The Plattsmouth journal. (Plattsmouth, Nebraska) 1901-current, February 10, 1913, Image 5

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Copyright, 1011. toy
CHAPTER XIV.
The Unbidden Guest.
THE bitter reference to Bivens
and the crime of hia corner in
wheat hnd roused Nan's fight
ing blood. She would accept
the challenge of this rabble and show
her contempt for its opinions in a
way that could not be mistaken. She
determined to give an entertainment
Trthose roagniOcence would startle the
social world and be her defiant answer
to the critics of her husband. At the
game time It would serve the double
purpose of dazzling and charming the
imagination of Stuart She would by
a single dnsh of power end his In
decision as to Bivens's offer and bind
:wlth stronger cords the tie that held
him to her.
Her suggestion was received with
enthusiasm by ber husband.
"All right" he said excitedly, "beat
the record. Give them something to
ttk about the rest of their lives, t
don't mean those poor fools in Union
square. Their raving is pathetic. I
mean the big bugs who think they
own the earth, the people who think
that we are new comers and that this
Islsnd was built for their accommoda
tion. Give them a knock oat"
Nan spared no expenditure of time,
money and thought to the perfection
of her plans. She employed a corps
or trained artists. toon tnem to ner
heme, told them what she wished and
they worked with enthusiasm to eclipse
la splendor New York'B record of lavish
entertainments but always with the
reservation which she bad Imposed
'tnarnothlng be done that might violate
tike canons of beauty and good taste.
The long dreamed night came, and
ber guests had begun to arrive.
One was hurrying there to whom no
engraved invitation bad been sert. and
yet hia coming was the one big event
- .L I A I thI ..I.-
would makb the night memorable.
Tbe 'confession of love for Stuart
which Harriet had sobbed out In her
tether's arms had been the last straw
:.thrtt broke the backbone of his fight
, DuAn. i. . . .......
vgiirtini tJiiruflr iu uuisi vi Keller-
0OH feeling he made up bis mind to
eat his pride, drive . from his mind
every bitter impulse and forget,. that
he had ever hated this man or been
wronged by him. tie could see now
that he had neglected his little girl
In the fight be hud been making for
other people and that her very life
'(nJ&ht be at stake in the struggle she
' mi making for the man she loved.
ii tfirens naa once onerea 10 uuy nis
business. He had afterward made
him a generous offer to compromise
bin suit lie had never doubted for a
moment that a compromise would te
accepted the moment he should see fit
lo give up.
He Instrncted his lawyer to with
flraw the appeal before the duy fixed
for filing the papers. The lawyer
raved and pleaded in vain. The doctor
was firm. He wrote Bivens a gener
otM personal letter In which he asked
that the past be forgotten and that he
appoint a meeting at which they could
arrange the terms of a final friendly
settlement
The act bad lifted a load from his
heart. The sum he would receive, if
but half Bivens' original offer, would
be sufficient to keep him In comfort
complete his daughter's course in
music and give him something with
which to continue his dally ministry
to the friendless and the lowly. It
wari all be asked of the world now.
lie wondered In his new enthusiasm
why be had kept up this bitter feud
fnm tha AnfnrAniAn tf hia rlivtita hv
V. L .1 . V .. 1 V V.....II b V . .11.. . I . I. ' rj
law when there wpre so many more
nrgeot and important things In life
to do.
FTe waited four days for an auswer
to his letter and receiving none wrote
sg-dn. In the meantime the day for
Anil action on his appeal had passed
and his suit was legally ended. On the
last day his lawyer pleaded with him
for an hour to file the appeal suit and
then compromise at his leisure. The
doctor merely smiled quietly and re
peated his decision:
"I'm done fighting. I've something
els to do."
When Bivens failed to reply to his
second letter he made up his mind to
see him personally. He was sure the
letter hnd boon turned over to a lawyer
anil the financier had never wen it.
Lie called at Bivens' office three times
anil always met the siune unsvver:
"Mr. Bivens Is engnged for every
hour today. You must call iignin."
On the fourth day. when he had
stayed until time fur cfnMng the olliee,
a secretary Informed htm that Mr
Bivens was too nv with matter ol
Thomas Dixon
- r
great importance to take up any new
business of any kind for a month and
that he had given the most positive
orders to that effect to all his men. If
he would return the first of next
month he would see what could be
done.
