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About The morning Astorian. (Astoria, Or.) 1899-1930 | View Entire Issue (May 24, 1908)
I i t ! I f THE MORNING ASTOItlAN, ASTORIA, OREGON. SUNDAY, MAY 2-1, 1908. t. . i l i i V i i. ... i fSli- SYNOPSIS OF PRECEDING CHAPTERS. .Chapter I At the suburban home of Charles Wainwright, "high finan cier," he and his broker, Scott Gibbs, hatch up a scheme to corner Borough street railway stock. They rely upon the support of Dick Horrigan, boss of the neighboring city, who is coming to discuss matters. Alderman Phe- lan, the thorn in Horrigan's side, whom Wainwright is anxious to con ciliate, is also coming. Among the members of Wainwright's household are his niece and nephew, Dallas and Perry Wainwright, and his secretary, Thompson, a secretive young man in whom the financier has implicit confi dence. Judge Newman, a neighbor of Wainwright, whose continuance in office depends upon Horrigan's favor, requests Wainwright's intervention with the boss. Another visitor to the Winwrights' is Alwyn Bennett, in loe with Dallas, who is calling to ask her about her rumored engagement to Gibbs. Perry is in love with Synthia Garrison, also a neighbor. II Cyn thia is the daughter of a bank presi dent who nine years before the open ing of the story was ruined by the dealings of an unnamed dishonest financier and shot himself. His son thereupon disappeared. Mrs. Bennett congratulates herself upon the imma culate record of her son's defeased father. Dallas refuses to marry Alwyn unless he does something worthy of his family and education. Phelan and Horrigan face each other. III. Phelan defies Horrigan. Judge Newman is turned down by the boss, but at Wainwright's request Horri gan becomes suspicious of Thompson, but Wainwright scon's at the idea Horrigan and Wainwright makes a corrupt deal whereby the former, for a big consideation, is to procure from the board of aldermen a perpetual franchise for the Borough treet railway. The boss is worried by the reform movement threatening his power at the coming election and is casting about for a candidate for mayor with a clean record. He hits upon Bennett, who has had some slight political experience. The lat ter accepts, but warns Horigan that, if elected, he will be absolutely honest and independent IV. Bennett is elected and ap points Cynthia his private secretary. Phelan tells him that the financier who caused the ruin of the Garrisons was Wainwright, who is also the pow er behind the crooked Borough fran chise bills, with Horrigan and Gibbs. Dallas and Mrs. Bennett visit the city hall V Gibbs tries to induce Bennett to sign the bill. The mayor's talk with Dallas is interrupted by Horrigan. VI Bennett refuses to be bulldoz ed by Horrigan into signing the bill. The boss lacks one vote in the board of aldermen of the fourteen needed to pass the bill without the mayor's as sent. Despite the fact that defeating the bill means impoverishing Dallas and Perry, whose fortune Wainwright has invested in Borough stock, Ben nett vetoes the measure. VII Ben nett's plan to save Dallas and Perry is to have Perry sell Borough stock short. The mayor's opposition cau ses Horrigan and Wainwright to amend the bill, retaining however, some of the most objectionable fea tures. VIII Alwyn's lovemaking to Dallas at the Mayor's ball is interrupted by Horrigan. CHAPTER IX. THE moment of strained silence that ensued upon Horrigan's en trance was broken by the irre pressible Perry, who, having rescued Cynthia from Gibbs at the close of tbeir dance, was escorting her triumphantly from the ballroom. "This Is my dance," he remarked happily to Alwyn as he came up, "and we're going to sit it out If Mrs. Ben nett In her capacity ot chaperon should ask for Cyuthia, you can tell her we're going into the glass house to stroll among the romantic vegetables." And he departed with his prize in the direction of the conservatory. The mo ment's interruption had sufficed for Wainwright 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 murmur ed. "Perhaps we can find better air in one of the other rooms. Shall we try?" "Wainwright," exclaimed Horrigan, ts the portieres closed behind' the may or and girl, "I don't like that! Is your niece on his side or with us 7" "I don't know," answered Wain wright discontentedly, "and I don't like to force an Issue by asking her. It doesn't especially matter, I suppose. 1 1 WMm raww v nm. v wr 0.1 (j.I!.