Atlanta Georgian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1912-1939, 1912-05-24

for any long rest. In less than half al,
hour he sat UP with start but so
great were the mans powers of recuper-
alton that even this short rest revived
him wonderfully. But he was still groan
ing and muttering to himself when he
rose and slowly moved back to his desk
Here he sat for a few minutes with his
eyes closed and, picking UP his brush
set to work again.
For a quarter of an hour he worked
painfully but steadily, and then there
was onther interruption. Lindener came
in.
There were dark circles under the ar
lists eyes His clothes we're soiled and
had apparently never been pressed. His
loose tie was half united. His hair was
uncombed and an inoh or so too long.
Good evening. my friend" he said,
huskily, as he walked across to the desk
with his hand held out. mo, no, Don't
rise. How are you tonight"
Tokoramo's worn features twisted
themselves into a parody of a smile.
II have my work to fnish,' he said
with feeble wave of his hand over the
manuscript before him Lindener sighed
deeply and headed for the liquor stand.
Always at your work. he exclaimed
between wonder and peevishness. What
concentration! I wonder al you. In my
early days I had some concentration, but
nothing like this-and time wears it
away, my friend time wears"
He sighed deeply and drained a small
glass of cognac. Tokoramo, crouched
over his desk, apparently did not hear.
The brush was once more tracing its end
less path back and forth across the
white paper. Lindener sank into big
chair and went on, as much to himself
as to Tokoramo:
II don't see how you can do II. Here
in this room-with that-that one opening
off it" His gaze wandered to the por
there's. 81 should think her ghost would
be with you--would protest against it.
And yet-the dead never harm the liv
ing 1t is the living who do the mis-
chief. The dead are harmless They
are kind-gentle Their memory emo
bles. relnes. Only TIE dead can be loved
with a pure, true, patient love. The
living are faithless-only the dead are
steadfast only the dead are true
In spite of himself Tokoramo groaned
aloud Instantly Lindener was all con-
Germ
What is it. my friend?" he asked anx-
iously DO you suffer much ?"
Tokoramo raised his head, but his eyes
were closed. He waved his hand to.
ward the windows.
open window, my friend he begged
in weak voice ut is air I want.
Lindener FASTENED to a window and
threw It open
1T is oppressive" he said THE cool
dawn air viii do you good" The window
opened to the east and the first faint
flush Of the dawn was tinging the hori-
zon. The day is just breaking he said
softly The sky Is pink and gray-llke
nlona $ cheeks and eyes. All if YOU could
have but known her! You might have
known her but that boy in prison-he
proba bly, brought her here to introduce
her to YOU and instead-he killed her.
You would have loved her, my friend
you would have loved her in spite of
Yourself You might have taken her
from him as he took her from me.
Tokoramo groaned again
"Ah, MY friend. but think how | suf-
| fer, | think and think of her until | can
| think no more! her eyes-the way she
walked. her smile, her laughter, like an
echo of all the sweetness in the world,
That boy in his cell must remember all
his
"Please!" moaned Tokoramo, pressing