All-Wool Morrison | Page 8

what I know is true. For he is here in our state on
business--business in your line," affirmed the Senator. He put his hand
on the arm of the elderly man with the assertive mutton-chop whiskers.
"Silas Daunt, Mayor Morrison! Mr. Daunt of the banking firm of Daunt
& Cropley."
"Business in my line, you say, sir?" demanded Morrison, pursuing a
matter of interest with characteristic directness.
"Development of water-power, Mister Mayor. We are taking the
question up in a broad and, I hope, intelligent way."
"Good! You touch me on my tenderest spot, Mr. Daunt."
"Senator Corson has explained your intense interest in the water-power
in this state. And this state, in my opinion, has more wonderful
possibilities of development than any other in the Union."

Morrison did not drawl when he replied. His demeanor corroborated his
statement as to his tenderest spot. "It's a sleeping giant!" he cried.
"It's time to wake it up and put it to work," stated Daunt.
"Exactly!" agreed Senator Corson. "I'm glad I'm paying some of the
debt I owe the people of this state by bringing two such men as you
together. I have wasted no time, Stewart!"
"Round and round the wheels of great affairs begin to whirl!"
declaimed Lana. "The grain of sand must immediately eliminate itself
from this atmosphere; otherwise, it may fall into the bearings and cause
annoying mischief. I'll send the car back, father. I mustn't bother a
business meeting."
A grimace that hinted at hurt wrinkled the candor of the Morrison's
countenance. "I hoped it wasn't mere business that brought you--all!"
He dwelt on the last word with wistful significance, staring at Lana.
"No, no!" said the Senator, hastily. "Not business--not business, wholly.
A neighborly call, Stewart! The Governor, Mr. Daunt, Lana--all of us
to pay our respects. But"--he glanced around the big room--"now that
we're here, and the time will be so crowded after the legislature
assembles, why not let Daunt express some of his views on the power
situation? Without you and your support nothing can be done. We must
develop our noble old state! Where is your private office?"
"I have never needed one," confessed Stewart; it was a pregnant hint as
to the Morrison methods. "I never expected to be honored as I am
to-day."
The Hon. Calvin Dow was posted near a window in a big chair,
comfortably reading one of Stewart's newspapers. Several other
citizens of Marion, sheep of such prominence that they could not be
shooed away with the mere goats who had been excluded, were waiting
an audience with the mayor.
"You understand, of course, that there is no secrecy--that is to say, no

secrecy beyond the usual business precautions involved," protested the
Senator. The frank query in Stewart's eyes had been a bit disconcerting.
"But to have matters of business bandied ahead of time by the mouth of
gossip, on half-information, is as damaging as all this ridiculous talk
that's now rioting through the city regarding politics."
"It's all an atrocious libel on my administration," exploded Governor
North. "It's damnable nonsense!"
"Old Dog Tray," when he had occasion to bark, was not noted for polite
reticence.
Lana took Coventry Daunt's arm and started off with an elaborate
display of mock terror. "And now politics goes whirling, too! My, how
the ground shakes! Mister Mayor, I'll promise you more serene
conditions on Corson Hill this evening."
There was an unmistakable air of proprietorship in her manner with the
young man who accompanied her.
The Governor shook his finger before the mayor's face and, in his
complete absorption in his own tribulation, failed to remark that he was
not receiving undivided attention. "I'm depending on men like you,
Morrison. I have dropped in here to-day to tell you that I'm depending
on you."
Senator Corson had apparently convinced himself that the mill office of
St. Ronan's was too much of an open-faced proposition; it seemed more
like an arena than a conference-room. Dow and the waiting gentlemen
of Marion showed that they were frankly interested in the Governor's
outbreak. Right then there were new arrivals.
The Senator hastily made himself solitaire manager of that particular
chess-game and ordered moves: "Lana, wait with Coventry in the car.
We'll be only a moment. At my house this evening it will be a fine
opportunity for you and Daunt to have your little chat, Stewart, and get
together to push the grand project for our good state."

"Yes," agreed Morrison; "I'll be glad to come." He was giving the
young woman and her escort his close attention and spoke as if he
meant what he said. He blinked when the door closed behind them.
"And what say if you wait till then, Governor, to confer with the
mayor--if you really find that there is need