The Plattsmouth journal. (Plattsmouth, Nebraska) 1901-current, February 17, 1913, Image 5

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Ous-1 Store is
We leave town for a few days to attend the
Retail Hardware Convention, and on our re
turn will be able to make manufacturers'
prices on all Builders' Hardware.
imEOyfOPEwL
THOMSDKON 7& sgd
Copyright. 1911. by
CHAPTER XVI.
The Last Illusion.
T
;IIK longer Dr. Woodman watch-
eil
tbe barbaric, sensual dls-
play of wealth sweeping be
fore blin, the deeper his spirits
oank. The butler touched his arm.
and he turned with a sudden start.
"Mr. Blvens will be pleased to see
you In the little library, sir, if you
will come at once."
When the doctor was ushered into
the library Hlvens, who was awaiting
him alone, sprang to his feet with a
look of blank amazement, and then a
timHe began to play about his hard
inouth.
"My servant announced that a gen
tleman wished to speak to me a mo
ment Will you be good enough to tell
me what you are doing in this house
tonight?"
The doctor paused and hesitated, his
face scarlet from tho deliberate in
sult "I must really ask your pardon, Mr.
Jdvens, for my apparent intrusion. It
is only apparent. I came with my
daughter. She Bang tonight on your
program."
"Oh, I see. with the other hired
singers. Well, what do you want?
"Only a few minutes of your time
on a matter of grave importance."
"I don't care to discuss business here
tonight, Woodman," Wvens broke in
abruptly. "Come to my office."
"I have been there three or four
times," the doctor went on hurriedly
"and wrote you twice. I felt sure that
ray letters had not reached you. I
hoped for the chance of a moment to
night to lay my case before you."
"All right. I'll give you Dve min
utes."
"I felt sure you had not seen my
letters,
Til easo your mind on that ques
tion. I did see them both. You got
my answer?"
"That's just it. I didn't And
couldn't understand it"
"Oh, I see!" Blvens' mouth quivered
with the slightest sneer. "Perhaps it
was lost in transit!"
The sneer was lost on the doctor.
He was too intent on his purpose.
"I know. It was a mistake. I see it
now, aud I'm perfeclly willing to pay
for that mistake by accepting even
half of your last proposition."
Blvens laughed cynically.
"This might be serious, Woodman, if
it wasn't funny. But you had as well
know once and for all that I owe you
nothing. Your suit has been lost.
Your appeal has been forfeited. My
answer is brief, but to the point not
one cent. My generosity is for my
friends not my enemies."
"But we are not enemies personally,"
the doctor explained good naturedly.
"I have put all bitterness out of my
heart and come tonight to ask that by
gones be bygones. You know that in
God's great book of accounts you are
my debtor."
"I owe you nothing."
In every accent of the financier's
voice the man before him felt the
deadly merciless hatred whose tires
had been smoldering for years.
' The doctor's voice was full of ten
derness when he replied at last:
"My boy." he began quietly "for
you are still a boy when you stand be-
Klde my gray hairs men may fight one
another for a great principle without
being personal enemies. We are men
Htlll. with common hopes, fears, ills.
ITriefs and Joys. When I was a soldier
I fought the southern army, shot and
shot to kill. I was fighting for a prin
ciple. When the firing ceased I helped
the wounded men on the field as I
came to them."
Ills voice quivered and broke for an
histant.
"You have won. You tan afford to
be generous. That you can deny me
in this the hour of my desolation is
unthinkable. I'm not pleading for
myself. I can live on a rat's allow
ance. I'm begging for my little girl.
I need $2,000 immediately to com
plete her musical studies. Deep down
In your heart of hearts you know that
the act would Ik? one of Justice be
tween man aud man."
"As a charity. Woodman. I might
live you the paltry $50,000 you ask."
"I'll take It as a 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 (be point. Woodman,
what. Is hi your mind when you suy
that I am your debtor?"
"Simply that I have always known
that your formula for that drink wan
1 Dri'scrlpt I'iU. vviijfji L compounded
Thomas Dixon
yoaiVag" and which you often filled
for me when I was busy. As a phy
sician 1 could not patent such a thing.
You had as much right to patent it as
any one else."
"In other words." Bivons interrupted
coldly, "you inform me that you have
always known that I stole from your
prescription counter the formula which
gave "if my nrst fortune.
