His frankness and the sincere admiration that shone in his eyes caused her to falter momentarily, almost made her weaken in her purpose, but she made an effort and secured a firmer grip on herself, for she must play a rôle that would crush to earth the air castles this young secretary was building, a rôle that would crush the ideals of this young optimist as well.
Carolina had come to find out from Haines, if possible, how her father was going to vote on the naval base and to induce the secretary to persuade him to stand for Altacoola—if there seemed danger that he would vote for another site. That was her scheme, for Carolina had put $25,000 into Altacoola land—money left by her mother. Norton had persuaded Carolina to invest in the enterprise to defraud the Government, promising her $50,000 clear profit. How much she could do in Washington society with that!
The continued uncertainty over her father's final attitude had strained her nerves almost to the breaking, for the success of the conspiracy depended on his vote. Not even the words of Norton, her future husband, could reassure her. Her worry was increased by the knowledge of Randolph's investment of her father's $50,000.
That Carolina must sacrifice Haines on the altar of her consuming desire for money, for a higher worldly position, was an unimportant consideration. He stood in the way. Any moment he might discover the existence of the Altacoola scheme, he would immediately tell her father, and she knew her father would immediately decide against Altacoola—the bright hopes of her future would turn to ashes. Norton's money as well was invested in Altacoola. He, too, would be ruined. She was sure that she loved Norton, but she could not marry a penniless man.
Carolina resumed the conversation.
"It isn't anything so very important, Mr. Haines. It's about father."
Haines beamed.
"I have the honor to report, Miss Langdon," he bowed, "that your father is making the very best kind of a Senator."
The girl hesitated.
"Yes; he might, if he had some ambition."
"Don't worry! If it comes down to that, I have ambition for two. You want him to be a success, don't you? Well, he is the biggest kind of a success."
"I never believed that he would be," confessed the daughter.
Haines laughed.
"Why, do you realize that to-day he is one of the most popular men in public life throughout the country; that 'What does Langdon think?' has become the watchword of the big body of independents who want honesty and decent government without graft?
"I tell you that's a big thing, Miss Langdon. That's success—real success in politics, especially in Washington politics.
"Now, if there's anything else you want him to have, I'll see that he gets it I'll try to get it for him"—he paused a minute, then added, with heartfelt meaning in his voice—"and for you, Miss Langdon."
Carolina played coquettishly with the secretary.
"For me, Mr. Haines?" she questioned, archly, with an effective glance into his eyes.
Bud's pulses began to throb violently—to leap.
"Yes," he exclaimed, unsteadily, "for you, and you know it. That's the inspiration now, my inspiration—the chance of winning your belief in me, of winning something more, the biggest thing I ever thought to win—because, Miss Langdon—Carolina—I love you." He bent over and seized the girl's hand. "Ever since the day I first saw you I—"
She shook her head indulgently and in a moment drew her hand from his.
"You mustn't be so serious, Mr. Haines. You don't understand Southern girls at all. We are not just like Northern girls. We are used to being made love to from the time we are knee-high. Sometimes, I fear, we flirt a little, but we don't mean any harm. All girls flirt—a little."
"But somebody wins even the Southern girls," declared Haines, eagerly.
The girl's face became serious, earnest, sincere.
"Yes, somebody does, always," she said. "And when a Southern girl is won she stays won, Mr. Haines."
"And I have a chance to win?" questioned the determined youngNortherner.
Carolina smiled sweetly and expressively.
"Who knows? First make my father even a bigger success—that's first. Oh, I wonder if you can realize what all this life means to me! If you can realize what those years of stagnating on the plantation meant to me! No man would have endured it!" she exclaimed bitterly. "I am more of a man than a woman in some ways; I'm ambitious. From the time I was a little girl I've wanted the world, power, fame, money. I want them still. I mean to get them somehow, anyhow. If I can't get them myself, some one must get them for me."
"And love?" suggested the man. "You are leaving love out. Suppose I get all these things for you?"
Bud's pounding heart almost stopped. He could scarcely gain his breath as he saw creep into Carolina's eyes what he believed to be the light of hope for him, the light even of a woman's promise.
"Who knows, Mr. Haines? There's no reward guaranteed. There may be others trying," she answered.
Haines laughed—the strong, hopeful, fighting laugh of the man who would combat the boss of the Senate on ground of the boss' own choosing.
"All right!" he cried. "If it's an open fight I'll enlist. I'll give them all a run. What are your orders?"
Carolina appeared indifferent.
"I don't know that I have any particular orders, sir knight, except to see that my father does all he can for the Altacoola naval base."
Haines paused, seized by a sudden tremor.
"The Altacoola naval base?" he stammered. "Well, all I can say is that the Senator will do what he thinks right. That might bring power and fame—a right decision in this case—but it can't bring money."
Carolina shrugged her shoulders.
"Money?" She laughed with affected carelessness. "Well, we'll have to let the money take care of itself for a time. But I do want him to vote for Altacoola, because I believe that will be the best for him. You believe in Altacoola, don't you?"
Haines hesitated, then answered:
"Well, between the two sites merely as sites Altacoola seems to me rather better."
Miss Langdon held out her hand impulsively.
"Then it will be Altacoola!" she cried. "Thank you, Mr. Haines. We are partners, then, for Altacoola."
The young man grasped her hand earnestly.
"I'd like to be your partner for good, Carolina!" he cried.
They stood there close together, holding each other's hands, looking into each other's eyes, when the door opened and in came Charles Norton.
Congressman Norton was startled at the sight of Carolina and Haines apparently so wrapped up in each other. Perhaps she was getting interested in the handsome, interfering secretary. That a woman sometimes breaks her promise to wed he well knew. Plainly Carolina was carrying things too far for a girl who was the promised wife of another.
Carolina and Haines showed surprise at Norton's entrance.
The Congressman advanced and spoke sneeringly, his demeanor marking him to be in a dangerous mood.
"Do I intrude?" he drawled, deliberately.
