Evening Republican, Volume 16, Number 8, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 9 January 1912 — The RING and the MAN [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

The RING and the MAN

WfTH 3OAf£ INCIDENTAL delation To The Woman

BY CYRUS TOWNSEND BRADY

/ui/srfiATtONS Dy DbhrbornMclviu

SYNOPSIS. A foolish young tenderfoot becomes fsaclpated with the bold, artful wife .of a . drunken prospector in a western mining town. They prepare to elope in a blinding blizzard but are confronted by the maudlin husband. He is shot by tn® wife, but the chivalrous boy. pin® a note to the body taking the crime upon himself. In their fight to tn railroad station the woman s horse falls exhausted; the youth puts her on his own and follows hanging to ’tn® stirrup strap. Seeing he is an imp merit., the woman thrusts her esc© pt 1 a snow drift and rides on Half-frozen he stumbles into the railroad station just as the train bears the woman aw Twenty-five years later, this man. George Gormly, Is a mulu ._ l P nllona, S ! >irfane «* York. He meets Eleanor Haldane, a beautiful and wealthy settlement _ and co-operates with her in her wotk. Gormly becomes owner of ,a steams p Uns aid finds himself frustrated in pier Traction company. An automobile accident brtngs the Haldanes to his country Iwme. Gorm ly announces that he wW be mayor_or New York and redeem the city from corruption. The political declaration of tne merchant prince produced a trerne 3 t % ie warm. A resoludon is introduced grant Ing a gratuitous renewal of the tract! franchise. Gormly offers ten million do* lars for the franchise. Miss - gratulates Gormly on what she terms * £ew Declaration of Independence, and he makes an unexpected declaration of love. He is shocked by the confirmation of his suspicions that her father is the heaa and backbone of the notorious t ra °tlon company’whlch he is attempting to ove throw? Young Haldane discovers his father’s connection with the Goth am Traction company, and is 1 ® an Interview between Gormly and Hal dane the latter practically offers ms daughter’s hand as a bribe for Gormly to withdraw. Gormly refuses. In an Interview with Gormly Miss Haldane learns of her father’s baseness though Gormly vainly tries to hide it. Members of the Ring find the woman for whose sake Gormly declared himself a murderer and Jecide to-force him to withdraw under threat ot prosecution. The chief of police Visits Gormly, who makes a full confession of the truth.

CHAPTER XVl.—Continued. "Why the woman told me she threw you down herself after you gave her your horse," said the chief of police. "Don’t put that down, Chaloner. That’s not necessary. Now,” said quietly, “just add this: "After a frightful experience I succeeded in reaching the . station. I came to Chicago, drifted about there for awhile, and .thereafter came to New York determined to retrieve the past. Whether I have done so or not It .Is for you, my fellow Citizens, to judge. Whether this story which I relate to you now, because I am com- . pelled to do so—naturally not from choice —destroys your confidence ip ine and makes you believe that I am unworthy of your suffrages and by unfit to fill the office to which I •spire for your service, it is for you to decide. At any rate, I declare to you, what is how quite evident, that so far as I am concerned —conscious that however you may regard this solitary episode in my life, which I confess to my sorrow —I am now as confident of my competence and my Integrity to do what I said I would do if you elect me as I was before the disclosure was made. "I have informed the chief of police In closing that this statement is to be sent to every paper in the city. He and those associated with him who authorized this blackmailing proposition —and I point out that the tact that they made it is evidence of their quality—may do whatever they please in the premises. It only remains to add that in the west for some boyish whim 1 went under the name of George Fordyce. The last is my z middle name, and I sign this statement therefore “GEORGE FORDYCE GORMLY.” "Why, you Infernal fool!” roared the chief, “you’re not going to give the whole thing away like that?” "Mr. Connell, that statement goes out, and by the hands of Somes, to every paper in New York as quickly as It can be typewritten. Mr. Chaloner, will you please make the very best speed possible to you?” "Yes, sir.” "It won’t serve your purpose,” blustered the officer. “In the first place I can deny my part of it —I do deny it? You. hear me, you short-hand man, before you go, and you, you English whelp? I say it’s a damned lie? I never made . any such proposition to him. It’s just one of his grandstand “I beg your pardon, sir,” said ; Somes, addressing his master, "but I can testify that he did make such a proposition.” £• "How can you testify?” asked Gormly. "I listened, sir, at the doer; my ear to the keyhole." "You hound!” cried the officer. "I don’t generally resort to that practise,' Mr. Gormly, as you know, sir,” pleaded Somes. "I believe you, Somes.” "But in this Instance I did It beI knew the man was up to mischief, and I thought you might want a witness, sir. You know I am suffig clentiy devoted to your interests to have kept silent, if you had wished “Your, statement is of the utmost value,*' said Gormly, smiling. “It wiU ; be entirely useless In the face of this proottw the chief of police to deny that he came here and for what pur-1

