Jasper County Democrat, Volume 11, Number 33, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 26 September 1908 — THE MAN OF THE HOUR [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

THE MAN OF THE HOUR

BY ALBERT PAYSON TERHUNE

She MoMayor * ' Based on 6JI. Broadhursfa Successful Play

CHAPTER VIII. •* 1 'VE found out who their fourI teenth man is, your honor,” whisI pored Phelan in high excitement Jl "it’s Koberts—Richard I’. Roberts of the Third. lie’s the alderman that Ilorrigan’s trying to put the Indian sign on. We’ve got to nail him If we can.”

“You’re sure it’s Roberts?” asked Bennett In the same undertone. The administration ball was in full swing. Mayor and alderman had chanced to meet for n moment in a big, crowded reception foyer just off the ballroom. „ “Am I sure It’s Roberts?” echoed Phelan. “Am I sure? Might as well ■sk me am I sure Chesty Dick Horrigan is crooked. I’ve got the facts down straight Them secret service chaps of mine”—

“If they get Roberts they will be able to pass the bill”—

“They ain’t goin' Jo get him ts Jimmy Phelan's haml don’t turn out to be all deuces an’ trays. ’^An’ “Keep an eye on blup and don’t let him go away without my knowing It I must see him tonight and learn positively how he stands In regard to the matter. He has a reputation for- being honest. If only”— “Here’s Alwyn, Mrs. Bennett,” came Perry Wainwrlght’s voice from the doorway. “In here. Say, your honor, yonr honorable honor’s honored mother has been looking everywhere for you. And now that I’ve reunited the long lost mayor and his anxious mamma I’ll chase off and find my partner for the next waltz. 1 wish it was jCynthla. Ever dance with Cynthia, Alwyn? Poetry of motion and all that Like a swan or—or a—oh, good evening, alderman. I didn’t see you? Are you dancing tonight?” “Dancin’?” repeated Phelan In high disgust. “Do I look it? it’s bad enough to be harnessed into this open faced suit that feels like 1 was goin’ to slip through of it every minute, without tryln’ to dance too. At a show of this kind I feel like a pair of yellow shoes at a fun’ral. So long, your honor. Even’, Mrs. Bennett There’s the music startin', son,” he added to Perry as he started for the barroom.

“I heard it," said the lad, “but I’m In no wild hurry.” “Thought you said you had a partner to look up.” “I have—one of Judge Newman’s daughters. Ever see her? 1 thought not or you wouldn't have wondered why I wasn't In a hurry. Better late than”— “Are you having a good time, mother?” Bennett was asking the little old lady as he found a seat for her. “Yes," she answered. “Aren’t you?” “Of course I am. Why do you ask?” The foyer was thinning out as people trooped to the ballroom. For the moment mother and son were alone together. t “You aren’t having a good time, Alwyn,” she contradicted gently. “You’re unhappy about something. Tell me.” “Nonsense;” he denied, with a forced laugh. “I" “You are thlnklug of Dallas, my boy. Is anything wrong between you and her? What has happened?" “Nothing,” lie answered sullenly. But the mother was not content. Her heart ached for the grief tier son was trying to hide.

“Something has happened, Alwyn.' Ihe declared, “and I want to kuo'u ivhut, so that 1 can lielp yon. You love her. And that day she came back froth Europe 1 felt sure she loved you. What is holding you two apartV” “Nothing that can be helped.” "But you never go to see her or"— “flow can I? You know toy attitude toward her uncle. llow can I call on her while she is in ills house? I exposed ills relations toward the Borough Street railway franchise bill. I ant fighting him and his iniquitous bill ■with every menus in my power! Dallas lives”— “I hadn't thought of that. You poor boy! Bjit surety”— “And something more. Her money find Perry’s are invested in Borough Stocks. By beating that bfll 1 seem outwardly to be willfully wrecking their fortune. I told yon the plan I arranged with Perry to avert this, but she doesn’t know of that And”— “Why don’t you tell her, then? Or let me tell her?” ‘'Because It Isn’t her gratitude I want I want her to lore me.” , "But don’t yon see In the meantime what a weapon yon are putting Into Me. Wain Wright’s hands? Suppose be

fells Dallas of your enmity to him and lets her know you are seemingly trying to impoverish her and her brother? He might prejudice her terribly against”— “I’ve thought of all that. I must tie content to wait. Next Friday the revised Borough bill comes up before the aldermen again for the final fight When it’s settled one way or the other I can go to her and explain. Meantime”-