&-a3dhursrs Successlit Ptey In any case, I can trust her." "You're In luck:" sneered Horrlgiin. "That makes two people you say you can trust-first your secretary, Thomp son, and then Hello!" he broke off as a swarthy middle aged man hurried in. "Looking for me, Williams? What's up?" The newcomer was visibly excited, and at first glance Horrigan had Been that something was amiss. "What's up?" related the boss. "Ellis has gone deserted!" cried Wil liams. "Ellis!" echoed Wainwright In dis may, for the man of whom Williams spoke was one of the aldermanlc "solid thirteen" on whom Horrigan counted. The boss made no comment but wait ed Impatiently for his henchman to continue. "Ellis has gone," repeated Williams. "He left a note for me saying his wife is very ill 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 on" "Oh, he'll be on hand, the cur!" growled Horrigan. "The rest are stand ing solid of course?" "I think so," hazarded Williams, "but some of em are pretty scared. We've never had such a fight before as Ben nett's putting up against as now, and" "I'll strengthen 'em up so as 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 Williams hastened toward the door Horrigan called after him: "On your way out send word to Rob erts that I want to see him here. Well, Wainwright," he resumed, turning back into the room, "it looks bad." "Do you think" "I think we're in a tight place. If oar aldermen found out about Ellis' quitting, there's no knowing bow many of 'em would bolt If we could only work Bennett!" "Out of the question. He can't be turned." "There's no man who can't be turn ed. I've one card up my sleeve yet that ought to land him. But I'd rath er try something else first I wish we could get a line on his price." "He can't be bought! He" "Rot! 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 part ner, crossed the foyer and paused to greet them. "What news?" he asked. Wainwright surveyed the broker's well groomed figure with Ies3 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 morn ing." Gibbs flushed at the reproof in words and tone. "I don't understand," he replied stiffly. "Why didn't you notify me of the big block of Borough stoci that was bought up Just before coon 'i" "I hadn't heard about it," answered Gibbs, with not quite all his custom ary assurance. "Everybody else heard of It You'll have to keep better tabs on the market 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 driv ing at?" "This is what I'm driving at: Several big blocks of the stock have been un loaded on the market during the past few days and have been quietly snap ped 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 his concern under a show of virtuous In dignation. The effort called forth all the astute young broker's nerve, for a certain shrewd scheme of his showed signs of falling through. By his original ar rangement with Wainwright he was to have manipulated all the Borough stock purchases on the exchange floor and to receive 20 per cent of the prolits on the condition that he invest not one dollar in the stock on his private ac count Having strong faith in the deal's suc cess and having no equally strong in centive to keep faith with his partners, Gibbs had sought to swell his own profits by secretly buying up quantities of the stock for himself until every penny of his capital was involved. His troubled mind could not now deter mine whether or not Wainwright sus pected 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 purt namely. a cold ami un shaken nerve. It was this defect that now threat ened to expose klm. "Well," resum ed Waluwrlght, us though dis missing the top ic, "you should have made It your business to know who U do ing this private buying. That's "fall thromjh!" n ktl OUilm, iitmo )-. what we brought you into the deal for. Anyhow, the mysterious purchaser is liable to find himself In hot water tie fore long." "Why?" queried Gibbs In a voice he tried to make Indifferent "Only because the deal will probably fall through." "Fall through r cried Gibbs. dismay ed. "What do you Why, you told me Mr. Horrigan could win over a four teenth aMermau, and that with his solid thlrteeu" "Yes," drawled Horrigan, who had been unobtrusively eying Gibbs from the moment of his entrance, "we had some such notion, as yon say. Hut my solid thirteen' didn't happen to be as solid as he looked. He's bolted." "Bolted! Then we-we will lose! We"- "Say. Mr. Gibbs." observed Horri gan. "you seem to take this thing pret- j ty 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 n 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 net like a man, can't you? We haven't lost yet. I've sent after the fellow that bolted, and I think I can land the fourteenth alder man too." "Good!" exclaimed Gibbs In wild re lief. "And you'll do your very liest to pull the deal through, won't you?" "No!" snarled Horrigan lu elephan tine sarcasm. "I'm going to spend the time playing plngpong and diabolo with the kids or ta!;!t!g a course of les sons In fancy knitting. Oh, buck up, can't you. and quit acting like a baby! Judge Newman's out there on the other side of the ballroom, chase over and tell him to come here." Too confused to resent the boss' words, Gibbs meekly sA