Jasper County Democrat, Volume 14, Number 68, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 2 December 1911 — THE MAN HIGHER UP [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

THE MAN HIGHER UP

By HENRY RUSSELL MIRER

CHAPTER XIV. SANGER’S OFFER. w ATE in the evening a few days aftI er his call on Mrs. Gilbert Bob i 4 returned home from a hard day’s work. The election was only a month away, and the campaign was in full swing. There had been little in the reports to annoy him. His organization was intact, working like the well oiled machine it was. Reports from the enemy’s camp gave further cause for satisfaction. The independent Democratic candidate was not making the headway expected. Yet Bob went home disturbed in mind. The day had been passed among men who were devoting their time and energy in his interest. But through all their conferences he had been Conscious of an unaccustomed, oppressive sense of loneliness, and he had not seen Remington since their interview in his odice When he entered the house he saw’ Kathleen sitting in the library sewing. She looked up with a bright smile as he hesitated before the door. “May I come in?” he queried as though not quite sure of his welcome. “Since when this timidity?” she laughed. “Of course, come in. I was just thinking about you. Mother was bewailing today that we don’t see much of you now the campaign has ■tarred.” “Well.” he looked at his watch, "'lf it won't make you sleepy. Fll let you administer your company for half an hour.”

“7 r ; though my'company wee _ -i ' Hut L t ore he could answer the doorbell rang. He frowned. “I had forgotten,” he exclaimed regretfully. "1 have an appointment jrjth Sanger at 10.” •- Kathleen gathered up her sewing and arose. He looked at her doubtfully. “If you don’t mind, I wish you’d stay. It may be just as well to have a third person present” “But Mr. Sanger may not like It,” she objected hesitatingly. “Mr. Stanger may like It or not” Bob observed carelessly. “Sit down.” He went to the door himself and let Sahger in. A minute later the two men entered the library. Kathleen saw a tall man in evening dress, who bore himself with an air of quiet confidence; “Miss Flinn,” Bob Introduced him, “this is Mr. Sanger. He’s my immediate enemy just now.” Sanger bowed genially and laughed. “A very friendly enemy just at present" “I am very glad to meet one of our enemies— especially if he be friendly,” she smiled. “Won’t you sit down, Mr. Saucer?" Sanger looked inquiringly at Kathleen. “Miss Flinn will be present” Bob answered the look, “at my request.” Sanger reclined comfortably in his chair and placed his hands together, finger tip accurately meeting finger tip. “Circumsances- of- which I am perhaps the victim.” he began, “make it necessary for me to take an active part for the future in otfr local and state politics.” “Haven’t you already been somewhat active?” Sanger waved his hand carelessly. “Tentatively, tentatively only, Mr. McAdoo. Hereafter I propose to be more active and to "better effect, I hope. Certain ventures in which I am interested, individually and in connectton with other large investors of our state, make this imperative; Un-

fortunately in the present campaign 1 find myself compelled to oppose your election. 1 regret it exceedingly, and; frankly, I’m here to propose that we work in harmony in the future.” “That comes rather late.” “Please don’t refuse until you have heard me out. Allow me to explain our position. For several years certain gentlemen, all large investors, have kept William Murcbell in power in this state at considerable expense to ourselves. In return we had the right to demand protection for our interests... Murcbell, however, has of late proved very ungrateful. He has passed under the influence of John Dunmeade, Dunmeade, Mr. McAdpo, is a dangerous man, an utter radical, an impracticable dreamer, a man of socialistic tendencies. His influence in our politics is a menace to individual property rights. My dislike of Dunmeade is only political. His wife is my cousin. I myself never allow personal considerations to influence business policy. We are determined that Murcbell and Dunmeade must go out of politics completely.” “Humph! How are you going to do it?” Banger smiled confidently. “We shall find the means. Two years from now a new governor, legislature and United States senator must be elected. They must be absolutely independent of Murcbell and Dunmeade.’’ “But not independent of you?” “Precisely. Which brings me to your case. Permit me to say, Mr. McAdoo, I have a deep admiration for you. YOu have a remarkable genius for politics. You can be very useful to us, and we can be very useful to you. If you are elected, which is by no means assured, the city organization will be absolutely under your coni trol. With this city and our share of the country districts and Adelphia. which you must admit we already control, we are certain of setting Murcbell and Cousin Dunmeade aside. I suggest,” he concluded, “that you come in with us." “Purely out of philanthropic belief in the sanctity of individual property rights, I suppose?” “Not at all. We don’t demand disinterested motives. In fact, we should suspect the sincerity of such, motives if alleged. We expect to make It worth your while. We will, to begin with, contribute liberally to your campaign funds.” “As liberally as you have already .contributed to Harland’s fund?” “You are well informed,” Sanger said, his face betraying surprise. “It’s my business to be well informed.” Sanger eyed Bob narrowly before continuing. “That proves the propriety of my next suggestion. We will put you in Murchell’s place as state leader.” Kathleen started, her work arrested. “Upon the condition, of course, that you will secure us the protection and legislation we desire,” Sanger continued. “And as a guarantee of our good faith we will consent to your friend Remington as next governor.” “Consent? I thought you were to make me boss.” “Of course we should have to be consulted in all important nominations.” “Then you don’t propose to give me the free hand you gave Murcbell?” “Frankly, no. We can't take that risk again with any man.” “No, Mr. Sanger,” Bob answered coolly, “you’re not frank. You have told me nothing I didn’t know or suspect. You personally were responsible for the nomination of Harland with the one intention of breaking me. But you don’t believe he will be elected. And that’s why you come to me. Your offer isn’t honestly made, Mr. Sanger.” “My dear sir,” Sanger protested earnestly, “the word of a gentleman”— “The word of you gentlemen of finance.” Bob interrupted, with a sneer, “is worth just what it has to be worth."

