West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1908-05-28
CHAPTER XII.

wealth and fashion which bsd ono.
dominated a neighborhood now given
over to once buildings and apartment
houses.
1he hour WAS late. An hour and
more had passed since the young may.
or and bis mother had returned from
the administration ball. The house
was silent. and even the USUALLY bu.v
streets outside were wrapped In the
nosh that never falls until after mid
night and Is dispersed by the gray OF
dawn Late as II was Alwyn had mad.
no move to discard his evening clothes.
Alone he sat. his head resting between
his crossed arms on the desk before
him.
Motionless, Inert. hopeiess, he had re-
maiped there ever since his arrival
from the ball. But II his body wm
moyeless. his brain was uwhirl. Try
as he would he could see no light In
the tangle or events Into which his
own sense OF right had plunged him.
He saw the future stretching out be-
fore him dreary and barren as n rainy
sea.
Through all OF his months OF battling
nc had ever struggled forward through
increasing difficulties toward one bright
goai-Dallas' love. And now that love
was snatched from his grasp. through
no fault OF his own. and bestowed on a
man unworthy TO kiss the hem OF her
garment.
At each step I'm the long climb Alwyn
had asked himself, Would she ap-
proven And now through trying TO
be worthy that approval lie had for
ever lost II. for Dallas. lie knew, had
not only rejected him and engaged her
SELF to Gibbs. but had done 80 with the
belief that Bennett was heartiess, un-
scrupulous intriguer. undessrving OF a
good woman's regard.
rap at the door aroused Bennett
from his bitter thoughts. He lifted his
head wearily and gave word TO enter.
A drowsy servant came I'm with a card.
He says It's important business, sir"
said the foOtman. And he wishes to
see you at once. II possible"
Show him up" answered Bennett,
dropping his voice 30 as not to disturb
his mother. who slept on the same
floor. II will see him here"
minute later Horrigan's bulky form
blocked the threshold.
Queer time of night for a CALL" he
observed casually, as he entered unin-
vited. closed the door behind him and
took u chair "but my business
wouldn't wait"
Then state 1t as briefly as you can"
directed Bennett, making no move 10
rise or welcome his unbidden guest
1T Is very late. and I am tired"
''fve come TO see you about our Bor-
ough bill"
80 | supposed"
'You won't call OF your fight against
usf"
THAT question is rardly worth an
swerlng. No"
II thought not. Well, Mr.. Alwyn
Bennett. I've got you, I've got you'll
DO you understand meT'
Perfectly. Is that an?"
"No, Ii amt ALL" mimlcked the boss.
And I'm in earnest I've got YOU
where want you"
That doesn't interest me. II you've
nothing else to say
But ] have" chuclSled HorrIgan.
when II came to showdown be-
tween US two I put a stan OF men TO
looking up your record"
You found nothing you could use
Is that
mo; 1t isn't even the beginning.
Then remembered about your ia.
ther"
About my fatherT'
IL grated on Bennett that his dead
fathers honored name should be .spo.
ken by this low politician. but before
he could protest more forcibly HorrI-
gan went on:
What d'you think II I said your ia
ther was a srafter-one OF the worst
- his timer"
I'D say you lied" answered Bennett
calmly, "and I'd drive the foul lie
down your throat with my fist You'll
have to think OF some better scheme
than that"
DO you think I'd be idiot enough to
come here with the story n didn't
have full proof OF itr' asked Horrlgan
IN contempt
And. despite himself Alwyn saw the
man was speaking what he believed to
be the truth. He paused IN his impul-
siye forward move. reseated himself
and asked eoldly:
What 80 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. Tn
less you're afraid Of what I've got to
say"
''Pm not afraid OF anything you can
say. The highest tribute TO my IA
thers memory Is the fact that a cur
like you cannot defle II. Go on. tn
listen TO you"
Very good" said HOrrlgan, quite
unmOved III make Il as short as I
can. remembered your father got
rich pretty quick. lie was a member
OF the organization. and his firm got
the Jobs OF building the aqueduct and
the new library. That gave me my
clew. looked up the specifications for
both Jobs, and I turned them over TO
the old engineering firm OF Morris q
Cherrlngton. You know the firm, per
haps. II you don't, you can look them
np. They don't belong TO the organiza-
ton; they're the best experts I'm their
line, aud they can't be juggled with"
II know them. Go on"
81 paid them fancy sum TO go over
those specifications and then examine
the library and the aqueduct and sec
II they were up to the mark or II the
city d been cheated by the Bennett
contracting company. / had a strong
idee ! was right but l wouldn't speak
tili h"d the proof. When got home