The leader-enterprise. [volume] (Fitzgerald, Ga.) 1912-1915, 1912-12-17

| couldn't keep back the answer:
"All right. I'll come"
| AS Stuart dressed for the dinner than
night he thought of Harriet with a
pang. He had promised her TO try tn
keep out of danger. But could she
know or understand the struggle
through which be was passing? He
wondered vaguely why he had seen so
little Of her lately. She hnd become
more and more absorbed in her music
and her manner had grow shy and
embarrassed. Yet whenever he had
resented 1t 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. ana
IL you need any help you must let
me know"
Tho older mans voice trembled as BIT
replied:
THANK YOU. my boy. that's yer!
unusual speech to hear these days. II
renews my faith in the world"
You're not In troubles?
The doctor lifted his head gently.
INV 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
IL I'm in trouble myself"
He paused and pressed Stuarts
hand.
"T'm glad you asked me. The sun
will shine brighter today. 1 must
hurry"
With swing Of his staIwart form
and a 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 a 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 it 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 it's meaning?
Had 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 hurrying, daring. scheming, plot
ting. with never moments relaxation
Stuart was shown into the drawing
room by a powdered flunky whose cos
tune was designed by one Of the court
tailors of Europe While awaiting the
arrival Of the mistress of the house he
looked about the room with increasing
amazement. He found the perfection
of grace, elegance, quiet richness and
surprising beauty.
He began to realize for the first time
the triumph of the woman who had
bartered him for gold. His eye rested
on a life size portrait of Nan done by
the foremost artist of Europe. The
| artist had caught the secret of heI
character and expressed it with genius
in the poise of the superb form, the
incarnation of Sensuous. Soulless beauty
dominated by keen intelligence.
He wondered if she really showed
the ten years added to her age Al
least he knew that she had not been
happy There was some consolation
in that Her ceaseless efforts to win
back his friendship had left no room
for doubt. He sank deep into the great
chair and silently waited her coming.
When Mans radiant figure appeared
in the doorway. her bare arm extend
ed her lips parted in tender smile
Stuart knew that his face was red
The fact that he knew it increased his
confusion until the whole room became
a blur. Her hand touched his. The
shock was SOLDERING; he remembered
himself and smiled.
What long. long time. Timv'
"A thousand years. think, Man." he
stammered.
Mine hundred. to be exact. sir. but
better late than never. | began Il
think your stubbornness would post
pone this call until the next world
Mr.. Bivens was detained downtown or
business. ! am awfully sorry he's not
here to join in my welcome. But
am disappointed in you"
why"
my vanity is hurt. 1 expected to
find you, after nine years. with deer
lines of suffering written on your face
You are better looking than ever. The
few gray hairs about your temples are
extremely becoming. Your honors have