Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1912-11-16


the evening and through Harriets 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 in fever OF impotence for his
return from the hospitals to dress. At
half past Z their dinner was cold and
he had not come. 1t was o'clock be-
fore his familiar footstep echoed
through the hall.
He ate a hasty meal. dressed in
thirty minutes and at 8 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
lowship with all men, including the
little swarthy master OF the palace he
was about to enter. And SO with
light heart he stepped through the
door which the soft white hand of
death opened. How could he know?
As Stuart dressed for Mans party he
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 as
he felt the new sense of power with
which he would look out on the world
as possible millionaire.
He gaZed over the old square with
a feeling Of regret at the thought of
leaving it. He had grown to love the
! place in the past years of loneliness.
but was deciding too soon. perhaps.
There were some features OF Bivens'
business he must understand more
clearly before he could give up his
freedom and devote himself body and
soul to the task of money making as
his associate.
| He went across the square to take
cab at the Brevoort His mood was
buoyant He was looking out on life
once more through rose tinted glasses
AT Eighth street he met at right angles
the swarming thousands hurrying
across town from their work-heavy
looking men who tramped with tired
step. striking the pavements duly with
their nailed shoes, tired. anxious WON
en-. frOwzy headed little girls. sad eyed
boys, half awake-all hurrying. 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 Stuarts heart as 1t often had
AS he drove uptown the avenue fash
ed with swift. silent automobiles and
blooded horses. These uptown crowds
through whose rushing streams he
passed were all well dressed and car
ried bundles OF candy. flowers and
toys.
Stuart felt the contagious enthusi-
asm Of thousands OF prosperous men
and women whose lives At the moment
flowed about and epveloped his own.
What was it that made the difference
between the squalid 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
pusing machines that cOuId make
a mile a minute. the mountain and
the sea. freedom from care. fear
drudcery and slavery!
After all in this modern passion for
money might there not he something
deeper than mere greed. perhaps the
reGenerating power OF the spirit press
Ing man upward: Certainly he coulc
see only the bright side of it tonight.
"a Hs
drive from Seventy second street the
sight which greeted him was one o.
startling splendor. Bivens yacht lay
at anchor in the river just in front OF
his house. She was feStooned with
electric lights from the water line Il
the top of her towering steel masts.
The illumination OF the exterior OF
the Bivens house was remarka Bile
The stone and iron fence surround
ing the block. which had been built al
cost of a hundred Thousand dollars
was literally ablaze with lights. The
house was illumined from it's founda
tons to the top of each towering
minaret with ruby cOlored lights.
Stuart passed up the grand stairs
through a row of gorgeous fiunkie!
and greeted his hostess.
Nan grasped his hand with a smile
of joy.
You are to lead me in to dinner
Jim, at the stroke of s."
I'll not forget" Stuart answered
his face flushing. with surprise at the
unexpected honor.
Gal wishes to see you at once. You
will find him in the library"
Bivens met him at the door
'Ah. there you arer" he cried cor
daily. Come back downstairs will
me. I want you to see some peopl,
as they come in tonight. I've 10
Of funny things to tell you abou
them"
The house was crowded with al
army Of servants. attendants. must
clans, singers. entertainers and re
porters.
The doctor had been recognized b,
one of the buffers whom he had be
friendcd on his arrival from the Oh
World. The grateful fellow had gon
out of the way to make him at home
and in his enthusiasm had put an al
cove which opened of the ball room
af his and Harriet's dismissal TIL