Jasper County Democrat, Volume 11, Number 35, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 3 October 1908 — THE MAN OF THE HOUR [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

THE MAN OF THE HOUR

BY ALBERT PAYSON TERHUNE

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CHAPTER IX. THE moment of strained silence that ensued upon Horrlgan’* entrance was broken by tbe Irrepressible Perry, who. having rescued Cynthia from Gibbs at tbe dose of their dance, was escorting her triumphantly from the ballroom. “This is my dance.” he remarked happily to Aiwyn as be came np, “and we’re going to sit It out If Mrs. Bennett In her capacity of chaperon should ask for Cynthia, you can tell her we’re going into tbe glass bouse to stroll among tbe romantic vegetables.” And he departed with bis prize in the direction of the conservatory. Tbe moment’s interruption had sufficed for Walnwrlght to whisper an admonitory word in Horrigan’s ear. Dallas, too. fearing a clash, took Bennett’s arm. "It’s so warm in here!” she murmured. "Perhaps we can find better air in one of the other rooms. Shall we try?" “Walnwrlght.” exclaimed Horrlgan. as the portieres closed behind the mayor and girl. “I don’t like that! Is your niece on his side or with us?” - “I don't know,” answered Watnwrigbt discontentedly, “and I don’t like to force an Issue by asking her. It doesn’t especially matter, I suppose. In any case, I can trust her.” "You’re In luck!” sneered Horrlgan. "That makes two people you say you can trust—first your secretary, Thompson, and then— Hello!” he broke off as a swarthy middle aged man hurried in. “Looking for me, Williams? What’s op?”

The newcomer was visibly excited, and at first glance Borrlgan had seen that something was amiss. "What’s up?” repeated the boss. “Ellis has gone—deserted 1“ cried Williams. “Ellis!” echoed Wainwright in dismay, for the man of whftm Williams spoke was one of the aldermanic "solid thirteen” on whom Horrigan counted. The boss made no comment, but waited impatiently for bis henchman to continue. “Ellis has gone,” repeated Williams. “He left a note for me saying bis wife Is very 111 and the doctor's ordered him to take her south. So he can’t attend Friday’s meeting." “Can’t attend the meeting'!” gasped Wainwright “But everything depends “Oh, he’ll -be on hand, the cur!” growled Horrigan. “The rest are standing solid of course?” “I think so.” hazarded Williams, "but some of ’em are pretty scared. We’ve never bad such a fight before as Bennett’s putting up against us now, "and’”—

“I’ll strengthen ’em up so os to knock out any weakening!” declared Horrigan confidently. “It’s Ellis we’ve got to look after now. Go after him, Williams, on the first train south and haul him back. Have him here by Friday If you have to kidnap him I'll stand for any damage or expense. Only see he’s here for that meeting It’s up to you. Now Jump!" As Wllllums hastened toward the door Horrigan called after him: “On your way out send word to Roberts that 1 want to see him here. Well. Wainwright,” he resumed, turning back into the rooni, "it looks bad.” “Do you think”— “I think we're in a tight place. If our aldcruicn found out about Ellis' quitting, there's no knowing bow many of ’em would bolt If we could only work Beuuett!” “Out of the question. He can’t be turned.” “There’s no man who can’t be turned. I’ve one card up my sleeve yet that ought to land him. But I’d rather try something else first I wish we cduld get a line on bis price." “He can’t be bought! He”— “Hot! Everybody can be bought Only there’s some that can’t be bought with cash. I’m wondering what there is'that'll buy him if money won’t” Gibbs, in search of an elusive partner, crossed the foyer and paused to greet them. “What news?” be asked. Wainwright surveyed the broker’s well groomed figure with less approval ‘than usual. “You seem to be industrious enough tonight” said he. “It’s a pity some of (tonight’s dancing energy couldn’t have been devoted to your work this morning.” Gibbs flushed at the reproof in words and tone. “I don’t understand," be replied •tuny. “Why didn’t you notify ms of the i

big block of Borough stock that was bought up just before noon?” “I hadn’t heard about it," answered Gibbs, with not quite all bis customary assurance. “Everybody else heard of it You'll have to keep better tabs on the murket than that if you’re to be any use to us Do you know who bought it?” “No,” returned Gibbs, with growing uneasiness. “Of course I don’t How should I know? What are you driving at?” “This Is what I'm driving at: Several big blocks of the stock have been unloaded on tbe market during the past few dnys and have been quietly snapped up. Somebody’s evidently tailing on to our game. You don’t know who?” “I've told you twice that I didn’t know.” blustered Gibbs, masking bis concern under a show of virtuous Indignation

