Martinsburg statesman-democrat. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1906-1921, 1910-10-14

remarkable prologue which il a story IN
Itself, 1t is vigorous elemental begin
ming describing tragedy that took place
Is years before the real story opens That
experience hangs over the hero ike the
sword OF Damoees. You know that 1t IS
bound TO fall but you don't know when
nor how badly II will hurt and the sus-
pense continues right up 10 the end
Prologue.
CHAPTER LIN the dead of winter.
end in miserable shack on the out
skirts o. a storm-swept western mining
town. the abused wife of a drunken miner
fatuated young tenderfoot. The mandlin
husband. who seemed tie -are little at
first. becomes furiously Jealous; the
woman has decided to break her tnatri-
monal tnralldom. and with her boy ad-
mirer, flee the country but now ter
rife blizzard bids fair 10 render the
burst open. and the blizzard beaten youth,
his horses tethered at the threshold.
staggers in Unmindfu OF the storms
fury they are ready for night. but the
half-drunken husband coming upon the
scene, threatens ~ bill hle wifa's laver,
when a shot from her gives him a fatal
wound. The chivairous hey stops long
enough to serawl note taking the deed
upon hirsseif
CHAPTER II.-t seems aeatn 10 race
the storm. but they hope to reach tho
chos give out When The woman's horse
falls exhausted, the youth ganantly gives
her his own. and hanging to the stllrup.
plods at her side, She knowing that
this animal win also soon fall IL not less
incumbered. thrusts the boy backward
into drift and urges her faded steed
forward. Realizing the treacherv. the
lads first thought is to shoot her but his
better impulses prevail. and summoning
al his strength he follows afoot, Stun
bling unconscious at the railway station.
Just as the train bearing the woman
speeds away
TMe1tv-Eivs Years I .ter
CHAPTER I.--George Gormlv had drift
ed to New York a quarter OF century
before. Now he Is millionaire
merchant and bachelor. He might
making and hachelorhood had he not
met Eleanor Haldane. a beautiful and
wealthy young settlement worker. whom
he aids literally in her philanthropic eff
forts.
CHAPTER 1.-THE merchant. finding
that the object of his affections is still
heart free. determines worthily to at
tract her attention and admiration. In
he becomes principal owner Of a steam
ship line, but finds himself blocked In pier
dermen. An automobile accident near his
country place on a stormy Christmas
Eve. brings about meeting with the
members of Miss Haidane's family.
CHAPTER III.--Orering to go and no.
tify the people at the Haldane place OF
the marooned auto party's predicament
Gormly let's drop the first intimation Of
an Important episode in his early life
In the west
ChAI7 ER Iy.-4In a confidential talk
with Gormly, Miss Haldane enthuses on
her settlement work. and longs that he
shall benefit mankind with his wealth
and business talents. He determines to
do so. and announces that he will be
mayor of New York and redeem the city
from corruption
81 haven't the slightest objection to
telling you. They can revoke the
franchise-at the expiration of the
ninety-nine-year term"
rs that all they can do?"
Absolutely all. You see. therefore.
1t would be quite hopeless for you to
attempt to fight this corporation, even
with the alliance and support of the
people, which it is by no means GER
tain you could gain"
And that is your unprejudiced opin-
ion?"
1t is. Therefore l urge upon you
the acceptance of my offer to mediate
between you and them"
And you say your interest Is purely
impersonal?".
Entirely"
Il am glad, as | said before, to
know that" returned Gormly, "be-
cause should not like to find myself
in opposition to one who has mani
tested such friendliness to me as you
have
Haldane looked up suspiciously;
but Gormly's appearance was abso-
lutely guileless.
For Notwithstanding what you tell
me-" the merchant continued, "all Of
which is doubtless true. l propose to
enter the contest with the Gotham
Freight Traction company. / have
never allowed myself to be robbed; |
have never been beaten by trickery
and chicanery; and don't propose to
be robbed or beaten now"
Ruin, absolute ruin, is before you.
said the other earnestly. 'if you en-
gage in this contest.
But sir, they are trying to hold me
up--to use a blunt phrase-for mil
lion dollars for thing that should
not be worth tenth of that amount
on liberal basis. Morally"
how seem to have little to do with
business. You must do what they
like, Or
He shrugged his shoulders.
1--WE shall see," said Gormly. Il be-
lieve, though l am not student OF
military history, that an able general
is one who takes advantage OF the
mistakes of the enemy. and that more
battles are won by such sharp sighted
endeavor than by deliberate plan
ming"
Precisely! This Is . case In point.
The Gotham Freight Traction COM
pany Ia taking advantage Of your mis-
take"
But | have also heard" continued
Gormly imperturably. that the ablest
general is he who not only takes ad-
vantage OF his enemy's mistakes but
who turns his own mistakes to good
account I propose to 49, lie the