The ledger. [volume] (Gaffney City, S.C.) 1896-1907, July 03, 1908, Image 7
k
»
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tShe e\uf Mayor
B»»rd on G H BroadhurtCt Successf«l
Play
The Man
The Hour
B> ALBERT PAYSON TERHUNE.
C:o|)> right. If)?, oy (Jeorge H. Broadhurst.
< II V I’TKIt XIV.
T HK tif't fommitU'* 1 room tliiit
lav t > (in* ri^lit of HorriKim'9
< Jli» i* ia 'lit* saim* rolalion to it
av t!n« :itt‘i liamlx*r to tbe left
—■wns usual;.v giw-n over to dry otli-
cia.' I'lisiiicss. an 1 its musty walls must
almost ha.•* oxiierieiiciMl a distinct
Sinn U about tills time as Dallas Wain-
wriclit • liter,>d from tin* corridor be
hind. She w is aceompauiod liy Perry
and !:\ I’lie’aa. who. passing throiin'li
th, corridor toward the aldermanic
chami er. ha 1 illid si w ith the brother
and sister at the committee room door.
“Fit !e'< a n ■ „i sitfht for sore eyes.
Miss W'ainw riglit," the alderman was
flay in;' with hi- best air “But Is it
fair to ask what brings such a bunch
of sumhiiie in! • an old p’lilieal shell
Ilk, tins'.' I ! a> >ooii think of seeing
H nig i at ma*.s as to find you here.’’
want t • attend the aldermen's
meeting','' c.v 'aimed Dallas. “I have
a special reason So I made Perry
hr.ag me !*ti! at the door the\ told
us the galler; was so crowded that we
couldn't”—
“Never you niind the gallery, miss.”
interrupted Phe.in “It isn't meant
for the likes i,:' you anyway. You
Just sit here a few minutes, an' I'll
cat'll i aitenlant somewhere an’
m.ihe Imiii hustle up a couple of good
cijiii;s ; for you on tin- main Moor, where
you can pipe everything just like you
were in your • w n op'ra hox eoppin' olT
a sw .id of liigh < •’s,”
“Thank you - > miieh. alderman,” re
plied Dallas ••] hope we're not put
ting ' il to (no til U e|| troithle.”
“No trouble at all. An’ even If it
was I'd come a runnin' to meet it. I'm
the- orig mil Ir .u • eater. Besides, the
best in 'he lioo<,. none too good for
the w!m was so int’rested in my
outii g So ig; I’ll he- right hack ”
Y* hat a pieer ehap he is!" mused
Perry, us phe .m hasleued away on
bis mission “if l could take a six
we, ks- course in slang and hot air
from tl .il n in Pd he a Me to sew - hllt-
-
.,1
;
ton*
n«
ole* Knglisli language.”
you need very much
■ I I null,is "But it was
aii to look after us. I
Ii
■ • is,- !. '- standing hy Bennett
so pin, kily In i' is light V"
. Bern.. is nothing to me.”
•j •' ! Perry in innocent
-’iii “T .. I a ted a lot of good
<■ 1 • ' Me i. •::•••. cabling to you about
id i- ,pai ■.lieu \ on were across
the I g wa-h iast summer. For a
Di; i. • ho ' ,s 'nothing' |o you you
rum • ok la .* ads of intelligent in-
tet,st I.,Mil i. o, little girf." lie went
oi: • -s iii: ... “what’s tile imitter?
Has . i.vihitig"
' .No!” slit- i
effort at eoiu'.
ter, : .. pert.-
I (•, V An eng.
“An engag g!rl!" he shouted in
high
you ami A w •
"f)f eours,* not.
Mr .Mil's'
'<■ ■ I I.o:d!" gasped tin* lad in hon-
f*'t . ua.' “If tiiat's meant for a
]oh• it's the punkest ever! Did"—
l! A hi a ■. Perry, and it's very
r id, ■ ! ymi p. talk so. I am engaged
tO Mr. < lihhs, and”—
But how w lien did the atrocity
come , If. und"
I .» .iu." engaged to him the night
of the administration hail. I didn't
want to te.l you yet, because I knew
yo <) n't like him. I'm I’m”—
‘ You're happy?”
