The Plymouth tribune. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1901-1911, 1908-12-03
CHAPTER Y.

vortex
Percy Kane had reached the acme, the
apotheosis, of his career at tina. hour, yet
here, amid turbulent, excited political con-
freres, he was the coolest person in the
room.
1t was at the central headquarters of
the party-Or rather clique-which he
had chosen to bear him, the great trust,
On to power and fortune.
Wires, constant ticking, in other rooms,
the incessant jar of telephone bells-mes-
sages, kilograms, hurrying. scurrying pre-
cinct leaders, more dignifed officials, a
jostlng. seething mob half exhausted af-
ter day at the polls in a contest that in
sixty minutes more would free or enslave
a great State
There had been peculiar remors afoat
since about dawn, for at o'clock mask
ed batteries had appeared all along the
line.
Almost to a man the potent Amalga-
mated, which Kane and his hirelings had
believed to be servile under a spell of
dread and influence. had swung into ac-
ton boldly massed for the opposition.
Then up from the southern tier of coun-
ties came the rumor OF a trade in candi-
dates that meant the swapping OF FIVE
needed representatives. T. western pre-
cincts, too, reported strange and mysteri-
faithful.
Il can't understand it," anxiously as
serted Kane to a powerful political boss
at his elbow-"it looks as though con-
certed action had been planned months
and months ago."
Its a new play in politics, them" de-
clared the other, for we did not get a
hint Of it in advance"
"Can they win out:'> questioned Kane
seriously.
with our lead, and our money!" de-
risively smiled the BOSWELL hardly y
1t was a restless hour for the trust
magnate. He sat turning over accumu
lated reports on the table before him
rivals. The minutes sped by. 1t was
four o'clock. For veal or woe the die
was cast the election was over.
Kane arose at the striking Of the clock
passed some words with his managers
and was driven to the principal hotel in
the town, where the president Of the trusi
had agreed to report to him on company
matters that evening.
He found Worthington awaiting him
A first sight of his wretched, twitchins
face told him that he was The bearer oil
no encouraging news.
That morning the Incorporated Sc
curities had been placed in the loca
banks, the agency man hoo( vinked, thu
- 20
York.
The. .Hane had advised his partner h'
had done his all. Pending strict undivid
e. attention to the political situation, hi
mr,xt not be disturbed with news Of tn,
financial outcome, good or bad until thu
election was over.
what have you to report?" he inquir
ed, rapidly scanning his companions face
The worst, Kane-the worst" hal
groaned the unhappy president.
Our stockT'
1T hasn't budged from last nights low
est fgurcs."
What. The new statement. the heav,
buying we orderedi"
The president shook his head YEARLY
sThe poblic are scared-warned, Kane
blight has fallen upon us !. Someon
with the completest knowledge of on
most secret affairs is directing this attacl
upon our stock. The final blow"
How
1.-The owner Of the mixed metal process
our biggest hold for profit, has gone owe
to the Blennerhasset combine"
Impossible
ats true. Kane, I'm frightened Pr
afraid-in fact, / have learned that it i
leaking out that we have hyptthecated tn
trust securities, and"
He paused. 1t was needless to go on
Percy Kane's face was the face of
man who knew that the final blow ha
come, and ruin was their portion.
In his mind at that moment was
Quick. wild suggestion he treasured 70
final desperate action; to run for it,
with what of ready cash he could secure
IL the day ended with TO change in ia
situation.
Kane drank deeply the few remainin
hours of Daylight. He managed to ge
rid of his limp, weak financial colleagu.
and sought more congenial compan
among his poDJlcal IrienuS.
Seven o'clock found him one of grou
of half a dozen choice party leaders, oc
cupying a room in the hotel that locke
directly out upon great blank shee
on which the returns were to be throw
from a stereopticon.
The returns were mixed" and slow i
coming in This gave Kane time 70
hope-time, too, for planning what h
would do IL inevitable crash was not [
be averted-
If the election went favorable, 1t woul
suggest one salient Doint to his industria
rivals; the trust would practically cor
troll the State-a power. this. more valu
able than an unlimited franchise for me
nopoly.
As the fumes of liquor rose to his clear
steady brain, in reckless desperation Kan
encouraged picture in which he figure
az q fugitive, but with an abundance O
stolen means, and lovely bride to shar
his forced sojourn in some safe and re
mote foreign CLINE.
He and his friends adjourned from tn
table to the expansive bey window, as !
was announced that the returns were be
ginning to come In with apidity and reg
uIarity.
One man alone, an old, experienced DC
litical hack, remained at the table, penci
and tab before him, ready to estimate
basis Of loss or gain from the meres
decentralization of a precinct o
county.
All were fairly hilarious as they a
first watched the fashlight figures.
But in half an hour each man of tn
group was silent, anxious
And then-stupefied
1t was incredible! preposterous Pre-
cinct after precinct, county after county
rolled in opposition gains, or opposition
majorities.
Kane, 1t looks bad - observed a seri
Gus faced ringster. coming up to him.
"Yes, unless the tide turns, we ar
beaten"
ssdr. Kaner'
The cd professional had arisen from