La Junta tribune., 1908-07-25


sharply.
Yes. yes. Only give me chance:
I'd"-
Horrigan considered. then said re-
nectively:
NO chance is too slight to take at a
time like this and nobody's too rotten
to be of Use I've found there are
three things. one OF which will always
buy any mana woman. ambition or
cash. We've tried Bennett on ambi
ton: he doesn't need money. so only
the first OF the three remains"
"A woman: don't understand"
Miss Wainwright
But
Listen here Beuuett's In love with
wainwright's niece You've cut him
out 60 aud tell him IL he'll let our
bill alone you'!! smash the engagement
and leave her free TO marry him
See?"
~ can't. I-hold on. though After
ward could deny the whole thing.
couldn't L: It'd be his word against
mine, and she'd never believe l could
do such n thing IL might try"
Yes erowied Horrigan. you might.
A eur that's lost al, his nerve can try
things that even an ordinary crook
wonid balk at"
But Gibbs did not hear He had re-
turned to the corridor In search of
Bennett The man scarcely deserved
the opprobrium h.aped on him by ilor-
rigan. A brilliant. dnriug operator. he
was. unknown to himself. = rank cow
ard at heart For the first time In his
life the cowardice had cropped out.
and. to do Gibbs justice. II had driven
him temporarily insane. In his nor
NAL senses he would never have stoop-
ed to the plan lie was now SO eager to
carry out II WAS pufrid bit OF Jet
sam at which financially drowning
man did not scruplc 10 clutch.
uorrignn 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 fall
ure, AS he knew. meant the wreck OF
that mighty political prestige he had
80 long and wearisomely built up. 1t
might even. II Aiwyn fulfilled his
threat about the notes. lead to graver
personal consequences. Yet the bull
dog pluck that had carried this man
of Iron from the gutter to the summit
of political power did not desert him.
nor did he show the loss OF one fOta Of
his customary monumental calm
Scarcely had HOrrigsn quilted the
room when Perry and Dallas entered
II.
.'You could cut the atmosphere In
there with cheese knife" Perry was
saying. "Wiillsms doesn't think the
Borough bill will come up for half An
hour or 80 We'd better spend the
time till then In here than to stay there
and turn our lungs Into q microbe zoo"
Dallas did not answer. She sat down
by the table and rested her bead de-
Jectedly on one little gloved 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 faintl" 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? Hes the whitest chap
this side OF Whlteville.n
That's what l. used to think. but
know better now"
Then miss" broke in q voice from
the doorway. you're entitled to anoth
er know"
Phelan. who. passing down the cor
rldor. had heard her last words rs he
reached the threshold. turned Into the
room.
Excuse rie for bnttin' in on a fam
lily chat" he remarked. coming forward
but I'm pretty well posted on his
hOnor's 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 So says !. an. that
tein' the case. let's hear all about H."
Something that underlay the seeming
impertinence Of the alderman's blum
speech touched Dallas. On Impulse she
spoke:
.dr. Bennett" said she. ''ls opposing
the Borough bill. knowing we shall be
panpers II he defeats It. He also sold
Borough stock short before be an
nounced his veto. What can one think
Of man who enriches himself at the
expense Of his friends?'
Gee" cried Perry. that's . terrible
thing! Bennett's the original man
higher up. I'm afraid. wonder be
isn't afraid to wear the clothes Of such
d wicked geezer as himself."
"Oh. Perry! Don't joke about it.'
begged Dallas. Cant yon see the seri-
cus side - anything7 We SHAH De
penniless and dependent on
Fear thou not sister miner de-
clared Perry In his best melodramatic