Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1908-08-06

ana, to do Gibbs justice, 1t had driven
him temporarily insane. In his nor
NAL senses he would never have stoop-
ed to the plan he was now so eager to
carry out 1t was a putrid bit of Jet
sam at which a financially drowning
man did not scruplc TO clutch.
Horrigan followed him from the
room. his own splendid nerve quite re.
covered from the crushing blow his
hopes had received. He bad staked
heavily on the deal. Moreover, its fail.
urs, as he knew. meant the wreck Of
TINT mighty political prestige he had
80 long and wearison,ely built up. II
might even. II Alwyn fulfilled his
threat about the notes, lead to graver
personal consequences. Yet the bull.
dog pluck that had carried this mnn
Of iron from the gutter to the summit
OF political power did not desert him,
his customary monumental calm.
Scarcely had Horrigan quilted the
room when Perry and Dallas entered
It.
you could cut the atmosphere In
there with a cheese knife" Perry was
saying. williams doesn't think the
Borough bill will come up for half an
hour or 30. We'd better spend the
time TIL then In here than to stay there
and turn our lungs into a m!crobe ZOO"
Dallas did not answer She sat down
by the table and rested her head de-
jectedly on one little glovcd hand. The
sight Of Bennett. his grave hopeless
appeal to her; the calm. utter despair
Of his brave facial these had affect
ed her deeply. Perry noticed with
brotherly concern her look and attitude
Feeling fnintT he asked.
"No, I'm nil 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 whltest chap
this side Of Whltcville."
That's 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 fer buttn' in on fam.
lily chat" he remarked coming forward
but I'm pretty we'll posted on his
honor's character. an when | hear any
one knockln' him It's me to the bat
What have you got against Mr.. Ben.
nett? None Of your mcnsly business,
says you. Quite So says I, an, that
beln the case. let's hear all about It,"
Something that underlay the seeming
Impcrtincnce q the nlderman's bluff
speech touched Dallas. On impulse she
spoke:
"Mr Bennett" said she. lis opposing
the Borough bill. knowing we shall be
paupers IL he defeats it. He also sold
Borough stock short before be IN
nounccd his veto. What can one think
Of man who enr!ches himself at the
expense Of his frlends?"
Gee" cried Perry. that's terrible
thing! BENEFITS the original man
higher up, I'm afraid. wonder he
isn't afraid to wear the clothes Of sIc!!
wicked geezcr as himself"
"Oh, Perry! Don't Joke about H."
begged Dallas. Cant yon see the ser!.
Gus side Of anything? We shall be
penniless and dependent on
Fear thou not, sister mine" de-
clared Perry In his best melodramatic
manner "Pnupers. sayest thou? Fal
be it so! Little Brother Perry vii
guard thee from the cold. shivery
swats OF wintry wind. Maybe We
ran sell violets or start fight club
Or
Don't" she urged, Jared by his Zip
pnncy. You don't understand. r.
"As for that story Of his honors sell
in stock short and maxim a pile OF
cash on his own veto" put in Phelar
genuinely worried, "Horrignn's looked
1t up nm got enough facts to make hin
think he can prove II. He's goin' t.
make William tell the whole story tt
the aldermen tonight. It's lie. o,
course. but it'll hurt his honor lot
an the worst of 1t Is Bennett refuses
to deny It."
lie does. eh?" remarked Perry
"Thcn I'll do some talking about 1t
Ill have to fracture a promise l made
Alwyn. hut guess it's worth while"
"What do you meanT queried Dalla.
in wonder.
II mean Bennett lent me the money
TO sell enough stock short to make uT
| for what you and l would lose II tn,
bill was quashed. and he gave me {;
letter to bis own broker. We carried Il
through. and now you and stand pa
to win whichever way the cat jumps
We're on velvet, thanks to Alwyn.
HE did this for u.s." gasped Dalla'
In amaze, But why didn't you tel
me? Why did you let me misjudg'
hIm?"
'Ie made me promise not to let 20,
know thing about 1t. and
Say, youngster" broke in Phclnn
tingling with excitement, you CONT
chasin' along with me into the alder
mems meetin'. I'll have you get NJ
there IN tell what you know. III
knock that lie Of williams and UorrI
gan's SO high TN forget to hit groun
again. Come on. son There's sur,
liable to be hot doin's In the meetin' 4,
about eleven seconds. Come along"
(TO BE CONTINUED)