Evening star., 1909-06-20
CHAPTER XIV.
Caleb Conoyer Lies.
coL Lur1eusy yOHtoc STATE JOURNAL

One morning. a week or so later Caine
strClled into Conover's private office. Tn
der the young newspaper owners Gus
tomary jauntinesS was hint of some
thing more serious. Conover as skilled
in reading men as he was ignorant in de-
ciphering any problem relating to wom-
an. was aware, at a glance, of the subtle
change.
''Sit down." he said. nodding to his sec
retary to go. What's wrong? If you're
scared because Steelod fell off three-quar-
ters Of a point yesterday. you can rest
easy. l did it myself on match sales and
a few others
1T isn't Steeloid." said Caine Its
nothing that really concerns me- But
thought you would want to know about
it,
Fire away. then" vouchsafed Caleb
Have a cigar? These with the gold an
red life belts are nice to look at But if
you want something that tastes better n
IT looks. try one of the panatelas. The
ones without the Illustrations on 'em.
Now. what is it?'
Its about Miss Shevin," began Caine.
with reluctance.
Conovers massive calm fed He brought
down his crossed legs from the desk cor
ner with bang and whirled his chair
about.
Speak it out quick" he ordered, sharp
ly. 'Ain't sick. is sheo'
NO. no. This Is different. You've heard
of ex-Gov. Parkman's plan to start an
anti-grdft crusade. of courSe?'
''Sure.' grinned Caleb. Them croo-
sades are Is certain as measles. Ev'ry
city goes through 'em ev'ry once in so
often. They don't do any real hurt and
they can't tie up my business SOS to
bother me any Let 'em croosade It'll
they're black in the face. It'n be good
for you noospaper fellers, an it won't
harm anybody it's aimed at. But" un-
cf1x rIt.ltr ylN.as ,,tl
I'm coming TO the point If you'll give
me chance. Parkman's preparing a set
of tables showing not only how municipal
funds are souandered at present. but how
they were misspent in the past In the
course of his Investigations he has come
to the city hall and county courthouse"
"Well?" queried Conover. What then ,
Both of 'em was built ten years ago
That's over an done with
The Shevlin Contracting Company did
the work" interpolated Caine
What of that? Neither buildings caved
In. has t?''
Not yet. Though If all Parkman claims
is true. l don't know why they haven't
He came TO me this morning with the
whole story. Proofs, affidavits and all
He wants TO give the Star first chance to
publish the exposure. l told him to come
back at noon. and"
What EXPOSURE" asked Caleb in per-
plexity.
1T seems he took pains to hunt up the
resumed Caine. And then he hired an
architectural expert to go over the plans
and the work and see how the two
agreed. Thus far. he has found cheap
foundations and sandstone bedding Wire
the best concrete and granite were called
for. Stucco. has been used in no less
than four corridors where the plans call
ed for marble The solid marble pillars
on the east portico are composition
shells filled with cement. Then the IA
cade-''
Say, son." interrupted Conover with
perfect sincerity. what in blazes is the
matter with you and Parknlan? You've
bit into a mares nest. an any practical
manH tell You so. OF course a con-
tractors goin' to make what he can on
a job. He amt in the business for his
health or to endow the city. is heo He's
got to get his. an the politicians who
throw the job 10 him have got to get
theirs. An that bein' so. how's he goin'
to foller out all the architects specfi-
cations an still make the right money