Omaha daily bee., 1916-08-06
By LOUIS TRACY

gave ME a clip behind the ear that
put me out OF business"
John heard with amazement, but
could not refuse to credit the irlSht-
ened boys veracity.
Arranging hurriedly with another
speaker to take his place, Burton made
oil They reached Jane Carters apart
ment just as the bed room door was
yielding to Parkin's violence. The
man had now aroused himself TO a
state of bestial fury No sooner was
he aware of Burton's entrance than
he senscd the object OF this unfore-
sen interruption and tried to put a
summary stop to any attempted parley
BY hurting a chair at the newcomer
John lodged quickly and avoided the
heavy missile. but i'm Carter was not
so lucky and was knocked almost
Sensclcss. The two men closed forth
with i'll a fcarsomc struggle. Burton
was bigger and stronger than his OPP
poneut, but Parkins, maddened with
drink and animal passion, entered the
fray with such vicious fury that Tor
minute or more the combatants met
on equal terms.
The room was literally wrecked be
fore Burton resolved to bring matters
to a climax, once and for all. Exertng
his great strength to the utmost, he
wrenchcd himself free, delivered a
mighty punch and Parkins went down
like stone.
By this time Jane Vas overcome
with terror. She wept bitterly and
could not control herself, even when
Johns protecting arm was around
her shoulders. The mere sight OF
Parkins lying inscnsible on the floor
seemed to shake the wits out of her.
Selling her hat and coat. she ran out
Of the building, and Burton could do
nothing but follow her. wondering
where she was going and how he
was to restore her self-possession.
At that unlucky moment he saw
Mrs. Ketchum coming down the
street, and, remembering that she
was reputedly a leader Of the suf-
fragist party, decided that he might
safely intrust the frightened girl to
her care.
There never was a woman more
perplexed than the keeper OF a no.
torious dive when the mayoral cam
didate introduced Jane and began a
hasty explanation.
This young lady, as you see, is
very greatly upset" he said. 1T
will be a personal favor to me if you
will take her to your house and safe
guard her there until other arrange
ments can be made"
At that, though tongue-tled with
astonishment, Mrs. ketchum thought
she understood. She nodded agree
ment, whereupon John hailed taxi,
put the women inside and handed the
driver some money. But the fog OF
doubt was rapidly evaporating in
Mrs. ketchum's brain. All men were
alike, she reflected, so she favored
John with a knowing wink as the
vehicle drove off, thereby mystifying
him greatly until he remembered that
suffragettes, like the Pharisees, are
not as other people.
Meanwhile, Parkins slowly re-
covered his senses. The fight and the
knockout had partially cleared his
wits, and the one thing
he craved for now was revenge.
Every other consideration yielded to
the demand that his powerful and
seemingly successful rival should be
Inundated.
He avoided both Maloney and Bur-
ton. The former thought him busy
rounding up the boys" The latter
was too engrossed i'll election work
to think of causing row between
the partners at that crisis. Moreover,
he allowed for the fact that Parkins
was drunk, and had been punished
already.
So vindictive scoundrel was left
free to work out his desperate plan.
At the psychological moment he
rushed around to Burton's support
ers with the specific instruction that
their candidate was to be turned
down.
ITS the boss" orders" he in
sisted, when met with blank amaze
ment. You've got to switch every
man to Kramer Don't let vote go
to Burton if you can help it
Now. this change of front, though |
wholly unexpected that day, savored
Of Maloney's methods. Not only had
such a thing happened before in a
city election, but Burton's candida
ture, with its extraordinary demand |
Tor purity in public life, had Devil
1ered every CRATER and ward-heeler
who had prospered for years under
Maloneys rule.
1t was assumed instantly that kra-
mer and the boss had come to
terms, with the result that Burton
was to be side-tracked. The work
was to be done, too, swiftly and 81
emily None must know OF the new
policy until the election was a set !
tied thing, while, of course. there
could not be the slightest question !
Of disputlng the right of Parkins to
speak for his chief.
Therefore, the most surprised man
n that part OF America was Boss"
Maloney himself when the votes were
and revealed landslide for
Kramer
Instantly a scene OF terrific excite
nent broke out i'll Maloney's office !
For once in his life the man dropped |
lis sphinxlike attitude and rained .
on the astoniShed dupes |
who thought they had been obeying
lis orders. John Burton, Of course,
vas saddened and distressed by all al
most phenomenal failure, but cnlight- /