The citizen. (Honesdale, Pa.) 1908-1914, 1913-06-13

~ Thomas Dixon
He was still pleading when Stuart
smilingly drew away and followed one
Of Bivens' secretaries.
Rivens came forward to greet him
with outstretched hands.
81 needn't say / am glad to see you.
Jim. How do you like my new Gar
ters?'
Absolutely stunning. had no idea
you cultivated such ceremonial sFlen-
dors in your business"
Yes. like it." the financier admit
ted thoughtfully. 81 don't mind con-
Tossing to you on the sly that it was
Mans idea at first. but took to it like
duck to water"
In spite of Stuart's contempt for the
mere possession of money, in spite of
his traditional contempt for Bivens' an
tecedents. character and business meth
DDS, he found himself unconsciously
paying homage to the power the little,
dark, swarthy figure today incarnated.
Bivens had become more difficult Of
approach and carried himself with
quiet, conscious pride.
| Stuart was scarcely prepared for the
hearty, old fashioned cordial way in
which he went about the business for
which he had asked him to come.
"Now, Jim, this is your day, those
fellows out there in the reception hall
can wait. You and 1 must have the
thing out-man to man, heart to heart.
You can talk plainly and III answer
squarely.
"I've got a proposition to make to
you, so big you've got to hear it, so big
you can't get away from 1t, because
you're not fool. You're a man Of gen
ius. There is no height to which you
cannot climb when once your feet are
on the ladder. And Pm going to put
them there"
The assurance in Bivens' voice and
the contagious enthusiasm with which
he spoke impressed Stuart.
Bivens was quick to recognize it and
strike at once.
Before l present my plans I want
to show you that can make good my
word. have caused these reporters to
be sent here today for the purpose of
giving the widest publicity to the facts
about my fortune. Another run has
been planned tomorrow on one Of my
banks l haye placed my money and
securities in the next room, 80 arranged
that you can verify my statements, and
at the proper moment I shall ask these
reporters into the place and let them
see with their own eyes. There can be
no more rumors in Wall street about
my financial status. Come in here"
Bivens led the way into the room
beyond, which was the meeting place
Of the directors Of his many corpora
tions.
Stuart had scarcely passed the door
when he stopped, struck dumb with
amazement In the center Of the great
Office was q sight that held him spell
bound. An immense vermilton wood
table, six feet wide and fifty feet in
length filled the center. On 1t the wiz
ard had placed his fortune of ninety
millions of dollars. Twenty millions
were in gold, its heavy weight sustain
ed by extra stanchions. The coin, ap-
parently all new from the national
mint, was carefully arranged around
the edges of the table In q solid bull
wark two feet high.
Behind this cleaning yellow pile of
gold he had placed his stocks and
bonds-each pile showing on its top
layer the rich green. gold or purple
colors of It's issue, each pile marked
with a tag which showed its total
amount. The effect was stunning.
Bivens approached the table softly
and reverently, as priest approaches
the high altar, and touched the gold
with the tips Of his slender little
fingers.
ave just begun
"You've just begunY' Stuart inter
rupted laughingiy.
Eyes, you'll understand what mean
before i've finished the days work"
"But whyf" the young lawyer asked
passionately. "Such a purpose seems
to me in view OF this stunning reveIa
ton the sheerest insanity. Life, the
one priceless thing we possess, Is toe
short can see you shoveling coal
through all eternity
But happen 10 be going 10 the
other place." Bivens broke in good ma
turedly.
Stuart looked at the pile Of goad q
moment and then at Bipens and said
slowly:
We'll. If YOU do get there, Cal
there's one thing certain. the angels
will an have 10 sleep with their pocket
books under their pilhowa"
Bivens' eyes sparkled and emile
played about the bard lines q hii
mouth. In spite Of Its doubtful ma