Carolina drew away her hands from Haines and faced the newcomer.
"Intrude!" she exclaimed, contemptuously, in a tone that Norton construed as in his favor and Haines in his own.
"Intrude!" Haines laughed, sarcastically, feeling that now he was leader in the race for love against this Mississippi representative, who was, he knew, a subservient tool and a taker of bribes. "You surely do intrude, Norton. Wouldn't any man who had interrupted a tête-á-tête another man was having with Miss Langdon be intruding?"
"I suppose I can't deny that," he replied.
The secretary smiled again.
"I'll match you to see who stays," he said.
But Norton's turn to defeat his rival had come. He held out a paper toHaines.
"Senator Langdon gave me this for you. I reckon I don't have to match."
The secretary opened the note to read:
"Where in thunder does that hydrate come from—South America orRussia? How much off on the tariff on the creature do we want?Come over to the committee room, where I am, right away. Say it'san urgent message and get in with a tip."
The secretary looked up, with a laugh.
"You win, Norton. I'm off. Good-by." And he started on a run to theSenator's aid.
Norton turned angrily on the girl as the door closed.
"See here, Carolina," he cried, "what do you mean by letting that fellow make love to you?"
Carolina Langdon would not permit rebuke, even from the man she cared for. She tossed back her head and said, coolly:
"Why shouldn't I let him make love to me if I choose?"
"You know why," exclaimed Norton, his dark face flushing sullenly. "Because I love you and you love me!" And he seized her and pressed her to him. "That is why!" he cried, and he kissed her again and again.
"Yes, I love you, Charlie; you know that," Carolina said, simply. She was conquered by the Southerner's masterfulness.
"Then why do you stand for that whippersnapper's talk?" asked Norton, perplexedly.
Carolina laughed.
"Don't you see, Charlie, I have to stand for it? I have to stand for it for your sake, for Randolph's sake, for my own sake, for all our sakes. You know the influence he has over father.
"He can make father do anything he wants, and suppose I don't lead him on? Where's our project? Let him suspect a thing and let him go to father, and you know what will happen. Father would turn against that Altacoola scheme in a moment. He'd beggar himself, if it were necessary, rather than let a single one of us make a dollar out of a thing he had to decide."
"You're right, I reckon, Carolina," said Norton, dejectedly. "Your father is a real type of the Southern gentleman. He hasn't seen any real money in so long he can't even bear to think of it. Somebody's got to make money out of this, and we should be the ones."
"We'd lose frightfully, Charlie, if they changed to Gulf City, wouldn't we?" said the girl, apprehensively. "I'm horribly afraid sometimes, Charlie. That's why I came here to-day. I wanted to influence Haines, to keep him straight. Is there any danger that they'll change? You don't think there is, do you?"
"Of course not, child. Stevens has got his money in, and Peabody.There are only five on the committee. It's bound to go through."
"Then why is father so important to them?" asked Carolina.
"It's past my understanding, Carolina. I don't see how he's done it, but the whole country has come to believe whatever your father does is right, and they've got to have him."
"And father is completely under the domination of this secretary," murmured the girl, thoughtfully.
Norton nodded.
"We've got to get rid of him, Carolina. That's all there is to it. He has to go! When it comes to bossing the Senator and making love to you, too, he's getting too strong."
"How can you do it?" she asked. "You know when father likes any one he won't believe a thing against him."
Norton agreed, sorrowfully.
"That's right. Seems like the Senator's coming to think more of this fellow than he does of his own family. Why, I wouldn't be surprised if he'd even let one of you girls marry him if he wanted to marry you."
"We'd have something to say about that," Carolina laughed, amusedly."Do you think that Hope or I could ever care for a man like thisfellow? Of course not. This Altacoola business must go through right.It would be too cruel not to have it so. And then—"
"And then you and I'll be married at once, Carolina, whether your father likes it or not," ended Norton for her. "With Altacoola safe, we can do as we please, as between us we'll be rich. What does it matter how we get the money, as long as we get it?"
Bud returned to find Miss Langdon and Norton still in the room. New buoyancy, new courage, thrilled in his veins. He would give this Congressman the battle of his life for this prize, of that he was confident.
"I have an engagement with Mrs. Holcomb, Senator Holcomb's wife," she said, "so I must hurry away, but I expect to be back to see father."
"I think I'll just wait," suggested Norton. "I have to see the Senator as soon as possible, and he ought to return from that ways and means committee meeting pretty soon."
When Carolina had gone a slight feeling of constraint settled over the two.
"The Senator's pretty busy these days with his naval base matter coming up, isn't he?"
"Yes; keeps him pretty busy receiving delegations from Altacoola and Gulf City and patting them both on the back," said Haines. "Had a man from Gulf City in this morning with some pretty strong arguments."
The secretary watched Norton keenly to note the effect of this hint in favor of Gulf City."
"Gulf City!" Norton sneered. "Shucks! Who'd put a naval base on a bunch of mud flats? I reckon those Gulf City fellows are wasting their time."
"Think so?" suggested Haines. "Are you absolutely sure?"
Norton started.
"Why, you don't mean to tell me," he exclaimed, "that Senator Langdon would vote for Gulf City for the naval base?"
"I don't mean to tell you anything, Congressman," was the cool rejoinder. "It's not my business. The Senator's the one who does the talking."
An ugly sneer wrinkled the Congressman's face.
"Well, I'm glad he attends to his own business and doesn't trust too many people," he said pointedly.
The secretary smiled in puzzling fashion.
"That's exactly why I don't talk, Congressman," he said pleasantly. "The Senator doesn't trust too many people. If he did, there might be too much money made out of land speculation. Senator Langdon doesn't happen to be one of those Senators who care for that kind of thing."
"I suppose you think you're pretty strong with the Senator," ventured the Mississippian.
"Tell you the truth, I haven't thought very much about it," replied Haines, "but, if you come right down to it, I guess I am pretty strong."
