Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1911-07-28
BY THOMAS DIXON
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copyriaht, 1911, by Thomas Dixon.
Pub, by Doubleday, Page & Co., N. Y.

Tor the minute, out l Qldnt Dlame yOl
when thought it over. Now I'm VI
against the biggest thing I've evel
struck" His voice sank to a half sob
Death! / can feel his hand on my
throat, but I'm going to fight; I've
got to get WELL"
The little shrunken hand clung to his
friends.
You know felt the thing creeping
on me for the past two years, but
couldn't let up. That's why l tried sc
hard to put some of the load on your
shoulders. At least you can help me
to get we'll. To the devil with the doc
tors; I'm tired, too, of all the syco-
plants, liars and fools who hang
around. l didn't mind 'em when was
we'll. But they get on my nerves now
The doctors kept dinning into my ears
that I've got to rest and play and fl
nally one old duffer over in France put
an idea into my head that brought me
back home to see you. He told me to
get on a small boat with a single nurse
and a congenial friend, get away from
land, cut every telephone and tele-
graph line, get no mail, and shoot
ducks all winter and he'd guarantee
I'd be a new man next spring. l took
to the idea. He charged me two dol
lars for the visit. l paid him hun
dred for his advice. He nearly drop
ped dead in surprise. / thought it was
from gratitude, but found afterward II
was from chagrin over not knowing
was an American millionaire. He had
missed the opportunity of his life. He
would undoubtedly have charged me
five hundred had he known who was. u
Stuart laughed.
We'll, the upshot Of it is, I'm here,
and I've sent for you to accept the in
vitation you gave me to shoot ducks
with you down in Virginia"
What invitation?" Stuart asked in
surprise.
why, the one you used to reproach
me for not accepting. Will you go with
me now?"
Stuart shook his head.
Il can't CO." he said slowly.
He was looking vaguely into the fire
in the crate, but Mans figure was
within the line of his vision as she
stood silently by the window gazing
out on the river. Bivens hadn't said
that she must go on that trip, but in
a flash of warning intuition he knew
it. The danger Of such a situation on
a yacht would be real and only a fool
would rush into it. He wondered II
she had played any part in Matching
the scheme. He couldn't believe It
possible. 1t had come about natural
ly, just as if the devil had made it to
order.
Cant go? Why?" the financier
asked in tones of genuine distress.
i've important legal business"
I'll make good all the damages, If
you'll let me-"
But won't let YOU"
IF ask it as a special favor?" he
pleaded.
There's no use in my going, Cal, }"
Stuart said persuasively, Il can tell
you exactly where to go, the guides to
get, and the kind of boats you'll need.
You'll get along better without than
with me-"
81 won't go without you," the finan-
cier said peevishly.
But why?"
Dozens of reasons. You know the
place, you know all about the birds.
you can teach me the ins and outs of
the business and l can trust you. ]
know that you won't try to worm out
of me any information my enemies
would like to know. Besides, Jim,
you're a friend. 1t would rest and help
me to be with you on such trip.
can't offer you money, you won't let
me- All right. l appeal to the boy
used to know at college, the fellow who
fought for me one day. l need you
worse now. old man."
Stuart hesitated and looked at Nan
who had stood mOtionless while Bivens
spoke.
We'll, if that's the way you put it,
I'll take a vacation and go with you
for a month"
Bivens seized his hand and pressed
it gratefully
Best medicine I've had in weeks"
Nan walked slowly across the room
looked into his eyes and said, with
emotion:
Thank you. jim"
And the devil who was standing in
the shadows smiled i'm anticipation OF
interesting events on board that yacht