The Washington herald., 1916-01-03
The Haunted Soul.
By JOHN d. BARRY.


when he could almost see his soul. like timid
to escape from those monstrous forces. They in
eluded the founder of the family, the merciiess
warrior that, for service to his king had secured
the vast hereditary lands; the warriors grandson
that had drunk himself to death; the grandson's
wife, married during debauch, woman of un-
controlled impulses that had contributed so many
of her vicious instincts to her line. Those three,
celebrated beyond their period. found new life
in this descendant. living in time. so remote, so
alien, and yet meeting so many opportunities for
indulgence.
There were days when the man was controlled
by the old warrior Those that had the misfortune
to get in his way were made to feel like the beasts
OF the field. Some of them struck down and
cursed and subjected to indignties that drove
them into fury; but they did not dare betray re-
sentiment. At such times the resemblance used to
be noted between the man and the portrait of the
old warrior in the castle hail. 1t used to be said
that they were "as like two peas"
There were other days when the man would
abandon himself to drink. Sometimes he would
disappear. Then he would be found in disrepu-
table resort nsensible. They would take him back
to the castle and lock him up keeping him sup
piled with drink till the madness passed. When
he emerged he would look worn out and i'll, Curl
ously like the weak figure close to the warriors,
the family drunkard.
On still other days the man would abandon him.
self to sensuaty His eseapades would be the
scandal of the neighborhood. His eyes would
grow smaller and more cunning. His mouth
would sag. His gait would shuttle Now he would
bear striking resemblance to another portrait
the drunkard's wife, whose intrusion into the fam
lily had brought so many woes, the creature whose
name was stain on the scutcheon.
Worst of all were those periods, sometimes
prolonged, when the tyrant the drunkard and the
sensualist in their struggle for possession, would
control the man together, when he would eagerly
yield to all the vices in his nature till exhausted
and sick, he would find himself lying on bed,
wondering why he should have been sent into
the world and why he was not permitted to end
his sufferings in death.
1t was during one OF those periods that the
man had his clearest glimpse of his soul among
the ghosts, worn out like himself from indulgence
What wretched thing painting after its torments.
"Are you really alive?" the man whispered
The soul looked worried. Then it smiled YEARLY
and answered, "Yes, there is life in me still"
do you know mel" the man asked
"Oh, yes"
"Who am Il"
"You and are the same" the soul answered
"Ah" the sighed. Aren't you ashamed
of me"
NO"
why not?'
Il am only sorry"
For long time the man did not speak Then
he said "You are valiant little soul. wish /
could help you." t...-.,-.-r
"You are the only that can help me-"
But I am weak" the man pleaded.
"1f you will only for me little, just lit
tle,' said the soul 81 will drive them all away"
The was so surprised that he came near
sitting up. For fear of disturbing the soul he
remained motonlcss. What can little thing
like you do against those monsters? With one
finger they could crush you" -...
They have tried with all their might to crush
me-" The souls voice much stronger "But
they have not succeeded vet They will never sue
coed. They are only ghosts. All they can do is to
frighten me aud force to yield to the impulses
they bound themselves to generations ago. Oh,
if you would only for little just little.
Can't you that am, starving?"
"Why are you starving?"
Simply because you don't care for me-"
Il care for you more than do for those Others
don't care for the others at all. The only feel
ing have for them is hate"
But hate only makes my task the harder 1t
weakens me and it makes those others hate me
more and it makes them try to control me- The
only feeling that is irresistible is love.
do you want me to love them?" the man cried
out, with loathing in his face.
"You cannot. There is no such thing as low
ing evil. There is only loving good
"And you good"
The soul hesitated. 81 am eternal'