River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1913-05-15
The Root
of Evil
By THOMAS DIXON
Copyright. 1911, by Thomas
Dixon
By THOMAS DIXON
SYNOPSIS

Stuart, southern lawyer In New York, is
In love with Nan Primrose. His friend,
Dr. Woodman, vino has a young daugh-
ter is threatened with the loss of his
drug business by Bivens, whom he be-
friended years before. Stuart visits the
Primroses.
Nan wants Stuart to accept place with
BiYens chemical trust. He dislikes Biv-
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. Bivens asks
Woodman to enter the trust.
Woodman will not yield and sues Bivens'
company The promoter tells the doctor
he and Nan are engaged. Harriet Wood
man is studying music. Stuart takes Nan
tor day la the country.
Stuart pleads with Nan to give up Biv-
ems, but the spell OF millions is on her and
she yields to it.
Nan becomes Mrs Bivens Harriet
loves Stuart, but he does not know it.
Nine years pass. Stuart becomes district
attorney He investigates criminal trusts.
Nan asks him to call.
Stuart wants Woodman to end his suit
against Bivens, but the doctor stands
firm Bivens aids Stuart In his investi-
cation of crooked financiers.
quarts revelations aid in bringing on
crisis. Bivens promises to aid the Van
Dam Trust company, which is in trouble.
Woodman needs money badly.
In the stock market slump engineered
by BiVens Woodman and many others
lose all. The trust company fails because
Bivens. at command of the money king.
breaks his word. Stuart faces his critics
In front of Bivens' bank.
The mob attacks Stuart and Injuries him
slightly. Nan sees 1t and reveals her
love. Bivens piles 900 on a table
and calls Stuart to see the money to re-
flute rumors of his financial weakness.
stuart is tempted to join Bivens as his
confidential man. He accepts an invita-
ton to visit the Biven3 house and is re-
ceived by Nan.
At a meeting of the Disconnected. at
which BiVens is denounced, a bomb
thrower is killed by his own missile.
Wocdman decides to continue his fight
against Bivens.
Harriet confesses to her father her love
Of Stuart She needs money to continue
her music studies abroad, and Woodman
tries to see Biyens to give in to him. Har-
riet is to sing at a. ball at the Bivenses
Harriet sings at the Biven ball, which
has for Its special feature costume
dance of death and the worm" Nan
and Stuart revive old memories.
Blvens refuses to compromise with
Woodman. The doctor, in desperation.
steals some jeweled favors intended for
the tnanciers guests,
Stuart's plea with Bivens for Woodman
is In vain, and the lawyer refuses to join
In the milionaire's plans. Woodman
pleads guilty and Stuart, who has re-
signed as district attorney, defends him.
sentence IS suspended. Bivens is Ill.
At his insistence, Stuart accompanies
him and Nan on duck hunting trip to
Virginia, although Stuart fears Mans
presence may tempt him beyond his
strength
Stuart and Bivens venture too far from
the yacht in the marsh, with a storm
coming, and they are imperiled by the
icy sea.
Blvens life IS saved by Stuart, 81
though the thought Of Nan tempts the
lawyer to leave the millionaire to die.
They return to New York, where Harriet
Woodman sings successfully in grand
apara.
CONTINUED FROM MAY EIGHT