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

a. rne antecnnm Der 10 inc IeIt
was usually given over to dry ON.
cial business. and its musty walls must
almost bavc experienced q distinct
shock about this time as Dallas Vain.
wright entered from the corridor be.
hind. She was accompanied by Perry
and by Phelan, who. passing through
the corridor townrd the aldermanic
chamber. had colltdcd With the brother
and sister at the committee room door.
Here's a good sight for sore eyes.
Miss Wainwright" the alderman was
saying with his best mir. But is 1t
fair to ask what brings such bunch
OF sunshine into an old p'liticnl shell
like this? ia as soon think OF seeing
Horrigan at mass as to find you here"
81 want to attend the aldermen's
meeting" exclaimed Dallas. II have
a 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 Phelan. ut isn't meant
for the likes Of you anyway. You
Just sit here a few minutes, an III
catch an attendant somewhere an
make him hustle up n couple Of good
chairs for you ON the main door. where
You con pipe everything just like you
were in your own op'ra box coppin' of
a swad Of high C's."
"Thanls you SO much. alderman" re-
piled Dallas. II hope wore not put
ting you to too much trouble"
mo trouble at all. An even II II
was ia come a-runnIn' to meet II. I'm
the original trouble eater. Besides, the
best in the house is none too good for
the lady who was SO interested In my
outings. So long! I'll be right back
what q queer chap he fs!' unused
Perry, rs Phelan fastened away on
his mission. "If could takc a six
weeks course in slang and hot air
from that man ia he able to sew but.
tons on the whole English language
II don't think you need very much
tuition" observed Dallas. But It was
kind Of Mr.. Phelan to look after Us.
like him be-
Because he's standing by Bennett
20 pluckily In this flght:"
"Nfr. Bennett is nothing to me-"
"Nc?" asked Perry In innocent
amaze. Then wasted a lot Of good
cigarette money cabling to you about
his campaign when you were across
the big wash last summer For q
man who was nothing to you yol
sure took large swads Of Intelligent IN
terest. Look here, little girl" he went
on, less f'ppnntly. whats the matter
Hns anything'-
mol" she broke in, witt miserable
effort Mt courage. "Nothtng's the mat
ter I'm perfectly happy. Why shouldn't
l be? An engaged girl is always
IAN engaged girlW he shouted In
high glee. you dom: mean to say
you and Alwyn"-
"Of course net am engaged te
Mr.. Gibbs
Good Lord" gasped the lad IN hon
est dismay. IF that's meant for q
Joke. it's the punkest ever! DID,
1T isn't a joke, Perry, and it's very
rude Of you to talk so. am engaged
to Mr.. Gibbs, and
"But-how-when did the atrocity
come Of. and
II became engaged to him the nigh
Of the administration ball. didn'
want to tell you yet, because l knew
you don't like him. rm-Im"-
you're happy?"
Certainly I am" she retorted dc
family. so happy that ~
THAT you are having a fight to keel
from crying this blessed minute!" HI
finished. Say, Dallas. It breaks m,
all up to have you SO miserable.
think a whole lot Of you. More'n o.
any one else but Cynthia. And | wan
to help you out Of this measly mixup
Won't your
There is nothing any one can do.
yhc rnurmured sadly. X have chosen
my course and T.
Cheese IT." whispered Perry in hur
ried admonition. Here comes Ben
nett, and Phelan's with him"
The young mayor came In, talking Il
the alderman MS he came.
This rooms disengaged." he wa
saying. I'm write 1t here ana give
to-oh. ! beg your pardon" he brok
OF. recognizing Dallas aud Perry. 4"
didn't know
1--WE got two good seats for yen,
announced Phelan. Right where 70,
can see an hear the whole shootin
match. An guess before the msetin'
over It's liable TO get rs interestin' n
p double Uncle Tom" show in n tent
III show you the way as soon a
you're ready. There's no rush. Thing
Amt begun to sizzle UP yet"
Bennett had crossed to where Dalla
stood irresolute and. under cover o
Phelan's talk with Perry. said to bel
with a certain unconscious stiffness:
~ fear ! was too taken aback b.
your announcement the other evenin
to remember to congratulate you, bu
please believe me when l say wis
you every happiness In the new III
you have chosen"
THANK you very much" fsltere
Dallas.
There was an awkward pause: the
che said:
"YOu came In here TO write some
thing. I'm afraid we are detainin
you. You must be busy with you
Eight against the Borough bill. 70
are quite determined to continue 1t
the end?"
ITO the bitter end" he answere
miscrably. Even though that en-
esl hold nothing but bitterness Il
nnNn