The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1912-12-06

"Mr. Bivens is engaged for every hour
today"
doctor learned of the preparations for
the dinner and ball at the Bivens pal
ace on Riverside drive The solution
of the whole problem flashed through
his mind in an instant They would
have professional singers without
doubt, the great operate stars and 9th
ers If Harriet could only be placed on
the program for a single song 1t would
be settled Her voice would sweep
Bivens off his feet and charm the bril-
liant throng of guests. He would have
to accompany her there. of course. AT
the right moment he would make him
self known word with Bivens and
it would be settled.
He lost no time in finding out the
manager of the professional singers for
the evening and through Harriet's en-
thusiastic music teachers arranged for
her appearance From the moment this
was accomplished his natural optimism
returned His success was sure. He
gave his time with renewed energy to
his work among the poor.
On the day of the ball Harriet was
waiting i'm fever of impatience for his
return from the hospitals to dress. At
half past their dinner was cold and
be had not come. 1t was 8 o'clock be
fore his familiar footstep echoed
through the hall
He ate a hasty meal, dressed in
thirty minutes and at 9 o'clock led
Harriet to the side entrance of Bivens
great house on the drive.
He was in fine spirits. He rejoiced
again that he had made up his mind
| to live the life of faith and good fell
| lowshtp with all men. including the
| little swarthy master of the palace he
| was about to enter And SO with
| light heart be stepped through the
| door which the soft white hand of
death opened. How could he know?
AS Stuart dressed for Mans party be
| brooded over his new relation TO his
| old sweetheart with increasing pleas
ure Never had Bivens' offer seemed
more generous and wonderful His
| pulse beat with quickened stroke Us
| he felt the new sense of power with
| which he would look out on tie world
| as n possible millionaire.
| He gaZed over the Old square with
| feeling OF regret at the thought OF
| leaving it. lie had grown to love the
| place in the past years of loneliness
| but was deciding too soon. perhaps
| There were some features of Rivens
| business be must understand more
| clearly before he could give up his
| freedom and devote himself body and
| soul To the task of money making rs
| his associate.
| He went across the square to take
| cab at the Brevoort. His mood was
| buOyant. He was looking ont on life
| once more through rose tinted glasses
| At Eighth street he met 1T right angles
the swarminG thousands hurryinc
/ across town from their work heavy
looking men who tramped with tired
| step. striking the pavements duly witt
| their nailed shoes. tired. anxious WON
| en-. frowzy headed little girls. sad eyed
| boys, half awake-all hurryinC. the
fear of want and the horror of charity
in their silent faces. And yet the sight
| touched no responsive chord of sym
! pathy in Stuart's heart as it often had
As he drove uptown the avenue flash
| ed with swift. silent automobiles anC
| bloOdpd horses These uptown crowd:
through whose rushing streams 1T
| passed were all we'll dressed and car
ried bundles OF candy. flowers anC
| toys.
Stuart felt the contagious enthnsi
asm of Thousand OF prosperous mel
and women whose lives at the mOmen
| flowed about and enve!Oped his own.
What was ii that made the difference
between the squaIid atmosphere below
Fourth street and the glowing. flash
ing. radiant jeweled world uptown
Money! II meant purple and fine
linen. delicacieS of food and drink
pulsing machines that could make
4 mile a minute. the mountain anC
the sea. freedom from care. fear
drudgery and slavery.
After all in this modern passion 70
money might there not be somethin:
deeper than mere greed. perhaps tn
regenerating power of the spirit press
ing man upward: Certainly he coul'
see only the bright side of il tonight.