Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1911-07-07
BOOK 1.-THE ROOT.
CHAPTER XIV.
HanSaeaion

ewes closed or open, at noon or alone
at night the pity and the horror OF MS
lonely death gripped him. A boy OF
twenty, weak, hungry, ragged alone
had dared to lift his thin arm above
his head and charge the entrenched
authority of the civilized world.
Was he, with other theorists, res
ponsible for the mad act?
He began to think that Tolstoy Is
right in his assertion that human
progress is a march Of ideas-and tnat
the day of revolution by bloodshed mas
passed. He began to fear that MS
struggle with Bivens in his long-drawn
and fiercely contested lawsuit was an
act of the same essential quality OF
blind physical violence. He began TO
see that the real motive back OF MS
struggle was hatred of the man-this
little counter jumper, who had de-
stroyed his business. 1t was the irony
Of such a fate that sunk its poisoned
dagger into his heart. He faced the
fact at last without hinching.
He rose and paced the floor OF his
library for a half-hour with measured
tread. He stopped suddenly and
clenched his big fists instinctively.
"I do hate him-with undying ever
lasting hatred, and pray God to give
me greater strength to hate him more!
Again the picture of the pale, torn,
blood-stained face, with its mute pite-
ger slowly melted out of his heart and
the old thought came back:
How rich is my life after all COM
pared to his!"
And then he made mental inven-
tory of his assets, with sad results. He
had tried for a long time not to race
those facts. But if he gave up the suit
he must face them. He had identified
this action at last with his faith in the
very existence OF justice. To realize
that the element of personal hatred
was the motive power back of it was
a shock to the whole structure OF his
character.
He rose with sudden determination.
He would not surrender. He would
fight it out with this little swarthy
scoundrel, win or lose. His house was
mortgaged, the last dollar of his saw
ings he had spent in helping others
and the money set aside to finish Har-
riet's course in music had been lost
in the panic He would fight 1t out
somehow and win. But the one thing
that must not fail was the perfection
of his girls voice. The court of ap-
peals would certainly render their de-
cision before her next terms work
would begin. She could rest during
the summer 1t would do her good. II
he could be firm with his tenants and
collect his room-rents promptly from
everyone, the income from his house
was still sufficient to pay the interest
on the mortgage and give them a little
to eat. 1t would be enough. Food for
the soul was more important. He re-
solved to ask Stuart to collect his
rents.
He looked up and Harriet stood
smiling at him.
What an actor you would have
made, papa!" she exclaimed.
"Why?'
I've been watching you play great
scene, all the characters by yourself"
"A foolish habit dear!" the father
laughed. Always muttering and talk
ing to myself. l suppose I'll be ar
rested for a lunatic some day"
He stopped suddenly and looked at
Harriet closely.
Come here, baby"
She came and stood beside his chair.
He pressed her hand tenderly.
What have you been crying about?"
he asked anxiously.
"Oh, nothing much" was the low an
swer. Il really don't know-perhaps
the thing that makes the birds out
there in the Square chirp while the
snow is still on the ground, the feel
ing that Spring is coming"
You're keeping something from
me, dearest" he whispered, slipping
his arm about her waist. Tell me-"
You really believe in my voice,
don't you?" she asked slowly.
Believe in it? Do believe In
God?"
Gould | go abroad right away and
finish my work there?'
She asked the question with such
painful intensity, the father looked up
with a start.
What's the matter. dear?"
The girl slipped her arm around his
neck with a sob.
He bent and kissed the golden hair,
stroking it fondly until she was calmer.
WHY do YOU wish to go now, child?"
he asked at last
I've a confession to make, papa
dear"
The little head sank low and the
arm tightened its grip about his neck
What is it, darling? I'm sure it's
nothing of which you're ashamed"
No, something of which I'm proud.
Something so sweet and wonderful in
itself. the very joy of it l feel some
times will kill me. I'm in love. desper-
ately and hopelessly."
Again a sob caught her voice, and
the fathers arms drew her to his heart
and held her.
But why hopelessly, my BABY he
asked. Your hair is beaten gold, your
eyes are deep and true, your slender
little form has all the symmetry and
beauty of a sylph. You are young
radiant. glorious. and your voice the
angels would envy"
But the man love doesn't realize
all that yet papa dear. He is bouho
by the memories e the past to wo-
man he once loved, a woman who is
evil at heart, and though she betrayed
him for the lust of money, is determin-
ed to hold him still her slave. But she
shall not I'll fight for him! And
you'll help me, papa, won't YOU"
The father drew her close.