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BY Albert gjAYSON (fERHUNB (Chapter Thrre Continued) •t wouTua't go so far that rm »• • tussle, but wltb plenty of casta and the right tuau for mayor—mark me. I say' 'ami Tae right man'—we ought to win." "The woods are full of 'rlgbt men.'" replied Wahiwrlgbt. "The money Is Hie chief thing to consider. That Is why I asked you bere today This Is tbe point I'm getting at: As soon as election Is safely over the Borough Street railway will apply for a fran chise for a car line from Blank avenue to Dash street along tbe river front." "I see!" nodded Horrlgsa. "And. as you own tbe City Surface line and as that la tbe Borough Street railway's worst rival, you wast tbe Borough's franchise bill killed when It comes be fore tbe board of aldermen." "You're wrong. To paraphrase your own words, you know a lot about poll tics. I want tbe Borough Street rail way's franchise granted, and I want the franchise to be wurottiini " CIVIL WAR "The Pride of Virginia** Under Auspices of Womans Relief Corps JAMIESON'S OPERA HOUSE Captain Robert Farleigh, U.S.A., a Virginian who is loyal to th& old flag- Fred Saxauer Luke Ransone, a rebel spy in the Federal camp, C. (). MULDER General, Haverill, U.S.A George Blonden Michley, a "poor white" 11. ]]. Stuart Ezekial GRUBBINS, from " 'way down in Maine," Jack GALE Arthur Trevallen, a young hopeful Raymond Fisher Old Uncle Joe, an imaginative coon George Hall Virginia Graham, a daughterofthe "Old Dominion" Mis. I). Mulder Mrs. Trevallen, a marriageable widow, afterwards Mrs. EZEKIAL Grubbins Mits. George Hall Kitty Cloverdale, the General's neice—a charming little rebel, Mits. FredSaxauer ACT I.—THE HAVERILL MANSION, WASHINGTON, D. C. - Kitty's brigade. Uncle Joe's wonderful history. War talk. Mr. Ezekial Grubbins, from "way down iv Maine." The bean-shooter inaction. Robert .and Virginia. An old-time verse. Michley's re. Sort. Luke's proposal. Rejected. The pride of Virginia. Sun ered hearts. ACT II.—A FEDERAL OUTPOST IN THE SHENANDOAH VALLEY. —The comic side of war. Luke and Michley, A scoun drel and his tool. Visitors. Mrs. Grubbins makes a few remarks. Grubbins in trouble. The folly of pride. The promise. Luke's cun ning plot. The fatal letter. Grubbins and grub. Joe turns rebel. Luke s scheme succeeds. "The game is mine!" ACT III.—AT THE GRAHAM PLANTATION.—UncIe Joe has trouble with himself. "I'se killed in mo'n forty-leben hunnerd differ ent ways!" Kitty adds to his fright. Captured by Grubbins. Rob- Mi arrives in disguise. Danger ahead. Virginia's alarm. "Go—go at once!" Too late! In the toils. A terrible alternative. Death or dishonor! A sudden change. Victory! ACT IV.—THE OUTPOST AGAIN.—Songs in ramp. A master ful liar. The captured "coon." Mrs. Grubbins exposes Luke. A villain with nerve. Cornered at last. Michley's request. Virginia's pride yields at last, and the old, old story is told again. Thursday Even. Nov. 5 "But I don't see what your driving nt. • If you Intend to merge the Borough Street railway with your own City Sur face line Its charter will become void." "I don't mean to merge them. I own both roads, and I run them separately." "The you do!" "That's a little surprise, eh? I haven't made any parade of it. I Jnst went quietly to work, through CJibhs, and bought up a majority of tbe Bor ough stock. Now don't you see how tbe granting of tbe franchise and tbe news that I control the road will work when they are made known?" "Sure! It'll send that stock sky high. You'll scoop in a million or two." "A million or two!" echoed Wnln wrlght scornfully. "Nearer"— "Hold on!" Interrupted Horrlgan. "What's that noise?" He had Jumped to bis feet with an alacrity that was surprising In so large a man and was listening Intently. "That clicking?" asked Walnwrlght "Oh, that's only tbe private wire In my office." "Private wire? Any operator?" "Of course. Why?" "Suppose be should happen to be listening to us?" "Who? Thompson? Absurd!" "I don't know. I'd rather"— "Nonsense. It's Thompson, my pri vate secretary, a man who's been with me nine years. I trust him as"— "But I don't. I don't trust anybody. Send him into some other room." "I can't. In bis absence some im portant message might come, and If be wasn't there on the very moment to transmit It to me I might lose thou sands. He's all right If ever a man was. I trust him Implicitly." "Ob. all right, then. Go on with what you were saying." , "I wuut tbe Borough Street railway COMEDY CASTE OF CHARACTERS SYNOPSIS