“('ertainl;. | am!” she retorted de
fiantly "So happy that I”—
.o in, will] a miserable
■ "Nothing's the mat-
v !iapp,\ W'liy shouldn’t
I girl is a!wins"
i don't mean to say
I am engaged to
“That you
from crying
finished. “>
a p to !i.
think a who
an> one el',*
• having a fight to keep
Mas Messed m mil,;!” lie
I'alias. It breaks me
e \oii so miserable. I
'■>' ot of you. More’n of
but «'ynthia And I want
to tic' p you out of t ii is measly mixup.
Won’t you?"-
“There is notliing any one can do,”
she murmured sadly "I have chosen
toy , ours,; and I"
“Cheese it!" whispered Perry in hur-
riec •idmouition. "Here comes Ben
nett. and Pheli .'s with him.”
’! (k N oung n 'or ca me in, talking to
the aidennan as he eame.
“This rootn's disengaged,” he was
saying. "I'll v t»* ii here and give it
to—-oh. I heg • .nr pardon." he iiroke
off recognizing iiallas and Perry. "I
didn’t know”
“! n<• got tv. i good seats for you."
announced Plielai. "Bight where you
can sec* an' li,*ir the whole* shootin'
match. An' I guess hcjfore the meetin's
ove r .: s liable •.> g<*i as interestin’ as
H dc ;
"I'm l** Tom” show in a tent.
I’ll show you the way as soon as
you re ready There's no rush. Tilings
gin t begun t • sizzle up yet "
Bennett had crossed to where Dallas
ntcx.ei irresolute and. under cover of
Phelan's talk with Perry, said to her,
with a certain unconscious stiffness:
"I fear J w .s too taken aback by
four HUIlouilC'Ulent the othel evening
to remember t<> eongraitdate you. hut
please belie.•• me when I SUN I wish
you every Inppincss in the new life
yoii ii«‘t VI* * h i - • -*i *
"Thank ; n v i'lx mmIn taltered
nalli,' i
Ibeie . s a.. ;.w;.\\arcj pause; then
,, ■• ^
it \\ i
1 she said:
“You came in here to write some
thing I'm afraid we are detaining
ymi You must he busy with your
light against the Borough hill. You
are unite determined P> continue it to
the end?"
“To tin* hitter end!" he answered
miserably. "Kvon though that end
can hold nothing hut bitterness for
me.”
The set anguish in his face moved
Dallas more than she dared confess
even to herelf.
"1 am sorry,” site said softly.
"It is the course I have chosen,” he
answered, with a shrug, "and if it
leads to eternal darkness instead of
the sunlight I expected I must follow
it none the less.”
"That is sheer obstinacy,” she cried,
battling against her own heart’s pas
sionate plea. "You have laid out a
plan to ruin Mr. tlibbs. to deprive
Perry and me of my own fortune,
to enrich your
self by selling
Borough stock
short and then
vetoing the bill
so that the st*x k
would collapse
You have done
all tliis, and yet
you talk of fol
io w i n g your
a h o m i u a b le
course to the
end!"
"DaII as,” he
said very quiet-
__ _ ly. "you don't
““ ' understand, ami
"Ihillns,' h< vn>i you refused to
'l"''"H- "!('[" trust me to ex
plain. so 1 can
But one day you may
learn the cruel mistake you are mak
ing."
"M istake?"
"1 don't mean that you are mistaken
in ehoosing < Ii!,!>s Mislead of me, but
that you are wrong iu your judgment
of what 1 am doing. I hope you will
understand some day. It will lie too
late to eliange anything then, but at
least I shall !>•• set right in your eyes.
And that means more to me than you
can ever know < ioodby.”
He left the room abruptly, and Dal
las stared after him. her brain awhirl
w ith eonllietiiig thoughts
"There's a man in ten million, miss."
voluiiteer<*d Phelan, breaking In or. her
reverie, ’’an' from the looks of that
bran' new dink.N. tliree-k spark on
your linger 1 gn«" you're wise to the
fact."
"I am engaged to Mr. dibbs.” replied
Dallas coldly.
"What tile” gasped Phelan, check
ing himself jii't in time. "I'm sure
soriv for y >u. mi"," he went on with
a sinecr t\ that piveludei! auv offense,
"for frieti' dibbs B going to have
• heavy fad on his hank
ti■.ie were through with
able to
without
Why.
•
ii mli i si a ii'l.
sa\ no more
s'llll'd !l.
