Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1916-02-01

have in our beautiful Wausau.
A Citizen.
I-.c-sJirr1ng OF Fowl. and There are few
places in China where chickens are not
underfoot and disputing the right of
way.
IN wait until morning if necessary,
but III pierce the mystery of the
white lantern" muttered Latham SIS
he withdrew to a nearby tree and sat
down with his back against it.
The night was warm, and he soon
slumbered.
Morning dawned family in the east.
A red ray of sunshine awoke John
Latham 90 a bewildered sense of the
events Of the night. He rubbed his
eyes sleepily.
Within the stoekade there was
stirring of forms Some hObbed 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.
a 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.
face that was mOckery-a mis-
ery-an inhuman horror!
vanished.
He saw the tall form Of the lantern
bearer striding across the yard. He
was clothed in long white linen coat
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
awayT
you are an American" was La
tham's surprised reply.
YES" The other drew q deep
breath. And you-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?"
he ended fiercely.
Latham cried out sharply.
only one man in che world could
reproach me that way" he breathed
heavily.
II am that manw declared the other.
II 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 1 low
ed was the grave reply. II can bring
my skill and knowledge here among
these unfortunates. l can do good.
What more can l ask?'
Latham's soul was wrung with re-
morse.
And it was in your power to visit
death upon me, he said slowly. when
| saw you with your white lantern of
warning that a leper was coming
through the streets-when | saw you
little did l 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
great mana man indeed
He bowed his head against the pal
ings. and the man who had devoted
his life to the comforts Of leper colo
ny in the heart of China looked at him
pityingly. as looks one who has out
grown the insignificant things of life,
who knows only of the magnitude Of
sin and suffering and offers up his life
to allay it.
DR. Foster spoke again: You had
better go now. Latham Remember
me to old friends back In the world.
Say that l am well and happy, and.
hang it all, I'd like some newspapers
that are not a year oldr' He laughed
melodiously.
John Latham lifted his head.
wiz dtICA4 " AAdl- OSlEEs he
said gravely. "And there is another
thing 1 VIII do 1 will tell her of YOU
and your work. God bless you and
goodby!'
They exchanged a long look. and
when DR. Foster had turned away TO
his hideous' charges John Latham
walked away back to the city. And
when he reached the city gate his ewes
were so blinded by tears that he could
not recognize the fat gatekeeper who
had let him out the night before.
The gatekeeper clucked sympathet-
ically.
"Ah. the American lord has looked
upon deathr' he cried.
No said John Latham as he pass
ed YEARLY through the gate. Il fol-
lowed the white lantern. and / have
looked upon death In Hfer'