out on his er rand. "That chap's got a streak of yellow a yard wide," commented Horrigan. gaz ing after him. "Not as bad as that." replied Wain wright. "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 conies." "You wished to speak to me, Mr. Horrigan?" i :p 1 the little Judge, hur rying into the foyer. "Good evening, Mr. Wainwright. What a success the ball is! My il.iu:,'b;ors have been danc ing all evening. And Mrs. Newman Is so" "Never mind Mrs. Newman Just now," broke in Horrigan. "There's something Imporf-mt I want you to do for me." He spoke, as he always did to New man, in the manner of one addressing an incompetent servant, lhe Judge, for all his pomposity, deemed It wise to ignore the politician's mode of ad dress. "I want vou to hunt up Bennett," went on the Ijo--s. "and persuade hlrn to stop fighting the Borough franchise bill. Tell hlm"- "Oh." ga.-pd (he Judge In genuine alarm, "1 really don't think I could pre sume to" "Yes, you can," contradicted Horri gan. "You can do It, and, what's more, you will. You don't feel shy about ask ing favors of me, and when it's the other way around you've got to come down or" "I know! I know!" protested the frightened little Judge soothingly. "But you don't understand how" "I got you the nomlrstlon last fall. Are you going to be a white man or a welcher?" "But I'm sure that Mrs. Newman" "To blazes with Mrs. Newman! Now listen to me. Go to Bennett and do what you can to make him keep bis hands off our Borough bill. If bo's dif ficult offer him, in my name, the nom ination for governor next year. If you can get hffn 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. Horrigan. even If jiur way of putting matters is Just a little ragged. I'll see Mr. Bennett tonight and use all the persuasion in my power. I'm quite sure civic welfare will be best served if he will cease his unseemly opposition to the Borough bill. Thank you. Mr. Horrigan. I'm very sure that Mrs. Newman" "I'm sure, too," cut in Horrigan. "Now rim on. We're busy. Remember, now the very next supreme court va cancy" "Do you really think he has any in fluence with ItemietO" asked Wain wright us lhe Judge vanished. "Cttn't do any harm to try. They're neighbors In the country and In the same crowd In society mid nil that. If It falls, I've another curd that's even strougcr. Robert ought to bo hero by now. Yon found out about those notes of his?" "Yes; Inith of them. One for $7,lKiO, one for $13,000. Both secured by mortgaging his factory. Koberts cnn'l meet tiieiu. They've been extended twice, though the security must huvo beeu fairly good or the Hturtovnut 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 camo forward. Ho wore worry's stamp between his perplexed eyes, and euro had bent his narrow shoulders. "Yes. Good evening, Roberts," re plied Horrigan cordially. "Sea you later. Wainwright." The financier took (he hint und walk ed toward the ballroom, on his way out nearly colliding with phvlau, who was euterlug the foyer. At sight of Ilorrl gun and Roberts together I'lielan's eyebrows went upward, with a Jerk, and he tiptoed out lu the opposite di rection as fast as his stout legs could carry him In search of Bennett. Mean time Horrigan had conio directly to the point, as usual. In his appeal to Rob erts. "Look here, alderman," said he, "you've been trying for years, to ge through a park bill for your ward Still want it?" "les," returned Koberts. "My con stttuents are ut me all the time about tut 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"- "Introduee that bill again, and I'll guarantee It will go through." "Are you lu earnest?" "There's my baud on it Only, of course, it's understood that your park bill won't come up until after the Bor ough Street railway franchise Is pass ed. Understand?" "I'm afraid I do," said Roberts aflt a paue. "but I voted against that bill and"- "You voted against the bill in its orlglnul form." Horrigan Interrupted reassuringly, 'and you wero right, too, It had a lot of clauses that you thought weren't square. But all those have been cut out." "But I stlM"- "But you'll Ik d lng wind's best for your owu constituents by looking aft er their Interests In the matter of the park. You'll be their hero for that Of course if I wanted to put it another way I could remind you that your Judge Scurman. business is In a bad way and that a friend of mine has bought up your notes at the Sturtevant Trust company and means to bend them to you tomor row. But that has nothing to do with the case. So I Just" "I'm honest, Mr. Horrigan," 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 I suppose so. And the notes the"- "They'll be sent you by registered mall tomorrow if you want them. Do yon?" "Y-yes. That is, I"- "That's settled, then. You've got n level head. Good ulght" The boss strode out, a grim smile of victory on his big face, leaving Rob erts standing confused, doubtful, his brain a whirl. How long the tempted alderman stood thus oblivious to the music, his surroundings and all else he could never remember, but a voice at bis elbow brought him to his senses with a start thut was followed by a thrill of fear as he wheeled and recog llzed the speaker. CHATTER X. ROBERTS' eyes rested on the grinning, complacent feature of Al!'