The Washington times., 1906-09-23
CHAPTER XIV. (COntinued.)

me LnoL, Wntu Ae nina twas me tnOL
done the Rogers job"
"Oh. yes. I remember now, you did
have that" said Brassheld. well.
that was fairly well done Come up
and figure with me. and 1 believe we
can make deal"
Thank We kindly. Mr. Brassfield,"
said Conlon. all his obsequicusness re
turning. Thank We, Anything new
I'm politics, MI. Brassdeld2'
II don't know a thing. said Brass
held, Tn so busy with other things,
you know"
"ItH be great honor" said Con-
lon, "or so I should take II, 20 be the
mare Of the city. an the master Of
the fine new house an all thatu be In
fl. all this same spring.
Yes, CouIon, yes-but as 10 the Of
feel don't know about that"
"They can't bate you asservated
Conlon promptly.
"Oh, / don't know" demurred Brass
field You cant always tell"
We're wild ye, 10 man, asserted
Conlon uuhesitatngly. growing warm
er. THE common people are Wild ye'
I'm glad 10 hear that said Brass
field. "vcry glad. But business nrst;
and this pipeline is business OF
course. II the people demand It
They Will,'
why. may I'll see. ConIon-
Anyhow. 1 appreciate your friendship.
Come up and see me
And the candidate for mayor walked
away. wondering how he could have
offended COulon. and rejoiced that he
had fixed him IN time.
where's the telegram he asked,
as he entered his private office. Why
Stevens might have attended 20 this
Where's Mr.. Stevens? Miss Strong,
send Mr.. Stevens in!'
Mr.. Stevens Easped Miss Strong.
'Mr. Steveus-why--'
on. / mean where does he live nOWF
heard he was moving And by send
ing him ia I mean. il you happen 10
meet hin" hastily amended MI
Brassfcld. noting some error. Il want
10 see him. And show me his account.
please. and kindly ring for boy 10
take this message
The books showed the discharge Of
Mr.. Stevens. and the closing of his
account Brassheld fToWned over IL,
but resumed his smile al Miss Strong
re-entrauce.
Lets see" said he. What have we
for this afternoon? These unanswered
Why. Miss Strong, these must be at
tended 10 at once. Please take some
letters for me"
He had dropped into his rut For an
hour or more Miss Strong. fingers he"
as she noted down his dIctation, and
at the end OF that time the letters were
answered. and the communications
which had So perpIeXed Am!don were
flied away among other things done.
The office force breathed freely once
more with the freedom of returning
efficiency in management
The man who had brought this re
lief 20 his employees now looked al
his watch. rose. went out, and walk
ing briskly down the main street,
uOdd.ng 10 an acquaintance here. and
speaking 10 another there, made his
way out among the homes of the town.
Here his brisk walk gradually slow
ed down to a saunter He was stroll
ing toward the house with the white
columns Suddenly coming into view
as she turned a corner and walked on
before him. appeared a young lady
Not much ability in the detective line
would be necessary for the recognl-
tion Of her by any of this girls ac-
Qualntances, within any ordinary range
of vision II there were no certain
revelation ia the short, smarly-at-
tired. Quick-mOving nugre, there could
be no mistake concerning the Vividly
brilliant hair, which gloWed under the
sauCiy-turued fabric Of felt. feathers
and velvet which crowned it, Ike "a
brilliant cloud display over d red sun
set. Mr.. Brassdeld seemed TO recog-
nize her, for he quickened his pace SO
as TO overtake her before she could
come 20 a gateway. into which her
glance and movements indicated that
she was about 10 turn. He walked
up by her side. and manifested 20 her
his presence by falling into step and
lightly pinching her shapely elbow.
''HOW-de-dO. Daisy-daisel' said he,
with the utmost assurance. when
did you bring the town the blessing
Of your presence?'
The lady gave little scream
Gene Brassheld!" she calculated.
and then. with a little quivering en-
phasis. You! How you frightened
me-"
Il know, know" replied Brassfield.
peeping under the big hat into her
eyes. Almost scared TO death, as is
quite proper. But. to my question:
how long. how long hast been here?"
oh. several days-before you came
back. Aunty wanted me 10 be here
h44CA llCE slStG4I my Aunt II 4Al4Aca II SlLA
HaZeIhurst-thats Up IN Wisconsin,
visits her. There's TO be a reception.
Of course yOuu be there. and"
"Of course" responded Brassneld.
Did I ever absent myself from any
social affair IN which your charming
aunt. Mrs. Pumphrey. is interested:
Nay, nay; but don't dodge. Why this
throwdown? Why didn't you let me
know
Gene" said the girl. you can't de-
ceive me. I'm ashamed that / wrote
the note. and YOUR telling a f1b about
getting it won't make it any better.
But IL was wicked of you not to an
swer ! only wanted you 10 come 10
me and-and talk it all over. and say
gOod-by for ever. II wasn't necessary
to"
''I have never received any note"
said Brassield. totally unconsciOus OF
the missive which AmidOn had prompt
ly waste-ba slIeted- What was it?'
Really? Didn't you?" she queried.
pouting her red lips most hssably. a
little note unsigned. with some-some
verses? No? Then I'll forgive you
for that. But-go on, Gene, up to the
house yonder-go onl"