Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1912-11-14
CHAPTER vi.
Despair.

"O the very dawn Of Mans we'd
ding day Stuart had refused to
give up hope.
The little fnancier had SEM
him an invitation, and, worst Of all,
had called to ask that he act as his
best man He refused so CURLY that
Bivens was deeply wounded.
"But I say, Jim, that's all rot. |
want you to stand by me. I've always
taken as much Of your friendship as
you would give and been grateful for
it. I don't make new friends easily.
I 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. If he should
accept it might be the n thing which
would prevent Mans betrayal Of her
love at 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
deathl1ke silence which should follow
the minister's words asking if there
were any cause known why these two
should not be made one. might not a
single movement Of his body at that
moment, a groan Of pain, a sob, a cry
Of agony in a supreme act Of his will,
cause the white figure to reel and fall
at his feet? It was possible. But it
would be too cheap. It would be a
worthless victory, a victory Of the flesh
without the spirit, and he refused to
take the body without the soul.
With a frown he turned to Bivens:
"1t's no use talking, CAL, I've made
up my mind. l won't do it."
"Well, if you won't you WON'T" the
little man said with a sigh. AT least
you'll come to the church. For Gods
sake, let me get a glimpse Of one friend
ly facet I'll be scared to death. You
know, Pm not used to this"
Stuart smiled:
"All right. I'll be there"
But when the fateful 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
e 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.
tous 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 to
1.-THE horrible reality? A marriage sor-
did, cold. vulgar to such a man-this
little tobacco stained. bead eyed wea.
sci.
He rose. breathing hard and brushed
a tear from his eye-a tear that had
come unbidden in spite of his iron
will.
His heart fairly shrieked it's cry Of
despair. he moved mechanically to-
ward the church and walked from bis
reverie to find himself damned in a
solid mas of humanity. Never before
had ne realized the utter vulgar1ty OF
a public wedding. He forced his way
into the side door and stood waiting
the arrival Of the bride and groom.
When Bivens came the sight Of him
reused the slumbering devil in Stuart.
The excitement Of his triumph had
evidently steadied the little mans
nerves. Never had his shrlmplikeN fig
ure looked so slippery and plausible.
He extended his slender hand and
touched Stuart's in passing. To save
his life the lawyer could not repress a
shudder. In that moment he could
have committed murder with Joy. The
agony of defeat was OF him. He felt
in that moment his kinship with all the
rebels and disinherited of the earth.