“You are unjust,” Sanger answered with unruffled serenity, “but I’ll not argue that. The last two yeats have cost you more than $200,000. Four years mote would see you bankrupt. “There is, of course,” Sanger continued significantly, “your friend Remington, to be considered. If I may judge from appearances he is exceedingly anxious to marry my sister. I can’t answer for her—that is, absolutely. But it isn’t impossible that she should come to share his feeling. —Of course I couldn’t be expected, to approve of a match with one who is trying to injure me.” Kathleen saw Bob’s face light up queerly. “Like you, I don’t allow personal considerations to interfere with business policy,” he said impassively. “Think it over. The matter doesn’t require immediate adjustment.” Bob rose to end the interview. “I can give you our answer now,” he said coldly. Then he saw Kathleen looking up at him eagerly, proudly. His face relaxed in a whimsical smile. “What shall we say, Kathleen?” “Will you let me answer for you?” Bob nodded. Kathleen looked at him long and searchingly. Then she arose and turned to Sanger, who also was on his feet. “Mr. McAdoo says”—she spoke quietly—“that to try to bribe him through his friendship is useless, because ifife friendship is sincere. Nor does your offer of state leadership tempt him. Mr. McAdoo is pledged to certain policies which he couldn’t carry out if he joined you. He will keep his word. Mr. McAdoo says also that if you oppose Governor Dunmeade and Mr. Murchell he will support them to the end. Your money may tvin out, but there are worse things than losing a good fight, Mr. Sanger. One of them is dishonest victory.” Sanger smiled. “And are these views yours also, Mr. McAdoo?” Bob’s answer was quietly spoken.

"Miss Flinn overstates my motives, but as to your proposal and my support of Murrhell and Dunmeade, she is quite right.” L

Sanger shrugged his shoulders carelessly. “I was quite sure of it before I came. I don’t know just what you want, Mr. McAdoo. I only made the offer because it was urged upon me by others who are in this with me. My own policy is to break, not buy off. opposition.” He bowed gracefully to Kathleen.

“There can be no doubt as to the genuineness of your motives. Miss Flinn. Good night. I’m sorry the outcome of the scrimmage must be disappointing to you.” Bob followed Sanger into the hallway and silently watched the millionaire don his overcoat As he was pulling on his gloves Sanger remarked:

“It’s a good thing for us. McAdoo, that you haven’t fooled the world as you have Miss Flinn. It's a better thing that you aren’t what she thinks you. There is only one person in the world that I fear—the fanatic. He possesses moral passion. Moral passion is as uncertain and therefore as dangerous as lightning or women. You haven’t it.”

“Good night,” Bob answered as he held open the door. When tie returned to the library Kathleen was; sewing quietly once more.

“Well,” he remarked, sitting down, “as Paul would say, I Jhave burned my bridges behind me.” “What a shame he is so conscienceless! He has such nice manners.” “Humph! You women are all alikejudging a man by his outside. I don’t like an assassin any better because he stabs me politely. I hate to say it of any man, but he is almost worse than I am.

“And now,” he added, “he has given me my warning. Sooner or later their millions will get me unless some miracle hastens a popular revolution —or unless I start grafting again.” “Have you stopped, then?” “I haven’t made a penny out of politics in the last six years.” “And you won’t begin again.” She did not ask a question. “No.” His tone was curiously regretful. “I won’t. I used to. without a thought. But now I hate the notion. I don’t understand it.” (To be continued.)

HE WEST TO THE DOOR HIMSELF AND LET SANGER IN.