The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1903-12-24

than to see the enigma OF man VINO
had literally captured the realms Of
fashion and finance single-handed.
AS he stood to receive his guests.
with polished ease, as though to the
manner born, one saw man five feet
ten inches in height, of rather spare
yet hardy frame, delicately chiselled
features cleanly shaven as an abbe's.
with hair closely cropped, slightly
tinged with gray at the temples, and
pair of blue eyes that had curious
trick Of dilating and contracting, OF
darkening and tightening, according to
the mood that possessed their owner.
In age he might be anywhere from 35
to SO.
On being presented to his host old
General Scarlet remarked
''They tell me you have been quite a
traveller, Mr.. Kane?"
81 have seen quite little OF the
world" was the smiling reply. "but
very few know the ups and downs that
have fallen to my lot. | was born In
America, but nay father l never saw
to remember him. | was waif, an
outcaSt OF the Sierra camps, adopted by
an old miner who had nothing to give
me but his name and surname"
But for the interruption occasioned
by the arrival of more guests Kane
might have added that he had been a
veritable Jack-of-all- trades-teamster,
mail carrier, prospector, miner and
gam cr in that free-for-all country
known as the West" Drifting around
the world to South Africa, he success
sively clerked in an up-country store,
dealt faro and played the piano in
dance-houses in Kimberley and johann
nesburg, where he had also picked up
some knowledge of the diamond
country.
How had he come by his wealth in
diamonds?" Found them, like many
another man, of course. Success had
come to him very suddenly-a Strike"
he called it-and then changed the sub
ject.
Men sought his society for the mar
ket tips he could give; women liked
him for the air of quiet power. which
pervaded every word and action.
Said one titled dame to some init
mates over their afternoon tea:
'My dears, his house Is marvel of
chaste elegance, and his weekly din
ners are dream! In his waking hours
he is surrounded by crowds of clients,
guests, or dependents. How he stands
the pace is more than | can fathOm,
yet he is always smiling and debonair,
cool and collected, and never at loss
for timely word or suitable remark.
De Lacy says he seems equally at home
with dowagers or debutantes, with
dukes or cab-drivers, with money-kings
or crossing-sweepers
And It was true, every word of 1t.
One episode, widely reported at that
time, throws flood of light upon the
character of this much-canvassed per-
sonage.
Kane had manipulated a big corner
in "Cochineal Consols," one of the fam
cy stocks of the day, and had the mar
ket at his mercy. Among the shorts"
was small speculator named Ackerly,
who on more than one occasion had run
foul of Kane and his schemes. When
Settling day" came, Ackerly stood to
be ruined if Kane chose to force mat
ters. 1t SO happened that his daugh-
ter, Rose Ackerly, who had been stu
dying music, was to make her pro-
fessional debut the same night at
Queens Hall.
Upon the eventful morning that
would seal her fathers fate she drove
up to Kanes Office and besought an
interview with the great man. Her
eyes suffused with tears, and her voice
trembling with emotion, she begged
the hnancier's indulgence for her
father.
women should not NEEDLE with
such Matters" was Kane's curt and
stern comment. Then
Does your father know of this
visit?"
mo, oh, no, SIR" was the tremulous
but evidently truthful reply.
you must understand, | am sure,
Miss Ackerly, that it Is merely the
fortune of war, and ordinary usage in
the city is no respecter of persons"
said Kane quietly, and then with
sudden change of manner and genial
smile he went on: but such a sweet
supplicant must not go unrewarded.
You may leave it to me-your father
shall NOT sIIffnr -
He stopped her thanks with a wave
of the hand. and then inquired:
And how is your recital coming
along? Can be of any assistance
there?"
IF you only would" the girl began,
timidly. lone needs SO much influ-
ence in London, you know"
Say no more" said Kane, quickly.
Il see how 1t is; you shall have good
house"
Hardly was she gone, new light
shining In her pretty eyes, than Kane
dispatched a messenger for so guineas'
worth of seats, and put his secretary
at work addressing notes to the more
influential of his friends, begging their
acceptance of the tickets enclosed, and
hagppakinp thpir attendance af the