Evening Republican, Volume 15, Number 307, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 30 December 1911 — The RING and the MAN [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

The RING and the MAN

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By CYRUS TOWNSEND BRADY

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BYNOP3IS. gA foolish you nr tenderfoot becomes fesclnsted with the bold, artful wife of a drunken prospector in a western mining town. They prepare to elope In a blinding buuM hat are confronted by the manUht husband. He is shot by the & V^„.’ ,0 t s h. Pl rrtme now ro tbs body taking tbs crime upon hnnsslt. In their flight to the man's borse the Hair-froion 6 station just s« a Steamship trated^n^pler h*Bn Traction rcldent brlnS* be mayor of 3aSg sarryl'ng wcwil next morning e experienced j&?| sandldats; the whole machinery of the ctty’s detecttve Btangin8 tanging oto*Ctormly*° 0 to*Ctormly*° tees the nomination and announces that CTwlll samort Oormly. The reigning than decides to name njww-p»ra-cket for the purpose of dividing the iy forces, and at the same time rush ■h a Freight Traction company lies, without which the Sachem Sowould be helpless The press hereunanlmously favorable to the merchant candidate, now under pressure, dlrfdes and the campaign waxes warm. A renoittOuii la Introduced granting a gratuitous renewal of the traction franchise. Qormly offers ten million dollars .tor the franchise. The exalted populace threaten to mob the aldermen, when addressed by Oormly. The Ring mayor and the merchant have a critical moment The detective force reports a valuable dew. Mias Haldane congratulates Qormly on what she terms a new Declaration « Inpendence. and he makes an unexpected declaration of love. He la checked by the confirmation of his suspicions that her father la toe head and backbone of the notorious traction company which he Is attempting to overthrow. Public sentiment turns overwhelmingly against the party In power and the Sachem Society Miss Haldane Informs her parents of Qormly’s declaration to her. which they characterise as Impudence and Insolence.

CHAPTER Xll<—Continued. "1 don't know what they are." "Well. I think I do.” returned the young man. “What are they?" his sister asked him with great eagerness. But young Haldane was not quite prepared to declare what things they “On second thoughts.” he said, evasively "I don't know. At any rate 1 want to talk some matters over with father.” “Financial matters, my boy?” “Political.” “Very welL If your mother and sister will excuse us. we will go into the library.” “Certainly,” answered Mrs. Haldane, making virtue of necessity. “If they concern me or my relation to Mr. Oormly,” said Eleanor, “I should like to know them immediately." "They concern us all,” he answered. “And. by the way," he added, “I was going to withhold it; but I might as well give It to you now. Here's a letter to you from Mr. Oormly. He naked me to give it to you when I saw you. I was going to talk to father about this other matter before I gave it to you; but you can read it over while we are gone." “What was it you wished to say to me, Livingstone?” began the older man as they entered the library. “Father,” returned his son with bewildering abruptness, “I learned at headquarters today that you were the head and front of the Gotham Freight Traction company and all the rotten lot against whom we are fighting.” “From whom did you learn this?" asked the older man quietly. “Ftom Oormly himself." “Opes anybody else know It?” “It Isn't generally known, if that's what you mean. “And suppose that I am—er —inter ested in the traction company?" “To what extent are you interested?” asked the younger man. “Well, that was not the question I . ; But „ It is the question with me. “I recognise no right that you have to put such questions to me." “I may not have any right; but I am doing it Just the same. I know and we all know just what the Gotham Freight Traction company is. We know that it la robbing the people. Ami tor that reason 1 want to know “Go back to Oormly and find out!" ad at the young man's scathing do mmdstlon. ”No, air, I'm. going to find it out from yon before I leers this room ”

"Let me think." he said faintly at last "You don't have to think." went on the young man with unconscious cruelty, “to say how deeply you are Involved in the affairs of the Gotham Freight Traction company." ,”p-. "As deeply as anybody can be,” was the desperate admission. “Good God!" exclaimed Livings. _ surprised In spite of his forewarning. “You! It isn't possible. I saw the proofs with my own eyes, and yet I wouldn't believe that you would ally yourself with that gang of thieves and scoundrels." “Somebody had to take that franchise and build that road," answered his father. “We are giving the people good service, and " “Don’t make excuses,” said the young man, brushing them away with a wave of bla hand. “How on earth are we going to explain the facts? What will Eleanor think?" “You have influence with Oormly," said the father. "Go to him. Tell him that I most see him and at once.. Caw you bring him here?” “Well, he's watched like a hawk," said young Haldane. “Your dirty crowd has detectives on his trail all over New York. If he oame up here. It would be reported In every paper In the city tonight and tomorrow morning.” "Never mind that I must see him." “Look here, father. lam not mixed up with the Gotham Freight Traction company and that gang that you’re allied with, and I don't intend to be Involved In any scheme you may undertake to get Qormly la trouble." *1 don't intend to make any trouble.

