X
' BrH
Copyright. 1911. by
CHAPTER XII.
Temptation.
WHEN Stuart had seated him
self on a luxurions leather
covered chair in the tittle
sitting room he gazed Into
the flickering tire with a feeling of
strange excitement
lie could hear Blvens giving orders
to his employees about the removal of
his millions to the vaults below. It
would take hours to complete the task.
He could bear the deep vibrant ring of
tie gold, as the men dumped it Into
bags.
As he listened to the curious sound
he began dimly to realize that the
foundations of his life and character
were being undermined. There could
bo no mistake about it, although he
had made some brave talk to Blvens'
face as he stared at the daring display
of his money.
TfB lifted his eyes from the fire and
they rested on an exquisite miniature
of Nan which had been painted just
after her marriage. He forgot the ten
Mack years of loneliness and struggle.
He was standing before her again in
all the pride and strength of those last
days of passionate longing and bitter
rebellion. His heart gave a throb of
fierce protest against the fate that had
robbed blm of the one thing on earth
be had ever really desired. He tried
la vain to separate her from the strug
gle of character and principle be was
fighting with Blvens.
When Blvens entered he found his
tall figure bent low in the chair and a
scawl on his face. The little black eyes
sparkled with the certainty of victory.
He knew the poison was at work and
- its wine bad found the soul.
"Now, Jim, down to business! You
can see that I have the cash. What
1 must have to do the big thing I've
dreamed is a right band man whom
I can trust with my money, my body
and my souL lie must be a man with
brains and furseelug eyes. A man
who will fight to the death and be loyal
with every breath, who will work
day and night, a man of iron nerve,
iron muscle and a heart of steel. Come
in with me. Jim. for all you're worth,
with all your brniu and will -and per
sonality, without a single reservation,
and I'll give you a partnership of one
fourth Interest in my annual income,
and I'll guarantee that It shall never
be less than a million a year."
Stuart sprang to his feet and stared
at ISIveus, gasping.
"You mean this are you serious? I
expected the offer of a generous salary.
Cal, but this is simply stunning."
"I told you I'd make you a proposi
tion so big and generous you couldn't
get away from it But mind you, I've
the best reasons for making it We
are entering the last phase of a world
struggle for financial supremacy. This
country is to he the real center of
medern power. We must become and
will become nu'fkly the economic
masters of the world. When that haj
pens somebody Is going to be master
here."
Blvens rose and paced back and forth
a moment
"Somebody's going to be master here,
Jim," he reiNMited. "and It's not going
to be a mob. the stupid, howling, slob
bering thing that clutched at your
throat that day in frout of uiy baulc."
"No." j
"Nor will it be a clumsy soulless cor- j
poratlon called a 'trust,' either, a j
thing that cim lie badgered and hound j
ed by every hungry, thieving politician j
' who gets Into oltiee. Tlio coming mas
ter of masters, the king or Kings will
lie u man a man on whose imperial
word will hang the fate of empires. I
met the king of America the other
day In this panic, lie sent for me.
You can bet 1 answered the call, lie
made me eat dirt and swear that 1
liked the taste of It But Til get even
with him yet!"
Two livid spots suddenly appeared
on the swarthy cheeks and he choked
Into silence for a moment, continuing:
"The world Is waiting for its real
master not a multi-millionaire, but the
coming billionaire. The king of kings
Is yet to come. If I bad been ready
in this panic with the capital I have
today I could have made a billion.
"With the rvror and experience I now
have and one such man ns you on
whom I can depend I'd double" my
fortune every year. That means that
in tlve years I will be a billionaire.
ir A only forty-two.
, billion dollars will double Itself
in ,v en jpu-s. At forty-two I'd be
wortl a billion. At forty-nine I'd
bare fvo unions. At fifty-eight I'd
lie wo--ts four billions and just old
enou-h to .-eallj herein, to. do. thlnss.
THOMAS DK0NM Mk
I
ill Mi
W III
Thomas Dixon
"Give line "one ' bffiTon answerable to
my will alone and I can rule this
nation. Give me four billions and
no king or emperor, president or par
liament on this globe dare to make
peace or war without consulting me.
"How long could this republic stand
if such a man should see tit to change
Rs form? Even now our petty million
aires buy courts and legislatures, aud
the control of great cities. But the
new king would know no limitations
to this power. If Europe now cringes
at the feet of our present mi'".ionalre
king of Wall street, emperors beg his
favor and princes wait at his door,
what could the real ruler of the world
do?'
