Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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*» ■ * '?•’ 11 3 4 ■ • 1 “But Mr Horri^an”— "You've got my terms. Take ’em or Iwve Vm.” “Oh. very well,” conceded Waln- wrtpht, with lame graclousuesfl. ‘‘Any- tblLg to oblige an old I riond.” “Ooo«I! So we get $200,000 for elec- don expenses, and my personal ac count receives 25.<K)0 shares at 63.” “Quite so. And now”— “And now comes the question of th" right man for mayor. We”— Again Honigan paused, rising to his feot stealthily, like some ponderous cat his head bent slightly, as though Catching a faint or distant sound. “What’s the matter?” asked Wain- wrgiit. looking up. rubbing his huge plump hands togeth er, “he’s the man for us that Is.” he added, with less assurance, “If we can handle him.” “I think we ('•an,” answered Wain- wright, a fragment of his conversation with Gibbs Hashing across his mem ory. ’ “You see, 1 have fairly good rea sons for believing he’s in love with my niece. Miss Dallas Wainwright.” “So? That’s”— “And, as I control her fortune and her brother’s until Perry is twenty- five”— “Oh, it’s a cinch!” chuckled Horn- fan. “He”— “Mr. Bennett is playing tenuis," re ported the butler, coming to the door. “Nothing,” returned Horrigan. But i “He will be here at once.” he did not resume ids seat. Instead as he talked he began to pace the room in apparent aimlessness, yet every turn chanced to tiring him nearer and near er to the door of the adjoining office. 'You see,” he said, “we must have the right man. If we don’t, we haven’t a shad ow of a show to win. We must be careful to choose the best man possible. In fact, Mr. Wain- wright — in fact”- II is wander- i n g s had brought him to Thompson stepped the office door. quietly over the With the last threshold. word he sud denly jerked it open. Thompson stepped quietly over the threshold into the library, walked over to his employer, handed him a dispatch and went out again under the battery of Horrigan’s glare, closing the office door after him. “That fellow was listening to every word we said!” shouted the boss as the door shut behind Thompson. “How foolish you are!” protested Wainwright. “He was bringing me this message. I’ve tried and tempted and tested Thompson in a hundred \ ways, and he’s always rung true. 1 1 trust him utterly.” “Well. I don’t trust a man living,” retorted Horrigan, reluctantly convinc ed. "I don’t tigii receipts or keep ac counts or wnte letters or have wit nesses when I talk. 1 always make it ( a question of veracity between me and • the other man if there’s an investiga- / tion. My word’s as good as any one’s. > and they can’t prove anything against me in case of a showdown. I advise you to try the same plan. It’s a good one. And in the meantime if I were you I’d keep an eye on that secretary. He’!: bear watching.” “Never mind about Thompson. He’s ail : _'ht. Let’s get back to the elec- tion. Who have you in mind for mayor?” “Mi l.” considered Horrigan, “he’s got ;■* be some one who isn’t mixed up In ]■ ities or corporations. Some one the i ublic isn’t on to. A man with no queer past.” ' I advise you to consult the calen dar siiints and pi<-k out your candi- <lat“ there.” sneered Wainwright, who cot.Id not clearly follow his guest’s rea soning. “No. I think I can find him on earth.’’ laughed Horrigan. “He’s got to be young, clever, educated, with a good name, a good family and social standing and plenty of cash. The cash Is important, so the public will under stand lie isn’t a graft hunter. They’ve got to lie made to think lie’s in the game lor purity of politics and high principles and love of civic duty and all tiiat sort of thing. At the same time lie’s got to be some one we can handle to suit ourselves. That's the man wlio’ll catch ’em coming and go ing. Wo ve got to find him. Any sug gestions?” “Well, how about Gibbs?” “Won't do. Broker and money jug gler. The public wouldn't stand for him.” “Young Sawyer"— “Sawyer was born foolish, and he’s been getting steadily sillier every year since, and his face shows it." “Ten Broeck. then.” “Ten Broeck is too fond of turning a cigarette into the connecting link