Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1911-05-11

THE RECEIVER FELL FROM THE CONGRESS-
MANS HAND.
mitter which would cause the person
at the other end of the line to shrivel
under its heat. But he was a pollti-
clan Of long training. and he knew
that such blasts were sometimes ex-
pensive treats. 1t might be well to
hear what his enemy had to say. But
as to going to see him-that was out
of the question.
~ do not" he thundered-"I do not
care to continue this conversation. II
If you wish to see me, after what
has taken place between US. am will
ing. in spite Of personal repugnance,
to grant you u brief interview. My
servants will admit you here at 8
o'clock tomorrow morning But l tell
you now that your interference with
this appropriation matter is as useless
as 1t Is ridiculous and impudent. 1t is
Of piece with the rest of your con-
duct"
"All right. Heman. all right" was
the calm answer. II don't say you've
got to come. only say I guess you'd
better. I'm goin' back to Bayport to-
morrer early. And If was you I'd
come and see me tonight"
IT have no wish to see you. nor do
I care to talk with you further That
appropriation
Maybe it amt all appropria ton"
GtThov, 7
II know. but understand I've
come to understand considerable many
things In the last fortni't. There.
can't holler into this machine any long
err. I've been clear out to Frisco and
back in eleven days. and l got cold in
those blessed sieepin' cars. p
The receiver fell from the congress
mans hand 1t was difficult object
to pick up again. Heman CROPPED for 1t
IN blind. strangely inadequate way.
Yet he wished to recover 1t very much.
Wait! Waltz" he shouted anxiousy
"I-I-I dropped the Are you there,
Whitaker? Are you Oh. yes. ]
didn't Did you say-er-FriscoT'
Yes. San Francisco. California. rye
been west on a little cruise. Had an
interestin' time. It's an interestin'
place. Don't you think so? Well. Pm
sorry you can't come. Good night"
"Waitr faItered the great man. 81
let me think. Cyrus. do not wish
to seem-er-arrogant in this matter.
1t is not usual for me to visit my
constituents. but-but--I have no en-
gagement this evening and you are not
well and Hello. Are you there
Hello. Why, under the circumstances
| think Yes, will come III come
-er--at once"
The telephone enables one to procure
Atkins that cab was years in coming
he paced the library floor. his hand tc
his forehead and his brain whirlng II
couldn't be- 1t must be a coincidence
agitation and surrender so weakly. And
yet-and yet
The ride through the storm to the
Regent hotel gave him opportunity FOL
| more thought. But he gained little
comfort from thinking. Ii it was g
coincidence, well and good. If not
A bellboy conducted him to the
Whitaker room ION the saloon deck.
1t was small room, very different
| from the Atkins library. and Captain
| Cy. IN a cane seated chair. was hud
died close to the steam radiator lie
looked far from we'll.
"Evenin'. Hemnn," he said as tht
congressman entered. Pretty dirty
night, amt it2 What we'd call q
gray no'theaster back bone. Sit down
| Don't mind my not gettin' up. This
heatin' arrangement feels mighty
comrtnble Just now, II l get too fal
away from It SILVER my deck planks
loose Take OF your things"
Mr.. Atkins did not remove his over
| coat His hat he tossed on the bed
He glanced fearfully at his companion
The latter's greeting had been SC
casual and everyday that he took cour
| age And the captain looked anything
but formidable as he Rugged the rndi
ator. Perhaps things were not so bad
| as he had feared. He resolved not Il
seem alarmed, at all events,
"Have ciSnr. Heman?" said Cap
tain Cy. "No' Well. all right; viii
If you don't mind"
He lit the cigar. The congressman
cleared his throat,
Cyrus" be said, 81 am not &C
customed to run at the beck and cal
Of my-er-acQuaintan but even
though We have disagreed of late
even though to me your conduct seems
quito unjustihable still for tho sake
Of our boyhood friendship and because
you are not we'll I-er-came."
Captain Cy cougheA epasmodically. a
cough that seemed TO be tenring him
| to pieces He looked at his cigar re-
gretfully and laid 1t on the top of the
radiator.
TOO bad" he observed Tobacco
centrally lies up my talkin' machinery
but just now It seems to make me
bark like ships dog shut up In the
hold. why, yes. Heman, l see you've
come. Much obliged to you"
| This politeness WAS still more en-
couraging Atkins leaned back In his
| chair and crossed his legs.
| II presume" he said. that you wish
to ask concerning the appropriation.
regret
"You needn't. ! guess wen get the
appropriation"
Heman's condescension vanished He
leaned forward and uncrossed his legs