The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1913-04-22
JOHN RAWN
PROMINENT CITIZEN
Bv EMERSON HOUGH
AUTHOR Of tTHE MISSISSIPPI BUBBLE; $40 OR FIGHT
ILLUSTRATIONS by Ray Walters
COPYRIGHT 1912 BY EAdERsoGHoUGH
ILLUSTRATIONS by Ray Walters
YRIGHT 1912 BY EMERSoNEHOUGH

mysterious danger seemed to menace
the very structure itself, long of 80
bold and indomitable front Halsey
still hesitated-and still remained.
Rawn customarily divided his time
between the operating headquarters in
the western city and the general Of
fees in the eastern capital, but now
he had found it needful Immediately
to transfer all his activities to the
latter scene. He did not know of his
wife's invitation to Halsey, for he had
started from his Office, without even
advising he his intention, and even
without conve. .sation with her by tele-
phone. He telegraphed from the train,
stating that he had been called East
on urgent matters. After that, no
word at all came from him. 1t was
not known when he would return. Hal
sey could only wait. In truth, he was
little better than man gone mad h1m-
self, and Rawn was worse than such
Gradually, day by day, hour by hour
the terrible strain of this suddenly de-
veloped situation began to show its
effects upon Rawn. He slept but little
after his arrival in the East, s howed
himself more and more untidy in per.
sonal habits; and lastly, began tc
seek the false strength Of intoxicat'
ing drink. His demeanor IN his rela'
tions with his urbane associates lost
its usual arrogance. John RawD, late
dictator, became explanatory, concili,
atory-a change Of mind which had
visible physical tokens. His eye be-
came weaker and more watery, his
shoulders more dropped, his voice
more quavering, his address less
abrupt and domineering.
John Rawn was broken man, and
began to show it. Wherefore his late
friends exulted. The wolves, ranged
in circle, lick their chops when the
wounded bull totters upon his uncer-
tain legs. Certain large financial fig
ures in the eastern city licked their
chops, and smiled grimly, wol1shly,
in contemplation Of John Rawn as he
tottered.
Yet Rawn himself could get no di.
rect proof of the identity Of those
now secretly assailing him. At the
directors meeting Of the international
he was received politely and respect
fully-with too much politeness and
respect, as ne felt, although himself
unlike the man once wont to rule there
with an iron hand. He did not dare
tell them Of Halsey's detection, could
not doubt that they already knew OF
it; but he met no queries regarding
that or anything else in the conduct of
the western factory's business. No one
seemed to know that the most impor-
tant of all their factories was closed,
after a tedious term spent in incom-
pletion. His associates all were as
polite as himself, indeed, more SO; as
ready as himself to discuss gravely
and earnestly any detail of the busi-
ness which now, as all politely agreed,
seemed somewhat involved" or
somewhat delayed" No one offered
any criticism of the executive.
But, what was far more deadly to
him, the market seemed most oner-
ously and cruelty oppressive upon the
outside investments Of John Rawn.
International Power was not ham,
mered, for the reason that there was
little of it out to hammer. The Rawn
stock in international, Of course, did
not come upon the market. Rawn in
tended to hold on to that grimly, fight
ing for it to the last gasp, trusting to
chance to mend matters for him at the
eleventh hour. But ruin in the general
market faced him: and he knew that,
with credit gone, the courts would
take for his. former creditors what
ever property he could be shown to
have. He saw the shadowy circle Of
the wolves of high finance. Almost he
felt their fangs swapping at his ham
strings.
In these savage hours the mind Of
John Rawn cast about for rescue, for
hope. No rescue, no hope, appeared
except one last desperate alternative,
purchasable not now with cash or
power or infuence-since these were
gone-but with what other and dearer
things remain to man-things some
men, not rotted with the love of self,
keep through any or all disaster, prize,
even above life and all life's busi-
ness success. Halsey! All! Halsey
was the savior of Rawn-Halsey, the
man who had Inundated him in his
own home. How could Halsey be Sc
cured? There might be brought to
bear upon him one infuence-that of
beautiful and fascinating woman!
What matter if the one woman was
his wife, Virginia Rawn? He had al
ready limited to her of her duty. He
wondered now continually whether
, she had really and fully understood.
He wondered what she was doing with
Halsey.
AS to Halsey, who knew little or
nothing of all these turbulent emo
tions, all these crowding incidents, he
fo1Jnd hic Situation In fho great hOuse