Evening Republican, Volume 18, Number 309, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 30 December 1914 — Page 2

The Governor’s A Novelization of Lady Alice Bradley’s Play

By GERTRUDE STEVENSON

Illustrations from Photographs of the Stage Production

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SYNOPSIS. D*nM Slade suddenly advances from a penoUeos miner to a millionaire. He is ambitious to become governor of the ■fete. Ws Simple, home-loving wife falls to rise to the now conditions. Slade meets Katherine, daughter of Senator Strickland. and sees in her all that Mary is not. Slade decides to separate from his wife and takes rooms at his dub. CHAPTER V. Mazy Slade sat down to the breakfast table with a uertnln sense of bewilderment. It waa the same this morning aa It had been each successive morning since Dan’s departure. She could not bring herself to the realisation of the fact that Dan had not come home—apparently did not intend to oome home. She had waited up the night he had gone to the club, just as she had waited up every night of their married life, no matter where her husband was or how late he might be coming home. As the night hours lengthened into day she was forced to the conclusion that Dan meant to stay away for the night. That he wouldn’t be home at all through the day never occurred to her. She reasoned that a night’s sleep would clear his mind add that he would have recovered from his “tantrum” the next day. But Dan didn’t “run in” that day nor the next. The days had become weeks, yet neither by telephone nor letter had he sent as much as a word. Finally Mary had mustered up her courage and telephoned his club. It took courage for Mary to use the telephone on any occasion. She was afraid of the sound of her own voice the moment she began to talk into the transmitter. This time she feared Dan’s displeasure and his possible harshness. Mr. Slade was out, had left no message, they did not know when he would return, was the disappointing result as she hung the receiver on the * * b ° ok - This morning, as the-maid served her breakfast, she resolved to try again. The situation was getting unbearable. It was bad enough to live tn the great house and be surrounded by servants with Dan there. Without him she felt like a prisoner of state and looked on the servants as so many jailers. Leaving her breakfast practically untested, Mary again ventured to the telephone. With faltering voice she repeated the number. **One-threh-nine-four;” with beating heart she Inquired for “Mr. Slade;” with sinking courage she received the answer that Mr. Slade had gone out, leaving no message Again and again during the day she repeated the call, only to receive a similar reply. The possibility of her husband having left such a message to be delivered to her, whether he was there or not never occurred to the truthful, simple-minded little woman. But Slade did not want to be reached by her, and if an untruth, more or lees, were necessary, the telephone boy was easily bribed. Meanwhile Slade was eagerly looking forward to his new life. Never aman to waver, he did not once look back to the wife he had so coolly deserted. He was being dined and banqueted and feted, being everywhere hailed as the candidate for governor. He was sniffing the first breath of future glories with keenest delight. This was the sort of thing that made a man feel big! Thia was the sort of life to lead—with men bowing and salaaming all around him. He walked with a firmer tread. His shoulders were thrown back a bit more arrogantly. His chest was more noticeable as he walked down the street. The Innate conceit and self-esteem of the man made him overlook the fact that the party needed a rich man. He was quite satisfied that he was being boosted by Strickland and the others, because of his brains, his unusual abil- , tty, his oratory and his power to lead I men. He was happier than he had been for years. Every day the new life looked brighter and the old less If he gave a thought to Mary it was a passing one. Mary was “comfortable.” She had everything that money could buy. The servants would be taking good care of her, of course Of the lump in Mary’s throat aa she sat at the lonely breakfast table and as she want through the still more lonesome ordeal of the formal dinner, he knew nothing. Of the woman’s aching heart and her eyes bright with unshed tears ad she tried to keep up before the servants and make excuses for his absence, Slade was heartlessly oblivious. Or perhaps it was self-esteem again, that made him unable to feel for her —the oMf-esteem of the sueoaoaful man who feels -no wounds when tor what he wants, and neither knows nor cares that others fool them. He had a heart, but it was no pleasantly like Pharaoh's. But of Katherine Strickland’s statuesque beauty and her cosmopolitan manner ho waa delightfully aware. During the weeks since he had left ‘home Slade had been calling regularly at the Strickland home, partly to .consult with the senator and partly for the purpose of posing for the, bust which Katherine was modeling. As 'they oat hour after Hour, he posing she working deftly and

