The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1913-04-24
THE ROOT OF EVIL
Continued from Page One.

ApPA"uoS.
She nodded and smiled, and he rush.
I'd behind the scenes to ask an expla-
nation.
He grasped both her hands and
found them cold and trembling with
excitement.
"What on earth does this mean?'
simply that was engaged to sing
tonight. and | wanted to surprise you |
Didn't you like my song?"
1T lifted me to the gates of heaven,
dear" i"
Then l don't care whether any one
else heard it or not. But did so much
wish that she might have heard 1t or
her husband because they are from the
SOUTH
"Rut l don't understand-your father
hates Bivens So"
A big hand was laid on his shoulder.
he turned and faced the doctor smiling
"Rut ! don't hate him. my boy! I've
given up such foolishness We've
buried the Ratchet. I'm to see him In
a few minutes and we are to be good
friends"
"Bivens invited you here to discuss
a business proposition tonight!' Stuart
exclaimed. blankIy.
mo, no, no. the doctor answered.
Il came with Harriet. of course. Her
| music teacher placed her on the pro
gram. But Mr.. Bivens and have had
some correspondence and I'm to see
him in little while and talk things
| over quite informally. of course. but
effectively"
| He has agreed to conference
here?' the young lawyer asked.
anxiously.
"Why. Of course. His butler has just
told NE he would see me Immediately
after the ball begins"
Stuart breathcd easier and turned to
Harriet.
"You look glorious tonight. little pal.
Funny that I never saw you In even
Ing dress before. You look 50 tall and
queenly. so grown. so mature. You're
beginning to make me feel old. child.
Ill bc thinking of you as grown
woman next"
Il am twenty -four, you know" she
said, simply.
Il have never believed 1t until to-
night. l wouldn't have known you Mt
first but for your voice. / had to rub
my eyes then"
The lights were suddenly turned
lower. approaching total darkness.
The attendants noiselessly removed
the temporary stage and cleared the
great room for the dancers.
As the chimes struck the hour OF
midnight skeleton heads slowly began
to appear peeping from the shadows
Of the arched ceiling and from every
nook and corner of the huge cornice
and pillars. Draperies Of filmy Grape
flowing gently in the breeze were
lighted by sulphurous hued electric
rays from the balconies. Tiny electric
lights blinked in every skeletons
sunken eyes and behind each grinnng
row of teeth. Suddenly two white
figures drew aside the heavy curtains
In the archway and the dancers
marched into the sonber room.
The men were dressed as shrouded
skeletons aud the women as worms
The men wore light flimsy gray robes
on which skillful artists had painted
on four sides in deep colors the pic
lures Of human skeletons.
The women wore curious light robes
Of cotton fiber which we're drawn ove1
the entire body and gave to each figure
. the appearance Of huge caterpillar.
The strange figures began to move
! slowly across the polished floor to thu
strains Of a ghostlike waltz.
From the corners Of the high balco
!, MES strange lights flashed. developing
] in hideous outlines and phosphor
. escent colors Of the skeletons and long
/. fuzzy, exaggerated lines of the &C
campaigning worms. The effect wa
: thrilling.
Suddenly the music stopped with I
crash. Each ghostly couple. skeleton
and worm. stood motionless. TIL
silyery note Of trumpet called from
the sky. The blinking eyes Of tn
death heads in the ceiling and on tn
5 walls faded slowly. The trumpe
z pealed second slgnal-the darkness
5 fled and the great room suddenl
z blazed with 10000 electric lights TIL
orchestra struck the first notes Of
z thrilling waltz. and, presto. In an II
slant the women appeared In all tn
& sp.cndor OF the most gorgeous gowns
B their bare arms and necks flashin
z with priceless jewels. and each ma
8 bowed before her in immaculate ever
z ing clothes.
q From the four corners Of the vast ROOF
K were released thousands of gorgeou!
q ly tinted butterflies. imported fror
< the tropics for the occasion. AS til
q dancers glided through the dazzlin
< scene these wonderfully colored ere;
3 lures fluttered about them in myriad
: darling and circling In every directio
2 among the flowers and lights until tn
& room seemed veritable fairyland.
2 A burst Of applause swept the crow
& as Mans radiant figure passed. enci
9 cled by the arm Of the leader.
& Stuart nodded and clapped his hand
q with enthusiasm.
& A more marvellous transfOrma tic
2 scene could scarcely be imagined.
8 When Nan had passed he turned
2 speak to Harriet. but she had gon
8 A soft hand was suddenly laid on
2 arm. and he turned to confront Ma
5 her eyes flashing with triumph, h
2 cheeks flushed and her lips parted in
q tender smile.