Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, January 25, 1910, Page 3, Image 3
4 The fourth
estate
Novelized by
Frederick R. Toombs
From the Great Play
of the Same Name by
Joseph Medill Patterson
and Harriet Ford.
Copyright. 1800. by Joecpb Medill
Patterson end Harriet Ford.
[Continued from First Page.].
#AU
newspaper row was aucu, auu uc ??
Justifiable at the thought, that he
^ would be at work within twenty minutes
after leaving the Advance office
if he so desired. But what did occupy
his mind to the exclusion of almost everything
else was the consideration of
what view Juditih Bartelmy would take
when she heard the news of his dismissal.
She had warned him that he
was sacrificing his future in his attacks
on the powers that be. Undoubtly
now she would be convinced, as
some of his friends had already en^
deavored to convince her, that, after
all, he was a fanatic, an impractical
dreamer, who could not accomplish his
ambition to right what he believed to
be great wrongs, who could not, moreover,
escape summary dismissal from
his paper. But he must go on. He
would go on. He would go that very
night to a newspaper that would not
suppress nor qualify the truth, one
that would not distort facts nor mis^
represent a situation in order to deceive
the public, to which it was its duty to
give the truth. Yes, and he would
show the big thieves of the city that
even if they managed to remain supe
rlor. to the law, at least they could not
f remain superior to public opinion. The
time had come when?
"Wheeler Brand! Wheeler Brand!"
The voice of Nolan came to his ears
above the ticking of the telegraph instruments
and the clicking of typewriter
keys. Brand started from his
seat He did not recognize the voice,
nor did any one else in the smoky city
to
"From noip an potj ?it here."
room, as curious upraised faces around
him testified. It came from the managing
editor's room, however, so he
hastened to respond, wondering what
it could mean.
Brand entered McHenry's office and
faced the three men, his surprise in^
creasing as he saw from the attitudes
of McHenry and Dupuy that a huge,
rawboned, bronzed faced stranger apparently
dominated the situation.
"Yes?" said Brand inquiringly to
the stranger, whom he placed as the
owner of the voice, because he knew
it had not been McHenry's or Dupuy's.
"I am Nolan, the new owner," greeted
the stranger.
RronH sfpnned forward and offered
hid hand, which Nolan grasped.
"How do you do, Mr. Nolan?" the
reporter greeted him, endeavoring to
hgure just what the mysterious pro?
ceeding portended.
Nolan went straight to the point.
"So you've been fired for that Bartelmy
article, have you?" he asked.
"Yes, sir."
Nolan turned and shot a triumphant
glare at McHenry and Dupuy. Then
he caused the blood to rush almost
blindingly into the head of the young
reporter when he swung around,
grasped Brand's arm, drew him over
to the managing editor's chair, beside
which that official was standing, and
said, "Well, I've got another job for
you." Nolan put > both hands on
Brand's shoulders and by main
strength forced him down heavily into
the chair. "From now on you sit
Here," ne announceu, mure iiuuiubing
editor now."
?
CHAPTER V.
A year passed since the eventful
night for Wheeler Brand when Nolan
made him managing editor of the Advance.
In these months Brand made a
showing with the paper that was never
[dreamed of by the owners preceding as
being within the range of possibility.
Made absolute master of the paper and
consequently dictator of its policy, the
young man set a pace that the paper's
rivals found difficult to equal, much
less to outstrip. His exposure of the
scandals in the exclusive world of
high life insurance finance has thus
far proved the most vital reform of
his administration. As a result of this
crusade, which drove a half dozen
leading officials from almost as many
r
companies, the president of the United
States stated publicly that "the vast
life insurance business of this country
IF is now on the soundest financial basis
it has ever had."
But Wheeler Brand in the press of
stirring events had not forgotten Judge
Bartelmy. In fact, certain activities of
that estimable individual were just
now under close scrutiny by the one
time reporter, who, if he could be prevailed
on to speak concerning it,
might possibly observe that the judge
was very soon to have an opportunity
to make a few explanations which I
would be received with undoubted Interests
by the public. The young editor's
suit for the hand of Judith Bartelmy
might be said, since we are
dealing with a judge's family, to be in
statu quo. She was still waiting for
him "to become sane," as she had expressed
herself to him. A girl of lofty
principles and of decided strength of
chatacter, she could not see his duty
from his viewpoint. Perhaps it was
all quite natural, quite womanly, quite
daughterly, that she should subscribe
absolutely to her father's side in the
momentous case of "JUDGE BARTELMY
VERSUS THE PEOPLE,
WHEELER BRAND AND THE ADVANCE"
She was loyal to her father, and she
was trying to be loyal to her lover, and
Rrond walteH arid pftph nraved that the
difficult Yet she waited, and Wheeler
Brand waited and each prayed that the
other would end the ordeal and heal
two breaking hearts.
