River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1913-03-27
CHAPTER XIV.
The unbidden Guest.


T%HE bitter reference to Bivens
and the crime of his corner in
Isl wheat had reused Mans fight
ing blood She would accept
the challenge Of this rabble and show
her contempt for its opinions in
way that could not be mistaken. She
determined to give an entertainment
whose magnifcence would startle the
social world and be her defiant answer
to the critics of her husband At the
same time it would serve the double
purpose of dazzling and charming the
Imagination of Stuart She would by
a single dash of power end his in
decision as to Bivens's offer and bind
with stronger cords the tie that held
him to her.
Her suggestion was received with
enthusiasm by her husband.
"All right" he said excitedly, beat
the record. Give them something to
talk about the rest of their lives. |
don't mean those poor fools in Union
square. Their raving is pathetic.
mean the big bugs who think they
that we are new corners and that this
island was built for their accommoda
ton. Give them a knock out
Nan spared no expenditure of time,
money and thought to the perfection
of her plans. She employed corps
of trained artists took them to her
home. told them what she wished and
they worked with enthusiasm to eclipse
In splendor New YOrk's record of lavish
entertainments but always with the
reservation which she had imposed
that nothing be done that might violate
the canonS of beauty and good taste.
The long dreamed night came and
her guests had begun to arrive
One was hurrying there to whom no
engraved invitation had been sent. and
yet his coming was the one big event
of the evening the one thing that
would make the night memorable.
The confession of love for Stuart
which Harriet had Sohhed out in her
fathers arms had been the last straw
that broke the backbone Of his fight
against Rivens. In a burst of gener-
Gus feeling be made up his mind to
eat his pride drive from his mind
every bitter impulse and forget that
he had ever hated this man or been
wronged by him. He could see now
that he had neglected his little girl
in the fight he had been making for
other people and that her very life
might be at stake in the struggle she
was making for the man she loved.
Bivens had once offered to buy his
business He had afterward made
him a generous offer to compromise
his suit He had never doubted for
moment that a compromise would be
accepted the moment he should see fit
to give up.
He instructed his lawyer to with
draw the appeal before the day fixed
for filing the papers. The lawyer
raved and pleaded in vain. The doctor
was firm He wrote Bivens gener-
Gus personal letter in which he asked
that the past be forgotten and that he
appoint a meeting at which they could
arrange the terms of final friendly
settlement.
The act had lifted a load from his
heart. The sum he would receive. II
but half Bivens original offer. would
be sufficient to keep him in comfort,
complete his daughters course in
music and give him something with
which TO continue his daily ministry
to the friendless and the Lowry Ii
was all be asked of the world now.
He wondered in his new enthusiasm
why be had kept up this bitter feud
for the enforcement of his rights by