The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1913-03-13
CHAPTER III.
Mr., Rivens Calls,

with 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 hall rack which
had been sent by messenger He
broke the seal with nervous haste. 1t
was from Rivens asking him to call
his office telephone Mt II 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 start.
.Oh, Jim. | didn't know you were
there!'
ut was beautiful, little pal"
Eyes. knew you'd like that piece. !
heard you humming it one day. That's
why eOtil
what sweet voice you have. child.
so clear. so deep and rich and full OF
feeling. didn't know you could sing
II didn't either until tired
"You must study music" he said.
with enthusiasm.
The girl clipped her hands and leap
ed to her feet, exclaiming:
"WilI you be proud Of me. Jim, If
can sing7"
"lndeed 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,"
Ou reuching his Office ON lower Broad
way Stuart rang Bivens' telephone and
the president of the American Clenli
cal company made an engagement to
call at once.
Stuart was grateful for the timely
call Of q client who kept him in con
sultation for fifteen minutes while Riv-
ems patiently waited his turn in the re
ception room.
The first view of Bivens WAS always
unilnpressive. He was short. thin and
looked almost frail ut first %iaIs.e- 4
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 Il thick black
beard which he kept trimmed to a
keen point on the chin. His most st'ik
ing TEXTURES were il 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 Il purpose
and his manners were quiet. almost
furtive He had thus early in Iii
career gained Il nickname that WAS rc
cu,iarly significant in Wall street. H.
was known as the Weasel.
His whole makeup. physical and men
tai. was curfously complex. a niN.'.r:
Of sohriety and greed, piety and cr;,e.
| ty. tenderness and indomitable will
simplicity of tastes with beu''t'i" =,
ambition.
| His friendship for Stuart and his de-
erencc to him personally and so la
| dated from their boyhood in North ""r
| oIina and particularly from an in"i
dent which occurred In their c,l'"ss,
days Bivens' father had been Il no
| torions coward in the Confederate ar',s-
and had at last deserted the sesvi G
On RiveEs' arrival ut college. a par II.
| ularly green freshman. Stuart hcd s.i;
covered group of his classmates haz
ing him They had forced the COW
ards son to mount box and repent II
the crowd the funny stories abpu, th,
"valor" of his father The hoy scarce
half out of his wits. stood staE1mer
ing and perspiring and choking wit!
shame as he tried to obey his tormen
tors.
Stuart protested vigorously. and
fight ensued in which he was com
PEELED to thrash the ringleader and res
cue the victim by force of arms. From
thar day Stuart was Rivens beat
ideal Of gentleman He had tolerat
I'd rather than enjoyed this friendship
Rivens shook hands quietly and tool
seat beside Stuart's desk
"Well!" said the lawyer at length
i've come to make you an importan
| proposition lin We need another nj
| t0rney The business of the cOlnpan.
Is increasing so rapidly our force can
handle 1t. need big man close +
me. II you'll take the place I'll Civ