Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1911-07-14
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THE ROOT OF EVIL !
BY THOMAS DIXON
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Copyright, 1911, by Thomas Dixon.
Pub, 6y Doubleday, Page & Co., N. Y.

TOSSS lIldl Ills SuSSlS uiiSht VI uSi iiSh
beneath their feet. But flowers were
cheap in sunny Italy. Mans orchids
alone on her tables cost in Roman
money a hundred thousand sesterces
while the paintings, trees, shrubbery
water and light effects necessary to
transform the room into a miniature
forest cost FIVE hundred thousand
sesterces, or a total Of thirty thousand
dollars for the decorations of the ban
quet hall alone.
When the feast ended at ten thirty
the sun had set behind the blue noun
tains, the moon risen, and hundreds OF
fire flies were floating from the foliage
of trees and shrubs.
Nan led the way to the ball room.
where the entertainment by hired
dancers, singers, and professional en-
tertainers began on an improvised
stage.
During this part of the programme
the women and men of the banqueting
party who were to appear in the fan
cy-dress ball at IL retired to the rooms
above to dress for their parts
Nan left Stuart with a pretty sigh
to arrange her costume.
I'm sorry you never learned to
dance, Jim, but there are compensa-
tions tonight. I've a surprise for yoL
later"
Before he could reply, with a wave OF
her bare arm, she was gone, and he
stood for a moment wondering what
further surprise could be in store az
ter what he had seen.
He noted with some astonishment
the peculiar sombre effects of the ball
room. He had expected a scene of
splendor. Instead the impression was
distinctly funereal. The lights were
dimmed like the interior of theatre
during the performance and the lofty
gilded ceilings with their mural decor
ations seemed to be draped in filmy
black crepe.
The professional entertainment be-
gan on the little stage amid a univer-
sal gable which made 1t impossible
for anything save pantomime to be in
telligible beyond the footlights. Star
after star, whose services had cost
$1,000 each for one hour, appeared
without commanding the slightest at
tention. At last there was a hush and
every eye was fixed on the stage.
Stuart looked up quickly to see what
miracle had caused the silence.
An oriental dancing girl, barefooted
and naked save for the slightest sug-
gestion. Of covering about her waist
and bust, was the centre Of attraction.
For five minutes she held the crowd
spell bound with dance so beautifully
sensual no theatrical manager would
have dared present it. Yet it was re-
ceived by the only burst Of applause
which broke the monotony Of the oc-
casion.
Stuart turned to the programme in
his hand and idly read the next num-
ber:
"A song by an unknown star
He was wondering what joke the
manager was about to perpetrate on
the crowd when his ear caught the first
sweet notes of Harriet's voice singing
the old song he loved so well, the song
she had first sung the day he came
from the south.
His heart gave a throb of pain.
Who could have prepared this humil-
iation for his little pal! He pushed
his way through the throng of chat
tering fools until he stood alone
straight in front Of the slender little
singer. She saw him at once, smiled,
and sang as he had never heard her
sing. Her eyes shone with strange
light and Stuart knew she was in the
spirit world. The rabble of ignorant
men and women before her did not
exist. She was singing to an invisible
audience save for the one man who
looked up into her eyes, his heart
bursting with sympathy and tender
ness.
To his further surprise Stuart saw
the doctor standing in the shadows at
the corner of the stage looking over
the grossiping, noisy crowd with look
of anger and horror.
When the last note Of the song died
away, quivering with a supernatural
tenderness and passion, he brushed q
| tear from his eyes, lifted his hands
high above his head and made mo-
ton which said TO her: "Tumultuous
| applause!"
She nodded and smiled and he rush
ed behind the scenes to ask an eXpla-
nation.
He grasped both her hands and
found them cold and trembling with
excitement.
What on earth, does this mean"
Simply that l was engaged to sing
tonight-and l wanted to surprise you
Didn't you like my song?"
Stuart held her hands tightly.
Il never heard you sing so divine
ly!"
Then I'm very happy"
How could you sing at all under such
conuitions?"
Il had one good listener"
Il could have killed them because
they wouldn't hear you"
But you enjoyed it?"
1T lifted me to the gates of heaven
dear"
Then | don't care whether any ont
else heard it or not. But did so mucf
wish that she might have heard 1t, ol
her husband, because they are from th'
south thought they would be a:
charmed with the old song as you have
always been and I'd make a hit will
them, perhaps"
But l don't understand, your fathel
hates Bivens So"
| A big hand was laid on his shoulder
he turned and faced the doctor smiling
But l don't hate him, my boy
I've given up such foolishness. We've
buried the hatchet. I'm to see him il
a few minutes and we are to be goot
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