The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1913-05-22
CHAPTER XXI.
Through Purple Curtains.

NM she acted with. lightning
" rapidity. She would force
Stuart to an avowal of love
that would fix their relation be,
yond disturbance by the little singer.
She had too fine il sense of values to
permit herself to become entangled
in an intrigue.
She could wait and gain in power
for the waiting Her physician had
told her that Bivens' days were num-
bered.
But on one thing she was deter
mined She must know that Jim loved
her still, loved her passionately. mad
~ as she believed he did. But he
must say it. She had no difficulty in
persuading Bivens to urge Stuart to
visit their country estate In the noun
tains Of North Carolina. The doctor
had ordered him there to live in the
open air.
The young lawyer refused to go at
first. but Bivens urged with such pa
thetic eagerncss he was compelled to
accept
1t was warm. beautiful morning
the last week in March when he alight-
ed on the platform of the little railroad
station on the estate and took his seat
beside Nan in her big touring car. The
fruit trees were in full bloom. and their
perfume filed the air. The hum OF
bees and the song of birds he bad
known in his boyhood thrilled his heart
"Tt's glorious. Man, he exclaimed.
''Your coming makes 1t perfect. Jim.
she answered tenderly.
As the river made graceful curve
Rivens' house swept into full view-a
stunning pile Of marble 300 feet long.
its tower piercing the turquoise sky in
solemn grandeur The stone narapet
on which it's front wall was built rose
in massive strength hundred feet
from the ledge in the granite cliff he
fore tonching the first line Of the white
stones Of the house itself.
At the end II formal garden had been
built on the foundations of masonry
which cost S1nOOnO.
For an hour the car swept like spir
|
private roads Rivens had huiit- AT
each graceful turn his wonder increas
| ed mt the lnxurions outlay Of millions.
From each hilltop as the huge CLEAN
ing castle came into view from Il new
angle. revealing its marvellous beauty
he thought with Il touch Of pity of the
shambling figure Of the stricken mai
limping through its halls helpless. lone
ly, miserable What strange prank,
fate plays with the mighty as we'll ~
the lowly. So fraiI was the broker
body now he did not dare risk colo
by taking ride with his wife.
The machine turned suddenly up
hill and glided through two iron gate:
opening on the lawn. and the grea
white chateau loomed before them il
flash of binding beauty. Stuar
caught his breath. He shook baud
with Rivens and was shocked 20 fin.
him so weak.
The little man held his hand with
lingering wistfulness rs he looked int
his friends strong face.
You don't know how rich you arr
.Tim." he said feebly. with this han
that grips like iron. I'd give million
to feel my heart beat like yours today
you'll get better down here" Stuar
answered cheerfully
'I'm trying it anyhow" he said lis
lessly. Make yourself at home. o!
boy. This house is my pride wa'
Nan to show you every nook and co
ner in it. | wish l could trot aroun
with you. but I can't"
"As soon rs you've changed yor
clothes" Nan said familiarly. "con
down to the library and III show 80
around"
Stuart followed the man assigned
= his valet to the electric elevator an
in minute stepped out on the four'
floor. He observed with smile tn;
his room number was LOT.
THE idea Of living in huge hoi
and calling it home"' he unused. wi
grim humor. Room 157-great Scott
His hostess showed him first t
library. The magnificent room icontain
more than 10000 volumes. bound
hand fooled morocco.
The funny thing. of course. \
whispered. lis that Cal has never re
one of these exquisitely bound book
"Why on earth did he make Il
room the most stately and beauti
one in the hOuse!
Maybe he didn't" she laughed. Il
going to give you il privilege no m'
man has ever enjoyed In this &c.
before-I am going to show you
own rooms"
When the tour of inspection bad b;
COMPLETED she led him to her own 81
which was located in the southwest
l. corner, overlooking the nagnific'
formal gardens with their artitic
lake, fountains, statuary and Il wild
ness of flowers. and further on o
the beautiful valleys OF the Swan
noa and the French Broad rivers
~ yond the river valleys rose range al
IN range OF mountains.
ss. The magniticcnce Of ner bedro