rnncnse otaae perpetual, i «*> mj ••Sum. But the papers and erty holders will make a big kick. Altt't/n llinnt't. "Let the in. They'll soon get boats* and have to rest their throats. As lou:; ns we get the votes what do we care If— "Yes, yes!" agreed the boss impa tiently. "That's all Hunt, but what I want to know Is, Ilow does all thl>. concern me?" Horrlgan threw himself back In bis chair, uptiited cigar in one corner of bis mouth, thumbs in waistcoat arm boles and eyed bis boat quizzically. Walnwrtgbl did not even pretend not to understand. Still, instead of giving a direct answer be went on with seem ing Irrelevance: "1 am a public spirited citizen. I be- Ueve clvlo welfare would euffer by any change In municipal administration, ao t<> keep tbe present party in power I »m Willing to donate to it $200.0t» to ward election expviiHes." "That sounds pretty good as far as It ffoes, but maybe you didn't hear some thing I asked you a minute ago. What I want to know is. How does all this concern me?" "I'm coming to that. As I said; I sm a public spirited citizen. I'm also a good friend—SUCta a good frleird that I'm always i; lud to put my friends on to anything In tbe market that looks particularly promising. Suppose I car- . r.v for your account at the market price (that's m Just nowi 15.000-share* of Borough Street railway stock?" "Well?" "If that franchise Is granted, Bor ough stock w ill go up at least 25 points within two days. Tbut would clear up f"r you a protlt of—let's see—about 1373,000." Korrtajssj had pulled a pencil from his pocket and was figuring on the 1 hack of an envelope. "Yes," be said at last: "that's eight, 1375.000. That would be my profit, while yours would run Into the mil lions. That's not warm enough friend ship for me." • Surely, tbat is a geoerous"— "Ceuerous, maybe, but I'd like some- Hi lag munificent-say 25.000 shares at* 18. Thou at the 25 point Jump I'd make—rd make"—consulting bis flg-i iiivs on the envelope—"something over SOOO.OCO. That sounds better to me.' Her?" "But Mr. Horrlgan"— "You ye got my terms. Take 'em or< leave vin." "Oh, very well," conceded Waln wrlght, v. ith lame grnciousness. "Any tblug to oblige un old friend." "Good I So we get $200,000 for elec tion expenses, and my personal ac count receives 25,000 shares at 88/' "Quite so. And now"— "And now comes tbe question of the right inau for mayor. We"— Again Horrlgan paused, rising to Ills feet stealthily, like- some ponderous .vat. lib* bead beat slightly, as though etching a faint or distant sound. ' "Wluit's the matter?" asked WelD wrig'.t, looking up. •'Nothing," returned- Horrlgan But he did not resume bis seat. Instead at be Ink'd he began to pace tbe room In apparent aimlessness, yet every 'turn Chanced to bring him nearer and near"- er to the door of tbe adjoining office "You Fee," he said, "we must have right 'niant if we don't, we /" if'N haven't a shad yY ■■ !& ow of a show |l laky-ft. to win. We must f\jP SflWy choose the best s* 1 ti- man possible.'ld 'A\ L t§rTT" fuct ' Mr Waln - Xil Yl w right - In wET* His wander z-y In g s bad / brought blm to /'omipson $tepprd the office door. •pnetlu otw th* Wltb the- last threshold, word be sud-- •inly jerked It open. 'i hompson stepped quietly over the threshold Into the library, walked over to his employer, handed blm a dispatch und weut out again under tbe battery of Horrlgac's glsre, closing tbe office floor after h'.ni. "That Tellow wss listening to every word we said!" shouted tbe boss as the door shut behind Thompson. "How foolish you are!" protested Wainwrlgbt. "He was bringing me this message. I've tried and tempted and tested Thompson In s hundred "ays. and he's always rung true; I trust him utterly." "Well. I don't trust a man living." retorted Horrlgan, reluctantly convinc ed. "I dou't slgu receipt* or keep eo cuunts or write letters or tiave wit nesses when I talk. I always make It a question of veracity between me sud | the other man If there's sn Investlga ! tion. My word's as good ss any ene's, and they csn't prove anything sgalast j nic in case of a showdown. I advise J'"'i to try tbe same plan. It's a good •as. And in tbe meantime If I were yon i-d keep an eje on tbat secretary. He'll bear watching." "Never mind about Thompson. He's al) right. Let's get back to tbe elec tion. Who have you In mind for mayor?" "Well," considered Horrlgan, "he's got to be some one who Isn't muted up 'a politics or corporations. Some one the public isn't on to. A man wltb taa queer past." "I