_ CHAPTER XII. 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. _