The effort called forth all the astute young broker's nerve, for a certain shrewd scheme of bis showed signs of fulling through. By his original arrangement with Walnwrlght he was to have manipulated all the Borough stock purchases bn the exchange floor and to receive 20 per cent of the profits on the condition that he Invest not one dollar In the stock on bis private account Having strong faith In tbe deal’s success and having no equally strong incentive to keep faith with bis partners, Gibbs bad sought to swell his own profits by secretly buying up quantities of tbe stock for himself until every penny of his capital was Involved. His troubled mind could not now determine whether or not Walnwrlght suspected him. Gibbs, while possessing all the ambition, selfishness and lack of conscience that go toward the mak ing of a great financier, lacked the one chief essentials for the part—namely.

a cold and unshaken nerve. It was this defect that now threatened to expose him. “Well,” resumed Walnwrlght as though dismissing the topic. “you should have made It your business to know wbo is doing this private buying. That’s

what we brought you Into the deal for. Anyhow, the mysterious purchaser is liable to find himself in hot water before long." “Why?" queried Gibbs in a voice he tried to make Indifferent “Only because the deal will probably fall through." "Fall through!" cried Gibbs, dismayed. “What do you— Why, you told me Mr. Horrigan could win over a fourteenth alderman, and that with his solid thirteen"— “Yes,” drawled Horrigan, who had been unobtrusively eying Gibbs from the moment of his entrance, “we bad some such notion, as you say. But my 'solid thirteen’ didn't happen to be as solid as he looked. He’s bolted.” “Bolted 1 Then we—we will lose! We”— “Say, Mr. Gibbs,” observed Horrigan, “you seem to take this thing pretty hard for a man with only 20 per cent at stake. Mr. Wainwright stands to lose some millions. I’m Interested to the extent of almost a million. Yet you don’t see us getting pale and shaky, do you? If a man can’t pay for the chips he has no right In a poker game. Brace up and act like a man. can’t you? We haven’t lost yet I’ve sent after the fellow that bolted, and 1 think I cau land the fourteenth aiderman too.” “Good!" exclaimed Gibbs In wild relief. “And you’ll do your very best to pull the deal through, won’t you?” “No!" snarled Horrigan in elephantine sarcasm. ‘,Tm going to spend the time playing pingpong and diabolo with the kids or taking a course of lessons in fancy knitting. Oh. buck up, can't you. and quit acting like n baby! Judge Newman's out there on the other side of the ballroom. Chase over and tell him to come here.” Too coufused to resent the boss’ words, Gibbs meekly set out on his errand.

“That chap's got a streak of yellow a yard wide.” commented Horrigan, gazing after him. “Not as bad as that,” replied Wainwright. '‘He’s young and not used to reverses. You’ll find he Is game, all right, when It comes to a pinch. What did you want of Newman?” “You’ll see. Here he comes.” “You wished to speak to me. Mr Horrigau?" piped the little Judge, hurrying into the foyer. “Good evening. Mr. Wainwright. What a success the ball isl My daughters have been dancing all eveniug. And Mrs. Newman is so”— “Never mind Mrs. Newman Just now,’’ broke In Horrigan. “There’s something important I want you to dq for me.” He spoke, as be always did to Newman, iu the' manner of one addressing an incompetent servant The Judge, for ail bis pomposity, deemed it wise to Ignore the politician’s mode of address.

