Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1911-08-24
terprise, see, Mr.. Gormly," said HaI
dane gravely.

terprise. see. Mr.. Gormly." said Han
dane gravely.
Absolutely"
We'll, supposed as much after our
conversation last night. Nothing can
alter your resolution"
Nothing; at least nothing that 10
likely to be offered
Eleanor, said Haldane-at which
Mr.. Gormly started violently, the word
came in SO pat,-"what do you think
OF this scheme 2"
Father. I think it is splendid, glor-
iousi Mr.. Gormly told me of his in
tention last night, as he seems to have
told you. / have always said that the
man who does something in large
way for his fellow men is after all full
filling more nearly than any other the
highest obligations and privileges of
his manhood
My dear child, said Mrs. Haldane
disapprovingly, are you intending to
enter the political field?"
Not on the same terms as Louise;
but so far as wishing MI Gormly sue
cess in his enterprise, 1 am fully COM
mitted thereto
IF you wish to gain your sisters
good opinion, Mr. Haldane,' said Miss
Stewart, Z see that you will have to
do something
Would that also gain yours?"
1T is very doubtful" was the re-
ply. You see / haven't that innate
predisposition to like you which
would naturally be family character
istic"
Testing aside, Mr.. Gormly." said
Haldane, Il suppose that you realize
the tremendous nature of the under
taking you have set to yourself, if
you are in earnest"
Il never was more in earnest in my
life. I think l realize perfectly"
Every vested influence, every po-
litical influence, will be against you"
Certainly"
And what will be for you
Il shall be- said Miss Haldane i'm
pulsively
Gormly bowed with you and right
on my side, Miss Haldane." he said
not ungracefully, Il am sure of ma
jority."
Don't delude yourself" continued
the older man gravely with the be-
lief that because your gallant, if some
what Quixotic, declaration wins the
support of a certain section of the
community, which like my daughter
here, is made up more or less of
dreamers and theorists, that you are
thereby making possible the achieve
ment Of your desire"
Il think" returned Gormly, that
all my life | have been something Of
a dreamer" When l was a young
clerk in an obscure store On the east
side, I dreamed of that Broadway
building, and the dream has come
true
And l dream dreams of a regen-
Grated New York as WELL" continued
Gormly swiftly There is one power
which is above every other force or
organization in communities like ours,
if it can only be awakened to its re-
opOAS1Ul1ILlC5 anu LldQS W 1CCl 40
force; and that power"
He stopped and looked smilingly at
the elder woman
rs the people" cried her daughter
with enthusiasm. And that power I
am sure you are going to have"
She stretched out her hand to him
impulsively. Gormly took 1t, bowed
over it, all but kissed it.
Il am going to try for it, at least, :"
he said smiling gratefully at her.
Sir said the quiet voice of the
butler at this moment, breakfast is
served"
1--WE will breakfast with you, Mr.
Gormly," said Haldane, ION condition
that you will take your Christmas
dinner with u.s." He spoke with the
utmost geniality and cordially, in a
manner SO foreign to his usual bear
ing that his son and his wife looked
at him with amazement. 81 am sure, .
continued the older man, that my
wife joins me most heartily in this
invitation. My dear"
His voice took a slight touch of
sharpness, scarcely perceptible, but
| quite sufficient to awaken the aston
ished Mrs. Haldane to action.
quite So she said vaguely, not in
the least understanding why the sa-
cred portals Of the Haldane home
should be opened to this upstart out
! slider She did not know that Hal
dane intended to fight this man to the
bitter end, and as preliminary there
| to he felt 1t advisable for many rea-
sons to invite him to dinner-such are
| the conditions of modern war; I'VE
should be charmed, l am sure, If Mr..
| Gormly would honor u.s. she con-
tinued, as she accompanied him to-
ward the breakfast room.
But Gormly, though he saw an In
terested second to the invitation in
Miss Haldane's glance, was wise
enough to decline. He preferred to
be in the position of one who confers
favors rather than receives them at
this stage Of the game.
CTO BE CONTINUED