The citizen. (Honesdale, Pa.) 1908-1914, 1913-05-30

the day he returned from his exile and
touched her hand would mark the be-
ginning of a tragedy for both.
In the past nine years he had thrown
his life away only to find it in greater
power. The first year which he had
given of unselfish devotion to the serv-
ice of the people had been a failure.
but at the end of four years he was
nominated for district attorney and
was swept into Office by large ma
jority. The enforcement of justice
ceased to be Joke and became liv-
ing faith.
His work had stirred the state to
nobler and cleaner civic life During
the past year he had become one of
the foremost figures in American De-
mocracy-the best loved and the most
hated and feared man in public life in
New York. He asked no favors; he
sought no preferment.
The work on which he had just en-
tered was an investigation before an
unusually intelligent grand jury Of the
criminal acts of a group of the most
daring and powerful financiers Of the
world. When he realized the magni-
tude of the task he had undertaken
he at once put his house in order for
the supreme effort. 1t was necessary
that he give up every outside interest
that might distract his attention from
the greater task.
The one matter of grave importance
to which he was giving his time out
side his office was his position as ad-
visory counsel to DR.. Woodman in his
suit for damages against the chemical
trust, which had been dragging its
course through the courts for years.
To his amazement he had Just re.
ceiv9d an offer from Bivens' attorneys
to compromise this suit for 100000.
He would Of course advise the doctor
to accept it Immediately. He had
never believed he could win a penny.
What could be Bivens' motive in
making such an offer? 1t was impos-
sible that the shrewd little president
of the American Chemical company
had anything to fear personally from
this attack. His fortune now could
not be less than $40,000,000, and the
issue of such a suit as the one Wood
man had brought and on which he
had spent so much of his time and
money was to Bivens a mere bagatelle.
1t might be Nan-it must be! Her
letter surely made the explanation rea-
sonable. She knew this suit was an
obstacle in the way of their meeting.
During the past winter she had be-
come the sensation Of the metropolis.
Her wealth, her beauty. her palaces
and her entertainments had made her
the subject of endless comment. She
had set a pace for extravaganza which
made the old leaders stand aghast.
Her worldly wise mother had been dead
for the past five years.
He was waiting the arrival of Wood
man for conference over Bivens' Of
fer of compromise, and he dreaded the
ordeal.
$50 the little weasel has offered to
compromise my suit for half the sum
we named, eh?" the doctor asked in
triumph.
81 assure you that If the case comes
W as hhhL LSoI JOu diN SCl Tam W AOSC'
$50 you have said again and again,
my boy" was the good natured reply,
"'but his sudden terror and this offer
show that we have won already, and
he knows it. Bivens has seen the
handwriting on the wall. When the
American people are once aroused
their wrath will sweep the trusts into
the bottomless pit"
"Bivens isn't worrying about the peo-
pie or their wrath"
"Then it's time he beganv' the doctor
cried. "Mark my word, the day of the
common people has dawned. This mud
sill of the world has learned to read
and write and begun to think. He
will never be content again until he
turns the world upside down."
But you must consider this offer
You have too much at stake. Your
factory has been closed for five years.
Your store has been sold, your bust
ness ruined, and you are fighting to pay
the interest on your debts. I've seen
you growing poorer daily until you
have turned your home into "a lodging
house and filed 1t with strangers"
"I've enjoyed knowing them. My
sympathies have been made larger"
"But is this battle yours alone, doc
tor? You are but one among millions.
You are trying to bear the burden of
all. Have you counted the cost? Har-
riet's course In music will continue two
years longer. The last year she must
sp0nd abroad. Her expenses will be
great. This settlement is a generous
one. no matter what Bivens' motive"
''1 can't compromise with man who