The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1913-04-17

alightcd and walked slowly toward the |
there before. He had always avoided |
the spot. Tie smiled now ut the child
tshnesS of his attitude toward Nan
Tho full moon had Just risen and |
flooded the drive and park and river
with silvery mystery He studied the
effects of the bu!din. with wonder
and admiration Evidently IsIvcns had
given his architects il free hand and
they had wrought II poem in marble
so fascinated was Stuart with tho
heauty aud perfection of the great
house he walked around the block im
fore entering. viewing it from every
angle. What strange thing. this
medieval palacc. standing III stately
heauty In the midst Of the hidcoIS,
ugly uniformity of the most modern.
nnromantic and n;aterialiStir city Of
the world, What was its ncaning?
Had II new master Of the world real
ly been born? Surely his like had
never been seen in the history Of man
this modern money naniac. this
strange creature of iron muscles. III
why's hurrying daring Scheiiling plot
ting. with never Il moments relaxation
Stuart was shown into the dr;win.
room, by powdered tiunky whose cos
tune was designed by one Of the court
tailnrs Of Europe While awaiting the
arrival Of the mistress of the ho,Ist. he
| looked about the room with increasing
amaZement He found the perfection
nf grace. elegance. quiet richness and
surprising beauty.
He began to reulize for the first time
| the triumph of the woman who bad
bartered him for gold. His eye rested
on y life size portrait OF Nan done by
tho foremost artist of Europe, The
| artist had caught the secret OF her
character and expressed 1t with genius
in the poise Of the superb form. the
incarnation Of sensuo,ls soul!eSs beauty
dominated by keen intelligence
He wondered ii she really showed
the ten years added to her age At
least he knew that she had not been
happy. There was some consolation
In that Her ce;lseless efforts to win
back his friendship had left no room
for doubt. He sank deep into the great
chair and silently waited her coming
When Mans radiant figure appeared
In the doorway. her bare arm extend
ed. her lips parted in ii tender smile
Stuart knew that his face was red
The fact that he knew it increased his
| ,Io
q blur. Her hand touched his. The
shock was SOLDERING; he Remembered
himself and smiled
What a long, long time. .Jim!''
"A thousand years. think, Nam" h.
stammered.
Mine hundred. to be exact. sir. bu
better late than never. began t.
think your stubbornness would post
pone this call until the next world
Mr.. Bivens was detained downtown OF
business am awfully sorry he's no
here to join In my welcome. But
am disappointed in you"
"Why?"
MY vanity is hurt. l expected t.
! find you. after nine years. with deeI
lines Of suffering written on your face
You are better looking than ever Th'
! few gray hairs about your temples ar,
. extremely becoming. Your honors hav,
! given you q. new repose. dignity and re
|. serve power"
, "Allow me to return the complimen
, by saying that you are even NOR
, startling disappointment to me. ! wa
sure that should find you broken
You are far more beautiful than ever
The only changes see merely ad'
to your power-the worldly wisdom
, which marriage writes on every WON
!; ans face. Il new strength, warmth
t and fascination and Il conscious JOY u
which l wonder and rage"
) "Why wonder and rage?
She drew him gently to Il seat by he
J side. leaned forward and gazed smi
! ingly at him.
I when l see you tonight in all thi
I splendor. so insolently happy
D Nan sprang to her feet. laughing.
\ "YOu are delicious tonight. Jim. an
D I'm SO glad you are here, Come int
+ the art gallery. 1t will take you day
to see it; we'll just peep in tonight
G He followed her into a stately ROOF
e packed with masterpieces OF ar
Stuart gazed a moment in rapture.
"You must spend days here. jim
/ Row. honestly. with all your higl