Today we find Wheeler Brand proceeding
toward the luxurious Nolan
home on a fashionable residential thoroughfare
to visit the proprietor of the
paper to hand him a statement of the
Advance's progress, to discuss matters
of editorial policy and to confer regarding
a certain development concerning
Judge Bartelmy.
At the Nolan home a reception had
been announced, hundreds of invitations
sent out, but the responses did
not encourage Mrs. Nolan in her social
aspirations. Society passed her by.
That was the whole story in brief. Society,
as usual, was ever so much
pleased with Itself and was boo busy to
include Mrs. Nolan, Phyllis and Sylvester
in its diversions. The husband
and father cared very little for society,
had no time for it, but he .fondly loved
the courageous, warm hearted woman
who had uncomplainingly shared with
him the onerous hardships of his early
days, and it was his desire to gratify
her ambitions as well as those of his
daughter. The fortune he had plucked
from Nevada's flinty bosom enabled
him to be generous, and he smiled approvingly
on ever new extravagance
of Mrs. Michael Nolan. Therefore, if
she was socially ambitious she must
have her way and be allowed to carry
on her campaign for recognition in
whatever fashion she chose. Certainly
the home he had established was a fitting
vantage ground from which to
wage a war of dollars against the precipitous
embattlements with which the
city's Four Hundred had encircled its
camp. Palatial in size, the Nolan residence
was equally palatial in its furnishings,
and only the magic word from
the magic lips of a single member of
the magic realm of "the aristocracy"
was necessary to send monogrammed
coaches in long lines to the Nolan
doors, to fill the costly rooms with distinguished
faces, to fill to overflowing
with happiness the yearning heart of
Mrs. Michael Nolan.
But the word had not yet been spoken.
It was now late in the afternoon at
the Nolan home. Phyllis walked across
the drawing room, irritation plainly
marking her pretty pink and white
face. The music of a string orchestra
stationed in the conservatory ceased.
She addressed a servant who stood at
attention at a door at the right which
led to the dining room.
"Pitcher," she said discouragedly, "I
don't think any one else will come, so
tell the musicians they can go."
"Yes, Miss Phyllis."
At this point Mrs. Nolan came stormIn
norrvlncr a hnpe hlinrh of Vint
house grapes in her hand.
"Pitcher, I noticed those caterer men
are drinking all the champagne, and I
want It stopped," she ordered loudly.
Pitcher bowed and went out.
"If our guests won't come here to
drink it, at least we will drink it ourselves,"
Mrs. Nolan announced to Phyllis.
"Well, we have done it?setft- out
400 cards, and who's been here that
anybody wants to see? This is the
second time we've gone to all this trouble
and expense for nothing and nobody,
and if you'll take my advice it
will be the last."
"Mamma, Pitcher will hear," the girl
protested.
The mother bit a grape from the
bunch. She deposited the skin and
stones in a Sevres vase .on the marble
mantel.
"Phyllis, what did you have to pay
that musician?" she asked.
"Well, his price is a thousand dollars."
"Good gracious!"
"But I got him for $750. I promised
the Advance would help him."
"Seven fifty for playing twice. I'd
rather hear the band." Mrs. Nolan bit
off another grape.
"You don't understand, mamma. Everybody's
wild over that violinist."
"It seems there wasn't nobody wild
enough to come here."
"There wasn't 'anybody,'" spone
Phyllis, correcting her mother.
"Well, was there?" retorted the
mother as she dropped the grape skin
in another vase.
"Oh, dear," Phyllis walled disconsolately
as she seated herself before a
small stand, "don't rub it in, mamma!
I can't help it."
"Now, who's blaming you, child?"
consoled the mother. "There, don't
cry. I'm not so disappointed about
myself, but 1 can't bear to see you
snubbed right and left. You are good
enough to go with any of these people,
and you shall too. It's that newspaper
that's at the botom of It. People won't
have it, or us because of it, and I mean
to tell your father so too. And that's
why these 'at homes' is no good."
"Are no good, mamma," tearfully.
"Well, are they? It would ha\e been
better to put your $750 into suffragettlng.
That's what gets you in with
the right people?not that I care to
vote, but I don't want the men to say
I can't."
Sylvester Dolan interrupted the conversation
between mother and daughter
by appearing before them with his
bosom friend, Max Powell, who be
lieved himself to have the makings of
a master poet. It was with deepest
pride that the Nolan son presented
Powell, long haired, sallow faced and
seedily dressed, to his mother and sister.
Sallow faced? Indeed, his countenance
had that sickly greenish yellow
hue that comes from long devouring
of the muses and long abstinence
from the devouring of food.
"Hello, mamma!" he cried enthusiastically.
"Here's a friend of mine I
want you to know?Mr. Powell, the
poet."
"How do you do, Mr. Powell? You
look as if it would be easy for you to
write poetry. Do you know, poetry
just sets me wild!"
Sylvester patted Powell on the back.
"Well, this lad's going to make a
big noise in poetry some day. Phyllis,
you must have heard of Powell. My I
sister, old man!"
