Middletown transcript., 1903-04-25
Sullivan?

Why, with Sullivan? lightly.
To.agoid wasting time, Max,
let me say that I know the story.
Give me the sequel, she coaxed.
What you know I cannot con-
ceive. But there is no sequel,
he answered steadily.
She knew him too well to mis-
understand. He would tell her
nothing. She began over again.
He was the one you used al
ways to call the old reliable was
he not?
Who? Sullivan? Are you in
terested in him?
Not at all in him, but in his
six motherless babies. It is a
pity they should have to go to
the Home for Friendless Child
rem. If their father could keep
his job
He is going to keep it.
Is he, really? she cried, with
sudden change of front. Then
is the punishment to fall on poor
luckless Tim?
His Honor paced up and down
the little Office, the irritation ex-
pressed by his stride echoed in
his voice when he spoke again.
I wish, Alice, the Tribune wouldn't
always send you when they want
to fight me. If you were man,
I'd show you the door.
Why don't you, anyway, Max?
She smiled on him serenely.
Because-because it's you.
His hand clasped her arm, the
| scowl on his handsome face deep
ening. Then the smiles came
back again to stay. It's no use
beating the bush. But honestly,
I haven't a thing to say for the
Tribune's benefit. Personally I'd
like to confide the whole story
if you weren't always so sympa-
thetic, he added abruptly.
And don't want you to do any
such thing, she protested, with
spirit. You couldn' It find a better
way to head off my pen. I don't
want your confidence. Just give
me one bit of information, and I'll
ask nothing more.
Well? but his tone was far from
encouraging.
How is the money to be re-
placed?
He seized her by both should
ers, giving her a little shake.
Look here, he said, I'm not
posing to appear as good fairy.
If I'd taken his star, and thrown
him and his son into jail, and sent
his babies to the orphan asylum,
it would make capital reading
matter for the Tribune. But l
haven't. They've never had a
good word for me since I ran for
office, except from your pen, and
I won't have them say now I'm
playing for public sympathy.
Don't you see how every act of
mine from now until election will
be distorted for political capital?
No grandstand plays, if you
please.
She knew well this charge was
true; that the very nameof Mayor
She knew aoell this charge aoas
true; e;thatthe very name of Mayor
Richmond was as a red flag wav-
ed before the Great Editor eyes.
The city editor and her reporter
ial pen alike were helpless to
shield his simplest acts and mo |
tives from misrepresentation, or
worse, distortion.
I promise, Max, she cried, with |
a sudden revulsion of feeling. |
Nothing I ever say shall put you
before the people in such a light. |
Now I will tell you, Allie. The
accounting will be properly made. |
The police benefit fund is correct
to penny. Her eyes, following
his, rested upon his personal
check book, still lying on his
table. I'm going to give Sulli-
van one more chance, he said, to
lead an honest life, as he has
lived heretofore; to keep his
babies under his roof; to save
Tim from fate that would surely
be his. You can help me do this,
if you will, by keeping faith.
At the door of the private Of
fee the girl turned, as she went
out, to say regretfully:
1t was cracking good story.
Did you forget methis after
noon, daughter asked Mrs. Wal
dron at dinner that night. 1
waited for you until perforce
gave up hope, then betook my
self alone to the club, lest should
lose, not only half, but all of the
papers.
Indeed I am sorry, mother,
Alice made answer, with a sud- |