Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1913-01-02

Ai1eAu q lodu SuulcleHC TOT Ills needs,
taking his personal note for security.
He had no difficulty in learning the
progress Of Bivens in his search of
Europe for health. The daily cabled
reports to New York always gave his
condition rs better. But Stuart knew
the truth. He received two or three
letters a week from Nan. She had told
him In full detail the little mans suf-
fering, and at last Of his homesick-
ness, fast developing into a mania.
He was not surprised at the end Of
three months to hear her familiar voice
over his telephone.
Yes, we've returned, Jim-sailed in
cognito to escape the reporters. He is
very feeble. We haven't been in the
house three hours, but he has asked for
you a dozen times. Can you come up
at once?"
Stuart hesitated, then. "Ill come" he
answered slowly.
He lost all n Of danger in the
warmth and tenderness Of Mans greet
ing. He not only forgot his fears but
reproached himself for his low esti-
mate Of her character in supposing that
she would allow herself or permit him
to cross the line Of danger. Her solicit
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. l felt the thing creeping
on me for the past two years, but 1
couldn't let up. That's why l tried 50
hard to put some of the load on our
shoulders. At least you can help me
to get we'll. 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 I was
we'll. But they get OF 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 a small boat with a 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 a new man next spring. I've
sent for you to accept the invitation
VIII 90 We mo fo choot 1,,oJ~o Wilt vs.,
down in Virginia"
"What invitation ?" Stuart asked in
surprise.
"Why, the one you used to reproach
me for not accepting. Will you go
with me now?"
Stuart shook his head.
II can't 60" he said slowly.
Bivens hadn't said Nan must 20 on
that trip, but in a flash Of warning in
tuition he knew it. The danger of
such a situation on a yacht would be
real and only a fool would rush into it.
Cant go? Why?" the fnancier
asked in tones of genuine distress.
"I've important legal business.
There's no use in my going. I can tell
you exactly where to go, the guides to
get and the kind of boats you'll need.
You'll get along better without me-"
y won't go without you," the fnan-
cier said peevishly. "You know the
place, you know all about the birds,
you can teach me the ms and outs of
the business and 1 can trust you. l
know that you won't try to worm out
of me any information my enemies
would like to know. 1 appeal to the
boy l used to know at college, the fell
low who fought for me one day."
Stuart hesitated and looked at Nan.
who had stood motionless while Biv.
ems spoke.
"Well, if that's the way you put it,
I'll take a vacation and go with you
for a month";"
Bivens seized his hand and pressed
it 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 Bivens' big
steamer, the Buccaneer, slipped quiet
ly through the Narrows and headed
for the Virginia coast, towing a 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-with her limit
ed crew and close quarters-at once.
and use the Buccaneer as her tender.
The moment they struck the swell
outside Sandy Hook the inancier
went to bed and the doctor never left
his side until the trip ended.
Nan was in mas. est spirits, her
cheeks flushed and mar eyes sparkled
with the joy OF Il child. Stuart
watched her with growing wonder at
her eternal youth.
The night was one Of extraordinary
springlike air though it was the 18th
Of December. A gentle breeze was