The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1913-03-13

mouth suddenly tightened.
''I'il Settle it today. he said with de- |
ciSion. as he rose. took his hat and left |
for Grameiry park.
1t was noon when Stuart reached the |
Primrose house. and Nan WAS again |
out He received the announcement |
from her mot her with Il feeling of rage |
he could Ill conceal
Where is she: seem never to be
able to find her ut home"
Now. don't be absurd. Jim. You
know she would have broken any en-
gagemept to see You had she known
you We're going to call today. don't |
expect her home until T.
''Of course. | understand. Mrs rrim-
rose" Stuart said with light laugh.
Il should have told her. hut | didn't
know until A faw moments ago that
was coming
Nothing serious has happened.
hope?" she asked. with carefully mod
ulated sympathy, which sais, plainly
that slr hoped FOR the worst
mo Just say that III call after
dinner"
"All right. Jim. DEAR" the mother
purred I'll see that she's here ii
have to lock the door"
Stuart strelled out aimlessly and be-
gan to ramhIe without purpose. Some,
how. today everything on which his
eye rested and every sound that struck
his ear proclaimed the advent Of the
trusts new power Of which Bivens
cate. careful little hand. his bulging
forehead. his dark keen eyes What
chance had his old friend Waodman
against such farces2
That Rivens should fall hopelessly
and hlindiy in love with Nan at first
sight was too stupefying to be grasped
at once. She couldn't love such
man-and yet his millions and that
slippery mother were sinister com
hination.
By evening he had thrown off his
depression and met Nan with some
thing Of his old gayety. to which she
responded with touch Of coIuetry.
Tell me. .Jim." she began with Il
smile Of mischief in her eyes. why
you called at the remarkable hour Of
II noon today? Am | becoming 81
resistless that work no longer has any
charms7 You must have something
very important to say?"
YES have. Nan" he answered
soberly, taking her hand Il want a
public announcement of our engage
ment In tomorrow mornings papers"
"Rut why? You know the one con
cession. the only one | have ever mate
to my mothers hcstility to you. is
that our engagement shall be kept Sc
Gre until we are ready to marry We
must play fair"
Il will. We are ready now"
Mans voice broke into a ripple of
laughter
"Oh. are we? ! didn't know it,
Yes, that's what | came to tell
y0u," Stuart went on. cat hing her
| spirit OF fun and pressing her hand
"I've arranged a little trip to the cnln-
try tomorrow. and I'm going to con
|
the announcement tonight. dear. On
| my honor | promise to convince ynu
| tomorrow that we are ready I've an
| argument that never failsan argn
| ment no woman can resist"
| Not tonight. lin" was the laughing
reply.
| Cant you trust me when | tell you
| that I've discovered something today
that makes 1t necessary? | have seen
Mr.. Rivens''
Nan leaped to her feet. her face
flushed. her voice ringing with tri
umph,
And you did what asked you Oh.
you're Il darling, Why did you tease
me so last nght7 You accepted his
offer?"
I'm sorry to disappoint you. dear
but did not
The girl dropped into her seat. with
a sigh. while he went on:
"Biyens further confided in me the
fact that he is hopelessly and desper.
ately in love with YOU
A fash of anger mantled Mans
cheeks
THAT will do, jim" she said in quiet
cold tones Your joke has gone fal
enough"
Joke. Do you think l could joke or
such subject?''
smile began to play about the cor
ners Of the full lips.
| Y,ovor 1ro. mod bo rnSv -
Still smiling dreamily Nan crossed her
hands over her knees and studied the
pattern in the rug. ignoring the pres
ence of her lover.
LET'S not joke. Nan. It's too seri
Gus"
Serious. | fail to see it"
Cant you see that we must at once
announce our engagement"
The girls lips curled with the faint
est suggestion of sarcasm.
Il don't see it at all. You may be !;
good lawyer but fail to follow your
logic
Stuart rose. with u gesture Of anger.
Come to the point, Nan Let's no
beat the devil around the stump an,
longer You know as well as do thu
you've been trying to firt with this lit
tie insect You know in yonr heart o
hearts ym, despise Bivens.
"On the contrary. | vastly admire
him The man who can enter with nj
handieap this big, heartless city ant
successfully smash the giants who op
nose him is not an insect I'd rathe
call him a hero. All women admir-
success
Its disgusting."
Nan fixed her dark eyes on Stuart