Produced by An Anonymous Volunteer THE FOOLISH VIRGIN By Thomas Dixon TO GERTRUDE ATHERTON WITH GRATITUDE AND ADMIRATION CONTENTS CHAPTER I. A FRIENDLY WARNING II. TEMPTATION III. FATE IV. DOUBTS AND FEARS V. WINGS OF STEEL VI. BESIDE THE SEA VII. A VAIN APPEAL VIII. JIM'S TRIAL IX. ELLA'S SECRET X. THE WEDDING XI. “UNTIL DEATH” XII. THE LOTOS-EATERS XIII. THE REAL MAN XIV. UNWELCOME GUESTS XV. A LITTLE BLACK BAG XVI. THE AWAKENING XVII. THE SURRENDER XVIII. TO THE NEW GOD XIX. NANCE'S STOREHOUSE XX. TRAPPED XXI. THE DEVIL'S DISCIPLE XXII. DELIVERANCE XXIII. THE DOCTOR XXIV. THE CALL DIVINE XXV. THE MOTHER XXVI. A SOUL IS BORN XXVII. THE BABY XXVIII. WHAT IS LOVE? XXIX. THE NEW MAN LEADING CHARACTERS OF THE STORY MARY ADAMS, An Old-Fashioned Girl. JIM ANTHONY, A Modern Youth. JANE ANDERSON, An Artist. ELLA, A Scrubwoman. NANCE OWENS, Jim Anthony's Mother. A DOCTOR, Whose Call was Divine. THE BABY, A Mascot. THE FOOLISH VIRGIN CHAPTER I. A FRIENDLY WARNING “Mary Adams, you're a fool!” The single dimple in a smooth red cheek smiled in answer. “You're repeating yourself, Jane----” “You won't give him one hour's time for just three sittings?” “Not a second for one sitting----” “Hopeless!” Mary smiled provokingly, her white teeth gleaming in obstinate good humor. “He's the most distinguished artist in America----” “I've heard so.” “It would be a liberal education for a girl of your training to know such a man----” “I'll omit that course of instruction.” The younger woman was silent a moment, and a flush of anger slowly mounted her temples. The blue eyes were fixed reproachfully on her friend. “You really thought that I would pose?” “I hoped so.” “Alone with a man in his studio for hours?” Jane Anderson lifted her dark brows. “Why, no, I hardly expected that! I'm sure he would take his easel and palette out into the square in front of the Plaza Hotel and let you sit on the base of the Sherman monument. The crowds would cheer and inspire him--bah! Can't you have a little common-sense? There are a few brutes among artists, as there are in all professions--even among the superintendents of your schools. Gordon's a great creative genius. If you'd try to flirt with him, he'd stop his work and send you home. You'd be as safe in his studio as in your mother's nursery. I've known him for ten years. He's the gentlest, truest man I've ever met. He's doing a canvas on which he has set his whole heart.” “He can get professional models.”