Blvens' voice again sank into low,
passionate whispers, while his black
eyes again became two points of tierce
gleaming light
When the crucial moment came for
Stuart's manhood to answer, the
speech of brave denunciation died on
his lips. At the door of this yellow
empire, mightier than kings tn purple
rule, his conscience halted, hesitated
and stammered. He found himself.
In spite of honor and character, for
the moment measuring himself with
Blvens In the struggle for supremacy
which would sooner or later come be
tween then) If be should enter such
an alliance.
"Yon needn't rush your decision,
Jim. Take your time. Think it over
from every point of view. You're
bound to accept in the end.
Stuart flushed and his band trembled.
"It's no use in my quibbling. Cal
your offer is a stirring one. It tempts
me immensely. I feel the call of the
old blood struggle In' me. I'm begin
nlng to see now that the world's battle
are no longer fought with sword and
gun."
"Take your time. .Mm." Blvens broke
In. rising. "In the meantime I've got
to see more of you. Nan wants It. and
I want. It. The politicians have turned
you down, but the big nn'n who count
are afraid of yon and they'll co out
of their way to meet you. Come up to
dinner with us tonight. I wnnt you to
make my home your home whether you
accept my offer or not."
Sturm hettntcd
"lteally. Col. I oughtn't to go to
night. I'm afraid I've let you take
too much for granted. I've got to tight
this thing out alone. It's the biggest
thing physically and morally I've ever
beeu up against I've got to be alone
for awhile."
"Oh, nonsense, be alone as much as
you like later. Nan Insisted on my
bringing you tonight, and you've got
to come, to save me from trouble if
nothing else. I've an engagement down
town after dinner. You and Nan can
talk over old times. I promise you
faithfully that not a word of busi
ness shall be spoken."
Stuart felt the foundations of life
slipping beneath his feet and yet he
couldn't keep back the answer:
"All right. I'll come."
As Stuart dressed for the dinner that
night he thought of Harriet with a
pang. He had promised her to try to
keep out of danger. But could she
know or understand the struggle
through which he was passing? lie
wondered vaguely why be bad seen so
little of her lately. She bad become
more and more-absorbed in her music,
and her manner had grow shy and
embarrassed. Yet whenever he had
resented It nnd stopped to lounge and
chat and draw her out. she was always
her old sweet self. The doctor, too,
bad avoided him of lute, and he notic
ed that his clothes had begun to look
shabby. He caught him hurrying from
the house and laid his hand affection
ately on his arm.
'These are tough times, doctor, and
If you need any help you must let
me know."
The older man's voice trembled as he
replied:
"Thauk you. my boy, that's a very
unusual speech to hear these days. It
renews my faith In the world."
"You're not In trouble?"
The doctor lifted his head gently.
"My troubles are so much lighter
thao those of the people I know 1
can't think of them. So many of my
friends and patients have given up
in this panic. So many have died for
the lack of bread. I'll let you know
If I'm in trouble myself."
lie paused and pressed Stuart's
hand
"I'm glad yon nsked roe. Tho sun
will shine brighter today. 1 must
hurry.'
With a swing of hi stalwart form
nnd a generous wave of his hand he
wasgono.
The only changes I see merely add
to your power the worldly wUdom
which niurrluge writes ou every worn
an's face, a new streugtn. a warmth
mid fascination uud a conscious joy at
which 1 woude' aud rase."
"Why wundei and rage 7
She drew hiui geutly to a seat by her
side, leaned forward and gazed smil
ingly at him.
When 1 see you tonight In all this
spleudor, bo lusolently happy"
Nan sprang to her feet, laughing.
"You are delicious touight, Jim, and
I'm so glad you are here. Come into
the art gallery. It will take you days
to see It; we'll Just peep In tonight"
He followed her Into a stately room
packed with masterpieces of art
Stuart gazed a moment in rapture.
'You must spend days here. Jim,
Now. honestly, with all your high-
"What a long tim. Jim!
browed Ideals, wouldn't you like to own
this?"
"No. Not
if l bad the wealth of
Croesus."
'Why' not?"
"It's a crime to rob the world of
these masterpieces of genius. They
should be the free inheritance and In
spiratlon of all the children of men."
Nan gazed at Stuart In vague be
wilderment and then a mischievous
smile crept into the corners of Her
mouth.
"You're trying to throw dust In my
eyes, but 1 can tell you what you are
really thinking. You are really won
during why the wicked prosper."
"You are wrong." he replied slowly
"Why the wicked prosper has uever
worried me in the least The tirst tilg
religious idea 1 ever got hold of was
that this Is the best possible world God
could have created -because It's tree.
