The citizen. (Honesdale, Pa.) 1908-1914, 1913-05-13
"why, how did you known she ask

| important letter from him, dated here,
and he asked my advice about it,
"Oh"-
where's Nan?' Stuart asked, with
sudden anger in spite of his effort to
keep cool.
"Why, she's giving little box party
ut the theater tonight
"And our mutual friend, John c.
Calhoun Bivens, is presiding?
"Why, Jim, how could you be so
absurd?" she protested Indignantly.
1--WE been saving money for a month
to give Nan this chance to return
some courtesies she has received from
rich friends. l need Mr.. Bivens mon
ey to pay the rent of this big house.
But any attention on his part to Nan
would be disgusting to me beyond
measure"
"Yet he's the sensation in high
finance just now," Stuart said, with
an unconscious sneer. "They say he's
destined to become a multi-million-
aire."
"Come. come, Jim, it's not like you
to be nasty TO me. You know as well
as l do his origin in North Carolina.
His people are the veriest trash. He
was at college with you
"And how did you know that?'
mot from you, of course. You've
never mentioned his name in your life.
He told me- He thinks you are going
to be the greatest lawyer in New
York. And l told him we'd known
that for long time"
Stuart turned his head to hide
smile
"But of course he's not in Mans So
cial set. 1 told her the day he came
that we would treat him politely, but
draw the line strictly on any efforts
he may make to pass the limits Of ac-
quaintance."
A carriage stopped at the door.
There's Nan now!" the mother ex-
claimed, rising to go. "Ill leave you
to surprise her, jim"
Stuart heSrd the carriage door slam,
stood in the hall, the joy of an even
ing's perfect happiness shining in her
great dark eyes. He watched her a
moment unobserved as she laid aside
her opera cloak and stood before the
big mirror proudly and calmly survey
ing her figure. Never had her beauty
seemed to him so dazzling. The smile
was one of conscious power. The cor
ners of the full sensuous lips curved
the slightest bit as the smile faded and
a gleam of something like cruelty fash
ed from the depths Of her eyes as her
head lifted
Stuart, unable to wait longer, was
about to spring to her side when she
caught the flash of his laughing face in
the mirror and turned.
''Oh, you rascal! To surprise me like
thisp' she cried, with joyous laughter
"In all your pride and vanity"
you can't help being a little vain
yourself, Jim. any more than I can
You know you're a stunning looking
fellow. These Yankee girls all love
you at first sight-the tall, straight
sinewy figure, strong and swift in ev.
cry movement, the finely chiselled
face, the deep set dark brown eyes
under their heavy brows, that big
masterful jaw and firm mouth
Stuart suddenly took her in his arms
and kissed her into silence.
Hush, Nan. l don't like the way
you say that"
"Why? Am too modesto"
mo, too deliberate and coldly mis-
tress Of yourself. / wish you loved me
q little more tumultuously as I dc
you"
"Well, let me whisper then that youl
return tonight has made perfect end
ing to a perfect day. Oh, Jim, Eve
been 80 happy tonight! Seated in thai
big stage box felt that was some
body. This is the first really decent
dress I've ever had in my life"
"And you are proud and happyW
proud for your sake, Jim, yes; and
| happy in your love-"
Stuart's face clouded and he turned
: away, startled for the first time by 6
strange similarity in the tone Of Mans
, voice to her mothers.
The painful impression was sudden
ly broken by a quick touch Of Mans
hand on his arm.
"Oh, jim, I'm glad you came Gay
earlier. I've something to tell you
something wonderful, something tha
will bring our happiness near He
voice sank to the tenderest accents
you know Mr.. BivensT
"Yes," Stuart answered evenly, con
trolling himself with an effort.
"Well, he has taken our second floor
l had long talk with him last week
: By the merest accident 1 learned tha
his big trust, the American Chemica
company, needs another lawyer. They
pay an enormous salary with all sort'
Of chances to get rich. They are max
ing millions on millions. told hin
that you were the very man for thu
place and that you were going to bC
the greatest lawyer in New York