own suite, she was faced with the numerous angles of her situation. What to do? For, as she knew, Aileen might already be with him. But while she was meditating on the problem, a call came from Dr. James, telling her that Cowperwood would like to see her, and that his suite was number 1020. She thanked him very cordially and said she would go to him at once. Dr. James added that although Cowperwood was in no immediate danger, rest and quiet being his principal needs at present, he had ordered that no one be allowed to see him for a few days, with the exception of herself.
Upon arriving at his suite, she was ushered directly into his presence, where she found him lying propped up on pillows, looking pale and not a little distrait, but brightening as she neared him. She bent over and kissed him.
“Darling! I’m so sorry. I was afraid that this trip might be too much for you. And I was not with you! But Dr. James assures me that it isn’t serious. You know you recovered from your first attack, and I’m sure, with care, you’ll recover from this one. But, oh, if only I could be with you all of the time. I think I could nurse you back to health!”
“But Bevy, darling,” observed Cowperwood, “just to look at you makes me feel better. And this matter of your seeing me shall be arranged. Of course, there’s a lot of publicity now, and the less you are involved, the better I would feel. But I have explained the whole matter to Jeff, and he understands and sympathizes. And, better than that, he will keep in touch with you as to times and opportunities for seeing me. There’s just one person, you know, that you will have to do your best to avoid. But if you will keep in touch with Dr. James from day to day, I think we can manage until I’m out of this. As a matter of fact, I am sure of it.”
“Darling, you are so brave, and you know that I am delighted to be here in any capacity. I’ll be as cautious and circumspect as possible. Meanwhile, I’ll be loving you and praying for you constantly.” She bent over and kissed him again.
Chapter 67
The sudden illness and collapse of Cowperwood, flashed first by the local New York papers to their readers, was nothing less than an international sensation. For it affected and included the interests and investments of thousands of persons, to say nothing of their banks and bankers. As a matter of fact, the day after he was stricken, reporters from the principal newspapers of England and France, and Europe in general, through the United and Associated press services, interviewed not only Jamieson and Dr. James but also called upon distinguished financiers in the United States for comments as to what the effect of his death might be.
Indeed, so numerous were the apprehensive comments and misgivings on the part of some investors that most of the remaining managers of the London underground were compelled to express themselves as to the actual import of Cowperwood’s illness. For one, Mr. Leeks, acting chairman of the District Railway at the time, and who was said to have been very close to Cowperwood, was quoted as saying that “the necessary arrangements for every possible contingency arising from the possible indisposition of Mr. Cowperwood at any time had long before been made. “Complete harmony,” added Mr. Leeks, “exists in the entire Underground directorate. As to the future policy of this great system, I wish to say that there is not a trace of confusion or disorder.”
Again, one William Edmunds, director of the Railway Equipment & Construction Company of London, stated: Everything is in perfect working order. The organization is so good that Mr. Cowperwood’s illness or temporary absence can make no difference.”
Lord Stane made the following comment: “The Underground is in splendid condition, and its affairs have been so administered from the start, by Mr. Cowperwood himself, that his unavoidable absence cannot bring about any serious injury to the system. Mr. Cowperwood is too great an organizer to found any vast enterprise on the indispensability of any one man. Naturally, we are all hoping for his speedy recovery and return, for his is a welcome presence here.”
While Dr. James had attempted to keep this publicity away from Cowperwood, there were a few people he could not very well restrain and had to admit. One was Cowperwood’s daughter, Anna, and his son, Frank, Jr., neither of whom he had seen for a number of years. From his conversation with them he was able to sense the reaction of the public to his illness, and it was not unflattering, to say the least.
Following these came Aileen, who was extremely disturbed by his physical state, for at this time he looked and felt very weak. Dr. James insisted that she wait for a later time to discuss any-pressing problems, and she readily accepted his suggestion and considerately made her first visit a very short one.
After Aileen departed, Cowperwood was mentally constrained to meditate on the various social and financial angles which his sudden illness had brought into being as problems which he must solve if he could. One of these concerned the choice of someone to take on his duties temporarily in the face of his present unavoidable absence. Naturally, he first thought of Lord Stane, but considering his numerous and pressing interests, decided that Stane would not be the man. But there was one Horace Albertson, president of the St. Louis Electric Traction System, who, as he knew from previous financial relations, was one of the ablest railroad men in America. Albertson, he felt, should prove entirely satisfactory in such a crisis as this. And immediately following this thought he instructed Jamieson to see Mr. Albertson in St. Louis and present to him the entire problem, his reward to be whatever sum he felt he deserved.
However, Mr. Albertson declined the offer, saying that he was highly honored, but his own labors were constantly increasing in volume and he could not consider retiring from the American field. This was a disappointment to Cowperwood, but one that he could understand and justify. Although it did, for a time, cause him a degree of worry, he was relieved by a cable from Stane and the directors of the London Underground stating that they had that day appointed Sir Humphrey Babbs, well-known to Cowperwood, to take his place temporarily at the head of the system. Aside from this cable, came several others from his London associates, including Elverson Johnson, emphasizing their unhappiness over his illness and their deep desire for his speedy recovery and return to London.
Nonetheless, in spite of all their praises, Cowperwood’s mind was troubled by the somewhat complicated and ominous drift of all of his affairs at this time. For one thing, here was Berenice, his devoted love, risking so much for the rare opportunity of secretly visiting him at night, or in the early dawn, with the aid and connivance of Dr. James. And here again was Aileen—her lack of understanding of life in general, its inexplicable eccentricities and vagaries —also visiting him occasionally, unaware of the presence of Berenice in the hotel. He felt that he must try to live, and yet, in spite of his efforts, felt himself losing ground physically. So much so that one day when Dr. James was alone with him in his room, he began talking to him about it.
“Jeff, I’ve been ill for about four weeks now, and I have the feeling that I am not getting any better.”
“Now, Frank,” said James, quickly, “that’s not the right attitude to take. You must try to get well, and the chances are you will. Other cases as bad as yours have gotten better.”
“I know that,” said Cowperwood to his friend, “and naturally you want to encourage me. But I still have the feeling that I am not going to recover. And in connection with this, I would like you to call Aileen and ask her to come here and talk over some estate matters with me. I’ve been thinking of this for some time, but now I feel I’d better not wait any longer.”
“Just as you say, Frank,” said James. “But I do wish you would not decide that you are not going to get well. It isn’t good, you know. And besides, I think to the contrary. As a favor to me, you might try a little.”
“I’ll try, Jeff, but please call Aileen, will you?”
“Why certainly, Frank, but don’t talk too long, remember!”
And James retired to his own room, where he called Aileen on the telephone and asked her to come over to see her husband.
“Would you be good enough to come this afternoon, if possible, say around three o’clock?” he asked her.
She hesitated for a moment, and then replied: “Why, yes, of course, Dr. James,” and accordingly at about the time agreed upon she came, disturbed and wondering and not a little sad.
Upon seeing her, Cowperwood experienced a sense of weariness, such as for years he had often experienced in regard to her, not so much physical weariness as aesthetic weariness. She was so sadly lacking in that rare inner refinement that characterized a woman like Berenice. And yet, here she was, still his wife, and for the reason he felt that he owed her a reasonable degree of consideration in return for the kindness and affection which she had