"Suppose you've influenced him in the naval base business, then."
Still the secretary smiled, keeping his temper under the adroit attack.
"Well, I think he'd listen to me with considerable interest."
"But you're for Altacoola, of course."
Haines shook his head.
"No, I can't say that I'm for Altacoola. Fellow who was in here this morning put up a pretty good argument, to my mind, for Gulf City. In fact, he made it pretty strong. Seemed to show it was all to my interest to go in with Gulf City. Think I'll have to investigate a little more. I tell you, Norton," spoke Haines in a confidential manner, "this land speculation fever is a frightful thing. While I was talking to this fellow from Gulf City I almost caught it myself. Probably if I met the head of the Altacoola speculation I might catch the fever from him too."
"Why don't you put your money into Gulf City and lose it, then?" replied Norton, nodding his head scornfully. "That'd be a good lesson for a rising young politician like you."
Senator Langdon's secretary peered straight into Norton's eyes.
"Because, Congressman," he said, "if I were to put my money in GulfCity perhaps I wouldn't lose it."
The Southerner took a step forward, leaned over and glared angrily atHaines. His face whitened.
"You don't mean that you could swing Langdon into Gulf City?" he gasped.
Haines smiled.
"I can't say that, Norton, but I guess people interested in Altacoola would hate to have me try."
"I didn't know you were that kind, Haines," said Norton, his virtue aroused at the thought of losing his money. "So you're playing the game like all the rest?"
"Why shouldn't I?" shrugged the secretary. "I guess perhaps I'm a little sore because the Altacoola people haven't even paid me the compliment of thinking I had any influence, so they can't expect me to work for them. The Gulf City people have. As things stand, Gulf City looks pretty good to me."
"Is this straight talk?" exclaimed Norton.
"Take it or leave it," retorted Bud.
The Mississippian leaned with his hands on the desk.
"Well, Haines, if you're like the rest and are really interested inAltacoola, I don't know that you'd have to go very far to talk."
"You know something of Altacoola lands, then, Norton?" said Robert, tingling with suppressed excitement. He felt that he was getting close to real facts in a colossal "deal."
Norton was sure of his man now.
"Well, I am in touch with some people who've got lands and options on more. I might fix it for you to come in," he whispered.
Haines shook his head.
"You know I haven't much money, Norton. All I could put in would be my influence. Who are these people? Are they cheap little local folks or are they real people here who have some power and can do something that is worth while?"
"Do I look like I'd fool with cheap skates, Haines? They're the real people. I think, Haines, that either Senator Stevens or Senator Peabody would advise you that you are safe."
"Ah! Then Stevens and Peabody are the ones. They'll make it Altacoola, then sell to the Government at a big advance and move to 'Easy Street.'"
"That's right," agreed Norton.
Bud Haines straightened abruptly. The expression on his face gaveNorton a sudden chill—made him tremble.
"Now I've got you," cried the secretary. "You've given yourself dead away. I've known all along you're a d—d thief, Norton, and you've just proved it to me yourself."
"What do you mean?" Norton was clenching his fist. "Words like that mean fight to a Southerner!"
"I mean that before Senator Langdon goes one step further in this matter he shall know that his colleagues and you are thieves, Mr. Norton, trying to use him for a cat's-paw to steal for them from the Government. I suspected something this morning when Gulf City tried to bribe me and a visitor from there gave me what turns out to be a pretty good tip."
"So that was your dirty trick," exclaimed the Congressman as he regained his composure.
"Set a make-believe thief to catch a real one," laughed the secretary."Very good trick, I think."
"I'll make you pay for that!" cried Norton, shaking his fist.
"All right. Send in your bill any old time," laughed Haines. "The sooner the better. Meantime I'm going to talk to Langdon."
He had started for the door when Carolina Langdon re-entered, followed by her brother Randolph.
"Wait a minute," said Norton, with unexpected quietness. "I wouldn't do what you're about to do, Mr. Haines."
"Of course you wouldn't," sneered Haines.
"I mean that you will be making a mistake, Haines, to tell the Senator what you have learned," rejoined the Southerner, struggling to keep calm at this critical moment when all was at stake. He realized, further, that now was the time to put Haines out of the way—if that were possible. "A mistake, Mr. Haines," he continued, "because, you see, you don't know as much as you think. I wouldn't talk to Langdon if I were you. It will only embarrass him and do no good, because Langdon's money is in this scheme, too, and Langdon's in the same boat with the rest of us."
Haines stopped short at this astounding charge against his chief.
"Norton, you lie! I'll believe it of Langdon when he tells me so; not otherwise."
Norton turned to Randolph.
"Perhaps you'll believe Mr. Langdon's son, Mr. Haines?"
Randolph Langdon stepped forward.
"It's true, Haines," he said; "my father's money is in Altacoola lands."
Haines looked him up and down, with a sneer.
"Yourmoney may be," he said. "I don't think you're a bit too good for it, but your father is a different kind."
Carolina Langdon stood at the back of the room, nervously awaiting the moment when, she knew, she would be forced into the unpleasant discussion.
"I reckon you can't refuse to believe Miss Langdon," drawled Norton, with aggravated deliberation.
"Of course," stammered Haines, "I'd believe it if Miss Langdon says it's so."
The Congressman turned toward Carolina as he spoke and fixed on her a tense look which spelled as plainly as though spoken, "It's all in your hands, my fortune—yours."
She slowly drew across the room. Haines could hardly conceal the turmoil of his mind. The world seemed suddenly snatched from around him, leaving her figure alone before him. Would she affirm what Norton and Randolph had said? He must believe her. But surely it was impossible that she—
Carolina played for time. She feared the making of a false move.
"I don't understand?" she said inquiringly to Norton.
He calmly began an elaborate explanation.
"Miss Langdon, this secretary has discovered that there is a certain perfectly legitimate venture in Altacoola lands being carried on through certain influential people we know and by me. The blood of the young reformer is boiling. He is going straight to your father with the facts.
