Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1912-11-13

Z
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
gun.
Take your time. Jim" Rivens broke
in. rising. I'm the meantime I've got
to see more of you. Nan wants IL. and
I want It The politicians have turned
you down. but the big men who count
are afraid of you and they'll 90 out
of their way to meet YOU. Come up TO
dinner with us tonight want you to
make my home your home whether you
accept my offer or not"
Stuart hesitated
"Really, Cal. oughtn't to go to- |
night I'm afraid I've let you take |
too much for granted. I've got 10 fight /
this thing out alone. It's the biggest |
thing physically and morally I've ever |
been up against I've got to be alone |
for awhile"
"Oh. nonsense. be alone as much as
you like later. Nan insisted on my
bringing you tonight, and you've got
to come. to save me from trouble il
town after dinner You and Nan can
talk over old times. | promise Won
/ faithfully that not a word of bust
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 a
! 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
I wondered vaguely why he had seen 80
| little of her lately She had become
more and more absorbed in her music,
and her manner had grow shy aud
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.
had avoided him of late. and he motto
ed that his clothes had begun TO look
shabby He caught him hurrying from
the house and laid his hand affection
ately on his arm.
These are tough times. doctor. and
If you need any help you must let
me know"
The older mans voice trembled as he
replied:
Thank You. my boy. that's very
unusual speech to hear these days. 1t
renews my faith in the world
You're not In trouhle:'
The doctor lifted his head gently.
My troubles are so much lighter
than those of the people | know
can'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.
! I'm glad you asked me The sun
will shine brighter today. / must
hurry"
With swing of his stalwart form
and generous wave of his hand he
was gone.
When Stuart reached the drive he
alighted and walked slowly toward the
Bivens palace He had never been
there before. He had always avoided
the spot. He smiled now at the child
ishness of his attitude toward Nan.
The full moon had just risen and
flooded the drive and park and river
with Silvery mystery. He studied the
effects Of the building with wonder
and admiration. Evidently Bivens had
given his architects a free hand and
they had wrought n poem in marble.
, So fascinated was Stuart with the
: beauty and perfection of the great
: house he walked around the block be-
fore entering. viewing II from every
angle What strange thing. this
medieval palace. standing In stately
{ beauty in the midst of the hideous,
ugly uniformity OF the most modern.
unromantic and materialistic city OF
the world! What was its meaning?
Had a new master of the world real
ly been born? Surely his like had
= never been seen in the history of man
this modern money maniac, this
strange creature of iron muscles. al
ways hnrrying. daring. scheminG plot
ting. with never a moments relaxation
Stuart was shown into the drawing
room by powdered tiunky whose cos
tune was designed by one of the cOurt
: tailors of Europe. While awaiting tn,
arrival of the mistress OF the house ht
looked about the room with increasing
:" amazement. He found the perfection
of grace, elegance. quiet richness anC
surprising beauty.
: He began to realize for the first time
. the triumph of the woman who haC
= bartered him for gold. His eye resteC
on life size portrait of Nan done by
the foremost artist of Europe The
artist had caught the secret or hel
= character and expressed 1t with genius
in the pOise of the superb form. tn,
incarnation of sensuous. soulless beauty
dominated by keen intelligence.
-, he wondered If she really showed
: the ten years added to her age A
least he knew that she had not beer
A happy. There was some consolation
q in that Her ceaseless efforts To viii
q back his friendship had left no room
. for doubt. He sank deep into the grea
chair and silently waited her cotniup