The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1912-12-13
The Root
Of Evil
By THOMAS DIXON
Copyright. 1911. by Thomas
Dixon
CHAPTER XVII.
The Parting of the Ways.

the blNSDS Ddll were TIE
happiest Harriet Woodman
had known since Mans
shadow had fallen across her life.
Every moment was crowded with the
work Of preparing for her trip. except
the hours she could not refuse Stuart.
who had suddenly walked to the fact
that something beautiful was going
out Of his life.
Harriet watched him with keen joy
and deep in her heart a secret hope
began to grow slowly
The day she sailed he refused to go
with her to the pier.
Why. Jim. you must come with
me" she protested.
mo. | can't, little pal Goodby."
He watched the cab roll down Fourth
street toward the pier while great
wave Of loneliness overwhelmed him.
At night the doctor was not "a home.
Stuart raped on his door next morn
ing and got no answer. The girl said
he had spent the night out-she didn't
know where.
AS Stuart was about to leave for his
eyes were sunken deep behind his
brOws. his face haggard and his
shoulders dropped. Stuart knew be
had tramped the streets all night in
stupor Of hopeless misery.
Stuart took his OutStretched hand
and led him into the library. Il
know why you tramped the streets; the
old house is very lonely"
Il never knew what loneliness meant
before"' The big hand fell in a
gesture of despair.
Stuart pressed his hand.
Il understand. I'm younger than you
doctor. but !, too. have walked that
way alone. You're all in: you must 90
to bed and sleep
When Stuart returned early from his
work in the afternoon he found a
group of fOrIOrn women and children
standing beside the stoOp. A pale. elf
ish looking boy Of ten. whose face ap-
peared to be five years older, sat on the
lower step crying.
What's the matter. kiddie?" be ask
ed kindly.
Il wants de doctor-me mudder's
sick. She'll crOak before mornin' ef he
don't come-dey all wants him" He
waved his dirty little hand toward the
others. lie amt come around no more
for a week. The goil says we can't see
him-hes asleep"
I'll tell him you're here. The doc
tors been i'll himself"
He urged the doctor to go at once to
see his patients. The work he loved
would restore his spirits. He was dunn
founded at the answer he received.
NO, no! I'm in no mood to work,
couldn't help them. I'd poison and kill
them all. feeling as | do today. A ply
sician can't heal the sick unless there's
healing in his own soul. I'd bring
death. not life, into their homes. Tell
them to go away
Stuart emptied his pockets of all the
money he had in a desperate effort to
break their disappointment.
THE doctors too Ill to see you now"
he explained HE sent this money for
you and hopes it will help you over the
worst until he can come"
He divided the money among them,
and they looked at it with dull disap-
pointment. They were glad to get it,
but what they needed more than mon
ey was the hope and strength of their
friends presence.
Doctor" Stuart began gently. I've
known you for about fifteen years.
You're the only father I've had in this
big town, and you've been a good one.
You've been acting strangely for the
past two weeks. You're in trouble"
The greatest trouble that can come
to any human SOUL" was the bitter an
swer. But he paused. and his eyes
stared at the ceiling as he groaned
I've got to bear it. What's the use to
whine?'
Stuart stepped close and slipped his
arm about the stalwart figure. His
voice was tender.
Come, doctor: you're not fOoling me.
I've known you too long. There's only
one man on earth for whom Id do as
much as would for you-my own
gray haired father down south. Come
now; tell me what's the trouble:"
Stuart could feel the big form sway
and trembe under the stress of over