Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1915-12-29

I'D ments Gerald Trask, fnan-
80 cier, wealthy man in his own
49, right, the friend of Robert
Strickland who had lifted him out OF
his financial difficulties and had made
it possible for him TO recover after he
had 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
cordiality than any other man in New
York; even such few friends as he had
found him cold. 1t required no keen
student of physiOgnOmy to see that
this man was centered in self; that the
very keynote of his character was self
ishness; that lie would pursue his own
ends over any obstacle. whether those
ends were business or personal.
Yet Gerald Trask could conceal evil
purposes beneath a smiling exterior
when necessary. 1t had been remark
ed of him in the street that he could
meet with a financial opponent at 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 between Gerald Trask and Rob
ert Strickland The former was the
cunning, ferOciOuS financial wolf. avid
of gain and pleasure and ruthless in
his methods of pursuing his 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 TO
his detriment. on impulse. and no man
could say that Robert Strickland ever
deliberately planned TO harm him. His
nature was that of the trustful soul
who will cleave to a 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 former against
the latter. but he had bridled at the
first suggestion of such thing. saying
that Trask had proved his friendship
ana that he. Strickland. would listen
to no word against his friend.
And Trask? Until the very end it
was mystery why he maintained his
cOrdiality toward Strickland. He had
nothing to gain from him in 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 rs high as Strickland's. so the
motive of social advancement was lack
ing. Perhaps Trask recognized iii
Strickland the possession OF qualities
lacking in his own character and was
attracted thereby according to the law
Of the attraction of OppOsites. Per
hans there was another reason.
On the night of June p Trask enter
cd the living room of the Stricklands
with a CHEEKY Hello. Bob
Hello. Jerry. How are your And
the two men claSped hands.
Fine" said Trask. Just get back|
Eyes. about fifteen minutes ago. Ev-
ervthing is arranged. oh. by the way,
you haven't met Doris. have you?
Doris. shake hands with Mr.. Trask."
The little ceremony Of introduction
over and Doris having shaken hands
shvlv with Mr.. Trask. the latter saw
the big doll in the little girls arms.
"HellO." he said. who is thisT
This is Herman" said Doris. and
Trask shook hands gravely with the
doll. saying. "How do you do, Her
man? How 10 you like American
Then Trask turned to Strickland
with the question::
so everything's all right. Bob?
.Yes. I made very favorable terms
with the Briggs people"
when do You begin?"
SIN 4 few weeks. | bought a crack
eriack house.
you'll leave soon. them"
YES. You got my wire. Of course.
want Ia take MP that note"
With Il smile which he intended to
make as kindly as possible. Trask re-
piled:
spare it
THANKS aIl the same. hut | want TO
pay it
u don't mind holding off for a few
months. That $4,000 won't put me
out of business"
NO" said Strickland. the muscles of
his Jaws tightening for a moment. 81