The Tabor independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1913-19??, 1917-01-18
(Continued).

- Soiiic paSh W lle fleSh dTu dtdIeu
at the glass.
"old man, do you know what that
is ?"
He was so subject to his own
thoughts that he did not near the street
door open behind him. Not even the
swish OF a woman's evening gown came
into his consciousness. Sullivan. leaving
MIN staring at the glass, went to meet
ner. she was young, scarcely more than
70, and tall and slender. She wore in
ner black hair a red rose, and her
opera cloak, falling slightly away from
her shoulders, showed her columnlike
neck. AS she stood, graceful even in
her stiffness, awaiting Sullivan's ap-
proach, her welcoming smile illumined
grave beauty of her face. She SEEM
ed to sense the tragedy.
us there anything very wrong?" she
asked in a whisper.
She was all loneliness and fragrance
and graciousness.
Hes pretty sick, Kiss Edith" the
old man whispered back. But don't
you worry"
Help him, can't your" she ques-
toned, and, seeing Sullivan's nod, add
ed: II came to see the matron. You
row, and"
Smith, pointing once more at the
glass. had begun to speak:
It's my enemy" his voice doomed
forth. It's the thing that stole my
soul away"
The girl, motioning Sullivan to go
back to the sick man, stood and
watched the scene.
IT'S 1000, 600 women's tears. the
FOUNTAIN OF another 1000, 900 women's
tears. Women's woe! It's full Of the
blue lips and twisted smiles Of starving
children. Children Of hunger! It's the
ruin OF strong men whom 1t has cheat
ed. Poor, ruined men,"
He snatched the glass from the desk,
splitting the whisky, and held 1t far
from him in his left hand. Without
taking his eyes from It, he put the
heavy grip of his right hand on SulIi-
vans shoulder.
"Ah, mani" he entreated. Look at Il!
Can't you see? There! The thing that
makes its home there! His hands are
too white, and he's got ashes on his
shoes-ashes Of dead souls. Think
where he walks! He's dancing with q
woman She's a pretty woman. All,
watch! She's laughing. They're going
out through that door-and the laugh
ter freezes on her lips! Out into the
long. dark corridor that leads to no.
where-forever! And in hat corridor
are ghosts, grim ghosts, ghosts of MUIR
dered loves, ghosts OF great intellects,
ghosts Of ambition, ghosts Of those once
virtuous. And she will meet them, will
sit in that congress Of eternal woe, weep
forever with that everlasting troop Of
torment"
SULLIVAN, submitting to the grip on
his shoulder saw that the girl at the
door leaned forward, her lips half part
ed, her eyes wide with establishment.
Look quick!" John Smith was say
Ing. He's talking to a young man,
telling him lies, charming lies! But his
lips are too pale, and there are ugly
stains under his finger nails. Did you
ZEAL that door slam? The young mans
gone-gone! l heard one like him
scream, UP there on the edges OF eter-
nifty"
His voice shrilled:
Look how he works-lashing the
backs Of men, breaking the hearts Of
women, stealing away the laughter Of
children. Look at him-all ghoulish
| eyes. His mouths a grlnning gap. And
he's got ashes on his nice new shoes
ashes of dead souls"
He pushed Sullivan from him, and
with both hands held the glass close
against his chest, stopping over to the
floor the last few drops Of the whisky.
There was no thunder lift In his voice.
Emotions played with him as high
winds thresh the trees in November. All
| his old terror bea upon him.
"l'm afraid Of him." he shrieked. the
| sound bringing a half stifled cry from
the girl at the door.
BIS hands drew nervous, and the
glass dropped, unbroken, to the floor.
He looked at Sullivan, the torches of
terror relit In his eyes, and whispered
hoarsely:
"Old man, that's what I'm afraid of.
| I'm afraid of him."
On the end Of that confession one
| great sob shook him, and he screamed,
clasped his left hand to his shoulder:
Hes got mel" he lamented. 1--WE fled
for 1000 years--and-he's got mel"
He stood, weak n uncertain on his
feet. and wept, the tears flowing I'M
needed down his n k cheeks. Then,
| suddenly, in a flash, fury tensed him,
made him strong enough to grind the
glass to pieces under the ragged sole
Of his shoe
Curse HIM Curse HIM" he yelled.
Damn him!"
Immediately. as quickly as It had
come. the false strength left him.
whats the use?" he moaned weak
ly. He's got"
The girl, rushing forward. reached
him as soon as Sullivan. Both Of them
caught him as he reeled and was about
to fall.
"Oh!" she said. looking down upon
the pallor of his face while they held
him between them.
He's in awful bad shape. Miss
Edith" Sullivan explained, his voice
lowered involuntarily.
Smith, with a desperate effort. stood
upright. shaking off their support. He
was unnaturally calm. An insane smile
played with his lips.
Look behind me-" he said. his voice
low and strained, his Eyes fixed. Look
behind me n tell me exactly where
he's standing-exactly. You can tell
him by the ashes on his shoes"
The girl. putting a hand on his shout
der, leaned forward n tried to engage
with her glance his u~nwavering gaze.
Who are your" she asked.
He was silent. the smile still play
ing with his lips.
HE don't know, Miss Edith" volun-
teered Sullivan.
Doesn't know" she ~breathed. and
urged him with e pressure on his
shoulder: Tell us. We want to help
you. What's you Nance"
There was no answer Instead, Smith
collapsed in Sullivan's arms. his lips
lifted to a smile. his blush eyelids
falling like thin curtains over the fixed.
flaming eyes.
Very white ashes on his Shoes he