The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1913-03-20

l
us"
But life is short. Jim | can have
| things now He has already promised
them Il palace in town another b.
! the sea u great castle in the heart of
the blue southern mountains we used
to watch as children and armies Of
servants to do my bidding | can live
now
"And you call these trappings and
tinsel life?"
| ~ want them.
| "My God Nan. haven't you soul
Hasn't the life within no meaning TO-
you? To ne such luxury Is sheer il:
sanity The possibilities of person
luxury have been exhausted thousan.'
of years ago It's commonplace, y
gar and contemptihle If you wish
power Why choose the lowest II all its
forms: The way you are entering is
worn bare by the feet of millions of
forgotten fools whose bodies worms
have eaten. Not one Of them lives
today even in a footnote of history
And yet, Jim. you know is we'll as !
do that money is the sign of success
and power: its absence. Of failure and
weakness. If you make II mistake III
your career you can correct it and be
gin again. Being woman. cannot.
for marriage is my only career
mistake now would be to me fatal"
And you are making the one tragic
mistake no repentance can undo The
deliberate choice Of evil. knowing it to
be evil Your heart is mine mine.
tell you. Do you deny it?"
Again he seized her hand. grippad 1t
tercely and looked into her eyes with
tender. searching gaze.
Nan looked away
"Oh, Nan, dear. believe mer' he
pleaded You can't deny this voice
within the soul and live. Happiness is
inside, not outside. dear"
The lover paused moment. over
by the quick rising and falling Of the
girls breast that a battle was raging
Quick to see his advantage. he drew
her gently inside
"See, Nan, there are no cheap imira
tons In here. no vulgar ornaments
which mean nothing This home will
be real one because it will have a
soul There can be no coarse or meniai
tasks within its walls because its work
shall be glorified by the old Immortal
song of love and life.
Stuart leaned close and spoke ip a
low tense voice:
And it will always be beautiful
Nan, because it will be penetrated with
the touch Of your hand Every piece
of furniture will glow with that rahi
ance Gold and precious stones ran
have no such luster See. here l. have
planned to place your piano There
will be no music on earth like the
songs those throbbing strings shall
make to my soul when they quiver br
meath the touch Of your baud"
The lover slipped his arm gentl,
around the girls yielding form, he'
head dropped on his shoulder. the great
dark eyes blinded with tears For =
moment he held her in silence. broker
only by deep sob His hand touched
her hair with the tenderest gesture Il:
he whispered:
I'VE can only know Jew rea
friends in this world, dearaSt Rut nnt
great love comes to any human soul
and life is all too short to lose y single
day"
"Hush-hush. JIM" the girl cried IL
anguish Don't say any more. please.
: Tell me that it's all right. dear" h
urged You know yon cannot leave
me now. You know that yon love m'
'. and that yonr love Is a deathles:
;, thing"
:, Eyes, yes; know" she gasped
. But I'm going to marry him. ! can
. help it. The spell Of his millions is o.
me, and can't shake it off
With a determined effort she drew
:. herself from his embrace and in hard
: cold tones continued:
mo. Jim: you must face the trutf
. am going to marry this man an
the most horrible thing ! can So.
! about myself Is that deeply rs J fov
YOU. | know | shall he content wit
: the splendid career that will be mine
:. | shall never regret my marriage
The lover looked at her in daze
way. as if unable to grasp the lnea.
!. ing Of her words
. "Rut yon can't do this vile thin:
Since the world began know tn;