pose. You see there is my word, word of Somes yonder, the corroborative evidence of Mr. Chaloner that you were here.” "And what about my word?” "Well, if you * say you weren’t here,” said Gormly, coolly, "that’ll be about the strongest evidence that could be presented that you were.” “I’ll swear that it’s a damned conspiracy; that you Inveigled me here, knowing that this was going to ''be made public, and turned it to your advantage in this way." “You can swear anything you like.” ’Til take oath to what I said, sir,” Interposed Somes. “Good," said Gormly. "Mr. Chaloner, I believe you are a. notary public?” - “Yes;” said Mr. Chaloner, looking up from thb typewriter, which he was clicking busily. “Will you kindly administer an oath to Mr. Somes here." It was the first time that Gormly had ever dignified his valet with such a title, and the man’s face gleamed with pleasure. Chaloner picked up bls pencil. "What is the oath?", ly. ‘X William Somes, do solemnly swear that at half after eleven o’clock tonight I admitted to the apartments of Mr. George Gormly, in whose employ I am, one Ben Connell, to me known to be the chief of police of the city of New York; that on receiving permission, I ushered said Connell into the library, where he had an interview with the said George Gormly; that from my position outside in the hall I heard every word of said interview; that it took place exactly as it is described in the statement of said George Gormly; that the chief of po-

lice did offer to suppress the story If said Gormly would withdraw from the campaign ” “That covers it, I.think.” “Yes, sir. Exactly, sir," was the answer. “Add: “Subscribed and sworn to before me. Philip Chaloner, notary public, and so on.” ‘ .—— “Now, Mr.’ Connell, have you any other move to make?” “You’ll find yourself arrested for murder by your own confession In the morning,” said the chief. “That may be,”’ answered Gormly, “although I hardly think so. There are probably cooler -heads and wiser than yours In the ring which I am fighting, and think they will desire to proceed to that extremity." “I will see the district attorney at once.” "Do so, and? ask him at the same time his opinion of ypur own course — whether as an officer of the law you have been criminally culpable tn your action-rand tell him that as soon as it is daylight, information, official and formal, shall be laid before him, -and that you will be impeached. Indicted, dismissed, imprisoned. ’ And this whether I am elected or not” At thlM momentthere was a ring at the door of the apartment The

electrlc bell had been' ringing before; but no one had noticed it. - ” ? “See who it is, Somes,” said Gormly. “And as for you, keep silent" In a moment the Englishman came back, followed by Livingstone Haldane in. a great state of excitement "Mr. Gornaiy-, ?l he cried ashetflifst into the room, not seeing the chief, who sat on the other side of the open door and somewhat sheltered by it, “they are going to do you up! They have unearthed some cock-and-bull story and are going to force you out of the campaign. My father gave it away to* me tonight He said you would be out of it in the morning, and—” “This,” said Gormly coolly to the chief, "IS confirmation of your plan, if we needed it.” ■ “What!” exclaimed Livingstone Haldane, observing for the first time the other man. “Are you here?” “Tm goin’ now,” answered the chief, rising. “Before you go, remember that here is another witness that you were here,” said Gormly, pointing to young Haldane. "So he’s been here with his dirty story, has he?” growled the young man. "He has.” "And what have you done?" “Chaloner is preparing a statement that I have issued for the press.” “Be warned by me, Mr. Gormly," said the chief, his voice a singular mixture of entreaty and bullying, “don’t send that fool stuff to the papers. Perhaps we can deal on some other basis. If we let you get the election,, and keep quiet about this thing, maybe we can get together and—" “Somes,” said Gormly, ‘’show this man the door, and if he opens his mouth or says another word, I give you leave to accelerate his exit in any manner you may desire.” The chief ’of police opened his mouth. •’ = “Remember,” said Gormly, "If he says a single word, he is in your hands.” “At my feet, sir, beg pardon, sir,” returned Somes. Without making a sound, the chief turned, and, followed closely by the valet who hung on his flanks like a bulldog, his fingers itching to grasp his collar, the officer strode from the room.. - -■ “Now, what is it all about?” asked

