've talked with Latham. But he didn't count. And they've bought up +Thompson. What else they've done I can't tell yet. But one thing's +certain, Doc; we'll win out in a canter. I'm too old a rat to be caught +in a trap like this. I've got resources they don't suspect." + +"I believe you, 'Rast. They've caught on to the outside fakes to win +votes; but they don't know the inside deals yet." + +"You're right. But I must make a bluff to offset their daylight +campaign, so as not to lose ground with the farmers. They're the ones +that count, after all; not the town people. See here, Doc, I had an idea +something might happen, and so I arranged with my breakfast food company +to let me paint a hundred signs in this neighborhood. A hundred, mind +you! and that means a big laugh on Forbes, and the good will of the +farmers who sell their spaces, and not a cent out of my pocket. How's +that for a checkmate?" + +"That's fine," replied Dr. Squiers. "There's been considerable talk +about this sign business, and I'm told that at the meeting last night +one of the girls made a speech about it, and said the farmers were being +converted, and were now standing out for clean fences and barns." + +"That's all humbug!" + +"I think so, myself. These people are like a flock of sheep. Get them +started a certain way and you can't head them off," observed the +dentist. + +"Then we must start them our way," declared Hopkins. "I've got the order +for these signs in my pocket, and I'll have 'em painted all over the +district in a week. Keep your eyes open, Doc. If we've got to fight we +won't shirk it; but I don't look for much trouble from a parcel of +girls." + +Mr. Hopkins was quite cheerful by this time, for he had thought out the +situation and his "fighting blood was up," as he expressed it. + +He walked away whistling softly to himself and decided that he would go +over to the livery stable, get a horse and buggy, drive out into the +country, and spend the day talking with the farmers. + +But when he turned the corner into the side street where the livery was +located he was astonished to find a row of horses and wagons lining each +side of the street, and in each vehicle two men in white jumpers and +overalls. The men were in charge of huge cans of paints, assorted +brushes, ladders, scaffolds and other paraphernalia. + +There must have been twenty vehicles, altogether, and some of the rigs +were already starting out and driving briskly away in different +directions. + +Mr. Hopkins was puzzled. He approached one of the white-overalled men +who was loading cans of paint into a wagon and inquired: + +"Who are you fellows?" + +"Sign painters," answered the man, with an amused look. + +"Who do you work for?" + +"The Carson Advertising Sign Company of Cleveland." + +"Oh, I see," replied Hopkins. "Got a big job in this neighborhood?" + +"Pretty big, sir." + +"Who's your foreman?" + +"Smith. He's in the livery office." + +Then the man climbed into his wagon and drove away, and Hopkins turned +into the livery office. A thin-faced man with sharp eyes was Talking +with the proprietor. + +"Is this Mr. Smith?" asked Hopkins. + +"Yes." + +"Of the Carson Advertising Sign Company?" + +"Yes." + +"Well, I've got a big job for you. My name's Hopkins. I want a hundred +big signs painted mighty quick." + +"Sorry, sir; we've got all we can handle here for two or three weeks." + +"It's got to be done quick or not at all. Can't you send for more men?" + +"We've got thirty-eight on this job, and can't get any more for love or +money. Had to send to Chicago for some of these." + +"Rush job?" + +"Yes, sir. You'll have to excuse me. I've got to get started. This is +only our second day and we're pretty busy." + +"Wait a minute," called the bewildered Hopkins, following Smith to his +buggy. "What concern is your firm doing all this painting for?" + +"A man named Merrick." + +Then the foreman drove away, and Mr. Hopkins was left greatly puzzled. + +"Merrick--Merrick!" he repeated. "I don't remember any big advertiser by +that name. It must be some new concern. Anyhow, it all helps in my fight +against Forbes." + +He again returned to the livery office and asked for a rig. + +"Everything out, Mr. Hopkins. I've hired everything to be had in town +for this sign-painting gang." + +But Mr. Hopkins was not to be balked. As long as these sign-painters +were doing missionary work for his cause among the farmers, he decided +to drive over to Fairview and see the party leaders in that important +town. So he went back to Dr. Squiers's house and borrowed the Doctor's +horse and buggy. + +He drove along the turnpike for a time in silence. Then it struck him +that there was a peculiar air of neatness about the places he passed. +The barns and fences all seemed newly painted, and he remembered that he +hadn't seen an advertising sign since he left town. + +A mile farther on he came upon a gang of the sign painters, who with +their huge brushes were rapidly painting the entire length of a +weather-worn fence with white paint. + +Mr. Hopkins reined in and watched them for a few moments. + +"You sign-painters don't seem to be getting any signs started," he +observed. + +"No," replied one of the men, laughing. "This is a peculiar job for our +firm to tackle. We've made a contract to paint out every sign in the +district." + +"Paint 'em out!" + +"Yes, cover them up with new paint, and get rid of them." + +"But how about the advertisers? Don't they own the spaces now?" + +"They did; but they've all been bought up. John Merrick owns the spaces +now, and we're working for John Merrick." + +"Who's he?" + +"Some friend of Mr. Forbes, up at Elmhurst." + +Mr. Hopkins was not a profane man, but he said a naughty word. And then +he cut his horse so fiercely with the whip that the poor beast gave a +neigh of terror, and started down the road at a gallop. + + + + +CHAPTER IX + +OL' WILL ROGERS + + +Beth had her folding table out in the rose garden where Kenneth was +working at his easel, and while the boy painted she wrote her campaign +letters and "editorials." + +At first Ken had resented the management of his campaign by his three +girl friends; but soon he was grateful for their assistance and proud of +their talents. It was at their own request that he refrained from any +active work himself, merely appearing at the meetings they planned, +where he made his speeches and impressed his hearers with his +earnestness. He was really an excellent speaker, and his youth and +enthusiasm counted much in his favor. + +He protested mildly when Louise invited the Women's Political Club to +meet at Elmhurst on Thursday afternoon, but Mr. Watson assured him that +this was an important play for popularity, so he promised to meet them. +Tables were to be spread upon the lawn, for the late October weather was +mild and delightful, and Louise planned to feed the women in a way that +they would long remember. + +Patsy had charge of the towns and Louise of the country districts, but +Beth often aided Louise, who had a great deal of territory to cover. + +The automobiles Uncle John had ordered sent down were a great assistance +to the girls, and enabled them to cover twice as much territory in a day +as would have been done with horses. + +But, although they worked so tirelessly and earnestly, it was not all +plain sailing with the girl campaigners. Yet though they met with many +rebuffs, they met very little downright impertinence. Twice Louise was +asked to leave a house where she had attempted to make a proselyte, and +once a dog was set upon Beth by an irate farmer, who resented her +automobile as much as he did her mission. As for Patsy, she was often +told in the towns that "a young girl ought to be in better business than +mixing up in politics," and she was sensitive enough once or twice to +cry over these reproaches when alone in her chamber. But she maintained +a cheerful front; and, in truth, all the girls enjoyed their work +immensely. + +While Beth and Kenneth were in the garden this sunny afternoon James +came to say that a man wanted to see "one of the politics young ladies." + +"Shall we send him about his business, Beth?" asked the boy. + +"Oh, no; we can't afford to lose a single vote. Bring him here, James, +please," said the girl. + +So presently a wizened little man in worn and threadbare garments, his +hat in his hand, came slowly into the garden. His sunken cheeks were +covered with stubby gray whiskers, his shoulders were stooped and bent +from hard work, and his hands bore evidences of a life of toil. Yet the +eyes he turned upon Beth, as she faced him had a wistful and pleading +look that affected her strangely. + +"Afternoon, miss," he said, in a hesitating voice. "I--I'm Rogers, miss; +ol' Will Rogers. I--I s'pose you hain't heerd o' me before." + +"I'm glad to meet you, Mr. Rogers," replied the girl in her pleasant +voice. "Have you come to see me about the election?" + +"It's--it's sump'n 'bout the 'lection, an' then agin it ain't. But I run +the chanct o' seein' ye, because we're in desprit straits, an' Nell +advised that I hev a talk with ye. 'Frank an' outright,' says Nell. +'Don't beat about the bush,' says she. 'Go right to th' point an' +they'll say yes or no." + +Beth laughed merrily, and the boy smiled as he wielded his brush with +delicate strokes. + +"Ye mustn't mind me, miss," said Will Rogers, in a deprecating tone. +"I'm--I'm sommut broke up an' discouraged, an' ain't th' man I used to +be. Nell knows that, an' she orter came herself; but it jes' made her +cry to think o' it, an' so I says I'll come an' do the best I kin." + +Beth was really interested now. + +"Sit down on this bench, Mr. Rogers," she said, "and I'll listen to +whatever you have to say." + +He sat down willingly, bent forward as he rested upon the garden bench, +and twirled his hat slowly in his hands. + +"'Taint easy, ye know, miss, to say some things, an' this is one o' the +hardest," he began. + +"Go on," said Beth, encouragingly, for old Will had suddenly stopped +short and seemed unable to proceed. + +"They say, miss, as you folks is a-spendin' uv a lot o' money on this +election, a-gittin' votes, an' sich like," he said, in an altered tone. + +"It costs a little to run a political campaign," acknowledged Beth. + +"They say money's bein' poured out liken water--to git votes," he +persisted. + +"Well, Mr. Rogers?" + +"Well, thet's how it started, ye see. We're so agonizin' poor, Nell +thought we orter git some o' the money while it's goin'." + +The girl was much amused. Such frankness was both unusual and +refreshing. + +"Have you a vote to sell?" she asked. + +He did not answer at once, but sat slowly twirling his hat. + +"That's jet' what Nell thought ye'd ask," he said, finally, "an' she +knew if ye did it was all up with our plan. Guess I'll be goin', miss." + +He rose slowly from his seat, but the girl did not intend to lose any of +the fun this queer individual might yet furnish. + +"Sit down, Mr. Rogers," she said, "and tell me why you can't answer my +questions?" + +"I guess I'll hev to speak out an' tell all," said he, his voice +trembling a little, "although I thought fer a minnit I could see my way +without. I can't sell my vote, miss, 'cause I've been plannin' t'vote +fer Mr. Forbes anyhow. But we wanted some uv th' money that's being +wasted, an' we wanted it mighty bad." + +"Why?" + +"Thet's the hard part uv it, miss; but I'm goin' to tell you. Did ye +ever hear o' Lucy?" + +"No, Mr. Rogers." + +"Lucy's our girl--the on'y chick er child we ever had. She's a pretty +girl, is Lucy; a good deal liken her mother; wi' the same high spirits +my Nell had afore she broke down. Mostly Nell cries, nowadays." + +"Yes. Go on." + +"Lucy had a schoolin', an' we worked hard to give it her, fer my land +ain't much account, nohow. An' when she grew up she had more boys comin' +to see her than any gal this side o' Fairview, an' one o' 'em caught +Lucy's fancy. But she was too young to marry, an' she wanted to be +earnin' money; so she got a job workin' fer Doc Squiers, over to +Elmwood. He's the dentist there, an' Lucy helped with the housework an' +kept the office slicked up, an' earned ev'ry penny she got." + +He stopped here, and looked vacantly around. + +Beth tried to help the old man. + +"And then?" she asked, softly. + +"Then come the trouble, miss. One day ol' Mis' Squiers, the Doc's +mother, missed a di'mon' ring. She laid it on the mantel an' it was +gone, an' she said as Lucy took it. Lucy didn't take it, an' after +they'd tried to make my gal confess as she was a thief they give 'er +three days to hand up the ring or the money it was worth, or else they'd +hev her arrested and sent t' jail. Lucy didn't take it, ye know. She +jes' _couldn't_ do sech a thing, natcherly." + +"I know," said Beth, sympathetically. + +"So she comes home, heartbroken, an' told us about it, an' we didn't hev +th' money nuther. It were sixty dollars they wanted, or th' ring; an' we +didn't hev neither of 'em." + +"Of course not." + +"Well, Tom come over thet night to see Lucy, hearin' she was home, +an'--" + +"Who is Tom?" + +"Thet's Tom Gates, him thet--but I'm comin' to thet, miss. Tom always +loved Lucy, an' wanted to marry her; but his folks is as poor as we are, +so the young 'uns had to wait. Tom worked at the mill over t' +Fairview--the big saw-mill where they make the lumber an' things." + +"I know." + +"He was the bookkeeper, fer Tom had schoolin', too; an' he took private +lessons in bookkeepin' from ol' Cheeseman. So he had got hired at the +mill, an' had a likely job, an' was doin' well. An' when Tom heerd about +Lucy's trouble, an' thet she had only two days left before goin' to +jail, he up an' says: 'I'll get the money, Lucy: don' you worry a bit.' +'Oh, Tom!' says she, 'hev you got sixty dollars saved already?' 'I've +got it, Lucy,' says he, 'an' I'll go over tomorrow an' pay Doc Squiers. +Don' you worry any more. Forget all about it.' Well o' course, miss, +that helped a lot. Nell an' Lucy both felt the disgrace of the thing, +but it wouldn't be a public disgrace, like goin' to jail; so we was all +mighty glad Tom had that sixty dollars." + +"It was very fortunate," said Beth, filling in another pause. + +"The nex' day Tom were as good as his word. He paid Doc Squiers an' got +a receipt an' giv it to Lucy. Then we thought th' trouble was over, but +it had on'y just begun. Monday mornin' Tom was arrested over t' the mill +fer passin' a forged check an' gettin' sixty dollars on it. Lucy was +near frantic with grief. She walked all the way to Fairview, an' they +let her see Tom in the jail. He tol' her it was true he forged th' +check, but he did it to save her. He was a man an' it wouldn't hurt fer +him to go to jail so much as it would a girl. He said he was glad he did +it, an' didn't mind servin' a sentence in prison. I think, miss, as Tom +meant thet--ev'ry word uv it. But Lucy broke down under the thing an' +raved an' cried, an' nuther Nell ner I could do anything with her. She +said she'd ruined Tom's life an' all thet, an' she didn't want to live +herself. Then she took sick, an' Nell an' I nursed her as careful as we +could. How'n the wurld she ever got away we can't make out, nohow." + +"Did she get away?" asked the girl, noting that the old man's eyes were +full of tears and his lips trembling. + +"Yes, miss. She's bin gone over ten days, now, an' we don't even know +where to look fer her; our girl--our poor Lucy. She ain't right in her +head, ye know, or she'd never a done it. She'd never a left us like this +in th' world. 'Taint like our Lucy." + +Kenneth had turned around on his stool and was regarding old Will Rogers +earnestly, brush and pallet alike forgotten. Beth was trying to keep the +tears out of her own eyes, for the old man's voice was even more +pathetic than his words. + +"Ten days ago!" said Kenneth. "And she hasn't been found yet?" + +"We can't trace her anywhere, an' Nell has broke down at las', an' don't +do much but cry. It's hard, sir--I can't bear to see Nell cry. She'd +sich high sperrits, onct." + +"Where's the boy Tom?" asked Kenneth, somewhat gruffly. + +"He's in the jail yet, waitin' to be tried. Court don't set till next +week, they say." + +"And where do you live, Rogers?" + +"Five miles up the Fairview road. 'Taint much of a place--Nell says I've +always bin a shif'les lot, an' I guess it's true. Yesterday your hired +men painted all the front o' my fence--painted it white--not only where +th' signs was, but th' whole length of it. We didn't ask it done, but +they jes' done it. I watched 'em, an' Nell says if we on'y had th' money +thet was wasted on thet paint an' labor, we might find our Lucy. 'It's a +shame,' says Nell, 'all thet 'lection money bein' thrown away on paint +when it might save our poor crazy child.' I hope it ain't wrong, sir; +but thet's what I thought, too. So we laid plans fer me to come here +today. Ef I kin get a-hold o' any o' thet money honest, I want to do +it." + +"Have you got a horse?" asked Kenneth. + +"Not now. I owned one las' year, but he died on me an' I can't get +another nohow." + +"Did you walk here?" asked Beth. + +"Yes, miss; o' course. I've walked the hull county over a-tryin' to find +Lucy. I don' mind the walking much." + +There was another pause, while old Will Rogers looked anxiously at the +boy and the girl, and they looked at each other. Then Beth took out her +purse. + +"I want to hire your services to help us in the election," she said, +briskly. "I'll furnish you a horse and buggy and you can drive around +and talk with people and try to find Lucy at the same time. This twenty +dollars is to help you pay expenses. You needn't account for it; just +help us as much as you can." + +The old man straightened up and his eyes filled again. + +"Nell said if it was a matter o' charity I mustn't take a cent," he +observed, in a low voice. + +'"It isn't charity. It's business. And now that we know your story we +mean to help you find your girl. Anyone would do that, you know. Tell +me, what is Lucy like?" + +"She's like Nell used to be." + +"But we don't know your wife. Describe Lucy as well as you can. Is she +tall?" + +"Middlin', miss." + +"Light or dark?" + +"Heh?" + +"Is her hair light or dark colored?" + +"Middlin'; jes' middlin', miss." + +"Well, is she stout or thin?" + +"I should say sorter betwixt an' between, miss." + +"How old is Lucy?" + +"Jes' turned eighteen, miss." + +"Never mind, Beth," interrupted the boy; "you won't learn much from old +Will's description. But we'll see what can be done tomorrow. Call James +and have him sent home in the rig he's going to use. It seems to me +you're disposing rather freely of my horses and carts." + +"Yes, Ken. You've nothing to say about your belongings just now. But if +you object to this plan--" + +"I don't. The girl must be found, and her father is more likely to find +her than a dozen other searchers. He shall have the rig and welcome." + +So it was that Will Rogers drove back to his heartbroken wife in a smart +top-buggy, with twenty dollars in his pocket and a heart full of wonder +and thanksgiving. + + + + +CHAPTER X + +THE FORGED CHECK + + +Kenneth and Beth refrained from telling the other girls or Uncle John of +old Will Rogers's visit, but they got Mr. Watson in the library and +questioned him closely about the penalty for forging a check. + +It was a serious crime indeed, Mr. Watson told them, and Tom Gates bade +fair to serve a lengthy term in state's prison as a consequence of his +rash act. + +"But it was a generous act, too," said Beth. + +"I can't see it in that light," said the old lawyer. "It was a +deliberate theft from his employers to protect a girl he loved. I do not +doubt the girl was unjustly accused. The Squierses are a selfish, +hard-fisted lot, and the old lady, especially, is a well known virago. +But they could not have proven a case against Lucy, if she was innocent, +and all their threats of arresting her were probably mere bluff. So this +boy was doubly foolish in ruining himself to get sixty dollars to pay an +unjust demand." + +"He was soft-hearted and impetuous," said Beth; "and, being in love, he +didn't stop to count the cost." + +"That is no excuse, my dear," declared Mr. Watson. "Indeed there is +never an excuse for crime. The young man is guilty, and he must suffer +the penalty." + +"Is there no way to save him?" asked Kenneth. + +"If the prosecution were withdrawn and the case settled with the victim +of the forged check, then the young man would be allowed his freedom. +But under the circumstances I doubt if such an arrangement could be +made." + +"We're going to try it, anyhow," was the prompt decision. + +So as soon as breakfast was over the next morning Beth and Kenneth took +one of the automobiles, the boy consenting unwillingly to this sort of +locomotion because it would save much time. Fairview was twelve miles +away, but by ten o'clock they drew up at the county jail. + +They were received in the little office by a man named Markham, who was +the jailer. He was a round-faced, respectable appearing fellow, but his +mood was distinctly unsociable. + +"Want to see Tom Gates, eh? Well! what for?" he demanded. + +"We wish to talk with him," answered Kenneth. + +"Talk! what's the good? You're no friend of Tom Gates. I can't be +bothered this way, anyhow." + +"I am Kenneth Forbes, of Elmhurst. I'm running for Representative on the +Republican ticket," said Kenneth, quietly. + +"Oh, say! that's different," observed Markham, altering his demeanor. +"You mustn't mind my being gruff and grumpy, Mr. Forbes. I've just +stopped smoking a few days ago, and it's got on my nerves something +awful!" + +"May we see Gates at once?" asked