Hidden Gold

d the true cowboy composure with which the ranchman faced the coming storm, but he would not have recognized the stripling who had won scholasti

wn there, but the old family mansion was empty excepting for the servants, and his sense of loneliness and sorrow for the loved ones who were no l

that was then to be found in all its perfection in the wilder part of that State, and realizing that he had found the precise

opped in Chicago, and there he ha

mighty blow between the shoulders, that well nigh sent him spinning. Before he co

aid, calmly, before he could see who his assaila

ppily as he clambered into the taxi, "but I wasn't tak

partment, Wade said: "I don't imagine there is anything more to see or do in this

verybody that ever met him. "You've only seen the outside e

society here

new as yet, but they go through the motions, and Oh, boy, how lavish they are! You'll see everything m

United States-the Senator, perhaps, I should say, I've secured the invi

hat be s

ounsel for one of the

t imply socia

with Mrs.

Rexhill? I suppose, of course, she is the Senator's w

adily enough when you see her. She is probably the handsomest woman of her age in Chicago, and she isn't more than forty. Where the Senator found he

ly. "The general impression I've gathered from reading th

sometimes that he has more enemies than friends, and yet he has certainly been a very successful man, not only in politics, but in business. He has more irons in the f

dryly. "I have heard the tw

ow how they talk about him in the other party, but I happen to know him pretty well personally, and there is a good side to him as I suppose th

he said no more, and when evening came, he went, willingly enough, to make the acquaintance of the man who was then counted as one of the greatest politi

e over-bearing rudeness he often displayed when his will was disputed. This latter trait had won for him the nickname of the Czar of American Politics; but he was an adroit politician, not l

showed her delight in meeting one of such distinguished appearance, and w

she said, gushingly, "and you must do

house and its equipment had offended his fastidious taste when he entered, and the sight of the really handsome, but vulgarly overdressed and richly be-jeweled mother, h

lessness equal to his in regard to the comment they excited among the other guests. One thing that Helen Rexhill had never learned at school, or from the parents who had done all that could be done to spoil her, was to conceal her feelin

ndifferent, even had he considered himself responsible. He was therefore amused rather than exultant

s the others had done, he stepped up closer to the girl and said rudely, "Th

words, and had stiffened himself instinctively, as if to interfere, but

so. Helen's eyes flashed and she stra

have forgotten it, and anyhow, I am going to sit

e and burly build, indicated that he would have been more at home in a barroom or a street fight, than where he was. For just a moment he seemed about to say more,

f laughingly and half seriously, as she led the way to

a few enemies. I don't know that one more or less is of great importa

thinks he's one; I wouldn't tolerate him a moment, only on my father's

id Wade, smiling; "I'd ha

ch on Dad's favor. He actually persecutes me with his attentions, but yo

between you and any trouble you may have. I rather think there is one of them coming this way at the moment.

s an effeminate looking young man c

Wade, politely enough, in the apology, "But your mother asked me to f

with her by-and-by," and she turned back to Wade, paying no further attention to the luckles

is likely to be an enemy; at least, not one that you need fea

asked Wade, trying to speak gravely, b

admiration, "but Race Moran can be very dangerous, and I fee

id Wade, lightly. He would have been amazed if he had r

at hand, and he plunged headlong into a complication that kept him for weeks in Chicago, strongly inclined to stay perman

e room where they had had many secret conferences before. He had done the great man favors in New York where he was a valuable cog in the pol

intimacy, so that he had become a constant visitor in the Rexhill home, and had definitely determined in his own mind, to become one of the family. He knew well enough that Helen disl

ideas concerning the daughter he idolized, he had not sought to discourage Moran, nor did he intend to

ory, however, had stung Moran, and as soon as

has on a string to-nigh

rlook rudeness when it su

but he comes of pretty good stock in your town, Moran, and Stout tells me he has distinguished himself already

York, and I'm able to do the same thing anywhere else, if I have to. Maybe I will have to if he comes between me and Helen. Senator, I want to marry that gir

able he was. There was no sense in breaking with him until it was unavoidable

kes. It was sort of decent of you to speak to me first, but there doesn't seem to

"But this Wade person better look out; I might have him run

Senator laughing heartily, "a dead Wade might i

h. "I talk foolish with my mouth sometimes, when

ng it will be before he does find out, and how serious it will be. He's hit pretty h

guests had gone, but not until the great drawing room

that for him there were many more desirable places, he determined to look farther before choosing a permanent home. He told Helen frankly of his purpose, and to his great satisfaction

rld's great capitals, but he declared he must see the West before deciding, and though she was

ught he loved was waiting for him, to claim her, so soon as his home was made suitable. There was much to do by way of preparation, however, and almost