The financier began to speak with
slow venomous energy:
"I've let you ramble on in your
maudlin talk. Woodman, because it
amused me. For vears I've waited
your coming. Your unexpected
advent, is the sweetest triumphof
this festival night."
lie paused, a sinster smile played
about his mouth. "The last time I
saw vou T nrnmised tnvself that I'd
make" you come to nm the next time
and when you did that you'd come on
your hands and knees. And I swore
that when yon looked up into my face
groveling aud 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 flat
top desk to touch an ele trie button.
The doctor's fist suddenly tripped
the outstretched hand and his eyes
glared Into the face of the financier
with the dangerous look of a madman.
"You had belter not ring that bell,
yet," he said, with forced quiet in Ids
tones.
"Your tirade gives me an idea," said
Blvens. "I want you to stay until the
festivities end. and enjoy yourself.
Take n look over my house, it cost
two millions to build it. and requires
half a million a year to keep it up.
The butterflies those dancers are crush
lug beneath their feet in my ballroom
I imported from Central America at
a cost of $5,000. The favors In jewel
ry I shall give to my rich guests who
have no use for them will be worth
$25,000. Remember that 1 spent three
hundred and lil'ty thousand on this
banquet, which lasted eight hours,
and that I will see you ami yotu
uatvgntcr dead ana in the bottomless
pit before I will give you one penny.
Enjoy yourself, it's n fine evening."
Before the doctor could answer, the
financier laughed and left the room.
For a long time tin; dazed man stood
motionless. He passed his big hand
over his forehead In a vague instinc
tive physical effort to lift the fog of
horror and despair that was slowly
strangling him.
He felt that he was suffocating, lie
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 a handker
chief and felt something hard and
cold.
It was a revolver he had been accus
tomed to carry of lalo in his rounds
through the dangerous quarters of the
city. Without thinking when bo
dressed, he had transferred it to his
evening suit. Ills hand closed over the
ivory handle with n sudden tierce joy.
"Yes. I'll kill him in ills magnificent
ballroom, to the strains of his own
music!" 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 Blvens talking with his wife. He
didn't wish to kill him in her pres
ence, and as ho passed a 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 gaycty.
The music began, and the dancers
once more whirled Into the center of
the room and the crowd filled the space
under the grand arch which led into
the hall. Blvens was the center oT un
admiring group of sycophants and wor
shtpful snobs. The doctor's heart gave
a mad throb of Joy. His hour had
come.
With quick strides he covered the
space which separated them aud with
out a moment's hesitation thrust his
hand Into Ills breast for his revolver.
Not a muscle or nerve quivered. His
finger touched the trigger softly and
he gave Blvens n look which ho meant
he should take with him iuto 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 Blvens' wife.
Ills linger slipped from the trigger,
and Ills hand loosed its deadly grip.
"Have I forgotten my bii by?" he cried
in sudden anguish. Ami then another
vision Hashed through his excited
brain. A courtroom, a prisoner, hi
own bowed figure the center of a thou
sand eyes while the jury brought In
their verdict.
I IK luyjh, crime 111 labored gajjn as
the Trigger H Q I
Touched
Softly.
otnTiiiitd ihmiglVrVucweded'iinother.
"No!" lie saic) hoarsely. "1 must
save her. 1 must be cunning. 1 must.
succeed-not fall. I must get what 1
came here for. 1 must save my baby.
My own fate is of no importance. She
is everything."
Biveus had taken from him by fraud
his formula, destroyed his business and
robbed ttlm of all be possessed. The
law gave him power to hold it. He.
too. would appeal to the same power
and take what belonged to him. No
matter how, be would take It. and he
would take it tonight.
Biveus had boasted that his favors
Liu jewelry would be worth $25,000.
The doctor turned quickly and began
to search the house until he found the
half drunken servant arranging these
packages under the direction of a sec
retary. These favors had been made
for the occasion by a famous jeweler
n diamond pin of peculiar design, a
gold death's head with diamond teeth
aud eyes surmounted by ft butterfly
and a caterp.Jar. The stones in each
piece were worth $100. They lay on a
table in little open jewel boxes, fifty in
a box. and each box contained $5,000
worth of gold and precious stoues.