Kenneth. + +"Sure-ly! I'll take you to his cell, myself. It's just shocking how such +a little thing as stoppin' smoking will rile up a fellow. Come this way, +please." + +They followed the jailer along a succession of passages. + +"Smoked ever sence I was a boy, you know, an' had to stop last week +because Doc said it would kill me if I didn't," remarked the jailer, +leading the way. "Sometimes I'm that yearning for a smoke I'm nearly +crazy, an' I dunno which is worst, dyin' one way or another. This is +Gates' cell--the best in the shop." + +He unlocked the door, and called: + +"Here's visitors, Tom." + +"Thank you, Mr. Markham," replied a quiet voice, as a young man came +forward from the dim interior of the cell. "How are you feeling, today?" + +"Worse, Tom; worse 'n ever," replied the jailer, gloomily. + +"Well, stick it out, old man; don't give in." + +"I won't, Tom. Smokin' 'll kill me sure, an' there's a faint hope o' +livin' through this struggle to give it up. This visitor is Mr. Forbes +of Elmhurst, an' the young lady is--" + +"Miss DeGraf," said Kenneth, noticing the boy's face critically, as he +stood where the light from the passage fell upon it. "Will you leave us +alone, please, Mr. Markham?" + +"Sure-ly, Mr. Forbes. You've got twenty minutes according to +regulations. I'll come and get you then. Sorry we haven't any reception +room in the jail. All visits has to be made in the cells." + +Then he deliberately locked Kenneth and Beth in with the forger, and +retreated along the passage. + +"Sit down, please," said Gates, in a cheerful and pleasant voice. +"There's a bench here." + +"We've come to inquire about your case, Gates," said Kenneth. "It seems +you have forged a check." + +"Yes, sir, I plead guilty, although I've been told I ought not to +confess. But the fact is that I forged the check and got the money, and +I'm willing to stand the consequences." + +"Why did you do it?" asked Beth. + +He was silent and turned his face away. + +A fresh, wholesome looking boy, was Tom Gates, with steady gray eyes, an +intelligent forehead, but a sensitive, rather weak mouth. He was of +sturdy, athletic build and dressed neatly in a suit that was of coarse +material but well brushed and cared for. + +Beth thought his appearance pleasing and manly. Kenneth decided that he +was ill at ease and in a state of dogged self-repression. + +"We have heard something of your story," said Kenneth, "and are +interested in it. But there is no doubt you have acted very foolishly." + +"Do you know Lucy, sir?" asked the young man. + +"No." + +"Lucy is very proud. The thing was killing her, and I couldn't bear it. +I didn't stop to think whether it was foolish or not. I did it; and I'm +glad I did." + +"You have made her still more unhappy," said Beth, gently. + +"Yes; she'll worry about me, I know. I'm disgraced for life; but I've +saved Lucy from any disgrace, and she's young. She'll forget me before +I've served my term, and--and take up with some other young fellow." + +"Would you like that?" asked Beth. + +"No, indeed," he replied, frankly. "But it will be best that way. I had +to stand by Lucy--she's so sweet and gentle, and so sensitive. I don't +say I did right. I only say I'd do the same thing again." + +"Couldn't her parents have helped her?" inquired Kenneth. + +"No. Old Will is a fine fellow, but poor and helpless since Mrs. Rogers +had her accident." + +"Oh, did she have an accident?" asked Beth. + +"Yes. Didn't you know? She's blind." + +"Her husband didn't tell us that," said the girl. + +"He was fairly prosperous before that, for Mrs. Rogers was an energetic +and sensible woman, and kept old Will hard at work. One morning she +tried to light the fire with kerosene, and lost her sight. Then Rogers +wouldn't do anything but lead her around, and wait upon her, and the +place went to rack and ruin." + +"I understand now," said Beth. + +"Lucy could have looked after her mother," said young Bates, "but old +Will was stubborn and wouldn't let her. So the girl saw something must +be done and went to work. That's how all the trouble came about." + +He spoke simply, but paced up and down the narrow cell in front of them. +It was evident that his feelings were deeper than he cared to make +evident. + +"Whose name did you sign to the check?" asked Kenneth. + +"That of John E. Marshall, the manager of the mill. He is supposed to +sign all the checks of the concern. It's a stock company, and rich. I +was bookkeeper, so it was easy to get a blank check and forge the +signature. As regards my robbing the company, I'll say that I saved them +a heavy loss one day. I discovered and put out a fire that would have +destroyed the whole plant. But Marshall never even thanked me. He only +discharged the man who was responsible for the fire." + +"How long ago were you arrested?" asked Beth. + +"It's nearly two weeks now. But I'll have a trial in a few days, they +say. My crime is so serious that the circuit judge has to sit on the +case." + +"Do you know where Lucy is?" + +"She's at home, I suppose. I haven't heard from her since the day she +came here to see me--right after my arrest." + +They did not think best to enlighten him at that time. It was better for +him to think the girl unfeeling than to know the truth. + +"I'm going to see Mr. Marshall," said Kenneth, "and discover what I can +do to assist you." + +"Thank you, sir. It won't be much, but I'm grateful to find a friend. +I'm guilty, you know, and there's no one to blame but myself." + +They left him then, for the jailer arrived to unlock the door, and +escort them to the office. + +"Tom's a very decent lad," remarked the jailer, on the way. "He ain't a +natural criminal, you know; just one o' them that gives in to temptation +and is foolish enough to get caught. I've seen lots of that kind in my +day. You don't smoke, do you, Mr. Forbes?" + +"No, Mr. Markham." + +"Then don't begin it; or, if you do, never try to quit. It's--it's +_awful_, it is. And it ruins a man's disposition." + +The mill was at the outskirts of the town. It was a busy place, perhaps +the busiest in the whole of the Eighth District, and in it were employed +a large number of men. The office was a small brick edifice, separated +from the main buildings, in which the noise of machinery was so great +that one speaking could scarcely be heard. The manager was in, Kenneth +and Beth learned, but could not see them until he had signed the letters +he had dictated for the noon mail. + +So they sat on a bench until a summons came to admit them to Mr. +Marshall's private office. + +He looked up rather ungraciously, but motioned them to be seated. + +"Mr. Forbes, of Elmhurst?" he asked, glancing at the card Kenneth had +sent in. + +"Yes, sir." + +"I've been bothered already over your election campaign," resumed the +manager, arranging his papers in a bored manner. "Some girl has been +here twice to interview my men and I have refused to admit her. You may +as well understand, sir, that I stand for the Democratic candidate, and +have no sympathy with your side." + +"That doesn't interest me, especially, sir," answered Kenneth, smiling. +"I'm not electioneering just now. I've come to talk with you about young +Gates." + +"Oh. Well, sir, what about him?" + +"I'm interested in the boy, and want to save him from prosecution." + +"He's a forger, Mr. Forbes; a deliberate criminal." + +"I admit that. But he's very young, and his youth is largely responsible +for his folly." + +"He stole my money." + +"It is true, Mr. Marshall." + +"And he deserves a term in state's prison." + +"I agree to all that. Nevertheless, I should like to save him," said +Kenneth. "His trial has not yet taken place, and instead of your +devoting considerable of your valuable time appearing against him it +would be much simpler to settle the matter right here and now." + +"In what way, Mr. Forbes?" + +"I'll make your money loss good." + +"It has cost me twice sixty dollars in annoyance." + +"I can well believe it, sir. I'll pay twice sixty dollars for the +delivery to me of the forged check, and the withdrawal of the +prosecution." + +"And the costs?" + +"I'll pay all the costs besides." + +"You're foolish. Why should you do all this?" + +"I have my own reasons, Mr. Marshall. Please look at the matter from a +business standpoint. If you send the boy to prison you will still suffer +the loss of the money. By compromising with me you can recover your loss +and are paid for your annoyance." + +"You're right. Give me a check for a hundred and fifty, and I'll turn +over to you the forged check and quash further proceedings." + +Kenneth hesitated a moment. He detested the grasping disposition that +would endeavor to take advantage of his evident desire to help young +Gates. He had hoped to find Mr. Marshall a man of sympathy; but the +manager was as cold as an icicle. + +Beth, uneasy at his silence, nudged him. + +"Pay it, Ken," she whispered. + +"Very well, Mr. Marshall," said he, "I accept your terms." + +The check was written and handed over, and Marshall took the forged +check from his safe and delivered it, with the other papers in the case, +to Mr. Forbes. He also wrote a note to his lawyer directing him to +withdraw the prosecution. + +Kenneth and Beth went away quite happy with their success, and the +manager stood in his little window and watched them depart. There was a +grim smile of amusement on his shrewd face. + +"Of all the easy marks I ever encountered," muttered Mr. Marshall, "this +young Forbes is the easiest. Why, he's a fool, that's what he is. He +might have had that forged check for the face of it, if he'd been sharp. +You wouldn't catch 'Rast Hopkins doing such a fool stunt. Not in a +thousand years!" + +Meantime Beth was pressing Kenneth's arm as she sat beside him and +saying happily: + +"I'm so glad, Ken--so glad! And to think we can save all that misery and +despair by the payment of a hundred and fifty dollars! And now we must +find the girl." + +"Yes," replied the boy, cheerfully, "we must find Lucy." + + + + +CHAPTER XI + +A MYSTERIOUS DISAPPEARANCE + + +A woman was sitting in a low room, engaged in knitting. Her feet were +stretched out toward a small fire that smouldered in an open hearth. She +wore a simple calico gown, neat and well-fitting, and her face bore +traces of much beauty that time and care had been unable wholly to +efface. + +Suddenly she paused in her work, her head turned slightly to one side to +listen. + +"Come in, sir," she called in a soft but distinct voice; "come in, +miss." + +So Kenneth and Beth entered at the half-open porch door and advanced +into the room. + +"Is this Mrs. Rogers?" asked Beth, looking at the woman curiously. The +woman's eyes were closed, but the lashes fell in graceful dark curves +over her withered cheeks. The girl wondered how she had been able to +know her visitors' sex so accurately. + +"Yes, I am Mrs. Rogers," said the sweet, sad voice. "And I think you are +one of the young ladies from Elmhurst--perhaps the one Will talked to." + +"You are right, Mrs. Rogers. I am Elizabeth DeGraf." + +"And your companion--is it Mr. Forbes?" the woman asked. + +"Yes, madam," replied Kenneth, astonished to find Will's wife speaking +with so much refinement and gracious ease. + +"You are very welcome. Will you please find seats? My affliction renders +me helpless, as you may see." + +"We are very comfortable, I assure you, Mrs. Rogers," said Beth. "We +have come to ask if you have heard anything of your daughter." + +"Not a word as yet, Miss DeGraf, Will is out with the horse and buggy +doing his best to get information. But Lucy has been gone so long now +that I realize it will be difficult to find her, if, indeed, the poor +girl has not--is not--" + +Her voice broke. + +"Oh, you don't fear _that_, do you, Mrs. Rogers?" asked Beth, quickly. + +"I fear anything--everything!" wailed the poor creature, the tears +streaming from between her closed lids. "My darling was frantic with +grief, and she couldn't bear the humiliation and disgrace of her +position. Will told you, didn't he?" + +"Yes, of course. But it wasn't so bad, Mrs. Rogers; it wasn't a +desperate condition, by any means." + +"With poor Tom in prison for years--and just for trying to help her." + +"Tom isn't in prison, you know, any more," said Beth quietly. "He has +been released." + +"Released! When?" + +"Last evening. His fault has been forgiven, and he is now free." + +The woman sat silent for a time. Then she asked: + +"You have done this, Mr. Forbes?" + +"Why, Miss DeGraf and I assisted, perhaps. The young man is not really +bad, and--" + +"Tom's a fine boy!" she cried, with eagerness. "He's honest and true, +Mr. Forbes--he is, indeed!" + +"I think so," said Kenneth. + +"If he wasn't my Lucy would never have loved him. He had a bright future +before him, sir, and that's why my child went mad when he ruined his +life for her sake." + +"Was she mad, do you think?" asked Beth, softly. + +"She must have been," said the mother, sadly. "Lucy was a sensible girl, +and until this thing happened she was as bright and cheerful as the day +is long. But she is very sensitive--she inherited that from me, I +think--and Tom's action drove her distracted. At first she raved and +rambled incoherently, and Will and I feared brain fever would set in. +Then she disappeared in the night, without leaving a word or message for +us, which was unlike her--and we've never heard a word of her since. +The--the river has a strange fascination for people in that condition. +At times in my life it has almost drawn _me_ into its depths--and I am +not mad. I have never been mad." + +"Let us hope for the best, Mrs. Rogers," said Beth. "Somehow, I have an +idea this trouble will all turn out well in the end." + +"Have you?" asked the woman, earnestly. + +"Yes. It all came about through such a little thing--merely an unjust +accusation." + +"The little things are the ones that ruin lives," she said. "Will you +let me tell you something of myself? You have been so kind to us, my +dear, that I feel you ought to know." + +"I shall be glad to know whatever you care to tell me," said Beth, +simply. + +"I am the wife of a poor farmer," began the woman, speaking softly and +with some hesitation, but gaining strength as she proceeded. "As a girl +I was considered attractive, and my father was a man of great wealth and +social standing. We lived in Baltimore. Then I fell in love with a young +man who, after obtaining my promise to marry him, found some one he +loved better and carelessly discarded me. As I have said, I have a +sensitive nature. In my girlhood I was especially susceptible to any +slight, and this young man's heartless action made it impossible for me +to remain at home and face the humiliation he had thrust upon me. My +father was a hard man, and demanded that I marry the man he had himself +chosen; but I resented this command and ran away. My mother had passed +on long before, and there was nothing to keep me at home. I came west +and secured a position to teach school in this county, and for a time I +was quite contented and succeeded in living down my disappointment. I +heard but once from my father. He had married again and disinherited me. +He forbade me to ever communicate with him again. + +"At that time Will Rogers was one of the most promising and manly of the +country lads around here. He was desperately in love with me, and at +this period, when I seemed completely cut off from my old life and the +future contained no promise, I thought it best to wear out the remainder +of my existence in the seclusion of a farm-house. I put all the past +behind me, and told Will Rogers I would marry him and be a faithful +wife; but that my heart was dead. He accepted me on that condition, and +it was not until after we were married some time that my husband +realized how impossible it would ever be to arouse my affection. Then he +lost courage, and became careless and reckless. When our child came--our +Lucy--Will was devoted to her, and the baby wakened in me all the old +passionate capacity to love. Lucy drew Will and me a little closer +together, but he never recovered his youthful ambition. He was a +disappointed man, and went from bad to worse. I don't say Will hasn't +always been tender and true to me, and absolutely devoted to Lucy. But +he lost all hope of being loved as he loved me, and the disappointment +broke him down. He became an old man early in life, and his lack of +energy kept us very poor. I used to take in sewing before the accident +to my eyes, and that helped a good deal to pay expenses. But now I am +helpless, and my husband devotes all his time to me, although I beg him +to work the farm and try to earn some money. + +"I wouldn't have minded the poverty; I wouldn't mind being blind, even, +if Lucy had been spared to me. I have had to bear so much in my life +that I could even bear my child's death. But to have her disappear and +not know what has become of her--whether she is living miserably or +lying at the bottom of the river--it is this that is driving me +distracted." + +Kenneth and Beth remained silent for a time after Mrs. Rogers had +finished her tragic story, for their hearts were full of sympathy for +the poor woman. It was hard to realize that a refined, beautiful and +educated girl had made so sad a mistake of her life and suffered so many +afflictions as a consequence. That old Will had never been a fitting +mate for his wife could readily be understood, and yet the man was still +devoted to his helpless, unresponsive spouse. The fault was not his. + +The boy and the girl both perceived that there was but one way they +could assist Mrs. Rogers, and that was to discover what had become of +her child. + +"Was Lucy like you, or did she resemble her father?" asked Beth. + +"She is--she was very like me when I was young," replied the woman. +"There is a photograph of her on the wall there between the windows; but +it was taken five years ago, when she was a child. Now she is--she was +eighteen, and a well-developed young woman." + +"I've been looking at the picture," said Kenneth. + +"And you mustn't think of her as dead, Mrs. Rogers," said Beth, +pleadingly. "I'm sure she is alive, and that we shall find her. We're +going right to work, and everything possible shall be done to trace your +daughter. Don't worry, please. Be as cheerful as you can, and leave the +search to us." + +The woman sighed. + +"Will believes she is alive, too," she said. "He can't sleep or rest +till he finds her, for my husband loves her as well as I do. But +sometimes I feel it's wicked to hope she is alive. I know what she +suffers, for I suffered, myself; and life isn't worth living when +despair and disappointment fills it." + +"I cannot see why Lucy shouldn't yet be happy," protested Beth. "Tom +Gates is now free, and can begin life anew." + +"His trouble will follow him everywhere," said Mrs. Rogers, with +conviction. "Who will employ a bookkeeper, or even a clerk who has been +guilty of forgery?" + +"I think I shall give him employment," replied Kenneth. + +"You, Mr. Forbes!" + +"Yes. I'm not afraid of a boy who became a criminal to save the girl he +loved." + +"But all the world knows of his crime!" she exclaimed. + +"The world forgets these things sooner than you suppose," he answered. +"I need a secretary, and in that position Tom Gates will quickly be able +to live down this unfortunate affair. And if he turns out as well as I +expect, he will soon be able to marry Lucy and give her a comfortable +home. So now nothing remains but to find your girl, and we'll try to do +that, I assure you." + +Mrs. Rogers was crying softly by this time, but it was from joy and +relief. When they left her she promised to be as cheerful as possible +and to look on the bright side of life. + +"I can't thank you," she said, "so I won't try. You must know how +grateful we are to you." + +As Beth and Kenneth drove back to Elmhurst they were both rather silent, +for they had been strongly affected by the scene at the farm-house. + +"It's so good of you, Ken, to take Tom Gates into your employ," said the +girl, pressing her cousin's arm. "And I'm sure he'll be true and +grateful." + +"I really need him, Beth," said the boy. "There is getting to be too +much correspondence for Mr. Watson to attend to, and I ought to relieve +him of many other details. It's a good arrangement, and I'm glad I +thought of it." + +They had almost reached Elmhurst when they met the Honorable Erastus +Hopkins driving along the road. On the seat beside him was a young girl, +and as the vehicles passed each other Beth gave a start and clung to the +boy's arm. + +"Oh, Ken!" she cried, "did you see? Did you see that?" + +"Yes; it's my respected adversary." + +"But the girl! It's Lucy--I'm sure it's Lucy! She's the living image of +Mrs. Rogers! Stop--stop--and let's go back!" + +"Nonsense, Beth," said the boy. "It can't be." + +"But it is. I'm sure it is!" + +"I saw the girl," he said. "She was laughing gaily and talking with the +Honorable Erastus. Is that your idea of the mad, broken-hearted Lucy +Rogers?" + +"N-no. She _was_ laughing, Ken, I noticed it." + +"And she wasn't unhappy a bit. You mustn't think that every pretty girl +with dark eyes you meet is Lucy Rogers, you know. And there's another +thing." + +"What, Ken?" + +"Any companion of Mr. Hopkins can be easily traced." + +"That's true," answered the girl, thoughtfully. "I must have been +mistaken," she added, with a sigh. + + + + +CHAPTER XII + +BETH MEETS A REBUFF + + +The campaign was now growing warm. Mr. Hopkins had come to realize that +he had "the fight of his life" on his hands, and that defeat meant his +political ruin. Close-fisted