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The Sins of the Father: A Romance of the South
The Sins of the Father: A Romance of the South
TO THE READER
I wish it understood that I have not used in this novel the private life of Captain Randolph Shotwell, to whom this book is dedicated. I have drawn the character of my central figure from the authentic personal history of Major Daniel Norton himself, a distinguished citizen of the far South, with whom I was intimately acquainted for many years.
THOMAS DIXON.NEW YORKMARCH 8, 1912
Book One – Sin
CHAPTER I
THE WOMAN IN YELLOW
The young editor of The Daily Eagle and Phoenix straightened his tall figure from the pile of papers that smothered his desk, glanced at his foreman who stood waiting, and spoke in the quiet drawl he always used when excited:
"Just a moment – 'til I read this over – "
The foreman nodded.
He scanned the scrawled pencil manuscript twice and handed it up without changing a letter:
"Set the title in heavy black-faced caps —black– the blackest you've got."
He read the title over again musingly, his strong mouth closing with a snap at its finish:
THE BLACK LEAGUE AND THE KU KLUX KLAN
DOWN WITH ALL SECRET SOCIETIES
The foreman took the manuscript with a laugh:
"You've certainly got 'em guessing, major – "
"Who?"