Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-12-06

they wanted in defiance of any public sentiment
whatsoever but it would be unfortunate to be COM
PEELED resort to such drastic methods and
openly to defy public opinion would be involved
One Gormly statement succeeded by
another, judciously intermingled with the regular
advertisements of the bargains at the store in which
with brillianCe that electrified the public and
surprised Gorm1y himself the Gotham Freight Trac-
ton Company made the subject of scathlng
criticism and bitter attack, of which The Ring and
the party in power in for large share. And
men everywhere began asking what was to be done
about it.
IN previous campaigns the party out of power had
been led by series of fororn hopes-men
thusiastic in their devotion the cause of reform
and not noted for much of anything else. The lead
erS of the outs took notice of GOrmly Inquiries
began to be made about him; his business methods
were investigated; his resources discussed;
his character analysed; his career made the
subject of study He was interviewed. He had
hitherto resolutely denied himself to any such seek
ers after opinions Now he was found to be aston
ishngly amenable to questions certain lines
From being merely attached to a familiar
institution, he became within month of
the great personalities of New York. The situation
was Intoxicating He kept himself we'll in hand,
however, and with unusual caution refused to
disclose his plans commit himself to any special
course of action. knowledge, he realized, was
power and he confined himself to giving knowl-
edge of the situation to his fellow citizens, who
absorbed greedily and relshing it, clamored for
Incidentally, he did not lose in the estimation of
Miss Hadane by this exploitation of himself, which
he had managed so cleverly that no one dreamed it
was due to his motion. Even in those exclusive
circles in which Miss Haldane moved, which
ordinarily Indifferent to any happenings this side
the terrestrial sphere, some account of Gormly and
his doings penetrated. That he was rich and
bachelor were the most interesting facts that
appealed to this set. Men and women there began
to inquire as to who he was. 1t Miss Haldane's
privilege and pleasure to enlighten them so far as
She could, without betraying the nature of their
confidential relations; and, being young and enthu-
siastic and some thing of hero worshiper some of
the now enviable notoriety of Gormly enjoyed
and participated in by Miss Haldane.
There were several papers the side of the adj
ministration owned and controlled by the party in
power, that would have been glad indeed to have
discredited Gormlv; but the closest scrutiny re-
veaed nothing in his life that could be used for that
purpose. Where he had come from not known
but for the last quarter Of century at least his
course had been traced with considerable accuracy,
and indeed there little of it that not dis
covered and disclosed to the eager public. Before
that however, it blank. Gormly had refused
again and again to discuss his personal affairs or
career in any way, shape, or form. He was quite
willing to talk about the Gotham Freight Traction
Company any matter of public moment; but for
the rest he unshakably silent. His early past,
therefore, mystery. But as the interest In a
mystery that has special bearing on the pres
ent and that persistently remains unsolved dies
out, particularly when there is recent material of
an engrossing nature at hand for discussion so