The Plymouth tribune. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1901-1911, 1908-11-05
A I Official Vendetta
WELDON j. COBB

aire of yesterday, who was drawn into the
net of a clever industrial ring, and
fleeced."
The others face became CHASTITY. He
half arose, as il to resent the candid,
torturing remarks.
BE patient" said Gideon. calmly; his
eye and its power subduing his host, as he
intended that it should IL will be brief
You were drawn into 'gentleman's agree
ment.' There was pool Into it you
threw your holdings. your millions. You
trusted men whom you believed to be
strictly honorable. You were given this
place as your share this town, with one
reservation; the mills here and the ma
chinery were to remain the pool posses
sion.''
You are well informed" bitterly inter
polated Mr. Albert Tremaine-"but all
the world knows nowr'
You a good man, a just man,
Mr.. Tremaine,' proceeded Gideon. "You
fancied, in the arrangement thus made,
that you saw the opportunity of carrying
out philanthropic plan. long and nobly
cherished. Yourself and your daughter
strove unsel6shy for a model industrial
city filled with model workmen. You
erected this magnificent home, you beau
titled yonder road stretches; you started
those substantial. comfortable homes for
your workmen. Did you not own it all?
In ten years would not the natural rise
in property doubly repay your"
Tremaine's head sank low in humilia-
ton and grief at a thought of the reality
promised, never attained.
What happened?" continued Hope
''The men, your partners, on a given day,
voted to dismantle the MILL transfer the
machinery to other distant works OF the
| pool. That meant the ruin, the death, of
this town, its desertion by your proteges.
the blasting of your hopes. Practically,
/ it pauperized you"
"YesI"
"Out of all, you can not now realize
what was once mere yearly salary. They
have tied up the active dividends. You
are a frozen-out, deluded victim-the jeer,
| the gibe of a directory of seemingly hon.
orable men-really. polished scoundrels.'
YES"
Il have come to you,' said Gideon,
quietly, ito turn the tables"
Tremaine stared at him in wonder.
Il have come to you," continued Gid
con, arising to his majestic height, some
thing of the old fash and fire coming into
| his face and eye, ito enable you to regain
what you have lost. to make as the dust
under your feet those who sold you.
aim at all, but strike at one mantle
head Of the combination, Percy V. Kane"
| At the mention of that name the fam
Gus iron master grew whittier, and sick at
| heart He gasped:
| Curse him-because of henry child
deprived of the wealth, the position,
the aspirations of a noble girlhood-curse
himw
Il strike at one man. repeated Gid
con, and his own features seemed turned
| to stone.
/ WHY"
Il shall not tell you. Ny motive shall
not interfere with yours. tell You what
I mean and what / can do: Within one
year, promise, ] swear, that the iafam-
Gus pool that wrecked your life shall be
bafied, beaten, at your behest-you, the
master: that this man, this fend, Percy
| Kane, shall cringe at your feet-at mine
for mercy"
| "You tempt me-revenge
| iHsptEc SOic1uuly pro-
nounced Gideon Hope.
| "Are you a wizard, to pledge this:"
| "As you like-but can keep my word"
| "You must possess a mighty weapon 2"
"Yes-politics -
1t was enigmatical, the reply-vague,
unsatisfactory-yet something OF the mas
ter genius in Gideon Hopes nature fash
ed out with searchlight distinctness and
impressed the other fully.
us it worth the effort-are you suf-
ficiently interested to listen to the details
of my plans-in confdenceY
I'm confidence. of course. You are
remarkable man.
"No-only a wronged one 1t is a
mighty plan have to submit. To shrink.
! the ordeal once faced would be craven.
You shall enteR on this agreement with
your eyes open, And then trust in me,
in my inspiration, in my power, abso-
lutely."
The words thrilled, they were holy as
hosanna, something of the spirit of
prophet seemed brathd into their mys-
terious significance.
Tremaine regarded Gideon Hope fix
edly. He could not treat this man other
wise than seriously. though a stranger.
an utter stranger, to him-and tamperins
with his very heartstringsr'
ITO regain, to punish" he murmured
There is one vital element, one cen
trail point, that must be primarily acceded
to, or the thing is impossible" spoke
Gideon Hope, oracularly.
And that is?"
Your daughter
The aristocratic chest reared-the gen
| tleman. the father, spoke in the cbiljrg
austerity manifested by the irou master
"Sir." he cried.
"No-listen. She is the pivot on which
all success must turn-she the handspring
that guides, controls. To my plan. blind
~. unquestioningly. she must lend her
beauty, her g'ace. her very life. A ten
| der. gentle laGy-oh, truly but from the
strong ordeal she will come unspotted, and
victorious ~
No.
Tremaine clenchcd his hands.
Sir" he said. with dignity, "this is a
wild temptation. an unheard of PROPOSE
ton ~
Then it is useless" said Gideon, sim
ply. taking up his hat. Struggling his
broad shoulders. and turning to go.
| "Wait"
| Melancholy and pure as golden beads
| dropped into a crystal dish, sweet. pa
theiic tone pierced the brief silence inter
| vening-
At the open window stood beautiful
Claire Tremaine.
wait. father she said. simply.
And then she walked straight up to
Gideon Hope.
Her penetrating. questioning eyes rest
ed full upon his own. so magnetic, so
clear. md yet so troubled.
sir she said. in 4 voice that thrilled
him. II have heard your proposition
giil answer for myself Injustice, cruelty.
has been done us. Father. | trust this
! man"
She put out her fair. dainty hands. and