Mower County transcript., 1913-07-30

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AMr. 1ivens 10 engaged for every hour
today"
doctor learned of the preparations for
the dinner and ball at the Bivens pal.
ace on Riverside drive. The solution
Of the whole problem flashed through
his mind in an instant They would
have professional singers without
doubt, the great operatic stars and 9TH
ers. II Harriet could only be placed on
the program for single song It would
be settled. Her voice would sweep
Bivens off his feet and charm the bril-.
liant throng Of guests. He would have
to accompany her there, of course, AT
the right moment he would make him
self known. A word with Bivens and
it would be settled.
He lost no time in finding out the
manager of the professional singers for
the evening and through Harriet's 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 a fever Of impatience for his
return from the hospitals to dress. At
half past their dinner was cold and
he had not come 1t was o'clock be-
fore l:k> familiar footstep. echoed
through the hall.
He ate hasty meal, dressed in
thirty minutes and ut 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 tie had made up his mind
to live the life of faith and good TEL
lowship with all men. including the
little swarthy master OF the palace tie
was about to enter And 50 with
light heart he stepped through the
door which the soft white hand of
death opened. How could he know?
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 Qu1ckened 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
4 feeling OF regret at the thought OF
leaving 1t. 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 be 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 Stuart's heart as It often had
AS he drove uptown the avenue flash
ed with swift, silent automobiles and
| blooded horses These uptown Gro wtis
through whose rushing streams NJ.
passed were all well dressed and car
ried bundles OF candy. flowers and
toys.
Stuart felt the contagious enthusi.
asm Of thousands OF prosperous mer
and women whose lives at the moment
flowed about and enveloped his own.
What was it that made the difference
between the squalid atmosphere below
Fourth street and the glowing. fash
ing, radiant jeweled world uptown:
Money! 1t meant purple and fine
linen. delicacies of food and drink.
pulsing machines that could make
a mile a minute. the mountain and
the sea. freedom from care. fear.
drudgery and slavery!
After all In this modern passion for
money might there not be something
deeper than mere greed, perhaps the
lregenerating power Of the spirit press
Ing man upward? Certainly be could
see only the bright side Q1 4 tonight