Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1912-11-20

maudlin talk, woodman, because 1t
amused me. For years I've waited
| your coniISg. -dur unexpected Az
vent is the sweetest triumph of this
festival night"
| He paused and a sinister smile played
about his mouth. THE last time I
saw you / promised myself that I'd
make you come to me the next time
and when you did that you'd come on
your hands and knees. And I swore
that when you looked up into my face
groveling and whining for mercy as
you have tonight. I'd call my servants
and order them to kick you down my
doorstep"
He leaned across the massive fat
top desk to touch an electric button.
The doctors fist suddenly gripped
the outstretched hand and his eyes
| glared into the face OF the fnancier
with the dangerous look of mailman.
You had better not ring that bell,
yet" he said. with forced quiet in. his
tones.
Your TRADE gives me an idea." said
Bivens. II want you TO stay until the
festivities end, and enjoy yourself.
Take a look over my house. 1t cost
two millions to build it, and requires
half a million n year to keep it up.
The butterflies those dancers are crush
ing beneath their feet in my ballroom
l imported from Central America at
a cost of $1,000. The favors In jewel
~ shall give to my rich guests who
have no use for them will be worth
$4,000. Remember that l 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 l will give you one penny.
Enjoy yourself. It's fine evening"
Before the doctor could answer. the
6nancier laughed and left the room.
For long time the daZed man stood
motionless, He passed his big hand
over his forehead In vague Instinc-
tive physical effort to lift the fog of
horror and despair that was slowly
stranglng him.
He felt that he was suffocating. 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 handker-
chief and felt something hard and
cold
1t was a revolver he had been nccus
toned to carry of late in his rounds
through the dangerous quarters of the
city. Without thinking when he
dressed, he had transferred ii to his
evening suit. His hand closed over the
ivory handle with sudden fierce joy.
Yes. I'll kill him in his magnificent
ballroom. to the strains of his own
muster he said. half aloud. I'll give
fit climax to his dance of death and
the worm"
He quickly descended the stairs and
saw Bivens talking with his wife. He
didn't wish to kill him In her pres
ence. and as he passed a look OF hatred
flashed from the little black eyes of the
millionaire. He made up his mind to
kill him at the moment the dance was
, at the highest pitch of gayety.
! The music began. and the dancers
once more whirled into the center of
the room and the crowd filed the space
under the grand arch which led into
the hall. Bivens was the center of an
admiring group Of sycophants and wor-
shipful snobs. The doctors heart gave
mad throb of joy. His hour had
come
With quick strides he covered tie
space which separated them and with
ont a moments hesitation thrust his
hand into his breast for his revolver
Not a muscle or nerve quivered. His
| fnnaF IA fTi0 ftv md
he gave Riyens look which be meant
ne should take with him into eternity
when just beyond him he saw Harriet
She stood motionless with a look Of
mute agony on her fair young face
watching Stuart talk to Bivens' wife
His finger slipped from the trigger
and his hand ioosed its deadly grip.
Have forgotten my babyT'' he cried
in sudden anguish And then anothe
vision flashed through his excitei
brain. A courtroom, a prisoner. bi,
own bowed figure the center OF thou
sand eyes while the jury brought II
their verdict.
: His breath came In labored gasps a.
one mad thought succeeded another.
Nor he said hoarsely. Il mus
save her. I must be cunning. | mus
succeed-Bot fail. must get what
came here for. 1 must save my baby
Ny own fate is of no importance Sh,
Is everything"
Biyens had taken from him by FRAUD
bis formula. destroyed his business ana
robbed him of all ne possessed Tn,
law gave him power to hold it. he
too. wcuih appeal &c the same powe
and take what belonged TO MIN ~,
matter Dow, he would take It. and Re
would take 1t tonight
BiEens had boosted that his favors
In JewelFy would be worth $4,000.
4 IT6Q dnFf1F 4r1r