Kingsbury County independent. (DeSmet, Kingsbury County, S.D.) 1894-1929, 1911-06-09

bored her, she wanted to go hvAe.
Finally Mrs. lack surrendered.
That night at dinner John was very
quiet n absent minded. The shops,
the shops, he was thinking OF them
continuously. In his heart OF heart he
had no faith in h reporters influence.
The strike mania had seized the men,
and nothing could hold them back.
Patty was in the music room. so Mrs.
Jack did not disturb her. but started
at her basket work. Mrs. Benning-
ton read till s and retired. Patty played
all the melancholy music she could
think of.
Sometimes Mrs. Jack looked up from
her work, wondering. She had never
heard Patty play 81 many haunting.
dismal compositions. AT 3 the tele-
phone rang, and she dropped her work
instantly, thinking the call might be
from John. All, if the men would only
listen to reason.
"Hello!"
rs Mrs. Bennington at homer"
asked a voice, unfamiliar to the ears.
There are two. Which n do you
wish?"
Mrs. John Bennington"
This is Mrs. John Bennington speak
ing. What Is it?"
There was q pause.
II have something very important to
communicate to you In the first place,
you must use your influence In making
Mr.. Warrington withdraw his name as
a candidate for nomination"
Who is this speaking?" she asked
sharply.
NM Mcouade,-Did you get the
| name2'
Ives. But l fail TO understand what
you are talking about. ] warn you
that / shall ring off immediately"
"One moment, please. II you hang
up the receiver, you will regret 1t. I
wish you no Ill, Mrs. Bennington. II 1t
were possible / should like to ak with
you personally, for this matter deeply
concerns your future happiness. / can
not call: / have been ordered put of
your husbands house. 1t lies in our
power to influence Warrington to drop
his political ambition. Information has
come to my hand that would not look
very well In the newspapers. II is IN
my power TO stop II, but ! promise not
to lift a hand If o refuse"
II not only refuse. but / promise to
repeat your conversation to my hus-
band this very night" With that Mrs.
Jack hung up the receiver. She rose,
pale and terribly incensed. The low
fellow! How dared he, how dared he'll
Patty" The call brooked no dallying.
The music ceased. Patty came out,
blinking.
You called me, Kate?"
Patty, McQuade has been calling me
up on the telephone"
"Who?"
"McQuade. McQuade! He says that
II l do not influence Mr.. Warrington
TO withdraw his name Die you ever
hear OF such a thing2 l am furiousl
What can IT mean? He says he has
heard something about me which he
can suppress but will not If l. Why,
Patty, what shall / dor What shall I
do?" She crushed her hands together
| wildly.
Tell John" said Patty sensibly.
"John?" He would thrash McQuade
within an nch of his life"
Tell Warrington, then"
He would do the same as John. But
what can the wretch have found? God
knows, Patty, ! have always been a
good, + woman Think Of that
mans ~telephoning mel"
Patty ran to her side and flung her
arms about her brothers wife. Patty
loved her. !.
Don't bother your head. darling. II
can't be anything but a political dodge:
1t can't be anything serious. McQuade
is low enough to brighten women. but
don't let him frighten you. / know he
lies" a the loyal Patty. And now
that ] think II over, X would be best to
say nothing to John or Richard. Fisti-
cuffs would get into the papers, and it's
my opinion that's just what this man
McQuade wants. He could swear to a
thousand lies. IL the matter became
public. But OH" clenching her hands
f1ercely, "Id give a year OF my life to
see job thrash him. But you saw
nothing; let us wait and see."
Wise Patty
At that very moment McQuade sat
swinging in his swivel-chair. There
was a smile of satisfaction on his face.
"That'n bring EN- he said aloud.
though he vas alone. "Thatll bring
'em both up here, roaring lions. THEY'LL
muss up the furniture, and then / can
tell the reporters all about Il. Even
Walford can't object this time"
He rubbed his hands together like
Shylock at the thought Of his pound of
flesh, He had waited a long time.
But sometimes chance overthrows the
best laid plans Of cleverness and fore
sight. And this remarkable plan OF
McQuade's was deranged by a chapca
guess by Patty.
Meantime at Martins II was growing
lively. The bar was crowded. Jordan
paid the check. and he and Osborne
went out.
Let's go over to Johnny's; there
is music over there"
Up stairs the gambling den was do
ing a good business.
Three hundred to the good old.
boy!" he said to the man who spun the
ivory ball. IN break you fellows to-
night"
Bring Mr.. Bolles another whiskev.
said the proprietor.