The doctor left in disgust He deter
mined to break through this ceremonial
nonsense, see Bivens face to face and
settle the affair at ouce.
When he should see him personally it
would be but a question of five min
utes friendly talk and the matter
would be ended. Now that he recalled
little traits of Bivens' character he
didn't seem such a scoundrel after all,
just the average money mad man who
could see but one side of life. He
would remind him in a friendly way of
their early association and the help he
bad given him at an hour of bis life
when be needed it most. He wouldn't
cringe or plead. He would state the
whole situation frankly and truthfully
and with dignity propose a settlement
It was just at this moment that the
"Mr. Bivens is engaged for every hour
today."
doctor leu rued of the preparations for
the dinner aud ball at the Bivens pal
ace on Kivorside drive. The solution
of the whole problem flashed through
his mind In an instant They would
have professional singers without a
doubt, the great operatic stars and oth
era. if Harriet could only be placed on
the program for a single song it would
be settled. : Her voice would sweep
Bivens off his feet and charm the bril
liant throng of guests. lie would hare
to accompany her there, of course. At
the right moment be would mnke him
self known. A word with Bivens and
it would be settled.
ile lost uo time in finding out the
manager of the professional singers for
the evening aud through Harriet's en
thusiastic music teachers arranged for
her appearance From the moment this
was accomplished bis natural optimism
returned. His success was sure, lie
gave his time with renewed energy to
liis work among the poor.
On the day of the ball Harriet was
waiting in u fever of impatience for bis
return from the hospitals to Qress. At
aulf past 7 their dinner was cold aud
be had uot come. It was 8 o'clock be
fore h!s familiar footstep echoed
through the hall.
He ate a hasty meal, dressed In
thirty minutes and at I) o'clock led
Harriet to tho side entrance of Bivens'
great house on the drive.
Ho was In line spirits. He rejoiced
again that he had made up bis mind
to live the life of faith and good fel
lowship with all men. Including the
little swarthy master of the palace he
was about to enter. And so with
light heart ho stepped through the
door which the soft white hand of
death opened. How could be know?
As Stuart dressed for Nan's party he
brooded over his new relation to his
old sweetheart with Increasing pleas
ure. Never had Bivens' oiler seemed
more generous and wonderful. His
pulso heat with quickened stroke as
lie felt the new sense of power with
which he would look out on tin; world
as a possible millionaire.
lie gazed over the old square with
a feeling ol regret at Hie thought of
leaving It. Ile had grown to love the
place in the past years of loueliness.
hut was deciding too soon, perhaps,
'there were some features of Bivens
business he must understand more
clearly t-eiore lie could give up his
freedom and devote himself body and
soul to the task of money making as
his associate.
Ho went across the square to take
a cab at the Brevoort His mood was
buoyant He was looking out on life
once more through rose tinted glasses.
At Eighth street lie met at right angles
the swarming thousands hurrying
across town from their work heavy
looking men 'who tramped with tired
step, striking the pavements dully with
their nailed shoes, tired, anxious worn
en frowzy headed little girls, sad eyed
boys, half awake all hurrying, the
fear of want aud tho horror of charity
In their silent faces. And yet the sight
touched uo responsive chord of sym
pathy in Stuart's heart as it often had.
As he drove uptown the nvenue flash
ed with swift silent automobiles and
blooded horses. These uptown crowds
through whose rushing streams he
passed were all well dressed and car
ried bundles of candy, flowers and
toys.
Stuart felt the contagious enthusi
asm of thousands of proserous men
and women whose lives at the moment
flowed about and enveloped his own.
What was it that made the difference
between the squalid atmosphere below
Fourth street and the glowing, flash
ing, radiaut. jeweled world uptown?
Money! It meant purple and fine
linen, delicacies of food and drink,
pulsing machines that could make
a mile a minute, the mountain and
the sea, freedom from care, fear,
drudgery and slavery!
After all In this modern passion for
money might there not be.. something
deeper than mere greed, perhaps the
regenerating power of the spirit press
ing man upward? Certainly he could
see only the bright side of it tonight.
