The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1908-08-20

heavily on the deal. Moreover, its fall
ure, as he knew, meant the wreck Of
that mighty political prestige he had
SO long and wearisomely built up. 1t
might even, if Alwyn fulfilled bis
threat about the notes, lead to graver
personal consequences. Yet the bull
dog pluck that had carried this man
of iron from the gutter to the summit
of political power did not desert him,
nor did he show the loss Of one iota Of
his customary monumental calm.
Scarcely had Horrigan quilted the
room when Perry and Dallas entered
it.
"You could cut the atmosphere In
there with a cheese knife" Perry was
saying. WILLIAMS doesn't think the
Borough bill will come up for half an
hour or So We'd better spend the
time till then in here than to stay there
and turn our lungs into microbe ZOO"
Dallas did not answer. She sat down
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 facial 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? He's the whitest chap
this side of Whiteville."
That's what l used to think. but
know better now."
"Then. MISS" broke In voice from
the doorway. you're entitled to anoth-
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
lily chat" he remarked. coming forward
"but I'm pretty we'll posted Oh 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 l. an. tha,
bein' the case let's hear all about it,
Something that underlay the seeming
impertinence Of the alderman's bluff
speech touched Dallas. On impulse SHE
spoke:
MIR Bennett" said she. 'is opposin,
the Borough bill. knowing we shall b,
paupers if he defeats it. He also SOLE
Borough stock short before he IN
nounced his veto. What can one thinl
of a man who enriches himself at thu
Gee" cried Perry. ''that's terrible
thing! Benefits the original ma'
higher up. I'm afraid. Il wonder h
isn't afraid to wear the clothes of sucl
wicked geezer as himself"
"Oh. Perry! Don't joke about it!'
begged Dallas. "Can't you see the seri
Gus side of anything? We shall bt
penniless and dependent on
Fear thou not, sister mine" de
clared Perry in his best melodramatit
manner "Paupers. sayest thou? FaI
be it so! Little Brother Perry vii
guard thee from the cold. shivery
swats of wintry wind. Maybe We
can sell violets or start Il fight clul
Or
Don't" she urged. Jared by his dip
pancy You don't understand. "
"As for that story of his honor's sell
, in stock short and maxim pile o
, cash on his own veto" put in Phelal
genuinely worried. "Horrigan's looket
it up an got enough facts to make hin
think he can prove it. He's goin' I
make Williams tell the whole story t
. the aldermen tonight. It's lie. o
course, but it'll hurt his honor lo
:. an the worst of it is Bennett refuse
to deny it."
"He does. eh?' remarked PER-!
'Then I'll do some talking about |
I'll have to fracture promise mad
Alwyn, but l guess it's worth while :
!, "What do you meanY queried Dalla
in wonder
II mean Rennett lent me the none
to sell enough stock short to make II
;, for what you and would lose IT TT
bill was quashed, and he gave me
:. letter to his own broker. We carried
through. and now you and ! stand y;
to win whichever way the cat Jump
We're on velvet. thanks to Alwyn.
"He did this for us?" gasped Dall'
in amaze But why didn't you Il
- me? Why did you let ME misjudi
-. him"
J. "He made me promise not TO let "
!; know thing about 1t. and
l., "Say. youngster. broke in Phel;'
: tingling with excitement. you col
chasin' along with me into the ald'
mems meetin' I'll have you get
there an tell what you know. II
-, knock that lie Of Williams and Hor
:, gan's so high it'll forget to hit srot
again Come on. son. There's 81,
-. liable to be hot doin's in the meetin'
:. about eleven seconds. Come alonS!'
I