Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1911-07-18

devil rules the universe, and dog-eat-
dog is the law, there'll be a big hand
feeling for your throat, feeling blindly
in the dark, perhaps, but 1t will gel
there? When l look into your brazer
face tonight, and hear the strains OF
that music, there's something inside OF
me that wants to kill"
But you won't, Woodman!" Bivens
interrupted with a sneer.
when it comes to the test your liv-
er Is white. know your breed OF men,
but 1 like you better in that mood. II
gives me pleasure to torture you, and
I'm not going to kick you out"
Il shouldn't advise you to try it,
was the grim response.
NO Your TRADE gives me an idea,
1 want you to stay until the festivities
end, and enjoy yourself. Observe that
I'm pouring out my wealth here to-
night in a river Of generosity, and that
you are starving for a drop which
refuse to give. Take look over my
house. 1t cost two millions to build
1t, and requires half million a year
to keep 1t up. l have a country es-
tate of a hundred thousand acres In
the mountains of North Carolina, with
a French chateau that cost a million.
I only weigh a hundred and fifteen
pounds, but l require these palaces
to properly house me for year. Think
this over while you stroll among my
Laughing guests. My art gallery will
interest you. I've a single painting
there which cost three hundred thou
sand dollars-the entire collection two
millions. The butterflies those dancers
are crushing beneath their feet in my
ball room, l imported from Central
America at a cost of five thousand
dollars. The favors in jewelry I shall
give to my rich guests who have no
use for them will be worth twenty
five thousand dollars. You'll see my
wife among the dancers. Her dresses
cost a hundred thousand year. For
the string of pearls around her neck
paid a half million. The slippers on
her feet cost two thousand-all you
need for your daughters education.
Take a good look at it, Woodman, and
as the day dawns and my guests de-
part, some Of them drunk on wine that
cost twenty five dollars a bottle-re-
member that spent three hundred
and fifty thousand on this banquet
which lasted eight hours and that l
will see you and your daughter dead
and in the bottomless pit before 1 will
give you one penny. Enjoy yourself,
it's a fine evening"
The crushed man stared at Bivens
in a stupor Of pain. The brazen auda-
city of his assault was more than he
could foresee. When the full import
of it's cruelty found his soul, he spoke
in faltering tones:
"Only he who is willing to die, Biv-
ems, Is the master Of life. Well, / go
now to meet Death and celebrate de-
feat"
And 1 the sweetest victory of my
| life-good evening""
Before the doctor could answer, the
fnancier turned with a laugh and left
the room.
For a long time the dazed man stood
motionless. He passed his big hand
over his forehead in a vague instinc-
tive physical effort to lift the fog OF
horror and despair that was slowly
strangling him.
my Cod" he gasped at last.
| The orchestra began a new waltz
while the hum of voices, and the laugh
ter of half drunken jewellers fioated
UP the grand stairs and struck upon
his ears with a strange new accent.
He seemed to have lived a thousand
years, and come to life new man
with strange new impulses. The light
of faith that once illumined his soul
had suddenly gone out and new sense
of brutal power quivered in every nerve
and muscle.
| He felt at last his kinship to the torn
bleeding bundle of despair he saw dy-
ing on the pavement in Union Square.
The music, soft, sweet and sensuous,
seemed to fill every nook and corner
of the great palace with it's low pene-
trating notes. He lelt that he was suf-
locating, He tore his collar apart to
| give himself room to breathe He
thrust his hand into the hip pocket of
| his dress suit where he usually carried
a handkerchief and felt something
hard and cold.
| 1t was a revolver he had been accus-
through the dangerous quarters of the
city. Without thinking when he dress
ed, he had transferred it to his even
| ing suit. His hand closed over the
ivory handle with a sudden fierce joy.
And in moment the beast that sleeps
beneath the skin of religion and cul-
ture was in the saddle.
Yes, I'll kill him in his magnificent
ball room-to the strains of his own
music!" he said half aloud. I'll give
a fit climax to his dance of Death and
the Worm"
He drew the revolver from his pock-
ct, broke it, examined the shells, snap
ped them in. place and thrust the dead
ly thing in the inner pocket of his
coat He could draw it from there
without attracting the attention of his
victim.
He quickly descended the stairs and
saw Bivens talking to his wife. He
didn't wish to kill him in her presence
and as he passed a look of hatred
flashed from the little black eyes "f
the millionaire.
The doctor answered with a smile
that reused the master of the house 10
a pitch of uncomfortable fury. He left
his wife's side stepped quickly in front
of Woodman. hesitated as he was
about to utter an oath, changed his
mind and resumed his role of host:
IF can show you any of the treas
ures of the house, I'll be glad to az: az
lyour guide. Woodman!" said with
an effort at laughter.
Thank you. I've just soon some