The Vinita daily chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1902-1913, 1907-03-22

The mans eyes were open. but he
could not see, The room Was dark
1t was nighttime and he had been
dreaming,
The Ghost stood close beside his
bed and gazed at him steadily
"Wen, I am here, said the Ghost
The man aroused himself Prop
ping his head on one hand. he gazed
hard through the blackness. He could
see nothing so he laughed.
"And. who are you2 IL Is custom
ary for strangers to have introduc-
tions before they converse" And he
laughed again.
You have seen me before" said
the Ghost You need not pretend
that we are strangers"
But do not know you" said the
man. ~We must observe the conven-
tlonalities. whatever we do" and he
laughed again. rather idiotically as he
afterwards admitted to himself
when you are as old and as tired
as am you will not worry about COM
ventionalities. said the Ghost.
7 want to know how long you are
going to keep me Soiling. Don't yoa
think have earned my release2 Don't
you think I have served my timer"
The man sat Upright in bed. He
was wideawake ylow and the pupils
OF his eyes were iilated. A feeling Of
horror and tegror--almost Of panic
was stealing over him.
What dls you mean?" he gasped
Who are you? From whence came
your"
You knISeS;t9 you must know who I
am" said the Ghost You cannot
pretend that you have never seen or
heard of me before"
Bot / do not pretend" said the
man, his panic rising higher as his
breath came in gasps and his heart
beat audibly Tell me. for Gods sake,
who are you and whence you came. :"
very we'll Listen, then, poor fool
/ will tell you. Out Of the nethermost
regions of oblivion came and the
darkness viii swallow me again But
for you might have enjoyed the slia-
light forever. | might have known
what 1t was to expand with the buds
and to sing with the birds. might
have known all Joy, all hope, all
beauty. But you, you, maudlin. wan
dering idiot, stupified by your egotism,
drunken with your excesses, have con-
demned me to eternal darkness, eter-
nal oblivion"
The mans breathing could now be
heard across the room.
But who, who are you?" he almost
shouted.
Very well. Since you cannot hear
or see, or understand, ] will tell you.
/ am the Spirit Of your Youth I am
the Ghost Of Your Ideals And I de-
mand my release. have been faith
full loyal, aye, even loving. / have
never deserted you for an instant. But
you have abandoned me. Why then
keep me in captivity? Let me 60,
beg Of theei Release me! / have
served my time. have right to free
dom"
The Ghosts voice broke. The Man
sat upright in bed.
What do you mean?" he gasped.
you speak in riddles. I do not under
stand"
"Ah, now you have released mel
Now / am free. Farewell"
The Ghosts voice sounded faint and
far-distant. The mans panic returned
upon him sevenfold increased.
"You are leaving?" he cried.
"Yes, am going, never to return.
Your confession that you no longer
understand any reference to the spirit
Of your youth. the ghost of your ideals
absolves me from all responsibility
Go your way, I shall 60 mine"
"But stayl Please stay, I did not
understand Now | know. Come back,
come back"
The man rose from his bed and
stretched out his arms imploringly.
Il cannot let you go. Please, please,
come back Dear Ghost, come back
/ cannot live without YOU"
But the light Of a passing car shone
into the room and the man could see
nothing except the objects familiar
to his daily vision. And he threw him
self sobbing, face downward upon the
bed.