The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1903-08-15
THOMAS DIxoN's NEW NOVEL.
Author of 'sThe Lccpard's Spots" Pub
lfshes II Second Book.

In his second novel, The One Woman"
doubleday. Page & Co.. New York;, Thorn
as Dixon. Jr., has produced a story strong
in dialogue and impassioned in treatment
Of marriage. religion and other deeply hu-
man questions. 1t has some of the elements
but none of the characteristics Of THE
Leopards Spots" his first book. The set
ting is different. the theme far removed.
but the interest hinges. as before, upon
two or three crises. painted III high colorS
Mr. Dixon has invaded New YORK: not
alone invaded. but has aSSalied that me
tropoiis tooth and nail. He has pictured
Frank Gordon" minister of the Gospel,
whose eloquence has won him charge OF one
OF the largest Gotham churches This Cor
oon is u man Of searching intellect and
great energy OF thought Likewise is he a
physical athlete-an atl-around strong man
Gordon pitches into New York as the hub
OF the worlds deGeneracy.
Gordon's pulpit is in the heart OF tho
metropolis, near Wall street. mllionaires
alley, on the one hand, and near the grim
tenements of the slums. on the other. In
DRIFTS from preaching Gospel TO voicing So
cialisin. The rich members OF his congre
among them. But Gordon throws down the
Santlet and fights with All the fierce in
tensity Of which he is capable. And, for A
time. he wins The masses flock to him
by the thousands.
The "one Woman" is Gordon's wife, whose
love for him Is unbounded. but who fears
mat her husband, IN drifting from the old
religion and the old standards. is drifting
also from her. She is right, for there is
Another Woman" Gradually the latter
and Gordon are drawn closer and closer to-
gether, until the minister. fancying ii the
part OF honesty and truth, decides to sep
arate from his wife and marry Kate Ran
som by socialistic ceremony. Meanwhile
Gordon has conceived the idea OF erecting
Temple OF TRUTH magnificent marble
structure, forum of the thought. In
the most striking scene of the book, in his
pulpit. before his great congregation, Cor
don renounces the ministry. He tears off
his surplice. cleaves the altar and appeals
for funds TO build the temple. de breaches
an agitating sermon. the argument of which
Is explained sufficiently by the following
sentences:
There are conditions about us where sui
eide is a luxury and the death of child
JOY. They are gathered to the Potters
field. but they rest. We pile them on top of
the other in big black trenches but the
dawn does not call them to beastly toll
1t is obvious that with these elements
the one Woman. the Other Woman, and
anything may happen. DixoE portrays the
result thus: The Other Woman, in accord
ance with Gordon'S preachment OF freedom,
ends up by going off with another man;
Gordon murders the other man and Is con-
demned to death by a jury: the One Wom-
the Governor to grant her husband a par
don. and remarries him.
In attempting to place a final estimate
upon the volume one is forced to the con-
clusion that air. Dixon, in endeavoring to
eclipse his first production. has succeeded
in writing a sensational novel. The after
effect upon the reader Is q reminder OF the
repulsion that follows witnessing one OF
those sex problem plays well acted, say, by
Mrs. Patrick Campbell.