"I have tried to explain to him how it will needlessly embarrass the Senator and spoil his own future. He won't believe me. He won't believe your brother. Perhaps you can make it clear."
At last Carolina nerved herself to speak.
"You had better not go to my father, Mr. Haines. It will do no good.He—is—in—the deal! You must believe me when I tell you so."
The girl took her eyes from the secretary. He was plainly suffering.
"Let me speak to Mr. Haines alone," said Carolina to Norton and her brother.
Norton turned a triumphant grin at Randolph as he beckoned him out and whispered: "Leave him to her. It's all right. That New York dude has been riding for a fall—he's going to get it now."
"I am sorry, so sorry this should have occurred, Mr. Haines," Carolina said gently.
The secretary looked up slowly, his face drawn. It was an effort for him to speak.
"I can't understand it," he said. "I mightn't have thought so much of this a month ago, but I have come to love the Senator almost as a son, and to think that he could be like the rest of that bunch is awful."
"You are too much of an idealist, Mr. Haines," said the girl.
"And you? What do you think of it?" he demanded.
The girl's glance wavered.
"Don't idealize me too much, either, Mr. Haines. I didn't think it was much. Perhaps I don't understand business any too well."
"But you see now?" insisted the man.
The girl looked up at him sorrowfully.
"Yes; I see at least that you and father can never work together now."
Haines nodded affirmatively.
"I suppose so. I'm thinking of that. How am I to leave him? We've been so close. I've been so fond of him. I don't know how I could tell him."
In girlish, friendly fashion Carolina rested her hand on his arm.
"Won't you take my advice, Mr. Haines? Go away without seeing him. Just leave a note to say you have gone. He will understand. It will be easier for both that way—easier for him, easier for you." She paused, looking at him appealingly as she ended very softly, "And easier for me, Mr. Haines."
He looked at her thoughtfully.
"Easier for you?" he said. "Very well, I'll do it that way."
The secretary stepped slowly to his desk, sat down and started to write the note. Carolina watched him curiously.
"What will you do," she asked, "now that you have given up this position?"
"Oh, I can always go back to newspaper work," he answered without looking up.
The term "newspaper work" gave Carolina a shock. She had forgotten that this man had been a reporter. Here he was turned loose with the knowledge of this "deal," which she knew would be popular material for newspapers to print. She must gain still another point, and she felt that she had enough power to win against him.
"I'm going to ask you still another favor," she said.
Bud returned her look with a bitter smile.
"What is it?"
"You have learned about this—this land matter and—"
"Oh, yes! I can guess. You want me to keep quiet about it—to hush it up," a shade of scorn in his tone.
"I only asked this so that you would not disgrace me," she pleaded.
Disillusioned at last, robbed of his lifelong optimism, shorn of his ideals, even his love—for he began to despise this beautiful, misguided woman—Haines sat broken in spirit, thinking how quickly the brightness of life fades to blackness.
"Very well," he said sadly. "I supposeyouare innocent. I'll save you. If they're all—your father, too—crooked, why shouldn't I be crooked? All right; I won't say anything."
"I only ask you not to disgrace me," pleaded the girl. "You will promise that?"
"It's a promise."
She sighed in relief.
"Father will be coming back soon," she said. "You won't want to see him."
Haines arose.
"No, I won't want to see him. Give him this note. I'll have to come back while he's away to clear up some things. Good-by."
Haines bowed and hurried from the room through a side doorway just asSenator Langdon came in through the main entrance.
"Bud! Bud!" he called, but the secretary did not halt.
Carolina Langdon stood with Haines' note in her hand, wondering at what she had done. She regretted having become entangled in the wars of men in Washington. She saw that the man's game was played too strongly, too furiously fast, for most women to enter, yet she rejoiced that the coveted fortune had not been lost. She was sorry that her means of saving it had not been less questionable. She saw that ambition and honesty, ambition and truth, with difficulty follow the same path.
Senator Langdon's face was unusually grave as he came to greet Carolina. Lines showed in his face that the daughter had never noticed before.
She saw Norton and Randolph, who had followed him, exchange significant glances—jubilant glances—and wondered what new development they had maneuvered.
"He's gone without a word," the Senator sighed. "Well, perhap's that's best."
"He left a note for you," said the girl, handing him the letter whichHaines had given her.
Langdon opened it and read:
"I am giving up the job. You can understand why. The least said about it between us the better. I am sorry. That's all. BUD HAINES."
Slowly he read the letter a second time.
"And he was making the best kind of a secretary, I thought."
Divining that something against Haines had been told her father,Carolina glanced at Norton.
"I told your father how we caught Mr. Haines," he spoke as an answer to her.
The girl was startled. She had not thought that things would go this far.
"I told him how Haines wanted to get in some land speculation scheme with Altacoola, how we tricked him and caught him with the goods when he made the proposition to me and how we forced him to confess."
"You told father that?" gasped Carolina.
Norton nodded.
"I don't understand it," said Langdon. "To think that he was that kind!"
Son Randolph now took his turn in the case against the secretary.
"We were both here, father. I heard him—Carolina heard him," he said."Didn't you, Carolina?"
"Yes," said the girl weakly, "I was here." Then she turned abruptly. "I must go," she said, "must go right away. Mrs. Holcomb is waiting for me."
The Senator turned to his desk bent and discouraged.
"I suppose I should have taken a secretary who was a Southerner and a gentleman. Well, Randolph, you'll have to act now. Take this letter—"
The young man sat down and took the following from the Senator's diction:
"Sir: I quite understand your feelings and the impossibility of your continuing in my employ. The least said about it the better. I am sorry, too.
"You boys run away. I've got to think," said the Senator.
When the pair had gone the old man drew the letter to him, and below his signature he added a postscript: "Don't forget there's some money coming to you."
Walking across the room to leave, he sighed:
"He was making the best kind of a secretary."
