The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1912-11-21

III fight this battle to a finish and
I'll win. IF God lives I'll win I'm -
sure Of it. my boy"
The doctcr paused and his eyes
flashed.
I'm SO sure of it that I'm not only
going to refuse this bride from Diy
ems, but my answer will be a harder
blow I'm going TO begin another big
ger and more important suit for the
dissolution of the American chemical
trust"
Stuart slipped his arm around the
older man with movement of in
stinctive tenderness.
Look here doctor. I've lived in your
home for fourteen years and I've
grown to love you as my own father
You must listen to me now | can give
no time to your suit. ans just enter
ing on a great struggle for the people.
Tremendous issues are at stake"
You'll go down wreck if you fail"
Perhaps. but it's my duty"
Good boy the older man cried,
seizing Stuart's hand. You can't fail
That's why I'm going to risk all in
my fight"
But the cases are not the same"
mo, I'm old and played out-my
llfe's sands are nearly run. | haven I
much to risk-but such as | have
offer it freely to God and my com,
try. | envy you the opportunity to
make a greater sacrifice and you ad-
wise me to compromise for a paltry
sum of money a righteous cause mere
" to save my own skin. I'm proud OF
you-proud that you live in my house.
proud that I've known and loved you.
and tried to teach you the joy and the
foolishness of throwing your life
awayw
With a wave of his hand the stal
wart figure of the old man passed ont
and left him brooding in sorrowfuI
silence.
He seized his pen at last, set his face
like flint and resolutely wrote his an
swer:
Dear Nan-Your letter is very kind. I'll
be honest and tell you that it has stirred
memories I've tried to kill and can't.
hate to say no. but l must Sincerely,
JIM
On the night following Stuart work
ed late in his office developing his
great case He was disappointed in
the final showing of the evidence to
be presented to the grand jury. His
facts were not as strong as he eX-
pected to make them.
At 10 o'clock he quit work and hur
ried home to refresh his tired spirit
with Harriet's music. AS he hurried
I'D the steps he nearly colIided with
| a handsome young fellow just emerG
ing from the door. He was dressed
well. and he had evidently been calling
on some one-perhaps on Harriet!
Stuart let himself in softly and start
ed at the sight of Harriets smiling
face in the parlor doorway. His worst
fears were confirmed. She was dress
ed in a dainty evening gown and had
evidently enjoyed her visitor.
Stuart pretended not to notice the
fact and asked her to play. AS he sat
drea ming and watching the rhythmic
movement of her delicate hands he
began to realize at last that his little
pal. stub nOsed, red haired and free
killed. had silently and mysteriOuSly
grown into n charming woman. She
was twenty four now. in the pride and
glory of perfect young wOmanhood.
and yet she had no lovers. He Won
dered why. Her music. of course. II
| had been the one absorbing passion of
life. And her eyes had always spar
killed. with deep Joy at his slightest
word of praise. For the first time il
| had occurred to him as an immediate
! possibility that she might marry and
their lives drift apart.
A sweet comradPship had grown be
| tween them. He resented the idea of
break in their relations. Yet why
should he? What rights had he over
her life? Absolutely none. of course
Who was that fellow? Where had he
met him before2
He rose with sudden frown. Sure
as fate-the very hoy-the tall. dreamy
| looking youngster who danced with
her so many times that night ten years
| ago at her birthday party! She said
he was too frail-that her prince must
be strong Well. confound him. be
! had got strong
Stuart said. with a studied indiffer
ence:
Tell me. little pal. who was that
tall young fellow ] ran into on the
| steps?"
why. don't you remember my frail
young admirer Of long agoT'
do you love him. girlie?"
when | was very. very young.
thought | did Ii makes me laugh
now. It's wonderful how much we
can outgrow. isn't it,
~ just don't like him. and don't
want you to like him. You see, little
pal, I'm your guardian"
Are your"
Yes. And I'm giving you due legal
! notice that you have no right to marry
without my consent-you promise to
make me your confidantf"
A soft laugh. full of tenderness and
Joy, came from the girl as she turned
her eyes upward for the first, time:
"All right, cuardie. I'll confer with
you on that occasion"
CHAPTER VIII.