A Novelization of Alice Bradley's Play

talking even more cleverly, Slade and Katherine had come to a mutual understanding. The more they saw of each other the more each became convinced that their paths would inevitably converge. Katherine talked animatedly and entertainingly of social life abroad and of the gay times in Washington, and Slade’s heart warmed and his eyes flashed as he pictured himself a part of that charmed circle. With keen penetration he saw the longing of the girl’s nature, her iron will, her determination to gain social honors at almost any cost He flattered himself that when he said the word Katherine Strickland would be heady to cast her lot with his. From the smoking room of Senator Strickland’s big house came the .strident sound of men’s voices, raised in excitement, and, it would seem, acclaim. Now and again the senator’s smooth, oratorical voice would sound and then Slade'e slightly deprecatory, yet firm and pleased. Then would follow the patter of applause, laughter and the sudden dropping of voices that' signified earnest converse. To Katherine Strickland, sitting in the softly lighted library adjoining, every sound had its meaning. Her eyes sparkled with keen Interest. In her cheeks glowed the deep rose of excitement and exultation. In that other room she knew they were making history. In that other room they were putting up a man for governor, a man she admired and who had aroused her interest as no other man had ever done. Nothing could stand in that man’s way, she thought, with a catch in her breath, nothing could stop him now that he was fairly started,. How different this domineering, forceful personality from Bob Hayes, the man who had first won her girl’s heart, and yet for whom she had never been willing to renounce'her interest in the political and social life which obsessed her with the same compelling force as it did Slade. With an effort she brought her mind back to the present and to Mrs. Wesley Merritt, who had dropped in on her way from ,a dance to pick up her husband. "You simply weren’t listening to a word I said,” Mrs. Merritt complained in her affectedly affectionate way. "I was asking If you know Mr. Slade very well.” "Yes," Katherine replied, lightly, “we know him very well.” "And does be ever mention his wife?” In Mrs. Merritt’s most perfectly feline manner. "Never once,” admitted Katherine, without even an attempt at an evasion. "And you have never met her?” Mrs. Merritt was in her glory if she could probe. "No, I have never met her.” ‘‘How extraordinary! My husband —why, Wesley Merritt’s name spells hearth and home, .domestic purity—while Slade’s! They tell me he hasn’t seen his wife for weeks, and it’s town talk that he’s living' at his club. And to think he’s never mentioned her to you!” Katherine had quietly rung for a servant, and as Mrs. Merritt finished, remarked casually: "Martin, see that these letters are mailed at once." Unabashed, Mrs. Merritt was moving eagerly about room, comfortable In all Its appointments, its richness enhanced and mellowed with age, a blend of color that nothing but years can give* Fannie Merritt was a decided blonde. Her decision had been made more than ten* years before. It was a decision that, once made, must be abided by, and the woman had been living-up to it ever since. Her gown was the last word of sartorial elegance and style. Daringly decollette it clung To her long, svelte figure with loving emphasis, and trailed round her exquisitely dressed feet. Her hair did credit to the hairdresser's long and patient efforts, and long, bizarre diamond pendanfe flashed and sparkled from her ears. If ever a woman had become a slave to her own personal pleasure and dress, that woman was Fannie Merritt. Too self-centered and selfish ever to crave motherhood, she lavished a kind of affection on a watery-eyed little poodle, which repaid her with lap-dog gratitude. Tonight she was restless and 111, at ease. Like Katherine, her mind was full of one thought—Slade, Slade, Slade —but thoughts that took a different direction. She wae sick of his name, sick of hearing of his money, sick of the talk of his power and of bearing him named as “the man of the hour." He was winning the very honors she had coveted for her husband, and taking them right out from beneath-Tils very eyes and nose. There didn’t seem to be a doubt of Slade becoming governor, the very position for which her husband had been striving for the past six terms. Slade with his millions needed the governorship no more than a pampered child needs a new toy, while to her husband success or failure this time meant either the retrieving of his fortunes or his utter ruin. The abstraction of the two tvomen was broken by the sudden entrance

THE EVENING REPUBLICAN, RENSSELAER, IND.

