Vanderpool, "he was simply
honest."
"The South won't stand it," Cresswell decisively affirmed.
"Well--" began Mr. Easterly.
"See here," interrupted Mrs. Vanderpool. "I'm interested in Alwyn; in
fact, an honest man in politics, even if he is black, piques my
curiosity. Give him a chance and I'll warrant he'll develop all the
desirable traits of a first class office-holder."
Easterly hesitated. "We must not offend the South, and we must placate
the Negroes," he said.
"The right sort of Negro--one like Stillings--appointed to a reasonable
position, would do both," opined Cresswell.
"It evidently didn't," Mrs. Vanderpool interjected.
Cresswell arose. "I tell you, Mr. Easterly, I object--it mustn't go
through." He took his leave.
Mrs. Vanderpool did not readily give up her plea for Alwyn, and bade
Zora get Mr. Smith on the telephone for discussion.
"Well," reported Easterly, hanging up the receiver, "we may land him. It
seems that he is engaged to a Washington school-teacher, and Smith says
she has him well in hand. She's a pretty shrewd proposition, and
understands that Alwyn's only chance now lies in keeping his mouth shut.
We may land him," he repeated.
"Engaged!" gasped Mrs. Vanderpool.
Zora quietly closed the door.
_Twenty-seven_
THE VISION OF ZORA
How Zora found the little church she never knew; but somehow, in the
long dark wanderings which she had fallen into the habit of taking at
nightfall, she stood one evening before it.
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