Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1902-10-06
Blu REV. THOMAS DIXON, JR.
Copyright 1902
BIZ Doubleday, PAGE 8 Co

a part of every stroke of the heart.
At last he set his lips firmly and said:
Yes, damn him, l will kill him as l
would a snaker'
, He sat down and wrote his resignation
as pastor. of the church, left it on his
desk. and strobe hurriedly from the study
leaving his door open. He purchased a
revolver and a box Of cartridges and
walked straight TO McLeod's office.
The speaking was over, and Mcleod war
alone writing letters. He looked up with
scant politeness az the preacher entered
and motioned him to seat.
Instead of seating himself. he closed the
door. and standing erect in front or 1t.
said:
ALLAN Mcleod, you are the author OF
an infamous SANDER rejecting on the
honor of my wife,"
indeed" Mcleod sneered. wheeling in
his chair
Il always knew that you were a moral
leper''-
'Of course. doctor, of course. but don't
get excited" laughed Mcleod enjoying
the marks Of anguish on his face.
But that your lecherous body should
! dream of invading the sanctity of my
, home. and your tongue attempt to smirch
, it's honor, was beyond my widest dream
of your effrontery. How dare your
Dare? Dare, preacher interrupted
Mcleod still sneering. Why, by The
4
teaching all your life that there are
higher laws than paper-made statutes.
You have trained this county in crime un-
der this beautiful ideal. Surely 1 may
follow the teachings Of master in
Israel?'
what do you mean. you red-headed
devil?"
Softly, preacher" smiled Mcleod.
Simply this. You expound The Higher
Law for political consumption. apply
it to all life.
There are but two real laws of mans
nature, hunger and love-all others change
with time and progress These are the
higher laws. in fact they are the highest
laws The stupid conventions that super
stition has built around them may hold
back the weak, but the powerful have
always defied them. Your brilliant expo
sition of the higher law in politics first set
my mind to work, and led me to COM
plete emancipation from the slavery OF
conventionalism in which fools have held
society for centuries There are conven-
tional laws and superstitions about the
little ceremony called marriage cherished
by the weak-minded There is a higher
law of nature. The brave live this life
of daring freedom, while towards cling
to forms. Do make myself clear?"
Perfectly so. you notified leper. You
think that because / am a preacher. am
a
me without danger to your skin. Well,
/ was a man before I was a preacher.
There are some things deeper than the
forms of religion, IL you wish to push the
higher law to its last application. You
have found that quick in my soul, mine
enemy! I have resigned my church-to
kill you There is not room for you and
me on this earth
Mcleod sprang to his feet, his soul
chilled by the tone in which the threat
was uttered. He started to call for help,
and looked down the cleaning barrel OF
revolver.
Move now or open your mouth. and
I kill you instantly. Sit down. I give
you five minutes to write your last
message to this world"
Mcleod sank into his seat trembling like
a leaf, with the perspiration standing out
on his forehead in cold beads. Now and
then he glanced furtively at the stern face
Of blind fury towering over his crouching
form.
Unable to endure the terrible strain, he
sank to the floor whining, SOLDERING. beg
ging in abject cowardice for his life He
crawled toward the preacher, reached
out his hand and touched his foot
MY God, doctor. you are mad. You
will not commit murder. You are a min
lister Of Jesus Christ Have mercy. I am
at your feet Your wife is as pure as an
angel. 1 only said what 1 did to torture
you
Get up you shaker Missed the preacher,
stamping his body with all his might until
Mcleod screamed with pain and scram-
bled to his feet covering and whining like
a cur.
Finish your letter. You will never leave
this room alive
A long pitiful sob broke the stiffness.
and Mcleod was looking into the preach
er's face in vain for ray of hope.
Suddenly CASTOR burst into the room
trembling with excitement. MY God,
DOCTOR what does this mean?" he cried
seizing the revolver.
Mcleod sprang toward CASTOR. groan-
ing and crawling toward his feet. Save
me Gaston-the doctors gone mad-he is
about to kin met
Charlie, 1 mustr' replied the preacher.
mo, no, this is madness. thank God
/ am in time missed you at the speak
ing, and hearing rumor Of this slander
1 hurried to find you. 1 saw your study
open and read your letter. / knew I'd
find you here. III manage Mcleod"
The preacher sat down crying. Mcleod
had crawled back to his desk and was
hopping HIS face. CASTOR walked over
to him and said with slow trembling en-
phasis:
Il give you twelve hours to close this
office wind up your business. and leave.
In the meantime you will write deniaf
of this Islander satisfactory to me for
publication. If you ever open your mouth
again about my FOSTER mother or put your
foot in this county. / will kill you. l ex-
pect your letter ready in two hours
Castor took the preacher by the arm
and led him down the stairs and back to
| his study. In the reaction, there was
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