Page 2 - 1918 VES Meteor

38 THE }[ETEOR
cynical quality had of late manifested itself in his speeches, and he was growing to know the price of e\'erything and the value of nothing.
But, now, the Senator was at a turning point. He had acquired fame and influence, but was comparatively poor in money. A syndicate of business men had come to him and offered him a sum that would make him comfortable for life if he would defeat the President's war measure, which called for a cutting down of prices and increase iu salaries. Burnett had rather suspected that the proposition actually came through German sources, but so disillusioni1.ed had he become that he ca1·ed little. On the morrow the Bill would be voted on and its success rested with Leader Burnett. He sat by the fireside thinking whether or not he would stand by the Presi- dent. Somehow, he could not make up his mind. He knew that ''back home,. they all believed him honest and true, and, at heart,. he respected their opinion and feared their judgment.
Still, what did he care, after all, for the rough moun- taineers and farmers that had elected him1 He had grown somewhat intolerant of them in late years, for be knew that they believed him sincere and would stand by him. That was the obstacle in his way to accepting the proposition- their trust and the President's confidence. He poked the fire fretfully and, then, with sudden decision, wrote this telegram:
"J--- G·---,
65 Wall St., New York City.
Bill will be killed in Senate. BuRXETT."
Just as he was about to rinQ' for a messeno-er there was a ._, u'
knock at his door. "Come in," he called. The door opened and in walked a tall, gaunt figure clad in homespun, "-ith a