Later in that never-to-be-forgotten day Bud Haines ventured back to his desk in the committee room, after first ascertaining that Senator Langdon would not return. Some of the Senator's papers must be straightened out, and he wanted personal documents of his own.
The secretary regretfully, sorrowfully performed these final duties and found himself stopping at various intervals to try to explain to himself how he had been deceived in both the Langdons, father and daughter. He had to give up both problems. To him neither was explainable. "I've known enough Senators to know that I'd never meet an honest one," he muttered. "But as to women—well, there's too much carefully selected wisdom in their innocence to suit me."
This cynic, new born from the shell of the chronic idealist that was, suddenly was disturbed in his ruminations by a sound at the door. Looking up, he saw Hope Georgia Langdon standing, shyly, embarrassed, in the main entrance.
"Mr. Haines," she said, timidly.
Bud jumped to his feet.
"Yes, Miss Hope Georgia."
As the Senator's younger daughter came toward him he noticed that she was excited over something, and for a newly made cynic he took altogether too much notice of her youthful beauty, her fresh, rosy complexion and her dancing, sparkling eyes. The thought occurred to him, "What a woman she will make—if she doesn't imitate her sister!"
"I couldn't let you go, Mr. Haines, without telling you good-by and letting you know that, no matter what the others say, I don't think there has been anything wrong."
Before Haines could reply, the young girl rushed on, excitedly:
"That's why I came. I know father and Carolina won't like it—they won't think it's nice—but I wanted to say to you that I don't think one ought to believe things against one you've liked and trusted."
"You think one ought not," said Haines. "So do I; but in this case the proofs were very strong. What are you going to do when people you can't doubt pledge their word?"
The girl tossed her head.
"Well, the only one's word I'd like to take would be the person accused. I know I'm only a girl, Mr. Haines, and I'm not grown up, but you've made a mistake. Do try to clear things up. Why don't you see father and talk with him? Please do, Mr. Haines."
Little realizing that the girl was speaking in his own favor, for he knew not the need for such speaking, he believed her to be defending her father. He grasped her hands impulsively.
"You have grown up very much since you came to the capital, haven't you?" he said. "And you are right, Miss Hope. I ought to have known even when the facts were against him that your father couldn't have been really crooked. He can't be."
Hope Langdon's face flushed indignantly.
"Father crooked? Who said so? Who dared say that?" she exclaimed.
"Why, they told me he had sold out on the Altacoola bill. They said he was trying to make money on Altacoola. That's why I quit."
The flame of anger still was spread on the girl's face.
"They said that!" she exclaimed. "Then they lied. They said you were the crooked one. Why, father thinks you sold out on Altacoola. They said you were trying to make money on that navy yard."
"What! They said I was crooked!" Haines fairly shouted. He rushed around the desk and caught the girl by both hands.
"I see it!" he cried. "I see it! There's something I'm not just on to.You thought it was I; your father thinks—"
"Of course," exclaimed Hope, quite as excited as he. "I couldn't believe it. That's why I came back to get you to explain. I wanted you to disprove the charge."
"I should say I would," cried the secretary.
"I knew it! I knew it! They couldn't make me believe anything against you. I knew you were all I thought you. Oh, Mr. Haines, prove you are that for my—"
Then Hope Georgia abruptly stopped. She had lost her head, and in the enthusiasm of the moment had revealed her real feelings—something she would never do presumably when she grew more wise in the ways of women.
She suddenly thrust Haines' hands from her own and stood staring at him, wondering—wondering if he had guessed.
Strangely enough, under the circumstances, the girl was the first to recover and break the awkward silence.
"Come to our house to-night, Mr. Haines. There's to be a dinner and a musicale, as you know; but that won't matter. No matter who says no, I promise you that you shall see father. There shall be an explanation."
"Thank you, Miss Hope. You don't realize all you've done for me," said Bud, seriously. "It's a wonderful thing to find a girl who believes in a man. You've taught me a lot, Miss Hope. Thank you."
"Good-by, Mr. Haines. Come to-night," she said, as she turned and hurried away.
Bud Haines stood looking after her, thoughtfully.
"What a stunning girl she is! I've seemed to overlook her, with the rush of events—and Carolina," he murmured, softly. "We never were such very great friends, yet she believes in me. What a beauty she is!"
A messenger boy broke in on his musings with a letter for SenatorLangdon marked "Important."
"Guess I'm secretary enough yet to answer this," he thought, tearing it open.
"Great heavens!" he exclaimed as he read it. "Here's the chance to get to the bottom of this Altacoola proposition. It's from Peabody."
Haines read the following:
"DEAR SENATOR LANGDON: I am going to Philadelphia to-night. Urgent call from a company for which I am counsel, so I probably won't be able to confer with you regarding the committee's choice for the naval base. But I know you are for Altacoola and trust to you to do all you can for that site. I, of course, consider the matter definitely settled."
* * * * *
"This situation will enable Langdon to bluff Peabody and draw out of him all the inside of the Altacoola business—ought to, anyway. Guess some Gulf City talk will smoke him out."
Haines rushed out and across the hall, to reappear literally hauling in a stenographer by the scruff of the neck. "Here, you, take this dictation—record time," he cried:
"SENATOR HORATIO PEABODY, Louis Napoleon Hotel: You are going to Philadelphia to-night, I know, leaving the report on the naval base to me. I have just come on various aspects of the situation which make me incline very favorably toward Gulf City. I am looking into the matter and, of course, shall act according to my best judgment. That is what you will want me to do, I know. Sincerely yours,
"I don't think Senator Peabody will go to Philadelphia to-night," laughed Haines grimly, as he addressed the envelope, "and I think that when the 'boss of the Senate' hurries around to the Langdon house instead there will be more than one kind of music, more than one kind of food eaten—perhaps crow—before the evening is over."
Seizing his hat, Bud rushed to the door to look up a messenger.
"It's all in Langdon's hands now," he cried. "Here's where I resign my position as United States Senator."
