The Brookings register. [volume] (Brookings, Brookings County, S.D.) 1903-1971, 1911-09-14
A Later Day.

oedlu, ana opened eye whose VISION
seemed curiously clear, to realize q
new world, very unlike that in which
the incoherent action of his dream had
moved-a world of light and lively
air, as sweet and wholesome as
glistening white paint, sunshine, and
an abundance Of pure, cool air could
render 1t.
Because he had known these things
In a former existence, he understood
that he lay in the lower berth Of a
first-cabin stateroom, aboard an ocean
steamship; a spacious, bright box Of
a room, through whose open ports
swayed brilliant shafts of temperate
sunlight, together with great gusts Of
the salt sweet breath of the open sea.
Through them, too, he could see patch
es OF unclouded blue, athwart which
now and again gulls would sweep on
flashing, motionless pinions.
His eyeballs seems to move re-
~luctantly in their sockets, and his
head felt very light and empty, al
though SO heavy that he could not lift
1t from the pillow. But he managed
TO shift his gaze from the window
until 1t rested upon a mans face-a
guant. impressive brown face illum-
mated by steady and thoughtful eyes,
hllsd with that mystic, unsuitable
spirit Of fatalism that Is the Genius
OF the eastern peoples. The head IT.
self stood out with almost 9tartlinE
distinctness against the background Of
pure white. 1t was swathed with IN
immaculate white turban.
The sick man felt that he recog-
nizsd this CONFERENCE.-THE known 1t,
rather. in some vague, half-rsmember-
ed life before his latest death. The
name i? He felt his lips nov
and that they were thin and glazed.
M~oistening them with his tongue he
made another attempt to articulate. A
thin whisper passed them in two
breaths: Ram Nath . :"
Hearing this, the dark man started
out Of his abstraction. cast a swift,
pitiful glance at the sick mans face.
and came to hold a tumbler to his
lips. The liquid. colorless, acrid, and
pungent. slipped into his mouth, and
he had to swallow whether he would
or 10. When the final drop disap-
peared, Ram Nath put Town the glass,
smiled, laid a finger on his lips, and
went on tiptoe from the stateroom.
After awhile the man without an
identity fell asleep, calmly, restfully,
IN absolute peace. When again he
awakened it was with the knowledge
that he was David Amber, and that q
woman sat beside him.
His voice sounded In his own hear
ing very thin and brittle. The girl
turned her gaze upon him swiftly. the
soft smile deepening, the dream-light
In her eyes burning brighter and more
steady. She bent forward, placing over
his wasted hand a hand firm and
warm, strong yet gentle, its white
ness enhanced by the suggested ira
Gerry of blue veins beneath the silken
skin, and by the rosy tips Of her slen-
der, subtle fingers.
David" she said.
He sighed and remembered. His
brows knitted. then smoothed them
selves out; for with memory came the
realization that, since he was there
and she by his side, God was surely in
his heaven, all well with the world!
How long . Sophia?"
Five days, David"
where 2"
HAt Goa David IN a Nfcevo~~r{o
boat for Marseilles. Dear :"
He closed his eyes in beatifc con
tent: David Dear . I"
Can you listen?"
Yes sweetheart"
Her voice faltered; she flushed
adorably. you mustn't talk. But I'll
tell you. They refused to let
us go back to Kuttarpur; an escort
took us across the desert to Nok, you
in a litter, I on horseback. There we
took train to Haidarabad and Ka-
rachi. Ram Nath came with us, as
bearer, It being necessary that he too
should leave India. My father and
rachi, where this steamer touched the
second day"
you understand, now"
Everything, dearest"
"Labertouche-?"
"He told me nothing. I haven't
seen him since that morning, when,
just after you were wounded. we
started for Nok. He posted of to
Kuttarpur to find my father. .
No; 1t was you who told ms-every-
thing-in your delirium."
And i. you forgive-?"
"Forgive!"
He smiled family. That photo
graph"
~ had 1t ready to return TO you
that morning, David"
knowing what 1t meant to me-"
Knowing what 1t meant to me
what It meant to both Of US, David"
80 you weren't offended. that
niSht?"
II loved you even then, David. l
think l must have loved you from that
first day at Nokomis. Do you remem.
Der . i?