Putnam patriot., 1916-08-25

4e IHtb HNouf Hone tnuSAllaaHeA vas not generally known to hs stock folders. but certain reStleSSnesS sGunc them lad necome troublesome 'he stream of money had diminished .larmirg,y, and it was largely because f this that he had bought tho NcDer mott rtSht of way and moved to Kyak And Pow just as he had his affairs in shape for another aud greater cam paign ef stock dotatiun the storm had come to ruin him.
 The bittefest element in his defeat was the realization that O'Neil. who had hestel him at every turn. was destined to profit by the very blow which crushed him. Lefeat at the hands of tac copper trust he would Lave ac,clteI uilh fl5rly good grace. ouJ the mete thought that Murray 1Neil, wbym he considered ia every way his Interior had -8iued tue upper and was ialo4erable 1t WIS in keep ug With Gordon character that in- stead Ul blaming h,s own judgment he aecame furiausly auary at the trust for the mistake of itS engineers and hetd them tesl luuSiule for his desperate sit nation That is Was truly desperute he very soon realized, since disaster to his railroad project meant that his stockholders would he around his ears ike q swarm of hornets, and once they understood the true state If affairs at Hope the complete collapse of his fer- tunes would surely follow.
 During the days succeeding the storm h scarcely knew where to turn. SO harassed was he; yet he never for T moment waSered tn his resolve to make o'Neil pay for his interference and to exact reckoning from Gloria Gerard
 Nataiie's presence in Kyak confirmed his belief that O'Neil was interested in her. and he began to plan a stroke by which he could take revenge upon all three ltdid not promise in any way to help him out of his financial straits, but at least it would give him certain satisfaction.
 He sent word to the girl that he would like to see her.
 Gordon found his erstwhie ward greatly ipproved by her recent life. She was brown. vigorous healthy; her physical charms qpiekened lis pulses.
 You must have very good reason for coming to see me she began T ion't datter myself that it is from af- feetleu.'
 There you wrong me he assured her, with the warm eanestness he SD easily assumed "I have always re -aried you as Il daughter
 T have ao faith in you.
 Exactly. and the Knowledge dis reSses ne You and Gloria were q alge part of my life. 1 can't bear to lose you I hope, and l believe. that her regard for me hns changed no more than mine for her. It remains for me to regain yours.
 "That is impossible. You had the chance
 My dear. you cant know my req sons for acting as l did at Omar. But hose reasons no longer exist"
 Just what-do you mean by thatI' hammered Natalie.
 "I mean what I say. I'm ready t marry yade mother
 sWhcn:.
 Al oaee~ You shall plead my cause For he
 sThat isn't necessary You know mother ii only waiting for you. Il means so much to her that she couldn't refuse.
 Doesn't it mean anything to you?'
 Natalie nodded "It means more t. me than to any one else, perhaps. have been carrying a great burden, al most more than I can bear. Some times I've wished I were q man-fol just long enough To make you pay. Oh yes." she continued as he started te protest. Don't let us begin this new life with any false conceptions. Yot may as well know that I shall always hate you We shall see very little of each other"
 Nonsense! can't let you feel like that I sha'n't rest until l win back your love and confidence"
 She eyed him searchingly for a mo ment, then opened her lips to speak but closed them.
 "Wen?" he prompted her. Let us be frank with each other"
 I'm merely wondering how greatly your decision has been influenced by the storm and the fight at the railroad crossing 1 understand how you fee toward Mir. O'Neil. and l know that he means to crush you"
 ssOhr' Cordon'S face lighted
 Yes, He has never said so, but ] can feel it. l wonder If you have snatched us up in your extremity as z defense"
 "Ridiculous! Your suspicious are in sulting. l have nothing to fear from him. for he is broken, his credit is gone and he is in desperate straits"
 Are you in any better conditioni How long can you fool your people with that pretense of q mineT'
 Gordon flushed. but affected scorn "So! Have you and Gloria begun to balance my wealth against my lovei If so'-
 You know she would marry you if you were penniless."
 'I hope so, and indeed, I can't be lieve her mercenary. Well, l shall say goodby to Kyak without idle regret and we three shall return to Hope where can attack my problems with fresh courage. l can well afford my loss here if by doing so l gain the wo- man of my desires
 You wan. -ne to go with youT'
 4y,tt fut frf1 knowing what you do about O'Neil. Re. ral...itillrl c,f