and miserly as he was, no one knew so well +as the Honorable Erastus how valuable this position of Representative +was to him in a financial way, and that by winning re-election he could +find means to reimburse himself for all he had expended in the fight. +So, to the surprise of the Democratic Committee and all his friends, Mr. +Hopkins announced that he would oppose Forbes's aggressive campaign with +an equal aggressiveness, and spend as many dollars in doing so as might +be necessary. + +He did not laugh at his opponents any longer. To himself he admitted +their shrewdness and activity and acknowledged that an experienced head +was managing their affairs. + +One of Mr. Hopkins's first tasks after calling his faithful henchmen +around him was to make a careful canvass of the voters of his district, +to see what was still to be accomplished. + +This canvass was quite satisfactory, for final report showed only about +a hundred majority for Forbes. The district was naturally Republican by +six hundred majority, and Hopkins had previously been elected by a +plurality of eighty-three; so that all the electioneering of the girl +politicians, and the expenditure of vast sums of money in painting +fences and barns, buying newspapers and flaunting Forbes banners in the +breezes, had not cut into the Hopkins following to any serious extent. + +But, to offset this cheering condition, the Democratic agents who made +the canvass reported that there was an air of uncertainty throughout the +district, and that many of those who declared for Hopkins were lukewarm +and faint-hearted, and might easily be induced to change their votes. +This was what must be prevented. The "weak-kneed" contingency must be +strengthened and fortified, and a couple of hundred votes in one way or +another secured from the opposition. + +The Democratic Committee figured out a way to do this. Monroe County, +where both Forbes and Hopkins resided, was one of the Democratic +strongholds of the State. The portions of Washington and Jefferson +Counties included in the Eighth District were as strongly Republican, +and being more populous gave to the district its natural Republican +majority. On the same ticket that was to elect a Representative to the +State Legislature was the candidate for Sheriff of Monroe County. A man +named Cummings was the Republican and Seth Reynolds, the liveryman, the +Democratic nominee. Under ordinary conditions Reynolds was sure to be +elected, but the Committee proposed to sacrifice him in order to elect +Hopkins. The Democrats would bargain with the Republicans to vote for +the Republican Sheriff if the Republicans would vote for the Democratic +Representative. This "trading votes," which was often done, was +considered by the politicians quite legitimate. The only thing necessary +was to "fix" Seth Reynolds, and this Hopkins arranged personally. The +office of Sheriff would pay about two thousand a year, and this sum +Hopkins agreed to pay the liveryman and so relieve him of all the +annoyance of earning it. + +Reynolds saw the political necessity of this sacrifice, and consented +readily to the arrangement. Mr. Cummings, who was to profit by the deal, +was called to a private consultation and agreed to slaughter Kenneth +Forbes to secure votes for himself. It was thought that this clever +arrangement would easily win the fight for Hopkins. + +But the Honorable Erastus had no intention of "taking chances," or +"monkeying with fate," as he tersely expressed it. Every scheme known to +politicians must be worked, and none knew the intricate game better than +Hopkins. This was why he held several long conferences with his friend +Marshall, the manager at the mill. And this was why Kenneth and Beth +discovered him conversing with the young woman in the buggy. Mr. Hopkins +had picked her up from the path leading from the rear gate of the +Elmhurst grounds, and she had given him accurate information concerning +the movements of the girl campaigners. The description she gave of the +coming reception to the Woman's Political League was so humorous and +diverting that they were both laughing heartily over the thing when the +young people passed them, and thus Mr. Hopkins failed to notice who the +occupants of the other vehicle were. + +He talked for an hour with the girl, gave her explicit instructions, +thrust some money into her hand, and then drove her back to the bend in +the path whence she quickly made her way up to the great house. + +Louise was making great preparations to entertain the Woman's Political +League, an organization she had herself founded, the members of which +were wives of farmers in the district. These women were flattered by the +attention of the young lady and had promised to assist in electing Mr. +Forbes. Louise hoped for excellent results from this organization and +wished the entertainment to be so effective in winning their good-will +that they would work earnestly for the cause in which they were +enlisted. + +Patsy and Beth supported their cousin loyally and assisted in the +preparations. The Fairview band was engaged to discourse as much harmony +as it could produce, and the resources of the great house were taxed to +entertain the guests. Tables were spread on the lawn and a dainty but +substantial repast was to be served. + +The day of the entertainment was as sunny and mild as heart could +desire. + +By ten o'clock the farm wagons began to drive up, loaded with women and +children, for all were invited except the grown men. This was the first +occasion within a generation when such an entertainment had been given +at Elmhurst, and the only one within the memory of man where the +neighbors and country people had been invited guests. So all were eager +to attend and enjoy the novel event. + +The gardens and grounds were gaily decorated with Chinese and Japanese +lanterns, streamers and Forbes banners. There were great tanks of +lemonade, and tables covered with candies and fruits for the children, +and maids and other servants distributed the things and looked after the +comfort of the guests. The band played briskly, and before noon the +scene was one of great animation. A speakers' stand, profusely +decorated, had been erected on the lawn, and hundreds of folding chairs +provided for seats. The attendance was unexpectedly large, and the girls +were delighted, foreseeing great success for their fete. + +"We ought to have more attendants, Beth," said Louise, approaching her +cousin. "Won't you run into the house and see if Martha can't spare one +or two more maids?" + +Beth went at once, and found the housekeeper in her little room. Martha +was old and somewhat feeble in body, but her mind was still active and +her long years of experience in directing the household at Elmhurst made +her a very useful and important personage. She was very fond of the +young ladies, whom she had known when Aunt Jane was the mistress here, +and Beth was her especial favorite. + +So she greeted the girl cordially, and said: + +"Maids? My dear, I haven't another one to give you, and my legs are too +tottering to be of any use. I counted on Eliza Parsons, the new girl I +hired for the linen room and to do mending; but Eliza said she had a +headache this morning and couldn't stand the sun, So I let her off. But +she didn't seem very sick to me." + +"Perhaps she is better and will help us until after the luncheon is +served," said Beth. "Where is she, Martha? I'll go and ask her." + +"I'd better show you the way, miss. She's in her own room." + +The housekeeper led the way and Beth followed. When she rapped upon the +door, a sweet, quiet voice said: + +"Come in." + +The girl entered, and gave an involuntary cry of surprise. Standing +before her was the young girl she had seen riding with Mr. Hopkins--the +girl she had declared to be the missing daughter of Mrs. Rogers. + +For a moment Beth stood staring, while the new maid regarded her with +composure and a slight smile upon her beautiful face. She was dressed in +the regulation costume of the maids at Elmhurst, a plain black gown with +white apron and cap. + +"I--I beg your pardon," said Beth, with a slight gasp; for the likeness +to Mrs. Rogers was something amazing. "Aren't you Lucy Rogers?" + +The maid raised her eyebrows with a gesture of genuine surprise. Then +she gave a little laugh, and replied: + +"No, Miss Beth. I'm Elizabeth Parsons." + +"But it can't be," protested the girl. "How do you know my name, and why +haven't I seen you here before?" + +"I'm not a very important person at Elmhurst," replied Eliza, in a +pleasant, even tone. "I obtained the situation only a few days ago. I +attend to the household mending, you know, and care for the linen. But +one can't be here without knowing the names of the young ladies, so I +recognize you as Miss Beth, one of Mr. Forbes's cousins." + +"You speak like an educated person," said Beth, wonderingly. "Where is +your home?" + +For the first time the maid seemed a little confused, and her gaze +wandered from the face of her visitor. + +"Will you excuse my answering that question?" she asked. + +"It is very simple and natural," persisted Beth. "Why cannot you answer +it?" + +"Excuse me, please. I--I am not well today. I have a headache." + +She sat down in a rocking chair, and clasping her hands in her lap, +rocked slowly back and forth. + +"I'm sorry," said Beth. "I hoped you would be able to assist me on the +lawn. There are so many people that we can't give them proper +attention." + +Eliza Parsons shook her head. + +"I am not able," she declared. "I abhor crowds. They--they excite me, in +some way, and I--I can't bear them. You must excuse me." + +Beth looked at the strange girl without taking the hint to retire. +Somehow, she could not rid herself of the impression that whether or not +she was mistaken in supposing Eliza to be the missing Lucy, she had +stumbled upon a sphinx whose riddle was well worth solving. + +But Eliza bore the scrutiny with quiet unconcern. She even seemed mildly +amused at the attention she attracted. Beth was a beautiful girl--the +handsomest of the three cousins, by far; yet Eliza surpassed her in +natural charm, and seemed well aware of the fact. Her manner was neither +independent nor assertive, but rather one of well-bred composure and +calm reliance. Beth felt that she was intruding and knew that she ought +to go; yet some fascination held her to the spot. Her eyes wandered to +the maid's hands. However her features and form might repress any +evidence of nervousness, these hands told a different story. The thin +fingers clasped and unclasped in little spasmodic jerks and belied the +quiet smile upon the face above them. + +"I wish," said Beth, slowly, "I knew you." + +A sudden wave of scarlet swept over Eliza's face. She rose quickly to +her feet, with an impetuous gesture that made her visitor catch her +breath. + +"I wish I knew myself," she cried, fiercely. "Why do you annoy me in +this manner? What am I to you? Will you leave me alone in my own room, +or must I go away to escape you?" + +"I will go," said Beth, a little frightened at the passionate appeal. + +Eliza closed the door behind her with a decided slam, and a key clicked +in the lock. The sound made Beth indignant, and she hurried back to +where her cousins were busy with the laughing, chattering throng of +visitors. + + + + +CHAPTER XIII + +THE BOOMERANG + + +The lawn fete was a tremendous success, and every farmer's wife was +proud of her satin badge bearing the monogram: "W. P. L.," and the +words: "FORBES FOR REPRESENTATIVE." + +Certain edibles, such as charlotte-russe, Spanish cream, wine jellies +and mousses, to say nothing of the caviars and anchovies, were wholly +unknown to them; but they ate the dainties with a wise disregard of +their inexperience and enjoyed them immensely. + +The old butler was a general in his way, and in view of the fact that +the staff of servants at Elmhurst was insufficient to cope with such a +throng, he allowed Louise to impress several farmers' daughters into +service, and was able to feed everyone without delay and in an abundant +and satisfactory manner. + +After luncheon began the speech-making, interspersed with music by the +band. + +Louise made the preliminary address, and, although her voice was not +very strong, the silent attention of her hearers permitted her to be +generally understood. + +She called attention to the fact that this campaign was important +because it promised more beautiful and attractive houses for the farmers +and townsmen alike. + +"We had all grown so accustomed to advertising signs," she said, "that +we failed to notice how thick they were becoming or how bold and +overpowering. From a few scattered announcements on fence boards, they +had crowded themselves into more prominent places until the barns and +sheds and the very rocks were daubed with glaring letters asking us to +buy the medicines, soaps, tobaccos, and other wares the manufacturers +were anxious to sell. Every country road became an advertising avenue. +Scarcely a country house was free from signs of some sort. Yet the +people tamely submitted to this imposition because they knew no way to +avoid it. When Mr. Forbes began his campaign to restore the homesteads +to their former beauty and dignity, a cry was raised against him. But +this was because the farmers did not understand how much this reform +meant to them. So we gave them an object lesson. We painted out all the +signs in this section at our own expense, that you might see how much +more beautiful your homes are without them. We believe that none of you +will ever care to allow advertising signs on your property again, and +that the quiet refinement of this part of the country will induce many +other places to follow our example, until advertisers are forced to +confine themselves to newspapers, magazines and circulars, their only +legitimate channels. This much Mr. Forbes has already done for you, and +he will now tell you what else, if he is elected, he proposes to do." + +Kenneth then took the platform and was welcomed with a hearty cheer. He +modestly assured them that a Representative in the State Legislature +could accomplish much good for his district if he honestly desired to do +so. That was what a Representative was for--to represent his people. It +was folly to elect any man who would forget that duty and promote only +his own interests through the position of power to which the people had +appointed him. Mr. Forbes admitted that he had undertaken this campaign +because he was opposed to offensive advertising signs; but now he had +become interested in other issues, and was anxious to be elected so that +he could carry on the work of reform. They needed more school-houses for +their children, and many other things which he hoped to provide as their +Representative. + +During this oration Beth happened to glance up at the house, and her +sharp eyes detected the maid, Eliza, standing shielded behind the +half-closed blind of an upper window and listening to, as well as +watching, the proceedings below. Then she remembered how the girl had +been laughing and talking with Mr. Hopkins, when she first saw her, and +with sudden dismay realized that Eliza was a spy in the service of the +enemy. + +Her first impulse was to denounce the maid at once, and have her +discharged; but the time was not opportune, so she waited until the +festivities were ended. + +It had been a great day for the families of the neighboring farmers, and +they drove homeward in the late afternoon full of enthusiasm over the +royal manner in which they had been entertained and admiration for the +girls who had provided the fun and feasting. Indeed, there were more +kindly thoughts expressed for the inhabitants of Elmhurst than had ever +before been heard in a single day in the history of the county, and the +great and the humble seemed more closely drawn together. + +When the last guest had departed Beth got her cousins and Kenneth +together and told them of her discovery of the spy. + +Kenneth was at first greatly annoyed, and proposed to call Martha and +have the false maid ejected from the premises; but Patsy's wise little +head counselled caution in handling the matter. + +"Now that we know her secret," she said, "the girl cannot cause us more +real harm, and there may be a way to circumvent this unscrupulous +Hopkins and turn the incident to our own advantage. Let's think it over +carefully before we act." + +"There's another thing," said Beth, supporting her cousin. "I'm +interested in the mystery surrounding the girl. I now think I was wrong +in suspecting her to be the lost Lucy Rogers; but there is surely some +romance connected with her, and she is not what she seems to be. I'd +like to study her a little." + +"It was absurd to connect her with Lucy Rogers," observed Kenneth, "for +there is nothing in her character to remind one of the unhappy girl." + +"Except her looks," added Beth. "She's the living image of Mrs. Rogers." + +"That isn't important," replied Louise. "It is probably a mere +coincidence. None of us have ever seen the real Lucy, and she may not +resemble her mother at all." + +"Mrs. Rogers claims she does," said Beth. "But anyhow, I have a wish to +keep this girl at the house, where I can study her character." + +"Then keep her, my dear," decided Kenneth. "I'll set a couple of men to +watch the gates, and if she goes out we'll know whom she meets. The most +she can do is to report our movements to Mr. Hopkins, and there's no +great harm in that." + +So the matter was left, for the time; and as if to verify Beth's +suspicions Eliza was seen to leave the grounds after dusk and meet Mr. +Hopkins in the lane. They conversed together a few moments, and then the +maid calmly returned and went to her room. + +The next day Mr. Hopkins scattered flaring hand-bills over the district +which were worded in a way designed to offset any advantage his opponent +had gained from the lawn fete of the previous day. They read: "Hopkins, +the Man of the Times, is the Champion of the Signs of the Times. Forbes, +who never earned a dollar in his life, but inherited his money, is +trying to take the dollars out of the pockets of the farmers by +depriving them of the income derived by selling spaces for advertising +signs. He is robbing the farmers while claiming he wants to beautify +their homes. The farmers can't eat beauty; they want money. Therefore +they are going to vote for the Honorable Erastus Hopkins for +Representative." Then followed an estimate of the money paid the farmers +of the district by the advertisers during the past five years, amounting +to several thousands of dollars in the aggregate. The circular ended in +this way: "Hopkins challenges Forbes to deny these facts. Hopkins is +willing to meet Forbes before the public at any time and place he may +select, to settle this argument in joint debate." + +The girls accepted the challenge at once. Within two days every farmer +had received a notice that Mr. Forbes would meet Mr. Hopkins at the +Fairview Opera House on Saturday afternoon to debate the question as to +whether advertising signs brought good or evil to the community. + +The campaign was now getting hot. Because of the activity of the +opposing candidates every voter in the district had become more or less +interested in the fight, and people were taking one side or the other +with unusual earnestness. + +Mr. Hopkins was not greatly pleased that his challenge had been +accepted. He had imagined that the Forbes party would ignore it and +leave him the prestige of crowing over his opponent's timidity. But he +remembered how easily he had subdued Kenneth at the school-house meeting +before the nominations, and had no doubt of his ability to repeat the +operation. + +He was much incensed against the girls who were working for Kenneth +Forbes, for he realized that they were proving an important factor in +the campaign. He even attributed to them more than they deserved, for +Uncle John's telling activities were so quietly conducted that he was +personally lost sight of entirely by Mr. Hopkins. + +Mr. Hopkins had therefore become so enraged that, against the advice of +his friends, he issued a circular sneering at "Women in Politics." The +newspapers having been subsidized by the opposition so early in the +game, Mr. Hopkins had driven to employ the circular method of +communicating with the voters. Scarcely a day passed now that his corps +of distributors did not leave some of his literature at every dwelling +in the district. + +His tirade against the girls was neither convincing nor in good taste. +He asked the voters if they were willing to submit to "petticoat +government," and permit a "lot of boarding-school girls, with more +boldness than modesty" to dictate the policies of the community. "These +frizzle-headed females," continued the circular, "are trying to make +your wives and daughters as rebellious and unreasonable as they are +themselves; but no man of sense will permit a woman to influence his +vote. It is a disgrace to this district that Mr. Forbes allows his +girlish campaign to be run by a lot of misses who should be at home +darning stockings; or, if they were not able to do that, practicing +their music-lessons." + +"Good!" exclaimed shrewd Miss Patsy, when she read this circular. "If +I'm not much mistaken, Mr. Hopkins has thrown a boomerang. Every woman +who attended the fete is now linked with us as an ally, and every one of +them will resent this foolish circular." + +"I'm sorry," said Kenneth, "that you girls should be forced to endure +this. I feared something like it when you insisted on taking a hand