The citizen-Republican. (Scotland, Bon Homme County, S.D.) 1???-19??, 1917-01-18
PROLOGUE (continued1.

He came back to the desk and stared
at he glass.
Tsp"
He was SO subject to his own
thoughts that he did not ear the street
door open behind him. Not even the
Swish OF q woman's evening gown came
into his consciousness. Sullivan, leaving
him staring at h glass, went to meet
ner. She was young, scarcely more than
~, and tall n slender. She wore in
her black hair a red rose, and her
opera cloak, falling slightly way from
ner shoulders, showed her columnltke
neck. AS h stood, graceful even in
her stiffness, awaiting Sullivan's ap-
proach, her welcoming smile illurnined
the grave beauty Of her face. She seem
ed to -sense h tragedy.
lis there anything very wrong" she
asked in a whisper.
She Vas all loneliness and fragrance
n -graciouSness.
He's pretty sick, Miss Edith the
Die man whispered back. But don't
you worry"
Help him. can't you?" she ques-
toned, and, seeing Sullivan's nod, add
ed: Il came to see the matron. You
Know. I'm going to Washington tomor-
row, and"
Smith. pointing once more at the
glass, had begun to speak:
Its my enemy!" his voice doomed
forth. ITS 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 100000 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, n held it far
from him in his left hand. Without
taking his eyes from 1t, he put the
heavy grip of his right hand on Sulli-
van shoulder.
"Ah, man! he entreated. "Look at 1t!
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 a
woman. She's a pretty woman. All,
watch! She's laughing. They're going
out through hat door-and the laugh
ter freezes on her lips! Out into the
long, dark corridor that leads to no.
where-forever! And in that 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
1 = Ia llld SO11SISSS " 0leEIdl 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!" job Smith was say
ing. Hes 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
hear that door slam? The young mans
gone-gone! I heard one like him
scream, up there on the edges Of eter-
nifty"
His voice shrilled:
Look how he Notwithstanding the
backs Of men, breaking the hearts of
women stealing away the laughter of
children. Look at him-all ghoulish
eyes. His mouths a grinning 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
Emotions played with him as high
winds thresh the trees in November. All
his old terror beat upon him.
I'm afraid Of him!" he shrieked, the
sound bringing a half-stifled cry from
the girl at the doc
His hands drew and the
glass dropped, u%nbroken, to the floor.
He looked at Sullivan, the torches Of
terror relit in his eyes, and whispered
hoarsely:
odd man, that's what I'm afraid of.
I'm afraid of him!"
On the end of that confession one
great sob shook him, II he screamed,
clasped his left hand to his shoulder:
He's got mel" he lamented. Nv fled
for 1000 years-and-he's got mel"
He stood, weak and uncertain on his
feet, and wept, the tears flowing un-
needed down his sunken 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.
What's 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.
Obi" h 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 i%nvoluntarily.
AAtt a " NSSPSA Il u SSOOO
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 and tell me exactly where
he's standing-exactIy. You can tell
him by the ashes on his shoes
The girl, putting a hand on his shout
der, leaned forward and tried to engage
with her glance his ~unwayering gaze.
Who are you?" h 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 a pressure on his
shoulder: Tell us. We want to help
you. What's your Nance"
There was no answer. Instead, Smith
| collapsed in Snllivan's arms. his lips
lifted to a smile, his blush eyelids
falling like iii curtains owe the fixed,
flaming eyes.
Very white ashes on his shoes" he