Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1908-07-16

sheer. lie trust means everything to
me-. She told the women I wouldn't
stoop to any deed that wasn't honest,
and they answered.: Our husbands be-
lieve Mr.. Roberts is a crook. If he is
really honest he'll vote against that
bill. as he did before Then on my
way home this DOR I met my little
boy. He was crying. 1 asked him
what the matter was. he said that
some boys had told him I was a graft
er. I tell you," his voice rising almost
to a scream, "Bennett's made my life
a hell. I'm no crook. I'm honest
and"-
"Sure you're honest!" Horrigan ex-
claimed, as though to a cross child.
"Honest as the day! That's why
you're voting for our bill. Because the
crooked clauses have been cut out of
1t, and in its present form it's a benefit
to the city"
"That isn't why I promised to vote
for it," contradicted Roberts, with a
%despairing dash of courage. cit was
because I-because''-
INSfSl Illau Why lltl. UaI just ~
ahead and do it."
81 won't! I dare not
you'll do it, l say!" stormed Horri-
gan. you can't WEIGH on me at this
stage of the game. Those Sturtevant
Trust company notes of yours were
sent to you and"-
"And l won't take them!" declared
Roberts, slamming two slips of paper
down upon the table. There! Take
them back!"
"What do l want Of them?" argued
Horrigan craftily. '"They belong to
you"
"They don't. l won't keep them"
you'll have to. l keep you to your
promise"
"What promiseY' asked a voice be
hind them.
Bennett, hastily summoned by Phe-
Ian, had entered the room unobserved
by either of the excited men.
"What promise" he asked again. "a
promise to-
"What are you doing here?" below
ed Horrigan' in fury. You called me
down once for coming into your pri-
vate office without knocking. What
d'you mean by coming into mine?"
"YoursY' queried Alwyn. II had an
idea it was the city's. The time is
past when the words 'Horrigan' and
city meant the same thing. Well,
Roberts, how are you going to vote!
I want to believe you honest, and
Why. what's all this? his eyes falling
on the forgotten notes o the table.
"Nothing of yours" shouted Horri.
gan, making Il futile, furious grab for
the documents which Alwyn was pick
ing up. Drop them! Drop them, !
say, or you'll
"Why should II" asked Bennett calm
ly, his quick eye taking in the nature
of the slips Of paper even as his alert
brain grasped in full the meaning of
the transaction in which they figured.
do they belong to you?"
They don't belong to you anyway"
retorted Eorrigan. land if you dare
read them
1--WE already read them. Roberts,
he added III L kinder voice, turning to
the shaking alderman. these We're to
have been your bride, weren't they. for
voting for the Borough bill?'
His quietly compelling tone and
glance forced from Roberts a frightened
Eyes" before Horrigan could interfere.
II thought so Be quiet, Eorrigan,'
he commanded as the Infatuated boss
sought to speak through his choking
wrath. This is between Roberts and
me. Now, them
81 returned the notna TIC himr' plead
ed Roberts in panic. 'Unnestly, | did!
Just before you came in. l could have
kept them, and he couldn't have pre-
vented me even if l voted against the
bill. But I'm square and"-
"You are squared" affirmed Bennett,
gripping the alderman's cold. moist
hand in friendly reinsurance. 81 knew
all along you were honest at heart.
Horrigan wanted to bride you. and you
wouldn't be bribed. Now. I want you
to go into the council room and vote as
your manhood tells you to-"
Roberts, comforted. yet still trem-
UI1uS, ODeyeu, uOl VeutuiAuS d SeCouu
look at H%orrigan.
"Now, my friend" said Bennett
pleasantly when he and the boss were
alone together, what are you going to
do about it? 1t seems to me your game
Is up"
81 want those notes!" painted Horrt-
gan, finding coherent speech with an
effort through his red mist of rage.
"Why? They're not yours. They
aren't made over to you, and there is
no cancellation stamp on them. They
are the property of the Sturtevant
Trust company. and I'll send them
back there tomorrow-after I've had
them photographed"
you'll give them to me-" shouted
Horrigan, his mighty body vibrating
with fury, "or you'll eve leave this
room alive!"