Ladysmith news-budget. [volume] (Ladysmith, Rusk County, Wis.) 1907-1927, 1911-12-15

rated the character and ability m
Gormly. The Gotham Freight Trac-
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
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 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 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, Gorrnly 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 IL 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 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 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 s. re-
mark from the older man about tho
weather. I have long wondered why
the weather is the staple inaugural
topic.
Il have rarely experienced so severe
a snowstorm," said Haldane blandly.
Il have been coming down to Long
Island in winter off and on ever since
I was a boy, and this surpasses any,
thing within my knowledge"
''It 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 it a blizzard
At that last remark, though Haldane
had no ostensible connection with the
dCpdl ILAC1II, vi c11ly ohAS1 w
partment Of the municipal administra-
ton in fact, the man slightly lifted his
head and glanced for moment with
deeper interest at his companion.
II take it from your allusion 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 I'M
broken by any thing. However, I am
glad Of the storm in this instance,
since it has enabled me to extend to
you and your party the shelter of my
roof. | have been acquainted-1 have
had the privilege of knowing, that is
your daughter for some time, and I
am honored in the acquaintance of her
father and mother and your friends"
You say you have known my daugh-
ter for some time?"
ST have had that pleasure"
eff 1 mistake not, she said that you
had been interested in her settlement
work. Quixotic imaginations Of an
enthusiastic girl, my dear sir; but I
humor her"
"You do WE'LL" returned the other.
"And if you will give me leave to diff
fer with you, hardly call it Quixotic.
I have examined into the plan thor
oughly, and must say it strikes me az
being altogether admirable as we'll as
entirely feasible. | hope and believe
it will succeed"
Quite So" returned Haldane. He
was not in the least interested in the
matter.
Il 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 tinancier is
known to me as it is to all Of New
York, and if I may be permitted to say