Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1911-07-18
BY THOMAS DIXON
G XegSgeEeDSDSDSE
CHAPTER XIX.
TLa I.s1 Illusion.
Copyright, 1911, by Thomas Dixon.
Pub. BY Doubleday, Page & Co., N. Y.

Btyens his heart began to fail. With
an effort he took fresh courage.
"of course I'll succeed" he exclaim-
ed. There's no such thing as defea'
for him who refuses to acknowledge
It."
As he watched the magnificent ball
his eyes grew dim at the thought OF
the social tragedy which it symbolized
of his own poverty and Of the deeper
wretchedness of scores to whom he
had been trying to minister. He was
fighting to keep his courage up, but
the longer he watched the barbaric
sensual display Of wealth sweeping
before him, the deeper his spirit sank
The butler touched his arm and he
turned with a sudden start, look OIL
anguish on his rugged face.
Mr.. Bivens will be pleased to see
YOU in the little library, sir if you will
come at once!"
The man bowed with stately defer
ence.
He followed the servant with quick
firm step, a hundred happy Ideas
floating through his mind.
"Of course, it's all right. My fears
were absurd" he unused. my instinct
was right. He will be pleased to see
me. He's in a good humor with all the
world tonight"
When the doctor was ushered into
the library, Bivens, who was awaiting
him alone, sprang to his feet with
look OF blank amazement, and then
smile began to play about his hard
mouth. He thrust his delicate hands
into his pockets and deliberately look
ed the doctors big figure over from
head to foot as he approached with
embarrassment.
MY servant announced that a gen.
tleman wished to speak to me a mo-
ment. Will you be good enough to
tell me what you are doing in this
house tonight"
The doctor paused and hesitated, his
face scarlet from the deliberate insult
81 must really ask your pardon, Mr..
Bivens, for my apparent intrusion. 1t
is only apparent. 1 came with my
daughter"
Your daughter"
She sang tonight on your pro-
gramme."
"oh, / see, with the other hired
singers; we'll, what do you want?"
"only few minutes Of your time
on a matter of grave Importance"
'I don't care to discuss business
here tonight, Woodman," Bivens broke
in abruptly. Come to my office"
'T have been there three or four
times" the doctor went on hurriediy'
"and wrote to you twice. felt sure
that my letters had not reached you.
hoped for the chance of a moment to-
night to lay my case before you"
Biyens smiled and sat down.
"Ar right, I'll give you five min
utes."
"I felt sure you had not seen my let
ters"
I'll ease your mind on that question
did see them both. You got my an
swer?"
That's just it. didn't And
couldn't understand it."
"Oh, see!" Bivens's mouth quivered
with the slightest sneer perhaps II
was lost in transit"
The sneer was lost on the doctor. he
was too intent on his purpose.
'I know. 1t was a mistake. l see
II now, and I'm perfectly willing tc
pay for that mistake by accepting even
half of your last proposition"
Bivens laughed cynically.
This might be serious, Woodman, II
it wasn't funny. But you had as well
know, once and for all, that owe you
nothing. Your suit has been lost
Your appeal has been forfeited. My
answer is brief but to the point-noi
one cent-my generosity is for my
friends and followers, not my ene-
mics"
But we are not enemies, personal
w." the doctor explained, good -natur-
ed. II have put all bitterness out OF
nv heart and come tonight to ash
that bygones be bygones. You know
the history of our relations and OF my
business. l need not repeat 1t. Anc
you know that in Gods great book oi
accounts you are my debtor"
Bivens's eyes danced with anger, anc
his words had the ring of cold steel,
Il owe you nothing"
In every accent Of the financiers
voice the man before him felt the
deadly merciless hatred whose fires had
been smouldering for years.
For a moment he was helpless under
the spell of his fierce gaze. He begar
to feel dimly something of the little
mans powerful personality, the power
that had crushed his enemies.
The doctors voice was full of ten
derness when he replied at last:
My boy" he began quletly-"for yot
are still a boy when you stand beside
my gray hairs-men may fight one an
other for great principle without be-
ing personal enemies. We are mer
still, with common hopes, fears, ills
griefs and joys. When l was a soldier
I fought the southern army, shot an(
shot to kill 1 was fighting for a prin'
ciple. When the firing ceased | helped
the wounded men on the field as came
to them. Many a wounded man in blu'
I've seen drag himself over the rougf
ground TO pass his canteen to the lip
of a boy in gray who was lying on MI
back, crying for water. If | am you
enemy, it is over a question of princi
pie. The fight has ended, and hav'
fallen across your path tonight, dyin'
of thirst while rivers of water fioV
about me-"
Bivens turned away and the docto
pressed closer.
Suppose We have fought each othei
in the heat of the day i'm the ranks o
two hostile armies? The battle ha!
ceased. For me the night has fallen
L"
His voice quivered and broke for al