Ing a tlme of ft in there. Good evening, Mrs. Merritt, your husband is certainly making it warm for Mr. Slade.”' / . _ - a "Indeed,” laughed Mrs. Merritt, gratified for the moment. "Dear, dear!” she exclaimed as she watched Hayes gazing wistfully at Katherine and looking very handsome and manly in his well-made evening clothes. "It’s quite like old times to see. you together.” Unhappy herself, it gave her a certain pleasure to make other people unhappy. The jealousy) she had long felt for the younger and more beautiful woman found expression now in her purring tones, as, with amiable cruelty, she reminded them of their earlier intimacy. She took delight in making Bob writhe and Katherine whiten as she recalled their passionate young love when only the senator’s stern interference had kept them from wedding. “Let me see,” she recollected, “when I was your confidante, you were twenty-one, Katherine, and you, Rob. were twenty-four. I can feel Rob’s hands gripping mine yet: ‘O, please see her for me—the senator doesn’t approve of it.’ And the tears you shed on my shoulder, Katherine —why, it feels wet to think of IL” “O! Fannie!” Katherine's voice wae not as firm “I always said,” the woman persisted, “Rob, she’ll come home to you in the end—” ,

"I think I’ll go back and listen to the discussion,” and Bob flung disgustedly out'of the room. At the door he almost collided with Merritt. Katherine had hurried out to see a reporter who wanted the wherefores and the whys of the dfnneh party to Slade. “I can’t possibly 'get away, dear," Merritt explained to his wife. “I’ve beSn. buttonholed by some men from up tn's state. Shall you wait or go home—hrot?” Mrs. Mhndtt refused to be dismissed in thht peremptory fashion. "I’ll wait,” the returned with acid sweetness. “Tnen if you are not ready I’ll run along.” “Slade’s had an ovation tonight,” Merritt informed her, nodding-toward the smoking-room. “The big out-of-town men are all here. Some of ’em in there yet He’s big, Fannie. He’s big. We can’t deny that. The brute attacks his point with all the force of a sledge hammer/’ “Yes, that’s what you lack — punch!" his wife turned on him petulantly. "You’re snowed under,” she complained, bitterly. “If you’d taken my advice you wouldn’t have come to this Slade feed tonight. What’s your paper for,” she demanded, "if you can’t attack'your rival candidate in its columns? Anyone would think you wanted to make him governor—instead of yourself.”

"I can’t attack him publicly,” Merritt retorted. "He’d put up glue factories facing our property and, with a lake breeze blowing our way—phew! My position is very difficult Of course, Election’s a long way ahead, but I’m the only stick in his puddle.” “Yes, you’re a big stick!” ’’she taunted. “Why don’t you do something?" “What can I do?” he groaned. "I’ve been told tonight by no less than four men that they won’t support me again. And Strickland’s speech introducing Slade was a masterpiece!” “Yes—Strickland’s masterpieces are concocted by his daughter, we all know that. Just as I write your stuff,” she finished with hateful emphasis on the possessive. "My dear, I wish you’d be more careful!” warned Merritt, making sure that the door leading into the smoking-room was closed. "Your ‘Message to the Farmer’—that made you famous! What did I ever get for writing it?” and with self-satis-fied deliberateness ehe arranged herself carefully in a low-seated chair near the fireplace. “I never denied that you had a man’s brain,” placatlngly/ drawlingly, mockingly, “darling." "Yes —I’m the family mosquito that buzzes behind your ears. God help us if it wasn’t for me. Did you ask the senator for the |IO,OOO I want?” she demanded. “He can’t,” Merritt was huddled in the nearest chair.' ’Hie subject had been causing him appetlteless days and sleepless nights. When a woman of Fannie Merritt’s persistency and tenacity wants something a man can’t get then that man is very, likely to be nagged into desperation. “You look out, Wesley,” she answered, alarm breaking the careful modulation of her vqlce. “That’s tha first time he ever refused us.” “He’s broke —dead broke. I don’t know how he can keep this up. The senator's nearly out. .That's why he’s sticking to Slade.” (TO BE CONTINUED.)

