The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1912-10-02


 Bivens in the struggle for supremacy, which would sooner or later come be tween them if he should enter such mn alliance.
 'You needn't rush your decision Jim. Take your time. Think it over from every point of view. You're bound to accept in the end.'' Stuart flushed and his hand tremble6l +It's no use in my quibbling, Cal, your offer is a stirring one. It tempts me immensely. feel the call of the
 old blood struggle in me. I'm begin ming to see now that the worlds battles are no longer fought with sword and gum
 '@Take your time. Jim," Bfvens broke in. rising. E'In the meantime I've got
 to see more of you. Nan wants 1t, and I want it. The politicians have turned you down, but the big men who count are afraid of you and they'll go out of their way to meet you. Come up to
 dinner with us tonight. I want you to
 make my home your home whether you
 accept my offer or not' Stuart hesitGted.
 "Reaily, Cal, I oughtn't to go to night I'm afraid I've let you take too much for granted. I've got to fight l this thing out alone. It's the biggest thing physically and morally I've ever, 1 been .ip, against, I've got to be alone for awhile
 -1Oh, nonsense, be alone as much as you like later. Man insisted on my bringing you tonight, and you've got to come, to save me from trouble if nothing else. I've an engagement down
 town after dinner. You and Nan can talk over old times I promise you faithfully that not a word of busi-
 ness shall be spoken Stuart felt the foundations of life slipping beneath his feet and yet he couldn't keep back the answer:
 "All right, I'll come.'' As Stuart dressed for the dinner that
 night he thought of Harriet with pang. He had promised her to try to keep out Of danger. But could she know or understand the struggle through which he WAS passing? He wondered vaguely why he had. seen so. little of her lately. She had become more andvnoore absorbed in her music, end her manner had grow shy and embarrassed. Yet whenever he had
 resented it and stopped to lounge and chat and draw her out, she was always her old sweet self. The doctor, too.
 lad avoided him of late, and he notic- ed that his clothes had begun to look
 shabby He caught him hurrying from the house and laid his hand affection ate1yN on his arm.
 ssThese are tough times. doctor. and if you need any help you must let
 me know The older mans voice trembled as he
 replied:
 ssThank you. my boy, that's a very
 unusual speech to hear these days. It rsnews my faith in the world"
 4sYou're not in trouble?" The doctor lifted his head gently ssAfy troubles are so much lighter than those of the people I know I kcan't think of them So many of my friends and patients have given up in this panic. So many have died for the lack of bread. I'll let you know if I'm in trouble myself He paused and pressed Stuart's hand
 tI'm glad you asked me The sun
 will shine brighter today I must hurry"
 With swing of his stalwart form and Q generous wave of his hand he was gone.
 When Stuart reached. the drive he 1 alighted and walked slowly toward the l Bivens palace. He had never been
 there before. He had always avoided l the spot He smiled now at the child
 ishness of his attitude toward eNan. | The full moon had just risen and 1 flooded the drive and park and river ] with sflvery mystery. He studied the l effects of the ouilding with wonder 1 and admiration Evidently Bivens had given his architects a free hand and ! R& rrJ,% So fascinated was Stuart with the ] beauty and perfection of the great l hopse he walked around the block be-
 fore entering, viewing it from every l angle. What 6 strange thing, this 1 medieval palace. standing in stately 1 beauty in the midst of the hideous,
 ugly uniformity of the most modern, l unronantic and materialistic city of 1 the world! What was it's meaning? 1 Had a new master of the world real 1 ly been born? Surely his like had l never been seen in the history of man l It-thiS modern money maniac, this l strange creature of iron muscles, al I ways hurrying. daring. scheming, plot l ting, with never moments relaxation. Stuart was shown into the drawing room by powdered funky whose cos l tune was designed by one of the court 1 tailors of Europe. While awaiting the 1 arrival of the mistress of the house he looked about the room with increasing l ama2ement. He found the perfection of grace, elegance, quiet richness and
 surprising beauty.
 He began to realize for the first time l the triumph of the woman who had bartered him for gold His eye rested on life size portrait of Nan done by the foremost artist of Europe. The artist had caught the secret of her character and expressed it with genius 1 in the poise of the superb form, the 1 incarnation of Sensuous, soulless beauty l dominated by keen intelligence. He wondered if she really showed l the ten years added to her age. At