Haldane, when the door had closed behind them. By this time Chaloner had finished one batch of the statements. Without a word Gormly took one and handed it to the young man. He .read it through with staring eyes. “You are going to send this out?" "Instantly." ~~ _ “It's thebravest thing I ever saW done." "It has to be,” said Gormly. "What will, be the result ot it on the people?" "If I can Judge by myself, it will settle the question forever in your favor." r ■ "Then you don't withdraw from me because —’’ . •-•I am not the withdrawing kind,” said Haldane. “You’re a man through and through. You gave me a' new hold on life, a new interest You have made something of me. I am going to stick by you to the very end. Let me get piy signature on that thing. I want to testify that I saw the chief of police here, and that I know from what he said ln my presence that what you say ds true. They will see that the Haldanes are divided, and that those on your side are not afraid or aahamed to support you." - be grateful enough to you,* said Gormly.

That's all right," satd the young man, walking over to where Chaloner sat and dictating a line or two to be added to the statements. "D? you know," said Gormly, “I don’t think we’re out of the woods yet. I believe that blackguard is capable of surrounding the house and preventing the delivery of any of these letters to the papers.” “What good would that do him?” "It would give him time.” “Give me what you have writtefi,” said Haldane. /‘My car’s down below. He won’t have had time to do anything yet.” He picked up the chiefs pistol. “Give me this, too, and if anybody stops me, it won’t be a happy thing for him.” “Good,” said Gormly, taking the first batch. He marked them for the most Important of the morning papers. “If you can deliver these, well chance the rest I’ll send the others out by Somes and Chaloner.” "Have you any objection,” said Haldane, as he picked up the batch of papers and buttoned his coat "to my telling Eleanor?” “I wish you would do? so. You will confer a favor on me by doing it immediately.” “I will. Jove! wasn’t it lucky that I heard this from my father tonight and came down here to warn you? Goodby. We’ll win yet” He wring the other’s hand and darted from the room. As he stepped into his car a number of men turned into the street and approached the bouse. There were officers among them, but most of them wore plain clothes. “Hey, stop that car!” roared a deep voice which Haldane recognized as that of Connell.

Gormly’s suspicions were justified. The car had already fortunately started when one or two men leaped at him. One of them gained a footing on the car. .With one hand Haldane threw on the high speed, with the other he shoved the pistol in the man’s face. The man fell back. The car leaped suddenly forward. The chance was gone. A moment after Gormly himself came out of the street door. The men were huddled in front of the apartment house. He could hear Connell cursing terribly. “Ah, chief,” said’' he urbanely, “unfortunately you were too late. The first batch of copies has gone by the hands of Mr. Haldane in that car. Good-night, gentlemen.” He turned and walked back to the hallway and took the elevator to his own apartment He had put a bold face upon the whole matter. He had taken the brave, the wise, course, which after all was the only prudent course to take. He had not weakened under the tremendous pressure of the situation for a single instant. He had borne himself with amazing coolness and courage. Yet the man was absolutely stricken to the heart. What the effect of the disclosures would be upon the campaign, how the people would receive it, whether or not he would lose their confidence, whether or not the honorable reputation he had built up by years of just and generous dealing, would vanish, he could not tell; and to be truthful, at that moment, these questions were hot the chief of those which filled his heart He asked himself how Eleanor Haldane would receive the. disclosure, and what effect it would have upon her. Although she had been overwhelmed by the revelation of her father’s position, Gormly had learned from young Haldane that he had not thereby fnrfplted heu- regard,Now what difference would this make to her? She had said several times that what she admired in him was his splendid, record, his unblemished honor, his unspotted past And now what would she think? He might have made his defense stronger. He might have said that the woman had shot the man. He might have declared her abandonment of him in the snow stortn.h# leaving him to die. He might .have pointed out that he had assumed the guilt to shelter her; but chivalry was strong in Gormly. x ; He thought a long time about the situation, plunging In deeper and deeper gloom and sadness as the hours dragged by? At last he abandoned all hope of ever winning the woman that he loved- Well, he would devote himself with more singleness of heart on that account to the interest of the people; if Indeed, after this, they still thought him worthy of leadership and service. (TO BE CONTINUED.)

"Ah, Chief, Unfortunately You Were Late."