Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-12-20

surcharged with possibilities of explosion and cur
rents of emotion and feeling that should have shaken
not merely the fra spiral of smoke but the building
and the city itself with its violence.
GORMLY thought quickly He was not now de-
~ ceived by the we'll assumed indifference of
Haldane He was convinced that there was some
thing back of it; that the relation Of Haldane to
the whole affair was more than a merely casual one
that Hadane had not told him the plain, unvarnished
truth. And the first emotion that over him
of intense disgust and shame that Eleanor
Haldanes father should put himself in that posi-
ton,-shame for her. Whatever Gorm1y had been
or had done, has been said he had gained his
success honorably and had been truth teller and
truth doer ever since he had come to New York
Perhaps if he had been Spectator instead of
legitimate business man, he might have been tempted
into other courses. He man accustomed to
decide things quickly, not the spur of the
ment; but when he had the facts presented to him.
he usually instant conclusion. He had
certain facts presented to him now, and he resolved
to take the bold of declaring his purpose to
this man, who. he now forced to believe, in
alliance with the enemy; how close alliance he
could ascertain afterward.
g But WHAT said Haldane again.
Well Mr. Haldane, | will be frank with you. l
not only intend to have my connections, but | in
tend to have the Gotham Freight Traction Com
My dear sir" said Haldane gently, not turning
hair before this astounding declaration. Indeed,
it too absurd and incredible to starte. 1t
could only and there flicker of smile
Haldane's otherwise impassive and Indifferent.
that the bonds of the Gotham Freight Traction
Company two hundred and fifty million dollars;
that stock for twice much more has been issued
and sold and is already at a premium; that 1t is in
the enjoyment of nlnet -n1ne-year franchise with
the privilege of renewal; that its promoters include
some of the ablest financiers in the city,"
Much OF what matter OF public nOtOTI-
ETY.. You have G ven me, however, some informa-
ton that l did not possess which is of value said
Gormly quietly
Haldane did not acknowledge the touch though
he WINGED nwardy at it. He was too good player
not to know that with such dangerous adversary
as it would seem Gormly would be, he could not
afford to give the slightest concession the most
seemingly unimportant information
And yet you speak, he went on, 'of controlling
the company
This is most interesting l am curious to know
how you propose to do it? | confess that in these
peaceful days l enjoy nothing much trial Of
wits, struggle of brains
1t is the only warfare nowadays in which the in
dividual may engage legitimatey. We all agreed
Haldane resumed But has it occurred to YOU
how utterly impossible would be such a contest?"
Il have no doubt that the odds would be heavily
My dear sir, to use the language of Belmont
Park: you would be hundred-to-one shot
But such shots sometimes hit the mark
Rarely. rarely!"
That they should do is enough inspira-
ton for me"
Mr. Gormly began Haldane suddenly turning
and facing him Il have doubt that at buying
and selling anything but stocks should be
tyro in your hands. The business that YOU have
built up is evidence of your capacity in that line;
but you have, l take 1T, never mingled in Wall
Street never dealt on the exchanged"
Never. l don't mean to, either.
How then do you expect to obtain control OF
such a corporation this, especially when it has
back of it the city government as we'll as the ring
THIS was direct question great deal of the
discrimination that had been exhibited by the
elder had been abandoned His interest now
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