La Junta tribune., 1908-07-11

houses.
The hour WAS late An hour an,l
more had passed since the young may
or and his mother had returned fron
the administration ball. The ho'
was silent. aud even the usually bI
streets outside We're wrapped In the
hush that never falls until after mid
night AMI IL dispersed by the gray OF
dawn Late as II was Alwyn had NAL
no move to discard his evening clothes
Alone he sat. his head resting between
his crossss, arms on the desk before
Kim.
Motlonless, inert. hopeless. he had re-
niaincL there ever since his arrival
from the ball But II his body was
moveIess. his brain was awhirl. Try
a. he would he could see no light In
the tanglc OF events into which Ills
own sense Of right had plunged him.
lie saw the future stretching ont be-
fore him ,ireary and barren as a rainy
sea.
Through all OF his months of battling
IN. had ever struggled forward through
Increasing difficulties toward one bright
goal-Daiias' love. And now that love
no fault "f his own. and bestowed Oh
man UNIV orthy to kiss the hem of her
garment.
At each step In the long climh .Nwyn
had nskcd himself Would she APP
prove: And now through trying To
he worthy that approval lie had for
ever lost IL. for Dallas. he knew. had
not only rejected him and engaged her
self to Gibbs. but had done 80 with the
belief that Bennett WAS heartless. un-
scrupulous intriguer, unieserving or
good woman's regard.
A rap at the door aroused Bennett
from his bitter thoughts. lie lifted his
head wcarily and gave word to enter.
4 drowsy servant came In with card.
He says It's important business. sir.
| said the footman. And he wishes to
see you ut once. II possible"
..Show him up" answered Bennett.
dropping his voice 80 as not to disturb
| his mother. who slept on the same
noor. II viii see him here"
A minute later Horrigan's bulky form
blocked the threshold.
Queer time OF night for call he
Observed casually. as he entered unin
| yited. closed the door behind him and
took n chair but my business
wouldn't walt"
"I'hen state It as briefly as you can.
directed Bennett. making no move 10
rise or welcome his unbiddcn guest
1T Is very late. and am tired
i've come to see you about our Bor.
ough bill
$50 I supposed"
You won't call on your fight against
u.s."
THAT question is hardly worth AN
swering No"
Il thought not Well. Mr.. Alwyn
Bennett I've got you! I've got you
DO you understand me?'
Perfectly. Is that all"'
NO. 1t amt all" mimicked the boss
And I'm In earnest. ree got you
where want you.''
THAT doesn't interest me. If you've
| nothing else TO say
"But have chuckled uorrignn.
when 1t came to Il showdown be
tween MS two put a staff of men to
looking mp your iecord.''
"Yom found nothing yon could use
Is TINT
NO: 1t isn't even the beginning
Then remembered about your IA
ther"
About my father?'
Ii grated on Bennett that his dead
| fathers honored name should he spo
| ken by this low politician. but before
he could protest more fOrcibly Horri
gan went on:
What d'you think II said your IA
ther WAS grafter-one of the worst
OF his tirne?.'
I'D say you He'd" answered Bennett
calmly. ''and I'D drive the foul lie
down your throat with my fist. You'll
have tD think Os some better scheme
than that"
do you think I'D he idiot enough 10
come here with the story II didn't
have fniI proof OF it:" asked Horrigan
In contempt.
And. despite himself. Alwyn saw the
man was speaking what he believed tc
he the truth. He paused In his impul
sive forward move, reseated himself
and asked coldly:
What so called proofs have you
been fooled by your heelers into think
ing
Don't believe me. hey? Well, you
will fast enough before I'm done. I'm
less you're afraid Of what I've got to
say"
I'm not afraid Of anything you can
say. The highest tribute to my IA
TIERS memory is the fact that cur
like you cannot defiIe It. Go on. I'll
listen to you
Very good said Horrigan. quite
unmoved. '.I'il make 1t as short as !
can. remembered your father got
rich pretty quick. lie was a member
Of the organization. and his firm got