Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1916-09-21

OF all those who suffered by the
storm Curtis Gordon took his misfor
tune hardest This had been black
season for him indeed Beginning
with O'Neil's rivalry. everything had
gone against him. He had dropped his
coal interests at Kyak i'm favor OF the
copper mine because they failed Ia
yield quick profits. Then he had learn
ed that the mine was valueleSs and re-
allied that ii could not serve him much
longer as means Of raising funds
still he had trusted that by taking a
vigorous part in the railroad struggle
he would be able either 10 recoup his
fortunes or at least-to effect "A compro
mise i'm the shadow OF which his fiaSco
at Hope would be forgotten. As yet
the truth about Hope Consolidated
was not generally known to his stock
holders. but IA certain restlessness
among them had become troublesome
The stream Of money had diminished
alarmingly. and ii was largely because
OF this that he had bought the McDer
mott right Of way and moved 10 kyak
And now just as he had his affairs In
shape for another and greater cam
paign OF stock 1otation the storm had
come TO ruin him.
The bitterest element in his defeat
was the realization that O'Neil. who
had bested him at every turn. was
destined TO profit by the very blow
which crushed him. Defeat at the
hands Of ha Tnnld
have accepted with fairly good grace.
but the mere thought that Murray
O'Neil. whom be considered In every
way his inferior. had gained the upper
hand was intolerable. 1t was In keep
ing with Gordon's character that in
stead Of blaming his own judgment lie
became furiously angry at the trust for
the mistake OF its engineers and held
them responsible for his desperate sit
uation. That is was truly desperate he
very soon realized. since disaster TO
his railroad project meant that his
stockholders would be around his ears
like a swarm of hornets. and once they
understood the true state of affairs at
Hope the complete collapse of his for
tunes would surely follow.
During the days succeeding the
storm he scarcely knew where TO turn,
so harassed was he: yet he never for
a moment wavered in his resolve TO
make O'Neil pay for his interference
and TO exact reckoning from Gloria
Gerard.
Natalies presence in Kyak confirmed
his belief that O'Neil was interested in
her, and he began to plan n stroke 10y
which he could take revenge upon all
three. Ii did not promise I'm any way
to help him out Of his financial straits.
but at least IL would give him a certain
satisfaction.
He sent word to the girl that he
would like to see her.
Gordon found his erstwhile ward
greatly Improved by her recent life.
She was brown, vigorous. healthy: her
physical charms quickened his pulses.
you must have n very good reason
for coming TO see me-" she began. II
don't flatter myself that IL Is from af-
lection"
There you wrong me-" he assured
ner. Win the warm earnestnesS ne so
easily assumed. ~ have always re-
gardcd you as a daughter"
~ have no faith In you"
Exactly, aud the knowledge dis
ucsscs me. You and Gloria were n
large part OF my life / can't bear to
lose you. I hope. and | believe. that
her regard for me has changed no more
than mine for her. IL remains for me
to regain yours"
That Is impossible. You had the
chance"-