Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1908-10-27
Cbe Metz Mayor
Based on G. q. Broadhursfs Successful
Play
The Man
TheHour
By ALBERT PAYSON TERHUNE.
Copyright. 1907. by George H. Broadhurst.
6be Metz Mayor
CONTINUED
By ALBERT PAYS0N TERHUNE.
Copyright. 1907. by George n. Broadhurs,.

scarcely Qdu i1OIrlsdu uuitteu III,
room when Perry and Dallas entered
1t.
"You, could cut the atmosphere IN
there with Il cheese knife" Perry was
saying. Williams doesn't think the
Borough bill will come up for half al
hour or SO. We'd better spend the
time till then in here than to stay there
and turn our lungs into microbe zoo.
Dallas did not answer. She sat down
by the table and rested her head de
jectedly on one little gloved hand The
sight of Bennett, his grave. hopeless
appeal to her; the calm, utter despair
of his brave facial these had affect
ed her deeply. Perry noticed with
brOtherly concern her look and attitude
"Feellng faint?" he asked.
"No, I'm all right, thanks"
"You look pretty near as blue as Al
wyn. He
Don't let's talk of him. please" she
begged.
"Why not? He's the whltest chap
this side of Whiteville."
That's what I used to think, but !
know better now."
"Then, MISS" broke in a voice from
the doorway, you're entitled to anoth'
er know
Phelan, who, passing down the cor
ridor, had heard her last words as he
reached the threshold, turned into the
room.
Excuse me for buttin' in on a fam
Ily chat" he remarked. coming forward.
"but I'm pretty well posted Oh his
honor's character, an when ! hear any
one knockin' him It's me to the bat
What have you got against Mr. Ben
nett? None Of your measly business.
says you. Quite So says l, an, that
bein' the case, let's hear all about it."
Something that underlay the seeming
impertinence of the alderman's bluff
speech touched Dallas. On impulse she
spoke:
"Mr. Bennett" said she, "is opposing
the Borough bill, knowing we shall be
paupers II he defeats 1t. He also sold
Borough stock short before he an
nounced his veto. What can one think
of a man who enrlches himself at the
expense of his friends?"
Gee" cried Perry, that's terrible
thing! Benefits the original man
higher up, I'm afraid. l wonder he
isn't afraid to wear the clothes Of such
a wicked geezer as himself"
"Oh. Perry! Don't joke about IT."
begged Dallas. "Can't you see the seri-
GUS side Of anything? We shall be
penniless and dependent on
"Fear thou not, sister mine" de-
clared Perry in his best melodramatc
manner. "Paupers, sayest thou? Far
be it so! Little Brother Perry will
guard thee from the cold, shivery
swats Of a wintry wind Maybe We
can sell violets or start a fight club
orr
"Don'tm she urged, Jared by his flip
pancy. "You don't understand. r.
"As for that story Of his honor's sell
in stock short and maxim a pile Of
cash on his own veto." put in Phelan
genuinely worile led, "Horrigan's looked
1t up an got enough facts to make him
think he can prove 1t. He's goin' to
make Williams tell the whole story to
the aldermen tonight. It's lie. Of
course, but It'll hurt his honor a lot,
an the worst of it is Bennett refuses
to deny it."
"He does, eh?" remarked Perry.
"Then I'll do some talking about it.
I'll have to fracture promise made
Alwyn. but guess it's worth while"
"What do you meant" queried Dallas
in wonder.
81 mean Bennett lent me the money
to sell enough stock short to make up
for what you and would lose If the
bill was quashed. and he gave me n
letter to his own broker. We carried 1t
through. aud now you and stand pat
to win whichever way the cat jumps.
We're on velvet. thanks to Alwyn.
"IIe did this for usy gasped Dallas
in amaze. "But why didn't you tell
me? Why did you let me misjudge
him."
"IIe made me promise not 10 let you
know thing about 1t. and
"Say. youngster." broke in Phelan.
tingling with excitement. ''you come
chasln' along with me into the alder
mems meelln'. III have you get up
there an tell what YOU know. It'll
knock that lie of Williams and Iiorri
gan's so high it'll forget to hit groun'
again. Come ON. son. There's sure
liable to be hot doin's in the meetin' In
about eleven seconds. Come along!'