``It SOUNDS sensible,'' admitted the old man peevishly. ``But it
ain't what _I_ was brought up to call sensible. Don't you get
none of those fool ideas into your head. They're all very well
for men that haven't got any property or any
responsibilities--for flighty fellows like Charlton and that
there Victor Dorn. But as soon as anybody gets property and has
interests to look after, he drops that kind of talk.''
``Do you mean that property makes a man too blind or too cowardly
to speak the truth?'' asked Jane with an air of great innocence.
The old man either did not hear or had no answer ready. He said:
``You heard him say that Davy Hull was going to win?''
``Why, he said Victor Dorn was going to win,'' said Jane, still
simple and guileless.
Hastings frowned impatiently. ``That was just loose talk. He
admitted Davy was to be the next mayor. If he is--and I expect
Charlton was about right--if Davy is elected, I shouldn't be
surprised to see him nominated for governor next year. He's a
sensible, knowing fellow. He'll make a good mayor, and he'll be
elected governor on his record.''
``And on what you and the other men who run things will do for
him,'' suggested Jane slyly.
Her father grinned expressively. ``I like to see a sensible,
ambitious young fellow from my town get on,'' said he. ``And I'd
like to see my girl married to a fellow of that sort, and
settled.''
``I think more could be done with a man like Victor Dorn,'' said
Jane.
Pages:
272
273
274
275
276
277
278
279
280
281
282
283
284
285
286
287
288
289
290
291
292
293
294
295
296