The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1912-10-14

w rapidity- She would force Stuart to an avowal of love | that would fix their relation be yond disturbance by the little singer. She had too fine sense of values to
 permit herself to become entangled
 in an intrigue.
 l She could wait and gain in power
 for the waiting. Her physician had | told her that Bivens' days were mum | bered.
 But on one thing she was deter
 mined. She must know that Jim loved her still, loved her passiOnately, mad
 ly as she believed he did. But he
 must say it. She had no difficulty in persuading Bivens to urge Stuart to 1 visit their country estate in the noun
 tains of North Carolina. The doctor
 had ordered him there to live in the | open air
 The young lawyer refused to go at first, but Bivens urged with such pa thetic eagerness he was compelled to
 accept.
 It was a warm, beautiful morning l the last week in March when he alight- l ed on the platform of the little railroad 1 station on the estate and took his seat l beside Nan ill her big touring car. The fruit trees were in full bloom, and their Dor1uule HIl0u In6 dII 1AS OA bees and the song of birds The had
 known in his boyhood thrilled his heart
 'Its glorious, Nan" he exclaimed 'Your coming makes it perfect, Jim, " | she answered tenderly. As the river made a graceful curve l Bivens' house swept into full view-a | stunning pile of marble 300 feet long, it's tower piercing the turquoise sky in 1 solemn grandeur. The stone parapet on which its front wall was built rose | in massive strength a hundred feet 1 from the ledge in the granite cliff be- 1 fore touching the first line of the white stones of the house itself. At the end a formal garden had been | built on the foundations of masonry
 which cost $10O,OOO.
 For an hour the car swept like a Spir-
 it over the miles of smooth macadam
 private roads Bivens had built At each graceful turn his wonder increas- ed at the luxurious outlay of millions. From each hilltop as the huge gleam- l ing castle came into view from new angle, revealing it's marvellous beauty,
 he thought with touch of pity of the shambling figure of the stricken man 1imping through it's halls helpless, lone ly, miserable. What strange pranks fate plays with the mighty as well as the lowly. So frail was the broken body now he did not dare risk cold by taking a ride with his wife. The machine turned suddenly up hill and glided through two iron gates opening on the lawn. and the great
 white chateau loomed before them in a flash of binding beauty. Stuart caught his breath. He shook hands
 with Bivens and was shocked to find him so weak.
 The little man held his hand with q lingering wistfulness as he looked into | his friends strong face. You don't know how rich you are
 .Jim,'' he said feebly, with this hard that grips like iron. I'd give milliouS to feel my heart beat like yours today You'll get better down here," Stuart
 answered cheerfuly.
 'sI'm trying it anyhow he said list 1essly.. Make yourself at home, old
 boy This house is my pride. 1 want Nan to show you every nook and cor. -ner in it. I wish I could trot around with you. but I can't
 GAS soon as you've changed your clt ahes." Nan said familiarity. ''come down to the library and I'll show ycu
 around
 Stuart followed the man assigned as his valet to the electric elevator and in minute stepped out on the fourth floor. He observed with a smile that his room number was 157. To Ra