Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1913-01-02

heart ana come tonight to ask that by.
Gods great book of accounts you are
my debtor.
Il owe YOU nothing"
In every accent of the tinancler'S
voice the man before him felt the
deadly merci!eSS hatred whose fires
had been smolderiug for years
The doctors voice was fall of ten
derness when he replied at last:
My boy" he began Quietly-"for
you are still n boy when you stand I've
side my gray hairs-men may fight one
another for Il great principle without
being personal enemies. We are men
still, with common hopes. fears, ills,
griefs and joys When was soldier
| fought the southern army. Sh&t and
shot to kill | was lighting for Il prin
ciple. When the firing ceased helped
the wounded men on the field as |
came to them"
His voice quivercd 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 desoation is
unthinkable. I'm not pleading for
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"
"As a charity, Woodman. might
give you the paltry $4,000 you ask"
"I'll take it rs 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
a prescription which | compounded
years ago and which you often filled
for me when ! was busy. AS ply
stefan could not patent such a thing
You had as much right to patent it as
any one else"
"In other words" BivenS interrupted
coldly. You inform me that you have
always known that / stole from your
prescription counter the formula which
gave me my first fortuna"
The financler began 10 speak with
slow venomuus energy:
I've let You ramble on IN your
maudlin talk, Woodman. because 1t
amused me For years I've waited
your coming. Your unexpected ad-
vent is the sweetest triumph of this
festival night"
He paused and 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 l 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"
ne ledueu ilCIOSS tue IldSSlNS udL
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 his
tones.
Your TRADE gives me an Idea" said
Bivens. III waEt 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 year to keep it up.
The butterflies those dancers are crush
ing beneath their feet in my ballroom
imported from Central America at
cost of $1,000. The favors In jewel
ry | shall give to my rich guests who
have no use for them will be worth
$4,000. Remember that | 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
6nancier laughed and left the room
For long time the dazed mar. stood
motionless. He passed his big hand
over his forehead in a vague instinc
tive physical effort to lift the fog of
horror and despair that was slowly
stranglng him.
He felt that he was suffocating. He
tore his collar apart to give himself
room to breathe. He thrust his hand
into the hip pocket of his dress suit
where he usually carried a handker.
chief and felt something hard and
cold.
1t was revolver he 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 il to his
evening suit. His hand closed over the
ivory handle with a sudden fierce joy.
Yes. I'll kill him in his magnificent