The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1896-03-14
A SECRE t OF THE HEART
~ HOWARD pfErDrnc.
(Copyrisiii, iisiJ
PART 1.
IaY 40 fsnec,v

ny Enemy
Aa / entered the Ann street Bank
building some one touched me on the
arm; AID turned 70 face George Stall
bridge. knew 1t was Staibridge be-
fore T. saw him, before heard
his voice. The creature had an
atmosphere such as Is said 10 sur
round an. evil spirit. n It had been
Consistent with my creed. should have
crossed myself when ! perceived him.
Ny hatred o. hin had always been
quite undlsgulsed. shook on his
hand roughly and would have walked
away, but be detained me. There was
q snaky fascination about the man
which had long been included In my
mental catalogue u his offenses
you walk very fast he said. y
have had bard work 10 oveftnke you,
Let me know you're behind me next
fifne.r said /, ~ you're interezte in my
pedestrianism. Nos, don't bffnin me.
i am going upstairs toesee Dir. Davis.
and ! have no time TO waste upon his
evil genius"
why DO you speak so 10 fne?. he
asked, mot ut all In anger. Come let's
have II out to-day. What have you
against me2"
20 you want me 20 SO, over al that
aeain?p 4 demanded We'll, 50 be u
There IS a new count IL the IND ctment
to-day, and have q. curiosity 70 hear
how you will answer II.
We still stood IN the main hall OF the
great building IT was eleven o'clock
81 the forenoon busy hour there, and
scores OF persons We're passing In ana
out. III
NO" said he, reading my thought;
sit won't do To talk here. Let US so
somewhere else.
He put his hand upon my arm again
IN most friendly fashion. and led me
toward the street
n Is positively painful to entertain
for any human being the feeling which
j had for him. The eye OF a stranger
1t upon us walking thus together, and
j cowed as. one detected in shameful
action. II was not for his reputation,
because that was good. as regulations
20 In New York. He was called q first
rate business man, and truly, for he
succeeded, and that is the recognized
test
In the old days II wash his personal APP
pearance that set me against him. He
was tall, thin and high siiouldered.
naving the look Of one who had drawn
himself up to his uttermost that he
may pounce down the harder upon
something lying before him. HIS face
wag bony, and the upper part was
skin over skull. He had most dis.
tressing habit Of lifting his matted
and seemingly abundant hair with his
hand IN such way as to show that
the top of his head was really quite
bald The long hair rooted at the back
merely lay upon 1t In a mass.
ON the occasion IN question there was
something 10 be gained by talking With
this man, and so stihed my disgust
Of him. He had been for many years
the close business associate OF my
uncle, Mr.. Willard Davis. upon whom y
had been my Intention to call when
visited the bank buildlng:
my uncle has read the papers this
morning, suppose" said i.
Stalbridge brought his jaws together
with a snap, and grinned like a skull.
''They are rather hard upon us, he
said. 1T Is, perhaps, unfortunate that
the negotiations setween the Union
Surface lines and the Twenty-seYe nth
street company have been diyulged. The
pubnc never understands such Things. 7
1.-THE public understands them per-
fectiy," repned angrily The public
knows that the Union has got its grip
upon the smaller company ana has
squeezed II to death; that every man
who has put dollar into the twenty.
seventh street road wiz lose it-has lost
II, In fact-and that the whole transac-
ton IL a mass OF -olitical bribery. COM
mercial dishonesty and evasion Of law.
] am not YET sure that the Jaw has been
successfully evnded; but whether u has
or not, certainly believe that II my
uncle does not shake you on within
year, he will overstep the mark and dis
grace the family name. Stalbridge,
you reptile, what rs the secret OF your
influence over him.?
81 have no influence" he replied. u
am only his ernploye. You know very
well that am really no more than q
confidential clerk"
Il know the contrary" said !. Can
You deny that this whole surface road
conspiracy was devised and executed
by yourself?"
Some matters of detail were, indeed.
left to me-" he began. but / interrupted
him, angrlly:
1.-THE truth is not in YOU" cried. Il
know very well what,your part In this
has been. It IL the last OF fifty such
schemes. every one of which,"
made your uncle richer" he said.
breaking in upon me. HE Is now many
times millionaire"
81 am not 70 sure OF that" returned.
at would interest me great deal TO
Know how much OF those dishonest gains
stands In his name and how much In
yours. mistake you most seriously II
you have not taken the lions share.
"ne has been generous with me-" said
Stalbridge, hut / am not rich-yet"
There has been one conspicuous In
stance In this city" said /, lin which a
rascal like yourself, who started with