advise you to consult the cslen dar of saints and pick out your candi date there," sneered Walnwrlght, wbo could not clearly follow bis guesfs rea soning. "No. i think I cam find Mrs on earth." laughed Horrlgan. "He's got to be young, clever, educated, wltb a , good name, a good family and social standing and plenty of cash. The cash Is Important, so the public will' under- • stand be Isn't a graft hunter. They've a got to be wfede to think he's tn the game for purity of politics and high • principles- and love' of civic duty and ( sll tbat sort of thing. At tbe same \ time he's got to be some one we-can , handle to suit ourselves. That's the ] man 'who'll catch *«m coming and go- , lag. We've got to find him. Any sug gestions?" I ••wen. how about Gibber . "Wou't do. Broker and' money Jug , gler. The public wouldn't stand for ", blm." , "Young Sawyer"— , "Sawyer was born foolish, and he's | been getting stesdlly slMe* every year ; since, and bis face shows iv" , "Ten Broeck, then." "Ten Broeck Is too fond of turning a cigarette Into the connecting link be tween fire sud'* foot. And, besides, he wears s monocle. Wbat'd happen if he was* to flash that-monocle In a Fourth ward meeting? There'd be a massa cre." "Weil, who, then? Have you any one in mind?" "Yes:* assented Horrlgan. "I have Do you happen to know a young fel low who spends his summers near bere —a chap named Bennett—Alwyn Ben nettr "Certainly; I know blm well. Buf - "Welt. bow does he strike yon?" "I'd never have thought of blm In such a connection." "Why wouldn't you? He pretty near fulfills sll our qualifications. Besides, bit father used to be a big man In tbe organisation. Got some fat contracts from it In his time too." "But young Bennett has never"— "He's Well off. well educated, clever, aud all that. I ran across blm last fall when be came over to help Lorlmerin his fight In the Fourteenth. He made some rattling good speeches, and tbe boys all took a llklug to blm. A swell, but not a snob; gool miser, good fel low, popular, clear beaded, no paat - yes; he's cur man.- Mara I think It over he surer I am." "I shouldn't wonder If you're right. How would you like to talk It over with bun now?" | "Now?"' "Yes. He's •stUV around tbe place 11 ramewherei 1 think." Wsluwrtgbt rang * bell, and tbe but ler appeared. "Find Mr. Bennett." said the finan cier, "an* ask blm tf be will step here for s moment." . "Yes."- went on Horrlgan reflectively, 1 robbing his huge plump bands togeth er, "he's the man for us—that la." he added, with less assurance, "If We csn handle him." "I 'think we can," answered Waln wrlght, a fragment of bis conversation wltb Glbbs dashing across his mem ory. "You see, I nave fairly good rea sons for believing he's In love wltb my niece. Miss Dallas WSinwrlght." "So? That's"— "And, as I control ber fortune and her brother's until Terry la twenty five"- --"Ob, It's a cinch!" chuckled Horrl gan. "He"— "Mr. Bennett Is playing tennis," re ported the butler, coming to tbe door. "He wlll be here at once." "Now," resumed Horrlgan, "the only thing - that remains -is to find out if he'll consent, snd then"— "You wanted me. Mr. Walnwrlght?" asked Bennett, stepping through tbe long window from tbe veranda. "Oh, good morning, Mr. Horrlgan." be added on seeing the second occupant of tbe room. Tbe young man was costless and col larless, bis silk shirt being turned in st tbe neck. In one band be swung s ten nis racket. Wttb the other be mopped but flushed face, for tbe day wss not snd the game had been swift. "Yes." snswesed Walnwrlght "I'm eorry to interrupt your tennis set but we want to see ycu on s rather Impor tant matter. We've been talking about you." •Thanks!" said Bennett, with a pus- - sled Smile from one to tbe other of the two older men. "What about?" "Want to be mayor?" queried Horrl gan sbropMy. "What's the answer?" countered tbe | perplexed youth. "It isn't a Joke," Intervened WSln- , w right. "Mr. Horrlgan Is tn earnest" "In earnest? I hope the heat hasn't , gone to his bead " i "You don't understand." put In Hor- ; rtgan. "I control the party's nomfna- , tlons. The nomination for mayor Is j yours tf you'll like ft" i i "Net—not really T gasped Alwyn , aghast. < "Yes, really. We"- l "Bat wltb a whole organisation full , 'of good material, why do you come to | me?" 1 "Because you're tbe man we want" | "As aw answer that's excellent but | ss an explanation It's mystifying." | "111 tell yon. We're looking forward » 1 to a risky fight and"- < "And alace you see no chance of \ winning you pick me out as the victim , instead of some organization man? , Good idea as far ss you're concerned, , but I bag to decline, without than**." 