A Gentleman from Mississippi - Thomas A. Wise
"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 this
fellow? 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?"
CHAPTER XIV
WHEN A DAUGHTER BETRAYS HER FATHER
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 Gulf
City perhaps I wouldn't lose it."
The Southerner took a step forward, leaned over and glared angrily at
Haines. 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 in
Altacoola, 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 gave
Norton 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.
"_Your_ money 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.
CHAPTER XV
CAROLINA LANGDON'S ADVICE
"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 suppose _you_ are 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 as
Senator 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 which
Haines 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:
"MR. HAINES--
"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.
"WILLIAM H. LANGDON."
"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."
CHAPTER XVI
A RESCUE IN THE NICK OF TIME
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 Senator
Langdon 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,
"WILLIAM H. LANGDON."
"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."
CHAPTER XVII
THE CONSPIRATORS OUTWITTED
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."