The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1913-08-18

disregard OF courtesy which always
made his authority, with weaker
man, take the aspect of bullying. he
went on I'VE sent for you, Curran.
TO ask YOU TO withdraw your candi-
dacy before the people of the sight
zenith district.
Curran appeared unmoyed So swift
had been his revulsion, so sure was
he of d trap, that he had steeled him
self He had an instant struggle 10
speak with the cool satire which was
all they saw.
Gentlemen, you ask a good deal
The other stirred. They had ex-
pected amazement, at least.
Tanner eyed the victim shrewdly.
| IT'S our duty to ask a good deal. The
party's welfare, the good name OF our
people, may say the purity OF our
homes-demand Ii. | presume you
know what | mean"
Curran looked steadily al him. Il
presume. In turn, that you mean a
story OF my early marriage-a story
brought TO this town and 10 your at.
tention by Maurice Ladeau?"
That was irritated at this cool peril
nacity and frankness. He had boasted
moment before TO Judge Van Hart
that he would make the News man
cringe and crawl.
Yes. An incredible story, Curran,
an intolerable story. girl 20 de-
serted-and without marriage"
There was marriage
we have the facts. They came TO
light strangely enough. You left this
girl-Adrinne lie Gania-in New Or
leans In 1891 She died the following
year during an epidemic OF yellow fe-
YER" That was looking at slip or
memoranda, and with each point he
tapped the table with his pencil. his
face, under the light, pallid. craven
mercilessly as that OF prosecutor OF
an inquisition He looked up briefly
Am right in these facts?"
You are?"
Again the group moved at Curran 3
quiet confidence. Again Tanner lev
eled an eye, for the moment non
plussed, upon him. You left her and
went to Mexico. She lrved on at an
old woman's house-Madame Antois--
and died there the following year
leaving child"
The man standing before them did
not move. His eve was as steady as
Tanners own. But he twitched In
wardly with the shock
You recall that?"
mo. l never knew Of that-and 1t
Is a lie!"
He had broken from his spell at last.
He started forward with a hot menace.
Thad raised his hand deprecatingly,
but his grin OF triumph came. He had
made his boast good to the others that
he would crush the editor.
There was" he went on laconically,
"a child born on the third day or
June, In a hospital on Rampart-st. We
have the name. The child was bap-
tiled on the first of August. We have
that name-the name of the priest; 1t
was taken charge of by an institution
we have the name OF that institu-
ton. We have the after history or
that, child-we know It's identity today
Do you follow me, Mr. Curran? Do
you believe me?"
No"
You admit this-marriage?"
II admit nothing except that my
wife died during the yellow fever
when people were rushing out Of the
same Madame Artois, you mention
yes But | did not desert her-and
there was no child of this union"
He spoke steadily again. Judge Van
Hart was studying him. They al
were watching. He had impressed
them. Even Old Thad nodded appre-
ciatively. Then he went on Well,
we need not quarrel on the issue. The
point is that We, as representatives
OF the party, Of the honorable men
and good women OF the community
FOR the good name of that community
ask you to withdraw from the Con-
gressional contest. II is not pretty
tale, Mr. Curran, and we have no de-
sire TO spread II broadcast. Our peo-
pie. you know how they detest dou-
tie life--a concealment--a lapse IN
personal morality-the honest whole
some sense of decency In our country
people"
Wiley had raised hand. Wait,
he retorted, what If do not deny
the matter?"
There was pause. Ransdell OF the
Mercury-Journal muttered. Boydstoh
glowered. They had been gibed so
often by Wiley that they had glutted
their imaginations with the picture or
him dumfounded, crushed to earth.
Not deny the natter" Tanner
looked up sharply.
NO"
You dare admit IT."
IL do not admit II. But, gentlemen,
will tell you this: You have called
me in here in secrecy and menaced
me with this story. You have called
on me TO resign under threat of this
story. And | tell you-No"
He stepped nearer. his eyes flash
ing. He struck the table before the
county chairman's face.
Go ahead with your story" He
whirled on Ransdell of the Mercury
Journal: Il know what you we're
brought here for! Go on-spring that
damned story tomorrow In your sheet
scatter n over the county! And
you"-he faced Boydston-"Fve called
you a thief for six years, and you've
never had the nerve TO come TO my
Office and tell me I'm liar! And
you. Cal Rice--a poor dog who rat
ties his chain when the boss speaks
And you, Judge Van Hart, I'm sur
prised at you. good man. Yes.
good mantle most pitiable object
In American life today-a good man
who stands for other mems crooked
ness. You are all pack of black
mailing liars"