BY
THOMAS DIX0M 1 jgfcs
Copyright. 1911. by
PROLOGUE.
This renrarkabte tale, in which
each character is sketched from
life by a master hand, goes be'
necdh the surface of modern so
ciety and lays bare the canker at
the root. Like alt Mr. Dixon's
work, it is a tale of American
life, essentially trae in the picture
it draws and done with a swing
ing power which brings its dra
matic scenes home to as. The
splendid strength of the tale lies
in the conflict between James
Stuart and Nan, in which love
and greed of wealth straggle for
mastery.
CHAPTER V.
Struggle.
THE longer Stuart wrestled with
the problem of Nan's yielding
to the lure of ClvenB gold the
more hideous ind hopeless It
becntne. lie Iwruu to feci that he bud
been to blame. Why had he allowed
the foolish pride of a lovers' quarrel to
keep them apart for two weeks?
When ho cnme downstaira he paused
at the door. Harriet was playing and
(dnging asain. and the soft tones of her
roice were healing. lie walked gently
to the door of the music room, leaned
aninst the panel and watched and
listened.
kt last she stopped reluctantly, tip
rcd her golden bead sideways in a co
quettish little triumphant movement
awl In the quaintest Imitation ef a
tnaa's voice said:
"I congratulate you. Miss Harriet I
Kke that very much!"
"Do you, professor? Oh, I'm so glad
to please you!"
She shook her curls with genuine de
light and played out the little dialogue
with vivid imaginary touches.
Stunrt laughed.
The girl leaped to her feet, flushing
scarlet, rushed to his side and seized
bin band.
"Did you see me, Jim? Was 1 very
foolish?"
"Certainly not. I quite agree w!th
the professor. You will some day slug
before kings and queens, little girl."
lie left her waving and smiling to
htai from the steps. lie walked with
new vigor and a deepening sense of
gratitude to her. His breath deepened,
and tils step grew firm and swift. He
would fight for his own. He would go
straight to Nan and laugh at this an
uouueement He would compel her to
hear him. It was an absurd hour to
call, but all the better.
Mrs. Primrose's greeting was so cor
dial, so gcniiiuely frieurlly, that for a
moment he was puzzled. Could it be
possible he had misjudged her?
She pressed his band warmly and
Hageringly.
"Oh. Jim, I'm so glad you've cornel
SJfay have you stayed away so long?
Jl was so foolish of you. You gave up
without a struggle. I'm shocked be
yMid measure at Nan. I told tier that
his millions would never brhig bappl
ness unless her heart went with them
that her love for you was a thing
eh? couldn't lay aside as a cloak she
bad worn. I told Nan the day she
promised to marry Mr. Blvens that you
were worth a dozen such men, no mat
ter how many millions be bad. You
fcuve always beeu my choice you
know that"
Stuart could control himself no long
r. He rose and faced Mrs. rrlmrose
with a look which brought ber elo
Queuce to an abrupt end.
"Mrs. Trlmrose, for once In my life
I am going to tell you the truth. You
have always been my bitterest foe.
lau brought Nan to New York to get
her away from me"
The niotber'a eyes blazed with hon
est: wrath.
"Yes. I did; and I'm glad I did It
yon ungrateful wrwtch!" '
"Ami you have always been busy
polrtonlng ber mind against me and
corrupting her Imagination with
dreams of a life of luxury."
"And. thank God, I've succeeded at
last lu bringing her to ber senses in
time to save her from throwing herself
way on you. Jim Stuart!"
As Mrs. Primrose left Nan quietly en
tared the room. Her face was set for
battle in a proud defiant smile. She
was totally unprepared for the way iti
whli-h Stuart met her.
With n quick step he was at ber side,
seized both her hands In a grip of fierce
tenderness and In low tones of vilii;nu
passion said;.
Thomas Dixon
"This thing don't go with me, Nan.
1 won't accept It I'm going to flght
flght for my own for you are mine
mine by every law of God and man,
and you are worth fighting for!"
