The leader-enterprise. [volume] (Fitzgerald, Ga.) 1912-1915, 1913-01-17

fOck winch FORMED their cave mouse
and gazed over the marvellous pano-
rama OF world transformed into blue
billowy mountains. flying clouds and
turquoise skies. Over it all brooded
the deep solemn silence of eternity
Not sound reached the ear from,
earth or air Nan broke the silence.
II have houses in town and coun-
try, with every whim Of body and
soul apparently gratifed. But sup
pose that all this madness Of iuxury.
at which you wonder. Is but the vain
effort Of a 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 a
long time" no answered quietly.
And haven't succeeded" she added
promptly. ''Ths trouble k. Jim. that
life In a tissue Of lies. We are born
in lies. grew up in lies. i've and Easvs
and have cur being in kOs. I'm sFow-
ing sick Of Hes"
Stuart lOsksd at her flushed face
with a deepening thriil Of tho dERma
of the xeal it's quick cAa4Sans ex-
preston SAad0wod.
"wefi?'
tive grown to feel Of late," she
went ON rapfAfy. that RS shame
to dodge. The only law my husband
has ever known il to take what he
wants. Eve the right to hive nay ewn
fife. We must each Of us choose our
world, the enc Of conventions and
shams OF the big one that's bayond-
the werId Of reality, where free men
and women live and work in freedom
while youth and daring lead the way"
She pa used and Stuart's hips parted
in amusement. Never had he heard
such slequeRce from the woman be-
fore him.
Jim" she went ON faltering1y. I'm
lonely and heartsick. I'm trying to
tell you that want your love: that
can't live any lsngef without it."
Her head sank low, and a sob caught
her voice.
There: I've told you. I've no pride
left. Tell me that you love me. l
want to hear it thousand times.
want it, right or wrong! Speak! Say
something. If only to curse mer'
You should have thought Of this,
Nan. before these gray hairs began
to creep into my hair"
81 did. Jimw she cried. eagerly bend
ing near. God knows l fought! You
never knew it, but did. For whole
nights I wrestled with the nend that
tempted me and fought for my love.
1t took days and weeks to strange it's
hold on nay heart and force NE 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 lovs me still! Am old? Am
I fadcd?'
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. Man," 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 nay arms and
smother you with Kisses" he whis-
pered fiercely. there mustn't be any
mistake this time. I've got to know
that your love for me is the biggest
thing in your life-the only thing in
your life"
II swear it, she gasped.
you've got to prove it; I'm going to
put you to the test.
ANY teStr' she broke in quickly.
II warn you" he went on, with in
creasing seriousness. 1.-The test will be
real one. You and !. Nan. could
never be happy with the shadow OF
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 wear OF two-and I'm going to
give it all to you."
There's not dollar Of his millions
that isn't snircAed. I'd sooner wear
the rags of a ieper than soil my hands
with IT. II You love nae you will have
to give up these millions
Nan Sazed at him in astonishment
and broke into low laugh.
"'O1 course, you're teasing me. You
can't be In earnest in such an absurd
dime novel idea! Give away this
enormous f0rtune!~
The woman placed her hand tenderiy
in his ana nestled close to his side.
"Come. jim, dear. this is a practical
world: you have some common sense
even IL you are a man Of genius: you re
not insane!"
81 think not" he answered, seberiy.
"You caRnoe make this absurd de-
manA on me-" she repeated slowly.
knowing the awful price I paid for
these miIlioRsT'
"It's because I know it that I make
the Demand" he went on. passtoOately.
I'VE are face to face now, you and !.
with all the little subt~Ffugds end hes
OF lffe tern fren our eyes. TAe fact
that the price Mt which he beugAt you
hs~h aa1z a hunArnd millions