"Won't you have a cup of tea, Mr. [
I Powell?" Invited Mrs. Nolan, visibly
\
Impressed by the presence of a poet at
her home.
Powell started confusedly to utter
his thanks. He did not seem overdelighted
at the offer.
Sylvester saw the difficulty. "Tea!"
he exclaimed. "Absinth for Powell!"
Mrs. Nolan expressed her regret at
not having any absinth and left the
room, followed by Phyllis,. to arrange
for something for Powell to eat. "Poor
fellow! He looks hungry," she whispered
to Phyllis.
Sylvester caught the poet by the
arm.
"One minute, Powow," he cautioned.
"Be sure you don't mention anything
to the folks about my little actress
friend. I don't want them to know
that I am going to take a crack at
11*41 AU- .A 1I??1A <*l?1 n? Ill
upillllllg Llic SUIBC. 1IIC llltic BUI ?v?u
be all right. She'll just make your
libretto hum. She'll All It with personality.
Build up all those weak
places. You know, Powow, there are
some. Where's that poem for her?
Finished yet?"
"Yes, it's here somewhere," fumbling
in a pocket
"Have you made it amorous for the
little girl?"
"Judge for yourself. Of course I tried
to write in your vein as well as I could,
so that there would be no doubt as to
the authorship."
Sylvester read the lines:
Oh, Gueneviere, how sweet nly dear!
My spirit soars in dreams denied,
Worlds beyond worlds with thee, my
bride?
"I don't like that much," he announced
when he had finished.
"Bride! Is it necessary to put that in
writing? Besides, it don't sound as if
I wrote it. Now, does it, Powow, old
chap? Fees up."
"I hope it doesn't sound as if I wrote
it."
"I thought you'd see it. Now, change
|
w
"Nobody teas wild enough to come hero."
that and it's a knockout drop. Can't
you change it now? And I'll send It
to the little girl tonight on a bed of
orchids. Make it something beginning
with 'ruby lips'?you know
the sort of guff?and then here and
there 'eyes like night, full of delight,'
something on that order."
Powell sat and wrote for a few
minutes. "Here," he finally said.
Sylvester glancing over the shoulder of
the rising young genius, wrT^'jBead
aloud these inspiring words: ^
So bright and beaming are thine eyes
The very stars twink in surprise.
Thy hair so like the dusky night,
Thy kiss so vibrant with delight,
I thrill unto my finger tips,
Oh, ruby, ruby?rougey lips!
Powell literally writhed in agony as
he listened to the doggerel.
"It's great!" cried Sylvester ecstatically.
"And now come get your tea.
Gee, I'd like to take a crack at being
a poet!"
The two conspirators hurried into the
dining room as Wheeler Brand and the
owner of the Advance came into the
drawing room.
4?xr K.'rrhf '?
IUU IC life lit, U 1ICC1C1 , JUU 1C ligilk,
Nolan was saying. "This is a better
showing than I hoped for. Look in
your stocking next Christmas. There'll
be something for you. When I got Into
the newspaper business, Brand, they
told me it was the beginning of my
finish, that it sucked ten fortunes
down for every one it built and no
middle aged man ever went into it and
came out again without teeth marks
all over him. But look at that." He
held up a typewritten statement. "I'm
richer for going in?twice as much advertising
as last year at this time."
Nolan seated himself on a settee.
"The big advertisers never pull their
ads. so long as they are getting returns
from them," put in Brand.
"Look at Dupuy. Remember how he
threatened us and how his clients took
their ads. out for two months?"
"Yes, but they put them back again."
"Why? Because they need us more
them we need them," Brand laughed.
"Well, he's got something else up his
sleeve, now," remarked Nolan. "He
telephoned that he would come to see
me this afternoon."
"Are you going to see him?" Brand
asked curiously.
"I thought I might as well. He'll be
here. Maybe he wants to fire you
again." The newspaper owner looked
up at Brand and laughed heartily.
Mrs. Nolan and Phyllis re-entered
the drawing room, and Brand became
the especial object of their attentions.
The mother desired to have him
print the list' of her invited guests
who had never attended the reception.
Phyllis requested him to print a story
about the violinist and was vastly annoyed
when Brand informed her that
tne suoject was a mauer ior me musical
editor to attend to.
"And there's something else, Mr.
Brand." A look of despair came into
Brand's face. "Phyllis went to Miss
Bartelmy's musical the other day, and
you didn't even include her name
among those present," the mother said.
"Why, I'm sorry. That was an oversight,
I assure you. I suppose they
made up the usual list in the office."
"I hope it won't happen again," remarked
Phyllis indignantly^
"Yes, and the way it's handling this
Loris divorce case is all wrong," snapped
Mrs. Nolan. "I know Mrs. Loris.
She is no better than she should be,
and people who live in icehouses
shouldn't throw hot water."
