The Emmett index. [volume] (Emmett, Idaho) 1893-1925, 1912-11-28
CHAPTER vi.
Despair.


give up hope.
The little financier had sen
him an invitation. and, worst OF all
had called TO ask that he act as hi
best man. lie refused so CURLY tina
Biyens was deeply wounded.
But | say. Jim. that's all rot
want you 10 stand by me. I've always
taken as much of your friendship IA
you would give and been grateful fol
It, | don't make new friends easily
! want you. and you've just got to dc
st."
Stuart shook his head and firmly SET
his jaws. A grim temptation flashed
through his imagination II he should
accept 1t might be the one thing which
would prevent Mans betrayal Of her
love at the altar Might he not by the
power of his personality, the hypnotic
force of his yearniug passion and will.
stop the ceremony In the moment of
deathlike silence which should follow
the minister's words asking II there
were any cause known why these two
should not be made one. might not
single movement OF his body az that
moment, a groan of pain. a sob. a cry
of agony In a supreme act of his will.
cause the white figure to reel aud fan
ut his feet7 II was possible But It
would be too cheap. ID would be n
worthless victory. a victory of the flesh
without the spirit, and he refused to
take the body without the soul
With frown he turned to Bivens:
'Tt's no use talking, Cal, I've made
up my mind | won't do IT,"
''well. II you won't you won't" the
little man said with n sigh AT least
you'll come TO the church For Gods
sake. let me get glimpse of one friend
ly facet I'll be scared to death. You
know, I'm not used to this"
Stuart smiled:
"All right. I'll be there"
But when the fateful morning came
Stuart was stunned by the feeling OF
incredible despair which crept into his
heart The day was chill and damp
Dull. grayish. half black clouds rolled
over the city from the sea-clouds that
hung low and wet over the cold pave
ments without breaking into rain.
He knew that Nan was as supersti-
tious as the old black nanny OF the
south who had nursed her. Aunt Sal.
lie had come to New York for the wed.
ding OF her baby" Stuart thought OF
the old saying. Happy is the bride the
sun shines on" As the hour of noon
approached despair slowly settled over
his heart
How could be reconcile bimself TO
the horrible reality? A marriage sor-
lid. cold. vulgar to such a man-this
little tobacco stained. bead eyed wea.
eel
He rose. breathing hard and brushed
, tear from his eye-a tear that had
,ome unbidden In spite OF his iron
will.
His heart fairly shrleked its cry OF
despair. He moved mechanically TO-
ward the church and walked from his
everie TO fnd himself jammed In a
old mass of humanity. Never before
lad he realized the utter vulgarity OF
public wedding. He forced his way
nto the side door aud stood waiting
he arrival OF the bride and groom
When Bivens came the sight OF him
oused the slumbering devil in Stuart
he excitement of his triumph had
steaded the little mans
erves Never had his shrlmplike fg-
re looked so slippery and plausible
He extended his slender hand and :
ouehed Stuart's in passing To save
is life the lawyer could not repress n
hudder In that moment he could !
ave committed murder with joy The
gony OF defeat was on him. He felt t,
! that moment his kinship with all the
sbels and disinh trited Of the earth
At last the bride came and the sur 5
heed choir moved slowly and solemn.
7 down the aisles through a sea OF y
ager faces as the great organ pealed n
orth the first bars Of the wedding :
larch from "Lohengrin." \
Nan was leaning on the arm OF a I
he had never seen before. an ?
ncle from the west. She was pale, A
eathly pale, and walked with hes-
iting movement as though weak from s
mess. Suddenly his heart went out v
} her in a flood of pity and tenderness. s
.e tried to make her feel this, but she T
assed without glance. She had not n
zen him b
Stuart listened to the ceremony with b
vague impersonal interest as If II b
ere something going on In another &
orld. A single question was burning n
self into his brain-the price Of 4
omanl "Haye we all our price?" he b