“The Iron Horse"

Manawatu Times, Volume XLIX, Issue 3265, 8 February 1926, Page 4

“ The Iron Horse"

By Edwin 0- Hill.

This thrilling new serial story until i CHAPTER IX. ABRAHAM LINCOLN DECIDES. Three days later she received a letter from her father in Washington. •‘The President is to see me on the. morning of July Ist,” Marsh wrote. "The Pacific Railroad Charter, as passed by Congress, is now on his desk. I have an idea that’s what he wants to talk about. The bill aroused bitter opposition from people who think the Government should concentrate on winning the war, but I think I know how, Lincoln feels. “The times are very dark. The President Is greatly changed, aged, haggard, bowed with care. McClellan ha's failed him, lam afraid. Public credit is at a low ebb. The country is full of compromisers and Southern Departments are honeycombed with disloyalty. But he Is wonderful, our old friend, so patient and resolute, so cheerful under the terrible burden. He feels the pain of battle, the anguish of every wife and mother. Yet there are detractors in plenty who sneer at him as a light-minded trlfler telling rustic istorles and crude jokes while the blood of the people flows in streams. ‘They can’t understand him hero in Washington. They don’t know him as we do. But the day will come when they will fully comprehend ,Abo Lincoln’s goodness and grandness. “I didn’t intend to write Iso fully, but I know how much you are interested. I suggest that you join me at the Willard on the last day of June; then yo u can go with me to keep the appointment with the President. He has often asked about little Miriam. I am eager to see his face when he sees what a young lady you have become.”

She read the letter to Jesson, thrilling at the portrait Marsh sketched of the lonely man in the White House. Jesson’s light eyes betrayed interest.

“Mr. Marsh seems sure that the President will sign the bill,” he said, “In that event the work should begin soon. They will need engineers. I would be delighted and honoured, Miriam, If you would permit me to escort you to Washington and your father. . I missed Durant here, but 1 could see him there, and perhaps X could enlist . ‘Mr. Marsh’s interest. Your father seems to be very close to our remarkable President.”

"I’d love to have you go with me, Peter,” said Miriam. “I want to tell father how interested you are in the railroad and how much you’d like to bo a part of it He’ll probably ask you to go to the White House with us. It will be wonderful if we can see the President and speak to him." “To be with you Is wonderful enough, my darling,” said Jesson, ardently. "I’m not sure, though, that I am exactly thrilled over the prospect of meeting the, queer person whom luck has put in the White House. Many of my friends have talked to him, and they have a very unfavourable impression of the man—he Is far from being a gentleman. I’m told he is a clodhopper, with a' vulgar strain. Not at all the person one could ask to his home.” Miriam flushed. Quick anger stabbed her. Rising temper prompted her to rebtike this supercilious young aristocrat in a fashion to be remembered, but she knew the opinion held of the President by the cultured of the East, by people “who can’t understand him," as her father put it. She bridled her anger and spoke quietly. "You and yout friends will change yobr opinion, some day,” she saw, “just as the great statesmen in the Cabinet have had to change theirs. Mr. Stanton told 1 father that he detested the President at couldn’t bear to ispealc to him. Nowi he is the President’s most devoted supporter. The of State, Mr. Seward, thought he could put Mr, Lincoln in his place, but Mr. Seward quickly found out who was master. Every man In the Cabinet knows that the President is his superior in intellect, Peter. Ho may begin Cabinet meetings with a reading from Artomus Ward or with some country jokes, but just the same he always finds a solution of problems that baffle the others, great statesmen • though they are.”

“You may be right, dear,” said Jesson, lightly. "I suppose It’s the prerogative of genius to dress like a scarecrow and talk like a farm labourer. If he puts the railroad through and gives us a chance to get rich, why I, too, will sing the praises of pur peasant king!” Miriam bit her lip over the persistent sneer, but turned the conversa-

tion to their forthcoming journey. A day or two later they arrived in Washington. Marsh had met Jesson frequently, and neither liked nor disliked him. Miriam told her father as they drove to the Willard that she had accepted Jesson’a proposal of marriage, and that they had agreed upon a long engagement. Marsh looked serious. “We will talk about it at supper,” lie said. “I shall be busy all day with the railroad promoters. Wo are all pretty much on edge. Amuse yourselves as best you can.” “I must see Mr. Durant,” said Jesson, and explained his ambition. Marsh nodded, not unpleased. “We shall meet, then at supper,” he said ,tus he shook hands with the young man and showed Miriam to their, rooms.

