The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1911-09-08


poohed him az first, ans even nGv'.
though the public press was filled
with accounts OF him and his doings.
they still greatly underestimate 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 10 deal
with men, and he saw instantly that
he was face 10 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.
ner. not because he thought IL insult.
ed 10 the occasion, but on account OF
the peculiar qualities and characters.
tics Of Gormly and the relationship I'm
which he stood TO certain matters OF
importance. He had been inclined on
the first entrance TO follow his wifes
patroniZlng, arrogant assumption OF
superiority; but now he strove 10 In.
fuse all the geniality and cordiality
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 10 wage for her
hand. His consent and influence,
while not absolutely essential, would
naturally be OF great value. II 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 or
render him the less alert To win
Haldane's consent possibly might be
no more practicable than 20 win Miss
Haldane's consent Yet Gormly was
accustomed TO attempt the impossible,
and nine times out of ten 10 achieve
II. That Haldane had any relation.
ship, or could have any relationship
10 him other than that OF prospect
i've father-in-law never entered his
head. That was sufficient 10 render
the Interview memorable TO him.
The conversation began with a re-
mark from the older man about the
weather. I 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 10 Long
Island in winter off and on ever since
| was a boy, and this surpasses any
thing within my knowledge"
1T Is bad enough for 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 It SHOWS hard
all day. we call II a blizzard
AT that last remark, though Haldane
had no ostensible connection with the
street department, or any other de-
partment Of the municipal administra-
tion in fact, the man slightly lifted his
head and glanced for moment with
deeper interest at his companion.
Il take 1t from your allusion that
you have experienced worse storms
than this"
II have been in real billiards, Mr..
Haldane," answered Gormly quietly;
more than once where the winds
velocity was scarcely to be measured,
,rbora tho tom porattra UNA from
twenty 20 thirty below, where the slect
needles cut like whips, and the storm
had full sweep unchecked and un.'
broken by any thing However, | am
glad OF the storm in this instance,
since IL has enabled me 10 extend 10
you and your party the shelter OF my
roof | have been acquainted-I have
had the privilege OF knowing. that IL
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 timer"
81 have had that pleasure"
IT | mistake not she said that you
had been interested in her settlement
work. QuiXOuc imaginatiOns OF an
enthusiastic girl. my dear sir; but
humor her"
You do we'll" returned the other.
And II you will give me leave TO dif-
fer with you, hardly call IL Quixotic
7 have examined into the plan thor.
Dughly. and must say It strikes me az
being altogether admirable as we'll as
entirely feasible. ! hope and believe
10 will succeed"
Quite so" returned Haldane. lie
was not in the least interested in the
matter
II have assisted Miss Ialdane In
every way possible" returned Gormly,
who did not propose 10 be questioned
as 20 the details Of his relation 10 the
scheme. "Of course" he went on,
your own reputation as a fnancier Is
known 10 me as IL IS 20 all Of New