Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1912-10-23

"Think It over. I'll SEQ you againl"
in good faith, and every cloud between
him and Nan would vanish! They
could be married at once and the fu-
ture was secure All he had to do was
to keep silent for the moment as to his
real relations to Nan and compromise
his sense Of honor by accepting the
wages Of man whose principles he
despised. His decision was made with
out moments hesitation.
II refuse the offer, CAL" he said
6rmly.
Bivens rose quickly and placed his
smooth hand on his friends.
II won't take that answer now.
Think it over. III see you again.
He turned and left the room before
Stuart could reply.
The lawyer drew a photograph from
derby.
II wonder, Nan! wonder!"
The smile slowly faded. and frown
clouded his brow. The lines of b
mouth suddenly frightened.
''1'll settle it today he said with de-
cision. as he rose, took his hat and left
for Gramercy park.
It was noon when Stuart reached the
Primrose house, and Nan was again
out. He received the announcement
from her mother with feeling Of rage
he could i'll conceal.
iS no IN
able to find her at home'
Nov. don't be absurd. Jim. You
know she would have broken any en-
Gagement to see you had she known
you were going to call today. l don't
expect her home until T."
"Of course, understand, Mrs. Prim-
rose," Stuart said with a light laugh.
II should have told her, but l didn't
know until few moments ago that
was coming"
Nothing serious has happened. 1
hope?' she asked. with carefully mod
ulated sympathy, which said plainly
that she hoped for the worst.
mo. Just say that I'll call after
dinner
"All right. Jim. DEAR" the mother
purred. "1'll see that she's here If l
have to lock the door"
Stuart strolled out aimlessly and be-
gan to ramble without purpose. Some
how today everything on which his
eye rested and every sound that struck
his ear proclaimed the advent of the
trusts new power Of which Bivens
was the symbol-Bivens with his deli
cate. careful little hand, his bullying
forehead, his dark keen eyes. What
chance had his old friend Woodman
against such forces?
That Bivens should fall hopelessly
and blindly in love with Nan at first
sight was too Supplying to be grasped
at once. She couldn't love such a
man-and yet his millions and that
slippery mother were sinister COM
banation.
BY evening he had thrown off his
depression and met Nan with some
thing of his old gayety, to which she
responded with touch of coQuetry.
"Tell me. Jim," she began with a
smile Of mischief in her eyes, "why
you called at the remarkable hour of
IL noon today? Am l becoming so
resistless that work no longer has any
charms? You must have something
very important to say?"
Eyes. have, Man," he answered
soberly. taking her hand. II want
public announcement of our engage
ment In tomorrow mornings papers,"
"But why? You know the one con-
cession, the only one have ever made
to my mothers hostility to you, is
that our engagement shall be kept Sc
ere until we are ready to marry. We
must play fair
II will. We are ready now"
Mans voice broke into ripple of
laughter.
'Oh, are we? didn't know it."
Eyes, that's what 1 came to tell
Jou," Stuart went on, catching her
lpirit Of fun and pressing her hand.