The leader-enterprise. [volume] (Fitzgerald, Ga.) 1912-1915, 1912-11-22
The Root
of Evil
By THOMAS DIXON
Copyright, 1911, by Thomas
Dixon
SYNOPSIS

Stuart, southern lawyer In New York Is
In love with Nan Primrose. His friend.
Dr. woodman. who has young daugh-
ter, 10 threatened with the loss OF his
drug business by Bivens. whom he be-
frlended years bafors. Stuart visits the
Primroses.
Nan wants Stuart to accept place win
Btvens' chemical trust He dislikes Bly,
ems methods and refuses Bivens calls
on him
Bivens is in love with Nan. Stuart re-
fuses the offer. and Nan breaks her en-
gagement with the lawyer. blVens asks
woodman to enter the trust
Woodman will not yield and sues Bvens'
company. The promoter tells the doctor
he and Nan are engaged. Harriet Wood
man is studying music. Stuart takes Nan
for day in the country.
vemakes the world | expect to have
all the money we shall need In the
years to come we shall be rich whether
we seek 1t or not. But the sweetest
days of all life will be those In which
we fight side by side the first battles Of
life 10 youth and poverty when we
shall count the pennies and save with
care for the little ones God may send
as"
But life is short. Tim can have
things now He has already promised
them-a palace in town. another by
the sea. great castle In the heart of
the blue southern mountains we used
70 watch as children and armies OF
servants to do my bidding. can live
now"
''And you call these trappings and
tinsel life?"
- want them"
My God. Nan. haven't you a soul?
Hasn't the life within no meaning for
you? To me such luxury is sheer in
sanity The possibilities of personal
iuxury have been exhausted thousands
OF years ago. It's commonplace. vul-
gar and contemplate. If you wish for
power why choose the lowest of all it's
worn bare by the feet of millions Of
forgotten fools whose bodies worms
have eaten Not one of them lives
today even In footnote of history"
And yet. Jim. you know as we'll as
do that money is the sign OF success
and power; it's absence. OF failure and
weakness II you make a mistake In
your career you can correct 1t and be
gin again. Being a woman, ! cannot
for marriage is my only Ireer. A
mistake now would be to me- fatal
And you are making the one tragic
mistake no repentance can undo Tie
deliberate choice Of evil. knowing II To
he evil Your heart is mine-mine, /
tell you! Do you deny it?"
Again be seized her hand. gripped II
tierceiy and looked into her eyes with
tender. searching gaze.
Nan looked away.
"Oh, Nan. dear. believe mer' ne
pleaded "You can't deny this voice
within the soul and i've Happiness is
inside. not outside, dear"
The lover paused q moment. over
come with his emotion, and he knew
10y the quick rising and falling OF the
girls breast that battle was raging.
Quick to see his advantage, he drew
her gently inside,
''See, Nan. there are no cheap imita
lions In here. no vulgar ornaments
which mean nothing. This home will
be real one because 1t will have a
soul There can be no coarse or mental
tasks within its walls because its work
shall be glorified by the old immortal
song of love and life"
Stuart leaned close and spoke In g
low tense voice:
And 1t will always be beautiful,
Nan, because It will be penetrated with
the touch OF your hand Every piece
of furniture will glow with that radi.
atce Geld and precious stones can
nave no such luster. See, here | have
PLANNED to place your piano. There
will be no music on earth like the
songs those throbbing strings shall
make to my soul when they CULVER be
meath the tOuch OF your hand"
The lover slipped his arm gently
around the girls yielding form. her
Glead dropped on his shoulder. the great
dark eyes blinded with tears For a
moment be held her in silence. broken
only BY a deep sob His hand touched
her hair with the tenderest gesture ais
he whispered:
1--WE can only know a few real
friends In this world. dearest. But one
great love comes to any human soul,
and life Is all too short TO lose single
day"
"Hush-hush, Jim:- the girl cried 10
anguish Don't say any more. please.
Tell me that It's all right. dear" he
urged "You know you cannot leave
me now. You know that you love me
and that your love Is deathless
thing"
.'yes. yes: know" she gasped
But I'm going to marry him can't
help It The spell OF his millions Is on
me, and can't shake it OFF
With determined effort she drew
herself from his embrace and in hard
cold tones continued:
mo. Jim: you must face the truth
am going to marry this man. aud
the most horrible thing can say
about myself is that. deeply as love