Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1912-12-26

In this the hour Of my desolation is
u%nthinkable. I'm not pleading for
myself. I can live on a rats allow
ance. I'm begging for my little girl.
I need $4,000 Immediately to COM
plete her musical studies. Deep down
In your heart Of hearts you know that
the act would be n Of justice be-
tween man and man."
"As a charity, Woodman, l might
give you the paltry $4,000 you ask"
"Ill take 1t 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 I am your debtor?"
Simply that l have always known
that your formula for that drink was
a prescription which l compounded
years ago and which you often filed
for me when I was busy. As q ply
sician I could not patent such a thing.
You had as much right to patent it 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 %1nancier began to speak with
slow venomous energy:
1--WE let you ramble on in your
maudI1n talk, Woodman. because it
amused me. For years I've waited
your coming. Your unexpected adj
vent is the sweetest triumph of this
festival night"
He paused and a sinister smile played
about his mouth. 1.-The last time l
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 1 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 GRO 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 %financier
with the dangerous look of a mailman.
You had better not ring that bell.
yet" he said. with forced quiet in bis
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 a year to keep it up
The butterflies those dancers are crush.
ing beneath their feet in my ballroom
imported from Central America at
a cost of $4,000. 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 | will see you and your
daughter dead and in the bottomless
pit before | will give you one penny
Enjoy yourself, it's a fine evening""
Before the doctor could answer. the
fnancier laughed and left the ROOM.
For Il long time the dazed man stood
motionless. He passed his big hanc
over his forehead in a vague instinc
tive physical effort to lift the fog Of
horror and despair that was slowly
%strangling him.
He felt that he was s%uffocating. He
tore his collar apart to give himself
room to breathe. He thrust his hanC
into the hip pocket of his dress sui
where he usually carried a handker
chief and felt something hard anc
cold.
1t was a revolver be had been accus
toned to carry of late in his rounds
through the dangerous quarters Of the
city. Without thinking when be
dressed. he had transferred it to bis
evening suit. His hand closed over the
ivory handle with a sudden fierce joy.
Eyes. I'll kill him in his magnificent
ballroom. to the strains Of his owl
musicy' he said. half aloud. iii give
q fit climax to his dance of death anC
the worm"
He quickly descended the stairs anc
saw Bivens talking with his wife. Ht
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 tt
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 filled the space
under the grand arch which led into
the hall. Bivens was the center Of ar
admiring group Of sycophants and wor
shipful snobs. The doctors heart gave
a mad throb of Joy. His hour had