Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-01-17


while by clever manipulation the society and
its allies had often out in the face of public
opposition, it would be difficult to do in this
instance. The brilliant stroke of Gormly when
he offered ten million dollars for the franchise
and thereafter compelled Warren to declare
the granting of it to depend upon the election,
had greatly increased the probabilities of de-
feat.
There were indications also, which added to
Haldanes troubles, that his own connection
with the Gotham Freight Traction Company
would soon be known, and that there would
be disclosed to New York at the same time the
operations of that gigantic company, its raml-
flcatlons, and the control it had OF public utlll-
ties in every direction. There only one ray
of light in the darkness anywhere, and that at
present was scarcely more than suggestion.
Whether anything would come of it was vet
to be determined. If it did not, the was
almost hopeless.
1 was Eleanor who opened the conversation.
after the luncheon had been served and the
servants had withdrawn. Father" she said,
" have been thinking for some days now that
| ought to tell you something that happened
the other night"
What night. Eleanor"
1.-THE night Mr. Gormly made his famous
speech in the City Hall square. You know
Livingstone and Louise and | were down there
in the and saw and heard it ALL
YES, said her father somewhat bitterly,
cit was told to me the next morning that
Gormly had spoken from your brothers
and that he had ridden away with you two
young women
Told to your" exclaimed his daughter
why should you be interested in Mr.. Gormly's
movements"
Haldane saw that he had made a mistake
" | mean" he said quickly, that heard of all
this from some of those who were present.
. Eleanor, | am surprised, began Mrs. Hal
dane in her loftiest and most impressive man
ner, that you should allow yourself to be
| mixed up with this ineffabe person in any way.
| 1t is bad enough to have Livingstone espousing
his cause; but to have you associated with HIM
IN the public eye, or out OF it, IS simply pre-
posterousn'
"Motherl" said Miss Haldane mildly; but
| the elder woman not to be stopped.
"The family has never been allied with
| trade since it has been settled Manhattan
Island. | am a fve-barred Colonial Dame;
! your fathers people are nearly as old; and l
say frankly that ! do not like your intimacy
with this person. OF course, Livingstone being
man, it does not make much difference;
but you should be more careful"
T THINK it proper" said Miss Haldane at
this juncture, to inform you that Mr..
Gormly told me that he-that he cared very
much for me-
What" exclaimed both Mr. and Mrs.
Haldane at the same moment and with one
voice
The information. however, and the feeling
pressed In both cases were decidedly different.
Both were surprised; but Mrs Haldane's
| prise was lost in indignation. In Haldanes
| amazement there shade of relief. a pos
sbility instantly leaped into his mind, posi-
| bility that he dared not formulate give ut
| terance to. 1t rendered him less emphatic,
| therefore, in his disapproval. Nothing
strained Mrs. Haldane.
THE impudence, the insolence, of that
mani" she cried. 1t was bad enough to have
him aspire to be Mayor of New York; but to
intimate that he had the audacity, the pre-
| sumption, to raise his eyes to you, Eleanor
Haldane, is inconceivable l trust that you
reduced him to his proper position instantly
For thing, am glad that he did declare
himself; for now the acquaintance will be
| absolutely ended
"He did not ask me to be his wife," returned
| the daughter quietly.
Why, good gracious! You don't mean to
| say that he"
Eliza" interposed Haldane don't be
foolish / have no doubt that Mr.. Gormly's
| remarks were entirely proper"
"Mother! exclaimed the girl Indignantly.
"Of course they WERE"
well, you said yourself he did not ask you
to marry him."
"No. But he said he intended to do SOL
81 wish he would do it then, and have it over
| with
My dear wife" said Haldane, while of
course such an alliance is not to be thought of