Picture Play Magazine (Oct-Nov 1915)

PICTURE-PLAY WEEKLY 15 o'clock, Tom Mason was leading by over ! five hundred votes. There were still . I ! a few districts to be heard from; but, as they were known to be pretty solid for Mason, his election was conceded. His supporters were jubilant. They grasped his hand, and thumped him on the back. In front of the clubhouse was a shouting throng of citizens demanding a speech from the mayor elect. Tom made his way to the steps of the clubhouse, and in a few words thanked those present for the great honor that they had conferred upon I him, and for the trust they had reposed in him. Again he pledged to carry out his campaign promises and clean up the city. With the coming of Wednesday night, Mason made his way to the Rising home. Already, however, he had been congratulated over the telephone by Ruth, and as he made his way up the walk leading to the door, his heart sang with joy. He was courteously and enthusiastically greeted by Mr. Rising, and the light of happiness shone in Ruth's eyes as she stretched forth her hand to bid him welcome. With great tact, Mr. and Mrs. Rising withdrew to the library, leaving Ruth and the mayor elect in possession of the music room. Once alone, Mason was not long in coming to the question which was uppermost in his mind. "Ruth, dear," he began, gently clasping her hand, "to-night I am one of the happiest men in the world. My fellow citizens have bestowed a great honor upon me. It is for you to make me the happiest man alive. I love you, darling, and I want you to be my wife." If Tom Mason could have looked into the downcast eyes, he would have seen a flash of triumph. Shyly and a bit coquettishly, Ruth raised her eyes. "Tom," said she a bit hesitatingly, "I I do love you." "Darling!" he reverently murmured. He strained her to his breast. Softly her arms stole around his neck. Their lips met in a kiss. If her lips were a bit cold, he was too deliriously happy to notice it. "Ruth," he finally said, "you have made me infinitely happier than I ever dared hope. The other things in life are as nothing compared to this, my greatest happiness." "I, too, am very happy," she whispered. Her words rang true, but if one were able to read her heart they would have seen there not love, but triumph — she had secured her desire, she was the betrothed wife of the mayor elect. "When may I announce our engagement?" he queried. "Not until the day you are inaugurated. The same day that you become mayor we will announce our betrothal." He would have gladly announced the engagement immediately. He was so happy that he could have shouted the news from the housetops. Weeks came and passed. A reception and dance was held at the club of which Mason was a member. Humphries was also a member of the club, and was present at the affair. As he watched Tom and Ruth his heart became bitter. He had suffered two humiliating defeats at the hand of Mason — one in the game of politics, the other in the lottery of love. Jealousy and hate became his portion, and he longed to revenge himself on this man. Finally the day arrived when Tom Mason was to be inducted into office. It was one of the proudest days of his life. It was also a proud day for the woman who had promised to become his wife. The papers that carried the story of Tom Mason's inauguration also carried an announcement of the engagement of Ruth Rising and the new mayor. Hardly had Mason taken up his new duties before Humphries and Walker began to conspire in order to secure some evidence upon which to impeach and remove the new mayor. Adhering to his preelection promises, Tom Mason was, indeed, cleaning up the city. Several of the more disreputable saloons had been forced to close their doors. Many questionable resorts had been put out of business. Walker was the "silent partner" in a chain of low saloons, and some of his money was gained from the houses that harbored the fallen women of the underworld. Unless Mason were forced out of office, these sources of Walker's income would be shut. Passing through the park in front of the city hall one day, Mayor Tom Mason encountered Margaret Macy. It was the first time that he had seen her since the political meeting previous to election. She had been hard at work in the vice-ridden sections of the city, en deavoring to uplift both men and women. "How do you do, Miss Macy," said Tom, lifting his hat. "This is, indeed, a pleasure." "I am very glad to see you, your honor,'' said Margaret, smiling sweetly at the man who was struggling to make the city clean. "This is the first opportunity I have had to tell you how happy I am over the manner in which you are bettering conditions. Already the moral tone is much better, and I am sure that before you finish your term of office our city will be the cleanest in the State." "Thank you very much, Miss Macy," replied Tom. "Such praise, coming from you, who are so thoroughly familiar with conditions, is very gratifying. If you have any plans to suggest for cleaning up the city, you will always find my door open, and you will find me an attentive listener." "I'll remember that promise," rejoined Margaret, "because some time before long I may have something to suggest to you. But I must be running along now," concluded the girl. "Good day, Miss Macy, and bear in mind what I have said." "Good-by." A month passed. Walker was more keenly feeling the effect of Tom Mason's reform administration. The new mayor was popular with the majority of the people in the town. The better citizens were enthusiastic over Tom's good work. In the back room of one of the most disreputable saloons under the control of the Walker ring sat the boss and Humphries. Matters had reached the crisis — Mason must be deposed. "Humphries, we must 'get' Mason," declared Boss Walker, bringing his clenched fist down on the table with such force as to cause the glasses to rattle. "He's going too far with this reform stuff of his. We can't get anything on him, so it's up to us to frame him, and I guess we can do that." Walker's teeth came together with a snap. His square, bulldog jaw only too plainly bore evidence of the tenacity and fighting qualities of the boss. The face of the man was strong — strong with the strength of brutality. "Have you any suggestions as to how we can get Mason ?" asked Humphries. "Yes," promptly responded the boss. "Mason is pretty thick with Margaret