Waterbury evening Democrat., 1908-04-23
CHAPTER VII.
~THE boss is turned downw

This startling news neW
 lightning fast to every quarter
 A of the organization and in it's wake spread trail of incredulous amaze. Every member. from alderman to ''heeler." knew why Horrigan had made Bennett mayor. That the latter should turn against his benefactor seemed not only black ingratitude, but something akin to insanity, for it ap- parently spelled political suicide for the young man.
 While neither of the disputants had repeated the details of the quarrel, yet those details with many another were already passing from mouth to mouth in the mysterious fashion whereby the closest kept secrets are divulged and enlarged on. In the financial world. too, the veto came as bombshell. Borough Street railway stock fell with a thud that shook more than one colos- sal fortune Bennett-central point of the whole upheaval-was the calmest man of all who were involved. He had chosen his course, and he was follow ing it with a dogged quiet far more dangerous than any loud mouthed blus- ter. He had laid out a campaign, and that campaign he rigidly followed.
 His first step was to send for Perry Wainwright early in the morning fol- lowing the clash with Horrigan and, under strict pledge of secrecy, to ex- plain the whole complicated affair to that very bewildered young man.
 You're all right, Alwyn! You're all the goods!' crowed Perry in genuine admiration. But why didn't you Ibackheel Horrigan and throw him downssairs?'
 q think did" said Bennett dryly. sT think I'm still doing it. That's why sent for you today"
 Want me to lick him for you?" ask ed Perry in delight Hes a bit over my weight, but I wouldn't mind past tng"-
 ! "No," interrupted Bennett, amused at the lads vehemence. T want you to play the melodramaic brother and protect your sister,
 Say" snorted Perry, all the light ness gone out of his manner and his young frame stiffening ominously, "d'you mean to say the cur is framing up any game on Dallas? I''-
 "Sit down." ordered Alwyn, and try to use what little human intelligence you may have. I've got to have your help, and what use are you when all you can think of is getting thrashed by somebody? Sit down now and listen to me-"
 Perry meekly obeyed the new note of command in his friends voice, and Bennett resumed:
 Your uncle has tried to hamper me by putting all your fortune and Dallas into Borough Street railway stock. The news of my veto will reach the exchange almost at once. That will cause a slump in Borough stock. If Horrigan fails to carry the bill through over my head-and he will fail if I can possibly block him-that will mean the practical collapse of the stock. It will mean that you and Dallas will be al- most penniless."
 Well" suggested Perry cheerfully, 'then you can marry Dallas, and little brother Perry can come and live with you. Don't worry, old chap. r'-
 "Shut up, you young idiot, and sit down and listenl Here's a check; also . note of introduction to my broker. He's a close mouthed fellow, and he'll keep the secret want you to sell Borough stock short to the amount off
 ! gro speculate? Gee! never thought
 q don't believe in speculation as a rule, but this time it's the only way out. Sell short. Then if the bill is de- feated you and Gladys will still be as well off as you are now, even after paying me back this sum I've advanc- ed. If the bill is passed over my head, the stock will boom, and you'll both be richer than ever. Understand the idea |? I think I've arranged it so you and she won't lose a dollar in either case"
 "Alwyn," cried Perry, the full idea at last penetrating his youthful brain, ..you're the whitest ever. The
 Hold on. l do this on one eondi- tion."
 ''Ohw
 son condition you promise solemnly that neither Dallas nor any one else shall know my share in it."
 But
 "Promise.'
 ~oh. well. all right. then. But Dal- las ought to-
 ~No. she oughtn't Now clear out I'm busy. Don't waste any time going to my broker. I'm holding back the official announcement of the veto as long as I csn. But
 ~Tm on. So long. old chap. Enter Perry the lamb into Bear and Buil- vile: Let HOrrigan & Co indulge in a timely tremble.-
 Scarce had Perry departed on his mission when Phelan was announced
 -Ycar honor he shoItcf ss he first caught xlImpSe of Bennett. You're all aces. NOihin' to fl. Friend HOrri- rzn's bitin' holes in the ceilin' He's -oh. you needn't look so mum I'm wise. I haveu-t spent ten years and csoSe Of million b,Irss iu serapin' to- gether a private secret service system fa- nothfn'- .Yo1've signed the hiliT squeals IIoTrigan. Nc. yea bi- stifT- says yoa. i've vetoed it. Now %