Idaho County free press. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho Territory) 1886-current, 1916-01-27

white lantern on high
Latham followed. q strange depres-
sion seizing his spirits.
Was the bearer OF the white lantern
some Ill timed jester OF the evening
who would make sport of the foreign
devil? Was he the agent of some
dreadful secret society," What was hep
Latham was soon to discover.
He followed the white lantern through
the pine grove and out into a barren
stretch Of open country. Here was
desolation indeed. A few trees were
crowded inside of rough stockade
and shaded some miserable little huts.
plainly visible in the light of the full
moon.
The white lantern bobbed over the
hjllocks until they reached gate In
the stockade.
The masked man turned to Latham,
, who was close ut his heels.
! Would you enter and face death?'
he asked
Yes" said Latham. his curiosity
aroused to its highest pitch
"Fool!' laughed the other and. slip
ping inside the gate. barred 1t securely.
IF you have no care for your life I
will save 1t for YOU" He blew out the
white lantern. and the place was bath
ed only In the cold moonlight.
Speeches. with surprise. John La
than leaned against the stockade and
looked through at the trees, the little
dark huts and the form of the masked
man who was striding across the yard.
He paused on the threshold of the
largest hut. waved pale hand and
vanished
Utter silence reigned over the place.
There was not the bark OF dog or
the stirring Of fowl, and there are few
places In China where chickens are not
underfoot and disputing the right Of
way.
IN wait until morning II necessary.
but III pierce the mystery of the
white lantern" muttered Latham as
he withdrew to nearby tree and sat
down with his back against It.
The night was warm, and he soon
slumbered.
Morning dawned family in the east
Latham to bewildered sense of the
events of the night He rubbed his
eyes sleepily.
Within the stockade there was a
stirring Of forms. Some hobbled fee
bly, to the shade Of the nearest tree
and covered there. Others limped
woefully about In miserable silence,
while others gathered in groups and
ate ravenously. snarling like dogs
while they ate.
Gradually Latham got upon his feet,
great dread in his face. Nearer,
nearer, he drew, step by step, to the
stockade, where a dreadful face peer.
ed at him through the palings.
A face that was mockery-a mis-
ery-an inhuman horror!
Latham laughed wildly. and the face
| vanished.
He saw the tall form Of the lantern
bearer striding across the yard. He
was clothed in long white linen coat
such as surgeons wear. and on his
hands were white gloves. He was
still wearing the mask Of the night
| before.
He came straight to the stockade
and. gripping his hands upon the pal
ings, he asked abruptly:
My God. man. can't you stay
away?"
You are an Americana" was La
tham's surprised reply.
Yes" The other drew a deep
breath. And yop-what are you do
ing here In this place of pestilence and
death? Did you come across the world
to tempt me to revenge myself upon
you for stealing the woman l loved p
he ended fiercely
| Latham cried out sharply.
| only one man in the world could
reproach me that way" he breathed
heavily
| Il am that manr' declared the other
Il am Clay Fosterr'
CLAY Foster-you? You are here
here In this leper colony" painted La.
than. "You-you the brilliant young
physician who had everything In life
Everything save the woman | low
ed" was the grave reply II can bring
my skill and knowledge here among
these unfortunates. | can do good.
What more can | askr'
Latham's soul was wrung with re.
morse.
And 1t was in your power to visit
death upon me. he said slowly. when
| saw you with your white lantern OF
warning tfNt ii leper was coming
through the streets when | saw you
little did guess your identity or the
significance of the white lantern
Il was attracted by an element OF
adventure. and followed wanted
to follow you in here-among these
And you, whom | had wronged. you
prevented me! Clay Foster, you are a
great mana man indeedr'
He bowed his head against the pal
ings, and the man who had devoted
his life to the comforts Of a leper colo