Waterbury evening Democrat., 1908-01-02

Why. the legislature is fixed! I--l bought it!''
 "So did Iw asserted the cattle king
 Wrong again. gentlemen" chuckled the little Irishman That august and honorable body can't-be-boughtr'
 "Explain.' cried MT. Renwyck, tot tering to his feet. What do you mean, Michael? What do you know about it. anyway
 ''Lots.". laughed Mir Corrigan Be. sides, it's very simple when you gel down to the facts. You see. there was a gentleman in New York the other day-the Hon. Mir Kinwait, believe he is called-a man welding quite a i big stick among certain members of the legislature. You. MT. Williams. mixed today for him in San Antonio. while Jacob took him out to lunch in New York and presented him with a fine cigar"
 The Texan and the New Yorker ! glared savagely. but Uncle Michael smiled blandly and continued:
 ''The Hon. MT. Kinwait. being thus beholden to both of you for your gen erous hospitality. became doubtful as to which to. serve. and while strug- gling with his india rubber conscience third party came along and offered him board and lodging in the peniten- tiary. All things being equal. he for | got both toddy and cigar and dumped his influence on the side of sweet Olivia and the Peace and Good Will Realty company. Am I clear?"
 He was more than clear, for both of the old casehardened schemers saw at glance how cleverly they had been overreached by little one horse or ganization that masked serpent's fang under the cloak of pious, inof- fensive title. with guileless individ- ual named Fishcall as its outward ex- ponent!
 Good Lord" sighed Bill Williams. and I sold 'em the land to do it with"
 Mir. Renwyck had done the same, but had not the grace to admit it.
 "Who the devil is back of this Peace and Good Will Realty company" he demanded, forgetting the presence of the ladies in his anger and chagrin.
 The little Irishman made as graceful bow as his embonpoint would per- nit
 'I am."
 Your gasped Mir. Renwyck.
 "Yes. Jakie, dear. I also interviewed the Hon. Mir. Kinwait."
 But. man." storned MT. Renwyck, don't you know that half my fortune is invested in that deal? You-you've swindled me.'
 Bill Williams laid his hand on Mir. Corrlgan's shoulder and spoke calmly. but reproachrully:
 Tt was my pet scheme. Mike. and you knew it. Half my pile is gone too. didn't think you'd do me up like that"
 T was merciful." said Uncle Michael coolly. q left you each half. You won't starve. might have taken all"
 If Mir. Corrigan fancied that he was ironing out the crinkled shirt of troI. ble by proving to the rivals that nei. ther one had been successful. he found himself vastly mistaken. The tempest was loosed again. and Richard the Brazen took turn at the thunder box
 Look here" he cried. striding up to Uncle Michael and spinning that port. ly little man about without deference to his age or size. MT. Corrigan. if you were twenty years younger I'd give you the soundest thrashing you ever had in all your life!"
 At this surprising development the entire company. with the exception of the lawyer. were too amazed to do aught but stare at the furious young man. The furious young man contin. ued. oblivious to his surroundings:
 ''I came to you fin confidence. sir. as my attorney. at your own suggestion. and asked advice. I WAS helpless. as you knew. hanging between duty to dad and my pledge to Mir. Renwyck. You've swlndled us all. sir-these gen. tlemcn of their harbors. me of what | placed confidently in your hands-my honor"
 Honor" sneered Mir. Renwyck. i Honor
 What" beloved the cattle king. 1 You knew all about it. Dick. and you ] didn't tell me. Oh. Dick. Dickr'
 Richard turned to explain to his re. proaehful father. but Mir. Renwyck ] turned upon the young man fiercely.
 "Har' he almost screamed. "So that's the reason you couldn't sign a | draft? Ton had sold me to Michael, 1 had you-sold me when in the kind. 1 ness of my heart I tried to help an | impoverished Engiishmanl English man. he laughed derisively. "A spy. ! a traitor 10 me-yes. and to his own | flesh and blood too-' The inancfer | paused for breath. then wheeled upon | his brother-in-law. And you" he . siormed--you. with your arguments and your ehucklIng mask that hides q rascal. That's what you've been laugh ing at for the past three days. is it-i you and your psalm singing Mfr. Fish i caIli You cheated me out of my land l at Olivia, You've blackmailed the | Texan legislature. Yoa-yoa-you-- -0h. Jacob. dariing- sobbed Mrs. Renuyek. coming 10 his side as he sank, exhausted. into his chair.
 Tt is perfectly disgrzcefuIE' snined I Miss Schermeriy. T am almost tempt , d 10 @ upstzirs- Hewsver. she sue 4 cessfully resisted tsmptafsos.
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