in +the game." + +But they laughed at him and at Mr. Hopkins, and declared they were not +at all offended. + +"One cannot touch pitch without being defiled," said Mr. Watson, +gravely, "and politics, as Mr. Hopkins knows it, is little more than +pitch." + +"I cannot see that there is anything my girls have done to forfeit +respect and admiration," asserted Uncle John, stoutly. "To accuse them +of boldness or immodesty is absurd. They have merely gone to work in a +business-like manner and used their wits and common-sense in educating +the voters. Really, my dears, I'm more proud of you today than I've ever +been before," he concluded. + +And Uncle John was right. There had been no loss of dignity by any one +of the three, and their evident refinement, as well as their gentleness +and good humor, had until now protected them from any reproach. It had +remained for Mr. Hopkins to accuse them, and his circular had a wide +influence in determining the issue of the campaign. + + + + +CHAPTER XIV + +LUCY'S GHOST + + +Kenneth had sent word to Tom Gates, asking the young man to come to +Elmhurst, but it was not until two days after the lawn party that Tom +appeared and asked permission to see Mr. Forbes. + +Beth and Louise were with Kenneth at the time, and were eager to remain +during the interview, so the young man was shown into the library. + +Beth could scarcely recognize in him the calm and cheerful Tom Gates +they had visited in the county jail; for his face was drawn with care +and anxiety, eyes were bloodshot, and his former neat appearance was +changed to one careless and untidy. + +Kenneth scrutinized him closely. + +"What have you been up to, Tom?" he asked. + +"I've been searching for Lucy, sir, night and day. I haven't slept a +wink since I heard the awful news of her sickness and escape. Where do +you think she can be, sir?" + +His question was full of agonized entreaty, and his manner pitifully +appealing. + +"I don't know," answered Kenneth. "Where have you searched?" + +"Everywhere, sir, that she might be likely to go. I've inquired in every +town, and along every road leading out of the county. She didn't take a +train, because poor Lucy hadn't any money--and I've asked at all the +stations. And--and--along the river they say no girl answering her +description has been seen." + +"It's strange," remarked Kenneth, thoughtfully, while the girls regarded +the youth with silent sympathy. + +"If you knew Lucy, sir, you'd realize how strange it is," went on young +Gates, earnestly. "She was such a gentle, shrinking girl, as shy and +retiring as a child. And she never did a thing that would cause anyone +the least worry or unhappiness. But she was out of her head, sir, and +didn't know what she was about. That was the reason she went away. And +from the moment she left her home all trace of her was lost." + +"One would think," observed Kenneth, "that a poor, demented girl, +wandering about the country, would be noticed by scores of people. Did +she take any clothing with her?" + +"Only the dress she had on, sir, and not even a hat or a shawl." + +"What was her dress like?" asked Beth, quickly. + +"It was a light grey in color, and plainly made. She wore a white +collar, but that is all we can be certain she had on. You see her mother +is blind, and old Will doesn't observe very closely." + +"Does Lucy resemble her mother?" inquired Beth. + +"Very much, miss. She was a beautiful girl, everyone acknowledged. And +it's all my fault--all my fault. I thought to save her, and drove her +mad, instead!" + +"You might have known that," declared Kenneth. "A girl of her character, +sensitive to a fault, would be greatly shocked to find the man she loved +a criminal." + +"It was for her sake." + +"That is a poor excuse. If you had waited Lucy would have proved her +innocence." + +"They threatened to arrest her, sir. It would have killed her." + +"They wouldn't dare arrest her on suspicion." + +"The Squierses would dare do anything. You don't know old Mrs. Squiers." + +"I know the law, sir, and in any event it was a foolish thing, as well +as criminal, to forge a check to get the money they demanded." + +"You are right, sir," replied Tom Gates, despondently. "It was foolish +and criminal. I wouldn't mind my own punishment, but it drove my Lucy +mad." + +"See here," said Kenneth, sternly, "you are getting morbid, young man, +and pretty soon you'll be mad yourself. If Lucy is found do you want her +to see you in this condition?" + +"Can she be found, sir, do you think?" + +"We are trying to find her," replied Kenneth. "You have failed, it +seems, and Will Rogers had failed. I've had one of the cleverest +detectives of Chicago trying to find her for the last three days." + +"Oh, Kenneth!" exclaimed Beth. "I didn't know that. How good of you!" + +"It must have been the detective that came to see Mrs. Rogers," said +Tom, musingly. "She told me a strange man had been there from Mr. +Forbes, to inquire all about Lucy." + +"Yes; he makes a report to me every evening," remarked Kenneth; "and Mr. +Burke says this is the most mystifying case he has ever encountered. So +far there isn't a clew to follow. But you may rest assured that what any +man can do, Burke will do." + +"I'm so grateful, sir!" said Tom. + +"Then you must show it by being a man, and not by giving way to your +trouble in this foolish manner." + +"I'll try, sir, now that there's something to hope for." + +"There's a good deal to hope for. Despair won't help you. You must go to +work." + +"I will. It won't be very easy to get work, for I've disgraced myself in +this neighborhood, and I can't leave here till something is known of +Lucy's fate. But I'll do something--any kind of work--if I can get it." + +"I need someone to assist me in my correspondence," said Kenneth. "Would +you like to be my secretary?" + +"Me, Mr. Forbes--me!" + +"Yes, Tom. I'll pay you twenty dollars a week to start with, and more if +you serve me faithfully. And you'll board here, of course." + +Then Tom Gates broke down and began to cry like a child, although he +tried hard to control himself. + +"You--you must forgive me, Mr. Forbes," he said, penitently; "I--I've +been without sleep for so long that I haven't any nerves left." + +"Then you must go to sleep now, and get a good rest." He turned to Beth. +"Will you see Martha," he asked, "and have her give Tom Gates a room?" + +She went on her errand at once, and gradually the young man recovered +his composure. + +"I can do typewriting and stenography, Mr. Forbes," he said, "and I can +keep accounts. I'll serve you faithfully, sir." + +"We'll talk of all this by and by, Tom," replied Kenneth, kindly. "Just +now you must have some sleep and get your strength back. And don't worry +about Lucy. Burke will do everything that can be done, and I am +confident he will be able to trace the girl in time." + +"Thank you, sir." + +Then he followed the butler away to his room, and after the girls had +discussed him and expressed their sympathy for the unfortunate fellow, +they all turned their attention to the important matter of the campaign. +The debate with Hopkins was the thing that occupied them just now, and +when Patsy joined the group of workers they began to discuss some means +of scoring a decisive victory at the Fairview Opera House. The Honorable +Erastus still insisted upon making the anti-sign fight the prominent +issue of the campaign, and they must reply forcibly to the misleading +statements made in his last hand-bill. + +Meantime Tom Gates was sunk in the deep sleep of physical exhaustion, +and the day wore away before he wakened. When at last he regained +consciousness he found the sun sinking in the west and feared he had +been guilty of indiscretion. He remembered that he was Mr. Forbes's +secretary now, and that Mr. Forbes might want him. He was not yet +thoroughly rested, but night was approaching and he reflected that he +could obtain all the sleep that he needed then. + +So, greatly refreshed, and in a quieter mood than he had been for days, +the young man dressed and entered the hall to find his way downstairs. + +It happened that Beth, whose room was near this rear corridor, had just +gone there to dress for dinner, and as she was closing her door she +heard a wild, impassioned cry: + +"Lucy!" + +Quickly she sprang out into the hall and turned the corner in time to +see a strange tableau. + +Young Gates was standing with his arms outstretched toward Eliza +Parsons, who, a few paces away, had her back to the door of her own +chamber, from which she had evidently just stepped. She stood +motionless, looking curiously at the youth who confronted her. + +"Lucy! don't you know me?" he asked, his voice trembling with emotion. + +"To begin with," said the girl, composedly, "my name happens to be +Eliza. And as we've not been properly introduced I really don't see why +I should know you," she added, with a light laugh. + +Tom Gates shrank away from her as if he had been struck. + +"You can't be Lucy!" he murmured. "And yet--and yet--oh, you _must_ be +Lucy! You must know me! Look at me, dear--I'm Tom. I'm your own Tom, +Lucy!" + +"It's very gratifying, I'm sure, young man," said the girl, a touch of +scorn in her tones. "If you're my own Tom you'll perhaps stand out of my +way and let me go to my work." + +Without another word he backed up again; the wall and permitted her to +sweep by him, which she did with a gesture of disdain. + +When Eliza Parsons had disappeared down the back stairs Beth drew a long +breath and approached Tom Gates, who still stood by the wall staring at +the place where the girl had disappeared. + +"I overheard," said Beth. "Tell me, Tom, is she really like Lucy?" + +He looked at her with a dazed expression, as if he scarcely comprehended +her words. + +"Could you have been mistaken?" persisted the questioner. + +He passed his hand over his eyes and gave a shudder. + +"Either it was Lucy or her ghost," he muttered. + +"Eliza Parsons is no ghost," declared Beth. "She's one of the maids here +at Elmhurst, and you're quite likely to see her again." + +"Has she been here long?" he asked, eagerly. + +"No; only a few days." + +"Oh!" + +"When I first saw her I was struck by her resemblance to Mrs. Rogers," +continued the girl. + +"But she's so different," said Tom, choking back a sob. "Lucy couldn't +be so--so airy, so heartless. She isn't at all that style of a girl, +miss." + +"She may be acting," suggested Beth. + +But he shook his head gloomily. + +"No; Lucy couldn't act that way. She's quick and impulsive, but she--she +couldn't act. And she wouldn't treat me that way, either, Miss Beth. +Lucy and I have been sweethearts for years, and I know every expression +of her dear face. But the look that this girl gave me was one that my +Lucy never could assume. I must have been mistaken. I--I'm sure I was +mistaken." + +Beth sighed. She was disappointed. + +"I suppose," continued Tom, "that I've thought of Lucy so long and so +much, lately, and worried so over her disappearance, that I'm not quite +myself, and imagined this girl was more like her than she really is. +What did you say her name was?" + +"Eliza Parsons." + +"Thank you. Can you tell me where I'll find Mr. Forbes?" + +"He's getting ready for dinner, now, and won't need you at present." + +"Then I'll go back to my room. It--it was a great shock to me, that +likeness, Miss DeGraf." + +"I can well believe it," said Beth; and then she went to her own +apartment, greatly puzzled at a resemblance so strong that it had even +deceived Lucy Rogers's own sweetheart. + + + + +CHAPTER XV + +SIGNS OF THE TIMES + + +"If she is really Lucy Rogers, she'll be missing tomorrow morning," said +Beth when she had told her cousins of the encounter in the corridor. + +But Eliza Parsons was still at Elmhurst the next day, calmly pursuing +her duties, and evidently having forgotten or decided to ignore the +young man who had so curiously mistaken her for another. Beth took +occasion to watch her movements, so far as she could, and came to the +conclusion that the girl was not acting a part. She laughed naturally +and was too light-hearted and gay to harbor a care of any sort in her +frivolous mind. + +But there was a mystery about her; that could not be denied. Even if she +were but a paid spy of Erastus Hopkins there was a story in this girl's +life, brief as it had been. + +Beth was full of curiosity to know this story. + +As for Tom Gates, he had been so horrified by his mistake that he tried +to avoid meeting Eliza again. This was not difficult because the girl +kept pretty closely to the linen room, and Tom was chiefly occupied in +the library. + +Kenneth had little chance to test his secretary's abilities just then, +because the girls pounced upon the new recruit and used his services in +a variety of ways. Tom Gates's anxiety to give satisfaction made him +willing to do anything, but they refrained from sending him often to +town because he was sensitive to the averted looks and evident repulsion +of those who knew he had recently been a "jail-bird." But there was +plenty for him to do at Elmhurst, where they were all as busy as bees; +and whatever the young man undertook he accomplished in a satisfactory +manner. + +Saturday forenoon the three girls, with Kenneth, Mr. Watson and Uncle +John, rode over to Fairview to prepare for the debate that was to take +place in the afternoon, leaving only Tom Gates at home. As Mr. Hopkins +had thrust upon his opponent the task of naming the place and time, the +Republican candidate was obliged to make all the arrangements, and pay +all the costs. But whatever the girl managers undertook they did well. +So the Opera House had been in the hands of a special committee for two +days, the orchestra had been hired, and the news of the joint debate had +spread far and wide. + +The party from Elmhurst lunched at the Fairview Hotel, and then the +girls hurried to the Opera House while Kenneth remained to attend a +conference of the Republican Committee. These gentlemen were much +worried over the discovery of a scheme to trade votes that had been +sprung, and that Forbes and Reynolds were being sacrificed for Hopkins +and Cummings. Mr. Cummings was called into the meeting, and he denied +that the trading was being done with his consent, but defiantly refused +to make a public announcement to that effect. + +The matter was really serious, because every vote lost in that way +counted as two for the other side, and Hopkins's rabid hand-bills had +influenced many of the more ignorant voters and created endless disputes +that were not of benefit to the Republican party. + +"As nearly as we can figure from our recent canvass," said Mr. +Cunningham, the chairman, "we are fast losing ground, and our chances of +success are smaller than if no interest in the election had been +aroused. Hopkins has cut our majority down to nothing, and it will be a +hard struggle to carry our ticket through to success. This is the more +discouraging because Mr. Forbes has spent so much money, while Hopkins's +expenses have been very little." + +"I do not mind that," said Kenneth, quietly. "It was my desire that the +voters should fully understand the issues of the campaign. Then, if they +vote against me, it is because they are not worthy of honest +representation in the Legislature, and I shall in the future leave them +to their own devices." + +The committee adjourned a little before two o'clock with rather grave +faces, and prepared to attend the debate at the Opera House. Mr. +Cunningham feared this debate would prove a mistake, as it would give +Hopkins a chance to ridicule and brow-beat his opponent in public, and +his greatest talent as a speaker lay in that direction. + +As Kenneth and his supporters approached the Opera House they heard loud +cheering, and from a band-wagon covered with bunting and banners, in +which he had driven to the meeting, descended the Honorable Erastus. He +met Kenneth face to face, and the latter said pleasantly: + +"Good afternoon, Mr. Hopkins." + +"Ah, it's Forbes, isn't it?" replied Hopkins, slightingly. "I've met you +before, somewheres, haven't I?" + +"You have, sir." + +"Glad you're here, Forbes; glad you're here," continued the +Representative, airily, as he made his way through the crowd that +blocked the entrance. "These meetings are educational to young men. +Girls all well, I hope?" + +There was a boisterous laugh at this sally, and Mr. Hopkins smiled and +entered the Opera House, while Kenneth followed with the feeling that he +would take great delight in punching the Honorable Erastus's nose at the +first opportunity. + +The house was packed full of eager spectators who had come to see "the +fun." Although the girls had taken charge of all the arrangements they +had devoted the left side of the ample stage to the use of the Hopkins +party, where a speaker's table and chairs for important guests had been +placed. The right side was similarly arranged for the Forbes party, and +between the two the entire center of the stage was occupied by a group +of fifty young girls. Above this group a great banner was suspended, +reading: "The Signs of the Times," a catchword Mr. Hopkins had employed +throughout the campaign. But the most astonishing thing was the +appearance of the group of girls. They all wore plain white slips, upon +which a variety of signs had been painted in prominent letters. Some +costumes advertised baking-powders, others patent medicines, others +soaps, chewing tobacco, breakfast foods, etc. From where they were +seated in full view of the vast audience the girls appeared as a mass of +advertising signs, and the banner above them indicated quite plainly +that these were the "Signs of the Times." + +Mr. Hopkins, as he observed this scene, smiled with satisfaction. He +believed some of his friends had prepared this display to assist him and +to disconcert the opposition, for nothing could have clinched his +arguments better than the pretty young girls covered with advertisements +of well known products. Even the Eagle Eye Breakfast Food was well +represented. + +After the orchestra had finished a selection, Mr. Hopkins rose to make +the first argument and was greeted with cheers. + +"We are having a jolly campaign, my dear friends," he began; "but you +musn't take it altogether as a joke; because, while Mr. Forbes's erratic +views and actions have done little real harm, we have been educated to +an appreciation of certain benefits we enjoy which otherwise might have +escaped our attention. + +"This is a progressive, strenuous age, and no section of the country has +progressed more rapidly than this, the Eighth District of our great and +glorious State. I may say without danger of contradiction that the +people I have the honor to represent in the State Legislature, and +expect to have the honor of representing the next term, are the most +intelligent, the most thoughtful and the most prosperous to be found in +any like district in the United States. (Cheers.) Who, then, dares to +denounce them as fools? Who dares interfere with these liberties, who +dares intrude uninvited into their premises and paint out the signs they +have permitted to occupy their fences and barns and sheds? Who would do +these things but an impertinent meddler who is so inexperienced in life +that he sets his own flimsy judgment against that of the people?" + +The orator paused impressively to wait for more cheers, but the audience +was silent. In the outskirts of the crowd a faint hissing began to be +heard. It reached the speaker's ear and he hurriedly resumed the +oration. + +"I do not say Mr. Forbes is not a good citizen," said he, "but that he +is misguided and unreasonable. A certain degree of deference is due the +young man because he inherited considerable wealth from his uncle, +and--" + +Again the hisses began, and Mr. Hopkins knew he must abandon personal +attacks or he would himself be discredited before his hearers. Kenneth +and his supporters sat silent in their places, the three girls, who were +now well known in the district, forming part of the Republican group; +and none of them displayed the least annoyance at the vituperation Mr. +Hopkins had employed. + +"I have already called your attention in my circulars," resumed the +speaker, "to the fact that advertising signs are the source of large +income to the farmers of this district. I find that three thousand, +seven hundred and eighty-three dollars have been paid the farmers in the +last five years, without the least trouble or expense on their part; and +this handsome sum of money belongs to them and should not be taken away. +Stop and think for a moment. Advertising is the life of every business, +and to fight successfully the great army of advertisers whose business +is the life-blood of our institutions is as impossible as it is absurd. +Suppose every farmer in this district refused to permit signs upon his +property; what would be the result? Why, the farmers of other sections +would get that much more money for letting privileges, and you would be +that much out of pocket without suppressing the evil--if evil can attach +to an industry that pays you good money without requiring either +investment or labor in return." + +After continuing in this strain for some time, Mr. Hopkins announced +that "he would now give way to his youthful and inexperienced opponent," +and asked the audience to be patient with Mr. Forbes and considerate of +"his extraordinary prejudices." + +Hopkins's policy of discrediting his opponent in advance was not very +effective, for when Kenneth arose he was more enthusiastically cheered +than Hopkins had been. The meeting was disposed to be fair-minded