The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1912-12-11
CHAPTER XVI.
The Last Illusion.

fore him, the deeper his spirits
sank. The butler touched his arm.
and he turned with a sudden start.
Mr. Bivens will be pleased to see
you in the little library, sir, if you
will come at once"
When the doctor was ushered into
the library Bivens. who was awaiting
him alone, sprang to his feet with a
look of blank amazement, and then Il
smile began to play about his hard
mouth.
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 In
suit.
Il must really ask your pardon, Mr.
Bivens. for my apparent intrusion. 1t
is only apparent. ! came with my
daughter. She sang tonight on your
program"
"Oh, | see. with the other hired
singers. Well, what do you want"
only a few minutes of your time
on Il matter of grave Importance"
Il don't care to discuss business here
tonight. Woodman." Bivens broke in
abruptly. Come to my office"
81 have been there three or four
times" the doctor went on hurriedly.
land wrote you twice. I felt sure that
my letters had not reached you. |
hoped for the chance of q moment to-
night to lay my case before you
"All right, I'll give you five min
utes"
II felt sure you had not seen my
letters"
I'll ease your mind on that ques-
ton. / did see them both. You got
my answer"
That's just it. l didn't And
couldn't understand it,
"Oh, see!" Bivens' mouth quivered
with the slightest sheer. Perhaps it
was lost in transitr'
The sheer was lost on the doctor
He was too intent on his purpose.
Il know. 1t was q mistake. | see it
now, and I'm perfectly willing to pay
for that mistake by accepting even
half of your last proposition
Bivens laughed cynically.
This might be serious, Woodman, if
it wasn't funny. But you had as well
know once and for all that I owe you
nothing. Your suit has been lost.
Your appeal has been forfeited. My
answer is brief, but to the pOint-nOt
one cent. Ny generosity is for my
friends-not my enemies"
But we are not enemies personally"
the doctor explained good naturally.
81 have put all bitterness out of my
heart and come tonight to ask that by
cones be bygones. You know that in
Gods great book of accounts you are
my debtor"
Il owe you nothing"
In every accent of the financier's
voice the man before him felt the
deadly merciless hatred whose fires
had been smoldering for years.
The doctors voice was full of ten
derness when he replied at last:
MY boy" he began Quietly-"for
you are still boy when you stand be-
side my gray hairs-men may fight one
another for a great principle without
being personal enemies. We are men
still, with common hopes. fears. ills.
griefs and joys. When was a soldier
| fought the southern army, shot and
shot to kill. | was fighting for prin-
ciple. When the firing ceased l helped
the wounded men on the field as |
came to them"
His voice quivered and broke for an
instant.
"You have won. You can afford to
be generous. That you can deny me
In this the hour of my desOlatiOn IL
unthinkable. I'm not pleading for
myself. ] can live on a rats allow
ance. I'm begging for my little girl.
| need $4,000 Immediately to COM
plete her musical studies. Deep down
in your heart of hearts you know that
the act would be one Of justice be-
tween man and man
LAS Il charity. WOodman. | might
give you the paltry $4,000 you ask
iii take it as a charity" he cried
eagerly. take it with JOY and gratitude
and thank God for his salvation sent
In the hour of my need"
But In reality you demand justice
of me? Come to the point. Woodman.
what is in your mind when you say
that | am your debtor?"
Simply that | have always known
that your formula for that drink was
prescription which l compounded
years ago and which you often filed
for me when | was busy. As a ply
stefan l could not patent such a thing
You had as much right TO patent ii as
any one else
I'm other words" Bivens interrupted
coldly. you inform me that you have
always known that l stole from your
prescription counter the formula which
gave me my first fortune"
The fnancier began 10 speak with
slow venomous energy:
I've let you ramble on in your
maudlin talk Woodman. because il
amused me. For years I've waited
your c,-.. : Your unexpected ad-
vent is the sweetest triumph Of this
festival night
He paused and a sinister smile played
about his mouth. The last time |
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 | swOre
that when you looked up into my face