be tween fire and a fool. And, liesides, he wears a monocle. What’d happen if he was to flash that monocle in a Fourth ward meeting? Thcre'd be a massa cre.’ i “Well, who, then? Have you any one in mind?" “Yes,” assented Horrigan. “I have. I>o you happen to know a young fel low who spends his summers near here —a chap named Bennett—Alwyn Ben nett?” “Certainly; I know him well. But”— “Well, how does he strike you?” “I'd never have thought of him in such a connection.” “Why wouldn’t you? He pretty near fulfills all our qualifications. Besides, bis father used to be a big man in the organization. Got some fat contracts from it in his time too.” “But young Bennett has never”— “He's well off. well educated, clever, and all that. I ran across him last fall when he came over to help Loriraer In bis fight in the Fourteenth. He made some rattling good speeches, and the boys all took a liking to him. A swell, but not a snob; good mixer, good fel low. popular, clear headed, no past- yes. he’s our man. More I think it over the surer I am.” “I shouldn’t wonder if you’re right. How would you like to talk it over with him now?” "Now?” “Yes He’s still around the place somewhere, I think.” Wainwright rang a bell, and the but ler appeared. “Find Mr. Bennett.” said the finan cier, “and ask him If he will step here for a moment.” “Yes,” went on Horrigan reflectively, “Now,” resumed Horrigan# “the only thing that remains is to find out it he’ll consent, and then”— “You wanted me, Mr. Wainwright?” asked Bennett, stepping through the long window from the veranda. “Oh, good morning. Mr. Horrigan,” he added on seeing the second occupant of the room. The young man was coatiess and col larless, his silk shirt being turned in at the neck. In one band he swung a ten nis racket. With the other he mopped his flushed face, for the day was hot and the game had been swift. “Yes.” answered Wainwright. “I’m sorry to interrupt your tennis set, but we want to see you on a rather impor tant matter. We've been talking about you.” "Thanks!” said Bennett, with a puz zled smile from one to the other of the two older men. “What about?” “Want to be mayor?” queried Horri- gan abruptly. » “What's the answer?” countered the perplexed youth. “It isn’t a joke,” Intervened Wain- wright. “Mr. Horrigan is in earnest.” “In earnest? 1 hope the heat hasn’t gone to bis head.” “You don’t understand.” put in Hor rigan. “1 coutrol the party’s nomina tions. The nomination for mayor is yours if you'll like4t.” “Not—not really?” gasped Alwyn aghast. “Yes, really. We”— “But, with a whole organization full of good materia!, why do you come to me?" “Because you're the man we want.” j “As an answer that's excellent, bat as an explanation it’s mystifying.” “I’ll tell you. We're looking forward to a risky tight and”— “And since you see no chance of winning you pick me out as the victim instead of some organization man? Good idea as far as you’re concerned, but I l>eg to decline, without thanks.” “No. no!” corrected Wainwright “Mr. Horrigan thinks that you have a I strong chance <>{' winning.” “That's right.” corroborated the boss, j j “It'll lx? a bard light, hut with the right | man w**’ll win, and we believe you’re ' the right man. liven if you lose, you'll show the world what you’re made of. ! Folks admire a tighter. They haven't : much use for an idler.” The coarsely sp ile-n words brougnt 1 back with a rush Dallas Wainwright’s plea and his own ; earning to do some thing to make her pr ud of liim—to win her by great deeds to prove his love worth her acceptance. Was this the chance—the chance be bad socager- ' iy longed for? It seemed, providential. His face alight with the joy of battle I and the hope of his heart's reward, ' Bennett turned upon the waiting boss, j “I accept.” “Good!” yelled Horrigan. slapping ' him resoundingly on the back. “Good ' boy! Now 1 , we’ll”— “But remem ber one thing. Mr. Horrigan.” interrupted Ben nett, and his' careless boy hood seemed to have- fallen away from him like a discarded garment, leav ing the man hood and rug ged strength stripped of ail ~7 Ilis cureless boyhood seemed to have fall en uuay from him. the follies and idleness