Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1911-05-11
yes. all right. I'm sure your aslin'

Now, you do your part and I'll do
but me. l didn't tell Everdean a
word. He don't know why l hustled
out there and back nor why l asked
so many questions. And he amt the
kind to pry into what don't concern
him. SO you're pretty safe, l csrlate.
Now, If you don't mind. ] wish you'd
run along home. rm-1'm used up,
sort Of"
Mr.. Atkins arose from his knees.
Even then, broken as he was-he looked
ten years older than when he entered
the room-he could hardly believe
what he had Just heard.
"You mean" he faltered-"Cyrus, do
you mean that--that you're not going
to reveal this-this"--
THAT I'm not goin' to tell on you?
Yup; that's what I mean. You get
rid of Thomas and squclch that law
case and III keep mum. You can
trust me for that
"But-but, Cyrus, the people at
home? Your story in the Breeze?
You're not
mo: they needn't know, either. It'll
be between you and me"
God bless you. I'll never forget
That's right. You mustn't. Forget
tin is the ono thing you mustn't DO
And, see here, you're boss OF the politl-
cal fleet in Bnyport; you steer the
school committee now. Phoebe Dawes
nin't too popular with t.at committee
I'd see that she was populari2ed'
YES, yes: she shall be. She shall
not be disturbed. Is there anything
else l can doT'
why. yos. guess there IS. Speakin'
OF popularity made me think of it.
That hnrbor appropriation had better
go through"
4 very faint tinae Of color came into
the congressman's chalky fnce. lie
hcsitated In lis reply.
IL don't know about that, Cyrus
he said The Bill will probably be
voted on in few days. II Is made up
and
Then I'd strain pint and make It
over. I'd work real hard on il. I'm
sorry about that sugar river, but cal
late Bayport II have to come first.
Yes, ELL have to, Heman; it sartin
will
The reference 70 the sugar river"
was the final straw. Evidently this
man knew everything.
t,.,.
man. "ThanlS you, Cyrus. You have
been moro merciful than ! had right
TO expect"
Yes. l guess I have. Why do I do
itW He smiled and shook his head.
We'll, don't know. For two reasons
maybe-frst, I'd hate to he responsible
for tippin' over such a sky towerin
idol as you've been to make ruins for
Angie Phinney and the other black
birds to peck at and cav over, and,
Becond-well. 1t does sound presumin'
don't 1t? But kind Of pity you. Say.
Heman," he added. with Il chuckle,
that's kind Of distinction In q way,
amt It: A good many folks have
hurrahed over you and worshiped you
Some of EN-, guess likely, have en-
We'd you; but, by the big dipper, do
believe I'm the only one in this round
world that ever plt!ed you. Goodby.
The elevators right down the ball"
1t required some resolution for the
Honorable Atkins to walk down TINT
corridor and press the elevator button.
But he did 1t somehow A guest came
out of one Of the rooms and approach
cd him as he stood there. 1t was a
man he knew. Heman squared his
shoulders and set every nerve and
muscle.
Coed evening, Mr.. Atkins" said the
mau. "A miserable night, isn't ~
Miserable, indeed" replied the con-
greseman. The strength In his voice
surprised him. The man passed on.
Herman descended IN the elevator end
walked steadily through the crowded
lobby and ont to the curb. where his
cab was waiting. The driver noticed
nothing strange in bis fares appear
ance Re noticed nothing strange
when the Atkins residence was reach
F tu anu ITO t'-udul lut piOhc
steps and opened the door with his
latchkey. But II be had seen the dig
nfhed form collapse In a library chair
and moan and rock back and forth
until the morning hours he would have
wondered very much indeed.
/ Meanwhile Captain Cy. coughing
and shivering by the radiator. Ind
been summoned from that warm ha.
ven by knock at his door. A bell
boy stood at the threshold, holding q
! brown envelope In his hand
THE clerk sent this up to you, sir >
he said. 1T came week ago. When
you went away you didn't leave any
address, and whatever letters came
FOR Won were sent back to Bayport
Mass, The clerk says you registered
from there, sir. But he kept this tele
gram. 1t was in your box, and the
day clerk forgot to give 1t to you this
afternoon"
The captain tore open the envelope
The telegram was from his lawyer
Mr.. Peabody. 1t was dated weel
before and read as follows:
Come home nt once Important.
CHAPTER XXI.