The Complete Short Stories. O. Hooper Henry

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

       Table of Contents

      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 welcome me, for they have built their mansion and know it only awaits their coming; that joy and happiness are theirs — love, free from all malice, and beauty in every form.

      They welcome me, because they have built their home on rock and it stands with door open to receive them, and they are not afraid, but rejoice.

      “Others, however, fear me and refuse to look at me, saying, ‘You are ugly! Go away!’ And they shut their ears and refuse to be comforted.

      They are afraid, for they have no mansion to which to go, but are homeless and feel that they are outcasts. Why? Not because of me, but because they have forgotten to prepare their mansion and so are homeless and beggars. They cling to worn-out trumpery, keeping much more from them than they possess.

      Give up this mansion of yours and come and follow me to new fields which are filled to overflowing.”

      Joe still stared too much overcome to reply, when from the chair by the tire a figure arose.

      It was clad in soft clinging garments, with a veil which hid the face, and the voice was deep and harsh, with an undertone of sadness.

      “Wait! Not yet can he give you his answer. He must choose between us.”

      At this Joe turned his eyes toward the new speaker, and seemed to find once again the ability to speak.

      “Who are you?” he asked.

      “Life!” the figure replied. “Life! With all its dreams, its passions, its joys. Life! which has given you all your pain and misery. Life! which has snatched from you all your youth, your joy, and given you only disillusionment!

      Life! which promised you happiness, health, wealth, fame!

      Life! which dances and sings and has no need for tomorrow. Will you stay with me? See! I hold out to you healing herbs that will bring forgetfulness and give you power to go on and achieve what you desire.

      See! I offer you fame!

      You shall be able to sit above others, — to cast them forth, to spit upon them. You shall be lord of the cities. Fairest women shall smile and caress you; men shall sue you for recognition. Will you stay?”

      Joe made a motion of assent.

      There was a moment’s stillness, then, with a laugh which froze his blood, Life said:

      “Again I win, and your beauty and your gifts are spurned, Death! Again I win.”

      Death smiled and said: “I am content. Show him your face!”

      At this command the figure began to unwind from the head the drapery which had enveloped it, and Joe, with staring eyes, looked into a hollow shell, a skeleton!

Sleeping

       Table of Contents

      Gangs

      In suits of gray

      Worked upon the highway

      In a Southern State. Stones

      Were their companions,

      Coarse food

      Their nourishment.

      Cruelty

      Met often with Greed

      And Fear

      Lived with Hatred,

      When Love

      Sought entrance

      On a night

      In June,

      Trying

      All the entrances

      Unavailingly,

      And tiring at last.

      Kindness came

      And whispering

      In Love’s ear Said:

      “Down the road

      You will find open several houses.

      Better go! I will watch here.”

      Love

      Gave thanks,

      And with bounding steps

      Went gayly to the Highway.

      The sun

      Was hot

      And the stones were sharp,

      But the time for rest was near,

      And a little