and +quite willing to give Mr. Forbes a chance to explain his position. + +"The arguments of our distinguished Representative are well worthy of +your consideration," he began, quietly. "It is only by understanding +fully both sides of an argument that you can hope to arrive at a just +and impartial decision. Mr. Hopkins has advocated advertising signs on +the ground that your financial gain warrants permitting them to be +placed upon your premises. I will not deny his statement that three +thousand, seven hundred and eighty-three dollars have been paid the +farmers of this district by advertisers in the last five years. It is +quite likely to be true. I have here the report of the Department of +Agriculture showing that the total amount paid to farmers of the eighth +district in the last five years, for produce of all kinds, is eleven +millions, five-hundred thousand dollars." + +A murmur of amazement rose from the audience. Kenneth waited until it +had subsided. + +"This seems surprising, at first," he said, "and proves how startling +aggregate figures are. You must remember I have covered five years in +this estimate, as did Mr. Hopkins in his, and if you will figure it out +you will see that the yearly average of earnings is about six hundred +dollars to each farmer. That is a good showing, for we have a wealthy +district; but it is not surprising when reduced to that basis. Mr. +Hopkins slates that the farmers of this district received three +thousand, seven hundred and eighty-three dollars during the last five +years for advertising signs. Let us examine these figures. One-fifth of +that sum is seven hundred and fifty-six dollars and sixty cents as the +income to you per year. We have, in this district, twenty-five hundred +farmers according to the latest reports of the Bureau of Statistics, and +dividing seven hundred and fifty-six dollars and sixty cents by +twenty-five hundred, we find that each farmer receives an average of +thirty and one-quarter cents per year for allowing his fences and +buildings to be smothered in lurid advertising signs. So we find that +the money received by the farmers from the advertising amounts to about +one-quarter of one per cent of their income, a matter so insignificant +that it cannot affect them materially, one way or another. + +"But, Mr. Hopkins states that you give nothing in return for this +one-quarter of one per cent, while I claim you pay tremendously for it. +For you sacrifice the privacy of your homes and lands, and lend +yourselves to the selfish desire of advertisers to use your property to +promote their sales. You have been given an example of clean barns and +fences, and I cannot tell you how proud I am of this district when I +ride through it and see neatly painted barns and fences replacing the +flaring and obtrusive advertising signs that formerly disfigured the +highways. Why should you paint advertising signs upon your barns any +more than upon your houses? Carry the thing a step farther, and you may +as well paint signs upon your children's dresses, in the manner you see +illustrated before you." + +At this, Louise made a signal and the fifty children so grotesquely +covered with signs rose and stepped forward upon the stage. The +orchestra struck up an air and the little girls sang the following +ditty: + + "Teas and soaps, + Pills and dopes, +We all must advertise. + Copper cents, + Not common sense. +Are the things we prize. + We confess + Such a dress +Isn't quite becoming, + But we suppose + Hopkins knows +This keeps business humming." + +As the girls ceased singing, Kenneth said: + +"To the encroaching advertiser these signs of +the times are considered legitimate. There is no +respect for personal privacy on the advertiser's +part. Once they used only the newspapers, the +legitimate channels for advertising. Then they +began painting their advertising on your fences. +When the farmers protested against this the advertisers +gave them a few pennies as a sop to +quiet them. After this they gave you small sums +to paint the broad sides of your barns, your +board fences, and to place signs in your field. If +you allowed them to do so they would paint signs +on the dresses of your children and wives, so +callous are they to all decency and so regardless +of private rights. Look on this picture, my +friends, and tell me, would you prefer to see this--or this?" + +At the word each child pulled away the sign-painted +slip and stood arrayed in a pretty gown +of spotless white. + +The surprise was so complete that the audience +cheered, shouted and laughed for several minutes +before silence was restored. Then the children +sang another verse, as follows: + + "Now it is clear + That we appear +Just as we should be; + We are seen + Sweet and clean +From corruption free: + We're the signs + Of the times-- +Fair as heaven's orbs. + If we look good, + Then all men should +Vote for Kenneth Forbes!" + +The cheering was renewed at this, and Mr. Hopkins became angry. He tried +to make himself heard, but the popular fancy had been caught by the +object lesson so cleverly placed before them, and they shouted: "Forbes! +Forbes! Forbes!" until the Honorable Erastus became so furious that he +left the meeting in disgust. + +This was the most impolite thing he could have done, but he vowed that +the meeting had been "packed" with Forbes partisans and that he was +wasting his time in addressing them. + +After he was gone Kenneth resumed his speech and created more +enthusiasm. The victory was certainly with the Republican candidate, and +the Elmhurst people returned home thoroughly satisfied with the result +of the "joint debate." + + + + +CHAPTER XVI + +A CLEW AT LAST + + +The servants at Elmhurst all ate in a pleasant dining room with windows +facing a garden of geraniums. Tom Gates had been at the house two days +before he encountered Eliza Parsons at the table, for the servants were +not all able to take their meals at the same time. + +It was at luncheon, the day of the joint debate at Fairview, that the +young man first met Eliza, who sat opposite him. The only other person +present was old Donald, the coachman, who was rather deaf and never paid +any attention to the chatter around him. + +As he took his seat Tom gave a half-frightened glance into Eliza's face +and then turned red as she smiled coquettishly and said: + +"Dear me! It's the young man who called me his dear Lucy." + +"You--you're very like her," stammered Tom, unable to take his eyes from +her face. "Even now I--I can't believe I'm mistaken." + +She laughed merrily in a sweet, musical voice, and then suddenly stopped +with her hand on her heart and cast at him a startled look that was in +such sharp contrast to her former demeanor that he rose from his chair. + +"Sit down, please," she said, slowly. And then she studied his face with +sober earnestness--with almost wistful longing. But she shook her head +presently, and sighed; and a moment later had regained her lightness of +manner. + +"It's a relief to have a quiet house for a day, isn't it?" she asked, +eating her soup calmly. "I'll be glad when the election's over." + +"Have you been here long?" he asked, although Beth had told him of +Eliza's coming to Elmhurst. + +"Only a short time. And you?" + +"Two days," said he. "But where did you live before you came here?" + +She shook her head. + +"I wish you would answer me," he begged. "I have a reason for asking." + +"What reason?" she demanded, suddenly serious again. + +"Two people have never lived that were so near alike as you and Lucy +Rogers." + +"Indeed?" + +"Will you show me your left arm?" + +"No." + +She was again studying his face. + +"If you are Lucy Rogers you have a scar there--a scar where you burned +yourself years ago." + +She seemed frightened for a moment. Then she said: + +"I have no scar on my left arm." + +"Will you prove it?" + +"No. You are annoying me. What did you say your name is?" + +"Tom Gates." + +She was thoughtful for a moment and then shook her head. + +"I have never heard of you," she declared, positively, and resumed her +eating. + +Tom was nonplussed. One moment he believed she was Lucy, and the next +told himself that it was impossible. This girl possessed mannerisms that +Lucy had never exhibited in all the years he had known her. She was bold +and unabashed where Lucy was shy and unassuming. This girl's eyes +laughed, while Lucy's were grave and serious; yet they were the same +eyes. + +"Let me tell you about my lost Lucy," he said, with a glance at the +unconscious Donald. + +"Go ahead, if it will relieve you," she answered, demurely. + +"She lived on a farm five miles from here, and she was my sweetheart. +Her mother is blind and her father old and feeble. She worked for a +dentist in the town and was accused of stealing a ring, and it nearly +broke her heart to be so unjustly suspected. In order to make good the +loss of the ring, a valuable diamond--I--I got into trouble, and Lucy +was so shocked and distressed that she--she lost her head--became mad, +you know--and left home during the night without a word to any one. We +haven't been able to find her since." + +"That's too bad," remarked Eliza Parsons, buttering her bread. + +"About the time that Lucy went away, you appeared at Elmhurst," +continued Tom. "And in face and form you're the image of my Lucy. That +is why I asked you to tell me where you came from and how you came +here." + +"Ah, you think I'm mad, do you?" asked the girl, with a quizzical smile. +"Well, I'm not going to satisfy your curiosity, even to prove my sanity; +and I'm not anxious to pose as your lost Lucy. So please pass the sugar +and try to be sociable, instead of staring at me as if I scared you." + +Tom passed the sugar, but he could not eat, nor could he tear himself +away from this strange girl's presence. He tried again to draw her into +conversation, but she showed annoyance and resented his persistence. +Presently she went away, giving him an amused smile as she left the +room--a smile that made him feel that this was indeed a case of mistaken +identity. + +In fact, Tom Gates, on sober reflection, knew that the girl could not be +Lucy, yet he could not still the yearning in his heart whenever he saw +her. His heart declared that she was Lucy, and his head realized that +she could not be. + +While he waited in the library for Mr. Forbes to return from Fairview a +man was shown into the room and sat down quietly in a corner. + +He was a small, lean man, of unassuming appearance, with a thin face and +gray eyes set close together. When he looked at Tom Gates he scarcely +seemed to see him, and his manner conveyed the impression that he +disliked to attract notice. + +"Waiting for Mr. Forbes, sir?" asked Tom. + +"Yes," was the quiet reply. + +Suddenly it struck the young man that this might be the detective who +called every evening to give his report, and if so Tom was anxious to +talk with him. So he ventured to say: + +"It's Mr. Burke, isn't it?" + +The man nodded, and looked out of the window. + +"I'm Tom Gates, sir." + +"Yes; I know." + +"You've seen me before?" asked the youth, astonished. + +"No; I've heard of you. That's all." + +Tom flushed, remembering his recent crime. But he was eager to question +the detective. + +"Have you heard anything of Lucy Rogers, Mr. Burke?" + +"Not yet." + +"Is there no trace of her at all?" + +"A slight trace--nothing worth mentioning," said Mr. Burke. + +For a few moments Tom sat in silence. Then he said: + +"I thought I'd found her, day before yesterday." + +"Yes?" There was little interest in the tone. + +"There's a girl in the house, sir, one of the maids, who is the living +image of Lucy Rogers." + +"You ought to be able to identify her," suggested the detective, his +gaze still out of the window. + +"But they are not alike except in looks. Her form and face are identical +with Lucy's. I was so sure that I begged her to let me see if there was +a scar on her left arm; but she refused." + +"Was there a scar on Lucy Rogers's left arm?" + +"Yes, sir. Several years ago, when we were children, we were making +candy in the kitchen and Lucy burned herself badly. It left a broad scar +on her left forearm, which she will bear as long as she lives." + +"It is well to know that," said Mr. Burke. + +"This girl," continued Tom, musingly, "says her name is Eliza Parsons, +and she says it in Lucy's voice. But her manner is not the same at all. +Eliza laughs at me and quizzes me; she is forward and scornful, and--and +perfectly self-possessed, which Lucy could not be, under the +circumstances." + +"Have you seen her closely?" asked the detective. + +"Yes, sir." + +"And are still unable to decide who she is?" + +"That's it, sir; I'm unable to decide. It's Lucy: and yet it isn't +Lucy." + +"Who is Eliza Parsons?" + +"She refuses to say where she came from. But it seems she arrived at +Elmhurst only a day or two after Lucy disappeared from home. It's that +coincidence that makes me doubt the evidence of my own senses." + +"Who hires the servants here?" + +"I don't know, sir." + +Mr. Burke abandoned the conversation, then, and confined his gaze to the +landscape as it showed through the window. Tom busied himself addressing +circulars of instruction to the Republicans who were to work at the +polling places. This was Saturday, and the election was to be on the +following Tuesday. The meeting at Fairview was therefore the last +important rally of the campaign. + +At dusk the party arrived from Fairview in the automobiles, the girls +greatly delighted with the success of the meeting. They all followed +Kenneth into the library, where the butler had just lighted the lamps. +The evenings were getting cool, now, and a grate fire was burning. + +Kenneth greeted Mr. Burke and introduced him to the young ladies, who +begged to remain during the interview. + +"We are all alike interested in Lucy Rogers, Mr. Burke," said the boy; +"so you may speak freely. Is there any news?" + +"Nothing of importance, sir, unless a clew has been found in your own +house," replied the detective. + +"Here at Elmhurst?" asked the astonished Kenneth. + +"Yes. Tom Gates has seen a girl--one of your maids--who so strongly +resembles Lucy Rogers that he at first believed she was the missing +girl." + +"I know," said Beth, quickly. "It's Eliza Parsons. But Tom was mistaken. +He saw her in the dim light of a corridor, and the resemblance confused +him." + +"I've seen her since," remarked Tom, "and the likeness is really +bewildering. It's only her manner that is different." + +"When I first saw her, before Tom came, I was astonished at her +resemblance to Mrs. Rogers," announced Beth. "I have never seen Lucy, +but I know Mrs. Rogers, and it seemed to me that Eliza was exactly like +her in features. Mr. Forbes and I first saw her riding in a buggy with +Mr. Hopkins. That was before either of us knew she was employed at +Elmhurst. You see she isn't one of the servants who come much in contact +with the family; she does the mending and takes charge of the linen +room." + +Beth then related the manner in which they first noticed Eliza, and how +they had discovered her to be a spy in the service of Mr. Hopkins. + +The detective was much interested in the recital and seemed surprised +that he had not been informed of this before. + +"Of course," said Kenneth, "the girl is not Lucy Rogers. It is not +possible they could be the same." + +"Why not?" asked Mr. Burke. + +"Well, Lucy was a gentle, sweet country girl, of little experience in +life. Her nature was so susceptible, so very sensitive, that when she +discovered Tom Gates, whom she loved, to be guilty of a forgery, she +worried herself into an attack of brain-fever; or at least she became +insane, reproaching herself for having driven the boy to this dreadful +deed. Under the influence of her mania she wandered away from her home, +and has not been seen since. That's the story of Lucy Rogers. Now look +at Eliza Parsons. She appeared the very day after Lucy's disappearance, +to be sure; but that proves they are not the same person. For Eliza is +not demented. She is a cold, hard woman of the world, in spite of her +tender years. She is doing the work of an experienced spy, while any +deceit was foreign to Lucy's nature. Instead of being plunged in grief +Eliza is happy and gay, reckless of consequences and fully +self-possessed. She is also well and healthy, to all appearances. Taking +all these things into consideration, it is impossible to connect the two +girls in any way--save the coincidence of personal resemblance." + +Mr. Burke listened to this quietly, and then shook his head. + +"Your arguments all tend to make me suspect that she is Lucy Rogers," he +said, quietly. + +For a moment there was an impressive silence, while everyone eagerly, +inquiringly or doubtfully looked at the detective, according to their +diverse acceptance of his statement. + +"In pursuance of the task set me," began Mr. Burke, "I had met with such +absolute failure to trace the missing girl that I began to suspect no +ordinary conditions were attached to this case. In my experience, which +covers many years, I have had occasion to study sudden dementia, caused +by shocks of grief or horror, and I have come to comprehend the fact +that the human mind, once unbalanced, is liable to accomplish many +surprising feats. Usually the victim is absolutely transformed, and +becomes the very opposite, in many ways, of the normal personality. I +imagine this is what happened to Lucy Rogers." + +"Do you imagine that Lucy would try to deceive _me_, sir?" asked Tom, +reproachfully. + +"I am sure she doesn't know who you are," answered the detective, +positively. "She doesn't even know herself. I have known instances where +every recollection of the past was wiped out of the patient's mind." + +There was another thoughtful pause, for the detective's assertions were +so astonishing that they fairly overwhelmed his hearers. + +Then Louise asked: + +"Is such a case of dementia hopeless, Mr. Burke?" + +"Not at all hopeless. Often, I admit, it develops into permanent +insanity, but there are many examples of complete recovery. Our first +business must be to assure ourselves that we are right in this +conjecture. I may be entirely wrong, for the unexpected is what I have +been taught to look for in every case of mystery that has come under my +observation. But I believe I have the material at hand to prove the +personality of this Eliza Parsons, and after that I shall know what to +do. Who employs your servants, Mr. Forbes?" + +"Martha, my housekeeper, usually employs the maids." + +"Will you send for her, please?" + +Kenneth at once obeyed the request, and presently Martha entered the +library. + +She was a little, withered old woman, but with a pleasant face and +shrewd but kindly eyes. + +"Martha," said Kenneth, "did you employ the new linen maid, Eliza +Parsons?" + +"Yes, sir," she replied, apparently surprised at the question. + +"This is Mr. Burke, Martha. Please answer any questions he may ask you." + +"Yes, Master Kenneth." + +"Did the girl bring any recommendations?" asked the detective. + +Martha reflected. + +"I do not think she did, sir." + +"Are you accustomed to hiring maids without recommendations?" asked Mr. +Burke. + +"Oh, Eliza had a letter from my cousin, Mrs. Hopkins, who lives in +Elmwood." + +"Is Mrs. Hopkins your cousin?" asked Kenneth. + +"Yes, sir. She were a Phibbs before she married Erastus, and my name is +Phibbs." + +"What did the letter from Mrs. Hopkins say?" + +"It said she knew Eliza to be a clever and worthy girl, and if I had a +place for her I couldn't do better than take her on. So I needed a linen +maid and Eliza went right to work. Isn't she satisfactory, sir? Has she +been doing anything wrong?" + +"No. Please do not mention this interview to her at present, Miss +Phibbs," said the detective. "That is all, I believe." + +"Would you like to see Eliza?" asked Kenneth, when the housekeeper had +retired. + +"Not at present. I want to interview Mrs. Hopkins first." + +"Tonight?" asked Tom, eagerly. + +"I will go at once, with Mr. Forbes's permission." + +"Certainly, sir," said Kenneth. "Shall we see you tomorrow?" + +"Just as soon as I have accomplished anything." + +"Would you like a horse or an automobile?" + +"Your man may drive me to the town, sir, if it is convenient." + +Kenneth gave the required order, and then Mr. Burke asked: + +"How far are you prepared to go in this matter, sir?" + +"In what way?" + +"In expending money." + +"Will any large expenditure be required?" + +"I cannot say. But we may require the services and advice of an expert +physician--a specialist in brain diseases." + +"Do you know of one?" asked Kenneth. + +"Yes; but he must be brought from Buffalo. It will be expensive, sir. +That is why I ask if your interest in the girl warrants our going to the +limit to save her." + +Kenneth was thoughtful, while the girls looked at him expectantly and +Tom Gates with visible anxiety. + +"My original idea was merely to find the missing girl in order to +relieve the anxiety of her blind mother," said young Forbes. "To +accomplish that I was willing to employ your services. But, as a matter +of fact, I have never seen the girl Lucy Rogers, nor am I particularly +interested in her." + +"I am," declared Beth. + +"And I!" + +"And I!" repeated Patsy and Louise. + +"I think," said Uncle John, who had been a quiet listener until now, +"that Kenneth has assumed enough expense in this matter." + +"Oh, Uncle!" The remonstrance was from all three of the girls. + +"Therefore," continued Mr. Merrick, "I propose that I undertake any +further expense that may be incurred, so as to divide the