The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1915-12-14

0I mentS Gerald EraSk, imam
- cier, wealthy man in his own
right, the friend of Robert
Strickland WHO had lifted him out of
his fnancial difficulties and had made
it possible for him to recover otter he
bad made a disastrous failure Of his
recent business undertakings entered
the room.
Enemies of Trask said that he could
conceal more cold bloodedness and
ruthless purpose beneath a mask of
cordially than any other man in New
York; even such few friends as he had
found him cold It required no Keen
student of physiognomy to see that
this man was conferred in self; that the
very keynote of his character was self
ishness; that he would pursue his own
ends over any obstacle, whether those
ends were business or personal.
Yet Gerald Trask md conceal evil
purposes beneath "a smiling exterior
when necessary. It had been remark
ed of him in the street that he could
meet with financial opponent at a di-
rectors table and profess friendship
within a few minutes after planning
that opponents utter ruin.
Men marveled at the friendship,
seemingly real, true and firm, which
existed betwe cen Gerald Trask and Rob-
art Strickland The former was the
cunning, ferocfous financial wolf, avid
OF gain and pleasure and ruthless in
his methods of pursuing bis ends. The
latter was frankly domestic and as
open Of countenance as he was direct
and straightforward in his ways. Any
thing hidden or treacherous was alien
to his nature He acted, frequently 10
could say that Robert Strickland ever
deliberately n lnned to harm HIM His
nature was that Of the trustfu1 soul
who viii cIeaye to friend until that
friend proves himself false beyond
question. When occasion came he could
strike, and strike hard, but it took
much to rouse him to the point of an
ger
Men instinctively liked Strickland
Just as they naturally disliked and
mistrusted Trask- Often attempts had
been made to warn the foA1ner against
the latter, but he had bridIed at the
first suggestion of such a thing, saying
that Trask had proved his friendship
and that he, Strickland, would listen
to no word against his friend.
And Trask? Until the; very end it
YVES a mystery why he maintained his
cordia1ity toward Strickland. He had
nothing to gain from him in a financial
way, because Strickland,s dealings in
recent times had not panned out well,
and he had had to call upon Trask for
assistance. Socially Trask's position
was as high as Strickland's, so the
motive Of social advancement was lack
ing. Perhaps Trask recognized in
Strickland the possession of qualities
lacking In his own character and was
attracted thereby according to the law
OF the attraction of opposites. Per-
haps there was another reason.
On the niglIs of June "a Trasz5 enter
ed. the living room of the StrickIands
With CHEEKY Hello, Bebl''
Hello, Jerry. How are your" And
the two men Tclasped hands
ssFinev' said Trask. 1.Just get back2''
s'Yes, about fifteen minutes ago. Ev-
erything is arranged. Oh. by the way,
you haven't met Doris, have you?
Doris, shake hands with Mr.. Trask.'
The little ceremony Of introduction
shy1y with Mr.. Traax, the latter saw
the big doll In the little girls arms
Hello he said, s3wIlo is tLis2''
This is Herman. said Doris, and
Trask shook hands gravely with the
doll. saying, How do you do, Her
mans How do you like America r.
Then Trask turned to Strickland
with the question:
$50 everything's all right, Bob?''
'Yes. 1 made very favorable terms
with the Briggs people"
When do you begin?'
TN few weeks, bought a crack
erjaclz house"
You'll leave soon, then2'
Yes. You got my wire, of course.
went TO take up that note
s Witt a smile which he intended to
make as kindly as possible, Trask re
piled:
@Can you make it, If you can't
THANKS ali the same. but I.want to
pay it,
81 don't mind holding off for a few
months THAT $4,000 won't put me
out Of business II
mo- said Strickland, the muscles of
his jaws tightening for moment, 81
don't want to leave any debts behind
me. thought I might have to ask
for an extension, but I managed TO
scrape it together. The Briggs people
helped me OUT
''WeIl, you may need it, anyhow
said Trask. sI'H wait until you get on
your feet"
Strickland shook his head Thanks.
Jerry. but want to wipe it out. TIL
feel easier
IAN right. just as you like Here's
the note"
And Trask took the. document from
his money case while Strickland reach.