Waterbury evening Democrat., 1908-05-06

Ian. A messenger, searching for Hor- rigan, hustled in, looked inquiringly at the motionless, white faced girl, then passed on to the committee room be- yond and on again in 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 of what Per ry had just told her. It was absurdly easy now that she held the key of the situation. She could understand every thing-how Wainwright had put her fortune into Borough stock to intlu- ence Bennett; how, failing to move the latter, he had used Alwyn's knowledge of the fact as a 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 murmurel In unhappy contritiop, ''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 I was, couldn't understand and publicly humiliated him. Oh. if only 1t weren't too late to-
 A vision of Gibbs flashed before her mind, and she shuddered, realizing all that her rash steps had entailed
 s'It is too late" she confessed to her self, fighting back the hot tears that scared her eyes. But at least I 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 reverie. 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 had 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 the voice of one of the speakers sud denly arrested her notice.
 Well" Bennett was saying in no es- pecially 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 confidential talk. Dallas stole toward the door lead ing to the corridor. but Horrigan. as was his custom. had locked it on going out. She dared not enter alone the crowded anteroom in her present state, 20 hesitatingly she paused, forced to remain where she was. The sound of another voice chained her to the spot, and, unconscious of esvesdropping, she stood spellbound, hearing every word distinctly through the half open door way.
 1T hardly know how to begin" Gibbs was replying to Bennett's curt demand. Tt Is a delicate subject and''-
 "Then the sooner it is treated to open air the better. ls"-
 You've won the Borough bill fight" began Gibbs.
 'Ts that all you have to say to meT' 'No. You've won, but you've lost far move. You've lost Dallas Wainwright" T hardly need to be reminded of that" retorted Bennett, and 1t is subject don't care to discuss"
 But listen," pleaded Gibbs as the mayor made a move as though to leave the room. "one minute! I say you've won the Borough fight. I've won Dal- las. Can't we"-
 "welI, whatT' asked Bennett, with ominous quiet as he paused in his de parture.
 Cant we-strike some sort of bar. gainf" 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 I give up Dallas? I won her by trick. She doesn't really love me. It is her pride, not her heart, that made her throw you over and accept me. It is you she loves. and I've known 1t all '-1g. and you are in love with her" What thenT''
 Just this returned Gibbs. wonder ing at Bennett's quiet reception of the strange offer. She will marry me be cause she isn't the sort of girl to gs hack on her promise. especially since she looks on Lle as a sort of high mind ed martyr to your oppression. so if I hold her to her word she will not back down. Now. if you. even now. with draw your opposition the Borough bill
 will go through.
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