Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1911-07-27

ton company, for Instance, had pooh
poohed him at first, and even now,
though the public press was filled
with accounts OF him and his doings,
they still greatly underestimated his
! qualities. Haldane himself had Joined
| in this depreciation until he had met
Gormly. He had as yet enjoyed no
opportunity of conversation with him,
save in a general way, as has been
seen; but he was accustomed to deal
with men, and he saw instantly that
he was face to face with a personal
ity at once able, courageous, deter.
| mined. and strong.
Behold the two men seated on either
side of the bright fire in the library.
Haldane smoking one of Gormly's ex-
cellent Havanas; glasses, bottles, and
ice on little table at hand. He had
disapproved of Mrs. Haldane's man
her, not because he thought it insult.
ed to the occasion, but on account of
the peculiar qualities and characteris-
tics OF Gormly and the relationship in
which he stood to certain matters of
Importance. He had been inclined on
the first entrance to follow his wffe's
patronlZlng, arrogant assumption of
superiority; but now he strove to in
fuse all the geniality and cordially
possible into his voice and manner.
On the other hand, Gormly natural
ly had deep interest in Haldane. AS
the father of the woman he loved, he
would necessarily be a great factor
in the battle he meant to wage for her
hand. His consent and influence,
while not absolutely essential, would
naturally be of great value. If he
could by any means win the support
and countenance of the great financier,
his dream would be by that much the
more easy of realization. He had an
Idea, however, that this would be i'm
possible. That did not daunt him OF
render him the less alert To win
Haldane's consent possibly might be
no more practicable than to win Miss
Haldane's consent. Yet Gormly was
accustomed to attempt the impossible,
and nine times out Of ten to achieve
it. That Haldane had any relation
ship, or could have any relationship
to him other than that of prospect
i've father-in-law never entered his
head. That was sufficient to render
the interview memorable to him.
The conversation began with 8 re-
mark from the older man about the
weather. l have long wondered why
the weather is the staple inaugural
topic
Il have rarely experienced so severe
snowstorm," said Haldane blandly.
Il have been coming down to Long
Island in winter off and on ever since
was g. boy, and this surpasses any
thing within my knowledge"
ii Is bad enough Tor New York." re-
sponded Gormly Here when the
temperature gets down to the zero
mark and the wind blows thirty or
forty miles an hour and 1t SHOWS hard
all day. we call it blizzard
AT that last remark, though Haldane
had no ostensible connection with the
street department, or any other de-
partment of the municipal administra-
ton in fact, the man slightly lifted his
head and glanced for moment with
deeper interest at his companion.
Il take it from your aiiusion that
you have experienced worse storms
than this"
Il have been in real billiards., Mr..
Haldane," answered Gormly quietly;
more than once where the winds
velocity was scarcely to be measured,
where the temperature was from
twenty to thirty below, where the sleet
needles cut like whips, and the storm
had full sweep unchecked and un-
glad of the storm in this instance,
since it has enabled me to extend to
you and your party the shelter of my
roof. l have been acquainted have
had the privilege of knowing, that is
your daughter for some time, and
am honored in the acquaintance of her
father and mother and your friends"
You say you have known my daugh-
ter for some time?"
II have had that pleasure
IF mistake not, she said that you
had been interested in her settlement
work. Quixotic in.aginations of an
enthusiastic girl, my dear sir; but
humor her"
you do we'll" returned the other
"And If you will give me leave to diff
fer with you, l hardly call it Quixotic.
have examined into the plan thor
oughly, and must say it strikes me as
being altogether admirable as well as
entirely feasible. hope and believe
it will succeed"
quite SO" returned Haldane. He
was not in the least interested in the
matter
81 have assisted Miss Haldane in
every way possible" returned Gormly,
who did not propose to be questioned
as to the details Of his relation to the
scheme "Of course" he went on,
your own reputation as financier is
known to me as it is to all of New
York, and If may be permitted to say
so am of the opinion that a large
part Of your executive ability. no< to
say genius, has descended to ys,ur
! sSs:.shte 81, :. TX
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