Heppner gazette. [volume] (Heppner, Morrow County, Or.) 1892-1912, 1908-10-01

big vault has not been opened yet, but OF
course those swinders left nothing OF
value there, Receiver going to break the
locks this afternoon"
The chief talked on, more to distract
his visitors attention from his main
source of anxiety than anything else.
Gideon arose, with a sigh
WELL if you find any trace-at any
| time-let me know at once" he said.
Trust me for that!' assured the Off
cal. Gideon Hope was man to tie to-.
Besides, his magnetism really caught the
chief
Hope went on to the political meeting.
Soon he was the center of attention and
pivot of action. Around his table and
chair. on the right hand side of the stage,
buzzed and fitted the captains of pre-
cincts, while the chairman rapidly rushed
business along, and the masses in the
hall harangued, bckered and perspired.
The critical moment arrived. Masked
harmony had so far prevailed. Now came
the putting of the motion that Gideon
Hope must defeat, by masterful strug-
gle, with opponents bowling, battling for
existence. Each faction strove for the
floating vote, which, at the beck of caprice
or bribery, would turn the balance.
Gideon sat watching for the instant to
arrive when, with gesture of his power
full arm the enunciation of twenty i'm
pressive sentences, he could carry the
mob by storm.
He had superb confidence in his ability.
His eye was awake, every sense on the
keen alert. He sat waiting for his cue.
A touch caused him to turn.
WHAT" he said, sharply. as though
dagger-thrust had touched his vitals, for
he read disaster in the interruption.
His hands trembled slightly, and a dull
pallor wreathed his firm lips. 1t was
his friend. the chief of police, who stood
by his side.
"You told me to come-at any time,
you know" he stammered apOlogetically.
"Yes yes!" half whispered Gideon, his
tone quite eager and harsh, cracked and
dry.
We've found out something"
"What?'
The query came with pistol-shot quick
ness.
"Or, rather, we have found somebody"
"Whom?"
The word was hollow gasp.
Your brother"
Gideon Hope swayed-then, recover
ing sat stiff erect again.
"Dead?'
Dead"
'When-where? Tell me-"
The body of the hall was in riot. The
chairman was pounding with his gavel-
what were they the interests of politics.
the guidance of a commonwealth, to Gid
con Hope at that supreme moment! Some
men we're tumbing over chairs and tables
to reach their leader.
Tell me! again said he, fixing his
eyes on the grave-faced chief, with a
shudder.
The official bent over-whispered ten
words in Hopes shrinking ear. The great
political boss covered like a child and
hid his white face in his nerveless, pow
arless hands.
"Hope!"
"Quick-are you daft, man?'
Political leaders had reached his side,
ment that the question of the hour had
been put, and the opposition were press
ng them sorely.
Check the stampede--up on your feet
nan--your old self ~ painted breathless
''or the day is lost!'
They tore away Gideon's shielding
lands, revealing a face grown gray, and
husky, and old in a moment. His gaze
vas vacant uncomprehending. He swept
,ut one hand and waved them aside.
Hes stricken. gentlemen explained
he chief. in a low tone-''he's heard bad
lews and"
whats that to yonder mob" howled {
papitatng alderman. Are we sold
lid he sell US? One word, and he could
lave stayed the tide. And now ="
A yell like that of a pack of hungry,
'ictorious wolves rent the air. The oppo,
tion had split the party. Gideon Hopes
,ower was gone--he was buried deep
athoms deep-in the Oblivion of discredit
md neglect, in a single moment. Never
lsain to lift his face with its old proud
expression as king and leader--never
gain to raise his voice in eloquent de-
ense of party principles.
He wake from the hall like man
n a dream, forevermore haunted with :.
he horrible picture the whispered words [
# the chief of police had conjured up. {
For that official had told him that they t
ad burst open the massive steel door of @
he vault of the rotten, exploded Consoi- d
ated Silver Company, to find one asset Y
Dead, murdered Everett Hope! G