The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-07-20

seemed as if some divine modesty Tor
babe him even to remember her name
he told me none OF the story. Ahe
phrases, incomplete and incoherent.
As / Daused there. the Phrase-A Maker
dropped into oblivion of my presence.
His hand sought for something under
his jacket, and brought forth an OBJ
ject of gold. This he handled with
closed eyes the while. passing his palm
over it with siiken gestures, breathing
softly through his parched lips. HIS
servant. Lee Quoy, watched him In
terror.
what thing. Lee Quoy?" I said. re-
assuringly.
Lee Quoy could speak excellent
English. but fright narrowed his vo-
cabulary to a few shudderins words
His godr' he calculated.
| shifted audibly.
Yes He make UNI god Long time
now he had god of gold with fine stone
once l steal UNI. He try killee me.
Look-see- -
looked. Across the lads brown
forehead ran a jagged scar. 1t was
but barely healed.
The Phrase Makers slender fingers of
ivory caressed the ornament and his
lips retracted and drew up. and the cor
ners Of his mouth stiffened, until his
visage was that Of demon, the demon
on the shelf-like shrine. Lee Quoy cow
cred on his rug. and 1 watched as one
who watches a death-bed.
Then the Phrase-M lker opened his
,vrenChed mouth, and spoke. From his
tripping tongue rolled phrase after
phrase as if he were running over
catalogue of his life. Here and there
recognized some pregnant expression
that stood for strong adventure; again
l seemed to discern a secret never
further told than in one dark phrase
But i could detect nothing that would
In fa 10 my or nf no n
He commenced to grope, to halt, and
to seek. Before very long, I knew that
the Phrase Maker was searching for
the words with which to clothe the great
experience of his life, and no words
were ready.
Lee Quoy blubbered in my ear. and
to quiet him. l must set him to fixing
his masters pipe. Meanwhile, l watch
ed the soul of the Phrase-Maker bat
tie alone.
The gold and its jewel flashed.
Here is his god" said Lee Quoy
Juggling at the Jewel on his sleeping
masters breast.
picked out of the boys palm a
brooch of ancient fashion. The gold wss
worn. and shone white. The ruby was
blackened with dirt.
I looked at it carefully. In letters al
most effaced by attrition I read the
Phrase Makers secret.
Lee Ouoy pointed to the ring on the
left hand. Him other god" he whis-
pered.
..These be indeed gods.' I assented
sternly. land terrible ones. Do not
blaspheme nor profane." And I left. as
sured that Lee Quoy would never again
tempt that theft
When next 1 visited him. the Phrase
Maker greeted me with sublime compo-
sure. I have much to say to you" he
said, magnifcently sweeping bare arm
toward me, and I desire that you lis
ten
Have you discovered a new phrase -
L inquired.
He put away the mouthpiece of his
tobacco pipe almost with Impotence.
No" he responded; that is but a trick
of mine to keep memory within bounds.
Hell is memory let loose. The god who
squirms above you in the shrine is sup
posed to be the demon of remembrance.
But it is come over me that I am about
to die. And I will tell you why death
to me is sweeter than any life.
l sQuattedl on a mat and Lee Quoy
gave me a glass of liquor and cigarettes
Say on 1 assented.
Il would speak of a good woman, -
said the Phrase-Maker, coughing heav-
lily; 'you do not know her Nor shall
you. She has nothing to do with people
of your station"
1 bowed humbly and he went on.
The flame in the lamp licked up the
last drop of oil before the Phrase-M Maker
was through AS I listened the dark
bronzes on the angles of the walls came
out into grotesque relief. and Lee Quoy's
heavy breathing seemed to mark the
passage of years.
The tale was done. The heavy .reek
of opium and tobacco had drenched my
senses in somnolence. The demon in the
shrine was chattering impotently. The
Phrase Maker stretched out his pallid
hand to the bowl of spiced gum, and.
as he rubbed his lips, we smiled dizzily
at each other. For in his story there had
been no woman nor mention of woman.
This he did not know. for a merciful
forgetfulness was come upon him. and
he thought the threads of life lay I'M
tangled
Fiji my pipe. I will smoke" he said.