The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1909-02-25

L can l. l-uOlu Ou, tHouSH. aitSi-
ward l could deny the whole thing
couldn't l? It'd be his word against
mine, and she'd never believe could
do such thing IL might try"
Yes" growled Horrigan. you might.
A cur that's lost all his nerve can try
things that even an ordinary crook
would balk at
But Gibbs did not hear. He had re-
turned to the corridor in search of
Bennett The man scarcely deserved
the opprobrium heaped on him by Hor-
rigan. \ brilliant, daring operator, he
was, unknown to himself, rank cow
ard at heart. For the first time in his
life the cowardice had cropped out,
and, TO do Gibbs justice. it had driven
him temporarily insane. In his nor
nal senses he would never have stoop-
ed to the plan he was now so eager to
carry out. 1t was a putrid bit OF jet
sam at which financially drowning
man did not scruple to clutch.
Horrgan followed him from the
room. his own splendid nerve quite re-
covered from the crushing blow his
hopes had received. He had staked
heavily on the deal Moreover, its fail
ure, as he knew, meant the wreck of
that mighty political prestige he had
so long and weariSomely built up. 1t
might even, if Alwyn fulfilled his
threat about the notes, lead to graver
personal ctNSequenceS. Yet the bull
dog pluck tnat had carried this man
of iron from the gutter to the summit
of political power did not desert him,
nor did he show the loss of one iota of
his customary monumental calm.
Scarcely had Horrigan quilted the
room when Perry and Dallas entered
it.
you could cut the atmosphere in
there with a cheese knife Perry was
saving. Williams doesn't think the
Borough bill will come up for half an
hour or so. We'd better spend the
time till then in here than to stay there
and turn our lungs into microbe ZOO
Dallas did not answer. She sat down
by the table and rested her head de-
jectedly on one little gloved hand. The
sight of Bennett. his grave. hopeless
appeal to her; the calm. utter despair
of his brave facial these had affect
ed her deeply. Perry noticed with
brotherly concern her look and attitude.
Feeling faintT he asked.
mo, I'm all right, thanks"
You look pretty near as blue as AL
wyn. He
Don't let's talk of him. please" she
begged.
"Why not? Hes the whitest chap
this side of Whiteville."
That's what | used to think, but !
know better now."
Then. miss broke in a voice from
the doorway. you're entitled to anoth-
er know"
Phelan. who, passing down the cor
ridor had heard her last words as he
reached the threshold, turned into the
room.
Excuse me for buttin in on fam
ily chat" he remarked, coming forward,
but I'm pretty well posted on his
honor's character. an when / hear any
one knockin' him it's me to the bat.
What have you got against Mr.. Ben
nett? None of your measly business
says YOU Quite So says l. an, that
bein' the case, let's hear all about It,"
Something that underlay the seeming
impertinence Of the alderman's bluff
speech touched Dallas. On impulse she
spoke:
"Mr. Bennett" said she, sis opposing
the Borough BILL knowing we shall be
paupers If he defeats 1t. He also sold
Borough stock short before he an
nounced his veto. What can one think
Of a man who enriches himself at the
expense Of his friends?"
Gee" cried Perry, that's terrible
thing! Benefits the original man
higher up, I'm afraid. l wonder he
isn't afraid to wear the clothes Of such
q wicked geezer as himselfr'
"Oh, Perry! Don't joke about IT,"
begged Dallas. "Can't you see the seri-
Gus side ot anything? We shall be
penniless and dependent on
Fear thou not, sister mine! de-
clared Perry in his best melodramatic
manner. "Paupers, sayest thou? Far
be it so. Little Brother Perry will
guard thee from the cold, shivery
swats Of a wintry wind. Maybe we
can sell violets or start a fight club
or
DON'T" she urged, Jared by his flip
pancy. "You don't understand. r.
"As for that story of his honor's sell
in stock short and maxim pile Of
cash on his own veto," put in Phelan
genuinely worried, "Horrigan's looked
1t up an got enough facts to make him
think he can prove it. He's goin' to
make Williams tell the whole story to
the aldermen tonight. It's lie, of
course, but it'll hurt his honor lot,
an the worst of it is Bennett refuses
to deny it."
"He does, eh?" remarked Perry.