burden." + +"That's better!" declared Patsy. "But I might have known Uncle John +would do that." + +"You have my authority to wire the physician, if necessary, or to go to +any expense you deem advisable," continued Mr. Merrick, turning to the +detective. "We seem to have undertaken to unravel an interesting +mystery, and we'll see it through to the end." + +"Very good, sir," said Mr. Burke, and left them with a brief nod of +farewell. + +"Somehow," said Beth, "I've a lot of confidence in that little man." + +"Why, he's a detective," replied Uncle John, with a smile, "and the +chief business of detectives is to make mistakes." + + + + +CHAPTER XVII + +MRS. HOPKINS GOSSIPS + + +The home of Representative Hopkins was not a very imposing edifice. It +was a modest frame building standing well back in a little yard at the +outskirts of the village, and Mrs. Hopkins did the housework, unaided, +to save the expense of a maid. It never occurred to the politician, who +had risen from the position of a poor stable-boy to one of affluence, to +save his wife from this drudgery. To him poor Mary was merely one of his +possessions, and it would have astonished him to know that her sharp +tongue and irritable temper were due to overwork and neglect. The +Honorable Erastus was not averse to champagne dinners and other costly +excesses while at the state capital, and his fellow legislators +considered him a good fellow, although rather lax in "keeping his end +up." Moreover, he employed a good tailor and was careful to keep up an +appearance of sound financial standing. But his home, which he avoided +as much as possible, had little share in his personal prosperity. Mary +Hopkins's requests for new and decent gowns were more often refused than +acceded to, and he constantly cautioned her to keep down expenses or she +would drive them both to the poor-house. + +The woman well knew that Erastus could afford to keep her in luxury, if +he would, but some women are so constituted that they accept their fate +rather than rebel, and Mary Hopkins lived the life of a slave, +contenting herself with petty scoldings and bickerings that did nothing +to relieve her hard lot. + +She had little interest in politics and resented the intrusion of the +many who came to the house to see and consult with her husband during +the tiresome political campaigns. On these occasions Mr. Hopkins used +the sitting-room as his office and committee headquarters, but this did +not materially interfere with his wife's comfort, as she was usually +busy in the kitchen. + +On this Saturday evening, however, they had an early supper and she +finished her dishes betimes and sat down to darn stockings in the +sitting-room. Erastus had hurried away to a meeting of his henchmen in +the town, and would not be home until after his wife was in bed. + +So she was rather surprised when a timid knock sounded upon the door. +She opened it to find a little, lean man standing upon the porch. + +"Mrs. Hopkins?" he asked, quietly. + +"Yes. What do you want?" + +"Your husband asked me to come here and wait for him. It's important or +I wouldn't disturb you." + +"Well, then; come in," she replied, tartly. "Thank the Lord this thing +is nearly over, and we'll have a few weeks of peace." + +"It is rather imposing on you," remarked the man, following her to the +sitting-room, where he sat down with his hat in his hands. "A political +campaign is trying to everybody. I'm tired out and sick of the whole +thing myself." + +"Then why don't you chuck it," she retorted, scornfully, "and go to work +makin' an honest living?" + +"Oh, this is honest enough," he said, mildly. + +"I don't believe it. All them secret confabs an' trickery to win votes +can't be on the square. Don't talk to me! Politics is another name for +rascality!" + +"Perhaps you're right, ma'am; perhaps you're right," he said, with a +sigh. + +She looked at him sharply. + +"You don't belong in Elmwood." + +"No, ma'am; I'm from beyond Fairview. I've come to see your husband on +business." + +She sniffed, at that, but picked up her darning and relapsed into +silence. The little man was patient. He sat quietly in his chair and +watched her work. + +His mildness disarmed Mary Hopkins. She was not especially averse to +having him sit there. It relieved the loneliness of her occupation. On +occasions she loved to talk, as Erastus had long ago discovered; and +this visitor would not try to shut her up the way Erastus did. + +"You don't often get out, ma'am; into society, and such like," ventured +the caller, presently. + +"What makes you think that?" she demanded. + +"A woman can't keep a house neat and trim like this, and be a social +gadder," he observed. + +"You're right about that," she returned, somewhat mollified. "If I was +like them girls up at Elmhurst, fussin' round over politics all the +time, this house would go to rack an' ruin." + +"Oh, them!" he said, with mild scorn. "Them girls 'll never be +housekeepers." + +"Not for a minute," she affirmed. + +There was another pause, then; but the ice was broken. A subtle sympathy +seemed established between the two. + +"What do you think of 'Rast's chances?" she asked, presently, as she +threaded new cotton into her needle. + +"I guess he'll win. He's worked hard enough, anyhow." + +"Has he?" + +"Yes; 'Rast's a good worker. He don't leave any stone unturned. He's up +to all the tricks o' the trade, is 'Rast Hopkins!" + +Here he began shaking with silent laughter, and Mrs. Hopkins looked at +him curiously. + +"What are you laughing at?" she inquired, with a sniff of disdain. + +"At--at the way he come it over the gals up at Elmhurst. 'Rast's a +pretty slick one, he is!" + +"What do you mean?" + +"Why, settin' that 'Liza to watch 'em, and tell all they does. Who'd a +thought of it but 'Rast Hopkins?" + +"I don't see anything mighty funny about that," declared Mrs. Hopkins, +contemptuously. "The girl's too pert and forward for anything. I told +'Rast not to fool with her, or she'd make him trouble." + +"Did you, now!" exclaimed the man, wonderingly. + +"Yes, indeed," said Mrs. Hopkins, pleased to have made an impression. "I +suspected there was something wrong about her the morning she came to +the house here. And she changed her name, too, as brassy as you please." + +"Well, I declare!" said the visitor. "Did you know her before that, Mrs. +Hopkins?" + +"Why, I didn't exactly know her, but I seen her workin' around Miss +Squiers's place many a time, and she didn't seem to 'mount to much, even +then. One day she stole a di'mond ring off'n old Miss Squiers and dug +out, and I told Nancy then--Nancy's young Miss Squiers--that I'd always +had my suspicions of the hussy. She hid the ring in a vase on the mantle +and they found it after she was gone." + +"Well, well! I didn't know that about her," said the man, looking with +admiration at Mrs. Hopkins. + +"That's why I told 'Rast not to have any truck with her, when she came +here bright and early one morning and asked for work." + +"Oh, she came here, did she?" + +"While I was gettin' breakfast. She said her name was Eliza Parsons, an' +she was looking fer a job. I told her I knew her record an' to get out, +and while we was arguin' 'Rast come out and took a hand in the talk. She +laughed and flirted with him outrageous, and said she was a stranger in +these parts, when I'd seen her many a time at Miss Squiers's." + +"What was her name then?" asked the man. + +"I think it was Rosie--or Lucy, or something--. Anyhow, it wasn't Eliza, +and that I'll swear to. But the girl laughed at me and made such silly +smiles at 'Rast that he told me to shut up, 'cause he had a use for her +in politics." + +"Well, well!" repeated the visitor. "Just see how stories get twisted. I +heard you gave the girl a letter to your cousin Martha." + +"Well, I did. 'Rast wanted to get her in at Elmhurst, to watch what +Forbes was doing to defeat him, so he made me write the letter. But +how'd you know so much about this girl?" she inquired, with sudden +suspicion. + +"Me? I only know what Mr. Hopkins told me. I'm one of his confidential +men. But he never said how he happened to find the girl, or what he knew +about her." + +"He didn't know nothing. He'd never seen her 'till that morning when she +came here. But he said she was clever, and she is, if pertness and a +ready tongue counts for cleverness. I suppose he pays her for what she +tells him about Forbes, but he'd better save his money and fight on the +square. I don't like this tricky politics, an' never did." + +"I don't either," declared the man. "But I'm in it, and can't get out." + +"That's what 'Rast says. But some day they'll put him out, neck and +crop, if he ain't careful." + +"Is the girl Eliza much use to him?" + +"I can't say. He drove her over to Elmhurst that morning, and he drives +over two or three evenings a week to meet her on the sly and get her +report. That may be politics, but it ain't very respectable, to my +notion." + +"Well, the campaign is nearly over, Mrs. Hopkins." + +"Thank goodness for that!" she replied. + +The visitor sat silent after this, for he had learned all that the poor +gossiping woman could tell him. Finally he said: + +"I guess your husband's going to be late." + +"Yes; if he ain't more prompt than usual you'll have a long spell of +waiting." + +"Perhaps I'd better go over to the hotel and look him up. I have to get +back to Fairview tonight, you know." + +"Do as you please," she answered carelessly. + +So Mr. Burke, for it was the detective, bade her good-night and took his +leave, and it was not until after he had gone that Mary Hopkins +remembered she had forgotten to ask him his name. + +"But it don't matter," she decided. "He's just one o' 'Rast's +politicians, and I probably treated the fellow better than he deserved." + + + + +CHAPTER XVIII + +ELIZA PARSONS + + +On Sunday morning Mr. Burke again appeared at Elmhurst, and told Kenneth +he wanted an interview with Eliza Parsons. + +"I don't want you to send for her, or anything like that, for it would +make her suspicious," he said. "I'd like to meet her in some way that +would seem accidental, and not startle her." + +"That is rather a hard thing to arrange, Mr. Burke," said the boy, with +a smile. + +"Why, I think not," declared Louise. "It seems to me quite easy." + +"That's the woman of it, sir," laughed Kenneth; "if it's a question of +wits her sex has the advantage of us." + +"What do you propose, miss?" asked the detective, turning to Louise. + +"I'll have Martha send the girl into the garden to gather flowers," she +replied; "and you can wander around there and engage her in +conversation." + +"Excellent!" he exclaimed. "Can this be arranged now?" + +"I'll see, sir." + +She found Martha and asked her to send Eliza Parsons for some roses and +chrysanthemums, which were in a retired place shut in by evergreen +hedges. + +"One of the other maids will know the garden better," suggested the +housekeeper. + +"But I wish Eliza to go." + +"Very well, Miss Louise." + +From an upper window the girl watched until she saw Eliza Parsons leave +the house with a basket and go into the retired garden she had chosen. +Then she returned to the library for Mr. Burke and led him toward the +same place. + +"Eliza is just beyond that gap in the hedge," she said, and turned away. + +"Wait a moment, please," he said, detaining her. "On second thought I +would like you to come with me, for your tact may be of great +assistance. Have you spoken much with Eliza?" + +"Not at all, I think. Beth has talked with her, but I have scarcely been +near her since she came here." + +"You are willing to come?" + +"I shall be glad to." + +"The poet Saxe," said Mr. Burke, walking through the gap beside Louise, +"has never been properly appreciated by his countrymen, although since +his death his verses are in greater demand than while he lived. Do you +care for them?" + +"I don't know Saxe very well," she answered, observing that they were +approaching a place where Eliza was bending over a rose-bush. "But one +or two of his poems are so amusing that they linger in my memory." + +Eliza turned at the sound of their voices and gave them a quick glance. +But the next moment she resumed her occupation of cutting roses. + +"The man's greatest fault was his habit of punning," remarked the +detective, watching the girl's form as he drew nearer. "It is that which +blinded his contemporaries to his real talents. What exquisite roses, +Miss Merrick! May I ask for one for my button-hole?" + +"Yes, indeed!" she replied, pausing with him just beside Eliza. "Will +you cut that bud yonder, for Mr. Burke, my dear?" + +The maid silently obeyed and as the detective took the flower from her +hand he said: + +"Why, isn't this Eliza Parsons?" + +"Yes, sir," she replied, carelessly. + +"Don't you remember me, Eliza?" + +She seemed a little surprised, but answered promptly: + +"No, sir." + +"I'm William Burke, your mother's cousin. How did you leave your brother +Harry, and have you heard from Josephine lately?" + +The girl gave him a startled look and shrank back. + +"Why, how nice!" cried Louise. "I did not know you knew Eliza's family, +Mr. Burke." + +"Yes, she is one of my relatives, and came from Roanoke, Virginia. Isn't +that correct, Eliza?" + +"Yes, sir--no! I--I don't remember!" she said, in a low tone. + +"Don't remember, Eliza? That is strange." + +The girl stared at him half frightened, and drew her hand over her eyes +with a gesture of bewilderment. + +"I hope, my dear, you are not going to be like your mother," said Mr. +Burke, gently. "My poor cousin Nora was subject to a strange lapse of +memory at times," he remarked to Louise. "She always recovered in time, +but for days she could remember nothing of her former life--not even her +own name. Are you ever affected that way Eliza?" + +She looked up at him pleadingly, and murmured in a low voice: + +"Let me go! Please let me go!" + +"In a moment, Eliza." + +Her hands were clasped together nervously and she had dropped her basket +and scissors on the path before her. The man looked intently into her +eyes, in a shrewd yet kindly way, and she seemed as if fascinated by his +gaze. + +"Tell me, my dear, have you forgotten your old life?" he asked. + +"Yes," she whispered. + +"Poor girl! And you are trying to keep this a secret and not let anyone +know of your trouble?" + +Suddenly she started and sprang away, uttering a cry of terror. + +"You're trying to trap me," she panted. "You know my name is not Eliza +Parsons. You--you want to ruin me!" + +From the position in which they stood in the corner of the garden, with +high hedges behind the maid, and Mr. Burke and Louise blocking the path +in front, there was little chance of escape. But she looked around +wildly, as if about to make the attempt, when Louise stepped forward and +gently took Eliza's hand in her own. + +"Mr. Burke is a good man, my dear, and means well by you," she said in +her sweet, sympathetic tones. "He shall not bother you if you are afraid +of him." + +"I--I'm not afraid," said Eliza, with a resumption of her old manner and +a toss of her head. + +The detective gave Louise a look which she thought she understood. + +"Will you finish cutting these roses, Mr. Burke?" she asked, with a +smile. "Eliza and I are going to my room. Come, my dear," and without +waiting for a reply she led the girl, whose hand was still clasped in +her own, along the path. + +Eliza came willingly. Her manner was a little defiant at first, but when +Louise drew her unobserved to the side entrance and up the staircase she +grew gentle and permitted the other girl to take her arm. + +Once in her room with the strange maid, Louise locked the door quietly +and said to her companion with a cheerful smile: + +"Now we are quite alone, and can talk at our ease. Take that low chair, +dear, and I'll sit here." + +Eliza obeyed, looking wistfully into the fair face of her new friend. + +"You are very pretty, Eliza; and I'm sure you are as good as you're +pretty," announced Louise. "So you must tell me about yourself, and +whether you are happy here or not. From this time on I'm going to be +your friend, you know, and keep all your secrets; and I'll help you all +I can." + +This rambling speech seemed to impress Eliza favorably. She relaxed +somewhat from the tense alertness that was habitual with her, and looked +at the other girl with a softened expression. + +"I'm afraid you won't be much interested in me," she replied, "but I +need a friend--indeed I need a friend, Miss Louise!" + +"I'm sure you do." + +"At first I thought I could do without one. I felt I must stand alone, +and let no one suspect. But--I'm getting puzzled and bewildered, and I +don't know what to do next." + +"Of course not. Tell me about it, dear." + +"I can't; for I don't know, myself." She leaned forward in her chair and +added, in a whisper: "I don't even know who I am! But that man," with a +shudder, "tried to trap me. He said he knew Eliza Parsons, and there is +no Eliza Parsons. It's a name I--I invented." + +"I think I understand," said Louise, with a little nod. "You had to have +a name, so you took that one." + +"Yes. I don't know why I am telling you this. I've tried to hide it all +so carefully. And perhaps I'm wrong in letting this thing worry me. In +the main, I've been very happy and content, lately; and--I have a +feeling I was not happy before--before--" + +"Before what, dear?" + +The girl looked at her steadily and her face grew red. + +"Before I lost my memory." + +For a few moments they sat silently regarding one another, the +expressive features of Louise showing a silent sympathy. + +"Have you really lost your memory?" she asked. + +"Absolutely. Think of it! I wakened one morning lying by the roadside, +and shivering with cold. I had on a simple gray dress, with no hat. The +sun was just rising, and no one was near. I examined myself with wonder, +for I had no idea who I was, or how I came there. There was no money in +my pocket, and I had no jewels. To keep warm I began walking along the +road. The scenery was all new to me; so far as I knew I had never been +in the place before. + +"The birds were singing and the cows mooed in the meadow. I tried to +sing, too, for my heart was light and gay and I was happy. By and bye I +came to a town; but no one seemed to be awakened because it was yet so +early. As I walked down the street I saw smoke coming from one of the +chimneys, and it suddenly occurred to me that I was hungry. I entered +the yard and went around to the back door. A woman was working in the +kitchen and I laughed joyfully and wished her a good morning. She was +not very pleasant, but it did me good to talk with her; I liked to hear +my own voice and it pleased me to be able to talk easily and well. She +grudgingly gave me something to eat and then bade me begone, calling me +by some strange name and saying I was a thief. It was then that I +invented the name of Eliza Parsons. I don't know why, but it popped into +my head and I claimed it for my name and have clung to it ever since." + +"Have you no idea what your real name is?" asked Louise, greatly +interested in this terse relation. + +"I have no idea of anything that dates beyond that morning," replied +Eliza. "The first time I looked in the mirror I saw a strange face +reflected there. I had to make my own acquaintance," she added, with one +of her bright laughs. "I suppose I am between seventeen and twenty years +of age, but what my life was during past years is to me a sealed book. I +cannot remember a person I knew or associated with, yet things outside +of my personal life seem to have clung to me. I remembered books I must +have read; I can write, sing and sew--I sew remarkably well, and must +have once been trained to it. I know all about my country's history, yet +I cannot recollect where I lived, and this part of the country is +unknown to me. When I came to Elmhurst I knew all about it and about Mr. +Forbes, but could not connect them with my former life." + +"How did you happen to come here?" asked Louise. + +"I forgot to tell you that. While I was arguing with the woman, who was +a Mrs. Hopkins, her husband heard us and came out into the kitchen. He +began to question me about myself and I gave any answer that came into +my head, for I could not tell him the truth. It pleased me to hear my +voice, I seemed to have a keen sense of the humorous, and if I said +anything at all clever, I laughed as heartily as anyone. My heart was +light and free from all care. I had no worries or responsibilities at +all. I was like the birds who see the sunshine and feel the breeze and +are content to sing and be happy. + +"Mr. Hopkins saw I was wholly irresponsible and reckless, and he decided +to use me to spy upon the people here at Elmhurst and report to him what +they said and did. I agreed to this readily, prompted by a spirit of +mischief, for I cared nothing for Hopkins and had nothing against Mr. +Forbes. Also Hopkins paid me money, which I had sufficient knowledge to +realize was necessary to me. + +"Oh, how happy and gay I was in those first few days! There was not a +thought of the past, not an ambition or desire of any sort to bother me. +Just to live seemed pleasure enough. I enjoyed eating and sleeping; I +loved to talk and laugh; I was glad to have work to occupy me--and +that was all! Then things began to happen that puzzled me. The man +Hopkins declared he could not trust me because I had once been a thief, +and I wondered if he could speak truly. I resented the thought that I +may once have been a thief, although I wouldn't mind stealing, even now, +if I wanted anything and could take it." + +"Oh, Eliza!" gasped