The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1908-06-21

! lSHN lnttV uHl WY VNSu INV "
make Bennett let up ON his tghtT
III there was you couldn't be Of use
10 us 10 why should talk about Il
70 your
"But I'd do anything In the world
anything"
"You woudT cut IN Horrlgar
sharply,
Eyes, yos' Only give me a chance
pa
Horrlgan considered, then said re-
tieetively
mo chance Is too slight to take at a
time Ike this, and nobody's too rotten
10 be OF use, I've found there are
three things, one Of which win always
buy any mana woman, ambition OF
cash. We've tried Bennett on ambt
tion; hc doesn't need money, so only
| the first OF the three remains"
"a woman? | don't understand"
Miss Wainwright
"BuP'-
Listen here. BENEFITS In love with
Wainwright's niece, You've cut him
out Go aud tell him II he'll let our
bill alone you'll smash the engagement
and leave her free to marry him
See?"
Il can't! hold on, though, After.
ward could deny the whole thing,
couldn't |? It'd be his word against
mine, and she'd never believe could
do such thing III might try"
Eyes" growlcd IIorrigan, "you might.
A cur that's lost all his nerve can try
things that even an ordinary crook
would balk al"
But Gibbs did not hear lie had re-
turned TO the corridor In search Of
Bennett. The man scarcely deserved
the opprobrlum heaped on him by lIor'
rigan. A brilliant, daring operator, he
was, unknown 10 himself, rank cow.
ard at heart For the FIRST time In his
life the cowardlce had cropped out,
and, to do Gibbs justice, 1t had driven
him temporarily Insane In his nor
mal senses he would never have stoop-
ed TO the plan he was now so eager to
carry out, II was putrld bit OF Jet
sam at which financially drowning
man did not seruplc to clutch
Horrigan followed him from the
room. his own splendid nerve quite re-
covered from the crushing blow his
hopes had received He had staked
heavily on the deal, Moreover Its fail
ure. as he knew, meant the wreck OF
that mighty political prestige he had
so long ana wearisomcly built mp u
might even, II Alwyn fulfilled his
threat about the notes. lead to grayer
personal consequences, Yet the bun.
dog pluck that had carried this man
OF iron from the gutter 10 the summit
OF political power did not desert him,
nor did he show the loss OF one lota OF
his customary monumental calm.
Scarcely had H0rrgan quilted the
room when Perry and Dallas entered
II.
''You could cut the atmosphere In
there with n cheese knife" Perry was
saying. Williams doesn't think the
Borough bill will come up for half an
hour or SO We'd better spend the
time till then In here than to stay there
and turn our lungs into mlcrobe zoo
Dallas did not answer. She sat down
by the table and rested her head de-
jectedly on one little gloved hand The
sight Of Bennett, his grave hopeless
appeal to her; the calm, utter despair
of his brave faces all these had affect
cd her deeply Perry noticed with
brotherly concern her look and attitude.
Feeling faintY he asked.
mo, I'm all right, thanks"
"You look pretty near as blue as Al
wyn. He
Don't let's talk Of him, please" she
begged
"Why not? He's the wNtest chap
this side of Whiteville."
"Thats what used to think, but !
know better now"
"Then. miss" broke In voice from
the doorway. you're entitled to anoth.
er know"
Phelan. who. passing down the cor.
ridor. had heard her last words as he
reached the threshold. turned into the
room.
Excuse me for buttin' in on fam
fly chat" he remarked, coming forward.
"but I'm pretty well posted on his
honors character. an when hear any
one knockin' him it's me to the bat.
What have you got against Mr. Ben
nett? None of your measly business,
says you. Quite soi says |, an, that
beln' the case. let's hear all about 1t"
Something that underlay the seeming
Of the aldTman's bluff
speech touched Dallas On impulse she
spoke:
"Mr Bennett" said she, is opposing
the Borough bill. knowing we shall be
If he defeats It, He also sold
Borough stock short before he an
nounced bis veto. What can one think
Of man who enriches himself at the
expense of his friends"
"Gee." cried Perry, that's a terrible
thing! BENEFITS the original man
higher up, Pm afraid wonder he
Isn't afraid to wear the clothes Of such
a wicked geezer as himself"