The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1913-05-01

| know where
| AZ Stuart WAS al,nnt to leave for his
| office III" doctor entered. Ills hloodSlot
| eyes were suEken deep behind his
brnwS. his face hag.ard aud his
| shoulders dropped St,ast knew he
| Ind trampcd the streets all night in a
stnpor cf hopeless misery.
| Stuart took his outstptched hand
and led him into the library Il
know why ynn tramped the streets: the
old house is very lonely"
Il never knew what loneliness meant
| before" The big hand fell in
gesture OF despair.
Stuart pressed his hand
Il understand. I'm younger than you.
doctor. hut ]. too. have walked that
way alone. You're all in: you must 20
to bed and sleep
When Stuart returned early from his
work in the afternoon he found
group OF forlorn women and children
standing beside the Stoop. A pale. elf
ish locking boy Of ten. whose face ap-
pcared to be five years older. sat on the
lower step crying.
Whats the matter. kiddie:" he ask.
ed kindly
II wants de doctor-me mudder's
sick. She'll croak before mornin' eff he
don't come-dey all wants him." He
waved his dirty little hand toward the
others He amt come around no more
for Il week. The goil says we can't see
him-he's asleep"
III tell him you're here. The doc.
tors been Ill himself"
He urged the doctor to 20 at once to
see his patients. The work he loved
would restore his spirits He was dun.
founded at the answer he received
NO. no! I'm in no mood to work
couldn't help them. Id poison and kill
them all. feeling us do today 4 ply
sician can't heal the sick unless there's
healing in his own soul! I'd bring
death. not life. into their homes. Tell
them to 60 away"
Stuart emptied his pockets Of all the
money he had in desperate effort to
break their disappointment.
The doctors too III to see you now
he explained HE sent this money for
you and hopes 1t will help you over the
worst until he can come
He divided the money among them.
and they looked at 1t with dull disap-
pointment They were glad to get It.
but what they needed more than mon-
ey was the hope and strength of their
friends presence.
Doctor" Stuart began gently. 1--WE
known you for about fifteen years
You're the only father I've had in this
big town. and you've been good one
You've been acting strangely for the
past two weeks. You're in trouble"
1.-The greatest trouble that can come
TO any human SOUL" was the bitter an.
swer. But" he paused. aud his eyes
stared at the ceiling as he groaned
1--WE got to bear it. What's the use to
wilmer
Stuart stepped close and slipped his
arm about the stalwart figure. His
voice was tender.
"Comc. doctor: you're not fooling me
I've known you too long. There's ouly
one man on earth for whom I'd do as
much as I would for yon-my own
gray haired father down south. Come
now: tell me what's the trouhe?''
Stuart could feel the big form sway
and tremhle under the stress Of over
whelming emotion. and his arm pressed
a little closer. And then the tension
suddenly broke.
The doctor sank into a chair and
looked up with helpless stare.
Yes. Jim, will. I'll-tell-you.'
And he related his experiences in the
Bivens mansion. ending with:
"I-stole-a-case-of
Stuart sprang to his feet, with an ex
clamatiOn of horror.
"You-did-wha
Yes" the doctor went on hoarsely
Il stole a case Of his jewels and sen,
my girl abroad. I'm going to plead
guilty now and go to prison. shall
never again lift my head in the haunts
Of men,
Stuart sobbed in anguish.
You see. boy. failed when put to
the test 1t doesn't make any differ
| CuSC NUOuS uy tcpululIUu SHtttdStcI
only counts. and I'm thief"
Shut up" Stuart cried fercely. seiz
ing his arm. Don't say that again
and don't talk so loudly Whatever
you did you were insane when you did
! it."
Maybe it was mistake. DOM
know. I couldn't think then. | only
know now that life is impossible any
more. and I'm ready to so. YOn car
send me to prison ut once. Jim. I'm
glad you are the district attorney
, But I'm not. resigned my Office
this morning to 60 into business 70,
myself. | had only another month Il
serve. You're not going to prison II
can help it."
But don't want you to help It
It's the only place to go now-you sec
| boy. can't live with myself any more
, Besides I'm old and played ont: the
world don't need me any longer"
well. l need you." Stuart broke in
land you're not going to give up this
fight as long as I'm here"
| I'm Il failure; it's no USE
, But you've forgotten some things.
, the younger man said tenderly
! You've helped to make my life wha
it is-you haven't failed in that. Y0,
, gave your blood to your country wheI
{ she needed it-you didn't fail in that
You have forgotten the thousands 80,
| have helped. the hope and cheer ant
inspiration that passed into their live.
through yours. Well go to Rivens
house tonight Well tell him tue truth
! | Well return the value Of his Jewels