The Root of Evil

n to visit the little home. It was impossible to suggest it in the mood he had found her. What strange madne

rack which had been sent by a messenger. He broke the seal with nervous haste

gazing into the glowing coals in brooding anger. Slowly he became conscious of music. Some one was playing an old

s Har

and the anger melted out from his heart. The

idn't know yo

autiful, l

piece. I heard you humming it

o clear, so deep and rich and full of

either unt

music," he said,

hands and leaped to

oud of me, Jim,

l," was the e

s grew serious a

y level best. I'

and Stuart hurried to his office, wh

k the body, kills hope and faith. The soft strains of an old piece of music steals into the darken

Bivens's telephone, and the president of the America

eful for the timely call of a client who kept him in consultation for fifteen minutes while Bivens patiently waited his turn in the

p which gave him the appearance of much greater age than he could really claim. His thin features were regular, and his face was covered with a thick black beard which he kept trimmed to a keen point on the chin. His most striking features

ost furtive. He had thus early in his career gained a nickname that

mixture of sobriety and greed, piety and cruelty, tenderness an

army and had at last deserted the service. A number of very funny stories about his actions in battle had become current everywhere. On Bivens's arrival at college, a particularly green freshman, Stuart had discovered a group of his classmates hazing hi

f arms. From that day Stuart was Bivens's beau-ideal of a gentleman. He had tolerated rather than enjoyed this friendship, but it wa

cco seemed a spark from smouldering volcanoes somewhere below. The one overwhelming impression which Bivens's personality first gave was that he was made out of tobacco. His fingers were stained with nicotine, and his teeth yellow from it. He had

ly and took a seat b

d the lawye

of his beard. "We need another attorney. The business of the company is increasing so rapidly our force can't handle it. I need a big man close to me.

at his visit

awyers here who would jump at the chance. Many of

't lie to me, you won't swin

smile. "Isn't that the game? Wh

it's no

ize my character and use me

way to loo

ason you come to me to-day

e. You know there's not a man in New York for whom I'd do a

yet-there must be anoth

u the offer. If the salary is

sh to reach him through me?" Stuart

litted around the shin

n him. The old fossil's a joke. He thinks he can stop the pro

noticed how small his hand, how delicately shaped, how smooth and careful its movements. Beyond a doubt it was the hand of an expert t

ching the dark masked face befo

real reason you make

, fidgeted, hesitated and finally

eep a litt

that before makin

." Bivens paused and resumed his cig

s throat to stran

choed in a tone

, desperate

r, not a lawyer," Stuart

erly. "It's the most serious thing I was ev

air?" Stuart interrupted, maintain

ough. The

s Miss P

her. Her beauty made me drunk. I told her we needed a new attorney. She said you were the man. I told her I'd offer you the place. She seemed pleased. When I told her I was afraid you wouldn't take a place under my direction,

ny woman," was the sl

know I've never gone with girls much. I'm timid and awkward. I don

helps in thi

much to a woman

said anything t

open my mouth if I tried. I'm kinder shying up to the old lady to get her on my side. She s

ns," was th

my folks were not your social equals in the old days down South. But you know as well as I do that money talks here. Have common sense. Look at things as

ks with that smooth, delicately moulded hand. He only saw that Bivens, his old schoolmate, had unconsciously fallen into a trap. A word from him-the word he wished spoken, and the woman he loved would be lost. He had but to speak that word, accept the generous offer made in good faith, and every cloud between him and Nan would

offer, Cal," h

nd placed his smooth

wer now. Think it over

the room before S

ph from his desk and looke

r, Nan!

own clouded his brow. The lines

with decision, as he rose, took h