Wonderful.

Her soldier son in India had sent a cablegram, and Mrs. Blunderleigh’a voice rang with pride when speaking of it* to her impressed neighbors. “Yes, they be wonderful things, they telegraphs,” said she. “Just fancy, ft’s come from Indy—all they thousands o’ miles.” “And so quick, too," put in her best friend. "Quick ain’t the word for it,” put in Mrs. Blunder leigh. "Why, when I got it the gun on the envelope wasn't dry.” I

Explains Baseball's Popularity.

Nothing equals baseball as a populai sport. Baseball stimulates the mini and invigorates, instead of exhausts the body. It can be played in any field, at almost no cost. Expense if the handicap which keeps tennis a«<l golf out of the running as great pope iar sports. A baseball game may b» played in two hours —an advantagi which will ever make it more populai than cricket as an interoaHr*n«i game

FIGHT IN DELIRIUM

Wounded Respond to Cry of Raving Comrade. Correspondent Pens Vivid Description of the Horrors of War—Life In the Trenches a Continuous Nervous Tension. By GABRIEL DELAGARDE. {Correspondent of Chicago Daily News.) , Amiens, France. —There are four of us in the quiet garden smoking our pipes. What is it—a French attack, or a German? Somewhere around Chaulnes, 30 kilometers away, the cannon are thundering furiously. A sullen, uninterrupted growling passes over Amiens. Now and then we can distinguish the* more powerful shots of the big guns, some of which we saw passing through here. In any case, things are warming up but there. All day the battle will continue, and we shall suffer the anguish if not knowing what is happening. Are the Germans piercing the French lines? Are the French piercing the German? All around Amiens it has been thus for a month. The same villages have been fought for, the same positions taken and retaken. In some places the unburled bodies of men and animals are so numerous that French and Germans alike have withdrawn from these shambles, which war has made accursed and uninhabitable. This is the case, for example, at Roye, a little town of three to four thousand inhabitants, of which the ofilcial statements have spoken often. To find and remove the dead one has to search the cellars, go down into wells and explore crumbling ruins of masonry. A rough Parisian fireman, a brave veteran of many fires, told me that he would rather risk his life every day in a bulking building than pursue this new trade to which he has been assigned. The men engaged in it are unable to continue more than two days at a time —no human being could stand it longer.

But if it is hard for trained firemen, imagine the sensations of this old rural notary pqblic, calm and peaceful, who went to visit the ruins of his house in Albert, descended into the cellaf and there in the darkness ran against a body which swung to and fro. It had been there 15 days. He had to take it down and bury it himself. It was the body of one of the inhabitants who had killed himself during the bombardment, evidently from terror. The number of fticides in the northern provinces is Countless. The newspapers may say rothing about them, but the people knt>w, and here in the peaceful garden my companions continue to converse of these gruesome undercurrents of the war. Such horrible details could never have been imagined. It is not the dead who suffer, but the living—the men, for instance, who come back from their stay in the trenches with fevers and diseases. There are several herb in the hospital who have been delirious for days. Last night in the long white room where the flames of watchlights flickered feebly a wounded sergeant suddenly rose from his cot. "On guard! On guard!” he cried. "It’s warming up over there! Fix bayonets, boys!” Under the impulsion of the familiar words of command half delirious men all over the room staggered to their feet and rushed among the cots in their nightshirts, stumbling and shouting. The attendant who told me this still was visibly affected by the scene. He had had the»happy inspiration to command: *» “Halt! Rest arms!” And the mad brigade had obedi-

HUNGRY BRITISH STORM BREAD TRAIN

British soldiers in France besieging a supply train arriving in camp with a consignment of bread for the soldiers.

