Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1912-10-26
Copyright. 1911. by Thomas Dixon

furtive. He had thus early In his
career gained nickname that was Pc
culiarly significant in Wall street. He
was known as the Weasel
Bis whole makeup. physical and men
tai. was curiously complex. mixture
OF sobriety and greed. piety and cruel
~. tenderness and inGomitable will.
simplicity OF tastes with bOundless
ambition
His Friendship for Stuart and his def
erence 70 him personally and socially
dated from their boyhOOd In North Car
DINA. and particularly from an Incl
dent which occurred I'm their college
DAYS. Bivens' father had been n no.
torious coward in the Confederate army
and had at last deserted the service
On Bivens' arrival Mt college. a partic-
ularly green freshman. Stuart had dis
covered n group of his classmates haz-
I ing him. They had forced the cosy
ards son TO mount a box and repeat TO
the crowd the funny stories about the
''valor" Of his father The boy. scared
half out OF his wits. stood stammer.
/ ing and perspirinC and choking with
/ shame as he tried to obey his tormen
| tors.
/ Stuart protested vigorously. and q
| tight ensued in which he was com.
/ PEELED TO thrash the rinCleader and res
| cue the victim nv force Of arms From
that day Stuart was Bivens' beau
( ideal of II gentleman He md tOlerat.
] ed rather than enjoyed this friendship.
Rivens shook hands quietly and took
a seat beside Stuart's desk
/ "WellT' said the LAWYER NJ length
I've come TO make you an important
! proposition. Jim We need another at
torney. The business or the cOInpany
Is increasing So rapidly our force can't
handle II. I need a biz man close to
me. ~ vou'Ii take the place I'll give
you a salary that will ultimately he as
big as the president gets ia the White
{ House. TNenty thousand to start
with"
Stuart looked at his visitor curiosity.
Why do you want me. Cal? There
are thousands of lawyers here VINO
would jump at the chance Many of
them are better equipped than l."
Because ! know that you won't lie
10 me. you won't swindle or take ad-
vantage OF me-
why mott" Stuart asked. with a
smile
Because it's not 10 You"
81 see You want to capitalize my
character and use me TO ambush the
other fellow
That's one way 10 took at it-yes"
But that's not the real reason you
come TO me today with this PROPOSE
ton. is IT,"
Not the only one You know my
friendship for you Is genuine You
know there's not a man 10 New Yorb
for whom I'd de- as much as will :OI
you II yOu'l let the. Isn't that trueF
II believe It-yeS And yet there
must be another reason You're moi
afraid ~ NOodman and wish TO reach
him through me:'
! The ghost OF smile nitted around
the shining little black eyes.
"Afraid?" be asked contemporary
I'm not even interested IN him. Tn,
old fossils d Joke He thinks he cal
stop the progress OF the world TO at
tend case OF measles in Mott street"
Stuart was silent q moment. watch
ing the dark masked face before him
At last be blurted out:
Well. Cat. what's the real reason
you make me this offer today"
You can keep little ssCTetT'
you ought to know that before mai
ing me such nu offer"
"Yes-yes. OF course. know 70,
win" BivenS paused aud resumed hi
cigar. The fact is-Jim-I'm in love.
BUT where do | come into this al
, fairT'
simple enough The Primroses"-
"Oh. it's Miss Primrose?"
"Yes-Miss Nan. You. see. they thin
the world OF you. She said you grey
up together in the same town. I wa
telling her about nv business | mus
have been Dragging about what W
, were going to do ! was crazy. Jus
, looking at her. Her beauty made u
| drunk I told her we needed IA new a
torney She said you were the man.
told her Id offer you the place. Sh
: seemed pieaSCI. Ndiu sue hHc" 70
= would accept You've got TO accept. oil
{ man. ! want 10 make her feel that be
: word Is law with me. Tell NE. do 70
think I've got chance with a girl lik
, that? You know I've never gone wit
, girls much. I'm rimid aud swkwar'
, don't know what To do or what I
: say But my money will help, won
: IT."
Money always helps in this tow
, Cal"
And 1t means so much 10 a womsl
y too. don't III"
I Yes. Have you said anything {
; Miss Nan yet:"
Lord. no, Haven't dared T.
kinder shying up 10 the old lady 10 g
her on my side She seems awful
friendly think she likes me. Don
you think It a good plan 10 cultiva
/, herr"
a by all means" was the dry reply
49, ri -