Gulmore, The Boss | Page 8

against the same card outside--and the banker holding the box usually manages to win. Let me once get power and Gulmore'll find his labour unremunerative. If it hadn't been for him I'd have been in Congress long ago. But now I'll have to leave you. Talk it over with May and--you see that Gulmore challenges you to prove the corruption or else withdraw the imputation? What do you mean to do?"
"I'll prove it, of course. Long before I spoke I had gone into that paving contract; it was clearly a fraud."
"Well, I'd think, if I were you, before I acted, though you're a great help to me; your last speech was very powerful."
"Unfortunately I'm no speaker, but I'll do as well as I can, and you may rely on me to go on to the end. The rich at least must be forced to refrain from robbing the poor.... That malicious sneer at my father hurts me. It can only mean that he owed money in Kentucky. He was always careless in money matters, too careless, but he's very generous at heart. I owe him everything. I'll find out about it at once, and if it is as I fear, the debt shall be paid. That'll be one good result of Mr. Gul-more's malice. As for me, let him do his worst. At any rate I'm forewarned."
"A poor satisfaction in case--but here's May, and I must go. I've stayed too long already. You should look through our ticket; it's strong, the men are all good, I think--anyway, they're the best we can get. Teach him to be careful, May; he's too bold."
"I will, father," replied a clear, girlish voice; "it's mother who spoils him," and then, as the door shut, she moved to her lover, and holding out both her hands, with a little air of dignity, added, "He tries to spoil me. But, dear, what's the matter? You seem annoyed."
"It's nothing. An article in that paper strikes at my father, and hurts me; but it can be made right, and to look at you is a cure for pain."
"Let me read it--no, please! I want to help you, and how can I do that if I don't know what pains you?" The girl took the "Herald "and sat down to read it.
May Hutchings was more than good-looking, were it only by reason of a complexion such as is seldom given even to blondes. The inside of a sea-shell has the same lustre and delicacy, but it does not pale and flush as did May's cheeks in quick response to her emotions. Waves of maize-coloured hair with a sheen of its own went with the fairness of the skin, and the pretty features were redeemed from a suspicion of insipidity by large violet eyes. She was of good height and lissom, with small feet and hands, but the outlines of her figure were Southern in grace and fulness.
After reading the article, she put down the paper without saying a word
"Why, May, you seem to take it as seriously as your father does. It's nothing so very terrible, is it?"
"What did father say?"
"That it was inspired by Gulmore, and that he was a dangerous man; but I don't see much in it. If my father owed money in Kentucky it shall be repaid, and there the matter ends."
"'Tisn't that I'm troubling about; it's that lecture of yours. Oh, it was wonderful! but I sat trembling all the time. You don't know the people. If they had understood it better, they'd have made a big fuss about it. I'm frightened now."
"But what fuss can they make? I've surely a right to my own opinions, and I didn't criticise any creed offensively."
"That's it--that's what saved you. Oh, I wish you'd see it as I do! You spoke so enthusiastically about Jesus, that you confused them. A lot of them thought, and think still, that you're a Christian. But if it's brought up again and made clear to them--Won't you understand? If it's made quite clear that Jesus to you was only a man, and not superior even to all other men, and that you believe Christianity has served its purpose, and is now doing harm rather than good in the world, why, they'd not want to have you in the University. Don't you know that?"
"Perhaps you're right," returned the Professor thoughtfully. "You see I wasn't brought up in any creed, and I've lived in so completely different an atmosphere for years past, that it's hard to understand such intolerant bigotry. I remember enough, though, to see that you are right. But, after all, what does it matter? I can't play hypocrite because they're blind fanatics."
"No, but you needn't have gone quite so far--been quite so frank; and even now you might easily--" She