The searchlight. [volume] (Culbertson, Mont.) 1902-current, 1911-08-25

rated the cnofocU0T ma 8OIJISy -
Gormly. The Gotham Freight Trae
ton company. for instance. had pooh
poohed him at flrst and even nov.
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 q 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 a little table at hand. He had
disapproved Of Mrs. Haldane's man.
ner, not because he thought 1t insult
ed to the occasion, but on account Z
the peculiar qualities and characters
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 wife's
patronizing. 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 a 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
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 to win Miss
Haldane's consent. Yet Gormly was
accustomed to attempt the impossible.
and nine times out Of ten to achieve
IL. That Haldane had any relation
ship. or could have any relationship,
to him other than that of a prospect
i've father.in-law never entered his
head. That was sufficient to render
the interview memorable to him.
The conversation began with 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 to Ions
Island in winter OF 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 thu
temperature gets down to the zer'
mark and the wind blows thirty o.
forty miles an hour. and 1t SHOWS har'
all day. we call II blizzard
AT that last remark, though Haldan
had no ostensible connection with tn
street department, or any other d.
partment of the municipal ADMINISTERS
ton In fact, the man slightly lifted hi
4 head and glanced for a moment wit
4 deeper interest at his companion.
Il take II from your allusion tina
you have experienced worse storm
than this"
Il have been in real billiards, Nj
j Haldane," answered Gormly quietly
4 more than once where the wind
y velocity was scarcely to be measured
where the temperature was frol
VI twenty to thirty below. where the sle'
; needles cut like whips, and the storl
i had full sweep unchecked and III
i broken by any thing. However. I a
glad OF the storm in this instanc
since II has enabled me to extend
| you and your party the shelter Of n
roof. / have been acquainted-l ha'
! had the privilege OF knowing. that
your daughter for some time, and
am honored In the acquaintance of h
father and mother and your friends
You say you have known my daus
ter for some timer"
Il have had that pleasure"
IF l mistake not. she said that y
had been interested in her setueme
work. Quixotic imaginations Of
e. enthusiastic girl. my dear sir; but
ID. humor her"
err You do WELL" returned the 9TH
NJ And II you will give me leave to q
ce fer with you. hardly call 1t Quixot
as | have examined into the plan tn
I oughly, and must say 1t strikes me
being altogether admirable as well
OH entirely feasible. hope and belle
II will succeed"
in Quite So" returned Haldane.
m was not in the least interested in
nd matter.
AT Il have assisted Miss Haldane
every way possible" returned CORN