"We have no policy in the Loris
case," remarked Brand in defense.
"We merely print the facts."
"Facta!" Mrs. Nolan cried. "That
paper upsets me for the whole day
every morning."
"There now, mother; I guess the paper's
all right." ventured Nolan soothingly.
"You've got another guess, Michael.
Nobody reads it but shopgirls, who
spend a penny for the Advance and another
for a stick of gum and hang on
to a strap with one hand and the Advance
with the other while they're
waggling their jaws all the way down
to work. That's all that reads it!"
She paused for breath, then went on.
"And I must say I think it's scandalous
the way you attack Judge Bartelmy
every little while."
"Yes," contributed Phyllis, "and his
daughter's one of the most exclusive
and sought after girls in New York.
"People who live in icehouses shouldn't
throw hot water.r
She's the only one of her set who ha?
been at all nice to me. Isn't that .so,
mamma?"
"Yes, and why the paper should go
for her father Just as It does for every
other prominent man In town I
can't see. She must think It's very
funny that such things should appear
In the Advance after what she's done
for us."
"Oh," suggested Brand, thinking to
soothe his employer's wife, "she probably
knows that you have absolutely
nothing to do with the policy of the
Advance!"
"Is that so?" ejaculated Mrs. Nolan
Indignantly. "They certainly are very
kind hearted people to act the way
they do In the face of that paper."
<*T..A?/V Dn.4Alm?. (? Axoi nn/1 lnoi n
juugc oanciiii)' 10 11101 auu laoi a
politician," explained Brand.
Michael Nolan bent forward Intently.
The conversation had now reached a
point where he realized an issue of vital
importance to himself and to the
Advance had been touched on.
"Well, I suppose he has been coddling
up to us a little," he began, then
paused.
Brand drew a deep breath, stood up
erect in the middle of the drawing
room and daringly explained the situation
to the owner of the paper.
"Bartelmy handles people better than
any man in town," he declared. "He
has studied the Advance, dissected its
position and?I will be frank with
you?discovered Its weaknesses. He
knows he can't reach you through your
cupidity or political ambition because
you lack those qualities. He now realizes
that his only hope of influencing
us lies in an appeal to"? He hesitated.
"Well?" asked Mrs. Nolan ominously.
Brand found the courage to complete
the sentence.
"His only hope lies in an appeal?to
your family's social desires"?Phyllis
rose from her seat, her cheeks red
with anger?"and that's the only reason
he has for taking you up."
Mrs. Nolan gave a scream of wrath.
Nolan himself, regretting that the unpleasant
scene had occurred, rose from
tVirk ar?t*nc> a nrl nrlvnnpnil fn Pfllm thft
ruffled waters, but his face was clouded.
Its serious expression Indicated
that he was deeply concerned over the
frank statements of his managing: editor.
and one could instinctively feel
that he was convinced that Brand had
spoken the truth.
CHAPTER VI.
Nolan faced Brand.
"Come, come, Wheeler," he said.
"Let's drop the subject now."
"Mr. Brand, you are forgetting your
place," contributed Phyllis.
"Michael," insisted Mrs. Nolan, "are
you going to let this young man ruin
the whole of us? I, for one, am glad
Judge Bartelmy has taken us up, and
if it wasn't for the way Mr. Brand
runs wild with jhat paper"?her voice
broke?"otheis might." She crossed to
the door ut the left. "Here we ve
souandered monev ile-hl and eft and
nobody would have anything to do
with us. I declare I was hapr'tr
poor. At least when I asked anybody
to eat then they came. Look at that
table in there"?she pointed?"groaning
with good things to eat, and
there's $100 for hothouse grapes, and
mHbody's touched 'em!" She picked up
a bunch of grapes from a stand and
began to eat them.
"Mother," laughed the husband good
naturedly, "I've seen you get away
with three bunches all by yourself."
"Well, I felt it was my duty not to
let them go to waste." She burst Into
tears. "Come on, Phyllis," she managed
to say, and the heartbroken mother
and daughter went from the room.
"You mustn't mind what mother
says," Nolan said to Brand. "She's
been kind o' lonely since she came back
to New York."
The editor's heart swelled with sym
pathy for the woman whose ambitions
for herself and her daughter hail I
caused the bitterest pain that Injured'
pride can give. He saw that it would
be difficult for her to learn that social
position In a big city can be won only
ty skillful maneuvering, the ability to
ii.hlnk XV. 11 ,,
uv " IIIV1I I n. I^WIUII upjfaicillljr uiu
not possess.
"Oh, I understand!" he answered
feelingly.
Brand and Nolan went into the library
to smoke. Hardly had they disappeared
when Pitcher entered the
drawing room as an escort for Judge
Bartelmy and his daughter Judith.
Brand had not erred a few minutes
previous when in the same room he
had pronounced the judge to be the
best "handler of people" in the city.
