The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1913-04-17
why not q

why not?"
Its u crime to rob the world Of
these masterpieces of genius. They
should be the free Inheritance and in
Spiration Of all the children Of men"
Nan g;,zed at Stuart in vague he
wiIderment and then a mischievOus
smile crcpt into the corners of her
mouth.
You're trying to throw dust in my
eyes. but | can tell you what you are
really thinking You are really won
dering why the wicked prosper
You are wrong" lie replied slowly.
Why the wicked prosper has never
worried me in the least The first big
religious idea ! ever got hold Of was
that this is the best possible world God
could have created-becanse it's free
Man must choose otherwise his deeds
have no meaning. A deed Of mine Is
good merely because have the power
to do its opposite if ! choose In this
free world. step by step. can rise or
fall through suffering and choosing"
"Oh. Jim." Nan broke in softly. 1--we
made you suffer horribly. You have
the right to be hard and bitter
lie looked at Nan cautiously and be-
gan to study her every word and
movement and weigh each accent Did
she mean what her words and tones
implied? In hundred little ways
more eloquent than speech she had
said to him tonight that the old love
of the morning Of life was still the one
living thing He put her to little tests
to try the genuineness of her feeling
lie threw off his restraint and led her
back to the scenes OF their youth
When dinner ended she was leaning
close. her eyes misty with tears. and
faraway look in them that told OF
memories more vivid and alluring
than all the spIendors of her palace
Stuart drew a breath of conscious tri.
umph, and his figure suddenly grew
tense with Il desperate resolution But
only for a moment
He frowned. looked ut his watch
and rose abruptly
| IL must he going. Nan" he said with
sudden coldness.
| why. .Iim." she protested. Its onl!
/ 10 O'Clock won't hear uf such ;
thing"
Yes. must" he persisted. i've
IN important case tomorrow. ! mus
work tonight"
"You shall not gor" Nan cried. Nv
waited nine years for this one even
ing's chat with you. Come into tn
music room. sit down and brood Il
long as you like. I've planned t
charm yon with an old accomplish
ment Of mine tonight"
She led him to rich couch. pile,
the pillows high. made him snug. drew
a, harp near the other end and begal
to tune its strings
Stuart gazed at the paintings on tn
ceiling and in a moment was lost !
visions Of the future his excited fame
began to weave.
A voice whispered:
"UnlesS you are Il coward. grasp tn
power that Is yours by divine right o
nature Why should you walk Will
pygmies ride? Why should you Ia
behind the age in this fierce strnggl
for supremacy? The woman who sit
before you is yours II yon only dar
to tear her from the man who hold
her by the fiction Of dying customs"
He felt his heart throb rs anothe
| vnico within cried.
Yet why should |. an heir to In
mortality. whose will can shape
world. why should | live beast Z
prey with my hand against ever
man.
rne answer was the memory OF dir'
finger nails closing OH his throat viii
mob Of bowling fools surged ov'
his body and cursed him for trying
save them from themselves Again
heard womaD's voice as she held q
head close. whispering:
"I've something to say to yon. Jim
His lips t,ghtened with sudden q
cision. The golden gates OF the fo
bidden land swung open and his SO
entered