The Paducah evening sun. [volume] (Paducah, Ky.) 1906-1929, 1909-12-09

But even as they plucked Mt him and
struck him Ikey remained In his &C.
static trance of Joy. His head was In
d, the clouds: the star was drawing his
wagon. Compared with what he had
: achieved the loss of wages and the
bray OF women's tongues were slight
affairs.
He had shaken the hand OF Billy Me
Mahan.
Billy McMahan had wife. and upon
her visiting cards was engraved the
name "Mrs. William Darragh McNa-
han" And there was certain vexa-
ton attendant upon these cards. for,
small rs they were, there were houses
n which they could not be inserted.
Billy McMahan was a dictator in pol
itics, four walled tower I'm business.
a mogul dreaded. loved and obeyed
among his own people. He was grow
ing rich; the daIlylpapcrs had dozen
men on his trail TO chronicle his every
word OF wisdom; he had been honored
IN caricature holding the tiger cring-
, Ing In leash.
But the heart of Bllly'was sometimes
sore within him. There was race OF
men from which he stood apart, but
that he viewed with the eye of Moses
looking over into the promised land.
He. too, had ideals, even as had key
| Snigglefritz, and sometimes, hopeless
| of attaining them, his own solid sue
cess was as dust and ashes In his
mouth. And Mrs. William Darragh
upon her plump but pretty face, and
the very rustic Of her silks seemed a
sigh.
| There was brave and conspicuous
assemblage In the dining salon OF a
noted hqstelry where Fashion loves 10
display her charms. At one table sat
Billy McMahan and his wife. Mostly
silent they were, but the accessories
they enjoyed little needed the lndorse-
ment OF speech. Mrs. McMahan's dla
monds were outshone by few In the
room. The walter bore the costlicst
brands OF wine 10 their table. In even
Ing dress, with an expression OF gloom
upon his smooth and massive conn
tenance. you would look in vain for
a more striking figure than Billy's.
-Four tables away sat alone tall.
slender man about thirty. with thought
! ful. melancholy eyes. vandyke beard
ind peculiarly white. thin hands. He
was dining on filet mignon, dry toast
] and apolllnaris. That man was Cort-
nj no -arfh
Ss0,000.000. who inherited and held a
sacred seat In the exclusive inner cir
Gle OF society.
Billy McMahan spoke TO no one
around him because he knew no one.
Van Duyckink kept his eyes on his
plate because he knew that every eye
present was hungry to catch his. lie
could bestow knlghthood and prestige
by a nod. and he was chary OF creating
a too extensive nobility.
And then Billy McMahan conceived
and accomplished the most startling
and audaclous act OF his life. He rose
deliberately and walked over TO Cort-
landt Van Duyckink's table and held
out his hand.
Say. Mr.. Van Duyckink." he said,
'1've heard you was talking about
starting some reforms among the poor
people down I'm my district. I'm Nc
Mahan. you know. Say. now, II that's
straight I'll do all | can TO help you.
And what says goes In that neck OF
the woods. don't II? oh. say, rather
guess II doesw
Van Duycklnk's rather somber eyes
lighted up He rose TO his lank height
and grasped Billy McMahan's hand.
THANK you. Mr.. McMahan." he said
in his deep. serious tones. 81 have
been thinking OF doing some work of
that sort. | shall be glad OF your as
slstance. II pleases me TO become ac-
quaInted with you"
Billy walked back to his seat. His
shoulder was tingling from the acco-
lade bestowed by royalty. A hundred
eyes were now turned upon him in
envy and new admiration. Mrs. VIII
liam Darragh McMahan trembled with
ecstasy, so that her diamonds smote
the eye almost with pain. And now 1t
was apparent that at many tables
there were those who suddenly rcmem.
bered that they enjoyed Mr.. McMa-
hans acquaintance. He saw smiles
and bows about him. He became en-
veloped in the aura of dizzy greatness.
His campaign GOODNESS deserted him.
"Wine for that gangr' he command
ed the waiter. pointing with his finger.
swine over therei Wine TO those three
gents by that green bush. Tell 'em
It's on me. See? Wine for everybody
The waiter ventured TO whisper that
II was perhaps inexpedent to carry
out the order In consideration OF the
dignity OF the house and its custom.
"All right" said Billy. III it's against
the rules. ! wonder II 'twould do to
send my friend Van Duyckink bottle.
No? Well, it'll flow all right at the
caffy tonight, Just the same. It'll be
| rubber boots for anybody who comes
In there any time up TO ? a. m"
Billy McMahan was happy.
He had shaken the hand OF Cortlandt
Van Duvckink