THE CURE OF A WOMAN'S LOVE
Carolina had come to find out from Haines, if possible, how her father
was going to vote on the naval base and to induce the secretary to
persuade him to stand for Altacoola--if there seemed danger that he
would vote for another site. That was her scheme, for Carolina had
put $25,000 into Altacoola land--money left by her mother. Norton
had persuaded Carolina to invest in the enterprise to defraud the
Government, promising her $50,000 clear profit. How much she could do
in Washington society with that!
The continued uncertainty over her father's final attitude had
strained her nerves almost to the breaking, for the success of the
conspiracy depended on his vote. Not even the words of Norton, her
future husband, could reassure her. Her worry was increased by the
knowledge of Randolph's investment of her father's $50,000.
That Carolina must sacrifice Haines on the altar of her consuming
desire for money, for a higher worldly position, was an unimportant
consideration. He stood in the way. Any moment he might discover the
existence of the Altacoola scheme, he would immediately tell her
father, and she knew her father would immediately decide against
Altacoola--the bright hopes of her future would turn to ashes.
Norton's money as well was invested in Altacoola. He, too, would be
ruined. She was sure that she loved Norton, but she could not marry a
penniless man.
Carolina resumed the conversation.
"It isn't anything so very important, Mr. Haines. It's about father."
Haines beamed.
"I have the honor to report, Miss Langdon," he bowed, "that your
father is making the very best kind of a Senator."
The girl hesitated.
"Yes; he might, if he had some ambition."
"Don't worry! If it comes down to that, I have ambition for two. You
want him to be a success, don't you? Well, he is the biggest kind of a
success."
"I never believed that he would be," confessed the daughter.
Haines laughed.
"Why, do you realize that to-day he is one of the most popular men in
public life throughout the country; that 'What does Langdon think?'
has become the watchword of the big body of independents who want
honesty and decent government without graft?
"I tell you that's a big thing, Miss Langdon. That's success--real
success in politics, especially in Washington politics.
"Now, if there's anything else you want him to have, I'll see that he
gets it I'll try to get it for him"--he paused a minute, then added,
with heartfelt meaning in his voice--"and for you, Miss Langdon."
Carolina played coquettishly with the secretary.
"For me, Mr. Haines?" she questioned, archly, with an effective glance
into his eyes.
Bud's pulses began to throb violently--to leap.
"Yes," he exclaimed, unsteadily, "for you, and you know it. That's the
inspiration now, my inspiration--the chance of winning your belief in
me, of winning something more, the biggest thing I ever thought to
win--because, Miss Langdon--Carolina--I love you." He bent over and
seized the girl's hand. "Ever since the day I first saw you I--"
She shook her head indulgently and in a moment drew her hand from his.
"You mustn't be so serious, Mr. Haines. You don't understand Southern
girls at all. We are not just like Northern girls. We are used to
being made love to from the time we are knee-high. Sometimes, I fear,
we flirt a little, but we don't mean any harm. All girls flirt--a
little."
"But somebody wins even the Southern girls," declared Haines, eagerly.
The girl's face became serious, earnest, sincere.
"Yes, somebody does, always," she said. "And when a Southern girl is
won she stays won, Mr. Haines."
"And I have a chance to win?" questioned the determined young
Northerner.
Carolina smiled sweetly and expressively.
"Who knows? First make my father even a bigger success--that's first.
Oh, I wonder if you can realize what all this life means to me! If you
can realize what those years of stagnating on the plantation meant to
me! No man would have endured it!" she exclaimed bitterly. "I am more
of a man than a woman in some ways; I'm ambitious. From the time I was
a little girl I've wanted the world, power, fame, money. I want them
still. I mean to get them somehow, anyhow. If I can't get them myself,
some one must get them for me."
"And love?" suggested the man. "You are leaving love out. Suppose I
get all these things for you?"
Bud's pounding heart almost stopped. He could scarcely gain his breath
as he saw creep into Carolina's eyes what he believed to be the light
of hope for him, the light even of a woman's promise.
"Who knows, Mr. Haines? There's no reward guaranteed. There may be
others trying," she answered.
Haines laughed--the strong, hopeful, fighting laugh of the man who
would combat the boss of the Senate on ground of the boss' own
choosing.
"All right!" he cried. "If it's an open fight I'll enlist. I'll give
them all a run. What are your orders?"
Carolina appeared indifferent.
"I don't know that I have any particular orders, sir knight, except to
see that my father does all he can for the Altacoola naval base."
Haines paused, seized by a sudden tremor.
"The Altacoola naval base?" he stammered. "Well, all I can say is that
the Senator will do what he thinks right. That might bring power and
fame--a right decision in this case--but it can't bring money."
Carolina shrugged her shoulders.
"Money?" She laughed with affected carelessness. "Well, we'll have to
let the money take care of itself for a time. But I do want him to
vote for Altacoola, because I believe that will be the best for him.
You believe in Altacoola, don't you?"
Haines hesitated, then answered:
"Well, between the two sites merely as sites Altacoola seems to me
rather better."
Miss Langdon held out her hand impulsively.
"Then it will be Altacoola!" she cried. "Thank you, Mr. Haines. We are
partners, then, for Altacoola."
The young man grasped her hand earnestly.
"I'd like to be your partner for good, Carolina!" he cried.
They stood there close together, holding each other's hands, looking
into each other's eyes, when the door opened and in came Charles
Norton.