Politically I respect straight organization men of either party, but I've got no use for amateurs and reformers.So--go to Joe House.'' All this in perfect good humor, and in a tone of banter that might have ruffled a man with a keener sense of humor than Davy's.
Davy was red to his eyes, not because Kelly was laughing at him, but because he stood convicted of such a stupid political blunder as coming direct to Kelly when obviously he should have gone to Kelly's secret partner.``Dorn means to attack us all--Republicans, Democrats and Citizens' Alliance,'' stammered Davy, trying to justify himself.
Kelly shifted his cigar and shrugged his shoulders.
``Don't worry about his attacks on me--on US,'' said he.``We're used to being attacked.We haven't got no reputation for superior virtue to lose.''
``But he says he can prove that our whole campaign is simply a deal between you and House and me to fool the people and elect a bad judge.''
``So I've heard,'' said Kelly.``But what of it? You know it ain't so.''
``No, I don't, Mr.Kelly,'' replied Hull, desperately.``On the contrary, I think it is so.And I may add I think we are justified in making such a deal, when that's the only way to save the community from Victor Dorn and his crowd of--of anarchists.''
Kelly looked at him silently with amused eyes.
``House can't do anything,'' pursued Davy.``Maybe YOU can.So I came straight to you.''
``I'm glad you're getting a little political sense, my boy,''
said Kelly.``Perhaps you're beginning to see that a politician has got to be practical--that it's the organizations that keeps this city from being the prey to Victor Dorns.''
``I see that,'' said Davy.``I'm willing to admit that I've misjudged you, Mr.Kelly--that the better classes owe you a heavy debt--and that you are one of the men we've got to rely on chiefly to stem the tide of anarchy that's rising--the attack on the propertied classes--the intelligent classes.''
``I see your eyes are being opened, my boy,'' said Kelly in a kindly tone that showed how deeply he appreciated this unexpected recognition of his own notion of his mission.``You young silk stocking fellows up at the University Club, and the Lincoln and the Jefferson, have been indulging in a lot of loose talk against the fellows that do the hard work in politics--the fellows that helped your fathers to make fortunes and that are helping you boys to keep 'em.If I didn't have a pretty level head on me, I'd take my hands off and give Dorn and his gang a chance at you.
I tell you, when you fool with that reform nonsense, you play with fire in a powder mill.''
``But I--I had an idea that you wanted me to go ahead,'' said Davy.
``Not the way you started last spring,'' replied Kelly.``Not the way you'd 'a gone if I hadn't taken hold.I've been saving you in spite of yourselves.Thanks to me, your party's on a sound, conservative basis and won't do any harm and may do some good in teaching a lesson to those of our boys that've been going a little too far.It ain't good for an organization to win always.''
``Victor Dorn seemed to be sure--absolutely sure,'' said Hull.
``And he's pretty shrewd at politics-- isn't he?''
``Don't worry about him, I tell you,'' replied Kelly.
The sudden hardening of his voice and of his never notably soft face was tribute stronger than any words to Dorn's ability as a politician, to his power as an antagonist.Davy felt a sinister intent--and he knew that Dick Kelly had risen because he would stop at nothing.He was as eager to get away from the boss as the boss was to be rid of him.The intrusion of a henchman, to whom Kelly had no doubt signaled, gave him the excuse.As soon as he had turned from the City Hall into Morton Street he slackened to as slow a walk as his length of leg would permit.
Moving along, absorbed in uncomfortable thoughts, he startled violently when he heard Selma Gordon's voice:
``How d'you do, Mr.Hull? I was hoping I'd see you to-day.''
She was standing before him--the same fascinating embodiment of life and health and untamed energy; the direct, honest glance.
``I want to talk to you,'' she went on, ``and I can't, walking beside you.You're far too tall.Come into the park and we'll sit on that bench under the big maple.''
He had mechanically lifted his hat, but he had not spoken.He did not find words until they were seated side by side, and then all he could say was:
``I'm very glad to see you again--very glad, indeed.''
In fact, he was the reverse of glad, for he was afraid of her, afraid of himself when under the spell of her presence.He who prided himself on his self-control, he could not account for the effect this girl had upon him.As he sat there beside her the impulse Jane Hastings had so adroitly checked came surging back.
He had believed, had hoped it was gone for good and all.He found that in its mysterious hiding place it had been gaining strength.Quite clearly he saw how absurd was the idea of making this girl his wife--he tall and she not much above the bend of his elbow; he conventional, and she the incarnation of passionate revolt against the restraints of class and form and custom which he not only conformed to but religiously believed in.And she set stirring in him all kinds of vague, wild longings to run amuck socially and politically--longings that, if indulged, would ruin him for any career worthy of the name.
He stood up.``I must go--I really must,'' he said, confusedly.
She laid her small, strong hand on his arm--a natural, friendly gesture with her, and giving no suggestion of familiarity.Even as she was saying, ``Please--only a moment,'' he dropped back to the seat.
``Well--what is it?'' he said abruptly, his gaze resolutely away from her face.
``Victor was telling me this morning about his talk with you,''
she said in her rapid, energetic way.``He was depressed because he had failed.But I felt sure-- I feel sure--that he hasn't.
