Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1911-06-02
CHAPTER TX.
Despair.

The little financier had sent MIN al
invitation, and worst of all had called
to ask that he act as his best man.
He refused so curtly that Bivens was
deeply wounded. He fastened TO
soothe his feelings with a plausible
explanation.
The fact is, Bivens, I've always
hated church funerals and weddings
of the two 1 prefer funerals"
"Nonsense!"
II assure you I'm not joking. Those
long hideous wells and white shroud-
like dresses to me always symbolic
Death. The pallor of the brides face
perhaps adds to my deluslon-but it's
painfully real. l never go to church
wedding. The apparition haunts me
for days"
Bivens smiled wanly.
But what will you do when your
time comes, old man? You can't run
away then"
.That's Just what l will do-run
away and take my girl with me. We'll
elope and be married in street clothes.
It's more human"
While he spoke, Stuart's eyes sud
denly sparkled with the thought that
his words, spoken in jest, might be
prophecy Of what could really happen
1t had happened again and again. The
miracle might happen to him.
But say, Jim, that's all rot.
want you to stand by me. I've always
taken as much Of your friendship as
you would give and been grateful for
it. l don't make new friends easily.
l want you, and you've just got to do
it."
Stuart shook his head and firmly
set his jaws. grim temptation fash
ed through his imagination. If he
should accept, it might be the one
thing which would prevent Mans be-
travail of her love at the altar. Might
he not by the power of his personality,
the hypnotic force of his yearning
passion and will, stop the ceremony?
In the moment Of deathlike silence
which should follow the minister's
words asking if there were any cause
known why these two should not be
made one, might not single move
ment of his body at that moment, a
groan of pain, a sob, a cry of agony
in a supreme act of his will, cause
the white figure to reel and fall at his
feet2 1t was possible.
But It would be too cheap. 1t would
he a worthless victory, a victory of
the flesh without the spirit-and he re-
fused to take the body without the
soul.
With a frown he turned to Bivens:
It's no use talking, Cal, I've made
up my mind. l won't do it,"
We'll, if you won't, you won't" the
little man said with a sigh. AT least
you'll come to the church. For Gods
sake let me get a glimpse of one
friendly face. I'll be scared to death.
You know I'm not used to this"
Stuart smiled:
"All right, I'll be there"
And a seat, Jim, where can see
YOU. l want a friend near the door
when I start, or I'll never make it
I'll drop on the way. You won't fail?'
No. You can depend on me-"
AS Bivens closed the door the young
lawyer threw himself back in his chair
with a bitter laugh.
What a farce our lives become
sometimes. If we could all see behind
the scenes would there be a single
illusion left wonder?"
His memory rested with bitterness
on the fact that he had feared to lift
the curtain on Mans character at one
point in their final struggle over this
marriage. He had fought with des-
peration to win and hold her heart,
hut he had fought fairly. There had
always been a way-he might have
won by the sacrifice Of character. He
had not offered to yield his ideal, ac-
cept her views, and change his life
purpose. The act would have been
dishonorable only to his own sense OF
right. He would have done exactly
what Bivens asked. He had never
questioned this decision to the day OF
her wedding But when the fateful
morning came he was stunned by the
feeling of incredible despair which
crept into his heart. The day was
chill and damp. Dull, grayish, half
black clouds rolled over the city from
the sea--clouds that hung low and
wet over the cold pavements without
breaking into rain.
He knew that Nan was as supersti-
tious as the old black nanny of the
south who had nursed her. Aunt Sal
lie had come to New York for the
wedding of her baby" and Stuart
could hear her now grooming over the
sayings of wedding days:
Marry in May you'll rue the day;
marry in Lent you'll live to repent
Monday for wealth, Tuesday for
health, Wednesday best of all; Thurs
day for crosses, Friday for losses ano
Saturday no luck at ALL" 1t was Mon
day, and Nan must have known II
when she fixed the day-but there was
another important saying he recalled
now:
Happy is the bride the sun shines
on"
Perhaps these lowering clouds and
the coming storm might cause her to
hesitate and postpone the marriage
All morning he sat brooding by MS
window, watching the swayme
branches of the trees in the Square
and though he knew at best that ne
was a fool-confidently expecting the
miracle of a message. AS the hour ol
noon approached. despair slowly SET
tied over his heart.
How could he reconcile himself to
the horrible reality? This woman and
the dreams of her had become part
of his very being. The memory OF his
hopes began to strangle him-the
wonderful life they were to live to-
gether, whose pictured scenes stretch
ed out now before him-of home, of