As his cab swung luto Biverside
drive from Seventy-second street the
sight which greeted him wns one of
startling splendor. Bivens' yncht lay
at anchor In the river just In front of
bis house. She was festooned with
electric lights from the wnter line to
the top of ber towering steel masts.
The Illumination of the exterior of
the Bivens house was remarkable.
The stone and iron fence surround
ing the block, which had been built at
a cost of a hundred thousand dollars,
was literally ablaze with lights. The
house was illumined from its founda
tions to the top of each towering
minaret with ruby colored lights.'
' Stuart passed up the grand 6talrs
through a row of gorgeous flunkies
and greeted his hostess.
Nan grasped his band with a smile
of joy.
"You are to lend me In to dinner.
Jim, at the stroke of 8."
"I'll not forget" Stuart answered,
his face flushing with surprise at the
unexpected honor.
"Cal wishes to see you at once. You
will find blm lu the library."
Bivens met blm at the door. v
"Ah. there yon are!" he cried cor
dially. "Come back downstairs with
me. I want yon to see some people
as they come In tonight. I've a lot
of funny things to tell you about
them"
The bouse wns crowded with an
army of servants, attendants, musi
cians, singers, entertainers and re
porters.
The doctor had been recognized by
one of tlie butlers whom he bad be
friended on his arrival from the Old
World. The grateful fellow had gone
out of tlx way to make blm at home,
nnd in his enthusiasm bad put an al
cove which opened off the ball room
at his and Harriet's disposal. The
doctor was elated at this evidence of
Bivens' good feeling and again con
gratulated himself on his common
sense In coming.
Bivens led Stuart to a position near
the grand stairway, from which he
could greet his guests as they re
turned from their formal presentation
to the hostess.
He kept up a running fire of bio
graphical comment which amused
Stuart beyond measure. It was a rev
elation of the crooked ways In which
Bivens' guests or their fathers or grand
fathers had amassed their millions,
many of them by robbing the govern
ment, the people.
"The world has never heard most
of these storles-thnt'a funny!" Stuart
exclaimed after a time.
"Not so funny. Jim. when you think
of the ower of money to mnke the
world forget. God only knows how
many fortunes In America had their
origin In thefts from the nation during
the civil war, and the systematic
frauds that have been practised on our
government since. I've turned some
pretty bharp tricks. Jim, In stalking
my game in this big man hunt of Wall
jtreet. but at least I've never robbed
the wounded or the dead on a battle
field and I've never used a dark lan
tern to get Into tho government vaults
at Washington. I'm not asking you
to stand for that."
"If you did"
"Yes, I know the answer, but speak
loftly, his majesty the king approaches
-long live the king!"
Bivens spoke In low, half Joking
(ones, but the excitement of his voice
told Stuart only too plainly that he
fully appreciated tho royal honor his
majesty was pnylng In this the first
Boclnl visit ho hnd ever made to his
home. The king gavo him a plensant
nod nnd grasped Stuart's hand with
a hearty cordial grip. He was a man
of few words, but he always said ex
RCtly what he thought.
"I'm ghid to meet you, Mr. Stuari.
You've done iih a good turn In sending
some of our crooks to the penitentiary.
You've cleared tho ulr and made It
possible for an old fashioned banker to
breathe In New York, it's s pleasure
to shake hands with yon."
The king pased ou Into the crowd,
the focus of a hundred admiring eyes.
Bivens could scarcely Relieve his ears
when he listened with open mouth
while his majesty spoke to Stuart.
"Great Scott. .Mm.'" he lisped at last.
"Tint's the longest speech 1 ever heard
him make. I knew you had scored the
biggest hit any lawyer has made in
this town In u generation, but 1 never
dreamed you'd capture the king's im
agination. Tin beginning to think my
offer wasn't so generous after all. Look
here, you've got to promise- pie one
thing right now. When you do go in
to make your pile it shall be- lth me
and no other man."
Nan passed and threw him a gra
cious smile.
"It will be with you If I go, Cal, I
promise. At least the king one ex
ception to your indictment cf all great
fortunes."
"That's the funniest thing of all,"
Bivens whispered "lie's uot an ex
ception. Uuderstund, I'm loyal to the
king. He's a wonder. I like blm. I
like bis big head, his big shaggy eye
brows, his big hands and big feet. I
like to hear him growl and snap his
answer 'Yes. 'No' that menus life or
death to men who kneel at his foot.
