Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1912-11-21

cOHlmOu cause WITH the people. l know
that Bivens is a power now. He
chooses judges. defles the law, brides
legislatures and city councils and
imagines that he rules the nation. But
the Napoleons Of finance today will
be wearing stripes in Sing Sing to-
morrow. A despotism Of money can
not be fastened On the people Of Amer.
lea. Only a few years ago a great
millionaire who lived in a palace on
Fifth avenue boldly said to a newspa.
per reporter, The public be dr.
Times have changed. The millionaires
have begun to buy the newspapers and
beg for public favor. We are walking
on the crust of a volcano Of public
wrath. I am content to live and fight
for the right. win or lose, and play
my little part in this mighty drama"
Il had hoped you were tired of fe
ing a losing battle"
"Inl fight this battle to a finish and
I'll win. If God lives I'll within so
sure Of it, my boy"
The doctor paused and his eyes
flashed.
I'm so sure of it that I'm not only
going to refuse this bride from Biv-
ens, 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 a 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. l can give
no time to your suit. am just enter
Ing on a great struggle for the people.
Tremendous issues are at stake"
you'll go down Il wreck if you fail"
perhaps. but it's my duty"
Good boy!" the older man cried,
Selling Stuart's hand. You can't fail
That's why I'm going to risk all in
my fight"
But the S are not the same"
mo, I'm old and played out-my
Hfe's sands are nearly run. | haven't
much to risk-but such as | have |
offer 1t freely to God and my coun,
try. l envy you the opportunity to
make a greater sacriice-and you ad-
wise me to compromise for a paltry
sum of money a righteous cause mere
~ to save my own skin. Pm 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
away!"
With a wave of his hand the stall.
wart figure Of the old man passed out
and left him brooding in sorrowf1l
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 I must. Sincerely.
jim.
On the night following Stuart work.
ed late in bis Office developing his
great ease. 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
up the steps he nearly collided with
a handsome young fellow just emery
ing from the door. he was dressed
we'll, and he had evidently been calling
on some one-perhaps on Harriet
Stuart let himself in softly and start
ed at the sight Of Harriet's 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
dreaming 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 a charming woman. She
was t~wenty-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. 1t
had been the mi absorbing passion of
life. And her eyes had always SPAR
killed. with deep joy at his slightest
word of praise. For the first time it
had occurred to him as an immediate
possibility that she might marry and
their lives drift apart.
A sweet comradeship had grown be-
tween them. He resented the idea of
a 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
me- him before?
He rose with a sudden frown. Sure
as fate-the very boy-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, he