II” :
roll by
Mi.
this Bo
PH!.
us.* his
W ;n
i .
erinklin' any
in ..
r
rr\
-ae
inlet rui>ted I'alias
a meeting now ?"
turned to tile door
igan's i .,,ui Mislead
•n tin* corridor and
• • to face with her
began, sur-
ia t lie II o,
,r a 1 mark
ol the leaves
ue'll"
"('ome
"Shall we g
< 'on I used,
leading into !!
of thal opei.in
found !ier'f!f
I Uele, ' b*^ boss a I id d . .! is
"I beg our pardon," sp
prised. "I didn't know"
Dallas!" e\. aimed dibl,s and Wain-
wright in the same breath Ilorrigatl
seow led at the inievniption as all th! '***
men rose to their feet
"What bring' you to a place like
Ibis?" asked Wainw right in displea'
lire
"Perr.N and I." indicating her broth
er. wlio had followed her into tile
room, "are going to attend the meet
ing of the board of aldermen."
"But." prole led lief IMnae d -anprov-
ingi.N. "it is iiardl.N tin* sort of"
"My fortune and Perry's and that of
the man I am to marry am til! hound
up iu tin* Borough bill," sin* answered
fearlessly. "I have a right to he pres
• •in w hen that biii's fate is decided.”
"dood nerve!" applauded Iiorrig.au
You’re a thoroughbred If there were
more women like you”—
"Mr. ilorrigan." reported Williams,
hurrying in from an antechamber, "the
police have come, and"—
"All right." a ns w cr,*d the bos', "t ;i \ e
the serg* ant liis orders.”
"I I hai'dly like tin* responsibility,"
muttered Williams, "and"--
"But you’ll take it. I’m hacking
\oii. By the way, get seats for Mi"
Wainw tight and her brother. Bet
them close to tin* anteroom door, so if
there’s a row she can • ome hack here.
If there are no vacant seats there,
clear a couple of people out and make
place for"
"But nvo have seats,” protested Dal
las as Williams sp,.,| on his errand
Alderman Pheh n "
"Alderman Phelan Nvill have trouble
finding a seat in this city when I'm
•ioiie Nvhh hiii:" snarled Ilorrigan.
"Belter tale tlii- scats I otTer. Miss
Walnwrigln They're safer."
"But," protested Wain Nvright, “if
there's to !>•• an; danger sh,. mustn't
he there I eatl't have”
"I Nvil! he on hand to heip her if
there is." tlibbs answered him.
"Il'in!” grunted Ilorrigan !n sum**
NN'Iiat ittieo'n|>limen!ar.v dnnbi.
"1 will, too!" spoke ill' Perr.N
ilorrigan noddtsl a|,i»rova!.
"Yoit’l! I*** all rigiir then.” said in*
"And now”
"You spoke of the police being iii Mi*
aldermanie ciinmlM‘r," saltl Da!!'"
“What for?”
“To check any trouble tin* gallery
may make," HnKNvcm.l lionigan "Tiil-
Tmin I *eniiel t • '*i ■•••I | he people *|
with a lot •>’ Ids .narehjstii retbi:,
itleas tj!! the,, re iTa/y Sonic oil •
lia’ • to get a !,ro|;en skuil. and t!i u
with their nigiilstieks. the victims Nviii
begin to uudei - land just nnIiiiI sort of
a man AAvyii Bennett is U<*meml»e■
now • Iiblis. ami yon. too. young Wain
V ,; g!it. if tliere's aii.N sien t ,f a row
Mi
Wainnn riglit hack here at
\' right " agreed Pern, a little rue
l'u' at tin prospect ot missing a free
fight. "let's jio in tliere now I’ve
; never been to an aldermen's meeting
; before, but i ran up against a car
strike riot once, so I'guess I’m on to
! most of the subtle rules of elegance
that govern such shows. Come on.
people, if you’re coming.”
"Your niece is a thoroughbred.” re
pealed Morri; an. Nvith rare approba
tion, as tiie anteroom door closed lie-
hind Pollas and her two escorts. "So
she's to marry Bibbs, is she? I'm
sorry for them both."
"WhyV” asked Waiiuvriglit sharply.
"Because it won’t take her a year to
: find out that lie's a yellow cur And
w hen she does she'll either kick him
out or lead him around on a chain
Now, the fellow a girl of that sort
ought to have married is Bennett.
He’s an obstinate fool, but he's a man.
I thought you said once he was stuck
on her.”