“i want you u» uunt up Bennett.” went on the boss, “and persuade him to atop fighting tbe Borough franchise bill. Tell him”— "Oh.” gasped the Judge in genuine alarm. "I really don’t think I could presume to”— “Yes. you can.” contradicted Horrigan. “You can do it and. wbat’s more, you will. You don’t feel shy about asking favors of me. and when it's the other way around you’ve got to come down or”— "I know! 1 know!” protested the frightened little Judge soothingly. “But you don’t understand how”— "I got you the nomination last Call. Are you going to be a white man or a welcber?" v "But I’m sure tha* airs. Newman”— "To blazes with Mrs. Newman! Now listen to me. Go to Bennett and do what you can to make him keep his hands off our Borough bill. If he’s difficult offer him. In my name, tbe nomination for governor next year. If you can get him—well, there’s a vacancy next year In the supreme court and”— “I’ll do what. 1 can.” assented the judge. “I’m sure you are right, Mr. Horrlgan. even if your way of putting matters is just a little ragged. I’ll see Mr. Bennett tonight and use all tbe persuasion In my power. I’m quite sure civic welfare will be best served if be will cease bis unseemly opposition to tbe Borough bill. Thank you. Mr. Horrlgan. I'm very 'sure that Mrs. Newman”— “I’m Bure.too.” cut In Horrlgan. “Now run on. We’re busy. Remember, now —the very next supreme court vacancy”— “Do you really think he has any Influence with Bennett?" asked Wainwrigbt as the judge vanished. “Can’t do any harm to try. They’re neighbors in the country and in the same crowd in society and all that. If it fails. I’ve another card that’s even stronger. Roberts ought to be here by now. You found out about those notes of his?”

“Yes; both of them. One for $7,000, one for $15,000. Both secured by mortgaging bis factory. Roberts can’t meet them. They’ve been extended twice, though the security must have been fairly good or' the Rturtevant Trust company wouldn’t have lent”— “Williams said you wanted to speak to me, Mr. Horrigan.” said a nervous voice from the door, and a pale, middle aged man came forward. He wore worry’s stamp between his perplexed eyes, and care had bent his narrow shoulders. “Yes. Good evening, Roberts,” replied Horrigan cordially. “See yon later, Wainwright” The financier took the hint and walked toward the ballroom, on his way out nearly colliding with Phelan, who was entering the foyer. At sight of Horrigan and Roberts together Phelan’s eyebrows went upward, with a Jerk, and he tiptoed out in the opposite dP rection as fast as his stout legs could carry him in search of Bennett. Meantime Horrigan bad come directly to the point, as usual, in bis appeal to Roberts. “Look here, alderman.” said he, "you’ve been trying for years to get through a park bill for your ward. Still want It?”

"Yes,” returned Roberts. “My constituents are at me all the time about that park. They”— "It would make your ward’s property values go up 50 per cent and It would make yon solid there forever, hey?” "Yes. but”— "Introduce that bill again, and I’ll guarantee it will go through.” "Are you in earnest?" —- "There's my hand on it. Only, of course. It’s understood that your park bill won't come up until after the Borough Street railway franchise is passed. Understand?” “I’m afraid 1 do,” said Roberts after a panse. "but 1 voted against that bill, and”"You voted against the xjblll in its original form,” Borrigan interrupted reassuringly, “and you were right too. It had a lot of clauses that you thought weren’t square. But *1) those have been cut out” "But I still”— ‘‘Bat you’ll be doing what’s best for your own constituents by looking aft-

er their Interests fa tte matter of me pa ft You’ll be their hero for that Of course if. 1 wanted to put it another way I could remind you that your business is in a bad way and that a friend of mine has bought up your notes at the Bturtevant Trust company and means to send them to you tomorrow. But that has nothing to do with the case. So 1 Just”— “I’m honest, Mr. Horrlgan,” faltered Roberts. “I” ' “Sure you're honest! That’s why you’ll have the courage to vote for the bill when you see it’s been amended so as to be a good thing for the city. That’s being honest, isn’t it?” “I—l suppose so. And the the”“Tbey’ll be sent you by registered mail tomorrow if you want them. Do you?” "Y-yes. That is. I”“That’s settled, then. You’ve got n level head. Good night.” The boss strode qut. a grim smile of victory on his big face, leaving Roberts standing confused, doubtful, his brain awhlrl How long the tempted alderman stood thus—oblivious to tbe music, bis surroundings and all wise—he could never remember, but a voice at bis elbow brought him to his senses -with a start that was. followed by a thrill of fear as he wheeled and recognized tbe speaker. (To be continued.)

“Fall through!” cried Gibbs, dismayed.

Judge Newman.