The Worthington advance., 1908-06-26
CHAPTER ".


excitement for Alwyn Bennett.
L He sometimes wondered at his
own eloquence. Speech after speech
he made in every section Of the city
in half built suburbs, in halls where
nine-tenths Of his hearers were in
evening dress and where familiar
faces dotted the place; in overcrowded,
smoke reeking auditoriums, where not
one man in three wore collar and
where a score of nationalities Wed for
precedence.
With a versatility that delighted
Horrigan the candidate managed to
adapt himself to every audience and,
moreover, to impress his hearers with
a sense Of his absolute sincerity and
honesty. In the crowded, polyglot
meetings he hit on the plan of speak
ing to representatives Of each race in
their own langua;-e In a single even.
ing, SO the papers recorded, he had
made speeches IN English, French,
German, Italian and Spanish. At some
meetings toughs had tried to confuse
him by interrupting with questions,
Joking comment or insult. For each
Alwyn, without breaking the thread Of
his discourse, found some quick reply
so apt as to turn the laugh on his tor
mentor and turn the audiences sym
pathy to himself.
At last election day came and went.
And AlWyn Bennett by a fair major
ity carried his entire ticket to victory.
Even his severest critics in the organ
iZation were forced to admit that Ben
nett, and Bennett alone, had saved the
party from severe defeat. Horrigan's
judgment and choice Of men for the
thousandth time in the boss crooked
political career was vindicateQ. and
Horrigan himself was overjOyed be.
yOnd measure. Nor did the fact that
he had failed to GUST Alderman Ihe-
Ian in the primaries wholly cloud the
boss delight.
There was, however, a slight clorl
on Alwyn's triumph, for Dallas VAIN
wright was not present to share that
triumph. Within few days after Hor-
rigan's visit to the Wainwright place
Dallas had gone with an aunt on an
eight months tour Of Europe and the
Mediterranean. But Perry, who at her
secret request had kept her posted on
every detail Of the stirring campaign,
cabled her the result on election night,
and the following day a reply mes
sage Of congratulation crossed the At
lantic to gladden. AlWyn's heart In a
letter that followed a week later Dal-
las asked the first political favor the
future mayor was called upon to grant
She begged that in his Office Bennett
would try to find place for Cynthia
Garrison, in consequence Of which
when the young man made up his list
Of personal appointments Miss Garri-
son found herself listed as assistant
private secretary at decidedly CON-
Portable salary.
1t was while she was working in that
capacity in the mayors private room
in the city hall during Benefits lunch
hour one day in midwinter that her
solitude was broken by the entrance Of
visitor.
Perry Wainwright, redolent Of band
box and soap as ever, found his, way
past the doorkeeper and burst into the
sanctum.
'Hellov' was his greeting. His
honor isn't around?"
NO." answered Cynthia demurely
looking up from her work with the
most businessllke air she could as
sumo. Hes out at lunch"
II knew he would be-" gr1nned Per
ry. II timed it fine, didn't II"
Iy~ IN rh7 n
you Gomez" she asked severely. "You
know l never receive callers during
business hours. If you didn't come to
see Mr.. Bennett
"But I did Honest did. l have a
message for him. It's awfully impor-
tant He mustn't miss It,"
Perhaps you'll leave it with me? !
cam
''No; it's got an answer to it. III
have to wait, suppose"
He sat down, unlimited, with an air
Of mock resignation that was too much
for Cynthia's gravity.
"Perry Wainwright" she exclaimed
in evaporation, "how often am l to
tell you you mustn't bother me here
in Office hours?"
"Now you've hurt my feelings an
nounced Perry in solemn conviction.
"But" he added generously, "I'll for
give you, and to prove it I'll give you a
peace offering. See? Your old Boston
terriers Betty and Prince Charlie, and
me holding them.'
And he laid before her a photograph.
She caught it up, with little cry of
pleasure.
"Oh, the beauties!'' she exclaimed.
i. 1--WE do look we'll in that pose," he
admitted modestly.
IT was speaking of the dogs" she
reproved him, with lofty scoru.
''But I'm In the picture, too" he ex-
planned. TIN the one with the hat
on. And" -"
'Thank you SO much for the picture.
I shall keep 1t always. They're the
a II oH - = s,tas