Mower County transcript., 1903-08-26

to the little group Of which Miss An
drews was the central figure not even
her thorough knowledge of the mans
peculiarly insidious hold on the situa
tion was sufficient to give her real in
sight into the motive which prompted
him to face her and John Gordon at q
moment when he knew their indigna
ton against him was at its highest.
He took off his hat as he bowed.
"How do, Miss Andrews? I've; got
some good news for you, and thought
maybe you wouldn't object to my
bringing it. Lots II, 19 and 21 back
of the settlement have changed hands
since the fire. Maybe you didn't know
1t, but I've had my eye on those lots
for some time. Now, I don't mind tell
ing you that I admire your pluck.
You've been doing good here and /
want to help in small way. So Il We
decided to give the settlement those
lots. I understand you've been want
ing more room to build on a new hall.
This will give you a chance"
He stopped very suddenly and his
shifty gray eyes, still fastened on Miss
Andrews, had look of such Malignant
satisfaction in them that John Gordon
wanted to strike him across the mouth
He did not do that, but he did say, as
he stepped in front Of Miss Andrews,
directly between her and Randall:
when we want any donations from
you, we will let you know it. Better
take your gifts where they're better
appreciated" n sss$.5< D. s=
The man gave Gordon one evil look.
"Am talking to you? Ny offer was
made to the head Of the house. II you
are authorized" S7$ ,ts IN ~ n WI i
"Miss Andrews is not, going to enter
into any conversat ton with you" Cor
don spoke with rising tide of wrath
in him that was nearer to actual vio-
lence that he had ever been. But the
man in front Of him was visible rep
resentative of the most corrupt, vi
cious, damnable political system that
was directly responsible for practically
every dwarfed child, every ruined girl,
every debauched soul in the district.
There was no room left in John Cor
don's heart for anything but over
whelming indignation toward the man
who stood for all that monstrous
wrong. He wanted to strike some
thing. His soul was bursting with
compassion for the hundreds Of help
less lives in that hell Of misery and
with supreme anger against the man
who got his living out OF it. 3i$44
"Oh, Mr.. sGordon!" Miss Andrews
spoke almost timidly. Luella, watch
ing every tone and gesture, noted her
apparent willingness to let John Cor
don have his. way. And indeed, with
the exception Of those three words adj
dressed to him, Miss Andrews did not
speak again during the whole Of the
strange encounter. @$ 5s ~ f3tt$ Il. .5 55s
'"By your leave, Miss Andrews, IN
will do the talking, and unless you say
otherwise / will take the whole respon-
sibility of refusing any gifts Mr.. Ran
dali may, for his own reasons. make
the settlement. We know perfectly
well how lots il, 10 and q changed
hands. We do not care to be receivers
Of stolen goods. 5s,s8 b. mi .5$9
4 He said the words looking straight
into Tommy Randalls S face. y om1ny
Randall knew rs he tried to return the
look that here was one man ssWh ho was
not afraid Of him, come W hat might
Nevertheless the boss Of Ward Is had
been ruler SO long, he had grown SO ac-
customed to regard the methods sby