West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1908-06-11

the motionlcss, white faced girl, then
passed on 10 the committee room be-
yond and on again I'm his search until
the sound OF his footsteps died. And
still Dallas sat. inert, dumb.
Little by little she was piecing to-
gether the facts OF the long, miserable
complication In the light or what Per
~ bad just told her. II was absurdly
easy now that she held the key or the
situation. She could understand every
thing-hew Wainwright had put her
fortune e-into Borough stock 10 infu.
ence Bennett; how. failing to move the
latter. he had used Alwyn's knowledge
or the fact as n weapon against the
young man; how Bennett had sought
to save her fortune and why he had
forbidden Perry TO bias her feelings
by telling OF the generous act
From first to last" she murmured
In unhappy contrition. "he has acted
honorably and as he thought | would
have wanted him TO and for my happI-
ness. And I. like the wretched little
fool was, couldn't understand and
publicly humlliated him. oh, II only
Ii weren't too late to-
A vision OF Gibbs flashed before her
mind, md she shuddered, realizing all
that her rash steps had entniled
1T is too late" she confessed to her
self. fighting back the hot tears that
scared her eyes. "But mt least can
tell him I know and beg his forgive
ness and thank him."
The sound OF voices In the corridor
reused her from her bitter reveric.
She sprang up hastily. unwilling that
any should see her tear stained face.
but the speakers. though they drew
near. did not enter Horrigan's office.
Instead, they stepped into the adjoin-
Ing committee room. The messenger
bad left aJar the door between the two
rooms. Realizing this and not wishing
TO be seen. Dallas shrank back toward
the wall. fearful OF detection. Then
denly arrested her notice.
"well." Bennett was saying in no es-
peciaily civil tones. you said you wish.
ed to speak to me in private. What
have you to say? BE brief. for I am
busy"
Finding herself the unwilling witness
to what promised to be a confidential
talk. Dallas stole toward the door lead
Ing to the corridor, but Horrigan, as
was his custom. had locked 1t on going
out. She dared not enter alone the
crowded anteroom In her present state.
so hesitatingly she paused. forced to
remain where she was. The sound of
another voice chained her to the spot,
and. unconscious OF eavesdropping she
stood spellbound. hearing every word
distinctly through the half open door
way.
81 hardly know how to begin"
Gibbs was replying to Benefits curt
demand. 1T is delicate subject
and
'"rhen the sooner II Is treated to open
air the better. Is
you've won the Borough bill fight"
began Gibbs.
"Is that all you have to say to me?"
mo. You've won. but you've lost far
more. You've lost Dallas Wainwright"
II hardly need to be reminded OF
that" retorted Bennett. "and IL Is a
subject ! don't care to discuss"
But listen" pleaded Gibbs as the
mayor made move as though to leave
the room. zone minutei l say you've
won the Borough fight. I've won Dal-
las. Can't we"-
"Well, whatf" asked Bennett, with
Ominous quiet Ms he paused in his de,
parture.
Cant we-strike some sort Of bar.
gain" said Gibbs tentatively.
Explain. please" ordered Bennett,
with that same deceptive calm.
why" went ON Gibbs. emboldened
at the others seeming cOmplacence,
suppose you give up this Borough
fight and give mp Dallas2 I won heI
by a trick She doesn't really love me
II is her pride. not her heart. that made
her throw you over and accept me. II
Is you she loves. and I've known Il al
along. and you are in love with her"
what thenT"
Just this" returned Gibbs, wonder
Ing at Benefits quiet reception Of tn,
strange offer "She will marry me be
cause she isn't the sort OF girl to &c
back on her promise. especially since
she looks oil me as a sort Of high mind
ed martyr to your oppression, so II
hold her to her word she will not back
down. Now. II you. even now. with
draw your opposition the Borough bill
xvfIt 90 fhrout,k