Man must choose, otherwise Uis deeds
have no meaning. A deed of mine is
Pod merely because I have the power
to do its opposite if 1 choose In this
free world, step by step. I can rise or
fall through suffering and choosing."
"Oh. Jim," Nan broke tu soltlj. "I've
made you utilTcr horribly. You have
the right to be hard und bitter."
lie looked at Nan cautiously aud be
gan to study her every word and
movement and weigh each accent lld
she mean what her words aud tones
Implied? In a hundred little wuys
more eloquent tluui speech she bad
said to blm tonight that the old love
of the morning of life was still the one
living thing. He put her to little tests
to try the genuineness of her feeling.
He threw off his restraint and led her
back to the scenes of their youth.
When dinner ended she was leaning
close, her eyes misty with tears, and a
taraway look In them that told of
memories more vivid and alluring
than all the splendors of her puliiee.
Stuart drew a breath of conscious tri
umph, and his figure suddenly grew
tense with a desperate resolution. Rut
only tor u moment
He frowned, looked at his watch
aud rose abruptly.
"1 must be going, Nan," be said with
sudden coldness.
"Why, Jim," she protested, "it's only
10 o'clock. 1 won't hear of such a
thing."
"Yes, I must" he persisted. "I've
an important case tomorrow, i must
work touight"
"You shall not go!" Nan cried. "I've
waited nine years for this one even
lug's chat with you. Come Into the
music room, sit down and brood a
long as you like. I've planned to
charm you with an old accomplish
ment of mine tonight"
She led him to a rich couch, piled
the pillows high, made him snug, drew
a harp near the other end and began
to tune its strings.
Stuart gazed at the paintings on the
ceiling and in a moment was lost in
visions of the future his excited fancy
began to weave.
A vole whispered:
"Unless you are a coward, grasp the
power that is yours by divine right of
nature. Why should you walk while
pygmies ride? Why should you lag
bchliid the age In this fierce struggle
for supremacy? Tho woman who sits
before you Is yours If you only dare
to tear her from the man who holds
her by the fiction of dying customs'"
He felt his heart throb as another
voice within cried:
"Yet why should I. an heir to Im
mortality, whose will can shape a
world, why should 1 live n beast of
prev with my hand against every
man?"
The answer was the memory of dirty
finger nails closing on his throat while
a mob of howling fools surged over
his body and cursed him for trying to
save them from themselves. Again ne
beard a wouihu'd voice as she held his
head close, whispering:
"I've somethiug to say to you. JlmT
His Hps tlghteued with sudden de
cision. The golden gates of the for
bidden land swung open and bis soul
entered.
(To Be Continued.)
Local News
Krom Friday's Pally.
t
Carter Albin of Union came in
this afternoon from Omaha, where
he has been attending to matter?
of business.
Miss Esther Olson of Pacific
Junction was in the city today for
a few hours, looking after some
business matters.
Mrs. Kate Remington came
down last evening from Omaha to
look after some matters of busi
ness in regard to the Woodman
Circle.
A. W. Danieron, wife and chil
dren returned this morning to
their home in Lincoln, after a
short visit here with George
Poisall and family.
0. J. Dady of Mason City, Neb.,
who has been here looking after
some business with Luko Wiles,
the Red Polled cattle fancier, re
turned to his home this morning
on No. 15.
Rev. J. II. Steger departed last
evening over tho Missouri Pa
cific for Dumfries, Iowa, where, he
will attend the funeral of Rev. G.
Zimmerman, an old friend and a
minister of the Lutheran church.
Mrs. Lcpoldt returned to her
home at La Platte this afternoon,
after visiting hero for a few days
with the family of C. A. Marshall.
Miss Gladys Marshall accom
panied her homo for a short visit.
County Treasurer V. K. Fox
and wifo returned this morning
from Lincoln, where Mr. Fox has
been attending tho sessions of
tho County Treasurers' associa
tion in that city, while Mrs. Fox
has been visiting relatives.
From Saturday's Dally.
K. 1). Stcime returned to his
home in Lincoln this morning, af
ter a short visit with friends in
this cily.
G. G. Meisinger came in this
afleiiiuDii from his home, west of
lis cily, to look after mailers of
business.
1'. II. Meisinger was in the city
today for a few hours looking' af
ter business matters among our
merchants.
Henry Thierolf of Cedar Creek
was in the city toddy for a few
hours attending to some matters
of business.
0. P. Newbranch and wife de
farted this afternoon for Omaha,
where they will make their home
lor the future.
Misses Edna and Mayola Propst
came down this afternoon from
Omaha to spend Sunday w ith I heir
parents at Mynard
L. A. Meisinger drove in this
morning and spent several hours
hero attending to some t radio
with the merchants.