.:rmnn I'hcbn. At the hitter's side was I'ennctt. "I was fiujiiig." remarked I'helai; blandly, "that It's a fine hall, isn't It now, Robert:'?" "Yes," t;ai.l Ifo'.e. : ; !:-. .. jr ing to move away. But PhaUu imuor. holed him. "Stay an' swap talk awhile with his honor and me, Roberts," he bogged. "I'm in a hurry," hugui, Koberts. "and"- " Alderman Phelan ha:; been trying to cheer me up a bit," said Bennett. "He knows I'm worried about the Borough bill's outcome. I wlBh Friday was past" , re "Siime here." chimed in rhelun. "An' you, Roberts?" "1?" muttered the uncomfortable num. "Why?" "It'R Friday that the Borough bill comes up again," explained Uennetl. a though Imparting new Information "You will vote against it, of course Mr. Rolierts?" "I'm not sure, You see, It's been altered so as to" "The alteration! don't affect the main Issue, and (hey can't change any honest man's views. So 1 can count on yon to continue opposing It, can't IT' "I object In this riitochlaliig!" third up poor Rolierts. "I won't stand for It. rm my own muster and" "Are you sure you're your own muster?" do in n tided Ben nett. , "If so. why should you lie ii f rnld to say how you are go ing to vote?" "Do you ac cuse me of" "I accuse you of having changed your "Sometxulu't aolna to mind about the piiimn Jirfnre fhl bill for some tnattr r'i ciulfd." reason that won't bear the light. And I warn you to go carefully. SotnelsKly's going to prison before this mutter's elided." "I'm not answerable to any one but my constituents," suld Roberts, with a pitiful attempt at cold dignity, "and they"- "And they shall demand an answer from yon," warned Bennett "I'll see to It that they do. Now, you cau go If you want to." turning his back on the confused Roberta, who eagerly took the opportunity to escape. "I'm afrnld friend Roberta ain't bavin' tho happiest time of bis life to night," remarked Phelan, going to the doorway and looking after the depart ing alderman. "There's not much of what the poet geeKer calls 'whoop up the dance, fer Joy lie unrefined' about him. Poor fool! Ho never wus cut out to be a crook. He makes a punk Job of it in spite of tho trluimln's Hor rigan's ilcc'rutcd him with. If I hadn't the sense to be crooked without uiuklu' a monkey of myself, I'm blest If I don't Mlcvo I'd turn honest. Hey! Here's a couple of folks, though, that's gettln' more fun out of the bull than ever I had nt a dog fight!" As he spoko Perry Wainwright pilot ed Cynthia lu from tho conservatory it top sHcd, his Jolly young face alight with a joy that reflected Itself In Miss Garrison's own Tery flushed counte nance. "Alwyn," shouted young Wainwright, not seeing Phelan lu his excitement, "guess whut a huppvuedt 1 11 give you three guesses and" "And I can't possibly guess if yon gave me a thousand," retorted Den nett, with vast gravity, "so I won't try. I'll Just congratulate you with all my heart old chup, aud vvlhh Miss Gar-. rison every happiness that" j "Gee! How'd you know? We haven't told a soul. It only happened about four minutes ugo. I was telling Cyn FAT FOLKS ONE DOLLAR invested in a bottle of these wonderful, harmless fat reducing tablets and in 30 days you will be a normal, well formed person again. Don't carry around your ugly bulk, your ungainly aupcrflous flesh. It makes yott miserable, ridiculous and what is more important, it subjects you to fatal consequences. 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"Thanks, alderman," grinned Perry effusively, "Now, Alwyn, we've got to go and break It to your mother if we ctm find her. I'onio along mid buck tut up," Dragging lleunelt between them, the two youngsters stalled off on their quest. I'hchiii was iihmit to return to bis beloved bar when he was checked by seeing In the opivoMio dsirwy a man vho stood is though petrified watching Cynthia Garrison's departing form. Tho intruder was about to with draw when Phelan hulled him, "Good evening," called the Alderman. "Good evening, sir," said the new comer resK'ctfiilly, punning on tho point of leaving the foyer. "I've met you lnfore, I think," went tl Phelan. "Some day ag-i In the mayor's of fice." assented the other. "I nm Thomp son, Mr, Wnlinvrlght's private sectt- tary." "I'm Aldei'iniiii Phelan of tho Eighth, ii rul I've sii-n you before wo met at his honor'-." "So y.ui e.'ild then, sir. But you were iiilxlaki'ii. Good evening." 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