were in a forsaken village — having lost your way and wandered there — and without food. Little by little your strength left you, and you lay down under a tree, with all hope abandoned. A rustle in the dead grass aroused you, and presently a tiny, mangy dog crept up and licked your hand.
The relief from the loneliness was so great that you foolishly took the cur in your arms.”
“Foolishly!” I exclaimed.
“Yes, foolishly; for that was the beginning of your loss of power. True, the animal led you out to safety and warmth, eventually. But what a seed was sown!
Where before the harvest was well-nigh perfect, it now had the weeds of Pity and Gratitude So do the mighty fall!
That was a fatal sowing and reaping for you, for it even affected your view of men. You commenced to see in them bits of character before unseen. Such useless things as Consideration, Love and Pity!
Your habits, too, were affected by this poisonous weed. Where before you had been perfect in all ways vile, you now commenced to give up some of the most brilliant jewels — betrayal of women — the excitement and joy of perfect and exhilarating wines. Why! you even went so low as to prefer sparkling waters from Nature’s sources.”
Holding my jeweled goblet high, I laughed and said: “To what depths can man sink!”
“Ah! I rejoice to see you agree with me. It is well’ We shall succeed together admirably, I feel sure,” he made answer.
Then, drawing closer to me, “Now to our desires and agreement.”
“By all means,” I replied. “I am eager to hear your plan. For, certainly, if this domain is part of the reward, it interests me.”
“Good! That is better,” he replied.
“When you first left our abode and joined with others, who had contrary beliefs, we felt it was final — but as we watched and studied your soul — for you know, of course, souls are clearly visible to us — and saw there was within it, still, the desire to con tinue as one of us, I was given the task of keeping alive that seed, and adding to its force, so that in time a bountiful harvest might repay us.
We feel that time has arrived.
As I told you, this palace, with all it contains, its vault of priceless gems — such as are on your goblet, these fair women, and hundreds like them, are yours. Any honor you feel you desire shall be granted, and you shall be the lord of whatsoever you desire to possess.”
At this I glanced around the hall. Looked at the smiling faces — slender, voluptuous forms — at the sparkling gems — at the vista which was spread before me through the open windows — and then I mused upon what I could possess in addition — all honors whatsoever I desired. Coming back, finally, to a study of His Majesty’s face, I found his eyes fixed upon me.
“Will You accept?” he asked.
“That is a little mystery, too, of yours, is it not? You ask if I will accept all that counts in the world, but you have not yet told me what I am to do for it all. Tell me that side of the mystery/’ I replied.
“Only a simple thing!
Renew your association with us and take the leadership of the band which is ready to go forth and sow broadcast the seeds which are so much craved by the world. The seeds of Hate, of Malice, of Licentiousness, of Cruelty.
Helps us to rid the world of gay-etv which is simple and wholesome. Help us to give them a greater excitement. Let us arouse the idea of limiting within their breasts — but children for game — not birds, which are only beautiful and give song, that would be tame sport!
Take the lead and aid us to sow Revenge broadcast/’
“Is that all?” I queried.
“All for the present,” he answered. “Later, new things can be brought to successful issue, if you desire. But that wall satisfy our Brotherhood for the present.”
“Let us drink to our unity,” he said, raising high his glass and look ing with flashing eyes into mine.
I rose to my feet, goblet high.
“To our Brotherhood!” I shouted; “May it be annihilated forever!”
The Contest
Yucatan — Time: Midnight LIFE met Death in the room of Joe, who lay on a bed in the corner, with a pain-racked body.
Suspense as to the visitant made him almost unconscious, yet thoroughly cognizant. It was as if some part of his brain stopped, while the rest leaped away from the body — then, with a whirl which made him reel, leaped back again.
Gazing at him from a chair which stood in front of the fire was a softly clad woman. In her hands was myrtle and thyme, which made mysterious shadows upon the wall.
His humble room seemed decorated by a master hand. Each individual article took on a luster hitherto unknown.
With a movement, however, his eyes were brought back to the door, through which a figure slowly entered. It was radiant with a light which dazzled. Entering slowly, it stopped at the foot of his bed and said, in a voice sweeter than any music ever heard.
“I am Death! Will you come with me to a Summerland where there is only joy, and pain is unknown?”
“Death!” he gasped. “You, Death! But you do not look as I thought Death did! You are beautiful!”
“Yes,” replied the figure, “I am the most beautiful of all, except one, but my gifts are more beautiful than all.
I bring surcease from trials, freedom from pain, shelter from all storms and peace.
I, — who am so much feared by mankind, — have only joy and happiness.
Make ready and come with me!
I promise you all you have ever longed for — sunshine, flowers and beauty.”
Keeping his eyes riveted on the figure, Joe sat erect and said:
“How am I to know you are not fooling me? You don’t look like Death. I don’t believe you!”
The figure smiled.
“That is not unusual,” it replied, “for men have a false idea of me. They think I am old and hideous and take from them all they hold dear.
They do not know I give them all they have earned and bring them the solace of retrieving all past errors.
I give them the opportunity of seeing how and why they failed.
I watch their silly strivings for wealth, their many useless mansions, their hates and loves — which are only envy in fancy dress — knowing the time will come when they will be obliged to open the door to me.
Some