that bad hither- ; to masked it. “remember one thing, if ; I win this fight if I am elected mayor —I shall never once swerve from my solemn oat’.i of office. I”— Wainwright. uneasy at the candi date's unwonted words and manner, started to speak, but Horrigan deftly Interfered. “Of course you’ll keep your oath of office,” he bellowed jovially. “Of course you will. That's understood.” Then in an undertone to Wainwright as Alwyn moved away the boss whis pered : “Don’t butt in! Leave him to me! That silly reform talk don’t mean any thing. It’s the way all youngsters in polities blow off steam. Leave him to me!” CHAPTKU IV. HE next few months were a pe riod of unprecedented toll and excitement for Alwyn Bennett He sometimes wondered at his own eloquence. Speech rKter speech he made in every section of the city- in half built suburbs, in halls where nine-tenths of Ids hearers were in evening dress and where familiar faces dotted the place; in overcrowded, smoke reeking auditoriums, where not one man in three wore a collar and where a score of nationalities vied fet precedence. With a versatility that delighted Horrigan the candidate managed to adapt himself to every audience and, moreover, to impress his hearers with a sense of his absolute sincerity and honesty. In the crowded, polyglot meetings he hit on the plan of speak ing to representatives of‘each race In their own language. In a single even ing, so the papers recorded, be hfd made speeches In English, French, German, Italian and Spanish. At some meetings toughs had tried to confuse him Ic. interrupting with questions, joking comment or insult. For each AI v yt' without breaking the thread of Ids di-voursc. found souio quick reply so apt ; ■ to turn the laugh on his tor mentor and turn the audience's sym pathy to himself. At last election day came and went. And Alwyn Bennett by a fair major ity carried hfs entire ticket to victory. Ev m his severest critics in the organ ization were forced to admit that Ben nett, and Bennett alone, had saved the party from severe defeat. Horrigan’s judgment and choice of men for the thousandth time in the boss’ crooked political career was vindicated, and Horrigan himself was overjoyed be yond measure. Nor did the fact that lie had failed to oust Alderman Phe lan in the primaries wholly cloud the boss’ delight. There was, however, a slight cloud on Alwyn’s triumph, for Dallak' Wain- wright was not present to share that triumph. Within a few days after Hor rigan’s visit to the Wainwright place Dallas had gone with an aunt on an eight months’ tour of Europe and the Mediterranean. But Perry, who at her secret request had kept her posted on every detail of the stirring campaign, cabled iier the result on election night, and the following day a reply mes sage of congratulation crossed the At lantic to gladden Alwyn’s heart. In a letter that followed a week later Dal las asked the first political favor the future mayor was called upon to grant. She begged that in his office Bennett would try to find a place for Cynthia Garrison. In consequence of which when the young man made up ills list of personal appointments Miss Garri son “found herself listed as assistant private secretary at a decidedly com fortable salary. It was wliile she was working in that capacity in the mayor’s private room in the city hall during Bennett’s lunch hour one day in midwinter that her solitude was broken by the entrance of a visitor. Perry Wainwright, redolent of band- box and soap as ever, found Ids way past the doorkeeper and burst into the sanctum. “Hello!” was his greeting. “His honor isn’t around?” “No,” answered Cynthia demurely, looking up from her work with the most businesslike air she could as sume. “He's out at lunch.” “I knew he would be,” grinned Per ry. “I timed it fine, didn't I?” “If you knew he was out. why did you come?” she asked severely. “You know 1 never receive callers during business hours. If you didn’t come to see Mr. Bennett”— * “But I did. Honest I did. I have a message for him. It's awfully impor tant. He mustn’t miss it.” “Perhaps you’ll leave it with me? I can”— "No; it’s got an answer to it. I'll have to wait. I suppose.” Il«* sat down, uninvited, with an air of mock resignation that was too much for Cynthia's gravity. “Perry Wainwright," she exclaimed in exasperation, "how often am I to tell you you mustn’t bother me here in office hours?!’ “Now you've hurt my feelings,” an nounced Perry in solemn conviction. “But,” he added generously, ‘Til for give you, and to prove it I’ll give you a peace offering. See? Your old Boston terriers Betty and Prince Charlie, and me holding them.” And he laid itefore her a photograph. She caught it up, with a little cry of pleasure. “Ob, the beauties!” she exclaimed. “We do look well in that pose.” he admitted modestly. "I was speaking of the dogs,” she reproved him. with lofty scorn. “But I’m in the picture, too,” he ex* plained. “I’m the one with the hat on. And”— “Thank you so much for the picture. I shall keep it always. They’re the nicest dogs I ever had.” “I’m nice too. And it isn’t my fault I’m not a dog. I”— “I told you once before not to give up hope. You’ll grow. “I”— “I told that to some fellows at the club, and we tried to figure it out, and we decided you were guying me.” “What clever men you must be at that club! Are you going to the/ad ministration ball next week?” “Are you?” “Why?” “Because that's the answer. I’ve never beet! to an administration ball, but if you’re there I guess It”— “Don’t be silly. The administration ball is a very great function indeed. I’ve been asking questions about it Not only every one connected with the administration goes, but all sorts of capitalists and other people like that. I’ve heard that some of the biggest financial deals are arranged daring that ball. Isn’t it queer?” “Not especially. There’s a deal I’m thinking of putting through myself that night if I don’t get a good chance earlier—a deal that means a lot to me.” “Then why wait till the ball? Why not”— “I’d do it now, only Bennett might come in before”— “What a worker Mr. Bennett is!” broke In Cynthia, turning very pink and hastening to change the subject. “In the old days we thought he was the soul of laziness, but now he's working here night and day. He’s not only the youngest mayor this city ever had, but I think he's the busiest too. He”- The eulogy on the new mayor was cut short by that dignitary's appear ance from the center room. As Alwyn paused to hang up his coot and hat and pull off his gloves Cynthia bent once more over her work, while Perry straightened up and tried to look as though he really had business of press ing Importance with his honor. The months bad brought changes to Bennett. There were care lines on his face, and his eyes were tired. A few silver strands, too, had crept into the darker hair on his temples. There was little now about him to suggest the idler. , “Well, old man," he exclaimed on seeing Perry, “what’s the excuse this time?” “The what?” asked the youth un easily. “The excuse. You come here—when I’m likely to be out—about four times a week, and always with a perfectly new excuse for your intrusion. I tol erate you for the originality of those excuses. What is today’s?” “I have no need of an excuse,” re plied Perry, with an air of hurt dig nity. “I am the bearer of a most im portant message to you.” “From whom?” “From—from— Dallas is home; land ed this morning.’’ A light came into the mayor’s tired eyes at the news. “And the message?” he asked ea gerly.’ "That’s the message. She’s home.” “She sent you to tell me that?” “No; not exactly that,” evaded Per ry, wriggling uncomfortably. “Well, what was her message then?” “She—she didn’t send any.” “Then who sent the message that she has come home?” “Well, the fact is I sent it myself. That’s why I brought it." “Oh. you poor idiot!” laughed Ben nett. “The same old excuse in a new shape! Well, now you’re here, you can stay Just five minutes. I’m too busy to play with little boys today.” “Little boys! I’ll lie twenty-two next spring. I”— “Any messages while I was out. Miss Garrison ?” "Yes, one.” answered Cynthia. “Your mother telephoned that she would be here at half past 2. She said she had a surprise for you.” “Say,” remarked Perry, feeling he was being excluded from the talk, “I’d g<> easy on that surprise if I were you, Alwyn. I’ve had surprises over the telephone myself, and they’re punk. Once a girl”— “Alderman Phelan would like to speak to jour honor,” said Ingram, the old doorkeeper, popping out of the anteroom. “Show him in,” answered Bennett. “Now. then. Perry”- “Were you a Unit to ask me to stay awhile longer?'’ asked the boy. “Be cause I’m sorry, but I can't. Goodby. Good afternoon. Miss Garrison. Glad jou liked the photo. So long. Maybe I'll bring another message from Dallas tomorrow.” “What can Phelan want of me, I wonder.” mused Bennett, half aloud “He and I scarcely— Good afternoon, alderman! I think this is the first time you’ve honored me with a visit.” “Then be lenient with a first offense, your honor.” suirgested Phelan, shak ing hands with tl.e mayor and nodding pleasantly to Cynthia as she passed out to her own office. “Something important, I suppose,” hazarded Bennett. “MayIk? it is important, and maybe it isn’t,” returned Phelan. “It all de pends on whether that was a true story iu the Chronicle today about jour veto ing the Borough Street railway bill. If you’ve really vetoed that bill all I'll have to do Is to say. ‘Sorry I can’t stay longer.' and get out.” "No,” said Bennett, “that announce ment wasn’t authorized. I haven’t ve toed the Borough Street railway bill. Iu fact, I haven’t made public any de cision ton it. Why?” “I’m glad to hear it, and. that being the case. I’ll invite myself to a seat and stay awhile. Say, your honor, on the level, that Borough bill was the rawest thing that ever came across. Gee, but they did their work with a meat ax!” “Then you weren’t one of the alder men who voted for it?” “Me? Nothin’ doing. I don’t belong to Dick llorrigau's ’solid thirteen.’ He can't buy and sell me at bis own terms like he does them thirteen geez ers.” “And yet, alderman, from your rep utation”— “From my reputation I’m a crook, hey? Well, there’s crooks and crooks. And I’m one of the other kind, if I’m crooked at all, which I deny most en- thoosiastically. At least I follow no Horrigan whistle.” “Then why are you here in regard to the Borough bill?” “Perhaps It’s on the theory of ’set a thief to catch a thief.’ ” “Well,” laughed Bennett, amused in spite of himself by the alderman's frankness, “at least j'ou call a spade a spade.” “I sure don’t refer to It vague, but as a ‘utensil.’ You don’t need any foot note explanations in one syllable when Jimmy Phelan’s talking. Every move a picture. If I hadn’t been through the game from shuffle to cash In. would I be wise to what the Horrigan crowd Is framing up on you now? Say, I’ve done some raw work In my time, but this Borough business is the coarsest yet They must think you’re the original Mf. Good Thing.” “You speak as If I were to be made responsible for”— “And ain’t you ?” cried Phelan. “Sure you are. When the people get wise to what they’re up against and com mence tp do their scream will they re member that So-and-so framed the bill and that such and such aldermen vot ed for it? Not them. What the ilubllc will remember is that you signed it. It’ll go Bcreecbln* down the corridors of time as ‘the Iniquitous Borough franchise bill that Bennett signed.’ Catch the Idea?” “Yes,” said Bennett grimly; ‘T un derstand. But what I don’t see is why you should have taken the trouble to come here and warn me of this. You've never shown any special fond ness for me hitherto” “That’s right. But I’ve shown bunches of uiifondncss for Chesty Dick Horrigan. And Horrlgan’s the man who’s rushing the Borough bill through. Lord, what a bill! It’s so crooked that if It was laid out like a street the man who tried to walk along it would meet himself coming back. Why, your hon or, I”- “Mr. Wainwright. your honor.” said Ingram at the door; “says he won’t de tain you long.” “I^*t him iu if you like,” suggested Phelan. “I can wait. Shall I go into the other”— “No. Wait here if you choose. His business isn’t likely to be private.” “I’m sorry to break in on your rush hours," said Wainwright as he ad vanced to greet the mayor. “I won’t keep you long. Good afternoon, aider- man.” “Howdy,” returned Phelan, walking over to the far end of the office, where, by