Louise. + +"It sounds wicked, doesn't it? But it is true. Nothing seems to +influence me so strongly as my own whims. I know what is good and what +is bad. I must have been taught these things once. But I am as likely to +do evil as good, and this recklessness has begun, in the last few days, +to worry me. + +"Then I met a young man here--he says his name is Tom Gates--who called +me his dear Lucy, and said I used to love him. I laughed at him at +first, for it seemed very absurd and I do not want him to love me. But +then he proved to me there was some truth in his statement. He said his +Lucy had a scar on her left arm, and that made me afraid, because I had +discovered a scar on my own arm. I don't know how it got there. I don't +know anything about this old Lucy. And I'm afraid to find out. I'm +afraid of Lucy." + +"Why, dear?" + +"I cannot tell. I only know I have a horror of her, a sudden shrinking +whenever her name is mentioned. Who was she, do you suppose?" + +"Shall I tell you?" asked Louise. + +"No--no! Don't, I beg of you!" cried Eliza, starting up. "I--I can't +bear it! I don't want to know her." + +The protest was passionate and sincere, and Louise marvelled at the +workings of this evidently unbalanced intellect. + +"What would you like to do, dear?" she inquired. + +"I'd like to remain Eliza Parsons--always. I'd like to get away from +_her_--far away from anyone who ever heard of that dreadful Lucy who +frightens me so. Will you help me to get away, to escape to some place +where no one will ever be able to trace me?" + +"Do you think you would be happy then?" + +"I am sure of it. The only thing that makes me unhappy now is the horror +that this past life will be thrust upon me. I must have had a past, of +course, or I shouldn't be a grown woman now. But I'm afraid of it; I +don't want to know anything about it! Will you help me to escape?" + +She looked eagerly at Louise as she asked this pitiful question, and the +other girl replied, softly: "I will be your friend, Eliza. I'll think +all this over, and we will see what can be done. Be patient a little +while and as soon as I find a way to free you from all this trouble I'll +send for you, and we'll talk it over together." + +"Will you keep my secret?" demanded Eliza, uneasily. + +Louise glanced at the door that communicated with Beth's room. It stood +open, but Eliza had not noticed that, as it was behind her. Just now a +shadow cast from the other room wavered an instant over the rug, and +Louise's quick eyes caught it. + +"I promise to keep your secret, dear," she said earnestly. + +The two girls rose and stood facing each other. Louise kissed the +beautiful Eliza and whispered: + +"Here is one thing for you to remember--that we are always to be true +friends, from this time forward. If anyone annoys you, come to me, and I +will protect you." + +"Thank you, Miss Louise," said Eliza, and then she went away to her own +room in a quieter and more thoughtful mood than usual. + +When she had gone Louise ran to the door communicating with Beth's room, +and to her satisfaction found both her cousins, with Kenneth, Uncle John +and Mr. Burke, seated in a group where they must have overheard all that +had been said. + +"Well!" she cried, eagerly, "did you hear? And what do you think of it +all?" + +"It's Lucy Rogers, sure enough," said Kenneth. + +Louise looked at Mr. Burke. + +"It is the most singular case that has ever come under my observation," +stated that gentleman. "The girl is perfectly sane, but she has suffered +a strange lapse of memory. I have two alternatives to advise. One is to +telegraph at once for a specialist. The other is to permit the girl to +go away, as she suggests. She will be happier to do so, I am sure." + +"Oh, no!" cried the girls. + +"She owes a duty to her parents and friends, as well as to herself," +said Kenneth, "and I see no reason why she should be unhappy in the +future as Lucy Rogers." + +Mr. Burke merely shrugged his shoulders. + +"Please wire for the specialist at once," said Uncle John. + + + + +CHAPTER XIX + +PATSY INDULGES IN EAVESDROPPING + + +Miss Patricia Doyle awakened at daybreak next morning with a throbbing +toothache. She wasn't accustomed to such pains and found it hard to +bear. She tried the application of a hot-water bag, and the tooth ached +harder; she tried a cold compress, and it jumped with renewed activity. +So she dressed herself and walked the floor, with the persistent ache as +an intimate companion. + +She tried to find a cavity in the tooth, but it seemed perfectly sound. +Evidently she had caught cold and the wicked molar was signaling the +fact. + +To be patient under the torture of a toothache was a virtue Patsy did +not possess. Louise and Beth, to whom she appealed, were sorry for her, +but could not relieve the pain. After breakfast Uncle John ordered her +to drive to town and see a dentist. + +"Have it pulled, or filled, or something," he said. "The dentist will +know what to do." + +So James drove Patsy to town, where they arrived about nine o'clock this +Monday morning. The only dentist at Elmwood was Dr. Squiers, so the girl +ran up the flight of stairs to his office, which was located over the +hardware store. + +The pain had eased on the journey, and now the thought of having the +offending tooth pulled was weighing heavily upon Patsy's mind. The door +of Dr. Squiers's office stood ajar, and she hesitated whether to enter +or not. + +The dentist's reception room was divided from his operating room by a +thin wooden partition, and as Patsy was deciding whether to employ Dr. +Squiers's services or not she heard high words coming from behind the +partition, and the voice was that of the Honorable Erastus Hopkins. + +Softly she slid into the outer room and sank into a chair. + +"But you're the clerk of the election, Squiers; you can't deny that," +Hopkins was saying in a blustering, imperious voice. + +"That's true enough," answered the dentist, more calmly. + +"Then you've got the registration books in your possession." + +"I admit that," was the reply. "But you're asking me to incriminate +myself, 'Rast. If the thing was discovered it would mean prison for both +of us." + +"Fiddlesticks!" cried the irascible Hopkins. "These things are done +every day, and no one's the wiser for it. It's merely a part of the +political game." + +"I'm afraid, 'Rast," said Dr. Squiers. "Honest Injun, I'm afraid." + +"What are you 'fraid of? I've got the other clerks all fixed, and +they'll stand by us. All you need do is to add these sixty-six names to +the registration list, and then we'll vote 'em without opposition and +win out." + +Patsy gave a gasp, which she tried to stifle. The toothache was all +forgotten. + +"Where are these men?" inquired Dr. Squiers, thoughtfully. + +"They're over at the mill. Marshall got 'em from all over the country, +and they'll be set to work today, so everything will seem reg'lar." + +"Where do they sleep and eat?" inquired the doctor. + +"Forty sleep in Hayes's barn, and the other twenty-six in the stock loft +over the planing mill. Marshall's got a commissary department and feeds +'em regular rations, like so many soldiers. Of course I'm paying for all +this expense," acknowledged Mr. Hopkins, somewhat regretfully. + +"And do you suppose these sixty-six votes will turn the scale?" asked +Dr. Squiers. + +"They're sure to. We finished the last canvass yesterday, and according +to our figures Forbes has about eighteen votes the best of us. That's +getting it down pretty close, but we may as well make up our minds we're +beaten if we don't vote the men over at the mill. Marshall could have +got me a hundred if necessary, but sixty-six is more than enough. Say +Forbes has twice eighteen for his plurality, instead of eighteen; these +sixty-six for me would wipe that out and let us win in a walk." + +When Hopkins ceased there was a brief silence. Perhaps Dr. Squiers was +thinking. + +"I simply _must_ have those votes, Doc," resumed the Representative. +"It's the only way I can win." + +"You've made a bungle of the whole campaign," said Squiers, bitterly. + +"That's a lie. I've done a lot of clever work. But these infernal city +girls came down here and stirred up all the trouble." + +"You made a mistake pushing that sign issue. The girls beat you on +that." + +"If it hadn't been signs it might have been something worse. But I ain't +beaten yet, Doc. Squiers. This deal is going to win. It's a trick the +boarding-school misses won't understand until after they've cut their +eye-teeth in politics." + +"There's a pretty heavy penalty against false registration," observed +the dentist, gloomily. + +"There's no penalty unless we're found out, and there ain't the ghost of +a chance of that. The books are in your hands; I got all the clerks +fixed. Not a question will even be raised. I know it. Do you suppose I'd +risk state's prison myself, if I wasn't sure?" + +"Look here, 'Rast," said Squiers, doggedly, "you're making a tool of me +in this campaign. Why should I be used and abused just to elect Erastus +Hopkins, I'd like to know. You sacrificed me when I might have been +Sheriff." + +"You're well paid for that, Doc." + +"And now you want me to put my neck in a noose for your advantage. I +won't do it, 'Rast, and that's a fact." + +Mr. Hopkins coughed. + +"How much, Doc?" he inquired. + +The dentist was silent. + +"State the figure. But for mercy's sake don't bleed me any more than you +can help. This fight has cost me a pretty penny already." + +"I don't want your money," growled Squiers. + +"Yes you do, Doc. I know you better than you know yourself. The trouble +with you is, you'll want too much." + +Squiers laughed bitterly. + +"Is Marshall to be trusted?" he asked. + +"Of course. If he said a word he'd lose his job as manager. Marshall's +all right. There's nothing to worry about, Doc." + +Patsy's tooth wasn't aching a bit. But her heart was throbbing as madly +as the tooth ever did, and fortunately there was no pain connected with +the throbbing--only joy. + +"It ought to be worth two thousand dollars, 'Rast," said the dentist. + +"What! In addition to all other expenses?" + +"Why, man; it means the election. It means your whole future. If you're +defeated now, you're a back number in this district, and you know it." + +"It's too much, Doc. On my word it is." + +"It's too little, come to think of it. I'll make it three thousand." + +"Doc!" + +"If you don't close with me, 'Rast, by the jumping Jupiter, I'll make it +four thousand," cried the dentist, with exasperation. + +"Say twenty-five hundred, Doc." + +"Right on the nail. Give me your check here--this minute." + +"And you'll enter the names in the books?" + +"Before you leave the office. Have you got the list?" + +"Yes; in my pocket," said Mr. Hopkins. + +"Then make out your check and I'll get the books." + +There was a stir behind the partition and a sound of chairs scraping the +floor. Patsy slid out the door and flew down the stairs at the imminent +danger of breaking her neck. James was seated in the buggy outside, +engaged in rumination. + +Patsy bounded in beside him and startled him. + +"Drive for your life!" she cried. "Drive for home!" + +He whipped up the spirited horse and they dashed away. Presently the man +asked, with a grin: + +"Did it hurt much, Miss Patsy?" + +"Did what hurt, James?" + +"The tooth pullin', Miss Patsy." + +"The tooth wasn't pulled," answered the girl, sweetly. "It didn't need +it, James. The only thing that was pulled was the Honorable Erastus's +leg." + + + + +CHAPTER XX + +PRICKING A BUBBLE. + + +When Patsy arrived home she called a council of war and related the +conversation she had overheard in the dentist's office. + +"It isn't a very nice thing to do--listening to a private conversation," +said the girl, "but when I discovered they were going to play such a +trick on Kenneth I couldn't help eavesdropping." + +"I think you were justified," declared Mr. Watson, with a grave face; +"for this matter is very serious indeed. Tomorrow is election day, and +if a toothache hadn't carried you to the dentist's office Kenneth would +surely have been defeated." + +"And we'd never have known how it happened," declared Uncle John. + +"But can the plot be foiled at this late date?" inquired Louise, +anxiously. + +"I think so," said Mr. Watson. "Dr. Squiers was correct in saying that +such a crime was a state's prison offense. Our discovery of it will send +both Erastus Hopkins and Dr. Squiers to prison. Probably Mr. Marshall, +the manager of the mill, will go with them." + +"Oh, I don't like that!" exclaimed Patsy. + +"Nor do I," added Kenneth. "It would be a sad beginning to my political +career to send three such men to prison. I'd like to avoid it, if I +can." + +"Perhaps it may be quietly arranged," said the lawyer. "If they knew you +had discovered the false registration of these men, they would never +dare vote them." + +"How would it be to send Mr. Burke, the detective, over to the mill to +talk with Mr. Marshall?" suggested Beth. + +"That is an excellent plan, and would be very effective in determining +the manager to abandon the plot." + +"I'll go and see Hopkins myself," announced Uncle John. "I know how to +manage men of his sort." + +"Very good," approved the lawyer, "and I'll see Squiers." + +"If you do," said Patsy, "just ask him to sign a paper saying that Lucy +Rogers was falsely accused of stealing the ring, and that his mother +found it in a vase, where she had forgotten she put it." + +"I'll do that," replied Mr. Watson. "And I'll get the sixty dollars back +that Tom Gates paid him. I'll make it a condition of our agreeing not to +prosecute the man." + +"It looks as if we were going to win the election," said Uncle John in a +pleased voice. "If Hopkins was driven to such methods as stuffing +ballot-boxes, he must know very well he's defeated." + +"He acknowledged it to Dr. Squiers." said Patsy, gaily. "We have +eighteen sure majority, and perhaps more." + +"It's likely to be more," predicted Uncle John. + +"I suppose congratulations are in order, Ken," said Louise. + +"Not yet, cousin," he replied. "Wait until tomorrow night; and then +don't congratulate me, but the campaign managers--three of the nicest +and cleverest girls in existence!" + +"You're right, my boy," declared Uncle John. "If you pull through and +take your seat in the Legislature, you'll owe it all to these girls." + +"That is true," smiled the lawyer. "Kenneth was badly beaten when you +arrived." + +Of course our girls were very happy at receiving this praise, but more +pleased to realize they had actually been of service to their boy +friend. They believed that Kenneth would prove a good Representative and +carry out his promises to the voters; and if he did, that his political +career was assured. + +Mr. Burke appeared in the afternoon with a telegram from Dr. Hoyt, the +specialist, saying that he would be at Elmwood on the noon train +Wednesday. His engagements prevented him from coming any sooner, and in +the meantime Mr. Burke advised keeping a close watch on Eliza Parsons, +to see that she did not run away. + +"I'll attend to that," said Louise, quickly. "Eliza and I are friends, +and I'll take care of her." + +"Aren't you going to the polls?" asked Patsy. + +"No, dear; why should I go? Our work is done now, isn't it?" + +"Well, I'm going to the polls and work for every vote," declared Patsy. +"I shan't be happy unless Kenneth gets more than eighteen majority." + +When the Hopkins plot was explained to Mr. Burke, the detective readily +agreed to go to Fairview and see Mr. Marshall. As no time was to be lost +he was sent over in an automobile, and arrived at the mill just before +the hour for closing. + +The next day being election day the mill was to be closed, and the +manager was very busy in his office when Mr. Burke requested to see him. + +"You will have to come around Wednesday," said Marshall, fussily. "I +can't attend to you now." + +"I'm sorry to disturb you, sir," replied the detective, "but my business +won't wait until Wednesday." + +"What is it about, sir?" + +"About the election." + +"Then I won't be bothered. The election doesn't interest me," said Mr. +Marshall, turning away. + +"Very well, I'll call Wednesday, sir, at the jail." + +Marshall gave him a quick look. + +"Who are you, sir?" he asked. + +"John Burke, a detective." + +The manager hesitated a moment. + +"Come in, Mr. Burke," he said. + +"I represent the Forbes interests," said the detective, seating himself +in the private office, "and it has come to our notice that Dr. Squiers +has permitted sixty-six fraudulent registrations to be entered on the +books. These sixty-six men are supposed to have been imported by you and +are now working at this mill." + +"This is all nonsense!" protested the manager, growing pale. + +"Forty men are sleeping in a near-by barn, and twenty-six in the +stock-room of the mill," added Mr. Burke. + +"That isn't criminal, sir." + +"No, indeed. The criminal act is their false registration, so far," said +the detective, blandly. + +"But mark you, sir; if an attempt is made to vote those men tomorrow, I +shall arrest you, as well as Mr. Hopkins and Dr. Squiers." + +"This is preposterous, sir!" blustered the manager. "There will be no +attempt made to vote them." + +"I am quite sure of it," was the reply. "You may thank Mr. Forbes for +warning you in time. He wished to save you, and so sent me here." + +"Oh, he did!" Mr. Marshall was evidently surprised. "May I ask how you +discovered all this?" he added. + +"I am not at liberty to give you the details. But I may say the exposure +of the plot occurred through Mr. Hopkins's own carelessness. I've seen +lots of crooked politicians, Mr. Marshall, but this man is too reckless +and foolish ever to be a success. He deserves to be defeated and he will +be." + +The manager was thoughtful. + +"This is all news to me," he declared. "I needed these extra men to help +me fill a contract on time, and so employed them. I had no idea Hopkins +and Squiers would try to vote them tomorrow." + +This was a palpable falsehood, but Mr. Burke accepted the lame excuse +without question. + +"You are a valuable man in this community, Mr. Marshall, and Mr. Forbes +seemed to think the Hopkins people were trying to get you into trouble. +Of course it would have caused trouble had these men voted." + +"Of course, Mr. Burke. I'm much obliged to Mr. Forbes for warning me." + +"You'll find the next Representative a very agreeable man to get along +with, Mr. Marshall. Good day, sir." + +"Good day, Mr. Burke." + +When the detective had gone Mr. Marshall sat in a brown study for a few +moments. Then he summoned his superintendent and said: + +"Please ask the men to assemble in the yard before they go home. I want +to have a word with them." + +The request came just in time, for the men were already beginning to +stream out of the mill. They waited good-naturedly, however, grouping +themselves in the big yard. + +Then Marshall mounted a lumber pile and addressed them briefly. + +"Boys," he said, "I told you all, a week or so ago, I'd like you to vote +for Hopkins for Representative, as I believed his election would result +in more work for the mill and better wages for the employees. But I've +been watching matters pretty closely, and I've changed my mind. Forbes +is a coming man, and he'll do more for us all than Hopkins could. So +every man who is entitled to vote will please me best by voting for +Kenneth Forbes." + +There was a cheer at this, and when it subsided, the manager continued: + +"Of course none of the new men, who were not properly registered, have a +right to vote at this election, and I command them to keep away from the +polls. Anyone who attempts to vote illegally will be promptly arrested." + +This caused more cheering, for the workmen had suspected that the new +hands would be voted illegally, and they were relieved to find that it +was a "square deal all 'round," as one of them remarked with +satisfaction. + +Meantime, Uncle John was having a "barrel of fun" with Mr. Hopkins. + +The little millionaire, although a man of simple and unobtrusive ways, +was a shrewd judge of human nature. Moreover he had acquired a fund of +experience in dealing with all sorts of people, and was delighted to +meet Mr. Hopkins under the present circumstances. + +So he drove over to Elmwood and was fortunate to find Mr. Hopkins in his +"office" at home where he was busily engaged instructing his "workers" +in their duties at the polls. + +At sight of Mr. Merrick, whom he knew by this time to be a friend of +Kenneth Forbes, staying at Elmhurst, the politician scented some pending +difficulty, or at least an argument, and was sufficiently interested to +dismiss his men without delay. + +"Ah, this is Mr. Merrick, I believe," began Mr. Hopkins, suavely. "What +can I do for you, sir?" + +"Considerable, if you're disposed," answered the other. "For one thing +I'd like to hire Eliza Parsons away from you." + +"Eliza Parsons!" gasped the Representative. + +"Yes, your spy. Election's about over and you won't need her any longer, +will you?" + +"Sir, do you mean to insult me?" asked the Honorable Erastus, +indignantly. + +"By no means. I thought you were through with the girl," said Uncle John +with a chuckle. + +Mr. Hopkins was distinctly relieved. With a full recollection of his +wicked schemes in his mind, he had feared some more important attack +than this; so he assumed a virtuous look, and replied: + +"Sir, you wrong me. Eliza Parsons was no spy of mine. I was merely +trying to encourage her to a higher spiritual life. She is rather +flighty and irresponsible, sir, and I was sorry for the poor