A Man of Two Countries Part 28

"There! That's what Burroughs and I do business with," he exclaimed.

"'Tisn't so heavy as gold, nor as pretty; but it's a pretty good subst.i.tute. It's not intended to influence your vote," he hastened to add, as he noted the senator's expression; "it just shows you that my feelings are agreeable toward you--and that pretty sister of yours."

"Leave my sister out of it, please," commanded Blair, with dignity. "I can't use a thousand-dollar bank note. I'm not in the habit of flashing bills of that denomination."

"You will be if you tie to us," suggested the tempter. "Thousand-dollar bills will be as common in Helena in a few days as nickels in a contribution box. I'm about out of 'em myself, but the old man's bringing in a stack to-night. They come in right handy for contingent expenses."

"I suppose so," a.s.sented Blair, pocketing the money with a fine air of preoccupation that made the Honorable William smile the smile of the canary-nourished cat. "If there's any money going I'd like to get my share of it, of course, if it could be done without my sister knowing it. But I'll not vote for Burroughs until the last one. Perhaps then I'll see about changing if you are sure that you have a majority."

Moore rapidly ran over a list of names. "Will that satisfy you?" he demanded. "You see, I trust you. Every man I have named will vote for Burroughs whenever I say so. I may never call on them all--I won't unless I have to. But"--the pause was purposely impressive--"they are to have their money whether they are called upon or not, and so will you, provided that Burroughs is elected."

"You'll never make me believe that Joe Hall can be bought--not until I hear him give his vote for Robert Burroughs. I notice you have him listed. He hates Bob more than I do, and that's saying a good deal."

"He was the easiest one of the whole bunch. He was the cheapest, and he's afraid he won't earn his money."

"Does Burroughs sanction all this?" Senator Blair was amazed, not so much at the men bought as at the sum total that must have been expended.

Why was Burroughs so anxious to go to Congress? He did not need the money that was popularly supposed to accrue to senators in Washington from land grants, timber lands and other large steals; he had millions already.

"Well, he's putting up the dough, but I don't trouble him with all the minor details," admitted Moore.

"Bob's not the only one who's offering good money for votes," said Blair.

"Who has approached you?"

"That's like asking who yelled fire at a theater. There are some seven candidates, and a thousand workers--I can't name them all."

"We expect to pay every member who votes for Burroughs--of his own party or not. The man who votes for him without being paid is a fool."

"Might as well have a red flag of auction placed on the speaker's desk."

Senator Blair was inclined to moralize.

"Money is a legitimate source of influence in a Legislature." Moore was on the defensive.

"I judge that you think so, if no one else. But, see here! I can't vote for Burroughs, any way I see it!" (Moore thought of his vanished thousand-dollar bill!) "I've promised Danvers to vote for the Governor.

My friendship for Phil--you know he saved my sister's life----"

"Friendship be d.a.m.ned! What difference does it make when you can get cash and get it easy? Say!" Moore leaned forward in his earnestness. "If you've been approached before, let me get my work in." He held up ten fingers as indicative of what he would pay.

"Ten thousand dollars doesn't make much of a stir in Montana," spoke Blair, scornfully.

"Fifteen, then!" The senator's eyes narrowed. "Twenty? Come, now! How's that? Burroughs will pay it. No one else has got that, Charlie."

"If Burroughs is good for twenty thousand, he's good for more."

"How much do you want? Spit it out!" The briber was disgusted. This was not the Blair whom he had known in Fort Benton days.

"I'm not soliciting nor making a proposition. But if my vote is worth anything it's worth twenty-five thousand--yes, thirty thousand dollars!"

Blair, for the first time, looked Burroughs' manager in the eye. If he got that sum he could leave Montana--and not alone!

"Are you mad?" Moore was aghast. Even his own rapacity had not thought to hold up Burroughs for such a sum. Thirty thousand dollars for speaking a man's name in joint a.s.sembly! Thus he interpreted selling a vote.

"No, I'm not mad. But that is my price." Blair also rose, unexpectedly committed to a fixed statement.

"You'll never get it!" roared Moore. "I'll see you d.a.m.ned first! We'll find others who aren't so high-priced! You have over-reached this time, Charlie Blair!" And they parted in unfriendly fashion.

The next day the Honorable Mr. Moore notified Mrs. Latimer that all she had done for Mr. Burroughs would avail nothing if she failed to secure the vote of Senator Blair.

[Ill.u.s.tration]

Chapter XI

The Chinese Legend

"Well, well, well! What does this mean?" The doctor looked in amazement at Miss Blair as she opened the door to his rap, the same evening that Moore gave his dinner to her brother. Traces of tears were to be seen; indeed, more tears seemed ready to fall, despite her effort to restrain them.

"Come right in, doctor!" Winifred made no pretense of answering his question, but busily engaged herself in pulling the easiest chair to the cheerful grate fire. "I believe that I am more glad to see you than anyone else in the world," she added, affectionately, as she motioned her caller to the comfortable corner. "Now we'll have a nice, long, cozy evening."

"What does this mean?" repeated the doctor, with the privilege of friendship, not to be put off.

"You should know better than to ask a woman why her eyes are red--it isn't polite! Are mine very red?" she asked, ruefully. Before he could answer: "Let us talk of Fort Benton, and of what good times we'll have when we are there again to live happy ever after. Really, I mean it,"

she said, earnestly, seeing his questioning face. "I want to forget--everything but Fort Benton."

Still her visitor looked at her keenly, until she sat silent under his scrutiny. He was not deceived. Nevertheless he humored her for the moment, knowing that she was no match for his astuteness when the time came to probe her hurt.

"Fort Benton, eh? You know the weak spot of the old doctor, you 'rastical'," whimsically. Then, more seriously: "I, too, wish we were there. Like you, I am sick of Helena. We were all happier, better off, in the little old trading-post--before--the railroads came." He ascribed all evils to the course of empire as exemplified in the steel rails of commerce. "The Latimers, the Burroughs, the Halls, Bill Moore, you and Charlie--every one of you moved away. Phil and I are the only ones left; and since he is in the Legislature I spend almost as much time in Helena as at Fort Benton."

"There's Mr. O'Dwyer."

"I forgot him. Yes, O'Dwyer stays near Danvers--he left the Police to go to him, you know." As he looked around the room he asked, "Where's Charlie to-night?"

"He's dining with Mr. Moore at the club."

"With Moore?" The doctor, surprised, repeated her words.

"Yes. I--didn't know--they weren't friends."

Something in her hesitation gave her visitor an opportunity to ask: "You do not care very much for the Honorable William?"

"No, I do not!" came the quick response.

"Yet he is accounted quite a ladies' man; and," tentatively, "I can see that he is quite infatuated."

"He can get un-infatuated," interrupted Winifred, with no pretense of misunderstanding.

The doctor was pleased at this outburst. He had been an observer of advances and repulses between these two. Now he was thinking of another affair whose recent complications were giving him much concern.