Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1908-05-02

CHAPTER vi.
~ YHAT a strange man. ex-
claimed Dallas Wainwright
wv IN wonder. as the anteroom
door slammed behind the
boss. "And what utterly abominable
manners. Who is he, Alwyn?"
"Horrignn."
Orchard Horrigan. the
1.-THE boss. Yes. He has a pleasing
way of stamping into this Office I'M
asked, as If he owned 1t and as II l
were his clerk. But today's behavior
was the worst yet. It's got to stop"
But don't do or say anything reck-
less, Alwyu. Promise Inc. Remember
how strong be is"
There's DO danger Of his letting me
forget his power" said Bennett, with
q bitter smile. He
but you'll be careful. won't you?
Please do, for my sake. And you
mustn't keep him waiting. If there's
a way out through Cynthia's office
we'll 60 by that. Goodby. I'll explain
to your mother. No: you must let us
go now. Office business must come
first. Won't you call this evening? I'll
be home and alone"
Despite Benefits remonstrances she
was firm, and 1t was in no pleasant
frame Of mind hat the mayor threw
himself into q seat when he was left
alone In the room. That the talk with
Dallas, which had promised so much
for him, should be thus rudely inter-
rupted. That Horrigan flung open
the door and stamped in. The boss
anger had by no ean subsidized in
the few moments Of delay, but had,
rather, grown until 1t vibrated in his
every word and gesture. He wasted
no time in f0rmalities, but came to
the point with all the tender grace and
tact Of q pile driver. da
"Look here, Bennett" he rumbled.
menace underlying tone and look, "l'm
told Phelan's been here this afternoon.
What did he wantY'
ITO see me-" answered Bennett calm
ly, the effort at self control visible
only in the whitening Of the knuckles
that gripped the desk edge.
What did he want to see you aboutY'
IA business matter"
what business natter?
mime"
"Yours, eh?" sneered Horrigan.
"Well, young man, l want you to I'M
derstand here and now that no mi
can be chummy with Jim Phelan and
be my man at the same time. Got that
through your head"
Eyes," assented Bennett; II think
have. And while we're speaking plain
ly l want you to understand here and
nov that no one can bully me, either
here or elsewhere, and that I'm no
mans man. Have you got that through
your head?"
H%orrigan stared in savage amaze
ment. He doubted If his ears had not
played him false. Bennett had always
treated the boss with uniform cour-
tesy, and Horrigan belonged to the
too numerous class who do not under
stand until too late the difference be-
tween gentle breeding and weak cow
ardice. That q man should speak to
him courteously and not interlard his
talk with oaths, obscenity OF rough
ness seemed to Horrigan, as it does to
many another boor, ar evidence of IT,
nudity and lack Of virility. A Damas-
Gus blade Is q far more harmless look
ing weapon than a bludgeon, yet it is
capable when the necessity arises of
far deadlier work.
1t is only the man whose gentleness
has not granite strength IS its founda-
ton who deserves the newly popular
term Of "mollycoddle."
Had Horrigan's large experience
with men been extended to embrace
this fact he would probably never have
out Alwyn Bennett in the first
place as candidate for mayor nor
deemed the younger nan a fit tool for
the organizations crooked work. The
French mobiles Of the old regime, whose
polish Of manner was the envy of the
world, fought like devils on occasion
and went to death on the scaffold with
a smile and a jest on their lips, while
many a brutal demagogue in the same
circumstances broke down and scream
ed for mercy. However, Horrigan
CHANGED to be more familiar with the
of the organization than with
that Of France; hence, deeming Ben
nett's reply a mere sporadic fash Of
defiance from q properly cowed spirit.
he resolved to crush the rebellion at a
blow.
Don't give me any ~insolence" he
Il won't stand for it. and
Moreover" quietly continued Ben
nett, as though the boss had not
II shall be very much obliged
If in future you will knock at my door
Of bursting in on me. This is
my private Office. mot yours"
"Do you mean TO-
i've explained as clearly as l can
lust what I mean. If you don't under
stand me l can't supply you with in
"Bennett." said the. boss. his burn