The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1906-08-05

hand. '.l
-Whct,' he exclaimed. Il thought I
couldn't mistake those sonorous tones.
Gruff and tough, but scund TO the oore'
Come In, Jake, my boy. Time muss hang
up his pedometer while we talk over the
good old days.
There was no rumble or grow, from
within; only whispers, too faint, too eau
tious to enlighten. Presently Bliven swag-
gered out.
"Ta IL. office boy" he roared with a
sort Of ferocious eayety. when you gifts
your growth you'll know more. p'raps.'
I was cogitating the application OF his
saying when Senator Cabaniss hurried
through, plainly perturbed. a newspaper
IN his hand. Again there were whispers,
not &c faint and cautious that could not
detect the excitement p%ermeatirg them.
Perhaps my detection might have gone
even furt her had not the telephone hell rung
fast and f~uriously. A feminine voice,
impatient, insistent, demanded to know II
Senator Cabaniss was In the office.
Then tell him." IL continued before l
had half replied, shat Miss Geraldine
Schrigley must see him at ohce-this very
minute"
WV Wv"
Is I delivered the meesag &c.
"There," exclaimed Cabaniss, despair
ingiy; that's what comes Of your cursed
interference ...
Il toll you, Cabaniss, IL will be all right
persisted my Senator, following him out.
DO what l say, belittle the report as too
absurd for contradiction. We all make
mistakes. When / do make one l make
r~ecompense at any cost
The newspaper lay on the floor Of the
deserted room. i picked 1t up; 1t opened
naturally at the fashion page. There l
read a detailed description OF the gorgeous
costume Mrs. Bliss Adsit would wear at
the Regents dinner.
".
1t was my custom every afternoon to
60 to the Leaf office and deliver to Mr..
Adsit any important intelligence we had
received, at the same time obtaining from
him the confidential reports that had come
in during the day.
1t was characteristic both OF the man
and his leadership that the unlikeliest way
to find him was to inquire for him at his
business add ees. Not one Of the clerks
ever possessed any information as to the
whereabouts of their chief, except that
he wasn't there.
Senator Savage had taught me the under
ground route by which the lair Of the boss
was reached, and accordingly that after
noon l proceeded through the alleys,
cellars and real buildings which constituted
his labyrinth, until I reached the narrow
side door to the private office, which no
one from the front dared enter unless sum-
moned by an elaborate system OF electric
calls.
l raped once and again, waiting in the
close and gloomy court, upon which not a
window Of the high surrounding walls
opened. I raped and / waited. until.
waxing impatient, / turned the knob. The
door gave way. entered.
1t was dark In the private Office. dark
and still. I CROPPED forward, bewildered
to find myself alone, yet thinking to leave
my papers. l stumbled against something
that yielded to the touch. / fell, to lie for
an instant In a dampness too sticky to be
wet.
For an instant. only. Sudden horror
swept me to my feet, to the wall, to dash
the electric calls.
The lights cleaned In the ceiling and
twinkled from the. desks. There on the
floor in a mire Of blood lay the unconscious
form OF Bliss Adsit.
Both Senators expressed synhpath etic ia
terest when l bore back the news to head
quarters.
.Dear, dear sighed Mr.. Savage. Struck
from behind with a blackjack, you say,
Bufum? Did the miscreant leave no
trace, no clue?'
Nothing was found. cir l replied, Eek
cept a copy OF Mr.. Merrifeld's address to
the people, lying on the floor near by
what do you think Of that, Cabaniss3'
cried Mr.. Savage. Gould we have a
stronger instance of the horrible effect Of
such incendiary speeches? I believe the
people will hold Metrifeld at least morally
guilty"
-The Leaf accuses him Of completely In
the assault in its extra / explained.
1T is well in any calamitous dispersal
ton Of Providence" continued my Senator
%unctuously, "to look for the underlying
good. Our poor Adsit had many admirable
Qualities, but il became evident to me that
he was no longer the man he once was. l
need only refer to his unfortunate marriage
and the all compromising influence Of his
wife to illustrate what I mean.
Besides, it lately came to my knowledge
that he has been secretly intriguing with
Merrifeld, putting himself in that position
betwiSt and between which wOuld enable
him IL he choee to go over entirely to him.
1t is unnecessary as 1t would be ungallant
for me to speak more definitely Of his mo-
tive in so doing.
Hence. we cannot regard the removal Of
a worn out and disloyal leader as m I'M
mixed evil. The crisis demands a man of
strength and fidelity, such a one as that fine
fellow who was in here to-day-what was
his name, Bufrum?"
DO you mean Bliven?' I suggested.
-Assuredly, Jake Bliven, a power in the
Fourth ward, where they have tried In vain
to down him; rough and gruff, but sound to
the core"
Senator Cabaniss, who had been listening.
suddenly interrupted, his face alight with
sentimental h~opefulness. .