Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1912-10-30

CHAPTER vi.

! CoDyriaht. 1911.
CHAPTER VI.
Despair.
T\O the very dawn of Mans wed
ding day Stuart had refused to
give up hope.
The little financier had sent
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 l 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. l 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. If he should
accept it might be the one thing which
would prevent Mans betrayal of her
love at the altar Might be not by the
power of his personality. the hypnotic
y
stop the ceremony? In the moment of
deathlike 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, 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? 1t was possible. But it
would be too cheap. 1t would be
worthless victory, victory Of the flesh
without the spirit and he refused to
take the body without the soul.
With frown he turned to Bivens:
tits 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 least
you'll come to the church. For Gods
sake. let me get a glimpse Of one friend
ly face! I'll be scared to death. You
know, I'm not used to this.''
Stuart smiled:
"All right. III 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
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
uous 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 be reconcile himself to
the horrible reality? A marriage sor
did, cold. vulgar to such a man-this
little tobacco stained, bead eyed wea
gel.
He rose. breathing hard and brushed
tear from his eye-a tear that had
tome unbidden in spite Of his iron
will
His heart fairly shrieked its cry of
despair. He moved mechanically to.
ward the church and walked from his
reverie to find himself damned in a
solid mass Of humanity. Never before
had he realized the utter vulgarity of
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 shrimpike 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 on him. He felt
In that moment his kinship with all the
robels and disinherited Of the earth.
At last the bride came and the SUI
pliced choir moved slowly and solemn
" down the aisles through sea {
eager faces as the great organ peale
1Orlu Cuc uISL UulS VI VIC WVNNAu
march from "Lohengrin."
Nan was leaning on the arm of
stranger he had never seen before, q
uncle from the west. She was pal
deathly pale, and walked with hes
tating movement as though weak fro
illness. Suddenly his heart went OF
to her in flood Of pity and tenderness
He tried to make her feel this, but st
passed without glance. She had NJ
seen him.
Stuart listened to the ceremony wit
vague impersonal interest as If
were something going on in anothe
world. A single question was burnin
itself into his brain-the price of
woman! Have we all our price?'' b
asked, searching deep into his ow
soul. Something pathetic in the viii,
face of the bride had touched the dec
est sources of his being.
"Have l, too. my price, oh, boastf,
soul?' he cried. would l sell m
honor for q million? No. For tel
fifty, hundred millions? No-not
the market place, no-but would Sc
by a compromise of principle in til
secret conclave Of my party-at sal
the world could never know-would
sell for the presidency of the republic
Or would sell now to win this won
an? Would I? If SO. should hol
her blameless. Have oil men and a
women a price 1--we but name !!