"He was. He still is.”
"And she took (.Jibbs instead?” cried
Ilorrigan, a world of incredulity In his
rough voice. "Women are a queer lot!
Wliv'd she shake Bennett, if it Is a
fair question?”
“I let her see Gibbs was a heroic
martyr." said WainNvright, Nvith quiet
significance, "and that Bennett was”—
"Oh. 1 see!” chuckled Ilorrigan.
"Still, tliere might be something made
out of Bennett's love for her even yet."
"What do you mean?
"I'm not quite sure
think it over."
"Boberts lias come!”
liams. entering from
: "lie's asking for you.
him in here?"
"Yes.” replied Ilorrigan. “By the
way." be added to WainNvright as Wil
liams departed, "I’ll have to ask you
to clear out for a few minutes. I've
get to see Boberts alone. Nonv for the
tussle that'll decide the whole tight!”
< II APT KB XV,
W II.LIAMS entered with Bob
erts in Idnv. The latter wore
a haggard, troubled look, and
bis natural nervousness had
visibly deepened, sc, uiiiel) s> that lie
had not even m>'ed Phelan's appear
ance iu the c.rridor as he passed into
llc.rrigan’s private room.
"Good evening, alderman,” said Hor-
rigan civilly
"Good evening, sir." answered Bob-
efts palpably ill ::t ease.
•’I n idersiaiid lIn re's a full meeting
today. liven Lilis came back from
tbe sniith to I,e here You're the only
man missing."
"I couldn't get here sooner I” —
"I see That's all. Williams. You
needn't wait Boberts and 1 want a
liMle talk before In* goes in. .Now.
then." went on the boss,
eh;!' go ot manner
• room, " wha t's t In
I'll have to
exclaimed Wil-
the corridor.
Shall I bring
witli a com
as Williams
matter witli
pbh
left
you?'
"I i eMl’t"
"i an't \ bat ? Speak out, man!
Don’t siaml tliere and t.tumble at me!"
"I • an't vote for tbe Borough Iran
ehi.'e bill "
•Van't. hey?" roared Ilorrigan.
“Why not?"
"! '. ;io be, i use" faltered Bob-
erts; then, with a rush of hysterical
eucuion that blotted out his fear, lie
cried:
"Ilave you lieaid what that man Ben
nett .ins lone? lie ot g mized a voters'
committee in my ward and sent them
to .isk me at my own house w hat l was
going t<> do about that bill. They had
been .stirred up by Bennett li!l thev
looked < u me as a .Took and on tin* bill j
as a personal robbery They told me
if I voted for it they'd know I was a
dirty thief and grafter and that they'd
kick me out of the ward.”
"Well, well!" rumbled Ilorrigan
soothingly, as though trying to calm a
fractious drunkard "Wiiat do you
care? When they've forgotten ill!
about the bill you'll still have the j
dough, won't voit? Folks won't, ask
il ow'd lie get it?’ All they'll care to
know is ’Mas he got It?’”
•’Tint isn'l all!" Boberts blundered
on. scarcely heeding tile interruption
"Bennett's next step was to organize
a committee of voters' wives, and they
eame to see uiy wife this morning
wlft! I was out and told her they'd
heard 1 was going to sell myself and
vote for a di'liotiest bill. My wife
my wifi> thinks I'm the squnrest.
noblest man on earth. Oh, .'ou needn't
sneer! Her trust means everything to
Inc She told the women I wouldn't
stoop h> any deed that wasn't honest
and they answered: ’Our husbands be
lieve Mr. Boberts is a crook. If he is
really honest he’ll vote against that
bill, as he did before' Then on my
way home this noon I met my little
boy lie was crying. I asked him
what the matter was. He said that
some boys had told him I was a graft
er. I tell you,” Ids voice rising almost ;
to a scream, "Bennett's made my life
a heil I’m no crook I’m honest
and"
’ Sure you’re honest!” Ilorrigan ex
el limed, ns though to a cross child
"Honest as tin* day! That's why
you're voting for our bill Because the
clook'll clauses have been cut out "f
It. and In Its present form it’s a benefit
1 to the city.*'
"That Isn’t why I promised to voti.*
for it,” contradicted Roberts, with a
despairing dash of courage. "It was
because I—because"—
"Never mind why. then, but just g-
ahead and do It."
"I "nni>n’t! I dare u -t’
, *
Roberts, slamming two slips of paper
down upon the table. "Tliere! Take
‘ them back!”
