Evening Republican, Volume 15, Number 280, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 27 November 1911 — CHAPTER IV.-Continued. [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

CHAPTER IV.-Continued.

“Never!" said Gormly. "And I confess to you that of late I have had similar thoughts. I want to do something for humanity,” he went on Slowly. "There are certain people who stimulate us to achievement, who awaken our ambition, who Quicken our hope, Who—Don’t yon comprehend? You have put something into my life which ft lacked. Now I want to do Something for—-you, Miss Haldane.** “For me, Mr. Gormly?** “For you. and my fellow men; for Four approval and theirs. You see you have brought me in touch with a state of being of which I knew little. I was not born into your society. Until I saw you, I had no desire to mingle in tt 1 have not taken a vacation. except business trips aboard, for twenty-five years. For instance, this is the first time in all that long period that I have stood alone in a room and talked socially, by her gracious privilege, on terms of outward equality, with a fine, high bred, capable, woman. Can’t you understand how you exert a new influence, how you have brought a new force Into my life, and that from my acquaintance with you results are certain to come?** He sat down on a chair on the other side of the fireplace as he spoke, bringing himself on a level with her. She looked at him with curious intensity. She saw his smooth shaven face seamed and lined with thought and care. She marked the strength, the intelligence, the resolution, in his countenance. It lacked completing touches of tenderness, it lacked the woman’s Influence; but aside from that it was altogether admirable, virile. and strong. “I want to do something,” he said, “to make me worth,” his voice trembled, “the respect of," he looked at her—“of people like you,’*' he went on, “and I am going to do something, to» " •’You frighten me,” said the girl, appalled as we often are by the granting of our prayers, the acceptance of our suggestions, the realisation of our hopes. "I don’t like to feel that what you are doing is for—for—" “Say it. Miss Haldane. For you." “I can’t assume such a responsibility," she protested; "and such a motive is not the highest, the beet" "Nonsense!" said the man almost roughly. “The beat things in life are done for the sake of good women, and there is not a human being In the world who possesses your powers and capabilities who does not thrill to responsibilities. In your heart of hearts you are glad—or you will be glad if through your inspiration something is accomplished, by whatever way or means It may be —even by me for mankind." And the woman knew that the words were true. She thrilled even then to the strength of his protesta“You see I know humanity. I don’t know society; you observed that by my reception of you all here “Indeed," said the girl; “It was most graceful and kindly hospitality, and we deeply appreciate it." "It is good of you to say so. These things I could learn,” he hesitated, “if I had some one who kpew to teach me; but other things I know myself. I am at a discount with women; but 1 can handle men and I know men. Every human being Is glad to ally himself with success. If you and I together do something, you will bo happy if we succeed." “And miserable If we fall?” queried the girl with a nervous laugh. "We will not fall ” “You are proposing a partnership? ” "There is a quasi partnership existing between us now in the settlement house. Your devotion, your generous thought tor those people, with my business back of you—for it Is back of you. Miss Haldane, in that or anything else to the last limit—is going to pro dtooe results there that nobody dreams to tMtr^. , ,-:^jy > "No, said the man quickly. I have meow ann greater m new. 1 Ju in. •... ,

That’s your part of the partnership; mine is to help you, and —” “And what are you going to do?" asked the girl, Intensely interested, leaning forward, her breath coming quicker. “I am going to be mayor of New York, for one thing, Miss Haldane.** "Yes. And then?” ft touched him immensely to see the matter of fact way with which she accepted his stupendous declaration. ■ “And then, I am going to be the best mayor New York ever had, an honest mayor. The administration shall be conducted on business lines, and business with me doesn’t spell chicane. There Isn’t a dishonest dollar in my fortune. You will forgive my personal talk? I don’t often resort to It; but you make me tell whatever you want to know.” "Go on!” “I am going to suppress graft; I am going to break up the gangs that rob the city; I am going to bring the traction companies, the freight and the others, to terms. lam going to make them give the people good value for the franchises they enjoy; I am going to reform the police force and stop Its taking toll of crime, Its connivance with sin! New York is going to be

free, and I am going to tell it the truth and make it so!” He stopped and, not trusting himself to look at her, stared into the fire again. There was a long pause. “Well,*’ said he, flashing a direct look at her. “what do you think of It, Miss Haldane?" "It is the greatest dream that ever entered a human brain," said the girl quietly. “It is my business, it has been my business all my life, Miss Haldane, to make dreams come true, and I am dreaming now a greater dream, dearer to me than that I have outlined before you." What could he mean? She strove to meet his glance fairly; but her own eyes fell before his own direct gaze. “Do you think I can do it, make my dream come true?" he asked. “Which dream, Mr. Gormly?” “Both of them.” “That you can be mayor of New York; that you can redeem the city; that you can restore to the people their liberties—l don’t know. Other men have tried it and have failed.” “And I may fail, too,” answered Gormly very quietly. “Such achievements are not the results merely of one man’s efforts. The people themselves must respond. Whether I can make them do that or not will determine the issue.” ”1 think you can, Mr. Gormly. You have made me respond.” “And will you help me?" ‘ "I! What can I dor “Do what you have done tonight; listen to me, believe to me. inspire me, be my silent partner in my endeavor as I have been yours In your “And after you have succeeded r ‘That** the other dream, and—'*

"Mr, Gormly," she said resolutely, •If you . make that dream come true, you will have done more service to humanity than has ever been done by a citizen of this republic# and yob will be the greatest man on this side of the world." “And If my othet* dream comes true," said Gormly, “I win be the happiest.” “May they all come true!" said the girl Impulsively rising and giving him her hand. “Do you mean that?” eagerly asked the man, gratefully taking her proffered hand In his own firm, resolved clasp. ( “Idont know," she faltered, "what your other dream is; but if it corresponds with the one you have told me, I repeat the prayer." “At the proper time,” said the man, “you shall know. Meanwhile, tomorrow we shall get to work.” "Tomorrow will be Christmas," said the. girl, smiling. ....... "My Christmas present to you, Miss Haldane, wIU be the beginning of the campaign.” “And mine to you, Mr. Gormly," she returned laughing, “will be my good wishes and hearty encouragement In your labor.” , “I could wish nothing better,” he went on lightly, glad and relieved at this change from the intensity of the interview. “I shall announce myself as a-candidate for the mayoralty at the next election. Representatives of the minority party have already approached me on that subject” “And what did you say to them?" “Nothing yet You see this Is all new work to me, and I must consider my way carefully.” “Have you ever made a public speech F’ "Never In my life.” “Well, If you can talk to the people as you have talked to me tonight I am sure you will win?’ The girl said it artlessly, carelessly;

but his heart leaped to the assurance. “That’s to be determined,” he said. "Most men would say It was easier to talk to one woman than to a thousand people. I have had experience with neither. As I told you, it has been a quarter of a century since I talked alone with a woman.” “Was that to the west of which you spoke?” “I am glad to tell you. It was to the west. She wasn’t a good woman. Miss Haldane,” he said simply, “and I have never seen her since that night" “Didn’t you know that she was not a good woman?** asked the girl. “Not a| that time; I did not suspect that la, I was only a boy of nineteen." “And is it because of that woman that you have seen no others until I met you?” -- "Yes, Miss Haldane." “Poor man!” said the girl half to herseif. "Not at all,” answered Gormly; "you were quite worth waiting for.” “Eleanor,” said her father at this moment “won’t you take my hand? I want to talk to our host a little mysett." s

“I Want to Do Something for You, Miss Haldane."