Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1912-11-23
Copyright. I9ll. ey Thomas Dixon

to any human SOUL" was the bitter an I
swer. But" be paused. and his eyes |
stared at the ceiling as he groaned. |
i've got to bear it What's the use to
wilmer
Stuart stepped close and slipped his /
arm about the stalwarr figure. His ,
voice was tender.
Come. doctor; you're not fooling me.
I've known you too long. There's only
one man on earth for whom Id do as
much as ! would for you-my own
gray haired father down south. Come
now: tell me what's the trouble?"
! Stuart could feel the big form sway
| and tremble under the stress of over
/ whelming emotion. and his arm pressed
! little closer. And then the tension
suddenly broke
The doctor sank into a chair and
looked up with a helpless stare.
Yes. Jim. will I'Il-tell-you."
! And he related his experiences in the
, Bivens mansion. ending with:
! "I-Stole-a-case-Of
Stuart spranG to his feet. with an ex-
clamation Of horror.
"You-did-w
Yes" the doctor went on hoarsely.
II stole case of his jewels and sent
my girl abroad I'm going to plead
guilty now and go to prison. | shall
never again lift my head in the haunts
of men"
Stuart sotbed in anguish.
you see. boy. failed when put TO
the test. 1t doesn't make any differ
ence about my reputation. Character
only counts. and I'm a thief"
shut up!' Stuart cried tiercely, seiz-
ing his arm. Don't say that again
and don't talk so loudly. Whatever
you did you were insane when you did
It"
Maybe It was a mistake. I don't
know. couldn't think then. only
know now that life is impossible any
more. and I'm ready to go. You can
send me to prison at once, Jim. I'm
glad you are the district attorney"
But I'm not. / resigned my Office
this morning to go into busiSIss for
myself. | had only another E-Snth TO
. serve. You're not going to prison If l
can help it"
But ] don't want you to help L.
It's the only place TO 20 now-you see.
boy. / can't live with myself any more!
Besides I'm old and played out; the
world don't need me any longer"
We'll. i need you" Stuart broke in,
land you're not going to give up this
fight as long us I'm here"
I'm a failure; it's no use"
But you've forgotten some things
A. rIr-
: you've helped to make my life what
1t is-you haven't failed in that YOr
gave your blood to your country wher
, she needed it-yOu didn't fail in that
7, You have forgotten the thousands yoJ
have helped. the hope and cheer anC
inspiration that passed into their live
: through yours. Well 20 to BivenS
: house tonight. Well tell him the truth
Well return the value of his jewels
I'll get the money to make good wha
you owe him His voice broke. 'Oh
why. why. why didn't you let NJ
;. know? I've influence with Bivens. 81
will drop the matter and no one OF
earth will know save we three"
But you don't understand, JIM" tn
broken man protested. feebly. II te
: you I've given up. 1 can't take you
money. l can't pay. I tell you Nv
!. given up. l can't take your money.
r. can't pay 1t back"
You can pay 1t back, too. II you lik'
Harriet will be earning thousands @
dollars In a few years Her success
sure"
A faint smile lighted the father
face.
Her success is sure. isn't ftp
asked with the eagerness OF a child
And then the smile slowly faded.
But ! shall not be here to see It
Yes. you will. I'm running your a
fairs now, and you've got to do wins
say. Get ready. We are going TO sc
BIvens"
BIvens refused point blank at FRI
to see woodman and ordered his ser
ant TO put him out OF the house an
ask Stuart 10 remain for a conference
Stuart drew from his case a car
and wrote q message to Nan:
Imperative that 1 see Cal at once IN n
presence OF my friend on 4 matter
grave importance Please send him dow
He IN stubborn
Rivens came in q few minut shoe
hands cordially with Stuart and is
nored Woodman.
Il want TO see You alone with tn
doctor" the young lawyer begar
where we cannot possibly be oyeI
heard"
Il have nothing to say TO this maj
but for your sake all right Come u
TO the library"
Once in the room and the door cloi
ed the doctor sank listlessly into
chair. seeing nothing. hearing nothing
His deep. sunken. bloOdshot eyes wer
re turned within The outer world q
>. longer made any impression
is Stuart began:
e- Cal, you and have been friend
be since boyhoOd I'm going TO ask n
FIRST favor of you tonight"
ne For yourself, all right You've &