“What do 1 want of them?" argued
Horrigan craftily. "They belong to
you.”
' “They don't. I won't keep them."
“You’ll have to. I keep you to your
promise."
"What promise?” asked a voice be
hind them.
Bennett, hastily summoned by Phe
lan, had entered the room unobserved
by either of the excited men.
“What promise?” he asked again. "A
promise to"—
“What are you doing here?" bellow
ed ilorrigan in fury "You called me
down once for coming into your pri
vate office without knocking What
i d’you mean by coming into mine?"
“Yours?” queried Alwyn. “I had an
idea it was the city’s The time is
past when the words ‘Horrigan' and
J ‘city’ meant the same thing. Well.
1 Roberts, bow are you going to vote?
I want to believe you honest, and—
; Why. what's all this?” his eyes falling
on the forgotten notes on tin* table.
“Nothing of yours!” shouted Horri
gan, making a futile, furious grab for
; the documents which Alwyn was plck-
| ing up "Drop them! Drop them. 1
; say, or you'll—
“Why should I?" asked Bennett calm
ly, Ids quick eye taking in the nature
of tbe slips of paper even as ids alert
brain grasped in full the meaning of
the transaction in which they figured.
“Do they belong to you?”
“They don’t belong to you anyway,”
retorted Horrigan. "and if you dare
read tliem"-
‘Tve already read them. Boberts,"
he added in a kinder voice, turning to
the shaking alderman, "these were to
have been your bril>e. weren’t they, for
voting for tin* Borough bill?”
Ills quietly compelling tone and
glance forced from Boberts a frightened
“Yes” before Horrigan could interfere.
"1 thought so Be quiet. Horrigan,”
i he commanded as the infuriated boss
sought to speak through his choking
wrath. "Tliis is between Roberts and
me. Now. then" —
"I returned the notes to him!” plead
ed Roberts in panic "Honestly, I did!
Just before yi i came in. I could have
' kept them, at.d lie couldn't have pre-
' vented me even if I voted against the
bill. But I'm square and”—
"You are square!” affirmed Bennett,
gripping :li*‘ alderman’s cold, moist
hand in friendly reassurance. "I knew
all along you Nvere honest at heart.
Horrigan Nvantcd to bribe you. and you
wouldn't be bribed. Now, I want you
to go ini . the coi;11 i! room and vote as
your manhood tells you to.”
Boberts. i "inforted. yet still trem
bling. obeyed, not venturing a second
look at Ilorrigan.
"Now. m.v friend.’' said Bennett
pleasant In n* hen be and the bos* were
alone together, "what are you going to
do about it? It seems to me your game
Is Up."
"I w it Most* notes!" pantei 1 Horri
gan. lil’ili' _■ lolierent speech NVitll an
effort through bis red mist of rage.
“Why? They're not yours. They
aren't ma ie o\cr to you, and there is
no caiiccl'.Mion stamp on them. They
are the pr ; . rty of the Sturtevant
Trust company, and I'll send them
hack tin i<- toinot row—after I’ve had
them photi• a : plied.”
"You'll giNc them to me,” shouted
Horriig-i;. Ii!' mighty Ix>dy vibrating
with fury, "or you’ll never leave this
room iliv'*"
"Y'ou'if ;i fool. Ilorrigan,” remarked
Bennett, wit!, condescending calm, “for
j ou don't even
know the right
man to hully!”
He gazed un
flinchingly Into
the maddened
little eyes of
t he boss, and so
for a moment
t bey stood—pa
trician and pro
letariat—In the
Nvorld old strug
gle of the two
for supremacy.
II o r r i ga n' s
face nn as scar
let. distorted,
m u r <1 e r ous ;
Bennett's pale,
• "iii. deadly in
its repose.
And then
waged the bat-
iiotii men standing mo-
vibrant with dynamic
\
s.\
/ • v
b
"You'll do if. 1 >ay
gan "You <’: I n’t w
stage of the g-iuic
1 ru-l « on | n> i. ■'•
sent to yo' r
"Ami I ■ . i - -•
stormed Morri
' Ii on me at this
Those S' in to- it n:
* (it N Mil s '. «•
I .!.' , " •■ I' .
/
Tlun nn •ii 11 'hi Ini f . h
ot ii ills. In,lit vu n
utilm/iiii/ unitionics*
tie of N\ilS.
tioniess t<*iis«
force.
