s? a JOHN BURT FREDERICK UPHAM ADAMS Author of ••Tbo Kidnapped Millionaires,’* “Colonel Monrue s Doctrine,” Etc. OOPTRIGHT, 1902, Br Fs^uauicK. Upram Adams All rights reserved COPTBIGHT, 1902 BT A. J. Dbiiil Bidbli CHAPTER XXII—Continued. John Burt had seated himself at his d sk. which.he was putting in order. Surprised at Sam's positive state- ■ nient he turned quickly. He saw Blake standing by the door. A shaft of sunlight fell full on his face. His hand was on the knob, and he stood motionless as if riveted to the j floor, there was that in his expres- 1 Siou and attitude which challenged I John Burt's attention. Students of psychological phenom ena may offer an explanation of the j impalpable impression received by | John Burt in that moment. His was the dominating mind; Blake’s the sub jective. By that mysterious telepathy i which mocks analysis and scorns de- 1 scription a message passed to John Burt. He yet lacked the cipher to translate it. It dotted no definite , warning and sounded none but a ! vague suspicion, but the vibration, j though taint, was discordant. John Burt glanced at Blake and turned to Sam. “You surely are mistaken. Sam." he J said. “Miss Carden is abroad and . will not sail for New York for several j days." “Is that so?" Sam ran his fingers through his red hair and looked puz zled. "That's mighty curious! I’ve got an eye like a hawk, an' I’d a sworn it was her. I met her once or twice when she was here before, an’ thought sure it was her* I saw yester day. Must be wong. though. Guess I'd better begin wearin’ glasses. So ye ain’t seen her yet. John? I’ll bet she’ll be plumb glad tew meet you. We was talkin' erbout ye the last time I saw her. That's two years ago. She hadn't forgot ye. John.” Blake closed the door and Sam turned at the click of the latch. "Why. here’s Jim! Well, well, well! | Here we are all together. Thought I .wouldn’t know John, didn’t ye? I [new him the moment he spoke, lidn’t I. John? And so old Rocky Voods has turned out the great firm sof James Blake & Company! I want to congratulate both of ye. Are ye all through work? Let’s go somewhere where we can have somethin' in honor this mee-mentous occasion. Come n. boys, it's my treat!” “Many thanks for your invitation. Sam. and I'd like to accept it, but it's hardly sate,” said John. "In a few weeks I hope to enjoy your hospital ity and to extend mine, but until that time I am John Burton.* and you don't tnow me. Sit down. Sam, we wish to discuss a business matter, or per haps more accurately speaking, a political one. Jim, send one of the Ik clerks out for a magnum, and we'll drink Sam's health here. I'm still an counterfeit an interest in this new de velopment. “He had er lot tew say." replied Sam. "A year ago he offered me five thousand dollars fer my vote. I told him then that 1 couldn’t do business with him. an' he managed tew pass his bills agin my vote an' infloo-ence. Guess he wants me pretty bad just now. Ijist night he raised his price tew ten thousand." " These ordinances are all right an' fer the benefit of the public,’ says this self-sacrificing Morris. ‘I’m sorry. Al derman Rounds.’ he says, ‘that you’re prejudiced agin them. If you’ll change your mind there's six other aldermen who’ll dew the same, an’ when the bills are passed ye gits ten thousand more.’ " J i;at s ■wtiat he said tew me." con tinued Sam. “an- 1 told him that he was a liberal sport, an' that I'd take his offer under consideration an' hold it in abee-ance. Then 1 asked him who the six others were who'd follow7 my lead, an' he told me. The seven ot us gives him a majority.” “Was that all?" “I* should say not.” declared Sam. "I said tew him. says I, Mr. Morris. I knows all these aldermen, an' they are my personal friends. I'm a busi ness gent.’ I says, havin' been in hoss tradin’ an' in the commission business all my life, an’ perhaps this game is right in my line. Suppose I contract,’ says 1, ‘to deliver all these seven votes.’ I says, ‘fer the lump sum of eighty thousand dollars; forty per cent, down in cash an' the balance paid over when the bills is passed?’ Morris thought a while an' said he'd be glad tew dew that. I told him I'd think erbout it a lot an' let him know in a few days.” Sam paused and looked keenly first at John Burt and then at Blake. “I hope you don’t think. John.” he said, “that I'd any idea of takin’ his offer. 