The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1913-07-26

as to going to see him-that was ont of the question.
 ''I do not" he thundered-''I do not care to continue this conversation. If if you wish to see me, after what has taken place between US, am will ing, in spite of personal repugnance to grant you a brief interview. My servants will admit you here at 9 o'clock tomorrow morning. But I tell you now that your interference with this appropriation matter is as useless as it is ridiculous and impudent It is of piece with the rest of your con- duct-''
 ''An right, Hernan, all right" was the calm answer. q don't say you've got to come. I only say guess you'd better. Pm goin' back to Bayport to- morrer early. And if was you I'd come and see me tonight
 'T have no wish to see you, nor do care to talk with you further. That approprfaton"-
 Maybe it ain't all approprfation.''
 'HThen cannot understand"-
 ''I know, but understand. I've come to understand considerable many things in the last fortnf't. There! l can't holler into this machine any long CT. I've been clear cut to Frisco and back in eleven days, and got cold in those blessed sleepin' cars. I'-
 The receiver fell from the congress- mans hand. It was a difficult object to pick up again. Heman groped for it in a blind, strangely inadequate way. Yet he wished to recover it very much.
 Wait! WaitF' he shouted anxiousIy. 'HI-I dropped the Are you there, Whittaker2 Are you Oh, yes! 1
 'FYes, San Francisco, California. I've been west on little cruise. Had an interestin' time. It's an interestfn' place Don't you think so? Well, I'm sorry you can't come. Good night"
 ''Wa1t!" faltered the great man. 'T- I-let me think, Cyrus. I do not wish to seem-er-arrogant in this matter. It 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, I think Yes, will come I'll come -er-at once.'
 The telephone enables one to procure a cab in a short time. Yet to Heman Atkins that cab was years in coming. He paced the library floor, his hand to his forehead and his brain whirIing. 1t couldn't be! It must be co1ncidenceI He had been an idiot to display his agitation and surrender so weakly. And yet-and yet
 The ride through the storm; to the Regent hotel gave him opportunity for more thought. But he gained little comfort from thinking. If it was a coincidence, well and good. If not
 A bellboy conducted him to the Whitaker room ''on the saloon deck" It was a small room, very different from the Atkins library, and Captain Cy, in cane seated chair, was hud- d1ed close to the steam radiator. He looked far from we'll
 "Evenin', Heman," he said as the congressman entered Pretty dirty night, ain't it? What we'd call a gray no'theaster back home. Sit down. Don't mind my not gettin' up. This heatin' arrangement feels mighty conf table just now. If I get~too far away from 1t I shiver my deck blanks bose. Take off your things"
 MT. Atkins did not remove his over coat His hat he tossed on the bed. He glanced feaFfu1ly at his companion. The Iatter's greeting had been so casual and everyday that he took cour- age. And the captain looked anything but formidable as he hugged the radt- ator. Perhaps things were not so bad as he had feared. He resolved not to seem alarmed, at all events.
 "Have a cigar, Heman2' said Cap tain Cy. ''No? Well, all right; will if you don't mind.''
 He lit the cigar. The congressman cleared his throat
 Cyrus" he said, 'tI am not ac- %r a. eofr md call of my-er-acQua1ntanc but even though we have disagreed of late, even though to me your conduct seems quite untusttf1able, still for the sake of our boyhood friendship and because you are not we'll I-er-came.'
 Captain Cy coughed spasmodicaI1y, a cough that seemed to be tearing him to pieces. He looked at his cigar re- gretfully and laid it on the top of the radiator
 ''Too bad,'' he observed. "Tobacco gen'ra11y lies up my ta1kin' machinery, but just now it seems to make me bark like A ships dog shut up in the hold. Why, yes, Heman, I see you've come. Much obliged to you.''
 This politeness was still more en- courag aging. Atkins leaned back in his chair and crossed his legs.
 ''I presume,' hesaid, 'tthat you wish to ask concerning the appropriation I regret''-
 'You needn't. I guess we'll get the appropriation.''
 Heman's condescension vanished. He leaned forward and uncrossed his legs.
 ''IndeedT' he said slowly, his eyes fixed on the captains placid face.
 'FYeS-indeed.''
 'eWhittaker. what are you talking about2 Do you suppose that have been the representative of my people in congress all these years without knowing whereof I speak? They left the matter in my hands, and your in- terference.-
 ''I ain't goin' to interfere. I'm goin' to leave 1t in your hands too. And calIate you'll be able to find way to