Slowly, little by little. Horrigau's
eyes dropped. He moved awkwardly
to one side from his position in front
of the door and Bennett, without so
much its a backward look, passed out.
The I'oss, like a man in a daze, sank
heavily into a chair and gazed straight
a hen d of him. ids usually red face
gray and pasty.
But he was not to enjoy even the
scant boon of solitude. From theaute-
room Gibbs strolled in
“They’re going over some unimpor
tant preliminary business,” remarked
the irroker, "so 1 came out for a breath
of fresh air How are tilings gi>!ng? r
“We’re beat." grunted Horrigan. not
looking up.
"Beat?” screamtsj Gibbs, ashen and
inert at the news “You don’t mean
it! You enn’t mean it! Great heaven!"
The sight of the other’s cowardly
emotion seemed to rouse Horrigan
from ids apathy
“If I can rt'and it, you can!” he snarl-
•d. “You jnly lose your percentage
on the den', while I”—
“A percentage?” echoed Gibbs, too
panic stricken to liivl bis own indis
cretion. "Every cent I had in the
world! I”—
He checked hlmseif an instant too
late.
"So?" drawled Ilorrigan. his keen
little e\'*.s searing the other with
boimdies* eoulcUiOt So it was VoU I
who we're secretly buying up the stock
and tailing in on to our game, hey?”
1 "I’m ruined! Broke! And”—
“And you’ve got it coming to you,
j you whining traitor! Tho man who
goes back on his partners deserves all
the kicking he gets."
"I 1 didn't mean any harm!" mum
bled the crushed Gibbs "It couldn't
hurt you people to have me buy Bor
ough stock for myself, and I’d have
cleared up a million and more. Oh.
don't glower like that. Horrigan, but
try to think out some way of”—
“Of what, you cur?”
"Isn't there any way even now to
make Bennett let up on Ids tight?"
"If there was yon couldn't be of use
to us, si» why should I talk about it
to you?"
"But I'd do anything in the world—
anything"—
“You would?” cut in Horrigan
sharpl.N.
"Yes, yes! Only give me a chance!
I’d”—
Ilorrigan considered, then said re
flect! no!.v:
“No chance is too slight to take at a
time like tliis, and nobody’s too rotten
to Ik* of use. I’ve found there are
three tilings, one of which will always
buy any man—a woman, ambition or
i cash. We’ve tried Bennett ou utubi*
tion; he doesn't need money, so only
j the first of the three remains.”
"A woman? I don't understand.”
j "Miss Wainwright.”
"But”-
"Listen here. Bennett’s in love with
Wainwright’s niece. You've cut him
out. Go and tell him if he’ll let our
hill alone you'll suiash the engagement
and leave her free to marry him.
See?”
“I can't! I—hold on, though! After
ward I could deny the whole tiling,
couldn't I? It’d be bis word against
mill'-, and she’d never believe I could
do such a tiling. 1—I might try.”
“Yes,” growled Horrigan. "you might.
A cur tiiat’s lost all his nerve can try
tilings that even an ordinary crook
would bulk at.”
But Gibbs did not hear. H** had re-
, turned to the corridor in search of
Bennett. The man scarcely deserved
the opprobrium heaped on him b.\ Hor-
, rigan. A brilliant, daring operator, be
! Nvas, unknown to himself, a rank cow
ard at heart. For the first time in his
life tbe cowardice had cropped out,
and, to do Gildis justice, it had driven
him temporarily insane. In his nor
mal senses he Nvonld never have stoop
ed to the plan he was now so eager to
carry out. It was a putrid bit of jet
sam at which a financially drowning
man did not scruple to clutch.
Ilorrigan folloNved him from the
room, his own splendid nerve quite re
covered from the crushing Mow his
hopes had received. He had staked
heavily on tin* deal. Moreover, its fail
ure, as he knew, meant the wreck of
Unit mighty political prestige he had
so long and wearisomely built up. It
might even, if Ahvyn fulfilled his
threat about the notes, lead to graver
persona! consequences. Y'et the bull
dog pluck Unit had carried tliis man
of iron i!"m tin* gutter to the summit
of political power did not desert him,
nor did he show the Inss of one iota of
his customa'' monumental calm.
Scarcely had Horrigan quitted the
room nn hen Berry am! Dallas entered
It.
