Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1914-10-09
And at that moment, SO strange in

ognized her in that glance.
True, she, had changed much.
When he had seen her last she was
a girl of nineteen, now she was
woman OF twenty-five. She had de-
veloped with the years, grown more
beautiful. That was to have been ex-
pected but what surprised him was
this, that, though she was not the
Nelly of his remembrance, she was
so unmistakably the Nelly Of his
dream.
Then-it may have been halluci-
nation-there appeared in front OF him
the image Of the man of whom he mad
dreamed, The figure-his own-ap'
preached rapidly. Its eyes were fixed
on Flint's. They searched his soul,
they questioned, they pleaded.
The Thing seemed to make an ef-
fort to speak. 1t spread out its hands
with an imploring gesture, and then
passed on. When Jonas turned to
look at it, 1t was gone.
1T wasn't a man." he said half
aloud. "The shadow of man-ot my
self? No. 1t wasn't even that. l i'm
agined 1t. That was Rll."
But he couldn't make himself be-
lieve that. The dream. the unexpected
glimpse OF Nelly, and the apparition
seemed all too closely connected for
any one to be lightly explained away.
An explanation flashed upon him.
He had prayed for another chance.
Was he to have It? Had the dream
been meant to show him, not what
might have been but what might
still be?
He Strengthened himself, and his
step quickened. Then he relapsed in
to his old, slouching gait. Then the
reused white that still remained in
him asserted itself.
His jaw set firmly, and there came
a light into his eyes that had not been
there for years. He saw All Poo, a
wealthy Chinaman who owned large
macaroni factory, approaching. The
Oriental was about to pass with a
bland nod OF recognition; but Flint
acting upon the spur Of the moment,
stopped.
Nice day"
Belly nice"
"Ah Poo. want Job. Understand?
I want trabajar. Sabe? You give me
job?'
The Chinamans smile grew more
bland, even cheerful. He recalled sew
eral friendly little games he had had
with Flint in which Chinese duplicity
had not availed against white shrewd-
ness. "Wantee work? You bloke?
Boosted, eh?"
He passed on, every feature express
ing his enjoyment OF the situation.
Flint glared after the slipshod fig
ure, but after a moment turned to go
on his way. But white man. who
had overheard the conversation,
stopped him.
Hey. there; walt minute. |
heard what you asked Of that heather.
What can you do?"
"Wori.."
We'll. it's hard graft, working
with these gugus. But a white man
for me every time. II can get one.
My name Is Hawkins. ! run the Hon
olulu steel mills. Come down tomor.
row morning at seven o'clock, and I'll
give you job. II have to fire dozen
Kanakas. You know where It is?"
"Yes. sir"
Jonas Flint walked on unseeing. All
that day he struggled with himself
Was II worth while? he asked a thou.
sand times. But he slept In a strange
bed that night, and at seven reported
to the mills for work.
Whey the quitting hour came. he
asked for and received his pay-twC
dollars for the days work. He walked
out OF the mills as though he were es
Gaping from an inferno. Work is the
real test OF man.
A voice hailed him.
why. Flint, where's you been
And what've you been doing7 You
sure look done up. Come, let's have
n drink"
Flint drank once. Then he drank
again and again.
Then. arm In arm with his friend
he started homeward, toward un
washed Palama.
A couple OF women were walking
ahead. Passing on the outside. Film,
brushed against one OF them, and
leaning over. leered drunkenly at her
She shrank away with n frightened
face. and the leer froze upon his fea
lures, for II was Nelly.
There was noise behind him, and
vigorous fist knocked him from the
sidewalk into the ditch. Lying fat
on his back. he met the irate eyes OF
his late employer.
you puppy" Hawkins cried. Then
he turned TO the two ladies'.
Let us 20 on" said he. This dog
isn't worth noticing"
Another and younger man, who had
come up with Hawkins, gave Nelly his
arm. and the two couples walked on
Jonas Flint got up-his companion
had vanished-and tottered up the
street alone.
The mixed crowd that had gathered
round jeered him In all languages, but
he did not hear IT,