The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1912-12-17
CHAPTER XIX.
The Devil Smiles.

z L
be had achieved as district at
torney brought him the best clients and
from them he was able to choose only
the cases which involved principles
worth fighting for. His spare time lie
gave in a loving effort to restore the
doctor to his old cheerful frame of
| mind. He had returned BiVens money
in spite of his protest and made his old
friend a loan sufficient for his needs.
taking his personal note for security
He had no difficulty in learning the
progress of Bivens in his search of
Europe for health. The daily cabled
| reports to New York always gave his
condition as better. But Stuart knew
the truth He received two or three
letters a week from Nan. She had told
him in full detail the little mans suf-
| fering, and at last of his homesick
ness. fast developing into mania.
He was not surprised at the end OF
| three months to hear her familiar voice
| over his telephone,
Eyes, we've returned, Jim-sailed in
| cognito to escape the reporters. He is
very feeble We haven't been III the
house three hours, but he has asked for
you a dozen times. Can you come up
! at onceY
Stuart hesitated. then. I'll come be
answered slowly.
7 He lost all sense of danger in the
warmth and tenderness of Mans greet
ing. He not only forgot his fears but
reproached himself for his low est
mate of her character in supposing that
she would allow herself or permit him
to cross the line of danger. Her solicit
tude for Bivens seemed deep and genu-
inc.
Bivens' joy at meeting Stuart was
pathetic, and moved him deeply. He
was surprised to find him so strong.
apparently, in body and yet so broken
in spirit.
The little shrupken hand chung to
his friends.
"You know. felt the thing creeping
on me for the past two years, but l
couldn't let up. That's why I tried so
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 doe
! tors! I'm tired, too, of all the syco-
phants. liars and fools who hang
around. didn't mind 'em when was
well. But they get on my nerves now.
The doctors kept dining into my ears
that I've got to rest and play. and
;, finally 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 q small boat with single
nurse and a congeniaI friend. get away
from land. cut every telephone and
q telegraph line. get no mail. and shoot
: ducks all winter. and he'd guarantee
: I'd be a new man next spring I've
sent for you to accept the invitation
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 60" he said slowly.
Bivens hadn't said Nan must go on
I that trip. but in a fash of warning in
tuition he knew it The danger of
such a situation on a yacht would be
real and only a fool would rush into it
) Cant go? Why?" the fhancier
asked in tones of genuine distress.
I've important legal business
There's no use in my going. | can tel
you exactly where to go. the guides t.
get and the kind of boats you'll need
You'll get along better without me-
81 won't go without you" the f1nan
cier said peevishly. lyon know the
J. place. you know all about the birds
ID you can teach me the ins and outs Of
the business and I can trust you.
know that you won't try to worm on
of me any information my enemie.
would like to know. L appeal to thu
boy l used to know at college. the fel
low who fought for me one day"
Stuart hesitated and looked at Nan
- who had stood modonIess while Biy
ems spoke.
We'll, if that's the way you put ii
g I'll take vacation and go with yor
- for a month"
re- Bivens seized his hand and presse
r it gratefully
BEST medicine I've had in weeks
l. Nan walked slowly across the room
na looked into his eyes and said, wit
>. emotion:
:" Thank you, jim"
y In FIVE days the party had complete
to all preparations and Biyens bi
- steamer. the Buccaneer. slipped Quie-
lya through the NarrOws and headc
for the Virginia coast. towing trir
little schooner built for cruising in I'll
p, shoaI waters of the south.
.vs They has scarcely put To sea vhe
al, - tf,re g
% STUART be@Stu 10 curse AlA-i>~4A -
sE being led into such a situation
= Bivens had insisted with amateurs
e enthusiasm that they begin the cruis
2y = It. ,:..t. -.1,,-r,,,. r,-;+b lo,. If,,,