"You eouid cut the atmosphere in
there Nvith a cheese knife," Berry was
saying. "Williams doesn’t think the
Borough hi!! n\MII conic up for half an
hour or si> We’d lietter spend the
time till rlieii in here than to stay there
and iiirii our lungs into a microbe zoo."
Dallas did ,i o answer. She sat down
by tlte (aide and rested lief head de-
jectedl.N on one little gloved hand The
sjglu "l Bennett. Ids grave, hopeless
appeal to her; the calm, utter despair
of Ids brave face all these had affect
ed her deep In Berry noticed with
brotherly concern her look and attitude.
“Feeling faint?" he asked.
"No, I'm ail right, thunks."
"Y’ou look pretty near as blue as AT
Nvyui He"
"Don't let's talk of him. please.” sin-
1 legged
"Why not? lies the whitest chap
this 'id*- of Wlliteville."
"That's Nvliat I ii'cd to think, but 1
know better iionn."
‘Then, miss.” broke in a voice from
tit** do'ifNvay. “you're entitled to anotli
er *k n •' nv .' ”
l’!i«-'an, Nvho, passing down the cor
ridor, had heard her last words as he
r. M •ii.-.! the threshold, turned into the
room
"Excuse me for buttin’ in on a fam
ily chat " lie remarked, coming forward,
"but I'm pretty nvoI! posted ou Ids
honor's character, an’ when I hear any
one kno' kin’ him it’s me to the bat
What have you got against Mr Ben
nett? ‘None of your measly business,'
s. in-* you ‘'Jiiite so.' says 1 utT. that
bein' the ease, let's hear all about it."
S >■ ••Udtig tliat underlay the seeming
lmp“rtinciu'e of the alderman's Mu
st ii touebe.i Dallas tin impulse she
sp 'k'-
"Mr Bennett," sa d she. "is opposing
the Borough bill, knowing nvc shall he
paupers if in* defeats if He also s lid
Borough stock short before lie an
nouneed ids veto Wiiat can one think
of a man who enriches himself at the
expense of his friends?’’
“Gee " cried Berry, "that's a terrible
tiling' Bennett's the original man
higher uii. Bui afraid I wonder he
isn’t afraid to wear the clothes of such
a wicked geezer a* himself!”
“Oli. Berry! Don’t Joke about It!"
be?g‘*d Pallas "Can’t you see tin* seri
ous wide of anything? We shall be
penniless and dependent <.n"
"Fear thou not. sjster mine!" de
clared Berry in Ids best melodrumati
manner ' Baupei'. snyest thou? Far
he it so! 1 .ittle Brother Berry Nvill
guard thee from the cold shivery
hnnm's of a Nviutry nn ind Maybe we
cm sell violets or start a fight club
or
"I loii’t!" she m g* d
patiey "Y"': i|"iTt il
"As fi»r that story
in’ stock short an l
cash in his i>w n \ q.. '
genuinely worried "II r
it Up an’ got enough t ic ■
.ir:*'i by his tiip-
nders'aml i"
' !ii' h ui ir's ;e;|
a a i:i a pile of
• ' ut in Bhelan
ig.iu > loi■ kcl
i to make him
think he > in prove it lie's goin' to
make Will' ms t ( *p tin* whole story to
the aldermen t might It's a lie. of
course, but it'll hurt Id' honor a lot.
an’ tin* Nvorst of it is Bennett refuses
to deny it.”
“He docs. e!i?" remarked Berry
"Then I’ll do some talking uliout if.
I’ll have to fracture a promise 1 made
Alwyn. lint I guess it's worth while.”
"Wiiat do you mean?" queried Dallas
in wonder
“I mean Bennett letu me the money
to sell enough stork short to make up
for wiiat you and I would lose if the
bill was quashed, aiid lit* gave me a
letter to his own broker We carried it
through, and now you and I stand pat
to win whichever way the cat jumps.
We're on velvet, thanks to Alwyn.
"lit* did this for us?’’ gasped Dallas
in amaze. "But why didn't you tell
me? Why did you let me misjudge
him?”
“He made me promise not to let you
know a thing about it. and”—
"Say. youngster.” broke in Phelan,
tingling with excitement, "you come
chasin’ along with me into the aider-
men’s meetiu' I'll have you get up
there an’ tel! what you know. It'il
knock that lie of Williams’ and Horrt-
gan's so high it'l! forget to hit groun’
again. Come on. son! Tliere's sure
liable to lie hot doiu’s iu the meetin’ in
about eleven seconds. Come along!”
