Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1912-12-04

MAJ she acted with lightning
Wv 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 a sense of values TO
permit herself to become entangled
in an intrigue.
She could wait and. gain in power
for the waiting. Her physician had
told her that Bivens' days were num-
bered.
But on one thing she was deter
mined. She must know that Jim loved
her still, loved her passiOnately. mad
" as she believed he did. But he
must say it, She had no difficulty in
persuading Bivens to urge Stuart to
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
1t was a warm. beautiful morning
the last week in March when he alight-
ed on the platform of the little railroad
station on the estate and took his seat
beside Nan in her big touring car. The
fruit trees were in full bloom. and their
perfume filed the air. The hum of
bees and the song of birds he had
known in his boyhood thrilled his heart
It's glorious. Mani" he exclaimed.
"Your coming makes it perfect, Jim,
she answered tenderly.
AS the river made a graceful curve
Bivens' house swept into full view-a
stunning pile of marble 800 feet long
its tower piercing the turquoise sky In
solemn grandeur. The stone parapet
on which its front wall was built rose
in massive strength hundred feet
from the ledge in the granite cliff be
fore touching the first line of the white
| stones of the house itself.
At the end a formal garden had beer
built on the foundations of masonry
| which cost 100000.
For an hour the car swept like a spir
it over the miles of smooth macadam
private roads BivenS had built. A.
/ each graceful turn his wonder inCreas
| ed at the luxurious outlay of millions.
From each hilltop as the huge CLEAN
| ing castle came into view from new
angle, revealing its marvellous beauty
| he thought with touch of pity of thu
| stumbling figure of the stricken mar
| limping through its halls helpless. lone
| ly, miserable. What strange prank:
fate plays with the mighty as well a.
! the lowlyl So frail was the broker
body now he did not dare risk a colo
! by taking a ride with his wife.
The machine turned suddenly up ;
! hill and giided through two iron gate
opening on the lawn. and the grea
white chateau doomed before them il
a fash of binding beauty. Stuar
caught his breath. He shook hand
with Bivens and was shocked to fine
him so weak.
The little man held his hand with
lingering wistfulness as he looked int
his friends strong face.
You don't know how rich you are
jim" he said feebly, with this ham
that grips like iron. I'd give million
to feel my heart beat like yours today.
You'll get better down here" Stuar
answered cheerfully.
I'm trying it anyhow he said list
lessly. Make yourself at home. oil
boy. This house is my pride. wan
Nan to show you every nook and col
ner in it. wish could trot aroun
with you. but | can't"
las soon as you've changed you
clothes" Nan said Familiarity. com
down to the library and I'll show 20
around"
Stuart followed the man assigned a
his valet to the electric elevator an
in minute stepped out on the fOurt
floor. He observed with a smile ths
his room number was 1871.
'"Tbe idea Of living in a huge hote
and calling it homer' he unused. witt
grim humor. Room 15T-great Scott
His hostess showed him first the
library. The magnificent room contained
more than 10000 volumes, bound il
hand fooled morocco.
The funny thing. of course" Nal
whispered. is that Cal has never reaC
one of these exQuisiteIy bound books