Putnam patriot., 1908-08-14

A study at home in the big Ben
 nett house that remained as A = almost the last landmark Of that solid middle nineteenth century wealth and fashion which had once dominated a neighborhood now given over to office buildings and apartment houses.
 The hour was late An hour and more had passed since the young may or and his mother had returned from the administration ball The house was silent. and even the usually busy streets outside were wrapped in the hush that never falls until after mid night and is dispersed hy the gray of dawn Late as it was Alwyn had made no move to discard his evening clothes. Alone he sat his head resting between his crossed arms on the desk before him
 Motionless. inert. hopeless, he had re- n,ained there ever since h.s arrival from the ball. But if his body was meseless. his brain Mas awhlrI Try as he would he could see ho light in the tangle of events into which his own sense of right hal plunged him. He saw the future stretching out be- fore him dreary and barren as Il rainy sea.
 Through all of his months of battling he had ever struggled forward through increasing difficulties toward one bright goal-Dallass love And now that love was snatched from his grasp. through no fault of his own. and bestowed on man unworthy to kiss the hem of her garment.
 At each step in the long climb Aiwyn had asked himself, Would she ap- prove% And now through trying to be worthy that approval he had for ever lost t. for Dallas. he knew, had not only rejected him and engaged her self 10 Gibbs. but had deue so with the belief that Bennett was a hearIess. un- scrupulous intriguer. undeserying of Il good woman's regard
 A rap at the door aroused Bennett from his bitter thoughts. He lifted his head wearay and gave word te enter A drowsy servant came in with eaftis
 "He says it's important business s'f, said the footInan And he wishes 10 see you at once if possible"
 .'show him up answered Bennett dropping his voice so as not to disturb his mother. who slept on the same floor. T will see him here
 A minute later Horrigan's bulky form thrashoii
 "oueer time of night for call. ne observed casually. as be entered unih. yited closed the door behind him and took chair. but my business wouldn't wait"
 .Then state it as briefly as you can, directed Bennett. making no move to rise or welcome his unbidden guest .It is very late. and am tired srve come to see you about our BOT ough bill"
 '.So I supposed You won't call of your fight against us?''
 .That question is hardly worth an swering. No"
 q thought not. Well. MT. Aiwsh Bennett. I've got you. fe e"' Do you understand meY perfectly. Is that ally .Ne f aia.t all" mimieked the boss And I'm in earnest. I've got you where I want you" ..That doesn't interest me. II you Ve nothing else to say ~But have" ehuckled Horrigan- -When it came to a showdown pe' tween us two put staff of men 'o looking up your record"
 .Yon found nothing yoa could Use Is that
 @No: fl isn't even the beginning Then remembered about your Ia sher"
 ..About my fafhers-
 IT grated 8a Benaett that his dead fathers hoaoTei name should be sf'o ken by this low pnlislcian' bn' beiefe he eoaid protest more foreibiy h9fFh gan went en;
 What d'you think f I said Eenf fa ther was a grafter-one cf the worst Of his timess
 -id say ron lied. answered Bennett ealaly. -aEd Isd drive the foul Lie down your throat with my fist lou have to think Of some better selaesie than that"