something wrong with
the Cowperwood method of street-railway control.

Chapter XXXI

Untoward Disclosures

Coincident with these public disturbances and of subsequent hearing
upon them was the discovery by Editor Haguenin of Cowperwood's
relationship with Cecily. It came about not through Aileen, who was no
longer willing to fight Cowperwood in this matter, but through
Haguenin's lady society editor, who, hearing rumors in the social
world, springing from heaven knows where, and being beholden to
Haguenin for many favors, had carried the matter to him in a very
direct way. Haguenin, a man of insufficient worldliness in spite of
his journalistic profession, scarcely believed it. Cowperwood was so
suave, so commercial. He had heard many things concerning him--his
past--but Cowperwood's present state in Chicago was such, it seemed to
him, as to preclude petty affairs of this kind. Still, the name of his
daughter being involved, he took the matter up with Cecily, who under
pressure confessed. She made the usual plea that she was of age, and
that she wished to live her own life--logic which she had gathered
largely from Cowperwood's attitude. Haguenin did nothing about it at
first, thinking to send Cecily off to an aunt in Nebraska; but, finding
her intractable, and fearing some counter-advice or reprisal on the
part of Cowperwood, who, by the way, had indorsed paper to the extent
of one hundred thousand dollars for him, he decided to discuss matters
first. It meant a cessation of relations and some inconvenient
financial readjustments; but it had to be. He was just on the point of
calling on Cowperwood when the latter, unaware as yet of the latest
development in regard to Cecily, and having some variation of his
council programme to discuss with Haguenin, asked him over the 'phone
to lunch. Haguenin was much surprised, but in a way relieved. "I am
busy," he said, very heavily, "but cannot you come to the office some
time to-day? There is something I would like to see you about."

Cowperwood, imagining that there was some editorial or local political
development on foot which might be of interest to him, made an
appointment for shortly after four. He drove to the publisher's office
in the Press Building, and was greeted by a grave and almost despondent
man.

"Mr. Cowperwood," began Haguenin, when the financier entered, smart and
trig, his usual air of genial sufficiency written all over him, "I have