The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1903-10-03

Now In all the time i had known
the Phrase-Maker he had never spoken
of a woman nor of women. l Won
dered at seasons whether he knew OF
their existence So now l gasped IN
! amazement.
who was she?' I presently in
quired.
IL do not know" was the response
And then I. lseing wise, discerned that
he was lost for words.
Reckoning time as he did, it was
three smokes later that rose to leave
the Phrase Makers presence. In these
many hours he, had uttered five
phrases: "a kiss is music heard by
the lips !. laughter and tears are the
gates +. the hollow of an arm in
the soft darkness =. words whispered
in the dusk"
The end of it all was long, Quiv-
ering "A-a-ah!" that throbbed in the
shadowy room as feIt my way to the
door. l asked again, who is she?"
The man sitting on the mat swept his
lips with pallid fingers and his eyes
glowed through the gloom. 1t seemed
as II some divine modesty forbade him
even to remember her name; he had
told me none of the story. The
phrases, incomplete and incoherent,
were not final.
AS paused there, the Phrase Maker
dropped into oblivion of my presence.
His hand sought for something under
his jacket, and brought forth an object
of gold. This he handled, with closed
eyes the while, passing his palm over
it with silken gestures, breathing soft
ly through his parched lips. His serv-
ant, Lee Quoy, watched him in terror.
What thing, Lee Quoy?" l said. re-
assuringly.
Lee Quoy could speak excellent En-
glish, but fright narrowed his vocab-
ulary to few shuddering words. Ellis
God!" he calculated.
l shifted audibly.
Eyes. He make um god. Long time
now he had god of gold with fine stone.
Once | steal um. He try kiiIee me-
Looksee."
looked. Across the lads brown
forehead ran a jagged scar. 1t was
barely healed.
The Phrase-Maker's slender fingers
Of ivory caressed the ornament and his
lips retracted and drew up, and the
corners OF his mouth stiffened, until
his visage was that of a demon, the
demon on the shelf-like shrine. Lee
Quoy covered on his rug, and l
watched as one who watches a death
bed.
Then the Phrase-Maker opened his
wrenched mouth and spoke. From his
tripping tongue rolled phrase after
phrase, as if he were running over q
catalogue of his life Here and there
l recognized some pregnant expression
that stood for strong adventure; again
! seemed to discern the secret never
further told than in one dark phrase.
But could detect nothing that would
indicate the mystery of the woman.
He commenced to grope, to halt, and
10 seek. Before very long, | 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 / must set him to fixing
his masters pipe. Meanwhile,
watched the soul of the Phrase-Maker
battle 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
brooch of ancient fashion. The gold
was worn, and shone white. The ruby
was blackened with dirt.
! looked at it carefully. In letters
almost effaced by attrition I read the
Phrase-M Makers secret.
Lee Quoy pointed to the ring on the
left hand. Him other god" he
whispered.
These be indeed GODS" I assented
sternly, "and terrible ones. Do not
nor profane." And left,
assured that Lee Quoy would never
2 chin attempt that theft.
When next visited him the Phrase
Maker greeted me with sublime COM
rosure. Il have much to say to you,"
he said, magnificently sweeping a bare
arm toward me, land desire that you
listen"
Have you discovered a new phrase?"
inquired.
He put away the mouthpiece Of his !
tobacco pipe almost with, Impotence.
No." he responded; that is but trick |
Of mine to keep memory within bounds. !
He'll is memory let loose. The god |
who squirms above you in the shrine
is supposed to be the demon of re-
But it is come over me |
hat am about to die. And will tell |
you why death to me is sweeter than
any life"
| squatted on mat, and Lee Quoy |
gave me a glass of liquor and cigar
cites. Say on / assented.
Il would speak of a good woman"
said the Phrase-Maker, coughing
heavily; you do not know her. Nor
shall you. She has nothing to do with
people of your station"
| bowed humbly, and he went on.
The tame in the lamp licked up the
asst drop of oil before the Phrase
Maker was through. AS | listened, the |