The bard smile of defiance melted
from tho beautiful face, and a flush of
tenderness slowly overspread ber
cheeks. It was sweet to be loved like
that by a strong, masterful man. She
started to speak, and he raised his
hand:
"1 know, dear, you said our engage
ment was broken. I don't believe you
mean it. I couldn't. The news of
your engagement to Blvens came as p
bolt out of the blue sky. 1 refuse to
accept such nn act as Ilnal. You did it
out of pique. Yon don't menu It Yon
can't mean It! I told you the other
day I had a surprise for you. 1 tunc
Ifs worth a day. You promised me
one in the country before our foolish
ounrrel. 1 want It now. Yon will
come?'" 1
She hesitated a moment and said:
"Yes."
Within an hour they had reached the
bills overlooking Gravesend bay. and
the magniflreut sweep of water below
the Narrows Nan had scarcely spoken
on the. way. answering Stuart's ques
tions In friendly nods, smiles and mon
osyllables "Before we go farther," Stuart said
when they had left the car. "I want to
show you a model home a friend of
mlue has built out here. It's my ideal,
and 1 think you'll like it"
As they entered the gate, half bid- (
den in the hedge, the girl exclaimed:
"What a lovely little place!"
A gardener who was watering some
flowers on a sign from Stuart hastene.l
up the gravel walk and opened the
door.
Every window commanded entranc
ing views of the bay and ocean. Rv
ery ship entering or leaving the harbor
of New York must pass close and roulil
be seen for miles going to sea.
When Stuart finally led Nan out on
the broad veranda of the m-mml Hjior
she was In a flutter of excitement over
the perfection of Its details.
"I think It's wonderful. Jim.'" she
exclaimed, with enthusiasm. "I've
"I think It wonderful, Jlml"
never seen anything more nearly per
feet. Whose Is It?"
Stuart looked Into ber dark eyes with
desperate yearning.
"It's yours. Nun!"
"Mlue?"
"Yes. dear; this la my secret I've
been building this borne for you the
past year. I've put all the little mon
ey my father gave mo with every dol
lar 1 could save. It's paid for, and
here's tha key. I meant to ask you
out here to fix our wedding day. I
ask you now. Forget the nightmare
of the past two weeks, and remember
only that we love each olher."
Her lips quivered for Just an In
stant, and her hand gripped the rail
of the veranda.
"If I'd seen It four weeks ago, Jim.
I really don't see how I could have re
slsted it, but now" she shook In
bend and laughed "now It's too late."
"My God! Pnn't say that, Nan!" he
pleaded. "It's never too late to do
right. Yon know that I love you
You know that . von love me."
"But I've discovered." she went on.
with bantering, half challenging frank
ness. "that I love luxury too 1 never
knew bow deeply and passionately lc-tore"-
She paused a moment, look
ing toward Sea Gate. "l::n't that the
anchorage ef the Atlantic Yacht club?"
"Yes." he answered tuipatiectly
"Then tli:'.:'s Mr. Blvens' yacht, the
big. ugly black one lyi:ig close Inshore
with steam up He told mo he would
send her Into drydock today tie was
talking last night of a wedding cruise
in her to the Mediterranean. I con
'.wi .Tim th:t I ivnnt fii shine to mic-
coeit anil t'.nzzie ami reign. I tns is
perhaps the one chance of my life".
"Do you hold yourself so cheap?"
"You can't realize how much the
power of million means to a woman
who chafes at the limitations the world
puts on tier sex It's too late"
"Don't, don't say It Nan!"
"Why not be frank? This little cot
tago is a gem. I admit But I've seen a
splendid palace set In flowers and
gleaming with subdued light Soft
music steals through its halls mingled
with the laughter of throngs who love
and admire me. . Its banquet tables are
laden with the costliest delicacies,
while liveried servants hurry to and
fro with plates and goblets of gold."
Stuart seized her arm with fierce
strength that hurt "You shall not do
this hideous thing. You are mine. I
tell you. and I am bigger than money.
I have the power to think, to create
Ideas, to create beauty the power that
remakes the world I expect to have
all the money we shall need. In the
years to come we shall be rich whether
we seek It or not. But the sweetest
days of all life will be those In which
wo fight side by side the first battles of
life In youth and poverty when we
shall count the pennies and save with
care for the little ones God may send
us."
"But life is short. Jim. I can have
things now lie has already promised
(hem a palace In town, another by
the sea. a great castle In the heart of
the blue soul hern mountains we used
to watch as children and armies of
servants to do my bidding. I can live
now." -
"And you call these trappings and
tinsel life?"
"1 want, i hem."