The doctor inspected the boxes with
exclamations of wonder and admira
tion. He bent low over the table for
an instant, mid when he left one of the
jewel cases rested securely in his
pocket.
lie was amazed at his . own skill
and a thrill of fierce triumph filled
his being as lie realized that he had
succeeded and that bis little girl would
go to Burope and complete her work.
lie spoke pleasantly to the secretary
anil congratulating him on his good
fortune in securing such a master,
turned and strolled leisurely back to
the ballroom.
Not for a moment did he doubt the
safely of bis net. lie was p. chemist
and knew the secret of the laboratory.
He would melt the gold into a single
bar and sell the diamonds as lie need
ed them. His only regret was that be
ro::lil not have taken (he full amount
he had demanded of the little scoun
drel, lie found Harriet and they start
ed at oil' e fur homo.
iM yini hao ii good time?"
"Yes, when I could forget Iht
in mv heart. You succeeded'.'
pain
It's
all ru'litv I'm going abroad tit once
to study?"
The doctor laughed aloud In a burst
of tierce joy.
"Certainly, my dear!"
The tears sprang into the gentle eyes
as she answered gratefully.
"You can't know how happy you've
made mo."
Blvens, who had heard the doctor's
laughter, passed and said with exag
gerated courtesy:
"I trust you have enjoyed the even
ing, Woodman V"
The doctor laughed again in his face.
"More than I can possibly tell you."
Blvens followed to the door and
watched hi in slowly walk down the
steps.
(To .Do Continued.)
Attention, Farmers!
Clean up your yard now and see
O. P. Monroe about buyinp all old
Rcrap iron at the highest market
price. 2-7-lmo-wkly
Better than
Spanking!
Spankinp- will not cure children of
wetting the bed, because it is not a
babit but a dangerous disease. The C.
H. Rowan Drug Co., Dept. B 10C3,
Chicago, 111., have discovered a strictly
harmless remedy for this digressing
disease and to make known its merits
they will send a 5 )c package securely
wrepped and prepaid Absolutely Free
to any ready of the Journal. This
remedy also cures frequent desire to
urinate and inability to control utine
during the night or day in old or young.
The C. H. Kowan Drug Co. is an Old
Reliable House. Write to them today
for the free modicine. Cure the afflicted
members of your family, then tell your
neghbors and friunds about this remedy'
I
All Mechanic's Tools I will give 10 per cent discount till March 15th
I will make a rate on Nails at $2.60 per keg
Strap Hinges 4-inch 10c per pair; 6-inch 15c per pair; 8-inch 20c
per pair-all with screws
And all other goods proportion. Yours for a good, square deal
H
Local News
1'iom Thursiliiy's flatly
Mrs. II. k. flecker, from west
pf lite city, js in town visiting at
Hit' homo of hor sister, Mrs. John
lhtucr, sr.
Fred Hire returned this aflor
niMin ('mm Pilgor, Neb., where be
had been visiting- I be past few
weeks with friends,
Tom I.ee, who lias been em
ployed at (be steel ear department
of (he shops, departed Ibis morn
ing' for llaveloek, where he will be
employed.
Louis Krnehlcr was a passenger
on No. l.r this morning for Oma
ha to attend lo business mailers
ami attend the Hardware mens
eonvenlion.
Sandy Andrews and wife de
parted last evening' on No. 2 for
(iravily, Iowa, where Ibey will
visit willi lite parents of Mrs. An
drews for a short I itne.
Mrs. I'. J. Ileiinings and daugh
ter. Miss Helen, came in litis
morning from (heir home and
were passengers for Omaha, j
where Ibey visited for Hie day.
Mrs. A. It. Unsay of Harford.
Arizona, who lias been here for
some time visiting her daughter,
Mrs. Hoberl I.cland and family,
departed Ibis afternoon for ber
borne.
Ous Uomaii ami daughter, Mrs.
Carl llolmburg. departed Ibis
morning for Sioux ,Cily, Iowa,
where Ibey will assist Mr. Ho
niiiii'.s mn ber in celebrating ber
birthday anniversary.
Dr. H. N. Hansom ami wife and
hal of Cedar Rapids, Neb., who
have been here visiling wilb Ibo
mother of Mrs. ilnnsoiiio, Mr.s. A.
t. Swaii lioul, departed Ibis morn
ing for their home.
Fnooh Moreland, living soul Ii of
Ibis city, was a passenger Ibis
afternoon for Omaha, where be
goes lo be present at the hospital
when bis brother, V. M. Moreland
is operated on.
