Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1912-11-02
CHAPT Err VI.
Despair.

Despair.
T>O the very dawn Of Mans we'd
ding day Stuart had refused to
give up hope.
The little fnancier had sent
him an invitation. and. worst OF all,
had called TO ask that he act as his
best man. lie refused 50 CURLY that
Bivens was deeply wounded.
But / say. Jim. that's all rot. l
want you % stand by me. I've always
taken as much Of your friendship as
you would give and been grateful for
It. | don't make new friends easily.
want you. and you've just got to do
it."
Stuart shook his head and firmly set
his Jaws. A grim temptation flashed
through his Imagination. II he should
accept II might he the one thing which
would prevent Mans betrayal OF her
love al the altar Might he not by the
power Of his personality. the hypnotic
force Of his yearning passion and will,
stop the ceremony In the moment Of
death!ike silence which should follow
the ministers words asking II there
should not be made one. might not Il
single movement Of his body At that
moment. a ErOan of pain. a sob. cry
OF agony in a supreme act Of his will,
cause the white figure TO reel and fall
at his feet? Ii was possible. But 1t
would be too cheap. II would be
worthless victory. u victory OF the flesh
without the spirit. and he refused to
take the body without the soul.
With fruwn he turned to Bvens:
ITS no use talking, Cal, I've made
up my mind won't do It,"
''Well. II YOU won't you won't" the
little man said with a sigh. AT least
you'u come to the church For Gods
sake. let me get glimpse OF one friend
ly face! IN be scared to death. You
know, I'm not used to this"
Stuart smiled:
"Al right I'll be there"
But when the fatcful morning came
Stuart was stunned by the feeling Of
incredible despair which crept into his
heart The day was chill and damp
Dull, grayish. half black clouds rolled
over the city from the sea clouds that
hung low and wet over the cold pave
ments without breaking into rain.
He knew that Nan was as supersti-
tious as the old black nanny of the
south who had nursed her Aunt Sal
lie had come to New York for the wed
ding Of her baby" Stuart thought OF
the old saying Happy is the bride the
sun shines on" As the hour OF noon
approached despair slowly settled over
his heart.
How could he reconcile himself 10
the horrible reality? A marriage sor-
did. cold. vulgar 10 such a man-this
little tobacco stained. bead eyed wea,
sci
He rose, breathing hard and brushed
q tear from his eye-a tear that had
come unbldden in spite Of his iron
will.
His heart fairly shrieked its cry OF
despair He moved mechanically to
ward the church and walked from hi.
reverie to find himself jsmmed in q
solid mass OF humanity. Never before
had he realized the utter vulgarity Oi
a public wedding. He forced his way
AAAAb AAAt sANf NNNl hhAA sANON "hlNlAle
the arrival Of the bride and groom
When Bivens came the sight OF hin
reused the s!umbering devil in Stuart
The excitement OF his triumph haC
evidently steadied the little man,
nerves. Never had his shrimplike fg
ure looked so slippery and plausible.
He extended his slender hand ant
touched Stuart's in passing. To saw,
his life the lawyer could not repress
shudder. In that moment he eouk
have committed murder with Joy Tn,
agony OF defeat was on him. He Eel
IN that moment his kinship with all tn,
rehols and disinherited 81 the earth
At last The bride came and the sur
pliced choir moved slowly and solemn
ly down the aisles through a sea o.
eager faces as the great organ pealeC
forth the first bars 81 the wedding
march from "Lohengrin."