The Spokane press. [volume] (Spokane, Wash.) 1902-1939, 1903-12-25
| THE Man WITHOUT
- A SHADOW Fl


seeming rude. 1 returned his saluta-
tion. therefore. and stood bare-headed
in the sunshine. rooted to the ground.
AS. gazed at him with the utmost
horror / felt like n bird fascinated
by a serpent.
He affected an air of embarrass-
ment. With his eyes on the ground,
he bowed several times, drew nearer,
and at last, without looking up ad-
dressed me in a hesitating voice. al
most in the tone of a suppTiant: "Will
you, sir, excuse my importantly in
venturing to intrllde upon you in so
unusual manner? l have a request
to make-would you most graciously
be pleased to allow me-" Hold!
for heavens sake!' 1 exclaimed;
what can 1 do for a man who"-I
stopped in some confusion, which he
seemed to share. After moments
pause. he resumed: During the short
time l have had the pleasure to be in
your company, l have-permit me, sir.
to say--beheld with admiration your
beautiful shadow, and remarked the
air of Indifference with which you, at
the same time, turn from the glorious
picture at your feet. as If disdaining
glance. Excuse the holiness of my
| proposal; but perhaps you would
have no objection to sell me your
shadow" He stopped, while my head
turned round like a millwheel. What
was 1 to think of so extraordinary a
proposal? To sell my shadow! He
must be mad" thought 1: and assum-
ing a tone more in character with the
submissiveness of his own. l replied,
MY good friend, are you not content
with your own shadow? This would
be bargain of strange nature in
deed.'
al have In my pocket" he said.
many things which may possess
some value in your eyes; for that
inestimable shadow l should deem the
highest price too little
A cold shuddering came over me
as l recollected the pocket.
1 now resumed the conversation:
But. sir-excuse your humble serv-
anti am at a loss to comprehend
your meaning-my shadow?-how
can To-
/ Permit me-" he exclaimed. inter
rupting me, ito gather up the noble
image as it lies on the ground. and
to take it into my possession. As
to the manner of accomplishing it,
leave that to me. In return. and as
an evidence of my gratitude. 1 shall
leave you to choose among all the
treasures have in my pocket. among
which are variety of enchanting
articles. not exactly adapted for you.
who. l am sure. would like better to
all made new and sound again. and a
lucky purse which also belonged to
him."
"Fortunatus's purse" cried I; and
great as was my mental anguish,
with that one word he had pene-
trated the deepest recesses of my
soul. A feeling of giddiness came
over me. and double ducats glittered
before my eyes.
BE pleased. gracious sir. to ex-
anime this purse, and make trial of
its contents" He put his hand in his
pocket. and drew forth large
strongly stitched bag of stout cor
dovan leather. l seized it-took out
10 gold pieces. then 10 more. and this
I repeated again and again. Instantly
, l held out my hand to him. Done,
said l; 1.-The bargain is made: my
} shadow for the purse" agreed" he
answered; and. Immediately kneeline
down. l beheld him, with extraordi
nary dexterity gently loosen my
shadow from the grass. lift 1t up. fold
. it together. and. at last put it in his
} pocket. He then rose. bowed once
more to me, and directed his step,
towards the rose bushes I fancied
: heard him quietly laughing to him
, self However. I held the purse fas
: by the two strings. The earth wa.
basking beneath the brightness of tn,
sun: but I presently lost all con
sciousness.
(CONTINUED.)