1 \ ~mo, hot" corrected Warn Wright. "Mh Horrlgaathinks that you have a etasng chanes of winning" "That's right," corroborated the boas "It'll be a hard tight, but with the right man we'll win, and we believe you're -the right man; Even If you loa*. you'll ■now the world what you're made of. Folk* admire a fighter. Tbey haven't much uae for an Idler. 1 The coarsely spoken words brought back with-a rush Dallas Walnwrlght'* plea and bis own yearning to do some thing to make her proud of him—to win ber by great-deeds—to prove hU love worth her acceptance. Was thU the chance—tbe chance-tw had so eager ly longed for? It seemed providential. His face alight with the Joy of battle aud the hop*, of bis heart's reward. Bennett turned upon the watting boos. "I accept" "Good!" yelled Uerrlgaa. slapping him resoundingly on the back. "Good boy 1 Now. "But remem- ' hood seemed to j jji \iljf\f\l away from blm like a discarded v JzT garment, leav tug the men- UUtnrtitu boyhood hood and rug- uernrd to Am* foil ged Ftrength maun* from Mm stripped of all tbe follies and Idleness that had hither to masked It, "remember one thing, If I win this fight—lf lam elected mayor -I shall never once swerve from my solemn oath of ettlce. I"— Walnwrlght uneasy st tbe candi date's unwonted words snd manner, started to speak, but Horrlgan deftly Interfered. "Of course you'll keep your oath of office." be bellowed Jovially. "Of course you will. That's understood." Then In an undertone to Walnwrlght as Alwyn moved away tbe boss wbla . pored: i • "Don't butt Inl Leave him to met That BlUy reform talk-don't mean any thing, i It's tbe way all youngsters in i politics blow off steam. Leave blm to me!" CHAPTER IV. THE next few mouths were • pe riod of unprecedented toll aud excitement for Alwyn Bennett. ll* ooinettones wondered at nit . own eloquence. Speech after speech , he made tn every section of tbe city— .in half built suburbs. In halls where nins-tenttas of his bearers were In evening dress and where familiar faces dotted the place; In overcrowded, smoke reeking auditoriums, wbere not one man In three wore a collar snd wbere a score of nationalities vied for precedence. .With a versatility that delighted Horrlgan the candidate managed to sdapt himself to every audience and, moreover, to Impress bis hearers with s sense of his absolute sincerity and honesty. In tbe crowded, polyglot meetings: he bit on the plan of speak ing to representatives of each race In their own language. In a single even ing, so-the papers recorded, be bad made speeches In English, French, German, Italian and Spanish. At some meetings toughs bad tried to confuse blm by interrupting wltb questions, Joking .comment or Insult, lor eacb Alwyn, without breaking tbe thread of bla discourse, found some quick reply so apt ss to turn tbe laugh on bis tor mentor and turn the audience's sym pathy to himself. At last election day came and went. And Alwyn Bennett by a fair major ity carried bis entire ticket to victory. Even bis severest critics in tbe organ isation were forced to admit that Ben nett, and Bennett alone, bad Saved tbe party from severe defeat. Horrlgan'* Judgment and choice of men for the thousandth time In tbe boss* crooked political career was vindicated, and Horrlgan himself waa overjoyed be yond' measure. Nor did tbe fact tbat he bad failed to oust Alderman Pbe lan In the primaries wholly cloud tbe Does' delight There was, however, a slight cloud on Alwyn's triumph, for Dallas Waln wrlght was not present to share tbat triumph. Within s few days after Hoc rlgsn's visit to the Walnwrlght place Dallas had gone with an aunt on an eight months' tour of Europe and the Mediterranean. But Perry, wbo at ber secret request bad kept bar pasted on every detail of th* stirring campaign, cabled ber the result on election nlgbt. snd the following day a reply mes sage of congratulation crosssd the At lantic to gladden Alwyn's heart In s letter that followed a week later Dal Us asked the first political favor tbe future mayor wss called Upon to grant. She begged that In bis office Bennett would try to find k place for Cynthia Garrison, In consequence of which when the young man made up tats list of personal appointments Miss Garri son found herself listed as assistant private secretary at a decidedly com fortsJble sslarv (Continued on Next Page)