Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1912-10-31
CHAPTER VI.



TO the very dawn OF Mans we'd
ding day Stuart had refused to
give up hope.
The little tinancicr had sent
him an invitation. and, worst Of all.
had called to ask that he act as his
best man. lie refused so CURLY that
Mvens was deeply wounded
But | 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 ana been grateful for
II. don't make new friends easily.
! want YOU, ana you've just got to do
it."
Stuart shook his head and firmly SET
his jaws \ grim temptation flashed
through his Imagination. If he should
accept 1t might be the one thing which
would prevent Mans betrayal of her
love ut the altar. Might he not by the
power of his personality, the hypnotic
force of his yenrnine passion and will,
stop the ceremony? In the moment OF
deathliko silence which should follow
the minister's words asking if there
We're any cause known why these two
should not be made one, might not n
single movement Of his body nj that
moment, groAn of pain. II sob, II cry
OF agony In n supreme net of his Will,
cause the white figure to reel and fnll
Mt his feet? II was possible But 1t
would be too cheap, II would be
worthless victory, II victory of the flesh
without the spirit. and he refused to
take the body without the soul.
With frown he turned to Bivens
ITS no use talking. Cal, I've made
up my mind | won't do It,"
"Well. If you won't you won't" the
little man said with sigh at lenst
you'll come TO the church For Gods
sake. let me get glimpse of one friend.
~ face! III be scared to death. You
know. I'm not used TO this"
Stuart smiled:
"AIl right. IN be there"
But when the fatefu morning came
Stuart was stunned by the feeling Of
incredible despair which crcpt into his
heart The day was chill ana damp
Dun, grayish. half black clouds rolled
over the city from the sen clouds that
hung low and wet over the cold linve-
mcnts without breaking into rain
He knew that Nan was ns snperstl
tious AS the old black mummy 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 rcalltyf \ marriage sor-
did, cold, vulgar to such Il man this
little tobacco stained. bead eyed wea
sci
He rose, breathing hard and brushed
tear from his eye-a tear that had
come unbiddrn In spite Of his iron
will
Ills heart fairly shrieked It's cry of
despair lie moved mechanically 10.
ward the church md walked from his
reyerie TO dud himself damned IN
solid mass Of humanity Never before
hdh ne f"alHeh the Hiier NuigarllN 81 /
II public wedding. lie forced his way
into the side door and stood waiting
the arrival ~ the bride and groom
When Biycus came tia" sight Of HIM
reused the ~lumberng devil I'm Stuart /
The excitement Of his triumph had
evidently Stcudicd the little mans /
nerves. Never had his shrmplike fie /
ure looked 50 slippery aud plausible
He extended his slender hand ana /
touched Stuart's In passing TO save
his life the lawyer could not rcpress - /
shudder. I'm that moment he could /
have committed murder with JOY The
agony Of defeat was on him He feli
in that moment his kInship with all the
rebels and diSinheritcd Of the earth