St. Tammany farmer., 1908-08-15
THE MANSION OF
FORGETFULNESS
BY DON MARK LEMON
Copyright, by shortstory Pub. Coz
BY DON MARK LEMON

A sigh was the only immediate an
swer, as the pilgrim leaned wearily
against a marble pillar. Then came
the low spoken words:
Perhaps l may only half forget.
l would remember, yet not remember
so acutely."
mo, you will wholly forget. The
Purple Ray is oblivion itself"
"Ah, well, better I kill these pain
full memories than break my heart!"
Then, if it must be so, enter and
forget"
SHOW me the way and let me go
/ quickly" was the plea of the veiled
lady. 81 have come far, and the worst
is only a few steps farther on"
Come, them" and the master led
the way to the room of the Purple
Ray.
An hour passed, when the door was
opened and the yelled visitor came
forth and descended the broad stair
way. She moved quickly and lightly,
and at the foot of the stairs she
laughed musically as she again met
the master.
Have you forgotten?" he asked.
Forgotten! know that l have for
gotten something, else why am l here
yet 1 do not know what l have for
gotten"
$50 they all say!"
| A flush of rosy light shone from
slender window overhead, haloing the
pilgrim like saint.
How beautiful everything isl" she
exclaimed. why do wear this veil;
l will no longer!"
So saying she loosened it, disclos
ing face young and exquisitely fair
The man shrank back as if pierced
by bolt.
MY God, it is her spirit!' he gasped
mo, mo-" protested the visitor. 50
am not a spirit, and fear l am too
too human
You are Morella!" whispered the
man, staring before him like one peer
ing through intense darkness.
Il am. Who are you that you ask?'
"Morella! I thought you dead!
kissed you for dead and and then the
waves swept me away and saw yol
no more"
Some fishermen once found me or
sandy beach, where they said hat
tainted. Who are you?"
The man drew back his cowl
"Look!" There was no light Of recog
milton in the others eyes. MY God
the Ray has blotted out all memory
Pray tell me what you mean, ant
let me co." came the passionles'
words.
A groan was the only reply, and th'
man hid his face in his hands.
You seem to know what l hav'
forgotten. Has it aught to do will
your"
20, Morella, it were better that
thought you dead than to know tha
you have forgotten! Do you not re
call our betrothal? See, you have tn
ring upon your hand! Does it no
awaken one recollection of othe
ldays?"
The girl gazed blankly at the rini
on her hand, and shook her head.
Has the Ray blotted out every fai
memory! Have you returned to@ LII
only to forget! Try to think, dearest
Do you not remember that day il
Naples when we pledged eternal low
for one another?"
81 remember no betrOthal." dee
look of pity came into the speaker
eyes when she saw the pain her word
had caused. IF remembrance Is s.
sad, why do you not also forget?
MY love!" he groaned, you ar
making the world darker to me thai
to dying eyes! You ask me to forget
You'll"
"You forget that 1 have forgotten.
The man groaned in utter anguish
AS she turned to go he stayed he
by a gentle touch. wait here Will
l, too, go and kill that memory!
He dragged himself up the broa
stairway, looking back once when h
had reached the landing, then turne
and staggered towards the room
the Purple Ray.