“Meantlmc she Is here tonight with Sir. Wainwrlght. Have you seen her?” “Only for a minute." “Did she treat you with the same friendliness, the same interest, as of old? Don’t think I’m inquisitive, dear. I only ask all these questions because I love you.” “t know.” he answered, pressing her hand, as It lay on his arm. “yet I can hardly answer you. for l hardly know, in her presence I am not at ease be-en;-e I can't tell her everything, arid coins ill at ease because she knows .'tele's s-ttrvMdng i don't tell her. Oh,

it's a wretched position for us both!” "Then why don’t you clear it up?” "By going to her and saying: 'Dallas. I am exposing your uncle as a blackguard and am destroying your fortune and Perry’s Will you marry me?’ These are the facts; but.

'“Then why don’t you thank God, it’s clear it upt" only till Friday. After that I can go to her and make it all clear.” - ■ • ■ Before Mrs. Bennett could reply Perry returned to the ballroom, Cynthia at his side. “Then why not give me the next one. too?” the lad was pleading. “If one twostep’s good, two twosteps are twice as good. Please”— “But see.” expostulated Cynthia, showing him her card. “The next Is Mr. Gibbs’. I’ve told you that twice." “I wish Gibbs all the luck in the world,” observed Perry benevolently, as he deposited Cynthia on a fauteull beside her chaperon, Mrs. Bennett “I wish him so much good luck that if he’d slip and break both his legs I’d pay for a cab to take him home.” “Look out. please!” begged Cynthia. “He’s coming.” “The next is ours, I think. Miss Gar rlson,” said Gibbs, entering from the ballroom with Dallas on his arm. “I hope we'll have better fortune than Miss Wainwright and I. My step does not seem to suit hers tonight” “No, I’m afraid the fault was mine,” protested Dallas. “Pm a little tired. I think. May I sit here with you a few minutes, Mrs. Bennett?” she added as Gibbs bore Cynthia away for their dance.

“You don't seem very fond of Mr. Gibbs, Perry.” observed Mrs. Bennett, noting young Walnwright’s scowl of impotent wrath. “Not fond enough to make me want to live in the .same world with him. Mrs. Bennett, you’re too pretty to be Just a chaperon. Come and dance this twostep with me. Please do!” He nodded with vast significance toward Dallas and Bennett, and the little old lady, catching the idea, accepted with alacrity. “I’m so glad even to get this minute with you,” began Alwyn when he and Dallas were alone. “It's so long since”—

“Since you came to see me? Yes, but that is your fault Alwyn, why haven’t you called since I came home?” “Don’t you know why. Dallas?” “No.” “Are you certain you don’t know?” "I—l don't know absolutely,” she faltered. “Oh. there are so many things I don't know absolutely!” “What is oiic of them?” “For one thing, you and I used to be such good frleuds and”— "That is past.” said Alwyn firmly. “There can be no talk of mere friendship between you and me. Dallas. 1 must be everything or nothing to you. Tonight I can't speak as I waut to. but 1 can in a very few days Trust me till then. You know I am fighting Mr. Walmvright’s Interests and”— “Yes;” she replied bitterly. “My uncle gives me no chance to forget that.” “Don't think I’m fighting him for ray own amusement! 1 must oppose him or else give up a fight that I set out to win. And 1 mean to win it!” “That’s the same old fighting spirit I used to try so hard to awaken in you,” said Dallas, a faint note of admiration in her rich voice. “I told you euce it always took a blow to arouse you. That blow bas evidently been •truck.” ... ■ . - - : ,- “It has been struck!” he acquiesced, with a sad ghost of a smile. She saw the haggard lines about his mouth, the tired look in his eyes, and a lump came into her throat She leaned forward impulsively, but before she could speak he hail unknowingly thrown away the golden moment by continuing: "I must, win tht JhoughJt

affects others besides Mr. Wain wrlght Even if”— . “What others do you mean?” “Oh, I can’t explain now. After Friday l can. On Saturday may I come to see you and tell you everything?” “Why not now?” “There are obstacles that” — “Tell me what they are!” she begged. “I can’t. All I can tell you now is that I love you. I love you above all the world, sweetheart, and”— But fate in the dual guise of Horrlgan and Wainwright intervened. The financier and the boss, seeking some quiet spot for a chat, strolled through the foyer, where Horrigan on sight of Bennett halted with a glower of dislike, which he took no pains to conceal. l (To be continued.)