The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1912-11-13
CHAPTER ill.
Mr.. Bivens Calls.

Mr.. 6INenS CaIlS.
~TUART walked next morning
with a sense of hopeless de-
preston. What strange mad
ness had come over the woman
he loved? They had never discussed
money before. Bivens' was the only
explanation.
A letter was on the ball rack which
had been sent by a messenger. He
broke the seal with nervous haste. 1t
was from Bivens asking him to call
his office telephone at IL O'Clock.
He tore the note into tiny pieces,
stepped into the parlor and threw them
into the crate. Some one was play
ing an old fashioned southern melody.
and the tenderest voice accompanied
the piano. He walked to the door of
the music room.
1t was Harriet Woodman She look
ed up with a start.
"Oh. Jim. didn't know you were
therev'
at was beautiful, little pal"
"Yes. | knew you'd like that piece. |
heard you humming it one day. That's
why got it,
. What sweet voice you have, child,
so clear. so deep and rich and full Of
feeling. didn't know yea could sing"
Il didn't either until l tried
"You must study music he said
with enthusiasm.
The girl clapped her hands and leap
ed to her feet, exclaiming:
hA IF
can sins?'
Indeed WILL" was the earnest an
swer.
The laughing eyes grew serious as
she slowly said:
Then I'll do my level best. I'm off
Goodby."
On reaching his Office on lower Broad
way Stuart rang Bivens' telephone. and
the president of the American Chemi-
cal company made an engagement to
call at once.
Stuart was grateful for the timely
| call of client who kept him in con-
sultation for fifteen minutes while Biv-
ems patiently waited his turn in the re-
| ception room.
The first view of Bivens was always
unimpressive He was short, thin and
looked almost frail at first glance. A
| second look gave the impression of
wiry reserve force in his compact
frame His hair was jet black and
thinning slightly on top. which gave
him the appearance of much greater
| age than he could really claim. His
| thin features were regular, and his
| face was covered with q thick black
beard which he kept trimmed to a
( keen point on the chin. His most striz-
ing features were a high massive fore
head, abnormally long for the size of
his body. and pair Of piercing, bead
| like black eyes.
He rarely spoke except to a purpose.
| and his manners were quiet, almost
furtive. He had thus early in his
career gained nickname that was pc
culiarly significant in Wall street He
| was known as the Weasel
His whole makeup. physical and men
| tai. was curiously complex, mixture
Of sobriety and greed, piety and cruel
ty. tenderness and indomitable will.
| simplicity of tastes with boundless
| ambition.
His friendship for Stuart and his def
! erence TO him personally and socially
| dated from their bOyhood in North Car
| DINA. and particularly from an Incl
dent which occurred in their college
days. BivenS' father had been a no
torious coward in the Confederate army
and had at last deserted the service.
| On BivenS' arrival at college, partic-
ularly green freshman. Stuart had dis
| covered group of his classmates haz-
| Ing him. They had forced the cow
ards son to mount box and repeat to
the crowd the funny stories about the
"valor" Of his father. The boy, scared
half out of his wits. stood stammer-
| ing and perspiring and choking with
shame as he tried to obey his tormen-
| tors.
Stuart protested vigorously, and a
| fight ensued in which he was COM
| PEELED to thrash the ringleader and res
cue the victim by force Of arms. From
| that day Stuart was Bivens' beau
ideal of a gentleman. He had tolerat-
ed rather than enjoyed this friendship.
Bivens shook hands quietly and took
seat beside Stuart's desk
"Well?' said the lawyer at length.
I've come to make you an important
| proposition, Jim. We need another at
torney. The business of the company
is increasing so rapidly our force can't
handle :t. | need big man close 80
me- II you'll take the place I'll give
you a salary that will ultimately be as
big as the president gets in the White
House. Twenty thousand to start
| with"
Stuart looked at his visitor curiosly
why do you want me, Cal? There
| are thousands of lawyers here who
would jump at the chance. Many OF
them are better equipped than L."
Because | know that you won't lie
to me, you won't swindle or take ad-
vantage of me-
why notT" Stuart asked, with d
smile.
Because it's not in you"
Il see. You want TO capitalize my
character and use me to ambush the
| other fellow"
That's one way TO look at it-yes."
But that's not the real reason you
come to me today with this proposi-
| ton, is it?'
Not the only one. You know my
friendship for you is genuine. You
know there's not a man in New York
for whom I'd do us much as | will for
! you If you'll let me. Isn't that trueT'