I must see the man, and you must arrange tt. Come, are you my son. or are you not?" "I am your son all right,” answered the younger man; “but I tell you frankly that I have cast in my lot with Gormly and this Isn't going to make any difference. Perhaps we can stave this off or ” “At any rate I must see Gormly, and you must help me. For God's sake, dont stand there arguing with me, hut arrange in some way to bring Gormly and me together secretly and without delay!" “Let me think a minute," said the younger man at last, impressed by his father's terrible insistence. “1 hare it The car is at the door fortunately. Til run down and tell Gormly you want to see him about this cursed business. I don’t know whether I can persuade him to meet you or not; but I'll do my best. Then you go over to Louise Stewart's at once. “Htpxy then, and dont tell your sister oryour mother anything of this," said Haldane as he rose to end the interview. a 1_ CHAPTER XIII. The Qdkperate Position of Haldane. At this crucial moment there eras a knock pa the door. Bidden to enter. Eleanor came in. followed by her ' "Esther." she said, proffering him

;»/ v*. . . ... . \ / ,• an open letter, "the emergency which we discussed has come upon us a'ooGwr than we anticipated." The girl was very nervous and excited. her hands trembled as she held out the paper. “What! What do you mean?" gasped Haldane, his own agitation not less evident. Could It be possible that bis daughter had already heard of this revelation? "Here Is the letter from Mr. Gormly, which Livingstone just brought me, wife.” “What answer shall you give him, sis?" asked her brother. Intensely Interested. “I haven't made any yet," was the reply. "But I can only repeat what I said the other night: that while I respect and admire Mr. Gormly exceedInly, I do not love him." "At' least," questioned the older Haldane, “you don’t dislike him, do you?"' “Dislike him, father? Not at &1L I have just said ” “Well, give me the letter then, and •" At this moment the footman, bowing before the open door, entered. “Beg pardon, sir," he said, "but a party by the name of Llffey la waiting outside to see you." “Charley Llffey!” exclaimed the son of the house. “What la he doing here now?" “Why,” said Eleanor in great surprise, "that la the grand chief of the Sachem society and the moat notorious ” “Yes, yes. I know,” Interposed Haldane quickly. "You will kindly leave me for a few moments, all of you. Where is Mr. Llffey?” “I’ve got him waiting in the hall, sir.” “Tell him I will see him here. Livingstone, do you carry out my Injunctions at once. Eleanor, say nothing to Mr. Gormly about this proposition until I have seen him. Now leave me." ■ ’• . •' •. “But, Beekman ” began Mrs. Haldane. “Father!" protested his daughter. “Eliza,” said her husband, “not another word!. Eleanor, I am tried now beyond endurance. Please go!” Whan Llffey entered the library.

now empty of all its former occupants save the elder Haldane, he confronted a very agitated and very angry man. “Do you know what’s up now. Liffey?" was the question that was hurled at him. "Do I know what's up? Well about the best news that we could hear is up.” "You regard It that way, do you? Well, I don’t.” “What do you mean?” "Why, Gormly baa discovered my connection with the Gotham Freight Traction company and the close alliance that exists between the Sachem society and the corporation, and all the rest of .lt," “The devil yon say!" cried Llffey. "It's bo, and he baa it all ready to publish tomorrow morning." "Well, that’s bad,"' returned the boas; “but it might be worse. The quieter these things are managed, the better; but still it ain’t so bad as it might be. You see it was bound to come out sooner or later, and——” “My dear man. yon don’t understand tbe importance of this matter. For the Gotham Freight Traction company to be found to be in close alliance with' the Sachem society and with the administration will loee us the election, and then the New York Traction company franchise goes, “Well, Just watt a hit. Mr.