The conversation which ensued between
the jurist and his daughter as
they awaited their hostess well illustrated
his reasons for accepting, with
his daughter, Mrs. Nolan's invitation.
When Pitcher had gone In search of
Mrs. Nolan It was the girl who first
spoke.
"Father," she said, "I want you to
know that I've been to five teas this
afternoon. I'm doing you a great favor
to come to this one."
"Yes, my dear; I appreciate It, but
social duties"?
The girl laughed shortly.
"Now, this doesn't come under the
head of social duties."
"Oh, yes," the judge answered
quickly, "If you view society In Its
broader sense. Beyond your little
world Is a larger one where caste is of
small consequence and where all men
should be of Service to each other."
"But the Nolans?they certainly
haven't been of service to you?" questioned
the girl.
He glanced sharply at Judith.
"But I wish them to be. and we're
getting on?we're getting on."
"Their paper keeps going for you
Just as much as ever, father. I don't
suppose one ought to mind it, but I
do."
"Judith, Nolans have lived In every
age in every country," pronounced the
jurist. "He's a composite of anarchist
and autocrat. Eventually the autocrat
in him will triumph. Just now he's
hounding old institutions. I, for instance,
represent to him the judiciary,
and he attacks me. No consequence
whatever, but I'm here in defense of
the United States bench. My cause is
the cause of my colleagues, i tell you,
Judith, I know the breed. I know how
to get the venom out of his fangs. Diplomacy,
my dear?diplomacy!"
Judith became enthusiastic.
"Father, I believe you would have
been a great prime minister in the old
days!"
The Judge straightened up, smiling
pleasantly at his daughter's complimentary
estimate of him. "Hardly
that, hardly that," he protested. He
became reflective. "They were feeble
old men, for a thousand years courteously
moving kings and their armies
like pawns on a chessboard. They
were always very tactful, Judith, those
princes of the past"
"Oh," she admitted, "you never fall
to Illustrate your point, whatever It
Is!"
"Just Imagine," said her father,
"what one of those old fellows would
do In this case."
"Yes, I suppose you're right, and in
the end you'll make these people see
how wrong they've been about you."
"Oh, yes!" he went on confidently.
"As they become accustomed to their
prosperity you will find that the demagoglsm
of their paper will be modified
and ultimately vanish." He seated
himself near his daughter. ,
"That would be a terrible blow for
Wheeler, wouldn't It?" she suddenly
asked. ,
"Wheeler! Oh, Wheeler! He's an
entirely different type?the Idealist, the
fanatical Idealist I'm sorry. I always
liked the boy. His heart's all right
but his head's all wrong, and I hope
he's merely passing through a phase."
"I don't think you quite understand
Wheeler, father," responded Judith, rising.
He took hold of the girl's hands.
"Oh, yes, I do! Just now he has lost
"This doesn't come under the head a'
annlal duller."
himself in a labyrinth, and it will take
an Ariadne to lead him out. I believe
the right woman might bring him to
reason." He paused significantly. Judith
lowered her eyes from his. "I forgive
him any annoyance he may have
caused me, and I hope you will forgive
him too. I want you and Wheeler to
be friends again and, like the princess
in the fairy stories, live happily ever
after." He patted her fondly on the
shoulder.
Mrs. Nolan entered the room and,
aglow with excitement, greeted her
guests.
"Judge Bartelmy, I hope you haven't
been waiting long?" she inquired anxiously.
"Not at all."
11 is au guuu j-uu tu uuiuv.
"Oh, I wouldn't permit anything to
keep me away!" he replied, 'Tve just
had the pleasure of adjourning a rather
Important conference to be here."
This confession filled the fluttering
heart of Mrs. Nolan with pure ecstasy.
She could barely contain herself as she
In turn greeted Judith Bartelmy.
Pitcher announced another name
that appeared in'the social register.
"Mr. Dupuy," he announced. He had
come to keep his appointment with
Nolan.
"How do you do, Mr. Dupuy?" greeted
the hostess, shaking hands warmly
with him. "Here's Judge Bartelmy,
He's just adjourned a most important
conference to come to our tea. Pitcher,
tell Mr. Nolan the Judge and Mr.
Dupuy are waiting. Say the judge has
Just adjourned his court to come. Miss
Bartelmy, Phyllis will be so delighted
n ann Vrtu " HVlo CTilflnPfi Jlldlth'S
arm and led her to a door, speaking
rapidly as she did so. "Phyllis wants
to show you her new gown Quinlan
brought over from Paris. Very smart
effect, but $450, and you cou!d^|frld it
In the palm of your two hands?a rag!"
"An amusing character, our hostess,"
commented Bartelmy dryly to Dupuy.
"Yes; she seems very appreciative of
your daughter's visit."
"Well." decisively, "she certainly
ought to be."
"I suppose we shall see It In the Advance
tomorrow," suggested Dupuy.
"Oh, of course!" Bartelmy laughed
amusedly.
"By the way," remarked Dupuy, "did
you see the evening papers?"
