Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1926-10-29
WHEN A
STRONG MAN
'TRIUNNPHS
Cy CLARIBEL WILSON
(CG by W. @. Chapman0

([Y M" HALSEY, six feet two,
broad, stalwart, was the most
picturesque figure that ever
- went into Wall Street At the
age of thirty-one he had come out of
Alaska with a cool fifteen million,
gained during period of seven years
that had elapsed since he went North
from Illinois, country storekeeper's
assistant with longing for adven-
ture.
The same qualities of nerve which
had stood him In such good stead
among the miners continued to ac-
cOmplish much for him in New York.
Finally, however, combination was
set on foot against him. And, after
Homeric battle of seven days, in
which stocks were slaughtered at e
rate unknown before, James found him
self with the price of his hotel bill,
ticket back to Nome and 800 In bills.
Jim" EIalsey was wiped out The
evening newspapers announced 1t in
glaring red headlines. And Jim was
bordering over the situation.
For himself he cared nothing at all.
But for Agnes Mclaughlin he cared
everything And he had to tell her
Mclaughlin had been n picturesque
figure-too picturesque to be admit
ted into New York's elite; but the
tenacity Of the widow, aided by mil
lion dollars, had won way for her
self and her daughter.
Mrs. Mclaughlin had spent her
capital like water. A million will go
a good ways in II three-years' cam
paign, If 1t Is supposed to be sup
ported by other millions behind 1t.
Nobody knew that the Mclaughlin
fortune was down to Its last fifty
thousand. But everybody knew that
Agnes Mclaughlin had been hawked
round the ellglbles of Europe and
America during the last three years.
Everybody, that is, but Jim.
He was admitted to the rented
house on Fifth avenue. He thought
the butler looked little coldly at him.
The mental, in fact, reflected the feel
ings of the household. Mrs McLaugh-
lin, who had considered jim an excel
lent compromise In the light Of previ-
Gus failures and her dwindllng capital,
had the sense of woman betrayed,
or OF n man who had staked his last
penny on the favorte ut the races, and
| lost
The mother sailed into the room.
She stood still, looking ut Jim, and
all her resentment flashed out In her
bitter words.
as It true what the papers say,
that you are pauperT she demanded
In accents Of indescrlbable vulgarity.
All the veneer of twenty years had
vanished, and she was agaln-well, the
type of woman that she had been
when Mclaughlin, fascinated with her
bold beauty had married her
"Yes, it's true" admitted Jim, with
smile. "But don't take It to heart,
Mrs Mclaughlin OF course, this will
mean the pOstpOnement Of our mar
rlage, and ] shall have to scrape to-
gether another fortune in Alaska.
But"
"Postponement !" shrllled the wom-
an, coarsely. "Do you suppose Aggle
Is going to marry you now2'
"Why, Of course do" answered
Jim, looking at the woman in Devil
derment
"a penniless pauper!" she sneered.
"Of course It Is hard on her" ad-
mitted jim. But surely, Mrs. Nc
Laughlin, there were no monetary con-
sideratlons involved in our engage
ment."
Mrs. Mclaughlin actually snapped
her fingers under Jlm's nose.
"See here, young man, I'm going to
talk straight to you" she said. 81
don't know whether you're blniIing or
Just fool, but mean Aggie to marry
man with q wad of money. What
do you think she took you fOr2 For
your good ooks7 Are you a fool, or
what's the matter with YOU"
Jim felt as helpless before this out
burst OF rage as wild beast In trap.
"If your daughter releases me, of
course / shall accept the decision" he
answered quietly.
"Well, wen soon see about that y
screamed the woman. She touched
the bell and the butler appeared.
Upon his face was a sheer hardly dis
guised. It was evident that he had
been listening TO the conversation at
the door. "Tell Miss Agnes to come
here at once" she said.
Agnes Mclaughlin came in and her
L.. I'll upIn
gesture.
"This man Is a pauper, Aggle," she
said. "And he thinks he Is going to
marry you. He won't take the truth
from me. Tell him what you have
lust told me, Aggle."
The girl turned to IIalsey. II can
not marry YOU she said. "Please un
derstnnd that finally never loved
you"
"Thcn you-you only wanted my
money!" demanded Jim.
"Not for myself" cried the girl with
sudden vehement outburst. "For
my mother. I have been on sale three
years. Everybody has known It but
you"
"Agglel what nre you talking
nbout?" cried her mother in amaze
ment.
81 will speak now" answered the
girl 81 have been taken round the
matrimonial showroJms Of Europe
and America for 'hrcr years. N.Y.
mother has spent nearly Il million dol
lars on me, In Tho expectation Of get