The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1913-09-29

must come to life and death grapple CHAPTER XIV. ON THE KNEES OF THE HIGH GODS. w T was on the evening of the day following the safe blowing in E BloUnt's offices in the Temple court building that a one car special train slipped unostentattousIy
 into the capital from the east, running l as second section of the overland. Coincfdent with its sidetracking, O'Brian, the vice presidents secretary,
 dropped from the step of the car and made his way across the tracks in the yard to the nearest railroad telephone, 1 which chanced to be in the yardmas- ter's office. -5
 Fifteen minutes later the result of O'Brian's telephoning became evident. Gantry and Kittredge, the division su- perintendent, left their respective of fees in the railroad building, met in the echoing train shed and walked to- gether down the yards. The vice president, sitting at the great table in the open compartment which served him as a desk in work ing hours. looked up and nodded when his two subordinates entered. You got my message?'' he queried. Gantry answered for both. 'FYes, and we were waiting. Your orders have been carried out. Nobody out side of the dispatcher's office and the few men in the yard crew knows that you are here.'
 MT. McVickar sat back in his chair, took one of the large black cigars from the open box on the table and passed the box across to his two sub- alterns.
 Light up,'' he said tersely. 'T am due in Twin Canyon City tomorrow morning, and we've got to thrash this thing out in a hurry. Any change in the situation since your last report?'
 Gantry shook his head. Nothing very important. Blount's uptown of fees were broken into last night, and his safe was ripped open with dyna- mite. That's a1l.''
 We'll, said the big man at the ta- bIe, what came of ft?"
 Nothing so far as any one can find out''
 To a disinterested observer it might have seemed 8 little curious that the vice president made no further inquiry into the safe blowing. As a matter of fact, his next question completely ig- nored it.
  week ?" he asked.
 ''He has spoken twice, once at Ari- quipa and once at HeIlersvi1le. Col lins says he has engagements enough to keep him out of town right up to election day"
 That's good" was the nodded ap- provaI. He'd only be in the way here at the capttal.''
 That young man has been pretty nearly a frost,'' remarked Kittredge casually. eff he isn't a wild eyed fanatic, as Gantry here insists he is, he is deeper than the deep blue sea. I've been keeping tab on him, as you directed, and he has worn out three of my best office men trying to keep cases on him"
 "You are prejudiced, Kittredge,' was the vice presidents comment. E'It was the best move in the entire cam paign putting him in the field. I don't suppose he has accomplished much in a practical way, but we have kept the Honorable Dave from using him, as he meant to-"
 'I don't knoY about the accomplish ment," put in Gantry. s'There is a four ply mystery linked up in this speechmaking business. At first thought Evan B1ount's sudden popu- larity dated back to. some word sent out from your Chicago office, but when you told me it didn't began to do a little wondering on my own account I can't make up my mind yet whether it is pure popularity growing out of his speeches or whether it's the as- sisted ktnd.''
 "'Assisted?'' said the vice president, with a lifting of the heavy penthouse eyebrows.
 "Yes," Gantry went on. "It has been too unanimous. Collins has kept me posted. and he says the invitations have huttered in thicker than the au- tunn leaves in VaIlombrosa, and kittredge's men tell US that the young orator has been making what figured as trfunphal progress all over the state lbands, receptions, committees, banqueting and all that everywhere he has gone"
 "But his speeches have been straight to the point, our point" interrupted the vice president. '1've been reading them.''
 Kittredge shook his head.
 "Gantry says Yes,' but say Mo-" he contended. There is such a thing as putting too much sugar in the cof- fee. Blount's been overdoing it. He's been putting the whitewash on SO thick that any little handful of mud that happens to be thrown will stick and look bad"
 I've must take chances on that" was MT. Mcvickar's decision. ''Young Blount's good work has undoubtedly had its effect upon public sentiment. There is a distinctly better feeling to- ward us, and it is fairly state wide. We must be exceedingly careful not to let the opposition newspapers get hold of anything that can be used against us.''
 '"They are moving heaven and earth to do it," said the superintendent. And believe that old David is help Ing them. That is the explanation of