falling Into deep and admiring study of a particularly atrocious por trait of some earlier mayor, he denoted that be was temporarily out of the conversation. “I’ll come to the point at once, Mr. Bennett,” began Wainwright. “I call ed to see you about the Borough Street railway bill.” “That’s an odd coincidence,” answer ed Bennett. “I was going to call you up this afternoon and ask your opinion of It. What do you think of the meas ure?” “What does he think of it?” mutter ed Phelan, addressing the portrait in an aside that was perfectly audible. “What does he think of it? And him owuiin’ the rival road! Oh, easy! Ask him a real hard one!” “You’re mistaken, alderman,” re turned Wainwright blandly. “I am in clined to favor the passage of the Bor ough bill.” Phelan shot one keen glance of in credulity at the financier, then wheeled about and resumed his rapt study of the portrait. “Yes," continued Wainwright, “I ad mit that my City Surface line is In a way the rival of the Borough Street railway, but in a big city like this there’s surely room for both lines to carry on a prosperous business, so why should they try to injure each other?” “Why, oh, why?” echoed Phelan, again addressing the portrait. “Can I be gettin’ so old that I’ve begun bear in’ queer things that’s never said?” Wainwright paid no heed to the in terpolation, but went on: “Of course tile franchise will be a good thing for the Borough road, but it needn’t hurt the City Surface line. Besides, the passing of the bill made Borough stock rise from 63 to 81. Then when that unauthorized announcement was made today that your honor would veto it the stock tumbled from 81 to 73. Just see what power rests with you, Mr. Bennett! If jou should veto the bill, the M 1! —•v “Pil be heavin' harps next," said l J hi Ian." Borough stock will slump to almost nothing. Think what that will mean to widows and or phans and all sorts of poor peoplewho have invested all their savings in that stock!” “I’ll be bear in’ harps twang in’ next,” groan ed Phelan in wonder. “Has the poor, dear man got swellin’ of the heart, or is lie maj'be the advance agent of the millenniumV To think of old Tightwad Wain wright”— Ingram forestalled any reply from the financier by entering with the tid ings that Thompson was iu the ante room with an important message for Wainwright. “May 1 see him in here?” asked the visitor. “It is my private secretary, and “CertainljV asserted Bennett. “Show him in. Ingram.” “I’d like to see a private secretary of mine come buttin’ in like this,” con fided Phelan to the picture. “I’d chase him so far he'd discover a new street. I’d”— The alderman broke off short His eye had fallen on Thompson as the latter entered. Phelan stood rigid, with mouth open and eyes bulging, taking in every detail of the quiet, pallid young man’s appearance. The secretary meanwhile had gone up to Wainwright and begun to deliver his message. “Mr. Horrigan called you up, sir,” said he, “just a minute or so after you left the office. He wishes you to come and see him immediately if possible.” “All right,” answered the financier, “I’ll come at once. I’m sorry, your honor, that I am called away Just now, for I’d like to discuss this Borough bill further with you. But what I wished to express can be said In a nutshell. If I. who own the rival road, am In favor of granting the Borough fran chise, I can't see why any one else should object to it. Come on, Thomp son. Good day. your honor. Good day. alderman.’’ The financier passed out. Thompson was following when Phelan, who had never once removed his eyes from the secretary, stepped iu front of him. “Well, young man!” said he. “Well, sir!” said Thompson in mild surprise. “You remember me?" “I don’t think so. sir.” “Huh! That’s queer! I’m Alderman Phelan of the Eighth." “I've read about you. of course, sir. bat r- “But you don't know me? Never met me before?” “I’m sorry, sir. but I can’t recall it If I did. Good day, air.” The secretary hurried oat after his employer. Phelan, with a puzzled shake of the head. seem«*d trying to solve some elusive problem. But Bennett, who had not nobs! the brief scene be tween Thompson and the