River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1913-06-05
of the soul its quick changing ex
preston Swallowed.

! vi tue Soul Its quick changing eX-
preston Swallowed.
i "WeII?'
i've grown to feel of late. she
went on rapidly. "that it's shame
to dodge. The only law my husband
has ever known is to take what he
wants. I've the right to live my own
life. We must each of US choose our
world, the one of conventions and
shams or the big one that's beyond
the world of reality. where free men
and women live and work in freedom
while youth and daring lead the way"
She paused and Stuart's lips parted
in amazefnent. Never had he heard
such eloquence from the woman be-
fore him.
Jim" she went on falteringly. Pm
lonely and heartsick. I'm trying to
tell you that | want your love; that
| can't live any longer 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. |
want to hear it a thousand times.
want it. right or wrong! Speak. Say
something. if only to curse mel
You should have thought of this.
Nan, before these gray hairs began
to creep into my hair"
II did. .Jimr' she cried. eagerly bend
ing near. God knows fought. You
never knew it. but | did. For whole
nights | wrestled with the fiend that
tempted me and fought for my love.
1t took days and weeks to strangle its
hold on my heart and force me 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 love me still! Am old? Am
| faded?'
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
soulr'
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 my 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"
Amy testY' 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 us"
"But it's shadow can't be over US!
It's going to be yours. He has given
it to me-his death is only question
of year or two-and I'm going to
give it all to you."
There's not a dollar of his millions
that isn't smirched. I'd sooner wear
the rags of leper than soil my hands
with it. If you love me you will have
to give up these millions"
Nan gazed at him in establishment
and broke into a low laugh.
'"Of course. you're teasing me. You
can't be in earnest in such an absurd
dime novel idea! Give away this
enormous fortune!'
The woman placed her hand tenderly
in his and nestled close to his side.
"Come, Jim. dear. this is a practical
world; you have some common sense
even if you are a man of genius; you're
not insane"
81 think not" he answered. soberly.
"You cannot make this absurd de-
mand on me-" she repeated slowly,
knowing the awful price paid for
these millions%
Its because know it that / make
the demand" he went on, passionately.
1--WE are face to face now, you and /.
with all the little subterfuges and lies
of life torn from our eyes. The fact
that the price at which he bought you
was high-say a hundred millions
does not change the fact l refuse to
share with the woman l love the price
for which she sold herself. whether the
sum be hundred dollars or hundred
millions! / can forgive and have for
given the wrong you've done me. but
could never share its conscious
degradation
Nan looked at him in despair. her
eyes suddenly clouding with tears.
"What do you mean when you say
give up these millions"
''Just what say" he answered
quickly.
'But l couldn't throw them into the
street. What would | do with them?"
You can give them back to the peo-
pie. the public. from whom they were
taken-the people whose labor created
their value. That's what an honest man
does when he finds he has wronged his
neighbor. There's not stone in your
palaces whose cement was not mixed
In human tears The stain of blood is
in every scarlet thread of your carpets.
rugs and curtains"
But you are talking like a mad an
archist. His money was made as all
great fortunes are made"
| $50 much the worse for our inan-
ciers. Civilization must rest at least on
justice or it can't endure"
But, Jim. no matter what your the
cries of life or your ambitions, these
! millions will make them more power
full"
Its not true. Not single great man
whose words have nodded the world