Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1908-11-20
CHAPTER XVI.

Ian. A messenger. searching for HOr-
rigan, hustled In, looked inquiringly ut
the motionless, white faced girl, then
passed on to the committee room be-
yond and on again in his search until
the sound of his footsteps died. Aud
still Dallas sat, inert, dumb.
Little by little she was pleclng 10
gether the(facts Of the long, miserable
complication in the light of what Per.
nv had just told her. 1t was absurdly
easy now that she held the key Of the
situation. She could understand every
thing-how Wainwright had put her
fortune into Borough stock to infn
ence Bennett; how, falling to move the
latter, he had used Alwyn's knowledge
OF the fact as a weapon against the
young man; how Bennett had sought
to save her fortune and why he had
forbidden Perry to bias her feelings
by telling of the generous act
''From first to last" she murmurc1
In unhappy contrition, The has acted
honorably and as he thought would
have wanted him to and for my happ-
ness. And /, like the wretched little
fool l was, couldn't understand and
publicly Inundated him. Oh, if only
it weren't too late to-
A vision of Gibbs flashed before her
mind, and she shuddered, realizing all
that her rash steps had entalled.
st Is too late" she confessed to her.
self, fighting back the hot tears that
scared her eyes. But Mt least | can
tell him | know and beg his forgive
hess and thank him.
The sound Of voices in the corridor
reused her from her bitter reveric.
She sprang up hastily. unwilling that
any should see her tear stained face.
but the speakers, though they drew
near, did not enter Horrigan's office.
Instead, they stepped into the adjoin-
ing committee room. The messenger
had left ajar the door between the two
rooms. Realizing this and not Wishing
TO be seen, Dallas shrank back toward
the wall, fearful of detection. Then
the voice of one Of the speakers sud
denly arrested her notice.
WELL" Bennett was saying in no es-
pecially civil tones. you said you wish
ed to speak to me in private. What
have you TO say? Be brief. for ] am
busy"
= Finding herself the unwilling witness
TO what promised to be confidential |
talk, Dallas stole toward the door lead |
ing to the corridor, but Horrigan, rs
was his custom. had locked 1t on going
out She dared not enter alone the
crowded anteroom in her present state.
so hesitatingly she paused, forced to
remain where she was. The sound of
another voice chained her to the spot.
and, unconscious of eavesdroppng. she
stood spellbound, hearing every word
through the half open door
way.
Ell hardly know how to begin"
Gibbs was replying to Benefits curt
demand. at is delicate subject
and'-
"Then the sooner 1t is treated 10 open
air the better. Isl
you've won the Borough bill fight"
began Gibbs.
ais that all you have to say to me?"
"No. You've won, but you've lost far
MORE You've lost Dallas Wainwright"
81 hardly need to be reminded Of
hat" retorted Bennett. land it is a
subject don't care to discuss.
"But listen," pleaded Gibbs as the
mayor made move as though to leave
he room. Zone minute! say you've
Won the Borough fight I've won Dali
as. Can't WEI
"Well, what" asked Bennett, with
minous quiet as he paused in his de- ..
arturo.
Cant we-strike some sort of bar.
ain?" said Gibbs tentatively. !,
explain. please" ordered Bennett
18th that same deceptive calm.
"Why,n went on Gibbs, emboldened
the others seeming complacence,
suppose you give up this Borough
ght and give up Dallas? won her
y trick. She doesn't really love me.
. is her pride, not her heart. that made
err throw you over and accept me. 1t
you she loves, and I've known it all
long. and you are in love with her,"
what thenT
"Just this" returned Gibbs, wonder
lg at Benefits quiet reception of the
TRANCE offer. "She will marry me be-
ause she isn't the sort of girl to go
ack on her promise, especially since
he looks on me as sort Of high mind
! martyr TO your oppression, so if |
old her to her word she Will not back
own. Now. If you, even now. with
raw your opposition the Borough bill
- will GO through.
!. 4. I: !. !: !: !.
- sV Let t go
~ " through and !
~ = will break my
| i Il Z 4 engagement to
u Dallas w n
7 II ~ wright and
II leave her free
g A " to marry you"
TW0 You promise
LIN I'M thatY'
81 n -A Yes" cried .,
IL " CibhS aIafod ar -.