He's a dead game sport But be, too.
has his little blots in bis early copy
books at school if you core to turn the
pages."
"No!" Stuart interrupted Incredu
lously. "Yes, sir; he turned the slickest trick
on Uncle Sam of all the bunch. He
was a youngster, and it was his first
deal. When the civil war broke out the
government had no guns for the volun
teers. He learned that there were
5,000 old Hall carbines stored away
among the Junk In one of the national
arsenals In New York. He bought
these guns (ou a credit) for a song,
about $3 apiece, and shipped them to
General Fremont, who was In St Louis
bowling for arms. Fremont agreed to
pay $2li..r0 each for the new rifles and
closed the deal at once by drawing on
tho government for enough to enable
the young buccaneer to pay his three
dollar contract price to Oncle Sam in
New York and lay aside a snug sum
for a rainy day besides.
"When Fremont found thnt the guns
were worthless he advised tho gov
ernment to stop payment on the bal
ance. It was stopped on the ground of
fraud. And then tho youngster show
ed the stuff be was made of. Did bo
crawl and apologize? Not much. He
sued the United States government for
tho full amount and pushed that suit
to the supreme court. In the face of
tho sneers of bis enemies be won and
took the full amouut with Interest
He's the king today because be was
born a king. Ills father was a million
aire before him. He's the greatest
financial genius of the century."
Bivens paused and a dreamy look
came Into the black eyes.
"Jim.',' he continued with slow em
phasis. "I'd rather get my Angers on
his throat in a death struggle than
lead the combined armies of tbe world
to victory."
Stuart was silent ,
The soft tones of hidden oriental
gongs began to chime the call for din
ner. The chimes melted Into a beau
tiful piece of orchestral music which
seemed to steal from the sky, so skill
fully hnd the musicians been conceal
ed. Nan suddenly nppeared by Stuart's
side, and he whs glveu the honor of
lending his hostess into the banquet
hall before even the klug, while tho
great ones of em th slowly followed
(To Bo Continued.)
Local News
From Friday's Dnlly.
Dr. A. L. Parks of Omaha was
in the city today looking after
business for the Hurlington Re
lief. Miss Ikielah Sans departed this
afternoon for her home near Mur
ray lo visit over Sunday with her
mother.
Mrs. John A. Donelan was a
passenger this morning for Oma
ha, where she will visit friends for
a few hours.
Miss Hattie Kearney returned
this afternoon from Omaha, where
she had been visiting friends for
a short time.
1). M. 0-odwin and wife of near
Murray were in the city yesterday
for a few hours'attending to mat
ters of. business.
Court Reporter Karl Travis re
turned this afternoon from Papil
lion, where he has been looking
after business matters.
Tom Sherwood was a passeng
er this morning for Omaha to
look after some matters of busi
ness for a short time.
Glen Perry, from near Mynard, i
was a passenger this morning for
Omaha, where be will look after
business matters for a short time.
Julio Schiappacasse ;is a pas
senger on No. 1 T this morning for
Omaha, where he was called lo
look after some mailers of busi
ness for a short lime.
Attorney Matthew (leiing was
a passenger this afternoon for
Omaha to look after some matters
of business.
John W. J Ian )f Orccnwood
was in lite city today looking af
ter matters at I he court house for
a few hours.
I.ouis Jiran ami wife were pas
sengers this morning for Omaha,
where tliey visited wild friends
for the dav.
Mrs. Harry llaitliold returnecl
this morning from (Jlenwood,
where she lias been visiting her
son for a few da vs.
Attorney W. A. Robertson de
parted this morning for Omaha,
where lie will look after business
matters for the day.
Mrs. 1). n. Smith and Mrs. Rob
ert (iibson were passengers this
morning for Omaha, where they
will visit for the day.
Frank Slagcl of Murray was in
the city yesterday for a few hours
attending to some matters of
business with the merchants.
Mrs. W. I). Smith and child re
turned last evening from Grand
Island, where they have been for
some time visiting with friends.
