The leader-enterprise. [volume] (Fitzgerald, Ga.) 1912-1915, 1913-01-24
The Root
Of Evil
By THOMAS DIXON
Copyright. 1917. bV ThOmes
BfE0M
SYNOPSIS

1 L
In love with Nan Primrose. His friend
DR.. woodman, who has q young daRgh
ter. IN threatened with the loss OF hi
drug business by B!rens. whom he be-
frisnded years bafore Stuart visaes uht
PTimroses.
Stuart pleads with Nan to give up Biv.
ans, but the spell OF millions Is On her and
she yields to II.
an every scarlet tnreas OF your cari'7Ss'
rugs and curtains
"But You are talking like mad an
archist. His money was made as an
great fortunes are made"
$50 much the worse for our finaH-
ciers. Civiligat ton must rest at least on
Justice or it can't endure"
But. Jim, no matter what your the
Dries of life or your ambitions. these
millions win make them more power
full"
ITS not true Not a single great man
whose words have nodded the world
was rich. The glitter of your millions
once blinded me and was o0 the point
of surrender, but I've won out. The
people in your little world live for
money They do not possess it. theT
are possessed by it. They are slaves.
You will have to come with me into
the great free world-if you love me-"
IF love your Nan cried, with
trembling lips. Don't speak that way.
IL you only knew! My love for you
has kept me alive through all that I've
endured It's the only thing that's
worth the struggle; but | can't think.
Your demand is so sudden. so stan
ming. so terrifying, don't know what
to say"
I'VE can never be anything to each
other" he answered firmly, ION any
other terms than the remuneration OF
all that Bivens leaves l don't care
what you do with it, just so you wash
your hands of it. You and l must be-
gin life just where we left off when
the shadow of his money darkened
the world for us both. You must give
it up"
Its hard, dearest" she said with n
sob, "for your sake it's hard. I've
dreamed so many wonderful things
that would come to pass when | made
you the master of, these millions"
"You must choose between his
money and my love; you can't have
both"
She gazed at him with desperate
yearning.
"Tll do anything you wish, only love
me, dearest" she sobbed. "All / ask
is to be loved-loved-love that
you never leave me!'
But even as she spoke, her mind was
made up. She would reserve at least
half her fortune secretly. When they
were married she could persuade him
to be reasonable.
"All right, then, it's settled but it
must be everything with me or moth
ing. l won't shake hands with my
friend and make love 10 his wife. You
must cease to be his wife now"
But how-what do you meany she
asked. white with sudden fear.
Leave your husband, your palaces
your millions and join me tomorrow
night on the limited for New York
Bring only change OF clothes in
single trunk and hand bag. M!
money must be sufficient. III wire TO
passage on an outgoing steamer. Wei
spend two years in Europe and returl
to America when we Please. Are yo'
ready?"
'Oh. Jim, dear" she faltered, ''yo'
know that would be mAdness!
Certainly it's madness. the madnes
of a great love. Come. why do yo'
hesitater
The lines of her body relaxed AM
she began TO sob softly. The ma
waited In silence foT her to speak.
"I've done yoa harm enough. IDEAS
est" she said at last. II can't d
this"
And your thought is only Of m'
Nan?" he asked with piercing Inter
sity,
And of myself" she acknowledge
brokenly. IT couldn't do sach an IL
sane, vulgar thing"
III didn't think you c0Hdd," was tn
bitter response.
"All / ask" she pleaded, sis to he'd
you say the words that you love III
now-just as am with adj my faults.
''Well, shall not speak them. b
answered savagely. Your husband
1.-THE master of millions. but I am tn
master of something bigger am tn
master Of myself. will not play
isecond fiddle TO your little husband.
The dark head dropped lower. Whe
she lifted 1t at last two despairsn
tears were shining in her eyes.
II understand Jtm." she said SIMPLY
1--WE viii go on as we have. III wal
i'm silence"
He ross and hfted her 70 her fee
The voices of the youngsters rang u
the mountains side.
mo, we can't $50 on IKE this nov
Man." he said with quiet strength
THE silence has been BROKEN betwee'
US. Your hugbNnd is my friend an
from today our lives nssESt lie apart
It's the only way"
She extended her hand and h
pressed n tenderiy. Her voice was tn