Fort Pierce news. (Fort Pierce, Fla.) 190?-1920, 1908-07-03
CHAPTER XII
surprise.


= 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 by the gray Of
dawn. Late as 1t 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.
Motlonless, inert, hopeless, he had re-
manned there ever since his arrival
from the ball. But II his body was
moveless, his brain was awhirl, Try
as he would he could see no light in
the tangle of events into which his
own sense of right had plunged him.
He saw the future stretching out be-
fore him dreary and barren as a rainy
sea.
Through all Of his months Of battling
he had ever struggled forward through
increasing difficulties toward one bright
goal-Dallas love. And now that love
was snatched from his grasp, through
no fault of his own, and bestowed on a
man unworthy to kiss the hem of her
garment.
At each step in the long climb Alwyn
had asked himself, would she ap.
proven And now through trying to
be worthy that approval he had for
ever lost it, for Dallas, he knew, had
not only rejected him and engaged her.
self to Gibbs, but had done so with the
belief that Bennett was heartless, un.
scrupulous intriguer, undeserving of a
good woman's regard.
A rap at the door aroused Bennett
from his bitter thoughts. He lifted his
head YEARLY and gave word to enter,
A drowsy servant came in with o card,
"He says it's important business, sir"
said the footman "And he wishes to
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. 81 will see him here"
A minute later Horrigan's bulky form
blocked the threshold.
"Queer time of night for a call" he
observed casually, as he entered unln-
vited, closed the door behind him ana
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
at is very late, and am tired"
"Pve come to see you about our Bor'
ough bill"
80 supposed
you WON'T call off your fight against
us?"
"That question is hardly worth an
swerlng. No"
81 thought not. Wei, Mr.. Alwyn
Bennett I've got you! I've got you
! Do YOU understand me"
perfectly. Is that ALP
oNo IT amt ALL mimicked the boss
"And I'm in earnest I've got you
where / want you"
"That doesn't interest me. If you've
nothing else to say
"But / have chuckled Horrigan
"Uben IT came to showdown be
tween us two put staff of men &c
looking up your record
"You found nothing you could use
Is that o.
Then | remembered about your Ia
ther."
"About my father|
II grated on Bennett that his deac
eo+ber,s honored name should be spo
Fen by this low politician, but before
he could protest more foreibly Horrl
gan went on: .,
.what d'you think If I said your "a
thor was grafter-one OF the worst
of his timer 49,, .,
.I'd saw you lied = answered Bennet'
calmly "and I'd drive the foul ll'
dovn vour throat with my fist You'll
nave 70 think of some better scheme
than that" 80. .u.,,o,, !,
sDo YOU think I'd be idiot enough e
come here with the stnrx 7 ~