Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1912-10-24

shame as he tried to obey his tormen-
tors.
Stuart protested vigorously, and a
fight ensued in which he was COM
PEELED to thrash the %ringleader and res
cue the victim by force Of arms. From
that day Stuart was Bivens' beau
ideal of a gentleman. He had tolerat-
ed rather than enjoyed this friendship.
Bivens shook hands quietly and took
a seat beside Stuart's desk.
"Well?" said the lawyer at length.
i've come to make you an important
proposition, Jim. We need another at
torney. The business of the company
Is Increasing so rapidly force can't
handle it. | need a big man close to
me. If you'll take the place I'll give
clouded his brow. The lines of his
mouth suddenly IL: tened.
III settle it tod =" he said with de-
cision, as he rose. ok his hat and left
for Gramerry pur'i.
1t was noon w!ieu Stuart reached the
Primrose house. a1ai Nan was again
out. He received l',e announcement
from her mother With a feeling of rage
he could i'll conceal.
Where is she? | seem never to be
able to find her ri iu e."
Now. d3:.t * itturd, Jim. You
know she would have broken any en-
gagement to see YOU had she known
you We're going to cali today. I don't
expect her home until g."
"Of course. | unllerst:. nd, Mrs. Prim.
rose," Stuart said With a light laugh.
II should have told her, but I didn't
know until a few moments ago that !
was coming"
Nothing serious has happened, ]
hope?" she asked. with carefully mod
ulated sympathy, which said plainly
that she hoped for the worst.
mo. Just say that III call after
dinner
"All right. Jim. dear" the mother
purred. "Ill see that she's here if ]
have to lock the door"
Stuart strolled out aimlessly and be.
gan to ramble without purpose. Some
how today everything on which his
eye rested and every sound that struck
his ear proclaimed the advent Of the
trusts new power Of which Bivens
was the symbol-Bivens with his deli
cate, careful little hand. his bulgine
forehead, his dark keen eyes. What
chance had his old friend Woodman
against such forces?
That Bivens should fall hopelessly
and blindly in love with Nan at first
sight was too Supplying to be grasped
at once. She couldn't love such a
man-and yet his millions and that
slippery mother We're Il sinister com.
bination.
depression and met Nan with some
thing of his old gayety. to which she
responded with a touch of. coquetry.
Tell me. jim" she began with 8
smile of mischief in her eyes. why
you called at the remarkable hour of
IL noon today? Am l becoming Sc
resistless that work no longer has any
charms? You must have something
very important to say?"
Yes. l have. Man," he answered
soberly. taking her hand. II want q
public announcement Of our engage.
ment in tomorrow mornings papers,"
"But why? You know the one con
cession, the only one l have ever N lie
to my mothers hostility to you. is
that u engagement shall be kept 50.
ere until we are ready to marry. We
must play fair"
II will. We are ready now"
Mans voice broke into a ripple of
laughter.
ooh, are we? l didn't know it,
Eyes, that's what I came to tell
you," Stuart went on, catching her
spirit Of fun and pressing her hand.
"I've arranged a little trip to the coun
try tomorrow, and Pm going to con
vince you before we return. Make
the announcement tonight. dear! On
my honor l promise to convince you
tomorrow that we are ready. I've an
argument that never fails-an argu.
ment no woman can resist"
"Not tonight. jim" was the laughing
reply.
Cant you trust me when l tell you
that I've discovered something today
that makes it necessary? I have seen
Mr.. Bivens."
Nan leaped to her feet, her face
flushed. her voice ringing with tri
umph.
And you did what I asked you. Oh,
! you're a darling. Why did you tease
me Sc last night? You accepted his
offer?"
'Tm sorry to disappoint you, dear,
but l did not"
] The girl dropped into her seat. with