Senator Langdon's dinners had well won popularity in Washington. Invitations to them were rarely answered by the sending of "regrets." He had brought his old Mississippi cook from the plantation, whose Southern dishes had caused the Secretary of State himself to make the Senator an offer for the chef's services. "No use bidding for old General Washington," said the Senator on that notable occasion. "He wouldn't leave my kitchen, sir, even to accept the presidency itself. Why, I couldn't even discharge him if I wanted to. I tried to let him go once, sir, and the old general made me feel so ashamed of myself that I actually cried, sir."
Peabody and Stevens were the dinner guests to-night, as they were to confer afterward with Langdon and settle on the action of the naval affairs committee regarding the naval base. The three, being a majority, could control the action of the committee.
Senator Peabody had finally postponed leaving for Philadelphia until the midnight train in order to be present, he assured Langdon as the trio entered the library. The girls, Norton and Randolph were left to oversee preparations for the prominent Washingtonians invited to attend the musicale to be given later in the evening.
Carolina and Hope Georgia were in distinctly different moods—the elder, vivacious, elated over the bright outlook for her future; the younger, cast down and wearing a worried expression. Norton and Randolph in jubilant spirit tried to cheer her, and failing, resorted to taunts about some imaginary love affair.
The courage of the afternoon, which had enabled her to speak to Haines as she had, was gone; girlish fears now swept over her as to the outcome of the evening. Haines had not come! Was he really guilty and had promised to come merely to get rid of her? Why was he late? If he did come, would she be able to have her father see him, as she had promised? If she failed, and she might, she would never see this young man again.
"If I looked as unhappy as you, Hope, I'd go to bed and not discourage our guests as they arrive," Carolina suggested. "Our floral decorations alone for to-night cost $700, and the musical program cost over $3,000. The most fashionable folks in Washington coming—what more could you want, Hope? Isn't it perfectly glorious? Why—"
"Mr. Haines is below, asking to see Senator Langdon," announced a servant, entering.
"Oh, I knew he'd come! I knew it! I knew it!" cried Hope Georgia in pure ecstasy, clapping her hands.
The three plotters turned on the girl in amazement; then they stared at each other.
"Mr. Haines!" ejaculated Carolina.
"Haines!" exclaimed Randolph, hurriedly leaving the room.
"Haines!" sneered Norton. "We can take care of him. The Senator won't see him."
Carolina caught the suggestion.
"Tell Mr. Haines that Senator Langdon regrets that he cannot possibly receive him," she directed.
"Carolina!"
There was a ring of protest and pain in Hope Georgia's voice as she darted out of the door after the servant.
"What's the matter with that girl?" asked Norton, trying to be calm.
Carolina shook her head.
"I don't know. She's queer to-day. I believe she imagines herself in love with Mr. Haines."
"Aren't you afraid she'll make trouble?"
The other sister laughed confidently.
"Little Hope make trouble? Of course not. If she does, we can always frighten her into obedience."
The door reopened and Hope entered, followed by Bud Haines. The girl's head was high; her cheeks were red; her eyes glittered ominously.
"I brought him back, Carolina," she said coolly. "Father will want to see him. I know there has been some mistake."
"Yes," supplemented Bud, "there has been a decided mistake, and I must refuse to accept the word that came to me from Senator Langdon."
Carolina Langdon drew herself up in her most dignified manner.
"I'm sorry, Mr. Haines, but you must accept it," she said.
"Exactly," seconded Norton. "Senator Langdon entirely declines to receive you."
"I don't trust anything you say, Congressman Norton, and I may say also that I recognize no right of yours to interfere in any affair between me and the Langdon family."
"Perhaps I can explain my right, Mr. Haines," Norton said coolly, stepping beside Carolina. "I have just had the pleasure of announcing to Miss Hope Georgia Langdon my engagement to Miss Carolina Langdon."
Haines, entirely unprepared for such a dénoûement, shot a searching glance at Carolina. She bowed her head in affirmation.
"So that's why you tried to ruin me!" he cried. "You're both from the same mold," turning from Carolina Langdon to Congressman Norton, then back to the girl.
They stood facing each other when Randolph Langdon returned. At sight of Bud Haines he started, stopped short a second, then came forward quickly.
"Mr. Haines, my father has declared that he will not see you, and either you leave this house at once or I shall call the servants."
Bud looked at young Langdon contemptuously.
"Yes, I think you would need some help," he sneered, feeling in his veins the rush of red blood, the determination in his heart that had a few years back carried him through eighty yards of struggling Yale football players to a touchdown.
The Senator's son drew back his arm, but the confident look of the NewYorker restrained him.
"Mr. Haines, in the South gentlemen do not make scenes of violence before ladies."
The cold rebuke of Carolina cut into the silence.
Haines stood in perplexity. He did not know what to do or how to get to the Senator. It was Hope who came to his rescue.
"I'll tell father you are here. I'll make him come, Mr. Haines. He shall see you."
With the air of a defiant little princess she started for the door.
"Hope, I forbid you doing any such thing," exclaimed her older sister, but the younger girl paid no attention. Randolph caught her arm.
"You shall not, Hope," he cried.
Hope Georgia struggled and pulled her arm free.
"I reckon I just got to do what seems right to me, Randolph," she exclaimed. "I reckon I've grown up to-night, and I tell you—I tell all of you"—she whirled and faced them—"there's something wrong here, and father is going to see Mr. Haines to-night, and they are going to settle it."
Norton alone was equal to the situation, temporarily at least.
"I'll be fair with you, Hope," he said reassuringly, and she stopped in her flight to the hall door. "I'll take Carolina and Randolph in to see the Senator, and we'll tell him Mr. Haines is here. Perhaps we had better tell the Senator," Norton suggested, beckoning to Carolina and her brother. "Let Mr. Haines wait here, and we will make the situation clear to the Senator."
"You'd better make it very clear," exclaimed the younger girl, "forI'm going to stay here with Mr. Haines until he has seen father."
