The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1913-05-15
THE ROOT OF EVIL
Continued from Page One.


The more | see Of you the less know |
YOU In business you are all cp- |
pressor of the weak. cruel and unjust. |
and yet you are IL good husband, 10y
al friend and member of the chnrci
Bivens smiled cynically.
Nothing mysterious about 1t. l
came into Il world where | found rob-
berry and murder the foundation Of our
commercial system. grappled with |
my enemies. learned the rules Of the
game and beat them ut It,"
'And you expect to win in the end?
II have wont"
The young lawyer shook his head
thOughtfully.
There's Il text our old preacher at
home used to ring the changes OIL that's
been burning into my life of late, Sin
when it is full grown bringeth forth
DEATH"
As the two men drew thus closer ana
closer together. Stuart's bearing toward
Nan became guarded. and ut last their
relations strained. She met his new at
titude with deep resentment and grow.
ing wondo-. Her firm conviction waS
that he had become interested i. all
other woman. From the irst she had
suspected Harriet Woodman. and had
inevitably linked her coming With
Stuarts change of feeling
With the liberal use Of money she
made the acquaintance Of member
of the chorus of the grand opera com
f<, To hnr
movement in Harriet's life.
At the beginning of the season the
usual Quarreling Of the stars gave to
the young singer the opportunity Of
her life. and Mans friend reported that
the little golden haired under>tudy VAS
suddenly booked to sing the leading
role in Faust on account Of The i'll
ness Of the star.
Nan, believing Harriet would fail.
asked Stuart to spend the evening i'll
| her box mt the opera-the first time he
had allowed himself to be alone with
her since their return from the cruise.
'Ycs. Man," he answered quickly,
"1Il go with pleasure. \ little friend
Of mine is to sing Il great role tonight.
I'm so glad you're going. | want you
to hear her and help me applaud"
If Harriet should succeed tonight
the thought was suffocating to Nah
tomorrow her name would be on the
lips Of thousands and Il new star would
be shining in the musical world!
Stuart took Harriet to the stage door
on his way for Nan. AS the cab
wheeled up Broadway he was in
fever Of excitement over the outcome
of the nights work.
Its horribly unfair. little pal. for
them to thrust You into such Il position
with only a few hours rehearsal
I'm only too thankful for the chance.
Jim," she answered.
At the stage door he held her hand
in parting and whispered:
MY soul and body will be yours to-
night, dearie Remember that! I've
permission from the manager to meet
you behind the scenes after the last
curtain. Be sure to wait Il moment
before you go to your dressing room
mo, I'll see you in my room. !
shall be so proud Of 1.-THE stars room
for one night at least! The maid will
show you the way"
IL will be in the Bivens' box. the
second from the stage OH the right.
Don't forget to glance that way. now
and then"
A look Of pain cloudcd the fair face.
but lie could not see it in the shadows.
l,D,
hand he was gone.
II wonder if he does think of me
still as Il child?" she unused. II Won
der If he never suspects the storm
within? Welr'-
She smiled triumphantly. "I'n tell
him something tonight In my songr
Nan was not in an amiable mood
when Stuart led her to the box in the
millionaire'S playhouse which New
York society built to exhibit its gowns
jewelry and beautiful women
AS the moment for Harriet's appear
ance drew near. Stuart's nervous ten
sion became Il positive agony The
people were In a friendly mood Of ex
pectancy. The fact that she was ar
American girl and from New York was
greatly in her favor
The audience greeted her appear
ance with burst of applause and
: waited for the first note.
Stuart was charmed with the effec
Of her personality in the character. be
fore she moved. The long. beautiful
golden hair. the innocent young fac,
and her simple girliSb costume made
an instantaneous impression.
( With the first sweet note from bel
throat every fear vanished. She san,
simply. quietly. exquisitely withou
i effort. as 4 bird sings because tho
song bubbles from within A ripple
l of surprised comment swept the audi
ence and burst into vigorous applans.
at the close of her song. From star
to finish Harriet received continnon.
ovation. The audience rose in thci
seats and greeted her with such
tribute Of enthusiasm New York hat
rarely seen.
II When Stuart had fought his way
through the crowd and reached tn,
stage he found her alone with her fa
Their in her room. Her head was rest
ing on his breast. and he was strokin.
: the fair young forehead with tender
I caressing tonch.
= Stuart turned away from the seem
and left them alone for Il few mo
ments He found Nan and asked he
to wait for him ut the stage door il
her automobile until he could Civ