Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1913-03-05
The | | (; Root
Of Of Evil
b Is
By THOMAS DIXON
Copyright, 1911. by Thomas
Dixon
CHAPTER XIII,

,
slept like children until 9
D O'Clock. Stuart helped the
., guides prepare breakfast with
out waking the sleepers and called,
them at 8.
BY 10 O'Clock breakfast was over.
the guides had formed two exploring
parties and set out With the young
people chattering and laughing. "We'll
keep house, Jim. here in Gods palace
among the clouds until they return"
said Nan.
Yes he answered cheerily, "and
1t will be fun to keep it alone. won't
1t. with no restraints or studied pre-
tense. no crowd Of fools or liveried
hunkies near at hand"
They sat down on the ledge of
rock which formed their cave house
and gazed over the marvellous piano.
rama of Il world transformed into blue
billowy mountains, flying clouds and
turquoise skies. Over it all brooded
the deep. solemn silence of eternity.
Not sound reached the ear from
earth or air. Nan broke the silence.
II have houses in town and coun-
try. with every whim Of body and
'oul apparently gratfied. But sup
pose that all this madness of luxury.
at which you wonder. is but the vain
effort Of hungry heart? The time
has come in our lives when we should
begin to see things as they are"
1--WE been trying to do that for a
long time" he answered quietly.
And haven't succeeded" she added
promptly. The trouble is, jim. that
life is a tissue Of lies We are born
In lies. grow up in lies. live and move
and have our being in lies. I'm grow.
Ing sick Of lies.
Stuart looked at her flushed face
with deepening thrill of the drama
OF tie soul it's quick changing ex-
preston Swallowed.
"Well?'
ave grown to feel of late" she
went on rapidly. THAT it's shame
to dodge. The only law my husband
has ever known is to take what be
wants. I've the right to live my own
life. We must each of us choose our
world, the one of conventions and
shams or the big one that's beyond
the world of reality. where free men
and women live and work in freedom
while youth and daring lead the way
She paused and Stuart's lips parted
In Amusement. Never had he heard
such eloquence from the woman be.
fore him.
'',Jirn," she went on falteringly. I'm
lonely and heartsick. I'm trying tC
tell you that l want your love: that
can't live any longer without it,
Her head sank low, and sob caught
her voice.
There; I've told you. I've no pride
left. Tell me that you love me.
want to hear it thousand times.
want it, right or wrong! Speak! Say
something, if only to curse me!'
You should have thought of this
Nan, before these gray hairs began
to creep into my hair
II did, Jm!" she cried eagerly bend
ing near God knows fought! 70,
never knew it, but | did. For whole
nights l wrestled with the fiend tina
tempted me and fought for my love
It took days and weeks to strange it:
hold on my heart and force me to be
tray myself. Oh, Jim. it's not to-
late to live! Look at me, dearest, ant
say it's not For Gods sake. tell m,
that you love me still! Am l old? An
faded?"
The man had felt sure of himsel
when she began. but the tenderness
the passion, the yearning appeal Of he
voice were more than he could resist
look into my eyes, Man, he cried
land let ME see the bottom of you
soul!''
She lifted her dark lustrous eyes
devouring him with love.
You'll find only your image there
JIM
He looked at her sternly.
Before take you into my arms an
smother you with KISSES" he wits
pered fiercely. there mustn't be an
mistake this time. I've got to know
that your love for me is the bigges
thing in your life-the only thing i
your life!"
II swear it, she gasped.
"Youve got to prove it; I'm going t
put you to the test"
ANY test!'' she broke in quickly.
II warn you," he went on, with in
creasing seriousness. 1.-The test will b
a, real one You and l.. Nan. coul
never be happy with the shadow Q
Biyens' fortune over u.s."
But it's shadow can't be over us
It's going to be yours. He has give
1t to me-his death Is only questio
of year or two-and I'm going t
give it all to you"
''There's not dollar of his million
that isn't smirched I'd sooner wea
the rags of a leper than soil my hand
with it. If you love me you will hav
to give up these millions.">
Nan gazed at him III astonishmen
and broke into a low laugh.
'"Of course. you're teasing me. 70
can't be in earnest in such an absur