The guilty trio, fearful of this new and unexplainable activity of Hope Georgia, slowly departed in search of Senator Langdon to make a last desperate attempt to prevent him from meeting this pestilential secretary that was—and might be again.
When the door closed after them Hope came down to the table where BudHaines was standing.
"Won't you sit down, Mr. Haines?" she said. "I'll—I'll try to entertain you until father comes," she said weakly, realizing that again she was alone with the man she loved.
Haines sat at a table in the reception-room, across from Hope Georgia, and his gratitude for her battle in his favor mingled with a realization of qualities in this young lady that he had never before noticed. Probably he did not know that what he had really seen in her that day and that evening was the sudden transition from girlhood to womanhood, her casting aside of thoughtless, irresponsive youth and the shouldering of the responsibilities of the grown woman who would do her share in the world's work.
He stared across in astonishment at this slip of a girl who had outwitted two resourceful men and an older sister of unquestioned ability.
"I do not recognize you, Miss Hope," he said finally.
"Perhaps you never looked at me before," she suggested archly, feeling instinctively that this was her hour; that the man she loved was at this moment thinking more about her than of anything else in the world.
Haines made a gesture of regret.
"That must be it," he agreed. Then he leaned forward eagerly. "But I'm looking at you now, and I like looking at you. I like what you've done for me."
"Oh, that was nothing, Mr. Haines," she exclaimed airily, her intuition telling her of her sway over the man.
"Nothing!" he exclaimed. "Well, it's more than any one ever did for me before. I've known lots of girls—"
"I don't doubt that, Mr. Haines," Hope interjected, with a light laugh.
"Yes, I say I've known lots of girls, but there's never been one who showed herself such a true friend as you have been. There's never been any one who believed in me this way when I was practically down and out."
"Perhaps you've never been down and out before, Mr. Haines, so they never had a chance to show whether they believed in you or not."
"That may be one reason," he answered. "I wonder why"—he paused—"I wonder why your sister Carolina did not believe in me."
"You were quite fond of her, weren't you?" the girl began, then stopped and turned away her head.
Haines gazed curiously at Hope.
"I was, yes. I even thought I loved her, but I soon saw my mistake. It wasn't love. It was only a kind of—"
Suddenly pausing, Bud Haines shot a swift glance at the girl.
"What wonderful hair you have, Miss Hope."
The girl smiled invitingly.
"Think so?"
"Yes," he declared earnestly. "I know so. I never noticed it before, but I guess lots of fellows down in Mississippi have."
Hope's tantalizing smile worried him. "I hope you are not secretly engaged too!" he exclaimed.
"No, oh, no!" she answered quickly, before she thought.
"Or in love?" he asked seriously.
Haines had stood up and was now leaning intently over the table. He realized the difference between the feeling he had had for Carolina and the tender emotion that thrilled him as he thought of the sweet girl before him. This time he knew he was not mistaken. He knew that he truly loved Hope Langdon.
"Or in love?" he asked again, anxious at her silence.
Hope looked at him slowly. A faint blush illumined her face.
"Oh, don't let's talk about me," she exclaimed.
"But I want to talk about you," he cried. "I don't want to talk about anything else. I must talk about you, and I'm going to talk whether you want to hear or not. You've believed in me when nobody else believed. You've fought for me when everybody else was fighting against me. You've shown that you think I am honest and worthy of a woman's faith. You fought your own family for me. Nobody has ever done for me what you have, and—and—"
He faltered, full of what he was about to say.
"And you're grateful," she ended.
He looked her squarely in the eyes as though to fathom her thoughts.Then he reached toward the girl and seized both her hands.
"Grateful nothing!" he cried. "I'm not grateful. I'm in love—in love with you. I want you—want you as I never wanted anything or anybody before, and I tell you I'm going to have you. Do you hear?"
Hope could not hide her agitation. The light in her eyes showed she was all a woman.
[Illustration: THE LANGDON FAMILY.]
"Oh, nothing in the world could happen as quickly as that, Mr.Haines!" she protested, with her last attempt at archness.
"Nothing could?" he threatened. "I'll show you."
He advanced quickly around the table, but the girl darted just beyond his grasp. Then she paused—and her lover gathered her in his arms.
"Hope, my dear, you are my own," was all he could say as he bent over to kiss the lips that were not refused to him.
Hope released herself from his fervent grasp.
"I love you, I do love you," she said fondly. "I believe in you, and father must too. You've got to straighten this tangle out now, for my sake as well as your own. Father will listen."
"It's all so strange, so wonderful, I can hardly understand it," beganHaines slowly, as he held the girl's hands.
Unknown to both, the door leading from the hall had opened to admit Senator Langdon into the lower end of the room. Surprised at the sight of the couple, so seriously intent on each other, he made a sudden gesture of anger, then, apparently changing his mind, advanced toward them.
"I believe you want to see me, sir," he said to Haines. "I hope you'll be brief. I have very little time to spare from my guests."
Hope's bosom fluttered timorously at the interruption. The man nervously stepped forward.
"I sha'n't take much of your time, Senator Langdon," he said. "There has been a misunderstanding, a terrible mistake. I am sure I can convince you."
Senator Langdon hesitated doubtfully, half turned toward Carolina,Randolph and Norton, who had followed him, and again faced Haines.
Hope pressed her father's arm and looked up into his face entreatingly. Randolph, observing this, quickly stepped close to the Senator's side, saying, "I can settle with this Mr. Haines for you."
Waving his son aside, the Senator finally spoke.
"I reckon there's been too many attending to my business and settling my affairs, Randolph," he said. "I think for a change I'll settle a few of my own. All of you children go out and leave me here with Mr. Haines."
When they were alone Haines faced the Senator and spoke determinedly.
"They told you I was not running straight," he said.
The Senator nodded, and the lines about his mouth deepened.
"Yes."
Bud Haines stiffened at the word. Every muscle in his body seemed to become rigid as he mentally vowed that he would retaliate against his traducers if it cost him his life to do it. Hope had informed him only too accurately, he now realized. Little did the Senator know that what he was now about to hear would give him one of the severest shocks of his life.
