The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1908-06-14


wright entered from the corridor be-
hind, She was accompanied by PER-,
and by phelan, who, passing throull
the corridor toward the aldermnnl
chamber, had eollided with the brothc
and sister NJ the committee room door
Here's u good sight Tor sore eyes
Miss Wainwright" the alderman wa'
saying with his best air "Rut IL 4
fair to ask what brings such n buncl
OF sunshine into an old p'lItlca! shell
like this? ia as soon think OF seeing
Horrigan at mass as 10 tlnd you here.
II want 10 attend the aldermen's
meeting" exclaimed Dallas. Il have
special reason. So made Perry
bring me. But at the door they told
us the gallery was so crowded that we
Couldn't
"Never you mind the gallery, miss, y
interrupted phelan. 1T isn't meant
for the likes Of you anyway. You
just sit here few minutes, an III
catch an attendant somewhere an
make him hustle up couple of good
chairs for you ON the main door, where
you can pipe everything Just like you
were In your own op'ra box coppin' OF
a swad OF high C's"
THANK you 50 much, alderman" re.
piled Dallas. Il hope we're not put
ting you to too much trouble"
"No trouble at ALL An even II II
was I'd come a-runnln' to meet It, I'm
the original trouble eater. Besides, the
best In the house is none too good for
the lady who was SO interested In my
outings, So long! I'll be right back"
"What queer chap he is!" mused
Perry, as Phelnn FASTENED away on
his mission. IF ! could take a six
weeks course In slang and hot mir
from that man I'd be able to sew but.
tons on the whole English language" !"
II don't think you need very much
tuition" observed Dallas. "But 1t was
kind OF Mr.. Phelan to look after us. I
like him be-
Because he's standing by Bennett
so plncklly In this tlght?"
mir. Bennett Is nothing to me"
"No" asked Perry In innocent
amaze. Then wasted lot of good
cigarette money cabling to you about
his campaign when you were across
the big wash last summer For a
man who was nothing 10 you you
sure took large swads OF intelligent In.
terest. Look here, wttle girl" he went
on, less aippantly. whats the matter?
Has anything
"No!" she broke in. with miserable
effort at courage. "Nothlng's the mat.
ter. I'm perfectly happy Why shouldn't
! be? An engaged girl is alwags"-
"An engaged ,:irl.' he shouted In
high glee. "You don't mean to say
you and Alwyn"-
"Of course not. | am engaged TO
Mr.. Gibbs"
Good Lord" gasped the lad In hon.
est dismay. "If that's meant for
joke, it's the punkest ever! Did,
''It isn't joke, Perry, and It's very
rude OF you to talk so. am engaged
to Mr.. Gibbs, and
"But-how-when did the atrocity
come off, and
II became engaged to him the night
of the administration ball. didn't
want to tell you yet, because knew
you don't like him. T'm-I'm"-
"You're happyg"
Certainly | am" she retorted de-
family, $50 happy that r.
'"That you are having fight to keep
from crying this blessed minute" he
finished Say, Dallas, 1t breaks me
all up to have you so miserable |
think whole lot OF you. Moren OF
any one else but Cynthia. And I want
to help you out Of this measly mixup.
Won't your
"There is nothing any one can do"
she murmured sadly. II have chosen
my course and r.
Cheese itr' whispered Perry In hur-
ried admonitlon. Here comes Ben
nett, and Phelan's with him."
The young mayor came In, talking to
the alderman as he came.
This rooms disengaged," he was
saying. "I'lI write It here and give 1t
to-oh, beg your pardon" he broke
of, recognizing Dallas and Perry. II
didn't know
'T'ye got two good seats for you"
announced Phelan. Fright where you
can see an hear the whole shootin'
match. An | guess before the meetin's
over It's liable to get as interestln' as
4 double "Uncle Tom" show In n tent.
ri show you the way as soon as
you're ready. There's no rush. Things
amt begun to sizzle up yet"
Bennett had crossed to where Dallas
stood irresolute and, under cover OF
Phelan's talk with Perry, said to her,
with a certain unconscious stiffness:
II fear ] was too taken aback by
your announcement the other evening
10 remember to congratulate you, but
please believe me when say wish
you every happiness In the new life
you have chosen"
"Thank you very much" faltered
Dallas.
There was an awkward pause; then
she said:
"You came In here to write some