The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1913-03-27

ilso a ioolho 'dt t'S
"l'll fight this battle to a finish ard
I'll win. If God lives Iii win I'm so
sure of it. my boy"
The doctor paused and his eyes
flashed
I'm so sure of it that I'm not only |
going to refuse this tribe from Riv |
ems, but my answer will lie d barber
blow I'm going to begin another hi.
ger and more important suit for the
dissolution OF the American chemical
trust"
Stuart slipped his arm around the
older Juan with Il movement of in
stinctive tenderness.
"Loot here. doctor. I've lived in your
home for fourteen years and Eve
grown to love you rs my OWN father
You mast listen to me now can give
no time to your suit am just enter
ing on Il great struggle for the people
Tremendous issues are 1T stake"
you'll 90 down wreck if ynn fail"
perhaps. but it's my duty"
Good boy the Older man cried.
seiZing Stuart's hand. "fon cant fail
That's why I'm going TO risk all in
my fight"
"l,ut the cases are not the same"
mo, I'm old and played out-my
life's sands are nearly run. haven't
much to risk-but such as | have !
offer it freely to God and my coun
try. envy you the opportunity to
make n greater sacrihce-and you ad
wise me to compromise for paltry
sum of money righteous cause mere
~ to save my own skin. I'm proud OF
yon-proud that you live in my house.
proud that I've known and loved yon
and tried to teach you the JOY and the
foolishness of throwing your life
away!'
With a wave Of his hand the stall
wart figure of the old man passed out
| and left him brooding in sorrOwfnl
| silence.
He seized his pen at last. set his face
| like flint and resolutely wrote his an
swer:
Dear Nan-Your letter is very kind. III
be honest and tell you that it has stirred
! memories I've tried to kill and can't
hate to say no. but must Sincerely.
JIM
| On the night following Stuart work
| ed late in his office developing his
great case He was disappointed in
the ina! showing of the evidence to
be presented to the grand jury. His
facts were not as strong as he ex
pected to make them.
At 10 O'Clock he quit work and bur
ried- home to refresh his tired spirit
with Harriet's music. AS he hurried
ND the steps he nearly collided will
handsome young fellow just emerg
ing from the door. He was dressed
we'll, and he had evidently been calling
on some one-perbaps on Harriet!
Stuart let himself in softly and start
ed at the sight of Harriet's smiling
face in the parlor doorway. His worst
fears were confirmed. She WAS dress
ed in dainty evening gown and hat
evidently enjoyed her visitor.
Stuart pretended not to notice the
fact and asked her to play. AS he sal
dreaming and watching the Rhythmic
movement Of her delicate hands 1T
began to realize at last that his little
pal, stub nosed. red haired and free
killed.. had silently and mysterionsl!
grown into a charming woman. Shit
was twenty four now. in the pride ant
glory Of perfect young womanhood
and yet she had no lovers. He won
dcrcd why. Her music. of course. l
had been the one absorbing passion o
life. And her eyes had always spar
killed. with deep Joy at his slightes
word Of praise. For the first time ]
had occurred to him as an immediate
possibility that she might marry ant
their lives drift apart.
A sweet comradeship had grown be
tween them He resented the idea o
break in their relations Yet VIII
should he? What rights had he owe
her lief Absolutely none. OF course
Who was that fellow? Where had h
met him before?
He rose with a sudden frown Sur
as fate-the very bov-the tall. dream
looking youngster who danced Wit
her so many times that night ten year
ago at her birthday party! She sal
he was too frail-that her prince mus
be strong Well. confound him. h
had got strong
Stuart said, with studied indiffel
ence:
"Teli me, little pal. who was tina
tall Young fellow | ran into on tn
steps?"
why, don't you remember my fra
I young admirer of long agoY'
do yon love him. girlie?"
when was very. very young.
thought did. 1t makes me lang
now. It's wonderful how much "
can outgrow, isn't it?'
Il just don't like him. and don
want you to like him. You see. lit
pal, I'm your guardian"
"Are Your
"Yes. And I'm giving You due leg
+. notice that you have no right to MARI
without MY consent-yon promise
make me Your contidantf"
J a soft laugh full Of tenderness ar
J Joy. came from the girl as she turnt
her eyes upward for the first time:
e IAN right. guardie. I'll confer wi
' you on that occasion"