The Washington herald., 1913-11-02

Dennison any more Just now" he
speculated, with an apprehensive glance
at the door.
You'll be perfectly safe" Ames re-
assured him. Here's 50 cents If you
get kicked out I'll give you a dollar"
The boy slipped the haf-dollar into
! his pocket and grinned. He was a thin
faced boy with bright eye, and a GER
tain amount of sporting blood in him.
Get ready to hand that dollar TO me
as ! pass" he requested, and carefully
placing his hat on the chair nearest the
door, he went into see Tom Dennison.
He came out again. smiling, and hung
up his hat.
He'll give YOU three minutes" said
the boy, and Ames went in.
He found Dennison standing at the
window savagely putting at a cigar, and
the fuIl-bIooSed Dennisons face and
hand was trembling slightly. He looked
at his watch significantly as he came
over to the desk and sat down.
Il understand you want an interurban
entrance and terminal station in Plains
berg" he began.
Dennison almost baked.
Yes"
Il had intended to leave the city last
night, but l took a notion to stay over
ana help you get your lrdnCnlse, re-
sumed Ames pleasantly.
Dennison took his cigar out of his
mouth, and regarded Ames fiXedly for a
moment
How
'T don't know yet, returned Ames
81 haven't given that detail any
| thought"
Dennison laughed, entirely without
CT IL-ad ha plr
to the window.
"That'n be about ALL" he snapped.
I've kept an Office in town for two
years. trying to get that franchise"
Il don't mind your being aggravated"
remarked Ames, unruffled. You've been
trying two years to secure this fran
chise, and a stranger speaks of it with
utter nonchalance, as if it were trivial
matter; which, after all, it probably is.
These things are usually quite simple"
Again Dennison laughed that mirthless
laugh.
you walk in here tomorrow with a
urban lines in to this city, and I'll give
you $1,000" he offered.
Ames reflected a moment
Make it forty-eight hours and I'll
take you" he bargained.
"All right. forty-eight then" agreed
Dennison.
John Ames put his watch in his pocket
Now tell me the exact status Of af-
fairs" he requested.
Dennison returned to his desk slowly,
studied Ames a moment in silence, and
sat down.
Did you seen the man who went out
just now?" he demanded, and again his
temples reddened.
Ames nodded his head and smiled.
well, that was Bill Cracken," went
on Dennison, involuntarily knotting the
muscles of his hand: Hes the president
of the local traction company, the po-
| litical boss of the town, and a d--n
grafterl He also came in to tell me
how to get franchise"
'I can probably guess it." observed
Arnss. HE wanted a big block Of stock,
control of the Midstate, and your heart s
blood"
Just about" agreed Dennison, some
what Modified with this ready compre-
hension, That's what he wants If We
come in. If we don't, he threatents to
extend his own lines to parallel ours,
and since he can get into the city and we
can't it doesn't look good for the Mid
state"
Ames rose.
'I don't know whether forty-eight hours
is enough. but I'll try it." he stated
$50 far, I'm only proceeding on the as
sumption that there's always a way
You haven't had city hall fire in recent
years, have your"
NO" returned Dennison, looking at
him curiously.
Thanks" said Ames. by the way,
If I should show you that feasible plan
for entering the city, I'm going TO ask
you a couple Of months employment in
addition to that bonus you were kind
enough to offer"
Young man." declared Dennison. lean