The Emmett index. [volume] (Emmett, Idaho) 1893-1925, 1913-02-06


rapidity. She would force
Stuart to an avowal of love
that would fix their relation be-
yond disturbance by the little singer.
She had too fine sense of values to
permit herself to become entangled
In an intrigue
She could wait and gain In power
for the waiting Her physician had
told her that BIyens' days were num-
bered.
But on one thing she was deter
mined She must know that Jim loved
her still. loved her passionately. mad
| ly as she believed he did. But he
| must say il. She had no difficulty in
| persuading Biyens to urge Stuart TO
| visit their country estate In the noun
talns of North Carolina. The doctor
had ordered him there to live In the
open air
The young lawyer refused to go at
first. but Bivens urged with such pa
thetic eagerness he was compelled to
accept
It was warm beautiful morning
the last week in March when he alight
ed on the platform of the little railroad
station on the estate and took his seat
beside Nan In her big touring car. The
fruit trees were In full bloom. and their
perfume filled the air. The hum of
bees and the song OF birds he had
known in his boyhood thrilled his heart.
"It's glorious, Mani" he exclaimed.
"Your coming makes 1t perfect. Jim"
she answered tenderly.
As the river made graceful curve
Bivens' house swept into full view-a
stunning pile of marble 300 feet long,
its tower piercing the turquoise sky In
solemn grandeur. The stone parapet
on which Its front wall was built rose
In massive strength hundred feet
from the ledge In the granite cliff be.
fore touching the first line OF the white
stones OF the house itself
At the end formal garden had been |
built on the foundations OF masonry |
which cost 100000.
For an hour the ear swept like a spir-
It over the miles OF smooth macadam
private roads Blvens had built. At
each graceful turn his wonder increas-
ed at the luxurious outlay Of millions.
From each hilltop as the huge CLEAN
ing castle came into view from new
angle. revealing its marvellous beauty.
he thought with touch OF pity of the
stumbling figure Of the stricken man
limping through Its halls helpless. lone
ly. miserable What strange pranks
fate plays with the mighty as well as
the lowly. SO frail was the broken
body now he did not dare risk cold
by taking a ride with his wife.
The machine turned suddenly up a
hill and glided through two iron gates
opening ON the lawn. and the great
white chateau doomed before them i'm
a fash of binding beauty. Stuart
caught his breath He shook hands
with Bivens and was shocked to find
him so weak
The little man held his hand with a
lingering usefulness as he looked into
his friends strong face.
"You don't know how rich you are.
Jim" he said feebly. with this hand
that grips Ike iron. I'd give millions
to feel my heart beat like yours today"
You'll get better down here" Stuart
answered cheerfully.
I'm trying i: anyhow" he said list
lessly. MAKE yourself at home, old
boy. This house is my pride. want
Nan to show you every nook and cor
ner in it. wish could trot around
with you. but | can't"
LAS soon as you've changed your
clothes" Nan said Familiarity come
down to the library and I'll show you
around"
Stuart followed the man assigned as
his valet TO the electric elevator and
in a minute stepped out on the fourth ,
floor He observed with smile that
his room number was 157.