The citizen. (Honesdale, Pa.) 1908-1914, 1913-07-04

The financier pegan ro speaR VIE
slow venomous 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 au-
vent is the sweetest triumph of this
festival night"
He paused and sinister smile played
about his mouth. "The last time /
saw you l 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"
He leaned across the massive fat
top desk to touch an electric button.
The doctors fist suddenly gripped
the outstretched hand and his eyes
glared Into the face of the f1nancier
with the dangerous look Of a madman
you had better not ring that bell
yet" he said. with forced quiet in his
tones.
"Your TRADE gives me an ldea." said
Bivens. II want you to stay until the
festivities end, and enjoy yourself.
Take. look over my house 1t cost
two millions to build it, and requires
half a million a year to keep 1t up.
The butterflies those dancers are crush
ing beneath their feet in my ballroom
| imported from Central America at
cost of $4,000. The favors in jewel
ry shall give to my rich guests who
have no use for them will be worth
$25,000. Remember that 1 spent three
hundred and fifty thousand on this
banquet, which lasted eight hours,
and that 1 will see you and your
daughter dead and in the bottomless
pit before I will giveEyou one penny.
Enjoy yourself, it's a fine evening"
Before the doctor could answer, the
fnancier laughed and left the room.
For long time the. dazed man stood
motionless. He passed his big hand
over his foreheadAin a vague instinc-
tive physical effort to lift the fog of
horror and despair that was slowly
SuanSlnB MIN.
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 handker-
chief and felt something hard and
cold.
1t was revolver he had been accus-
H.. - % Iah H., 4, l..
through the dangerous quarters of the
city. Without thinking when he
dressed, he hadG transferred it to his
evening suit His hand closed over the
ivory handle with sudden fierce joy.
Eyes, I'll kill him in his magnificent
ballroom, to the strains of his own
musicr' he said, half aloud. "I'll give
fit climax to his dance of death and
the worm"
He quickly descended the stairs and
saw Bivens talking with his wife. lie
didn't wish to kill him. in her pres
ence, and as he passed look of hatred
| flashed from the little black eyes of the
millionaire. He made up his mind to
! kill him at the moment the dance was
| at the highest pitch of gayety.
The music began, and the dancers
once more whirled into the center Of
the room and the crowd filed the space
under the grand arch which led into
the hall. Bivens was the center of an
admiring group Of sycophants and wor-
shipful snobs. The, doctors heart gave
a mad throb of Joy. His hour had
come.
With quick strides he covered the
space which separated them and with
out q moments hesitation thrust his
hand into his breast for his revolver.
Not a muscle or nerve quivered. His
finger touched the trigger softly and
he gave Bivens a look which he meant
he should take with him into eternity,
when just beyond him he saw Harriet.
She stood motionless with a look OF
mute agony on her fair young face,
watching Stuart talk to Bivens' wife.
His finger slipped from the trigger
and his hand loosed It's deadly grip.
"Have l forgotten my baby7" he cried
in sudden anguish. And then another
vision flashed through his excited
brain. A courtroom, prisoner, his
own bowed figure the center Of thou
sand eyes while the jury brought II