Part 27 (1/2)
The convention roared. Maguire screamed something, but it could not be heard. The tenor of his remarks was indicated by his red face and clinched fist.
Costell smiled his deep smile. ”I'm very glad,” he said to the man next him, ”that we didn't pick Stirling up.”
Then Milton was nominated and seconded, as were also Catlin, and four minor stars. That done, a ballot was taken and the vote stood:
Porter 206 Milton 197 Catlin 52 Scattering 29
A second ballot showed:
Porter 206 Milton 202 Catlin 54 Scattering 22
A third ballot gave:
Porter 206 Milton 210 Catlin 52 Scattering 16
”Porter's done for on the next,” was whispered round the hall, though where it started, no one knew. Evidently his adherents thought so, for one made a motion to adjourn. It was voted down, and once more the roll call started.
”I shall vote for Milton,” Peter told Schlurger, and the changes in the delegations as the call proceeded, proved that many changes were being made the same way. Yet the fourth ballot showed:
Porter 125 Milton 128 Catlin 208 Scattering 14
The wildest excitement broke out in the Porter delegates. ”They've beaten us,” screamed Kennedy, as much to himself as to those about.
”They've used Milton to break our ranks, meaning Catlin all the time.”
So in truth, it was. Milton had been put up to draw off Porter's delegates, but the moment they had begun to turn to Milton, enough New York City delegates had been transferred to Catlin to prevent Milton being chosen. Amid protests and angry words on all sides another ballot was taken:
Catlin 256 Porter 118 Milton 110
Before the result was announced. Green was at Peter's elbow.
”Will you move to make it unanimous?” he asked.
”Yes.” And Peter made the formal motion, which was carried by acclamation. Half an hour served to choose the Lieutenant-Governor and the rest of the ticket, for the bulk of it had already been slated. The platform was adopted, and the convention dissolved.
”Well,” said Kennedy angrily to Peter, ”I guess you've messed it this time. A man can't please both sides, but he needn't get cussed by both.”
Peter went out and walked to his hotel. ”I'm afraid I did mess it,” he thought, ”yet I don't see what else I could have done.”
CHAPTER XXIV.
MISUNDERSTANDINGS AND UNDERSTANDINGS.
”Did you understand what it all meant, Cousin Anneke?” asked Dorothy, as they were coming downstairs.
”No. The man who got so angry seemed to think Mr. Stirling had--”
She stopped short. A group of men on the sidewalk were talking, and she paused to hear one say:
”To see that young chap Stirling handling Maguire was an eye-opener.”