Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1908-06-02

10 you
"But I'd do anything in the world
anything
"You wouldy' cut in Horrigan
sharply.
eyes, yes! Only give me chance!
I'D
Horrigan considered, then said re-
fectively:
mo chance is too slight to take at a
time like this, and nobody's too rotten
to be of use. I've found there are
three things, one of which will always
buy any man-a woman, ambition or
cash. We've tried Bennett on ambi
ton; he doesn't need money, so only
the first Of the three remains"
"a woman? l don't understand
Miss Wainwright"
But
Listen here. BENEFITS in love with
Wainwright's niece. You've cut him
out. Go and tell him If he'll let our
bill alone you'll smash the engagement
and leave her free to marry him.
See?"
II can't! I-hold on, though! After
ward l could deny the whole thing.
couldn't L? It'd be his word agains.
mine, and she'd never believe could
do such thing. IL might try"
'Yes.' growled Horrigan, you might.
A cur that's lost all his nerve can try
things that even an ordinary crook
would balk at"
But Gibbs did not hear. He had re-
turned to the corridor in search of
Bennett. The man scarcely deserved
the opprobrium heaped on him by Hor-
rigan. A brilliant, daring operator, he
was, unknown to himself, rank cow
ard at heart. For the first time in his
life the cowardice had cropped out,
and, to do Gibbs justice, 1t had driven
him temporarily insane. In his nor
NAL senses he would never have stoop-
ed to the plan he was now SO eager to
carry out. 1t was u putrid bit Of jet
sam at which .. financially drowning
man did not scr,1ple to clutch.
Holrigan followed him from the
roora,- his OWL splendid nerve quite re-
covered from the crushing blow his
hopes had received. He had staked
heavily on the deal. Moreover, its fail
ure, as BE anew, meant the wreck OF
that raigEty political prestige he had
80 long and earisomely built up. 1t
might even, If Alwyn fulfilled his
threat about the notes, lead to graver
personal consequences. Yet the bull
dog pluck that had carried this man
Of iron from she gutter to the summit
Of political power did not desert him,
nor Gid he show the loss Of one iota OF
his customary monumental calm.
Scarcely had l9orrigan quilted the
room when Perry and Dallas entered
It.
"You could cut the atm osphere II,
there with cheese knife" Perry was
saying. "Williams doesn't think ,h'
Borough bill will came up for half IN
hour or SO. We'd better spend the
time till then In here than to stay there
and turn our lungs into q naicrobe zoo. I
Dallas did not answer. She sat dow.
by the table and rested her head de
jectedly on one little gloved hand. The
sight Of Bennett. his grave. hopeless
appeal to her; the calm, utter despair
Of his brave face-all these had affect
ed her deeply. Perry noticed with
brotherly concern her look and attitude.
"Feeling faint?" he asked.
"No, I'm all right, thanks"
"You look pretty near as blue as Al
wyn. He
Don't let's talk of him, please" she
begged.
"Why not? Hes the whitest chap
this side of Whiteville."
chats what used to think, but ]
know better now"
'Then, MISS" broke in a voice from
the doorway, you're entitled to anotfs-
er know"
Phelan, who, passing down the cor
ridor, had heard her last words as he
reached the threshold, turned into the
room.
excuse me for buttin' in on a fam
ily chat" he remarked, coming forward,
.'but I'm pretty well posted on his
honor's character. an when / hear any
one knockin' him it's me to the bat.
What have you got against Mr.. Ben
nett? None Of your measly business.
says you. Quite So says !, an. that
bein' the case, let's hear oil about It"
Something that underlay the seeming
impertinence Of the alderman's bluf
speech touched Dallas. On impulse she
spoke:
"Mr. Bennett" said she, sis opposing
the Borough bill, knowing we shall be
paupers If he defeats 1t. He also sold
Borough stock short before he an-
nounced his veto. What can one think
of man who enriches himself at the
expense Of his friends?"
Gee" cried Perry. that's terrible
thing! Benefits the original man
higher up, I'm afraid. wonder he
isn't afraid to wear the clothes of such
wicked geezer as himself"
"Oh. Perry! Don't joke about IT,"
begged Dallas. "Can't you see the seri
GUS side OF. anyrhings We shall be
penniless and dependent on
"Fear thou not, sister mine" de
clared Perry in his best melodramatic
manner "Paupers. sayest thou? Far
! be 1t SO! Little Brother Perry will
guard thee from the cold, shivery
swats of wintry wind. Maybe we
| can sell yiolets or start fight club
or
"Don't!" she urged. Jared by his flip.