Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1913-01-16
(CHAPTER XXI CoNr1NuEp)

(CHAPTER XXI CoNT1NuED)
TN only too thankful FOR the chance,
JIM" she answered.
At the stage door he held her hand
in parting and whispered:
my soul and body will be yours to-
night, dearie. Remember that! I've
permission from the manager to meet
you behind the scene after the last
curtain. Be sure to wait a moment
before you go to your dressing ROOM"
mo, I'll see you in my room. l
shall be so proud Of 1.-THE stars room
for n night at least! The maid will
show you the way"
II will be in the Bivens' box. the
second from the stage on the right.
Don't forget to glance that way, now
and then"
A look of pain clouded the fair face,
but he could not see it in the shadows.
and with a last warm pressure Of her
hand he was gone.
II wonder If he does think of me
still as a child?" she unused. II Won
der If he never suspects the storm
within? Welr'-
She smiled triumphantly. "I'll tell
him something tonight in my song!"
Nan was not in an amiable mood
when Stuart led her to the box in the
m1llionaire's playhouse which New
York society built to exhibit it's gowns.
jewelry and beautiful women.
AS the moment for Harriet's appear
ance drew near, Stuart's nervous ten
sion became a positive agony. The
people We're In a friendly mood of ex-
pectancy. The fact that she was an
American girl and from New York was
greatly in her favor.
The audience greeted her appear
ance with a burst Of applause and
waited for the first note.
Stuart was charmed with the effect
of her personality in the character, be-
fore she moved. The long, beautiful
golden hair, the innocent young face
and her simple girlish costume made
an instantaneous impression.
With the first sweet note from her
throat every fear vanished. She sang
simply. quietly, exquisitely, without
effort, as a bird sings because the
song bubbles from within. A ripple
of surprised comment swept the audi
ence and burst into vigorous applause
at the close Of her song. From start
to finish Harriet received a continuous
ovation. The audience rose in their
seats and greeted her with such a
tribute Of enthusiasm New York had
rarely seen.
When Stuart had fought his way
through the crowd and reached the
stage he found her alone with her IA
Their in her room. Her head was rest
ing on his breast, and he was stroking
the fair young forehead with tender.
caressing touch.
Stuart turned away from the scene
and left them alone for a few mo-
ments. He found Nan and asked her
to wait for him at the stage door in
her automobile until he could give
Harriet his congratulations.
She consented with a frown and beg
ged him to hurry.
Her father was still there, and a
crowd of musicians, singers and crit
les were waiting in a group outside to
offer their congratulations. She was
holding them back until his arrival.
"My glorious little pail" he whisper
ed, his voice choking with emotion.
"I'm the proudest man in the world
tonight"
cts all your work. JIM" she said
simply. you suggested and willed it.
and I've made good under your inspi-
ration. I'd rather see the happiness
on your face and hear your words Of
approval than all the applause Of that
crowd"
He turned and saw Nan standing in
the doorway with a curious smile on
her flushed face.
MAY I, too, offer my congratula-
lions, Miss Woodman?" she asked.
Harriet's little figure suddenly stiff
ened at the sight of Nan, but at the
sound of her friendly voice relaxed
and moved to meet the extended hand.
THANK you. Mrs. Bivens." she re-
piled cordially:
And then Stuart did something that
sent a shock through every fiber of
Mans being.
As easily and naturally as a big
brother he s!irit II of his long
arms around Harriet and looked down
with frank admiration into her eyes.
"You see. Nan. she's mine. l raised
her from Il wee little mite. And this
was such Il cruel and dangerous exper-
iment-she had no chance. was I'M
possible, but. God bless he d she did
it,"
Nan made up her mind instantly to
act on a plan that had been vaguely