ently stood still. Some of the soldiers in this hospital have gone mad. Think, too, of the frightful life in the frenches, some of which are only 100 yards from those of the enemy. An officer described it at some length. All day a continual tension of the nerves and no chance to climb up out of the narrow ditch, even for an instant Even nightfall brings little peace, for it is the time chosen for surprise attacks. Suddenly, not ten yards from a trench, men rise from the darkness, a cry rings out; a sentinel, who had dozed in spite of himself, staggers to his feet —too late! The dazzling rays of a searchlight a kilometer away blind the men in the trenches, while the attacking forces, who have the light at their backs, charge bayonets. Then all is dark again. The searchlight is removed to escape the shells of hostile batteries. In the shadow of the moonless, starless night a frightful hand to hand fight takes place, with hoarse cries of anger and death, and with cracking of rifles. Thus the nights succeed one another, in heavy sleep full of dreams and nightmares, some of which are only too real. Hearing all this, one can understand that progress should be slow. One asks one’s self how many more months and months longer this killing of men must go on, this wearing them down, this dying of disease, this frightening them into madness, until at last the formidable invader shall have...been driven from France.

HELPING THE BELGIANS

Elinor Glyn, author of “Three Weeks,” has temporarily abandoned her pen to devote all her time to the raising; of funds for the relief of the Belgians.

German Driving Gloves.

London. —German officers wear steel tipped gloves with which they drive men in the ranks back into line, according to a Belgian officer now in London.

SEARCH FOR STRAGGLERS

British soldiers making a house-to* house search for German stragglers at Houle. ’ ...

TRICKED BY STOLEN CODE

Goeben Escaped by Use of Week-Old Cipher Stolen (From . British. New York. —The German cruisers Goeben and Breslau escaped from Messina to the Dardanelles at the start of the war by using a week-old secret code stolen from the British admiralty. This fact, brought out at the recent court martial which exonerated Admiral Troubridge from blame, has been suppressed by the British censor, but reached New York by mail from London. Troubridge had the boats bottled up at Messina, but received a wireless code message, worded and signed in correct admiralty form, ordering him to let the cruisers altffieT* Assuming that other, plans had been worked out for their capture, he did as. directed. Not until he reached London for the court martial did he learn the order » was spurious. Supposedly it was sent by the Goeben herself or by some German wireless station. The code could only have been obtained by a spy or by treason of some Briton high in authority.

MUST HAVE FEET CUT OFF

Fifteen Hundred British Officers and Men in Hospitale With Extremities Frozen. London. —Officers invalided home from the front say there are at present about hundred British officer* and men suffering from frozen feet in the base hospitals in and about Bou-logne-sur-Mer,'France. Fully 1,000 of this number must have one or both feet severed, owing to the deadening of the nerves, which makes futile all attempts at treatment. Chilblains and frostbites have been depleting the ranks worse than bullets and shrapnel, and once a man’s foot is frozen he is through as far as fighting is concerned for the rest of the war.

FIND COMFORT IN TRENCHES

Allies' Troop* Are Well Sheltered From Inclemencies of the Weather. London.—A dispatch from West Flanders to the Times says: “The British, French and Belgian soldiers in the trenches are not at all, unhappy. The trenches on the «Yser %re as comfortable and well sheltered as material, industry and decided constructive ingenuity can make -them. “The men for the most, part are Hw Ing below the surface of the ground and have so banked themselves about that wihd, rain or sleet has no great terrors for them. Some of them have been fortunate enough to obtain.oil . stoves. In such cases the mud walled compartments in which they live are if anything inclined to be warmer per*, haps than hygienists would approve. Stoves are priceless •luxuries, but they are not at all uncommon/* • .

OFFICER ATTACKS THE KAISER

Crazed Man Draws Sword on ths Enr, peror, but la Disarmed, < Paris Hear*. Paris.—There is a' report current here, apparently emanating from Ger-J man sources, that an officer of the German general staff at the grand headquarters became insane when the emperor upbraided him'for- a tactical error* during the battle (A Flanders. The story says that he assaulted the! kaiser violently with his drawn sword., Other officers managed to overpower him, and he was forcibly removed, all the while hurling frightful epithet* at the kaiser, wljo was considerably shaken by the affair.