1—” "I certainly do not," said John. “I'm simply astounded that Morris has done the one thing 1 would have him do. That is a rare piece of good for tune, Jim. isn’t it?" "It's great luck." declared Blake, with genuine enthusiasm. Under the stimulus of Sam's disclosures he for got Jessie for the moment, and again took his position side by side with John Burt. “I reckon I knew what tew dew.” asserted Sam. "I'm tew see these six aldermen that Morris needs, an' then I'm goin’ tew meet him an' make my report. If it's all right he's tew pay me thirty-two thousand dollars in cash an' put the balance up with some man that I name. There's three of these aldermen that Morris couldn't buy if 1 irr" fz? p- xSB&EWG J3T77ZF DOOQ_, exile. Sam. Until an hour ago Jim was the only man in New York who was acquainted with me. But I'm filing away prison bars, and you can help me, Sam.” *‘I can help you?” echoed Sam. “You just call on me fer anything except murder—an I might manage that.” Blake had been singularly quiet, but he joined in the laugh which fol lowed, and left the room to order the j roposed refreshment. “Jim ain’t lookin' well,” said Sam, sympathetically. “Looks sorter peaked like; don't you think so. John?” “I noticed that this morning and told him so,” John replied. "He has been under a severe strain for weeks and possibly the change of climate doesn’t agree with him. I’m going to send him into the country for a few days. He is entitled to a rest, and there’s no reason why he shouldn't have it. Jim and 1 have been through many hard fought engagements to gether, but at last a decisive victory is in sight. Do you know Arthur Mor ris?” he asked abruptly. “You bet I do; but he don’t know me except as Alderman Samuel L. i Rounds. Why d'ye ask, John?” Blake returned and took a seat near Dam. “Our firm is interested in the ordi nances submitted to your Board, by the terms of which new and amended franchises are proposed for the Cos mopolitan Improvement Company." be gan John. “I have studied the record of the proceedings, and find that you spoke and voted against these bills when originally proposed and passed. Do you mind telling me, Sam. what you know of this matter? Can you do so without violating your trust?” “You bet I can; an' I know a lot,” declared Sam. ”1 was cornin’ over to tell Jim, anyhow, an’ 1 reckon I know what you are after. There’s no use of my fellin’ ye erbout this fellow Mor ris. He’s nothin' more er less'n a high toned thief. He owns, or thinks he owns the Board of Aldermen. Per haps he does, but to my way of think in’ he’s likely to be fooled. There’s er lot of new' members who are agin him, an’ some of the old ones that he bought before want ter be bought agin, an’ they have raised their price. ■Morris was tew my house Iasi night. Say, John. I wonder what he'd think if he knew 1 was in your office now? Darned if this ain’t a funny world.” “What did Morris have to say?” naked Blake, who did not need to he offered each of ’em the whole lump sum, an' I can handle the others." “That is all right so far as it goes,” interrupted John Burt, “but Morris is shrewd enough to demand positive pledges before paying over any such amount of money. You should have your aldermanic friends sign and exe cute written promises to support these bills, and keep certified copies of the same. These agreements will not be binding, legally or morally. 1 will consult my attorneys in this matter and let you know the best methods of procedure.” “All right. John; anything you say goes with me,” laughed Sam. “When shall I drop in agin?" “Early to-morrow morning," replied John. “Send word to Judge Wilson. Jom, that 1 shall call on him this even ing." CHAPTER XXIV. On Thin Ice. Blake found a ready excuse to call on Gen. Carden. The pronounced ac tivity in L. & O. served as a pretext for an evening visit to the Bishop resi dence. Blake was greeted by the old banker with dignified cordiality, and his heart beat high as Jessie frankly ! welcomed him. Under the witchery cf her presence. James Blake wondered that he had hesitated tor a moment to risk life | itself to win her. What was friend j ship, loyalty, fame or fortune in the | balance with one smile from the wom ! an he had learned so suddenly to I love? His whole being thrilled with keenest joy as be felt the faint clasp of her hand., and his ears drank in the melody of her voice. Papa was saying at dinner that the market had taken a decided turn, and that he thought you would call this evening,” said Jessie. ‘ He felt so cer tain of it that we postponed a theater party. You are to be congratulated, papa, on your intuition.” “I am the one to be congratulated,” said Blake, with a smile and a bow. “but I should preface my self-felicita tions with an ai>ology for the infor mality of my call. If Gen. Carden will stand .sponsor for my plea that business exigencies cover a multitude I of social improprieties, I may hope j for forgiveness; and, if forgiven, I warn you that I shall commit the of fense again!” A delicate flush suffused Jessie's face and brightened the radiance of her eyes. -...