girl. That +is all. If she has been telling tales, they are untrue. I have found +her, I regret to say, inclined at times to be--ah--inventive." + +"Perhaps that's so," remarked Uncle John, carelessly. "You're said to be +a good man, Mr. Hopkins; a leetle too honest and straightforward for a +politician; but that's an excusable fault." + +"I hope I deserve my reputation, Mr. Merrick," said Erastus, +straightening up at this praise. "I do, indeed, try to live an upright +life." + +"I guess so, Mr. Hopkins, I guess so. You wouldn't try, for instance, to +encourage false registration." + +"Sir!" + +"Anything wrong, Mr. Hopkins?" asked Uncle John, innocently. + +Erastus looked at his visitor tremblingly, although he tried to control +his nerves. Of course Mr. Merrick couldn't mean anything by this chance +shot, so he must be thrown off the scent. + +"You have a disagreeable way of making remarks, sir, and I have no time +to listen to foolish speeches. Tomorrow is election day and I've a good +many details yet to arrange." + +"No chance of you're getting in jail, is there?" + +"What do you mean by that?" + +"I only thought that if you'd done anything liable to make trouble, +you'd have to arrange your affairs for a long spell in jail. Politicians +sometimes make mistakes. But you're such an honest man, Mr. Hopkins, you +couldn't possibly go crooked." + +Mr. Hopkins felt shaky again, and looked at his tormentor earnestly, +trying to discern whether there was any real knowledge beneath this +innuendo. But Uncle John met his gaze with a cheerful smile and +continued: + +"I guess you've got a hard fight ahead of you. My young friend Forbes is +trying to get elected himself, and you can't both win." + +"Oh, yes; Forbes," said Erastus, trying to regain his accustomed ease. +"A worthy young man, sir; but I'm afraid his chances are slim." + +"Are they, now?" asked Uncle John, pretending a mild interest. + +"Pretty thin, Mr. Merrick. Our majority is too great to overcome." + +"What do you think your majority will be? About sixty-six?" + +Mr. Hopkins gave a start and turned red. + +"About sixty-six," he repeated, vacantly, trying to decide if this was +another chance shot. + +"Yes; about sixty-six mill hands." + +The cat was out of the bag now. Hopkins realized that Merrick had some +knowledge or at least suspicion of this plot. He tried to think what to +do, and it occurred to him that if his visitor positively knew anything +he would not act in this absurd manner, but come straight to the point. +So he ignored the speech, merely saying: + +"Anything else, sir?" + +"No," replied Uncle John; "I'll go home, I guess. Folks'll be expecting +me. Sorry Forbes hasn't got that sixty-six mill hands; but Doc. Squiers +probably registered 'em all right, and they'll probably vote for +Hopkins." + +"Wait a moment, sir!" cried Erastus, as Uncle John was turning away. +"That speech demands an explanation, and I mean to have it." + +"Oh, you do? Well, I don't object. You may not know it, but Squiers has +registered sixty-six non-voters, and I want to know whether you're +prepared to give half of them to Forbes, or mean to keep them all for +yourself." + +"If Squiers has made false registrations he must stand the consequences. +I want you to understand, sir, that I do not countenance any underhand +dealing." + +"Then it's all off? You won't vote the mill hands?" + +"Not a man shall vote who is not properly registered." + +"I'm glad to hear it, Mr. Hopkins. Perhaps you can get that twenty-five +hundred back. I don't think Squiers has cashed the check yet." + +The Honorable Erastus gave a roar like a wild bull, but Uncle John had +walked quietly out and climbed into his buggy. He looked back, and +seeing Mr. Hopkins's scowling face at the window returned a pleasant +smile as he drove away. + +Mr. Watson had just finished his interview with the dentist when Uncle +John picked him up at the corner. The lawyer had accomplished more than +the other two, for he had secured a paper exonerating Lucy Rogers and +another incriminating the Honorable Erastus Hopkins, as well as the +sixty dollars paid by Tom Gates. The dentist was thoroughly frightened, +but determined, now that the conspiracy was defeated, that the man who +had led him to the crime should not escape in case he was himself +arrested. So he made a plain statement of the whole matter and signed +it, and Mr. Watson assured Squiers immunity from arrest, pending good +behavior. The man had already cashed Hopkins's check, and he knew the +Representative could not get the money away from him, so after all the +dentist lost nothing by the exposure. + +It was a jolly party that assembled at the dinner-table in Elmhurst that +evening. + +"You see," explained Uncle John, "the thing looked as big as a balloon +to us at first; but it was only a bubble, after all, and as soon as we +pricked it--it disappeared." + + + + +CHAPTER XXI + +THE "RETURNS" FROM FAIRVIEW + + +Election day dawned sunny and bright; but there was a chill in the air +that betokened the approach of winter. + +Uncle John had suggested serving coffee to the voters at the different +polling places, and Kenneth had therefore arranged for a booth at each +place, where excellent coffee was served free all day long. These booths +were decorated with Forbes banners and attracted a great deal of +comment, as the idea was a distinct innovation in this district. + +"You wouldn't catch Hopkins giving anything away," remarked one farmer +to another. "'Rast is too close-fisted." + +"Why, as fer that," was the reply, "the thing is done to catch votes. +You know that as well as I do." + +"S'pose it is," said the first speaker. "I'd ruther my vote was caught +by a cup of hot coffee on a cold day, than by nothin' at all. If we've +got to bite anyhow, why not take a hook that's baited?" + +Patsy and Beth made the rounds of the polling places in an automobile +covered with flags and bunting, and wherever they appeared they were +greeted with cordial cheers. + +Mr. Hopkins was noticeable by his absence, and this was due not so much +to his cowardice as to an unfortunate accident. + +Neither Squiers nor Hopkins knew just how their secret had leaked out, +for Patsy's presence in the dentist's office had not been disclosed; so +each one suspected the other of culpable foolishness if not downright +rascality. After Uncle John's visit Erastus stormed over to Squiers's +office and found his accomplice boiling with indignation at having been +trapped in a criminal undertaking. + +As the two men angrily faced each other they could not think of any +gentle words to say, and Dr. Squiers became so excited by the other's +reproaches that he indulged in careless gestures. One of these gestures +bumped against the Honorable Erastus's right eye with such force that +the eye was badly injured. + +The candidate for re-election, therefore, wakened on election morning +with the damaged optic swollen shut and sadly discolored. Realizing that +this unfortunate condition would not win votes, Mr. Hopkins remained at +home all day and nagged his long-suffering spouse, whose tongue was her +only defence. + +The Representative had promptly telephoned to Marshall at Fairview +telling him not to vote the men as arranged. He was not especially +charmed with the manager's brief reply: + +"Don't be alarmed. We're not _all_ fools!" + +"I guess, 'Rast," remarked Mary Hopkins, looking at her damaged and +irritable husband with a blending of curiosity and contempt, "that +you're 'bout at the end of your rope." + +"You wait," said Erastus, grimly. "This thing ain't over yet." + +The day passed very quietly and without any especial incident. A full +vote was polled, and by sundown the fate of the candidates had been +decided. But the counting seemed to progress slowly and the group +assembled around the telephone in Kenneth's library thought the returns +would never arrive. + +The Republican Committee had given Mr. Forbes a table showing what the +vote of each precinct should be, according to their canvass. + +The first report was from Elmwood, and showed a gain of seventeen over +the estimate. Patsy was delighted, for she had worked hard in Elmwood, +and this proved that her efforts had been successful. Then came a report +from Longville, in Jefferson County. It showed a gain of forty-three +votes for Hopkins, and a consequent loss for Forbes. This was a +startling surprise, and the next advice from a country precinct in +Washington County showed another gain of twelve for Hopkins. + +The little group of workers looked at one another with inquiring eyes, +and Patsy could hardly refrain from crying. + +The butler announced dinner, but only Louise and Mr. Watson could eat +anything. The others were too intent on learning their fate and could +not leave the telephone. + +It seemed queer that the precincts furthest away should be first to +respond, but so it was. Jefferson County returns began to come in +rapidly, and were received in dismal silence. Hopkins gained four here, +seven there, and twenty-two in another precinct. + +"It looks," said Kenneth, quietly, "like a landslide for Hopkins, and I +wonder how our Committee was so badly informed." + +"You see," said Uncle John, "voters won't usually tell the truth about +how they've decided to vote. Lots of them tell both sides they're going +to vote their way. And people change their minds at the last minute, +too. You can't do much more than average the thing by means of a +canvass." + +By nine o'clock, complete returns from the part of Jefferson County +included in the Eighth District showed a net gain of one hundred and +eight for Hopkins--a lead that it seemed impossible to overcome. +Washington County was not so bad. Incomplete returns indicated a slight +gain for Hopkins, but not more than a dozen votes altogether. + +"Everything now depends upon Dupree and Fairview," announced Kenneth, +"but I can't get any connection with them yet. We won in Elmwood, +anyhow, and Hopkins isn't ahead more than a hundred and sixty as the +thing stands now. Cheer up, girls. A defeat won't hurt us much, for +we've all made a good fight. Better get to bed and sleep, for you're +tired out. We'll know all about everything in the morning." + +But they would not move. Disappointment unnerved them more than victory +would have done. They resolved to wait until the last returns were in. + +"Telephone, sir," said Tom Gates. + +Kenneth picked up the receiver. + +"Here's Dupree," he said. "Our majority over Hopkins is two hundred and +eleven. Let's see, that's a gain of seventy-four votes, my dears." + +"Hooray!" cried Patsy, delightedly. "I don't care a rap now, what +happens. Old Hopkins won't have much to crow over if--" + +"Wait a minute," said Kenneth. "Here's Fairview, at last!" + +They held their breaths and watched his face. Kenneth flushed red as he +held the receiver to his ear, and then grew white. He turned around to +the expectant group and Beth knew from the sparkle in his eyes what had +happened. + +"Fairview's six precincts give us six hundred and forty-one majority," +announced the boy, in an awed tone. "That's a gain of nearly four +hundred!" + +They gazed at him in silent wonder. Then Uncle John rose slowly and took +the boy's hand. + +"That means we've won--and won in a walk," said the little man. +"Kenneth, we congratulate you." + +Patsy's face was buried in her handkerchief, and Beth's great eyes were +bright with unshed tears. But Louise laughed her soft, musical laugh and +remarked: + +"Why, I knew all the time we would win. We had the better candidate, you +see." + +"And the best campaign managers," added Uncle John, with a proud smile. + +"That may be true," admitted Beth. "But the thing that really won the +fight was Patsy's sore tooth." + + + + +CHAPTER XXII + +THE AWAKENING + + +James and Mr. Burke met the great specialist in brain diseases at the +noon train on Wednesday and drove him to Elmhurst. + +Dr. Hoyt was a handsome, gray-haired man, with kindly eyes and a +distinguished manner. When he was ushered into the library the young +ladies were attracted by the physician at once, and from the first +glance were inspired by confidence in his powers. Yet Dr. Hoyt spoke +rather doubtfully of the case in hand. + +"These cases are not so rare as you might suppose," he said; "yet no two +of them are exactly alike. Usually the recovery is slow and tedious; but +recovery is not always assured. In some instances, however, the memory +is absolutely restored, and from what Mr. Burke has explained to me of +Lucy Rogers's history this is what we may expect now. Or else, we must +trust to time or an accident to awaken her dormant mental faculties. The +case is so interesting that I should like, with your permission, to make +an experiment which can result in no harm if it does not succeed." + +"We put the matter entirely in your hands, sir," said Uncle John. "Act +as you think best." + +"I thank you," replied Dr. Hoyt, bowing. Then he turned to the girls. +"Which of you young ladies has won the friendship of Lucy Rogers?" he +asked. + +Louise answered that she and Eliza Parsons had become good friends. + +"Will you assist me?" asked the physician. + +"Willingly, sir." + +"I wish to send the girl into a deep sleep, to render her unconscious +without her suspecting my intention, or realizing the fact. Can you +suggest a way to do this?" + +Louise tried to think. + +"What means will you employ, sir?" she asked. + +"There are many ways to accomplish this. I prefer to administer a +powerful sleeping potion. Have you any confectionery or bon-bons at +hand?" + +"Yes, indeed. I have just received a fresh box of bon-bons from New +York. But I'm not sure I can induce Eliza to eat candy." + +"Then let us prepare the potion in various ways. But you must be +careful, Miss Merrick, not to make a mistake and take the dose +yourself." + +Louise laughed. + +"I'll be careful, sir," she promised. + +The two then retired to perfect their plan, and in an hour every +arrangement was complete. + +Louise went to her room, donned a wrapper, and bandaged her head. Then +she summoned Martha and asked the housekeeper to send Eliza Parsons to +sit with her in the darkened room, as she was suffering from a headache. + +The maid came at once, to all appearances, as happy and careless as +ever. After expressing her sympathy she asked what she could do. + +"Just sit down and keep me company, dear," replied Louise. "I'm not very +bad, but I'm restless and can't sleep, and I want you to talk to me and +amuse me." + +Eliza laughed. + +"That is easy, as far as talking is concerned," she said. "But to amuse +you, Miss Louise, may be more difficult." + +But the girls found a topic of conversation in the election, in which +Eliza was much interested, and they chatted together for an hour or so +before Louise made any move to consummate her plot. + +"I hope my foolish reports to Mr. Hopkins did no harm to Mr. Forbes," +Eliza was saying. "I really had little to tell him of your conversation +or movements." + +"You did no harm at all, for Mr. Forbes was elected," replied Louise. +Then she said, carelessly: + +"Martha has sent me this pitcher of lemonade, and I don't care for it. +Won't you drink a glass, Eliza?" + +"No, thank you," she replied, shaking her head. "I never drink +lemonade." + +"Then have one of these sandwiches?" + +"I'm not hungry, Miss Louise." + +Louise sighed. Both the lemonade and the sandwiches had been "dosed" by +Dr. Hoyt. Then she picked up the box of bon-bons that was beside her. + +"But you will eat some candy, dear. Every girl likes candy." + +"I don't seem to care for it," said Eliza carelessly. + +"Just one piece, to please me," coaxed Louise, and selected a piece from +the box with dainty care. "Here, my dear; you'll find this sort very +nice." + +Eliza hesitated, but finally reached out her hand and took the bon-bon. +Louise lay back in her chair and closed her eyes, fearing their +eagerness might betray her. When after a time she opened them again +Eliza was slowly rocking back and forth and chewing the confection. + +Dr. Hoyt's first suggestion had been best. The potion had been prepared +in several ways to tempt Eliza, but the candy had been the effectual +bait. + +Louise felt a glow of triumph, but managed to continue the conversation, +relating in an amusing way the anxiety of the Elmhurst folks when the +first returns seemed to indicate the election of Hopkins. + +Eliza laughed once or twice, her head resting upon the back of her +chair. Then the words of Louise began to sound dreamy and indistinct in +her ears. The chair rocked with less regularity; soon it came to a stop, +and Eliza was peacefully sleeping in its ample depths. + +Louise now rose softly and rang her bell. Footsteps approached, and a +knock came upon the door. She admitted Dr. Hoyt, Mr. Burke, and two +servants. + +The physician approached the sleeping girl and gently lifted the lids of +her eyes. Then he nodded with satisfaction. + +"There was no suspicion on her part? She made no struggle--no attempt to +evade unconsciousness?" he asked. + +"None at all, sir," replied Louise. "She ate the bon-bon, and was asleep +before she realized it." + +"Excellent!" said the doctor. "We will now place her in her own room, +upon her bed, while Mr. Burke and I drive over to her former home to +complete our arrangements." + +"Won't she waken?" asked Louise. + +"Not until tomorrow morning, and when she does I hope for a complete +restoration of her memory." + +Beth went with Dr. Hoyt to the Rogers farm, because she knew Mrs. +Rogers. It was necessary to break the news to the poor, blind woman +gently, but Beth's natural tact stood her in good stead. She related the +story of the search for Lucy, the discovery that one of the maids at +Elmhurst resembled the missing girl, and the detective's conclusion that +Eliza Parsons was none other than Lucy Rogers, who was suffering from a +peculiar mental aberration and had forgotten every detail of her former +life. + +Mrs. Rogers followed the tale with intelligent understanding, and her +joy at the discovery of her wandering child was only tempered by the +fear that Lucy would never know her mother again or be content to remain +in her humble home. + +Then Dr. Hoyt took up the conversation and related the many instances of +complete recovery that had come under his observation. + +"I am adopting heroic methods in this case," said he, "but I have +reasonable hopes of their success. Your child doubtless became mentally +confused while under this roof. How many hours she wandered, we do not +know, but it could not have been long before she lay down by the +roadside and fell asleep. When she awakened her mind was a blank as +regards her identity and former history. Now, in order to effect a +recovery, I have reversed these experiences with her. She is at present +plunged into a deep sleep, under the influence of narcotics that have +rendered her brain absolutely inactive. It is really a state of coma, +and I wish her to waken in this house, amid the scenes with which she +was formerly familiar. By this means I hope to induce her mental +faculties to resume their normal functions." + +Mrs. Rogers accepted this proposal with calmness and a confidence in the +physician that was admirable. Old Will trembled with nervous excitement, +and was so "flustered" by the importance of the experiment that Dr. Hoyt +decided to give him a quieting potion. + +Lucy's room was prepared in the exact manner in which she had left it, +and presently the visitors drove back to Elmhurst. + +In the evening the doctor made the journey a second time, accompanying +the unconscious form of Lucy, which was attended by a maid Louise had +sent with her. + +The girl was undressed and put to bed in her own room, and then everyone +except Dr. Hoyt returned to Elmhurst. + +The physician sat late in conversation with the blind woman and old +Will, and when they retired for the night he lay down upon a lounge in +the little living-room. The question of fees or of comfort was wholly +ignored by the specialist at the moment. His sole interest was in his +remarkable case. + +Mrs. Rogers rose at daylight and with old Will's assistance prepared the +breakfast. The little table was set in the humble living-room, and the +fragrant odor of coffee pervaded the house. Dr. Hoyt drank a cup and +then stepped out upon the little porch, taking a position of observation +by the window. + +"All right, Nell," muttered old Will, his knees knocking together, in +spite of himself. + +Mrs. Rogers rose quietly and walked to the foot of the stairs. + +"Lucy! Lucy!" she called. + +"Yes!" came a faint reply. + +"Breakfast is ready!" + +Then the two old people sat in suppressed excitement for what seemed to +them an age. But the physician, calmly stationed at the window, knew it +was not very long. + +Presently a light step sounded upon the stairs and Lucy came into the +room. + +"Good morning, mother dear!" she said, a new, sweet tenderness in her +voice. And then she knelt and kissed the woman upon her brow. + +The doctor looked at his watch. + +"I must be going," he muttered, turning away. "There's time for me to +catch the early train." + + +THE END + + + + + + + +End of Project Gutenberg's Aunt Jane's Nieces at Work, by Edith Van Dyne + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK AUNT JANE'S NIECES AT WORK *** + +***** This file should be named 13110.txt or 13110.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + https://www.gutenberg.org/1/3/1/1/13110/ + +Produced by Afra Ullah and PG Distributed Proofreaders + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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