[TO BK COIVllWUTO.]
Words of Praise
For the several ingredients of which Dr.
Pierce’s niedicini's .ir<* composed, a.' g ■• ri
by leaders in all the sev**ral M'hooi' >f
medicine, Miutild have far more nn.- _
than any amount of non-professional Tes
timonials. Dr. Pierce’s Favorite Brescr o-
tion has tuk baohe of honesty on every
bottle-wrapper, in a full list of all its in
gredients printed in plain English.
If you aro an invalid woman and suffer
from frequent headache, backache, gnaNv
ing distress in stomach, periodical pains,
disagreeable, catarrhal, pelvic drain,
draggiiig/doNvn distress in loNver abdomen
or pelvjis, perhaps dark spots or specks
daneyfg before the eves, faint spells and
kindled symptoms caused by female Nv-ak-
ness,ot*th<*'derangement of the feminina
organs, Wi/can not do better than taka
Dr. Pier/ejs Favorite Prescription.
The h/s/'ital, surgeon’s kniM and opera*
ting tali'/may be avoided by the timely
use of M'avorite Prescription" In such
cases. Th'-r'-hy tin* obncxijgiis examin
ations ami loci'llre-i'.moms pf th.* fa it.
‘ 41 _ . N 1 V ii ^ Mi ' >l * <
lia; 1m7l.»* " Favon’e
i> composed of the very be»&
physician can M- uy,,.!.-d amia tleir*.
course of sncc‘‘"f ;T 'r'-atm- iit carried out
lojiic.-ULl-acI';
Prescription ' i?
native medicinal root - known to medical
science for the cure of woman's peculiar
ailments, contains no alcohol and no
harmful or habit-forming drugs.
Do not expect too much from "Favorite
Prescription; ” it will not perform mira
cles; it Nvill not disolve or cur** tumors.
No medicine Nvill. It will do as much to
establish vigorous in-alth in most weak
nesses and ailments peculiarly incident to
women as any medicine can. It mast b**
given a fair chance by perseverance in its
use for a reasonable length of time.
Yi 11_ can’t atl- cii To-i.-vcpL a m c.r.-J-
tre m
11 Ml:
.-cpT. >< ,T..f n.-w.
:: • for r*-'M*-i; r ■ (
:iva mt"i ■. :
Suck women arc invited to consult Pr.
Pierce, by letter.//ve. All correspond
ence is guard' d ,i' sacf'dly secret a; t
womanly con:'•enc-s are protected y
nrcti"iotial pr \ : v. Address Dr. E. \.
Pierce, Bulla.". N. Y'.
Dr. Pierc'" l"* I'.int Pellets tin* bt-st
laxative and r*-eol.it<>r of the !ionv*-U
Tim' inviimrab* .-tomach, liver ai. 1
boNvels. oi..- a laxative ; two or three A
cathartic. Easy ’.*> take a> candy.
THE
New Shoe Store
I am receiving new Shoes
nearly every week and will
give you new, fresh stock at
the very lowest prices. I am
still selling at cut prices. Call
in and examine my Shoes and
prices and be convinced.
.PEELER.
TECHNICALLY EDUCATED
.11 K r\ N K K 1> K O !
Th*' ileiD/tuti •* Mr .'r'-At**r taiin 11 -
supply. I.i-t *ii*- International Correa*
pondanoa Schoola, of Scranton, Pa., ur*--
p.tr*-you. t*..st, v In'iirn.-iilou
on li's"•our*"*'. Itsrr--** '-'tr-ly-*)!)
NOTICE OF DISSOLUTION OF
PARTNERSHIP.
Notice U hereby given to the pub
lic, that the partnership heretofore
existing as J W Bean & Co., has this
day been dissolve^ by the mutual con
sent of both partners. All persons In
debted to the said partnership will
make prompt payment of the same to
Boyd Sarratt.
J. W Bean,
3oyi Sarratt.
June 26 3t.
—Gaffney Drug Company for Ine
soaps.
—Solid gold eye gla*'-" $5—eyes
’••'ted Gaffney Drug Co
—Have you tried a cigar from Mie
National Cigar Stand install*''! hy
Gaffney Dnig Co* Th**;, u r e dlfferunt