Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1908-10-06

L
nett in her capacity Of chaperon should
ask for Cynthia. you can tell her were
going into the glass house to stroll
among the romantic vegetables"
And he departed with his prize in the
direction Of the conservatory. The mo
ment's interruption had sufiiced fol
Wainwright to whisper an admonitory
word in Horrigan's ear. Dallas, too
fearing a clash. took Bennett's arm.
"It's so warm In here!' she murmur-
ed perhaps we can find better air IN
one Of the other rooms. Shall we try?
"Wainwright," exclaimed Horrigan
as the portieres closed behind the may
or and girl. ~ don't like that! Is your
niece ON his side or with u.s.?
81 don't know" answered Vain
wright discontentedly, land | dom
like to force an issue by asking her
1t doesn't especially matter, l suppose
In any case, l can trust her."
you're in luckw sneered Horrigan
That makes two people you say you
can trust-first your secretary, ThOmp
son, and then Hello!" he broke of
as q swarthy middle aged man hurried
in. Looking for me. Williams! What's
upy
| The newcomer was viSibly excited
and at first glance Horrigan had seen
that something was amiss.
whats upT repeated the boss.
ELLIS has gone-deserted" cried VIII
liams.
"Ellisw echoed Wainwright In dis
may, for the man Of whom Williams
| spoke was one Of the aldermanic solid
thirteen" on whom Horrigan counted
The boss made no comment, but walt,
ed impatiently for his henchman to
continue.
ELLIS has gone,"' repeated Williams.
HE left note for me saying his wife
is very Ill and the doctors ordered him
| to take her south. So he can't attend
Fridays meeting"
Cant attend the meetingY gasped
Wainwright But everything depends
on
"Oh, he'll be on hand, the cur!
| growled Horrigan. ''The rest are stand
ing solid Of course?
81 think so," hazarded Williams, "but
some of 'em are pretty scared. We've
never had such a fight before as Ben,
nett's putting up against us now,
and
"I'Il strengthen 'em up so as to
knock out any weakening!" declared
Horrigan confidently. "It's Ellis we've
got to look after now. Go after him,
Williams, on the first train south and
| haul him back. Have him here by
Friday If you have to kidnap him.
I'll stand for any damage or expense.
Only see he's here for that meeting.
It's up. to you. Now jump"
As Williams FASTENED toward the
door Horrigan called after him:
ION your way out send word to Rob-
erts that want to see him here. Well,
Wainwright" he resumed, turning
back into the room. at looks bad"
do you think
81 think we're In tight place. Ii
our aldermen found out about Ellis
quitting, there's no knowing how many
of 'em would bolt. II we could only
work Bennettr'
"Out of the question. He can't be
turned"
There's no man who can't be turn
ed. I've one card up my sleeve yet
that ought to land him. But Id rath-
er try something else first. wish we
could get line or his price"
He can't be bought! He"-
"Rot! Everybody can be bought
| Only there's some that can't be bought
with cash. I'm wondering what there
is that'll buy him If money won't"
Gibbs, in search of an elusive part
ner, crossed the foyer and paused to
greet them.
What newsy' he asked.
Wainwright surveyed the brokers'
well groomed figure with less approvai
than usual.
"You seem to be Industrious enough
tonight" said he. Its pity some OF
tonight's dancing energy couldn't have
been devoted to your work this morn
ing"
Gibbs flushed ut the reproof in words
and tone.
81 don't understand" he replied
stifHy.
"Why didn't you notify me Of the
big block Of Borough stock that was
bought up just before noon?"
81 HADN'T heard about II" answered
Gibbs. with not quite all bis custom
airy assurance.
"Everybody else heard Of It. You'll
have to keep better tabs on the market
than that IL you're to he any use to US.
Do you know who bought it?"
NO." returned Gibbs. with growing
uneasiness. "Of course don't. How
should know? What are you driv,
ing at?"
This is what I'm driving at: Several
big blocks Of the stock have been un'
loaded on the market during the past
few days and have been quietly snap,
ped up. Somebody's evidently failing
on to our game. You don't know
whoY
'I've told you twice that | didn't
know" clustered Gibbs, masking bis
concern under a show OF virtuous In
dignation.
The effort called forth all the astute
young brokers' nerve, for certain
shrewd scheme OF his showed signs OF
falling through BY his original ar
rangement with Wainwright he was tc
have manipulated oil the Borough
stock purchases on the exchange 6ooi
and to receive 20 per cent Of the profits
on the condition that he invest not one
dollar In the stock on his private &C
count
Having strong faith In the deals sue
cess and having no equally strong in
centtve to keep faith with his partners
Gibbs had sought to swell his OWL
profits by secretly buying up quantities
Of the stock for himself until every
penny of his capital was involved. His
troubled mind could not now deter
mine whether or not Wainwright sus
pected him. Gibbs, while possessing
all the ambition, selfishness and lacl
of conscience that go toward the max