A serious look came Into Bartelmy's
face as he said:
"I glanced over them on my wap uptown,
and their accounts of my decision
this morning are not at all objectionable."
"No blood drawn," said Dupuy reassuringly.
"A little surprising, too, for
the Lansing Iron people have been in
pretty bad odor with the public ever
since the receivership matter last
year."
"That was the beginning of all these
attacks upon me. I hope the morning
papers win ireui me luiny.
"Oh, there will be no trouble about
them. They have not Investigated the
matter thoroughly enough yet, of
course, excepting the Advance. But
you did Just the right thing today to
bring Miss Judith."
Bartelmy was showing not the
slightest hesitancy at using his beautiful
and accomplished daughter as a
decoy In his plottlngs. In the first
place, -he desired that she should marry
Wheeler Brand, hoping that the
young reformer's zeal against him
would disappear; secondly, by prevailing
on her to pay attention socially to
the Nolan family he was confident that
the owner of the Advance would capitulate
and become his friend. As for
Judith, she little comprehended the entire
significance of her father's attitude,
and if she had, her frank, genuine
nature, which revolted at trickery
and deceit, would not have permitted
her to continue to do his bidding. She
admired and loved her father.
She knew that her mother before
her bad aided her father In his work
and ambitions to a considerable extent,
and now that her mother was no longer
alive she felt it her duty to fill her
place in every possible way. After all,
she had only a young woman's knowledge
of the wftva of men in the busi
ness and professional world, and she
could discern In the attacks on her
father nothing' beyond what he himself
had taught her to believe?that they
were the efforts of envious men or Ignorant
reformers or misguided fanatics,
who assailed him entirely without Just
cause. However, It would seem that
the judge would In any event have attempted
to conceal from others his motives
for procuring the presence of Judith
at the Nolan home on this day.
It would seem, no matter how low he
had sunk, that he would have denied
that he had ever employed her unsuspectingly
as a decoy on other occasions.
That was the least this father
could do for his daughter. But he
made no attempt to protect her reputation,
at any rate to Dupuy, for In answer
to the lawyer lobbyist's remark
that he had done "Just the right thing
to bring Miss Judith today" he replied
with his characteristic coolness:
"Oh, In matters of this kind my
daughter is of the greatest help to
I m?l? A a mnmant >10 onnHnilMl
"I don't at all like your idea, Dupuy,
of my proposing this man Nolan at the
club."
"That's our trump card," Insisted the
other. "Every man has his price?
even this young Brand if we could
only find out what it is."
CHAPTER VII.
Brand and Nolan came out of the
library after their smoke and were
surprised to And Judge Bartelmy and
Dupuy in the drawing room. Brand
did not appear enthusiastic at the circumstance,
and nodding stiffly in the
general direction of the two men, proceeded
to circle around them toward
the door leading to the hall.
Judge Bartelmy advanced pleasantly
toward the newspaper owner, who
greeted him courteously.
"Judge, this is an unexpected honor."
"An honor to come?believe me, Mr.
Nolan, an honor to come."
Nolan saw Brand's dexterous maneuver
toward the door, and on calling
to him not to go he halted, turned toward
the center of the room and stood
watching the strangely assorted group
of men.
Nolan next addressed Dupuy, who
expressed his thanks at the granting
of his request for an interview.
Judge Bartelmy, always quick to notice
every detail or phrase of what was
transpiring in his immediate presence,
saw that Brand was ill at ease. He
called to him cheerily:
"My daughter and I were just speaking
of you. Wheeler. The reformer
sails a treacherous sea."
"The port is in sight, Judge Bartel
my," was the calm answer.
Ba^telmy would have made a success
on the stage. In fact, he had been
acting a part most of his life and proved
the truth of Richard Mansfield's aphorism
that "the best actors are never
seen on the stage." At Wheeler Brand's
significant reply, which smote as ominously
on the ears of the judge as It did
on those of Dupuy, the Jurist gave an
Inward shiver quite imperceptible to
the eye and replied In the most Jovial
of manners:
"So? So? That's good. That's worth
while. Stick to the helm, my boy," he
laughed.
"Brand ain't at sea, judge," put in
Nolan good naturedly. "He's in the
clouds. The air up there makes your
nose bleed; but, by the Eternal, you
see all that's going on down here."
There was much "going on down
here" that Bartelmy by all means pre
r
w^ m i
in
HJJL
^??
"HIIS OSLY HOPE LIES IX AN AT
DBS I
ferred to have remain unseen, yet he
managed to reply, with an attempt at
sincerity:
"More power to you. Wheeler! More
power to you!"
Nolan stepped toward the jurist
"You're a generous foe, Judge Bartelmy,"
he said warmly, deceived by
the smooth tactics of the judge.
"Foe? That's hardly the word," responded
Bartelmy, and with deference:
"Wheeler and I merely energise differently.
He is dynamic; I am static, and
that is because he is young and I am
old."
