Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1912-12-05

Stuart's manhood to answer, the
speech of brave denunciation died on
his lips. At the door of this yellow
empire. mlghtier than kings in purple
rule, his conscience halted, hesitated
and stammered. He found himself,
In spite of honor and character. for
the moment measuring himself with
Bivens in the struggle for supremacy
which would sooner or later come be-
tween them If he should enter such
an alliance.
"You needn't rush your decision,
Jim. Take your time. Think It over
from every point of view. You're
bound to accept in the end"
Stuart flushed and his hand trembled.
TITS no use in my quibbling. Cal.
your offer is a stirring one. 1t tempts
me immensely. l feel the call of the
old blood struggle in me. I'm begin.
ming to see nov that the worlds battles
are no longer fought with sword and
gun"
Take your time. Jfm." Bivens broke
In, rising. I'm the meantime I've got
to see more Of you. Nan wants it. and
l want 1t. The politicians have turned
you down. but the big men who count
are afraid Of you and they'll go out
of their way to meet you. Come up to
dinner with us tonight. I want you to
max my home your home whether you
accept my offer or not"
Stuart hesitated.
-r,eany, Cal. I oughtn't to go t,
night. I'm afraid I've let you take
too much for granted. I've got tt fight
this thing out alone. It's the biggest
thing physically and morally I've ever
been up against. I've got to be alone
for awhile"
"Oh, nonsense, be alone as much as
you like later. Nan insisted on my
bringing you tonight, and you've got
to come, to save me from trouble if
nothing else, I've an engagement down
town after dinner. You and Nan can
talk over old times. I promise you
faithfully that not a word Of bust
ness shall De spoken"
Stuart felt the foundations Of life
slipping beneath his feet and yet be
couldn't keep back the answer:
"All right. ri come"
AS Stuart dressed for the dinner that
night be thought Of Harriet with a
pang. He had promised her to try to
keep out OF danger. But could she
know or understand the struggle
through which be was passing? He
wondered vaguely why be had seen so
little Of her lately She had become
more and more absorbed in her music,
and her manner had grow shy and
embarrassed Yet whenever he had
resented it and stopped to lounge and
chat and drnw 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.
'"yhese are tough times. doctor. and
If you need any help you must let
me know"
The older mans voice trembled as be
replied:
THANK you. my boy, that's a very
unusual speech to hear these days. 1t
renews my faith in the world"
you're not In troubleT
Tie doctor lifted his head gently.
my troubles are so much lighter
than those of the. people l 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
If I'm in trouble myself"
He paused and pressed stuart's
hand.
I'm glad you asked me. The sun
will shine brighter today. must
hurry"
With a swing of his stalwart 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 moo 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 be walked around the block be-
fore entering. viewing it from every
angle. What a 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 a new master of the world real.
~ 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 q moments relaxation.