The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1909-06-12
.LBERT PAYsON TERHUNE
Copyright 1so9 by Albert Payson Terhune 
(Continued.l
FRANK F. LOWELL COMPANY 1909

VjlIjIIilIiSIlIlIiljtIIIIIl1SSaIS(II (Continued.A
 'I heard something just now" said Caine. Something that it will sur prise you to learn. I had it from the Stars Legislature correspondent. It seems Biacarda tried to prevent your coming to the Capitol at all. I'm rather surprised at his playing such a trick. But I suppose it goes to prove that a man is known by the company he promotes He heard you were due from Granite on the 5:30 train this $500 to have the locomotive break down thirty miles from here. You would have been stalled there until too late to be, of any use. The Assembly
 "An' stampeded," finished Caleb stolidly. An the Starke bill would've gone through an we'd a. been licked Quite so. That's why I changed my plans, the last minute, an came here last night"
 You knew of Blacarda's mover" cried Caine in aInaZement-
 "son." yawned Conover. tits my plenty little I don't know when it comes to 20 calibre en'mies like Bla- carda- The engineer took the cash am then brought the whole story to me. Us railroad men pull together, you know. I told him to keep his 5000 an let the engine break down accordin' to schedule Then I came on another train last night. Didn't you see how pleased Blacarda looked when he came into the hotel? He knows he ain't got a ghost of a chance with his Starke bill, while I'm on deck in the State House lobby. Here's our carriage. Come on, since you're in such hurry.'
 The two men splashed out through the sheets of rain toward the waiting vehicle. Caine stood aside to let Con- over step in. As the latter's foot was on the step, the hotel telegraph clerk came running out, calling the Fight CTS name and holding up a slip of yell low paper whose message-ink was still wet.
 "Just camel announced the clerk. handing Conover the dispatch. T thought you were still in the hotel. Lucky caught you before you start ed!"
 Caleb made no reply. He was read ing, and re-reading, the telegram. Caine, watching him impatiently. saw the Fighters face turn a muddy gray. Then, shouting to the driver: Union Station! Go like HeH!" Conover was in the carthage Caine, all at a loss, had barely time to scramble in after him before Caleb had slammed shut the door. The horses were off at full speed; the wheels dashfng cascade of mud blotches through the vehicles lowered sash.
 .what is the matter?" insisted Caine, as Conover huddled-inert. bulky, wordless-in one corner; whom are you to meet at the station? thought all the Assemblymen-"
 I'm goin' to catch the 9:32 to Gram ite if we can make it." growled Con over. ."Shut up am let me think. Herei"
 He showed the tight-squeezed ball of ter, as he took the telegram, noted the sudden clammy chill of the Fighter S hand and noted that his lips were dry as a. fever-patient's. Never before had Caine seen him nervous, and he turned with redoubled interest to the unfolding of the crumpled dispatch. It bore a woman'S Sfgnature-that Of Desiree's aunt-and Caine, marveling. sage:
 'sDey taken dangerously i'll last night. Delirious. Calls for you all time. Come if can"
 The banal wording. the crude phras- ing for the sake of saving expense every detail of the telegram jared upon Gaines fastidious taste- But a new thought made him turn, incred-
 I'm awfully. awfully sorry to hear this," said he "But-but of course you can't think, of leaving everything at the State House today and
 ''State House?" muttered Conover, dully.
 Don't you understand?" cried Caine. gripping the dazed, limp giant by the shoulder and trying to shake him back to his senses. Don't you understand the SteelOid fight will be on in an hour or SO? You can't desert us and run off to Granite like this.'
 '"Take your hands off me-, mumbled conover. pettishly. Lord. how I hate @ any faster'n hearse? I'll miss the
 "Conover," fairly shouted Caine. Brace up, mani What ails you? I never saw you like this Have you comes up, in the Assembly, today. Your fortune and mine hang on your killing the Starke bill. You say, your self, that unless you're at the State Granite and back before the session closes if"
 "I'm not comin' back" said Caleb in utter weariness. "She's-Dey's sick Dangerously ill., the teIgram said An she's callin' all the time for me. If the 9:32 is on time I ought to be to her house by noon. Maybe before."
 Look here, old man!" pleaded Cafne. "Of course Pm sorrier about Miss Sbevlin than I can say. But she will have the best possible medical care. And you can't help her by rushing off like this. Think of all that depends on your being at the State House, to- day You can catch the six o'clock train for Granite this evening. just as well. For all our sakes, don't desert us nowi If Blacarda gets the Starke bill through the Assembly,"
 Don't bother me-" snarfed Conover, shifting his big body to move out of reach of the appealing hand. What what dye s'pose can be the matter with her? She was all right yester- day noon. Train leaves in four min utes, an"
 Caine broke in on the Fighters speech with a final plea for sanity. He had an almost uncanny feeling at his own proximity to this demoralized hulk of what had until now been the strongest man of his world. He did not know the shaking, muttering, putty-faced being who in a trice had