"He'll outgrow that, judge. You never
will," remarked Dupuy, crossing to
Nolan's side.
"But under every system of free government,"
pronounced Bartelmy in his
best judicial manner, "there have always
been conservative and liberal
parties, whose leaders, while they differed
perhaps in method, have been
stimulated by an equal love of country."
"That Is true, Judge B&rtelmy," said
Brand, "but I can't concede that you
belong to the conservative party."
The judge showed surprise.
"But I don't understand you," he
stammered, when Brand went on determinedly:
"Are you not seeking to Introduce
Into our country methods of government
undreamed of by our forefathers?"
The judge laughed as though in
agreeable tolerance. His skill at verbal
parrying was standing him in good
stead.
"Oh, I had as much enthusiasm myself
In my youth," he said, "but my
legal training has forced unon me a
certain unfortunate exactitude of
thought But come, come. We old
lawyers have long since learned that
we'cannot carry our quarrels out of
court For instance, of a morning my
best friend, Judge Culver, may be at
drawn swords with me over some
point of law, but the same evening will
find us hall fellows well met exchangmg
stories before a club fire."
Nolan nodded his head understanding^.
"Yes, Judge, that's life?that's life,"
he commented.
"Half the laws of our country are
framed up in clubs," Interjected Dupuy.
Bartelmy raised his hand and made
a gesture of disapproval.
"I wouldn't say that"
Brand saw an opportunity to score.
"Likewise the safest methods of
evading the laws are framed up In
clubs," he shot at Dupuy.
Bartelmy pretended to side with
Brand.
"That's neat Wheeler," he laughed.
"He scored off you that time, Dupuy."
Bartelmy paused. He had now reached
a point where he was about to make
his supreme effort to capture Nolan
and the Advance, to make them friendly
to him. He was about to play what
Dupuy had truthfully termed "the
trump card." "By the way, Mr. Nolan,
Judge Culver and I usually dine two or
three times a week at the Oak Door
club. We need you there. We should
have a man in all our discussions of
public questions?we should have a
practical man of affairs who knows
what reformers like our young friend
here are really trying to get at Shall
I propose you for membership?"
JJupuy wuicnea uie ?uixi vt wiuji*
my's words on Nolan with Intense eagerness.
It was an anxious moment
for both Dupuy and B&rtelmy. If Nolan
accepted they felt that they were
safe. As for Nolan, he was greatly
perplexed. He wanted to accept the
proffer, both for his own sake and for
his family's. Membership in the Oak
Door club was equivalent to a ticket of
admission into the fashionable circles
of the city. He would be able then to
put his wife and daughter In the way
of gratifying their desires. Sylvester,
too, would be benefited In whatever
business career he should take up, and
the membership would enable him sto
meet and make his personal friends the
most prominent men of the city?the
men he naturally craved to associate
with?on terms of equality. Then he
spoke.
"Really, Judge," he said warmly,
"that's something that I never^expected
to hear from your Hps."
" A ?A -11. T nkoll Kn
INOl HI Bllj UUl ? All, x OUOII w
delighted to put you up, and Dupuy
will second me."
"With pleasure," bowed the lawyer.
Noland hesitated over hie final reply.
He remembered what Brand had stated
regarding the attentions of Judge
Bartelmy and his daughter. Probably
this offer was a trlik, a bribe, and It
did not improve the situation to have
Dupuy brought into it by the jurist as
seconder of his nomination. Still, the
idea came into his head?If he accepted
it he did it with his eyes open; he
need not necessarily change the policy
of the Advance toward certain public
men. Thus he reasoned, and still there
lingered within him an insidious desire,
even a prompting, in view of the
advantages for himself and his family,
to accept at all hazards, under any circumstances.
?PEAL-TO YOUR FAMILY'S SOCIAL
RES.'
'Thank you, gentlemen, thank you,"
he said, temporising, in an endeavor to
gain time before actually committing
himself. He glanced across the room
at Wheeler %and, wondering how he
was accepting the situation. Brand
took a quick step forward, straight'
ened himself stiffly and shot a glance
of warning over the shoulder of Bartelmy,
whose back was turned to him.
Nolan nodded his head slightly to show
that he understood. Dupuy caught the
interchange of signals, and he glared
malignantly at the young managing
editor. He saw that Brand would do
tils utmost to swing Nolan away from
the subtle snare. Nolan addressed the
Judge, "I'll think it over?and thank
you once more."
Bartelmy and Dupuy started toward
a door.
"Now, if you will excuse us, Dupuy
and I will join the ladles," said the
Jurist "Wheeler, you're not going
away yet, eh?" he added.
Brand moved toward, the hall door
and Ignored the query.
"What's your hurry, Wheeler?" asked
Nolan as Bartelmy and Dupuy disappeared.
"Oh, It's time to get back to the office."
"H-m!. What's the trouble?"
"What's the use of talking about It?"