William Puis, sr., drove in to
day from his farm near Murray
and attended to business matters
with the merchants.
John Cory returned last evening
from Omaha, where he had been
attending the meeting of the grand
lodge of (.ho Red Men.
F. J. Hennings braved the cold
weather today and drove up from
his home near Cedar Creek to look
after tho week-end shopping.
C. L. Graves, editor of the Union
Ledger, was in tho city last even
ing visiting with his numerous
friends and attending to busi
ness matters.
Charles Mapes came in last
evening from Verdon, Neb., where
ho is engaged in teaching school,
and will visit hero over Sunday at
tho homo of H. J. Reynolds.
Prof. Frank J. Kolbaba departed
this morning for Omaha, where
ho will attend to his class in
music in that cily. Tho professor
has a great reputation as an in
structor in violin in this part of
the stale and has a large class in
tho metropolis.
When ordering flour ask youi
grocer to send you a sack ol
Forest Hose Flour the best lloui
Miss Blanche Robertson came
down on No. 1 i last evening from
her school at Omaha and will
spend Sunday here with her par
ents. Frank Hiber came down from
the Ctvighton School of Pharmacy
!asl evening to visit over Sunday
with his parents, Mr. and Mrs.
John Hiber.
Herman Smith came up last
evening from his home near Mur
ray and visited here over night
with relatives, going to Omaha
this morning.
Miss Lillian While and her
guest, Mrs. Andy Moore, of Bur
well, were passengers this morn
ing for Omaha, where they will
take, in tho sights.
K. T. Grey of Fremont, Neb.,
who has been here visiting his
daughter, Mrs. W. A. Robertson,
for a few days, returned to his
home this afternoon.
Ld Baumgart departed last
evening on the Missouri Pacific
for Sterling, Neb., where he will
visit his brother, Fred, for a
short timo on his farm near that
city.
Glenn Hull of Omaha was in the
city today looking for a suitable
location where he could secure
furnished rooms. Mr. Hull ex
pects to enter the employ of the
Burlington.
Miss Mario Fitzgerald returned
this afternoon from Pacific Junc
tion, whero she has been visiting
since Thursday. Miss Helen
Record accompanied her home and
will visit hero over Sunday.
SIX-YEAR TERM
BILL UNAMENDED
Senate Defeats Every Effort to
Alter Works' Measure.
POPULAR VOIE PLAN BEATEN.
Turned Down by Thirty-five to Thirty
two Ballots Opponents of Constitu
tional Change Mustering Strength
Roosevelt Often Mentioned.
Washington, Feb. 1. The senate uV
feated every attempt to amend tin
Works hlngle six-year presidential
term resolution. When a recess w.'is
taken it appeared certain that a final
vote on tho proposed constitutional
amendment would be reached today
and its opponents were muster lug all
possible strength to defeat it.
As the measure emerged from the
fight lu the senate it still provides for
one term of six years for the chief
executive and makes ineligible to re
election any persons who in the past
had held tho olllco by election or by
succcHsIon. The closest votes of the
day ciune on Senator Owen's amend
ment for a popular voto on president
and vice president, defeated 35 to 32,
and Senator Paynter's amendment to
lengthen to six years the term of tho
president who might bo In office when
tho constitutional amendment finally
was ratified. This was dcfcated,3G to 30.
Present Company Not Excepted.
Proposals for two four-year terms
and one four-yenr term, suggestions to
modify the resolution ho it would not
affect Taft, Wilton or Roosevelt, nnd
amendments to make It apply only to
presidents elected after its ratlflca
Hon wore all defeated by largo ma
joritics.
Progressives and Republicans who
doclared themselves friendly to Colo
nel Roosevelt again led a fight against
the entire resolution. Tho Progros
slves d hired It was ngulnst American'
governmental principles to limit the
right of tlio people to choose a presi
dent. Senator Crawford insisted It was
aimed at Colonel Roosevelt.
Not Afraid of Despot.
"We are asking tho American peoplo
to foreclose themselves of the right
to call into the service tho man of
the hour during a crisis upon which
the very destiny of the republic may
be hnnnlng." declared Senator Craw
ford. "We Lave no foar of a despot."
"No, we are not afraid of a despot,"
retorted 8enator Williams, "neither
was any other fool nation that ever
existed until after thoy had got him."
The debate centered about the decla
ration by Senator Williams that unless
such amendments were adopted as to
make Roosevelt, Taft and WllHon eligi
ble for another torm the friends ot
Roosevelt and others might oppose
ratification of tho constitutional
amendment by tho states.