\ — “You will never become an onteast by such transgressions,” she laughed. “I will leave you and papa to your business plottings. Edith is here, and when you have ended your serious af fairs perhaps you will join us and we can have music or cards.” Blake’s face glowed with a pleasure no formal words could conceal. “Our business will be ended in a minute.” he said. “I know the gen I eral has not forgotten the defeat we administered to him the other even ing. and as an old soldier 1 fancy he 1 is eager to wipe out his repulse with a victory.” “He certainly is,” asserted Gen. Carden. “I’m so sure of winning to night that on behalf of Edith I chal lenge you and Jessie to a rubber of whist, with a box to-morrow evening for Booth’s production of ‘A Fool's Revenge’ as a wager!” "Done!” exclaimed Blake. "I warn you that papa generally wins when something is at stake,” said Jessie, “but I’ll do the best I can. and hope for good luck to offset my poor playing.” She excused herself, and Blake and Gen. Carden plunged into stock tech nicalities. “I wished you to know the cause of to-day’s advance in L. & O.,” ex plained Blake. “For reasons you sur mise, I am picking up blocks of this stock. It will go higher to-morrow, and then a slump may follow, but you need not worry whether it advances or declines. I have the market under control. From present indications you will be called on to exercise your option inside of ten days.” “I have confidence in your Judg ment and you can rely on prompt ex ecution of your instructions,” said Gen. Carden. "For twenty years I have been identified with Wall street, and I understand its ethics. In this compaign you are the general. You will find me a loyal aide.” There was more talk, but since Blake had nothing of importance to disclose, the conference soon ended. Blake was triumphantly satisfied with his progress. He rightly inter preted Gen. Carden's suggestion of a theater party as a tacit permission to pay his addresses to Jessie Carden. Later in the evening, through a chance remark by Miss Hancock, he learned that they had declined a thea ter invitation from Arthur Morris. He no longer had the slightest fear of Morris. He felt sure of the consent and even the support of Gen. Carden in his suit for the hand of his daugh ter. The whist game was closely con tested, out as Jessie had predicted the general and Edith won a hard fought victory, and Blake agreed to pay the wager the evening following. (To be continued.) HE WAS AFTER MORE. Overworked Man Carried Out Bluff to the Last. Two brothers, both active, young business men of this city, went lately to visit an uncle, a short, stout, light hearted man of 60. who owns a farm up state. They found him loading hay into a cart. Wishing to impress his nephews with his agility, he de dared he could stack hay as fast as they could pitch it. The nephews accepted the challange, threw of! their coats and when he had mounted the rack, fork in hand, work com menced. The boys lifted large forkfuls rap idly and all went well while the body of the rack was being filled. But when the load began to settle above and be yond the stakes and it became neces sary to place each forkful in the prop er place for binding the mass below things became a little mixed up on top of the load. Still their uncle yelled out at the top of his voice: “More hay! More hay! Drat it, boys, you don’t keep me half busy!” The boys tossed the hay up faster, and the old man’s puffing as he strug gled to keep his head above the flood could be plainly heard. At length, what with his struggling and his choking and his being blinded undei the thick coming mass, and the clum sy, ill fashioned manner in which he had piled the last half dozen forkfuls, the top of the load slid off upon the ground and the old man w'ith it. “Hello, Uncle Sam. what are you down here for?” asked one of the nephews. “Down here for,”, gasped the old man. struggling up from the choking, blinding pile. “why. consarn yer lazy, good for nothing pictures. I’ve come down after more hay!”—New York Press. The Minor Duties. Several Presbyterian clergymen were discussing the development of the institutional church. One of the party expressed the opinion that ex ecutive and social ability in a pastor had overshadowed his preaching pow ers. which moved a former moderator to tell this story on himself: ' Not long ago one of the women of my congregation came to me to ask why I did not get an assistant. “ But I do not need one, madam,* I assured her. When she insisted that I did. I endeavored to find out what she thought such an assistant could do to relieve me of a portion of my pas toral work. “ 'Would you have him make the pastoral calls?' I asked. “ 'Of course not. You wouid con tinue to visit us.’ “ 'Would you want the assistant to baptize your children'." ** No.’ “ ‘Or to visit you when you are ill?' “ ‘Certainly not. No one could take your place for that.* ‘‘Further questions met with like re plies. so finally I asked in desperation: “ ‘Then, Mrs.-. what would you have the assistant do?’ “ ‘You might let him do the preach ing.’”—New York Evening Post. Told by a Tenor. Ellison Van Hoose, the tenor, tells this story of himself: “Once, when traveling in Germany, I visited Bonn and looked up all the Beethoven relics I could find. I be came intensely interested, and at the home of the master the guide was ‘put to it.’ as we say, to answer all my questions concerning the man and the mementos. “ ‘Oh,’ he replied, nonchalantly. Tie didn't amount to much. He was only a tenor.’ ” A Unique Power Plant Location. Cost of water-power development depends in large measure, on the lo cation of the electric station that is to oe operated. The form of such a station, its cost, and the type of gene rating apparatus to be employed are much influenced by the site selected. This site may be exactly at. or far removed from, the point where the w ft ter used is diverted from its nat ural course. A unique example of a location of the former kind is to be found near Burlington, Vt., where the electric power house itself forms the dam. be ing built entirely across the natural bed of one arm of the Winooski river at a point where an island divides the stream. The river at this point has cut its way down through solid rock, leaving perpendicular walls on either side. Up from the ledge that forms the bed of the stream, and into the rocky walls, the power station, about 110 feet long, is built. The up-stream wall of this station is built after the fashion of a dam, and is reinforced by the dowm-stream wall, and the water flows directly through the power sta tion by way of the water wheels. A construction of this sort is all that could be attained in the way of econo my. there being neither canal nor long penstocks, and only one wall of the power-house apart from the dam. On the other hand, the location of a sta tion directly across the bed of a river in this way makes it impossible to protect the machinery if the dam, should ever give way. Again the pe culiar natural conditions favorable to such a construction are seldom found. Automobile Fire Escape. The most important thing for a fire man to do in case of an alarm is to get his apparatus on the ground and working just as soon as he can. No matter whether he has a chemical ex tinguisher. a hose cart, steamer, water tower or a hook and ladder, his par ticular apparatus may come into play just as soon as it can be got into service. In the case of the hook and ladder truck it may be that even in the incipiency of the blaze some per sons have been cut off from escape and unless the apparatus arrives early they are forced to jump from the building or are suffocated in the smoke and flames. The illustration i m Extends Vertically to the Windows. shows a new use for the automobile as applied to the fire service, trans porting an extensible fire escape thiough the streets to the scene of the fire. This apparatus is designed to be elevated to a considerable height and brought into contact with the windows to permit persons in £he threatened building to step on ,any of the platforms and make their .way in safety to the ground. At each ^corner of the carriage is a bracing post, which is dropped to the ground as soon as the truck is in position to prevent the apparatus from weav ing about on the spring trucks. Victor Jetley of London. England, as the designer of this apparatus. The Life of Machinery. Although the rapid improvement in electrical devices makes apparatus ap parently out of date in a very short time, a good deal of electrical ma chinery is still in use and giving a good account of itself after prolonged years of operation. Some of the early Edison dynamos are still doing good work, and the material of the origi nal Siemens-Halske electrical road is still used for a trolley line near Chil lon, Switzerland, though . it was de vised twenty-three years ago. On the other hand, a great deal of old machinery has been worked over. The managers of a steel plant at Hamilton, Ontario, say that they have worked over into steel the iron of the original Niagara suspension bridge, that of the Victoria bridge at Mon treal, the hull of the once-famous At lantic steamship City of Rome, and the framework of the Great Eastern. Foundation for Machinery. Making the foundations for ma rninery elastic so as to minimize or prevent th