Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1916-07-08
CHAPTER XIV.
The Man a Prince Again

The Man Prince Again
~ NEIL had the faculty Of sleep
u ing well in spite Of the most
" tormenting worries. He arose
on the morning after his inter
view with Mr.. Heidlemann ready to
begin the struggle with all his normal
energy and confidence. But the day
brought him only discoura cement lie
had a large acquaintance. The men
ton OF his name in quarters where he
was not personally known gained him
respectful attention, but he found him
self working in the shadow OF the cop
per trust, and its silent influence over
came his strongest arguments.
No one. it seemed, cared TO risk even
a semblance of rivalry with that mon
strous aggregation Of capital. for the
interlacing OF financial interests was
amazingly intricate. and fnanciers
were fearful of the least mtsstep.
Everywhere O'Neil encountered the
same disheartening timidity. His bat
tie, 1t seemed, had been lost before 1t
was begun
Days passed In fruftless eudeavors.
Evenings found O'Neii In his~cOrner of
the hotel cafe racking his brain for
some way out of his perplexfties, Usu-
ally he was surrounded by friends, for
he continued to entertain in the lavish
fashion for which he had gained q rep
utation, but sometimes he was alone,
and then his solitude became more
oppressive than 1t had ever been even
In the farthest wastes OF the north
land He was made TO feel his re-
yuif nj
for his associates were in panic
and bombarded him with daily in
quiries, vexatious and hard to answer.
One evening as he ran through his
mail he found a letter in a woman's
handwriting and, glancing at the sig
nature. started. 1t was signed GLORIA
Gordon" Briefly 1t apprised him Of
her marriage and of her and Natalie's
return TO Hope. Gloria thanked him
perfunctorily for his many kindnesses,
but she neither expressed nor implied
an invitation for him to visit them.
He smiled little grimly. Already her
loyalty had veered to Gordons side.
and Natalie no doubt shared her feel
ing. Well, it was but natural per-
haps.
He was aroused from his train of
thought by a stranger whom he found
standing beside his table and looking
down at him with wavering eye.
''Misser O'Neil, amt it?" the fellow
inquired. Sure! Thought | knew
You I'm Bulker Of the old North pass.
Remember meT'
Mr.. BuIker had been imbibing freely.
He showed evidences of a protracted
l. A.
trembling hand which he extended
His eyes were bloodshot, and his good
uaturcd face was purple.
O'Neil greeted him pleasantly. and.
considering himself enthusiastically
welcomed. the newcomer sat down
suddenly as If some one had tripped
him.
Been washing you for ten minutes"
washing me?'
mo. washing you. Couldn't make
you out; eyesight's getting bad. Too
many bright lights in this town Ha!
Joke! Let's have a gill"
Thank you. no"
Must have a little dram for old
times sake You're the only one of
the North pass crowd I'll drink with"
Mr.. Bulker gestured comprehensiyely
at a group of walters, and Murra =
yielded You were my friend, O'NeiL
You always treated me right"
What are you doing now?" asked
O'Neil, with the interest he could not
refuse to any one who had ever worked
with him he remembered the fellow
perfectly. He had come on from the
east as auditor and had appeared to be
capable. although somewhat given to
drink.
I'm broker. Wall streets my hab-