"My God. Nan. haven't you n soul?
Hasn't the life within no meaning for
you? To me such luxury Is sheer in
sanity The possibilities of personal
iuxury have been exhausted thousands
of years ago It's commonplace, vul
gar aud contemptible If yon wish for
power why choose the lowest of all Its
forms? The way you are entering is
worn bare by the feet of millions of
forgotten fools whose bodies worms
have eaten. Not one of them lives
today even in a footnote of history."
"And yet, Jim. you kuow as well s 1
do that mouey is the sign of success
and power; Its absence, of failure and
weakness If you make a mistake in
your career yon can correct It and be
gin again. Being a woman. 1 cannot,
for marriage Is my only career. A
mistake now would be to me fatal."
"Aud you are making the one tragic
mistake no repentance can undo The
deliberate choice of evil, knowing it to
be evil Your heart is mine mine, 1
tell you! Do you deny it ':"
Again lie seized her hand, gripped It
fiercely and looked into her eyes with
tender, searching gaze.
Nan looked away
"Oh. Nan. dear, believe me!" he
pleaded "You can't deny this voice
within the soul and live. Happiness Is
Inside, not outside, dear."
The lover paused a moment. over
onie with his emotion, and be knew
by the quick rising and falling of the
girl s breast that n battle was raging.
tjuick to see his advantage, he drew
her gently inside.
".See, Nan, there are no cheap liplta
tlons In here, no vulgar ornaments
which mean nothing. Tills home will
be a real one because it will have a
soul. There can be no coarse or menial
tasks within its walls because Its work
shall be glorified by the oftl Immortal
song of love and life."
Stuart leaned close and spoke In a
low tense voice:
"And It will always be beautiful.
Nan, because it will be peuetrated with
the touch of your hand. Every piece
of furniture will glow with that radi
ance. Gold and precious stones can
have no such luster. See, here I have
planned to place your piano. There
will be no music on earth like the
songs those throbbing strings shall
make to my soul when they quiver be
neath the touch of your hand."
The lover slipped his arm gently
around the girl's yielding form, her
head drooped on his shoulder, the great
dark eyes blinded with tears. For a
moment be held ber in silence, broken
only by a deep sob. nis band touched
ber balr with tbo tendercst gesture as
he whispered:
"We can only know a few real
friends in this world, dearest But one
great love comes to any human soul,
and life Is all too short to loso a single
day."
"nush-hush. Jlml" the girl cried In
anguish. "Don't say any more, please."
Tell mo that It's all right, dear," ho
urged. "You know you cannot leave
me now. Yon know that you love me
and that your love la a deathless
thing."
"Yes, yes; I know," she gasped.
"But I'm going to marry him. I can't
help It The spell of his millions Is on
mo, aud I can't shake It off."
With a determined effort sho drew
herself from his embrace and In hard,
cold tones continued:
"No, Jim; you must face the truth.
1 am going to marry this man, and
(he most horrible thing I can say
about myself Is that, deeply as I love
you, I know 1 shall bo content with
the splendid career that will be mine.
I shall never ferret my marriage."
The lover looked at her in a da.ed
way. a If unable to grasp the mean
ing of ber words.
"But you rixu't do this vile thing.
Since the world began 1 know that
"Tha spall of his millions is on ma."
rain, weak, ignorant women have sold
themselves to men they could not love
for money, rank and luxury. But you
are not of that breed. Nan. You are
the typical American girl. You repre
sent women whose hearts have been
pure, whose lives have been clean, who
have kept burning lu the hearts of
mcu the great faiths of the soul. Be
spect for women has been one of the
foundations of our moral life. Tho
woman who sells herself to buy bread
stands h'rgber in the moral world than
you"- He hesitated.
"Go on, Jim; say the worst. And
still I'm going to do It."
"Knowing full well that no ceremo
ny of church or state, no word of
priest or judge, no pealing of organ or
pomp or pageantry can maue mis
thing a marriage?"
The lover dropped in silence to the
window seat and burled his face In his
hands In a paroxysm of emotion be
yond control At length he rose and
looked at the girl ho loved long nnd
tenderly
"God in heaven! It's Inconceivable
when 1 look Into your beautiful facet
Have you no pity In your heart?"
The full lips smiled a cruel little
smile.
