The Emmett index. [volume] (Emmett, Idaho) 1893-1925, 1912-12-26
CHAPTER XII.
Temptation.

\" self on luxurious leather
" covered chair In the little
sitting room he gazed into
the pickering fire with feeling OF
strange excitement
He could hear Bivens giving orders
TO his employees about the removal OF
his millions TO the vaults below IL
would take hours TO complete the task
He could hear the deep vibrant ring OF
the gold. as the men dumped II into
Gags.
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
be no mistake about II. although he
had made some brave talk to Rivens'
face AS he stared at the daring display
of his money
He lifted his eyes from the fire find
they rested on an exquisite miniature
OF Nan which had been painted Just
after her marriage. He forgot the ten
black years OF loneliness and struggle.
He was standing before her again In
all the pride and strength of those last
days of passionate longing aud bitter
fcbs.iiion. His heart gave throb OF
fierce protest against the fate that had
robbed him of the one thing on earth
he had ever really desired He tried
In vain to separate her from the strug-
gle of character and principle he was
nghting with Bivens.
When Bivens entered he found his
tall figure bent low in the chair and
scowl on his face. The little black eyes
sparkled with the certainty OF victory.
He knew the poison was at work and
Its wine had found the soul.
Nov. Jim. down TO business! You
can see that | have the cash What
I must have TO do the big thing I've
drea med IL a right hand man whom
I can trust with my money. my body !
and my soul. He must be a man with /,
brains and farseeing eyes. man |
who will fight to the death and be loyal |
with every breath. who will work
day and night man OF iron nerve,
iron muscle and heart OF steel. Come
I'm with me. Jim. for all you're worth.
with all your brain and will and per
sonality. without single reservation.
and I'll give you partnership OF one
fourth interest In my annual income,
and I'll guarantee that 1t shall never
be less than a million a year"
Stuart sprang to his feet and stared
at Bivens. gasplng.
You mean this-are you serious3 !
expected the offer OF generous salary.
Cal. but this is simply stunning"
Il told you I'd make you PROPOSE
ton so big and generous you couldn't
get away from II. But mind you. I've
the best reasons for making It. We
ere entering the last phase OF world
struggle for financial supremacy. This
country Is to be the real center OF
modern power. We must become and
Will become quickly the economic {
masters Of the world. When that hap
pens somebody is going to be master
here" I
Bivens rose and paced back and forth !
q moment
Somebody's going TO be master here
Jim." be repeated. "and It's not going {
10 DO a mob, the stupid. bowling. slob- '
W. tik tbiuk ludl Ut Noul 4
throat that day In front OF my bank" 4
mo" a
Nor will II be n clumsy soulless cor e
porstion called trust either, r
thing that can be badgered and hound c
I'd by every hungry, thieving politician b
who gets into office The coming mas h
ter OF masters, the king OF kings will e
be mana man on whose imperial S
word will hang the fate OF empires. q
met the king Of America the other a
lay In this panic. He sent for me-
You can bet | answered the call He II
made me eat dirt and swear that | n
iked the taste OF ii. But I'll get even
with him yetl' r,
Two livid spots suddenly appeared
IN the swarthy cheeks and he choked u
INTO silence for moment. continuing: r,
THE world is waiting for its real
a multi-millionaire but the
'oming Millionaire. The king OF kings
s yet to come. IL l had been ready II
q this panic with the capital have c;
oday l could have made billion. n
With the power and experience | now ir
ave and one such man as you on n
Vhom ] can depend I'd double my II
ortune every year. That means that
q five years | will be Millionaire, h
nd only forty-two.
"A billion dollars will double itself W
, seven years. At forty-two I'd be h
7orth a billion. At fory-nine I'd
ave two billions. At ffty-eight I'd a,
. worth four billions-and Just old W