Things ain't so black aa they warn I've got a little piece o t nows that'll discount yours all hollow. “It’s this.” said Llffey, coming closer and sinking his voice to a whisper lest he should be overheard by any one. “All but sure of it. We’ll know definitely In two days. Men are verifyln’ the tale, and Connell and I are* expectin’ a telegram any time. There% no doubt about it, though. It's a sure thing. All you've gpt to do now la to keep this revelation you’re tellin’ me, about out of the papers for two days, and then they can talk their mouths off. It won't affect us a-bit. .Can you do itr ‘Til do it,” answered Haldane resolutely, “If It kills me. I have an ap-' pointment, or at least I expect to have one, to see Gormly inside of an hour, and I must go now. You will excuse me?" “Keep a stiff upper Up, Mr. Haldane. We’re goln’ to win the biggest victory against the biggest enemy that New York has ever seen, you mark me. Goodby.” In half an hour Haldane,' In answer to a telephone message from his son. was bowling along upper Fifth avenue In hla own electric toward the Stewart home. Mias Stewart herself admitted him. “Yes," she said In answer to hla eager question, “Mr. Gormly is here. Livingstone brought him. I was just coming Into the honse, so I let them In myself.” “Is Livingstone here also?” “Yes. He Is In the small drawing room with Mr. Gormly.” “I want you to amuse him while 1 talk with Mr. Gormly. Don’t let any one disturb us.” “Not for the world,” said the girl, throwing open the door of the little reception room as she spoke. “Here Is Mr. Haldane, Mr. Gormly. Livingstone, you are to come with me.” “I Intend to be present,” answered Livingstone firmly, “at this interview.” “You will pardon me,” said his father with equal resolution, “but I intend to see Mr. Gormly alone.” “Go, Haldane," said Gormly. “If there Is anything that you ought to know, I wUI tell you what it Is later.” “But I wopid —” “Livingstone,” said Miss Stewart, “this is very ungallant nad unkind toward me.” “Your father and I both wish to be alone,” said Gormly sternly, whereat the young man, with very bad grace, be It admitted, retired and shut the door. Gormly waited for the older man to besln. “Mr. Gormly,” said Haldane at last, “my son has told me that you have discovered my connection with the Gotham Freight Traction company.” "I told him bo this afternoon.” “Why did you ten him?” “To give him an opportunity to withdraw from his association with me before I published the story of the corrupt corporation, and because I have a sort of chivalrous, old-fashion-ed feeling that compels me to warn you of what I am going to do before I do it.” “Mr. Gormly,” said Haldane, “you this day addressed my daughter and asked her to be your wife ?” “I did, sir.” "Why today?” “Because 1 intended aU along to do so, and I preferred to do it now rather than after the publication of the news that will be made tomorrow. I shall repeat my offer tomorrow." "And you wish to marry her?” "It is—lt wa? —the dearest wish- of my heart.” "Was. sir?” “Yes, and so far as I am individually concerned it still remains so; but there are things higher than our own personal wishes, Mr. Haldane, as I have been finding out, and to,be mayor of New York for the purpose of serving the people is now my chief ambition.” “But you love my daughter, I understood her to say.” “She could not possibly say how much I cape for her, or how proud I should be to make her my wife.” “Mr. Gormly,” said Haldane, lowering his* voice and looking about him. ’it is not beyond possibility that your desires in that direction might be gratified." “Do you carry a message to me from Miss Haldane?”

“No, not exactly. She, however, p'aced the matter In my hands. 1 have your letter here.” He drew it forth. “And, In short, It is possible that she might be induced to favor your suit Of course,” he added very slowly in a mere whisper, during which he kept his eyes carefully averted from the other man’s face, “you will understand that if .you ware a party to this —er —revelation to which you have alluded, that would render any alliance impossible.’’ “You say," asked Gormly slowly, ‘that Miss Haldane is not privy to your decision, that you do not make this proposition by her authority?*’ “Certainly not She knows nothing about it; but I am sure that with my wish and your own determined and — er —most agreeable personality, the matter can be brought about,” he paused, significantly—"oh conditions." he added. v “What conditions?** . “I leave that to your own perspicacity." J ’ “By the living burst out Gormly, furiously throwing off all restraint In his Indignation and resentment, “if I treated you rightly, I would kick you out of the hoqne. I would expose you not merely for your connection with that thieving octopus, but as a father who tried to barter his daughter to secure his pwU immunity." “Sir, air!" exclaimed Haldane fu, riously. but Gormly was not to be In terrupted now. (TO MR OONTINUKU) t

“Go Back to Gormly end Find Out! He Thundered.