The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1913-05-01

cones pc DESoneS ron KNOW InAl IN
Gods great book Of accounts you, are
my debtor
Il owe you nothing"
In every accent Of the fnancier's
voice the man before him felt the
deadly merciless hatred whose fires
had been snoldering for years.
The doctors voice was fall Of ten
derness when he replied ut last:
my boy" he began quietly-"for
you are still boy when you stand he
side my gray hairs-men may fight one
another for great principle without
being personal enemies. We are men
still, with common hopes. fears. Ills.
griefs and joys When WIS II soldier
| fought the southern army. shot and
shot to kill. | was fighting for prin-
ciple When the firing ceased l helped
the wounded men on the field rs
came to them
His voice quivered and broke for an
| instant.
You have Won Yon can afford to
be generous. That you can deny me
in this the hour Of my deSolatiOn is
unthinkable. I'm not pleading for
myself. can live on rats allow
ance. I'm begging for my little girl.
need $4,000 Immediately to CON-
pletc 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 Il charity. Woodman, might
give you the paltry $4,000 you ask"
I'm take it as u 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 l was busy. Az ply
stefan | could not patent such thing
You had as much right to patent it as
any one else.
I'm other words" Bivens interrupted
cold.y. You inform me that you have
always known that stole from your
prescription counter the formula which
gave ne my first fortune"
The tinancIer began to speak with
slow venomous energy:
1--WE 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"
He leaned across the massive fiat
top desk to tonch an electric button.
The doctors fist suddenly gripped
the outstretched hand and his eyes
,gared into the face Of the financier
with the dangerous look Of n madman.
''You had better not ring that bell.
yet" he said. with forced quiet iD bis
tones.
"Your TRADE gives me m idea" said
Rivcns. II want you to stay until the
festivities end. and enjoy yourself.
Take a look over my house. 1t cost
two millions to build 1t. and requires
half million 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 $1,000. The favors in jewel
ry shall give to my rich guests who
have no use for them will he 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 fine evening"
BEFORE the doctor could answer the
fnancier laughed and left the room.
For long time the dazed mnn stood
motionless. He passed his big hand
over his forehead 10 vague instinc
tive physical effort to lift the fog ot
horror and despair that was slowly
strangling 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 handkpr
chief aud felt something hard ant,
cold
1t was II 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 1t to his
evening suit His hand closed over the
ivory handle with sudden fierce joy
'Yes. I'll kill him in his magnificent
ballroom. to the strains Of his OWE
musicr' he said. half aloud I'll give
a fit climax to his dance Of death and
the worm
He quickly descended the stairs and
saw Rivens talking with his wife. III
didn't wish to kill him in her pres
ence. and as he passed Il look Of hatred
flashed from the little black eyes Of the
millionaire. He made up his mind t
kill him at the moment the dance wa:
Mt the highest pitch Of gayety.
i. The music began. and the dancers
once more whlrled into the center oi
the room and the crowd filed the space
under the grand arch which led into