"They told me you weren't running straight," said Haines deliberately. "Now, neither one of us has been crooked, but somebody else has been, and this was the plan to keep us apart."
"Norton told me you were speculating in Altacoola lands," saidLangdon.
"And Norton told me the same of you," retorted Bud.
The Senator's face grew very serious.
"But my daughter, Miss Carolina Langdon, confirmed Norton's story."
Haines here faced the most difficult part of his interview. He hardly knew how to answer. His manhood rebelled against placing any blame on a woman. He revolted at the thought of ruining a father's faith in his daughter's honesty, especially when that father was the man he most admired, a man for whom he had genuine, deep-rooted affection. But it was necessary that the words be spoken.
"I hate to tell you, sir," he said in a low, uncertain voice, "that it was your daughter Carolina who made me believe this story told about you and vouched for by your son Randolph."
Langdon started back aghast. He stared at Haines and knew that he spoke the truth. Then his white head sank pathetically. Tears welled into the eyes of the planter, and this sturdy old fighting man dropped weakly into a chair, sobbing convulsively, broken in spirit and wearied in body.
At length Haines spoke to his stricken chief.
"I know it hurts," he said. "It hurt me to have to say it. Don't believe it until you get it out of Norton, but then you must do something."
Langdon came to his feet, mopping his cheeks. But there was no weakness in him now. Yes, he would do something. He would go after the thieves that had turned his own flesh and blood against him and root them all out—show them all up.
"Oh, I'll do something," he said grimly. "I'm going to make up for lost time. Of course, Norton is speculating. Who's behind him?"
"Stevens and Peabody, I'm positive," answered Haines, "and behind them is Standard Steel."
"What!" exclaimed Langdon. "Stevens in a swindle like this! Are you sure? How do you know?"
"A Gulf City man who couldn't carry his liquor gave me some clues, and I worked Norton into telling some more," answered the secretary. "Where is Peabody?"
"He's here now."
"Then he hasn't got my letter yet. I sent him a note and signed your name, Senator, to the effect that the Gulf City claims have been brought before you so strongly that you might vote for Gulf City."
Langdon was amazed.
"You sent that note," he exclaimed, "when you know Altacoola is the only proper place and Gulf City is a mud bank?"
The newspaper man smiled.
"Of course," he agreed, "but I had to get a rise out of Peabody. This will show where he stands."
"Oh," said Langdon, "I understand. Thanks, boy."
A servant entered with a note.
"For Senator Peabody, sir, marked 'Urgent.' The messenger's been hunting him for some hours."
Langdon looked shrewdly at Bud, then turned to the servant.
"You keep that note until I ring for you, then bring it to SenatorPeabody. Understand? No matter how urgent it's marked."
The man bowed.
"Yes, sir."
"Now tell Mr. Norton, Miss Langdon and Mr. Randolph to come here."
The Senator turned back to his secretary.
"I expect I'm going to be pretty busy the rest of the evening, Bud, so in case I forget to mention it again, remember to show up at your old desk in the morning."
"I will. Thank you, sir."
"You sent for us, Senator," said Norton, approaching with his two dupes.
"You are interested in Altacoola lands," the Senator angrily charged.
"I am, sir," he said.
"And you told Mr. Haines that I was interested in Altacoola lands?"
The schemer hesitated, and the Senator broke in on him in rage.
"Speak out, man! Tell the truth, if you can."
"I did," admitted the Congressman finally.
"Was there any particular reason for your not telling the truth?" demanded the Mississippian in threatening tone.
"I told the truth," replied Norton. "You are interested in them."
For an instant Langdon seemed about to step toward him, then he controlled himself.
"I didn't know it," he said.
"You have several things to learn, Senator," declared the Congressman.
"I have things to learn and things to teach," he said. "But go on. Why am I interested?"
"You are interested, Senator," replied the trickster, making his big play, "through your son, Randolph, who invested $50,000 of your money in Altacoola, and also through your daughter, Miss Carolina, who, acting on my advice, has put her own money—$25,000—in Altacoola land also."
For a moment Langdon was speechless. It was too much at first for the honest old Southerner to comprehend.
"You mean," he gasped at last, "that you induce a boy to put $50,000 in Altacoola land when you knew I had to vote on the bill? And you even let my daughter put her money in the same scheme?"
"Of course, I did. It was a splendid chance, and I let your son in for friendship and your daughter because she has done me the honor to promise to become my wife."
"What! You have my daughter's promise to marry you, you—"
"She admits it herself."
"Then I reckon here's where I lose a prospective son-in-law," sneeredLangdon. "But that's unimportant. Now, Norton, who's behind you?"
"I must decline to answer that."
Langdon looked at him sternly.
"Very well," he said. "You are too small to count. I'll find out for myself. Now you go to my study and wait there until I send for you. I must be alone with my children."
When Norton and Haines had left them, Langdon turned sadly to the two children who had disgraced him.
"Can you understand?" he said. "Do you know what you've done to me?"
"What, father? We've done nothing wrong!" protested Carolina.
"They told me it was perfectly legitimate," urged Randolph. "They said everybody—Peabody and Stevens and the rest—were in it, and Peabody is the boss of the Senate."
"Yes, my boy," assented the old planter, "he's the leader in the Senate, and that's the shameful part of all this—that a man of his high standing should set you so miserable an example."
Randolph Langdon was not a vicious lad, not a youth who preferred or chose wrongdoing for the increased rewards it offered. He was at heart a chivalrous, straightforward, trustful Southern boy who believed in the splendid traditions of his family and loved his father as a son should a parent having the qualities of the old hero of Crawfordsville. Jealous of his honor, he had been a victim of Norton's wiles because of the Congressman's position and persuasiveness, because this companion of his young days had won his confidence and had not hesitated to distort the lad's idea of what was right and what was wrong.