"Whatever might be the motives ot
those who oppose the amendment,"
Senator Williams Bald, "they would ha
able to ?ay to the people:
"'They are after one man's scalp;
he received more than 2,000,000 votes
of the American people and now they
are trying to niako him Ineligible.' "
HOUSE PASSES
CODEMEASURE
Sends Bill to S'enale Rsvlsmg
the Statutes.
LIQUOR BILL TO LIE OH TABLE
Pearson Does Not Insist on Houso
Members Going ott Record on Meas
ure No Objections Heard From
Any Side to This Action.
Lincoln, Feb. 1. The house passed
louse roll No. 1, xvhich provides for
the adoption of the) code as revised by
a special commission.
The house will lie turned over to the
advocates of wonnaa suffrage on the
evening of Feb. 11, at which time Dr.
Anna Shaw will speak.
Representative INsaxson of Frontier
lias concluded ho does not desire to
kill off all liquor legislation this early
In the game, especially with several
more bills almost ready for introduc
tion from Omaha, so he asked that his
resolution continue to sleep on the
table In the house, and there It sleeps.
He introduced a resolution several
(toys ago asking that all bills making
any reference t the liquor laws be
Indefinitely postponed. The house
put the matter over for debate and
consideration, but the timely motion
by Pearson sated anyone going on
record, and the liquor amendment bills
will take their iregular course.
Direct Election Bill Reported.
Tho proposal to ratify the federal
constitutional amendment for direct
election of United States senators was
reported to the house. Immediate pas
sage of the measure la favored by
many of the members.
Several petitions on the subject of
legislative action on Sunday baseball
wore road In the house. Organiza
tions and Individuals, both for and
against the proposed measure, were
hoatd from.
A bill to repeal a law pussed two
years ago providing that grain tests'
should be made from a vertical sec
tion through a bin or crib In buying
and selling grain we.s killed by a vote
of the house.
PLACEK FOR SCHOOL INQUIRY
Saunders Senator Seeks Investigation
of Kearney Institution.
Lincoln, Feb. 1. Five bills were
made into laws in the senate.
A communication from the legisla
tive reference bureau was read ask
ing that that Institution be furnished
twenty-five copies of all bills Intro
duced, in order thit they might ex
change with other legislatures In ses
sion. Their request was granted.
Placek of Saunders sent up a reso
lution ealllng attention to the deficit
in the treasury of the hoys' industrial
school at Kearney and a:;kcd that a
committee of three be appointed to
mako an investigation into tho affalra
of thnt Institution. Under tho rules
tho resolution went over for a day.
There will he a special henring bo-
foro the judiciary committee on next
Wednesday evening In the senate com
mittee, for trie purpose of taking up
the employers' liability compensation
matters
Smith's bill to repeal the law which
declared war on prairie dogs and
gophers was fished out of the third
reading pllc nnd was passed.
FREE RIDES FOR OFFICIALS
Representative Foster of Douglas
County Introduces Measure.
Lincoln, Feb. 1. Representative
Foster of Douglas county introduced a
bill providing that all state officers
and supreme and district court Judges,
except lieutenant governor, shall be
entitled to ride free upon trains when
traveling on state business. They are
required to carry a card signed by
the secretary of state which shall be
honored by conductors.
McKIksU k of (lago Introduced a bill
appropriating $ ! Ti.ooo for an exhibit at
tho San Francisco exposition, the gov
ernor lo appoint a commission of three
members to serve without pay.
46 Farmers' Institutes This Month.
Lincoln, Feb. 1. Farmers' institutes
tnd short courses will bo held at forty
sfx points this month, with a total ot
eighty-four days' work. There will bo
three schools of agriculture, lasting a
week, nverage five days each week.
There also will be meetings held in
four country school houses in the
North Platte valley and ono meeting
held In n country church.
Edgar to Elect Postmaster Feb. 8.
Edgar, Neb., Feb. 1. A primary has
been called, to bo held here Feb. 8,
for the purpose of electing a postmas
ter for Edgar. The time of J. J. Wal
ley expired June 15, and though sev
eral have sent in petitions asking for
the appointment, none has yet been
made. Tho Democrats have now taken
It up and propose to elect a postmas
ter by the patrons of the office.
Five Wolves Killed.
' Fairbury, Neb., Feb. 1. A big wolf
hunt, covering nn area of six square
miles north ot Fairbury, furnished en
tertainment for 600 farmers. Five
largo prairie wolvos were killed. They
were then sold nt auction and brought
$2 each. It Is estimated that at least
fifty prairie wolves have been killed in
various parts of the count? this month.