The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1911-09-15

couldn't be. IL must be N coincidence!
He had been 90 idiot to display his
agitation and surrender mo- weakly. And
yet-and yet
The ride through the storm 60 the
Regent hotel gave him opportunity for
more thought. But be gained little
comfort from thinking. r. It was a
coincidence. well and good. II not
q bellboy conducted him to the
Whitaker room ION the saloon deck"
II was small room, very different
from the Atkins library. and Captain
Cy, In u cane seated chair. was hud-
died close TO the steam radiator. He
looked far from well.
"Evenin'. Heman." he said MS rhp
congressman entered Pretty dirty
night amt it? What we'd cnII Y
gray no'theaSter back home Sit down
Don't mind ny not gettin' up. This
heatin' arrangement feels mighty
comftable just now. Ii get too far
away from Il ! shiver my deck planks
loose. Take or your things"
coat His hat he tossed on the bed.
He glanced fearfully at his companion
The latter's greeting had been 10
casual and everyday that he took cour.
age. And the captain looked anything
but formidable as he Rugged the radi-
ator. Perhaps things were not 30 bad
as he had feared He resolved not to
seem alarmed. at all events
"Have a cigar. HemanT' said Cap
tain Cy. mo? Well, all right; i will
II you don't mind"
lie lit the cigar. The congressman
cleared bis throat
Cyrus" he said, "T am not &C
customed to run at the beck and cal
or my-er-acquainta but ever
though we have disagreed or late
even though to me your conduct seems
quite unjustiflable, still for the sake
OF our boyhood friendship and because
you are not well I-er-came.r
Captain Cy coughed spasmodically, Q
cough that seemed to be tearing hin
to pieces. He looked at his cigar re
gretfully and laid Il on the top OF the
radiator.
Too bad" he observed. Tobacco
centrally lies up my talkin' machinery
but just now 1t seems to make mt
bark like a ships dog shut up in III,
hold why. YES. Heman. ! see you've
come Much Obliged to you"
T...s politenrss was still more ell
~,
chair and crossed his. legs.
II presume" lie said. that you wi-i
to ask concerning the appropriation.
regret
You needn't guess well get tn,
appropriation"
Heman's condescension vanished. H.
leaned forward and uncrossed his legs
'Indeed?" he said slowly, his eye.
Fixed on the captains placid face
"Yes-indeed.'
WHITAKER. what are you talkin;
about? Do you suppose that | hEv'
been the representative OF my people
In congress all these years withou
knowing whereof speak? They lpf
the matter in my hands. and your In
reference
Il amt goin' to interfere. I'm goin
to leave it in your hands too. And
cal'late you'll be able TO find way t,
get it. Um-hum. ! guess likely W,
will"
The visitor rose to his feet TIL
timp had come for another blast from
Olympus He raised the mighty RICH
arm But Captain Cy spoke first.
''Sit down. Heman." said the captain
quietly. Sit down. This amt tow
meetin'. Never mind the appropriation
now. There's other matters to be talk
ed about first. sit down, tell you"
Mr.. Atkins was purple I'm the face
but he sat down. The captain cough
ed again. "Heman." he began Hhel
the spasm was over. Il asked you {,
come here tonight for-well. blessed |
| know exactly. 1t didn't make mucl
difference 70 me whether you came o
not"
Then. sir. must say that Of al
the impudent"-
'Ss-h-h. for the land sakesl Speech
maxim must b. rs bad as the rum hal
It when a fcller's got II chronic a:
you have. No: Ii didn't make mucl
difference ~ ME whether you came Of
not Bur. honest. you've got to be {
kind Of Bunker Hill monument to thu
folks back home They kneel down n
your foundations and look up at yor
and tell each other how many foo
high you are ana what ii cost to builC
you and hnw yen stand for patriotism
and purity till well. couldn't see yor
tumble down without givin' you Q
chance 10 .xplain-l couldn't. 'TwoulG
be like blnw!n' up church"
ITO BE CONTINUED