Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1913-01-09
CHAPTER XIX.
The Devil Smiles,

he had achieved as district at
torney brought him the best clients and
| from them he was able to choose only
the cases which Involved principles
worth lighting for. His spare time he
gave in loving effort to restore the
doctor to his old cheerful frame of
mind. He had returned Bivens' money
in spite of his protest and made his old
| friend II loan sufficient for his needs.
taking his personal note for security.
| He had no difficulty In learning the
progress Of Biveus in his search of
Europe for health, The daily cablcd
reports to New York always gave his
, condition as better Rut Stuart knew
the truth. He received two or three
! letters Il week from Nan She had told
him in full detail the little mans suf-
! fering, aud Mt last OF his homesick
ness fast developing into mania,
| He was not surprised ut the end OF
three months to hear her familiar voice
over his telephone,
Yes. we've returned. .Iim-sailed in
cognito to escape the reporters, He is
| NCAN lCNbiV' we hVth III tiaS
house three hours. but he has asked for
you a dozen times, Can you come up
at once?'
Stuart hesitated. then, 'I'll come" he
answered slowly.
He lost all sense of danger In the
warmth and tenderness OF Mans greet
ing He not only forgot his fears but
! al -.
mate OF her character in surprising that
she would allow herself or permit him
to cross the line of danger, Her solici-
tude for Bivens seemed deep and genu-
inc.
Bivens' JOY ut meeting Stuart was
pathetic, and moved him deeply. He
was surprised to find him SO strong,
apparently, in body and yet so broken
In spirit
The little shrunken hand chung to
his friends.
"You know. felt the thing creeping
on me for the past two years, but
couldn't let up That's why | tried so
hard to put some of the load on your
shoulders. At least you can help me
to get well. To the devil with the doc
tors! I'm tired. too. of all the syco-
plants. liars and fools who hang
around didn't mind 'em when | was
well. But they get on my nerves now
The doctors kept DINING into my ears
that I've got to rest and play, and
finally one old duffer over in France
put an idea into my head that brought
me back home to see you. He told me
to get ON small boat with single
nurse and a congenial friend, get away
from land. cut every telephone and
telegraph line get no mail, and shoot
ducks all winter. and he'd guarantee
I'd be new man next spring. I've
sent for you to accept the invitation
you gave me to shoot ducks with you
down I'm Virginia.
"What invitationY" Stuart asked In
surprise.
"Why. the one you used to reproach
me for not accepting. VIII you go
with me now"
Stuart shook his head.
II can't GO" he said slowly.
Bivens hadn't said Nan must go on
that trip. but In a fash OF warning In
tuition he knew it, The danger Of
such situation on n yacht would be
real and only a fool would rush into It.
Cant 90? Why?" the hnancier
asked in tones OF genuine distress
1--WE important legal business.
There's no use in my going can tell
you exactly where to go the guides to
get and the kind Of boats youll need
You'll get along better without me"
~ won't go without you" the 6nan-
cier said pecvishly. lyon know the
place. you know all about the birds.
you can teach me the ms and outs Of
the business and | can trust you |
know that you won't try to worm out
of me any information my enemies
would like TO know. ! appeal TO the
boy ! used to know at college. the fe-
low who fought for me one day"
Stuart hesitated and looked Mt Nan,
who had stood motioness while Biv.
ems spoke.
well, II that's the way you put It,
I'll take vacation and go with you
for a month"
BlVens seized his hand and pressed
1t gratefully.
BEST medicine I've had In weeks
Nan walked slowly across the room.
looked into his eyes and said. with
emotion:
Thank you. jim"
In FIVE days the party had completed
all preparations and Biyens' big
steamer. the Buccaneer, slipped quiet
ly through the Narrows aud headed
for the Virginia coast. towing Il trim
little schooner built for cruising In the
shoal waters Of the south
They had scarcely put to sea when
Stuart began to curse himself for
being led into such a situation.
Bivens had insisted with amateurish
enthusiasm that they begin the cruise
on the little schooner her limit
| ed crew and close quarters-at once
| and use the Buccaneer as her tender
| The moment they struck the swell