The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1912-12-25
CHAPTER XIII.

q O'Clock Stuart helped the
guides prepare breakfast with
out waking the sleepers and called
them ut o.
BY 10 o'clock breakfast was over.
the guides had formed two exploring
parties aud set out with the young
people chattering and laughing. Wen
keep house. Jim, here in Gods palace
among the clouds until they return. 8"
said Nan.
Yes" he answered cheerily, and
it will be fun to keep it alone. won't
it. with no restraints or studied pre-
tense, no crowd of fools or iveried
1unkieS near at hand
They sat down on the ledge of
rock which formed their cave house
and gazed over the marvellous piano.
rama Of a world transformed into blue
billowy mountains. flying clouds and
turquoise skies Over it all brooded
the deep. solemn silence of eternity.
Not a sound reached the ear from
earth or air Nan broke the silence.
Il have houses in town and coun-
try. with every whim of body and
soul apparently gratifed. But sup
pose that all this madness of luxury.
at which you wonder. is but the vain
effort of ii hungry heart? The time
has come in our lives when we should
begin to see things as they are
i've been trying to do that for
long time" he answered quietly
And haven't succeeded she added
hn hi &c
life is tissue of lies We are born
in lies. grow up in lies. live and move
and have our being in lies. I'm grow
ing sick of lies
Stuart looked at her flushed face
with a deepening thrill of the drama
of the soul its quick changing ex-
preston shadowed
"Vell?''
1--WE grown to feel of late" she
went on rapidly. that It's shame
to dodge The only law my husband
has ever known is to take what he
wants. I've the right to live my own
life. We must each of US choose our
world. the one of conventions and
shams or the big one that's beyond
the world of reality, where free men
and women live and work in freedom
while youth and daring lead the way
She paused and Stuart's lips parted
in amaZement. Never had he heard
such eIoquence from the woman be-
fore him.
Jim she went on falteringly. I'm
lonely and heartsick. I'm trying to
tell you that l want your love; that
l can't live any longer without it.
Her head sank low, and sob caught
her voice.
There; I've told you. I've no pride
left. Tell me that you love me. |
want to hear it a thousand times. /
want it. right or wrong! Speak! Say
something, if only to curse me.'
You should have thought of this.
Nan. before these gray hairs began
to creep into my hair"
Il did Jim" she cried. eagerly bend
| ing near God knows | fought. You
never knew it, but | did. For whole
nights | wrestled with the fiend that
tempted me and fought for my love.
1t took days and weeks to strange its
hold on my heart and force me to be-
tray myself. Oh. Jim. it's not too
late to live, Look at me. dearest. and
say it's not For Gods sake. tell me
that you love me still. Am Iold? Am
| faded?"
| The man had felt sure of himself
when she began, but the tenderness.
| the passion, the yearning appeal Of her
voice were more than he could resist.
Look into my eyes. Nam he cried,
land let me see the bottom of your
SOUR
| She lifted her dark lustrous eyes.
| devouring him with love.
You'll find only your image there,
| Jim
| He looked at her sternly.
Before take you into my arms and
| smother you with kisses" he whiS
| pered fiercely. there mustn't he any
/ mistake this time I've got to know
/ that your love for me IS the biggest
| thing in your Iife-the only thing in
/ your life.
Il swear it," she gasped.
| you've got to prove it; I'm going to
/ put you to the test
ANY test she broke in quickly.
/ Il warn you he went on. with in
i creasing seriousness. THE test will be
1 a real one. You and |. Nan, could
/ never be happy with the shadow of
i Bivens' fortune over u.s..
But its shadow can't be over us,
/ It's going to be yours. He has given
/ it to me-his death is only a question
/ of a year or two-and I'm going to
h give it all to you"
There's not a dollar of his millions
that isn't smirched. I'd sooner wear
the rags Of a leper than soil my hands
with it. If you love me you will have
| to give up these millions"
Nan gazed at him in astonishment
| and broke into low laugh
"Of course. you're teasing me. You
can't be in earnest in such an absurd
dime novel idea! Give away this
enormous fortunet''
The woman placed her hand tenderly
in his and nestled close to his side.
Come. Jim, dear, this is a practica
world; you have some common sense
even if you are a man of genius; you're
not insaner'
81 think not" he answered. soberly.
"You cannot make this absurd de
mand on me- she repeated slowly
knowing the awful price / paid FOL
these millions -
ITS because | know it that / make
the demand he went on, passionateIy
/ EGTUo 90 Fooo ~ faro ~arr ron arT I