The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1911-09-18


 Without waiting for his reply she left the room. Bob stood gazing at the door through which she had disap- peared.
 Loneliness! I didn't expect that. But it hits close. God! am lonely. And yet-that woman is a living de nial of my theory. Hers is the exact opposite always service. And she gets far more out of life than I with all my brutality or a thousand Remingtons with the love of sensa ton. Nevertheless am far Humph! How trite phrases will slip into a mans thoughts! was about to say far from the kingdom of Godr"
 For that evening Haggin's back room had assumed it's official habit. This was accomplished by consolidating the three small tables into one. Around this oblong sat a dozen men. They leaned forward over the table, silent. lmazed, intent on the words that fell from the lips of very handsome young man in evening dress-the first garment of that sort to penetrate the fastnesses of Irishtown. as one may we'll suppose. This young "silkstock- ing' had dared to defy the ''old man." and his nerve had shown no diminution when confronted by the boss in person. Across the table from the young man sat Bob McAdoo. motionless and in- scrutable as the sphinx. his mouth twisted in peculiar. wry smile.
 The plea ceased. All eyes were turn ed to the boss. "Is that aIlT He spoke quietly. but the words somehow carried perceptibie sting. The young man flushed and sprang impulsively to his feet again.
 'sNo." his voice rang out. '.it is not all. There's one thing more-for you. Boss McAdoo! You've given your orders that Smith be set aside and Stoughton be given his place. for no good reason. but ". " arbitrarily, just because it happens to please yo1. These other fellows may obey your orders. They almost certainly will. But so long as am on this committee my ward votes for Smith. You prom ised to crush me if stuck to. this. All right. You'll find can take lot of crushing. Your brutal threats don't frighten me-you bullyw
 Bob rose slowly to his full height. The rest of the committee, too, stood up involuntarily. Bob's eyes were glued to the handsome flushed face across the table. The others giances were fastened on his big right fist. "Har they breathed as they saw it clinch convulsively. Moro than one face went pale. They expected noth- ing less than to see a murder done. But Bob's hand unclinched immediate ly.
 Put the notion" he commanded quietly. maintaining his steady gaze.
 Ut has been moved and seconded hat this committee indorse Stoughton for the legislative nomination" the chairman repeated mechanically. "An In favor
 "Aye." said all but Remington and Bob. The chairman paused.
 "All opposed" The suggestion came from Bob.
 "N0w Remington's voice rang out.
 
 | 'It settles the immediate question: y was the defiant answer.
 Meetings adjourned" Bob motion. ed the committeeman out of the room.
 "Nothin' but a drink as high as the ceilin' will do me after thet," whis- pered one. Reminds me of the night the old man licked Haggin."
 Me, too; only there wasn't no scrap," and there was a shade of re- gret in the low voiced reply. T thought fer awhile, though, to buy flowers fer the kids coffin. Five years ago I'd had to too."
 ''on. Remington" Bob said casually. \ "just wait minute, will youY'
 "Well?" He turned toward Bob with certain graceful recklessness.
 Here, smoke this," Sob said gruf1y as he handed over a cigar. "I don't like to see man smoking cigarettes. !"
 Remington hesitated. then accepted 1t.
 "And wouldn't take this business to heart if were you. We have to preserve discipline in the organization, you know. There's nothing personal In it."