"THE IRON HORSE"

New Zealand Times, Volume LII, Issue 12323, 18 December 1925, Page 12

"THE IRON HORSE"

A Romance of East and West

The “Time,” ha« secured the exclusive eights to the stirring, romance, "The Iron Horse*” which has been novelised by Edwin C. Hill, from William Fox’s picture romance of that name.

CHAPTER IX. ABRAHAM LINCOLN DECIDES. Three days later she received a letter from her father in Washington. ‘‘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 bn winning Die war, but I think I know how Lincoln feels. - 'V

“The times are very dark. The President ie greatly changed,- aged* haggard, bowed with care. McClellan has failed him, I am afraid. Publio 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 every wound-inflicted on the fields of battle, the anguish of every wife and mother. Yet there are detractors in plenty who sneer at, him as a lightminded trifler telling rustic stories and crude jokes while the blood of the people flows in streams. They caD/t . understand him here in They don't know him as we do. But the day will come when they will fully' comprehend Abe Lincoln's goodness and grandness

*‘l didn't intend to write so fully, but 1 knoW how much you are interested. I suggest that you join me at the Willard on the last day of June; then you can go with me next day to keep the appointment with the President.'. He "has often asked about little Miriam. I am eager to see his face when he 6ees 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. 1 missed. Durant here, but I could see him there, and perhaps I 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 be 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, m.v darling,’* said Jesson, ardently. “I’m net 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-lie 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 hi.s home.” Miriam flushed. Quick anger stabbed her. Rising temper prompted her to rebuke this supercilious' young aristocrat i*i 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 your friends will change vour ooinion, some day," she said, "just as the great statesmen in the Cabinet Have had to change theirs. Mr Stanton told father that he detested the President at first, couldn’t bear to speak to him. Now he is the President’s most devoted supporter. The Secretary of State, Mr Seward, thought he .could put Mr Lincoln in his place, but Mr Seward quickly found out who was master. Eevery man in the Cabinet knows that the President i* his superior in intellect,, Peter. He. may begin Cabinet meetings with a reading from Artemus Ward or with some country ioke, but lust the same he always finds the solution of problems tqat 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 ns a chance t'» pet rich, why I, too, will sing 4he praises of our peasant king!" Miriam bit her lip over the persistent *neer, but turned the conversation to their forthcoming ’ourney. 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 Jes6on*s proposal of marriage, and that they haa agreed upon a long engagement. Marsh looked serious.

"We Will talk about it at supper," he said. "I shall be busy all day with the railroad premoters. We are all pretty much on edge. Amuse yourselves as beet 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, as he shook 'hands with the young man and showed Miriam *o their rooms. That evening, as they dined leisurely waited upon by on old darkey whose manner was the perfection of solicitous s,«r* tics. Marsh speke his mind.

“Mr Jesson," he said* “my great object in life is to ensure'the Happiness of this child, for she is ohly 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 you want her you must wait for her. She is too young to'marry. It will take two or thre» yeare 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 little • fortune is locked up in Government bonds. It may be years before they rise to Bill‘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."

Jessoc's mind worked in lightning flashes as Marsh talked. He had supposed that Miriam’s father wap 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, but could he afford to commit himself irrevocably to a doubtful hazard? He wanted her. She fired hia blood. , But could Peter Jesson treat himself to the luxury of a penniless wife, however beautiful ? "‘Mr Marsh/’ said Peter Jesson, 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, r If you think' best, we will wait, as long as may he neeessary, 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 tohim that Jesson had accepted the situation in manly style. His estimate/of the young man went up. Miriam was - con T scions of a vague disappointment 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 more impetuous suitor, one whose ardour was less tolerant of delay. She was quite sure she did not want to marry in hasti, but she was equally sure—and the contradiction vexed her that she wanted Jesson to urge it. She sat eilent, thoughtful, while her father and lover talked about the railroad. Jesson bad met Mr Durant in the afternoon, and had obtained the partial promise of ah engineering post with the Union Pacific. *' "I am glad that you enlisted his interest,".said Marsh, "hut, as a matter of fact, you may not requite it. I am to he general superintendent ; I shall need my own staff of engineers. There is no reason why you shouldn’t have your chance with me.”

. Jesson thanked him. warmly, and Hie 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 with Mr Hay, his secretary, 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 ’ many 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 figure of middle height., Miriam noted the much-talked-of general carefully. She thought he seemed very intelligent but self-willed. His face showed signs of irritation as He responded occasionally to members of a group of officers around him. j “The General feels as if he ought to he allowed to walk right in/’ said Marsh. “He doesn't like“ to be. kept waiting.” (To be continued.)