That evening, as they dined leisurely waited upon by an old darkey whose manner was the perfection ot

A Romance of East and West

will continue daily in the ‘‘.Times mrapletion.

i'Micitous service. Marsh spoke his mind. “Mr. Jesson," he said, "my great object in life is to ensure the happiness of this child, for she is oniy a child to me. It is for her that I work and plan, for her that I am trying to build a fortune. If Miriam loves you and wants you for a husband. I shall not stand in the way. But If yon want her you must wait for her. She is too young to marry. It will take two or three years to finish her education. Moreover, the times are dark. None of us know what the outcome of our hopes and ambitions may be. Half of my fortune is locked up in Government bonds. It may be years before they rise to full value. The rest of my capital I intend to put into stock of the railroad. If the road fails I shall not be much better than a pauper, and will have to start all over again. If the road succeeds, I hope to be a very rich man.” Jesson’s mind worked in lightning flashes as Marsh talked. He had supposed that Miriam’s father was already rich. Such had been the Impression in New York. Now it developed that Marsh was not the possessor of a stable, independent fortune such as would make Miriam an heiress worth while. The girl was lovely, adorable, delicious; but could ho afford to commit himself irrevocably to a doubtful hazard ? He wanted her. Esho fired his blood. But could - Peter Jesson treat himself to the luxury of a penniless wife, however beautiful ?

“Mr. Marsh,” sold Peter Jeason, his mind made up, "in my love for Miriam there is no thought of money. I intend to make my own way. I understand and sympathise with your feelings. If you think best, we will wait, as long as may be necessary, always deferring to your judgment."

The little speech pleased Marsh. Shrewd as he was in business matters he was not versed in the subtleties of such minds as Jesson’s It appeared to him that Jesson had accepted the situation in manly style. ; His estimate of Ihe young man went up. Miriam wad conscious of a yagucidisappolnt/ment in her lover. The surface of his words was sensible, prudent,: matching her own belief as to the -wisdom of a long engagement, but somehow she would have preferred a mqro impetuous suitor, one whose ardour was less tolerant of delay. She was quite sure she did not want to marry in haste, but she was equally surest—and the contradiction vexed her that she wanted Jesson to urge it. She sat silent, thoughtful, while her father and'Tover talked about the railroad. Jesson had met Mr. Durant in the afternoon, and had obtained .the partial promise, of an engineering post with the Union Pacific. /

“I am glad that you enlisted'his interest said Marsh, "but, as a matter cf fact, you may not require it. lam to be general superintendent,. • I shall need my own staff of .engineers. There is no reason wiiy you,, (shouldn't have your chance with me.” Jesson thanked him warmly, and the ' conversation shifted to other topics, particularly the news from the front, or lack of news, for there was great disquiet in the capital, with few bulletins to cheer an apprehensive people. ’ At ten the next morning they appeared at the White House, and were ushered by the major-domo into the reception room for those who had appointments with the President or whose importance was such that they were admitted without question to await their turn. To Miriam the scene in the ante-room was animated and exciting. The long, low chamber was thronged with men who were making history. Her father identified mdny of these famous senators. State Governors, distinguished soldiers.

"There is General McClellan, up for a hurried visit from the .front,” he said indicating a stiffly erect ngure or middle . Miriam noted the miich-talked-of "general carefully She thought he seemed very intelligent but self-willed- His face shoyved signs of irritation as he responded occasionally to members 'of a group of officers:around him.

"The General feels as if he ought to be allowed, to walk right in,” said Marsh,. “He doesn’t like to bo kept waiting.” ;. (To 80. Continued.)