The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1909-06-10
(Continued.l CHAPTER W.
Caleb Conover Explains.

Caleb Conover Explains.
 .T suppose" volunteered Caine, as he and Conover walked back to town together, 'I suppose you know you be- haved like a wild ass of the desert That no man with an iota of breeding would ever have said the things you did, to the Committee members? I only mention it in case you don't real ize.''
 "Oh, I realize it all right" Conover answered him. "It ain't a. parlOr stunt to sling off your coat an grab a lady by the back hair. But if she happens to be drownin', it's the err rect play to make It was a case a TOT today. at the Club. That's why I did it. It landed 'em. If I'd got up and sprung a flowery speech, they'd a. yawned and voted me out If I'd put up a whine, they'd a been at my throat like a pack O. hungry wolf-dogs. wanted it should be me, not them, that used it. Which same it was"
 NO one will deny that, I think, in Arareek, you'd be elected by accla- nation. You said some things that ought to have been said. But you said them so vulgarly that you seemed to be splitting diamonds.
 But I'm still in the Club. An they daren't give me the cold shoulder at any more of their blowouts. They'll still hate me like poison, maybe. But lin goes there with Mrs. Hawarden. she won't see folks treatin' me like I was the original Invisible Man."
 Caine whistled.
 "So?" he unused That's the secret, is it? I might have guessed. I've been wondering ever since, why you made such a point about being well received at the Clubs functions. For. unless I'm vastly mistaken, you've about as much desire for personal so- cial welcome as a hermit thrush. I could see why you wanted to stay in the Arareek, but why you wanted to attend its-''
 You're barking up the wrong tree" growled Caleb, uncomfortably. At least you ain't much wore'n half right. Of course it's nice not to have Dey made uncomfortable on my account But I'm going to push my way into You'll see a. whole lot of things if you look long enough. Today was just a flea-bite to what's comin' before Pm dcne.''
 of Heaven by violence?'"
 'sNot quite that I hear Heavens got only the best society. I ain't after the best. Only the highest. So anything bout the details of what happened after I left the Committee 
 Everybody talked at once,' replied Caine. The air fairly crackled with blue sparks of indignation. I never before how many names a man could be called. It was a liberal education in what not to say. Then, little by little, the Governors got out of breath. and moved for a vote ges ting a written ballot"
 q might a. knowed it. crowed Con- over in high glee. No one wanted the rest to know he was votin' for me havin' hooman intelligence than 
 '"rhe amended motion was passed unanimously.' went on Caine. "Oh, it was a rare study in physiogonomy when Standish announced the vote. Eleven to one in favor of retaining you"
 If there'd been two votes against me, Blacarda could have been arrested for repeatin'," ruminated Conover. "Yes. that's just how I fingered it would be-
 T wasn't surprised at vroom and Featherstone and the others you so threatened to blackmail,' said Caine. But I thought at least Standish and Hawarden-"
 q told you I'd helped Standish's bank and that he'll want me again, soon," answered Caleb. His gratitood
 
 ''Rut Hawar-den? You didn't threaten him. Yet he was muzzled after the very first attack
 ''No. I didn't threaten Hawarden to any very great extent" assented Con- over. 'I just reminded him, quiet like, that I'm payin' his wife $S,000 a season to help Desiree in the society game, an that maybe the news might leak out am the supplies be cut off if I was fired"
 Mrs. Hawarden," ejaculated Caine Are you in earnest? ?''
 I'm not given to springin' measly jokes. I wanted that the little girl should have a show. She's prettier am better educated an cleverer'n any of the people in the gold-shirt bunch. But couldn't get her into that crowd. read in a noospaper about an Eng fish duchess that made lot of coin by putin American girls into the right surroundin's, an it gave me an idee. There's a. slump in the Duchess market here at Granite But the towns crawlin' with old families that est an hardest up are the Hawardens. So I arranged it with her. It was dead easy. She acted shy of the deal just at first; but that was only her er they stop bein' young an pretty al ways reminds me of a scarecrOw left standin' in field after all the crops beer. carted away"
 Does she know? What do you think she is? No, son, she don't know, an I'll break the neck of the that dares tell her. You're the only one except the Hawardens that's onto it."
 "So I am the logical candidate for neck-breaking if the story gets out? Don't be afraid, old man. I'd break my own neck sooner than to have Miss Shevlin's pleasure spoiled. suppose she does get pleasure from being a protegee of Mrs. Hawarden?"
 Pleasure? She's tickled to death. It's worth thes money twice over to hear her tell bout the places she goes. Say, Caine, you know more about that game than I do. Has she got any chance?"