Mrs. Rlioda (lot nor was a pas
senger this morning for Omaha,
where she will attend to some
matters of business for tho day.
J. II. Kuhns, wife and son,
Stanley, were passengers this
morning for Omaha, where they
looked ufter business matters for
t lie day.
H. 0. Wurl was a passenger
on ivo. vd this aiternoon lor
Omaha, where be will visit his
son, Carl, at the hospital for a
few hours.
W. K. Painter of Lincoln, in
spector of merchandise loading
for t lie Hurlinglon, was in tho
city yesterday afternoon looking
after company business.
Attorney C. S. l'olk of Hoise,
Idaho, was in the city for a few
hours this morning, being called
here to look after business mat
tors in county court.
Will Rinker and wife and Mrs.
William Gravett were passengers
this afternoon for Omaha, where
they visited for a few hours and
looked after business matters.
Mrs. Marion F. Stennant and
daughter, Mrs. C. II. Weinman, of
Red Oak, Iowa, who have been
here for a short time visiting with
Mrs. Stennant's sister, Mrs. J. M.
Johns and family, departed this
morning for their home.
M. L. Furlong, one of the
worthy farmers from near Rock
Bluffs, was in the city yesterday
for a few hours looking after
business matters, and dropped in
to the Journal olliee and renewed
for his Semi-Weekly in order to
keep posted on the news.
Miss Helen Dovey came in this
afternoon from Omaha lo spend
Sunday with her parents, II. N.
Dovey and wife. Miss Dovey was
accompanied by Miss Lucelta Put.
lerson of Omaha and Harry Cum
mings of Seward, who will be
guests til the Dovey home.
V Ve arc Ready! f f
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
A
Miss Kdna I'ropst of Mynaid
was a passenger this afternoon
for Omaha, where she will visit
for a few hours with friends.
(ieorge I'oisall returned from
Lincoln last evening on No. 2,
being accompanied by his mother-in-law,
Mrs. Elizabeth Knight,
who will isit here for a short
time willi the Poisall familv.
I'. P. Meisingcr, one of the
worthy farmers from near My
naid, was in the oily today for a
few hours, and called at the
Journal olliee to renew Ins sub
scription to the Old Reliable.
Nicholas Halmes, the Weeping;
Water miller, and William P.
Sitzinan motored up this morning
front their home and looked after
.some business matters, and Mr.
Sitzman found lime to drop into
the Journal ofliee for a chat with
his friends in the printing busi
ness. Miss Meta Jennings, who re
cently underwent an operation at
the Imanuel hospital in Omaha,
is reported as getting along as
well as could be expected and her
many, friends trust that she will
continue to improve and soon be
able to be up and around and in
their midst again.
Miss Florence Waugh of Lin
coln will return to this city on
Sunday evening to complete the
task of cataloging the books of
our library. At this lime she
will bring with her an exhibit of
juvenile work and all who desire
to see this Exhibit may call at tbe
library any afternoon or evening
next week.
George" Hanson and wifo and
Frank Cox of Nehawka were in
tho city for a few hours this
morning attending to some mat
ters of business with the mer
chants. Mrs. F. A. Hanson ac
companied the party, who came
up by auto. Mr. Hanson called
and renewed his subscription to
the Semi-Weekly Journal.
CASS COUNTY COUPLE ARE
MARRIED IN NEBRASKA CITY
From Friday's Dally.
A couple of Union's well known
young people, Albert Leo Thacker
and Miss Stella Younker, went to
Nebraska City on Tuesday, and a
call at County Judgo Hischof's
ofllce disclosed the purpose of tho
visit to that city. A license was
soon signed and sealed and the
accommodating judge pronounced
a ceremony designed especially
for young people from our own
Judge Heeson's jurisdiction.
Mr. and Mrs. Thacker returned
from Nebraska City that evening,
and we are informed that they will
make .their home on a farm in
this vicinity. The bride is a
daughter of Mr. and Mrs. W. II.
Younker, residing east of town,
and is one of the very popular
young ladies, highly esteemed by
all who have formed her acquaint
ance. Mr. Thacker is one of Cass
county's energetic and prosper
ous young farmers, and is well
known as a gentleman of ex
cellent habits and character.
Union Ledger.
A Want Ad In the Journal will
bring what you want.