alderman, broke in ou the latter’s musiugs with th? remark: "You appeared to he amazed at Mr. Wainvvright's attitude toward the Bor ough Street railway franchise.” “‘Amazed’ is a mild, gentle word for my feeling.” declared the alderman. "To hear that old flint heart prattlin’ about widows and orphans and fair play—why, say, your honor, I know Charles Wainwright from way back, and I tell you he has the same affec tion for the money of widows and or phans that a tomcat has for a canary. As for fair play, he wouldn’t recognize it if he was to hear it through a mega phone. He’s up to something! I don’t know just what. But I'll"— “Come, come!” remonstrated Bennett good humoredlj*. “I’m sure you do Wainwright an injustice. He”— “He’s a fine old bird! Do you chance to remember the Garrison case nine years back? President Garrison of the Israel Putnam Trust company”— “Who shot himself after being ruined by a financier who was his dearest friend? Yes. What has that to do with”— “With Wainwright? Oh, nothin’ much. Only Wainwright happened to be the financier.” “No! You must be mistaken.” “Am I? I ought to know something about it. I was the chief of police at the time and bandied tlK ease. It was I who suppressed W'air.v. right’s name. For a small consideration I”— “Wainwright!” gasped* Bennett. “Of all men! But”— “So you see why I coppered the ‘mercy’ and ’fair play’ cards when he dealt ’em just now,” purred Phelan. "There’s something big behind this talk of his in favor of the Borough bifl. Wasn’t it at his house last sum mer that Horrigan offered j'ou the nomi nation? That’s the story, and’’— “Yes. On the 23th of July. He”— “The 23th of July, hey? That was the day he had me out there. The day I met that fellow Gibbs. By the way. your honor, the papers say it’s Gibbs’ firm that’s buyln’ all that Borough stock. They’ve been buyiu’ it up on the quiet for months. I begin to see a lot of funny little lights that make this thing clearer. Gild’s is buyin’ Borough stock. He’s Wainwright’s chum. Hor rigan and Wainwright frame up your nomination; then the minute j’ou come into power this Borough franchise bill is flashed on you by Horrigan, and Wainwright begs you to sign it. Take my tip—Wainwright owns the Borough road as well the City Surface, andllor- rigan's gettin’ a fat wad of stock for arraiigin the franchise. Oh. they’ve got your honor all tied up iu ribl>ons, like you was a measly bookay. You and me ought to get together and fight tliis thing out side by side, and when once I get the Indian sign on Dick Hor rigan”— “But I’ve no personal quarrel with Horrigan. He”— “You've got the same quarrel with him that the pigeon has with the musk rat. If you don't use your wings j’ou’ll lie swallowed. Ia*! me put you on to a few of the little jokers iu that bill of his. You see”— “I see more about that bill than you think,” interposed Bennett. ‘‘I’ve work ed over it night after night, with my lawyer. I >on’t you get the idea I’ve been asleep just lie- cause I haven’t 4 ; VTi - bceu making "• any premature disturbance.” “I think,” ob served Phelan slowly, “I think I'm beginnin’ to get a new line ou you and un derstand you i>etter. If it’s any joy to you to know it, Jim my Phelan says, ‘You’re all right!’ ” He held out bis hand, and Bennett gripped it cordially. •T in glad we had this talk, aider- man,” said lie. "We are fighting from different points of view, hut our main object is the same. I think we can pull together on this matter.” “We sure can!" agreed Phelan. “An’ as for Horrigan, when I’m done with him he'll be rolled up in a nice bundle, an’ I’ll print on it In big letters, ‘Use all the hooks you like,’ ’’ “Mrs. Bennett, sir.” said Ingram. “I thought you was single!” exclaim ed Phelan. “It’s my mother. Show her in.” From the musty antechamber came the rustle of feminine attire, and Mrs. Bennett came in. Devoted as be was to his mother, Alwyn now had no eyes for her, for over her shoulder be had caught a glimpse of another face. Vi H e held out his hand, andBenin ttijripped it cordially. [to be continued.] This story will be continped in next Friday’s issue of The Ledger. 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