River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1913-02-13

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
at the theater tonight
And our mutual friend, John G.
Calhoun Bivens. is presiding?"
why, Jim. how could you be so
absurd?" she protested Indignantly.
i've been saving money for month
to give Nan this chance to return
some courtesies she has received from
rich friends. | 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 we'll
as ! 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 a
smile.
''But of course he's not in Mans so
cial set 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.'
carriage stopped at the door.
There's Nan now!" the mother ex-
claimed. rising to go. iii leave you
to surprise her, jim"
Stuart heard the carriage door slam,
and in a moment the girl he loved
stood in the hall, the joy of an even
ing's perfect happiness shining in her
great dark eyes. He watched her
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 CLEAN 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 fash of his laughing face In
the mirror and turned.
''Oh, you rascal. To surprise me like
thisv' she cried. with joyous laughter.
in all your pride and vanityY
"You can't help being little vain
yourself, Jim, any more than | 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. | 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
a little more unanimously as | do
you
well, let me whisper then that your
return tonight has made perfect end
ing to a perfect day. Oh, Jim. I've
been so happy tonight! Seated in that
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 happy!'
proud for your sake, Jim, yes; and
happy in your love-"
Stuarts face clouded and he turned
away, startled for the first time by a
strange similarity In the tone of Mans
voice to her mothers.
The painful impression was sudden
ly broken by quick touch of Mans
hand on his arm.
"Oh. Jim. I'm glad you came day
earlier. I've something to tell you,
something wonderful, something that
will bring our happiness near Her
voice sank to the tenderest accents.
You know Mr. BivensT'
Yes" Stuart answered evenly, con-
trolling himself with an effort.
well, be has taken our second floor.
| had long talk with him last week.
By the merest accident l learned that
his big trust. the American Chemical
company. needs another lawyer. They
pay an enormous salary with all sorts
of chances to get rich. They are max
ing millions on millions. | told him
that you were the very man for the
place and that you were going to be
the greatest lawyer in New York.
Imagine my joy when he not only
agreed with me. but said be would
double the salary if you would accept
1t. He thought you wouldn't, merely
because you lived III the house of old
Woodman With whom the company
may have fight. told him 1t was
nonsense. that knew you would ac-
rept. You'll accept. of courseY
'EmphaticaIly no.
You can't be so absurdp'
Have you Deen receiving the atten-
tions of this distinguished young mill
Iionaire. Nan?'
i've been cultivating him."