"Men are strong. Jim. They can
stand hard blows. Yon come of fight
lug stock. I know that you will sur
vlve. I'm sorry to hurt you, Jim, but
I must; It's fate. The big world I some
how feel I'm akin to Is calling me. aud
I'm golng"-
"And Blvens is tills big world! II
you will throw tne over for money
can t you wait until a real mau goes
witli It? It wouldn't be so bad If I
felt on had chosen one who was my
o!ir:il physically and mentally In nil
ture end breeding- but Bivens!"
"Yon unden v.lntale his ability. You
may li;:te hi:n. but he is a man of
genius"
"He Is everything you lontlie and ye
you are going to marry him. You are
pvi.ig up too easily. Bivens has only
a couple of minions, and lie may lose
theiii. Don't hold yourself so cheap
If A oil were on tin block for sale I'd
give a million for each dimple in your
cheeks The smile that plays about
your lips should bring millions. Your
deep dark eyes. I swear, are worth a
million each."
"Hush, .lini. dear, we must go now.
1 can t stand any more. There's a
limit."
"Yes. I know. Forgive me."
Wllh'itit a not her word he led her
front the place, closed the' little gate
quietly and returned to her home.
Alone Inside the parlor they stood In
silence n moment and she took his
hand In hers.
"I'm sorry, but It must be good by.
Your love has been n sweet and won
derful thing In my llfe"-
"And you throw It aside as a worth
less rag."
"No," she answered, smiling. "It
shall be mine always. Goodby."
She raised her lips to bis lu a cold
kiss.
Dazed with anguish, he turned 'and
left The door closed on his retreat
ing figure, and Nan burst into a flood
of passionate tears.
(To He Continued.)
THE SECRET TERROR.
Tho haunting fear of sickness
and helplessness is the secret ter
ror of the working man. Health
is his capital. Kidney diseases
sap a man's strength and vitality.
They lessen his earning capacity.
Foley Kidney Pills bring back
health and strength by healing the
disease. They are the best medi
cine made for kidney and bladder
troubles. Tho genuine are in the
yellow package. Refuse any sub
stitute. For sale by F. fl. Fricke
Si Co.
For baby's croup, WillieV daily
cuts and bruises, manim's sore
throat, grandma's lameness Dr.
Thomas' Eclectic Oil the house
hold remedy. 2!o and fine.
Paul Stadelman takes subscrip
tions for any magazine or club
of magazines at special rates.
OflE OF NEBRASKA'S
I
It Happened 25 Years Ago Today
and Is No Doubt Remembered
by Many of Our Citizens.
from Wednesday's Dally.
Twenty-live years ago l inlay, on
January N, 1888, the slate of Ne-
iraska and t lit entire west was
isited by one of the- most severe
lizards thai ever swept over this
cgion, and the damage done was
untold, especially in the western
ind northern portions of I he stale,
where many were frozen or in
jured by the intense cold that
prevailed for several days.
The blizzard struck this city
about 4 o'clock in the afternoon,
coming unexpectedly, as the
weather had not been severe up to
that hour, and all night and into
the next day the storm held full
sway. The suffering .caused by
the blizzard was intense, and for
days it was impossible to pet into
communication with many fam
ilies in the thinly populated sec
tions of the state and the loss of
live stock exposed to the fury of
the storm was one that is still re
niembered by the citizens who
were compelled to undergo the
rigors of the blizzard.
In the country districts many
heroic acts were performed by the
school teachers in an effort, to
protect, their pupils from the
blizzard, and one instance occur
red in South Dakota where a
teacher, at the cost of lreezing
herself, drove several miles and
delivered Hie children safely to
eir homes, lull she herself was
badly injured by the cold.
I Ins wits one ol llie record-
breaking" storms and it is vividly
recalled by thousands of residents
of the state who bad the misfor
tune to be caught in it. The cost
of the storm in lives and loss to
live fjlock will really never be fnl
ly counted.
"TIE BUILDERS" MEET WITH
MR. AND MRS. C. C. PARMELE
From Wednesday's Dally.
