Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1913-01-23

CHAPTER XIV.
Tho White Messenger.
TN spite of Bivens' protest Stuart
returned to New York on the
first train the morning after the
coaching party reached the
house.
"Stay a week longer" the little man
urged, land I'll go with you. Well go
together, all Of US, in my car. I'm
getting worse here every day. I've
got to get back to my doctors in New
York"
"I'm sorry, CAL" he answered quick
~, "but I must leave at once"
Nan allowed him to go without an
effort to change his decision. A strange
calm had come over her. She drove
to the station with him in silence. He
began to wonder what it meant.
AS he stepped from the machine she
extended her hand, with a tender
smile, and said in low tones:
"Until we meet again."
He pressed it gently and was gone.
He reached New York thoroughly
exhausted and blue, but the sight Of
Harriet seated on the stoop Of the old
home by the square watching a crowd
Of children play brought a smile back
to his haggard face.
They've come to honor me with
their good wishes on my voyage" she
said.
"What voyage?" he asked in sur
prise.
ooh, you didn't know. I've an en-
gagement to sing on the continent
this summer. The news came the
day you left Isn't that fine? I sail
next week."
A sudden idea struck him.
LET me go with you, girlieT"
"Oh, Jim. If you only would, I'd be
in heavenw,
IT will" he said with decision.
you've booked your passageT
eyes, but I'll change it to suit you"
he found business which required a
week and booked his passage with
Harriet on a Cunarder which sailed
in ten days. A week later Nan and
Bivens returned to their New York
house. The papers were full Of stories
Of his failing health.
Two days after her arrival Nan tele.
phoned to Stuart.
"You must come up to see Cal to.
night" she said earnestly. 'He is ask
Ing for you"
rs he really dangerously ILL" Stuart
Interrupted.
"It's far more serious than the papers
suspect. You'll Gomez"
Eyes, early tomorrow morning. I've
an important engagement tonight that
will keep me until ~ o'clock. I'm sail
ing for Europe day after tomorrow"
A sudden click at the other end and
he was cut off. His experienced ear
told him it was not an accident.
1t was just dawn when Stuart's tele-
phone rang and he leaped from bed.
startled at the unusual call.
"Nell, we'll" be cried in quick, i'm
patient tones. "who is it? What is the
matter?"
"For heavens sake come at once.
Cal was taken dangerously i'll at 2
o'clock. The doctors have been with
him every moment. Vie Doesn't get any
better. He keeps calling for you"
CPL be there in half an ho%ur-three-
quarters at the most"
t"Thank you" she gasped. and hung
up her receiver.
Stuart's cab whirled uptown through
the rivers of humanity pouring down to
begin again the round Of another day.
In all the hurrying thousands not one
knew or cared a straw whether the
man of millions in his silent palace on
the drive lived or died.
The house was evidently in hopeless
confusion. Servants wandered In ev.
cry direction without order. Doctor aft
sickening odor Of medicines filed the
air. A group of newspaper reporters
stood at the foot of the grand stairway.
Nan stood shivering at the head Of
the stairs, pale, disheveled, her dark
eyes wide and staring with a new ex-
preston of terror in their depths.
GLOW is he. Nan?
"Worse," she stammered through
.chattering teeth. 1.-The doctors say he
can't possibly live. He has been call
ing for me for the last hour. I-can't
-go!'
"Why?"
'I'm afraid"
He took her hand. 1t was cold and
he felt a tremor run through her body
at his touch.
"Come, come, Nan, you're not a silly
child, I'm ashamed Of you. If Cal Is
calling, 60 to him at once. You must
see him."
Shivering in silence she led Stuart
to the door Of Bivens' room and fed
Ito her OWL.