West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1908-06-04
CHAPTER XIV.

cial bisint.Ss. nnd Its musty walls must
almost have experienced IA distinct
shock about this time as Dallas VAIN
wright entered from the corridor be-
niud She was accompanied by Perry
nnd by I'hrlan. who. passing through
tue corridor toward the aldermanic
Chamber. had collided with the brother
aud sister at the committee room door.
Here's good sight for sore eyes.
Miss Wainwright" the alderman was
saying with his best air. But is II
fair TO ask what brings such bunch
OF sunshine into an old p'lItical shell
like thisf I'd as soon think OF seeing
Horrignn at mass as to find you here. +"
Il 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"
interrupted Pbelan. ut Isn't meant
Tor the likes OF you anyway. You
Just sit here n few minutes. an III
catch an attendant somewhere an
make him hustle up couple OF good
chairs for you on the main floor. where
you can pipe everything just like you
Were la your own opra box coppln' OF
swad OF high C's''
THANK you so much. alderman" re-
piled Dallas. ~ hope we're not put
ting you 20 too much trouble"
mo trouble at all. An even n II
was I'D come a-runnin' to meet II. I'm
the original trouble eater. Besides. the
best In the house ls none too good for
the lady who was 80 interested I'm my
outings. SO long! I'll be right back"
what queer chap he isr mused
Perry. M Phelan hastened away on
bis mission. "If I could take six
weeks course In slang and hot air
from that man I'd be able to sew but
tons on the whole English language"
u don't think you need very much
tuition" observed Dallas. But Il was
Kind or Mr.. Phelnn to look after us.
like him be-
Because he's standing by Bennett
90 pluckily 10 this Hghty'
Mr.. Bennett is nothing TO me-"
Nor asked Perry In innocent
amaze. Then | wasted lot OF good
cigarette money cabling TO you about
MS campaign when you were across
the big wash last summer. For a
man who was nothing TO you You
sure took large swads or Intelligent in
terest. Look here, little girl" ne went
on. less fippantly. whats the matter?
Has anything
MOI she broke In, with n miserable
effort at courage. "Nothlng's the mat.
ter. I'm perfectly happy. Why shouldn't
! be! An engaged girl is always
An engaged girlw he shouted I'm
high glee. you don't mean TO say
you aud Alwyn"-
"Of course not am engaged TO
Mr.. Gibbs"
Good Lordw gasped the lad In hon.
est dismay. ''If that's meant for a
joke, It's the punkest everl DID,
1T isn't a Joke, Perry. and It's very
rude OF you to talk so. am engaged
TO Mr.. Gibbs, and
come of. and
II became engaged TO him the night
OF the administration ball. | didn't
want to tell you yet. because I knew
you don't like him. I'm-Im"-
You're happyT
Certainly | ami" she retortcd de-
nsntly. 80 happy that r.
THAT you are having n fight to keep
from crying this blessed mlnute" 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 want
to help you out OF this measly mlxup.
Won't your
There is nothing any one can do"
she murmuyed sadly. 81 have chosen
my course and ~
Cheese itr' whispered Perry in hur-
- admonition. Here comes Ben
nett. and Phelan's with him"
The young mayor came I'm. talking to
the alderman as he came.
This rooms disengnged," he was
saying. "I'll write It here and give Il
to-oh, beg your pardon" he broke
on. recognizing Dallas and Perry. 81
didn't know
I've got two good seats for you"
announced Phelan. Right where you
can see an hear the whole shootin'
match. An guess before the mestin's
over It's liable to get ss interestin' as
double "Uncle Tom" show in a tent.
III show you the way as soon as
you're ready. There's no rush. Things
sin't begun to sizzle up yet"
Bennett had crossed 20 where Dallas
stood irresolute and under cover of
Phelan's talk with Perry. said to her,
with certain unconscious stiffness:
II fear ! was too taken absck by
your announcement the other evening
20 remember to congratulate you. but
please believe me when I say I 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
thing I'm afraid we are OBTAINING
yOu You must be busy with your
fight against the Borough bill. You
are quite determined TO continue It to
the endT'
20 the bitter endw NE answered
miserabiy. Even though that end
can hold nothing but bitterness for
me"
The set anguish In his face moved
Dallas more than she dared confess
,vcn TO herolf.
II am sorry" she said softly.
1T Is the course I have chosen" he
answered, with shrug. "and n II
leads 20 eternal darkness instead OF
The sunlight expected must follow
Il none the less"