The young men of (ho Presby
terian church, known, as "The
Huilders." met at the home of
their former teacher, Mrs. CI. C
I'armele, last evening, llie pur
nose of the meeting was to reor-
ganize and plan for some re
ligious, educational and socia
work. Fifteen were present am
all fell truly at home with Mr. am
Mrs. I'armele. Mr. William Hob
eel son, their present teacher, am
Hev. M. W. I.ormier, Ihe pastor
were present. After a good (inn
and refreshments the following
commit Ices were appointed: (In
place of meeting in the church
Ralph Larson, Joe Chapman and
llev. I.orimer; on study subjects
and literature, lleuben Saxon, Sam
Windham and V. A. Robertson;
on social events, Carl Schmidt
tiiann and Marion Hiekson. The
next meeting will be held at Mr.
Ilobertsou's law ollice next Tues
day evening to bear nnd consider
reports of llie committees. All
young men who have belonged at
any lime or wish to join "The
Hiiihlers" should be present at the
next meeting.
FORMER PLATTSMOUTH BOY
COMING TO PARMELE SOON
F.special interest will be center
ed around the performance of "A
Hachelor's Honeymoon," at the
Parmele theater Tuesday night,
January 14, from the fact that V.
O. Hankin, a former Plattsmouth
boy, is in the cast, playing the
part of a very busy man who "has
no time to stand on ceremony in
mailers matrimonial. "Ora," as
he is known to his numerous
friends in Plaltsinouth, is more
than "making good," if news
paper criticisms are to be taken
as a eirterion, and his formlr as
sociates will no doubt bo pleased
to see him behind the footlights.
Judgment Is Given.
tn county court today, in the
case of T. F. Naughton vs. Mrs.
Maude Kaspar, seeking to re
cover judgment for goods sold
and delivered, the defendant fail
ed to appear in court and contest
the claim and the court accord
i 1 1 V 1 uranleil the judgment as
praxed for.
When ordering flour ask your
grocer to send you a sack of
Forest Rose Flour the best (lour
OS
Entertains W. Ft C.
The V. 11. C. held their social
meeting yesterday after and were
ulcrtainvd in a most delightful
manlier by MesdameJ Yal Hurkel
unl L. 15. F.genbergcr at the home
of Mrs. Hurkel. This social meet
ing was not so largely attended as
il would have been had tho
weather not been so bad. Most of
the ladies brought their fancy
work and spent some very pleas-
int moments plying the needle,
which was interspersed with other
liversions calculated to make the
occasion an enjoyable one. The
hostesses had prepared an ex-
el lent luncheon, and this was
served at the proper lime. On
I heir departure the ladies voted
Mesdames Hurkel and Kgenbergcr
splendid entertainers and were
glad they had braved the storm.
ITTLE BABY IN HOSPITAL
GETTING ALONG NICELY
From Wednesday's Daily.
Mrs. William Weber has just
returned from South Omaha,
where she has' been visiting her
daughter, Mrs. Frank Schille and
family. The little babe of Mr.
and Mrs. Schille, which has been
in the hospital for some time, is
getting along nicely and the pros
pects are good that the little one
will gain the use of its limbs,
which were in such bad shape.
This news will be pleasing indeed
to the friends of tho family in this
city and vicinity, who have been
anxiously awaiting news from the
lie one. The Schille family
have also just moved into their
new home in the Magic City and
now possess one of Hit neatest lit
tle collages in that city.
THE BUSY WOMAN'S DAY.
It begins early, ends late, and
is full of work. Sho often has
kidney trouble without knowing it.
Her back aches, and she is tired
and worn out. Sleeps poorly, is
nervous, no appetite. Her bladder
gives her trouble, too. Foley
Kidney Pills will cure all that and
make her strong and well. Thoy
are the best medicine made for
kidney and bladder disorders. For
sale by F. fl. F'ricko & Co.
FOREST EOSH
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WAHOO, NEB.
FOREST ROSE
.. . FLOUR, 'J)
Forest Roso Floor
Guaranteed to Be the Best on
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SOLD Br LEADING DEALERS
Bought and Sold
ON COMMISSION!
Insurance Placed in Best
Companies!
Farm Loans and Rental Agency
- Virgil Llullis
ROBERT WILKINSON
DUNBAR
L.J. HALL
UNION
Viltrinson & Hall
-AUCTIONEERS-
The holding of successful sales is
our line. Our interests are with the
seller when it comes to getting every
dollar your property is worth. For
open dates address or call either of
us at our expense by phone. Date9
can be made at he Journal office.
WILKINSON & HALL-
Real Estate