"Come, get It oft your chest."
"I don't have to teU you, Mr. Nolan."
He drew closer to his employer.
"You think Mike Nolan Is going back
on you?Isn't that It?"
The young man's voice rang out in
his deep disappointment that Nolan
was lingering on the verge of an acceptance
of Bartelmy's offer, which
could mean qnly two things if his employer
yielded, and these were the muxsling
of the Advance and the silencing
of Brand as long as he remained on
the paper. He blamed Nolan bitterly
for falling to spurn the offer outright
on the moment
"Do you think you can accept favors
from Bartelmy with one hand," he
cried, "and knife him with the other?"
Nolan gave a spirited but kindly re- Q
ply:
"Hold your horses, Wheeler. You
know I don't care anything about this
social stunt for myself. It don't fit
into my life, but remember I've got a
family, and nothing cornea ahead of
them. Mother and I may have a Jangle
now and then; but, after all, we
have been aide partners for a good
many years. And my girl! There ain't
a finer educated or a prettier girl in
New York, and she oujht to be able to
go anywhere, but she can't in this
town?this cold man's town. Then, of
course, there's Sylvester. 1 know he
ain't as bright as he might be, and I've
spent?well, more than twice your salary
trying to get him through fresh'
; '' '**
man year at Harvard, and I couldn't,
but still he's my son, and if he wants
to run around with these other sports,
why not? I can afford it, and I guess
the kid's got to sow his wild oats anyway.
My wife and children ought to
be happy with the money I've got, and
as I figure it if I Join this Oak Door
club I can help them to get what they
wan* TVv SM
WCMAt* W /VU AVI1VTV IUV| OlOUU I
"Yes; I understand," sighed Brand.
"At first you took up the side of the
people, and you are continuing at It
But you and your family have become
ambitious, or, at least so far as you
are concerned, you are ambitious for
them. When you begin to associate
familiarly with rich men as their frianft?
you'll soon find yourself playing golf
or billiards with one, drinking whisky
with another, and your son will marry
the daughter of a third. You will forget
all about the people. Your paper
will become decadent and feeble. The
circulation will dry up." He paused
for breath and added warnlngly In
strong tones, "The Advance is now at
Its zenith, but Its decline begins the
very day that you are elected to the
Oak Door club."
Nolan reached over and seised Brand
by the shoulder.
"Wheeler, you're a decent sort of a
fellow. I like you and the things
you've made the paper stand for, but
you don't know what It means to put
people that you love on the altar and
cause them suffering for the sake of
these?these general principles."
"Don't I!" exclaimed the young editor.
"Well, thafs exactly what I've
done. I gave up the gfrl I loved, who
had promised to be my wife, so that I
might write the truth." In spite of
the emotion which his words had
aroused in him Brand's voice never
faltered as he spoke.
"You did!" exclaimed Nolan amasedly.
"Well, my boy, I don't understand
you. I couldn't do that," he confessed.
"Don't think that It was easy for
me to do. I've thought of her every
hour of every day since, but she"?now
his voice wavered?"well, she's forgotten,
so it doesn't matter. Mr. Nolan,
do you remember what It was that first
brought us together?"
"Yes; that story about Judge Bartelmy,
and It was a good one, and you've
fallowed it up with a lot of good ones
since. Why, Wheeler, there ain't a #
man in the country that can work up a
series like you can. But, do you know,
I'm beginning to think that the Judge
is not all bad. Mind you, I'm not forgetting
old scores, but"?he seated
himself?"did you ever think of It, perhaps
we haven't all the facts of that
affair? Some things have happened.
Are you sure that he's so all fired
wrong?*
"Mr. Nolan, the half hasn't been told
about Judge Bartelmy!" cried Brand,
"Well, this is getting to be a pretty
serious affair. We can't be too sure
about our facts."
"Mr. Nolan, Judge Bartelmy Is not
only a dishonest Judge, but he seems
to have a destructive influence on every
one near him. He's corrupt and
corrupting not only in his public but
in his private life."
"Wasn't?wasn't it his daughter that
you were engaged to?"
"Vm It whs and he's uslne her lust
aa he did her mother before her."
"You amaze me. What do you
mean ?"
Brand took a deep breath.
"Why, he surrounded her mother
with machine politicians and shady
financiers and crooked lawyers. He
sent her to the state capital when he
wanted to be senator, but it was Impossible;
to Washington when he wanted
to be minister to France, and she
failed, and again when he wanted to
be judge, and she succeeded, and when
she found out that he was using his
Judicial office to steal and that she had
only been a lobbyist for his rotten
schemes"?
"Well?"
"Well, it killed her, Mr. Nolan, and
now he's using his daughter in the
same way. He's filling his house with
corporation jackals like Dupuy. He
sends her here to muzsle you by working
on your wife and daughter. He
hates me, but he would let her marry
me to have his enemy In the family
and make him silent"
[Cotnlnued on Fourth Page.]