Chillies Creamer drove up this
morning from bis home south of
this city, and in company with
bis son, Joe, was a passenger for
the metropolis to attend lo busi
ness matters for a lime.
Mr. ami Mrs. C. 15. Schlicher de
parted Ibis afternoon for their
homo at Brady, Neb., after a short
visit here with Charles Miller and
family, south of this city. The
many friends here were delighted
(o see them afler tbeir trip lo
tbe canal zone.
CHRIS SIOERR, It PIONEER
CII WSSES MY
From Frlday'8 Dally.
Yesterday Chris Sloehr, one of
the prominent and pioneer farm
ers of Fight Mile drove precinct,
passed away at tbe home of bis
daughter, Mrs. (ieorgo Heil, near
Cedar Creek. Mr. Sloehr bad been
operated on some time ago, and
owing to bis advanced age was
unable lo withstand tbe shock. He
was 81 years of ape and came to
this country from bis native land,
Germany, many years ago, settling
llrst in Illinois and later came to
Nebraska, when be engaged in
farming. His wife died several
soars ago and lit? leaves I be fol
lowing children lo mourn bis loss:
Philip Sloehr, (ieorge, Conn and
Adam Sloehr. Mrs. (ieorge Heil,
Mrs. Adam Foriioir. Mrs. Kalit
I'elerson and Mrs. Mary Melper.
I'lii.' funeral will be held tomorrow,
probably at the home of Mr. Ileil.
ASTWE)
(Successor to John Bauer)
DELIGHTFUL SURPRISE
Id IS. RHODA COI
NER ID DAUGHTER
From Tli ii i' si lay 's Dully
Tuesday evening; a large num
ber of the friends and relatives
of Mrs. llboda Coiner and ber
three little daughters, Mable,
Hazel and Nellie, gathered 'at their
bome in the south part of the city
and gave them a most delightful
surprise parly on the eve of their
departure for Stella, Neb., where
they will make their future home.
There bad been no intimation
given of the parly and tbe first
Mrs. Coiner knew of tbe event
was when the pilosis walked in
unannounced, but soon recover
ing from the surprise, she made
litem feel at home aud a most de
lightful evening was spent in
games and social conversation,
and at a late hour the hostess
served some most delicious re
freshments, to which the jolly
company did most 'ample justice,
and the parly broke up with
everyone voting Mrs. Cottier a
royal entertainer ami wishing her
and her daughters a prosperous
and happy sojourn in their new
home. Tbe gnosis on Ibis pleas
ant occasion were: John II. Coi
ner and w ife, Walter Cot nor and
wife, Park Chrismiser and wife,
Lee Coiner and wife, Misses Agnes
Lloyd, Gladys Coiner, Josie Ilauli
land, Kinnia - Kaufmann, Zoah
Walat, Anna Miller, Mantle Krvin,
Messrs. Art bur Coiner, Lester
Chriswisser, John Stewart, Fd
Cottier, Clarence Coiner, Clyde
Jones and Karnesl Harper,
Death at Elmwood.
From Frlday'H Dally.
A special from Flmwood. under
dale of February I. 'I, says: Isaac
Mairs. aged Ml years, died at the
home of his son, Silas Mail's, ami
was buried at the Flmwood ceme
tery today. Mr. Mairs was one of
the pioneer settlers of ('ass
county.
Wo are Ready!
with our 1913 Stock of New
Wall Paper.
A bigger line than ever before.
A new plan too.
We will sell borders at the same
prpcoirlelre as the wall and ceil
ing. Weyrich & Hadraba,
DRUGGISTS
and Kodak Dealers
V Wj,
Buys New Automobile.
From Friday' Dally. -A.
L. Ilocker, the genial citizen
of Liberty precinct, was in the
city today looking afler business
matters and secured an automo
bile license for bis new Ford car,
which be recently purchased. Mr.
Hooker has secured the agency for
this machine for his locality.
ROBERT WILKINSON
DUNBAR
L.J. HALL
UNION
Wilkinson 6 Hall
-AUCTIONEERS-
The holding of successful sales is
our line. Our interests are with the
seller when it comes to getting every
dollar your property is worth. For
open dates address or call either of
us at our expense by phone. Dates
can be made at the Journal office.
WILKINSON & HALL
n
B
Bought and Sold
ON COMMISSION!
Insurance Placed in Best
Companies!
Farm Loans and Rental Agency
- Virgil f.lullis
I
ileal Lstatn