Emma Frances Dawson

“ PROLOGUE.
"Alcohol is for the brutish body, opium for the divine spirit," said Tong-ko-lin-sing,'as he lighted the lamp. "The bliss from wine grows and wanes as the body has its time of growth and loss, but that from opium stays at one height, as the soul knows no youth nor age." He brought the jar of black paste, rounded up by layer on layer of poppy petals. "Opium soothes, collects, is the friend alike of rich or poor. It has power to prove to the sinner that his soul is pure, and make the unhappy forget ”

“ Nothing could have better set off Elinor’s golden hair and fresh daisy-bloom than the soft laces and black velvet she had so often worn beside me at concert or play. I could almost see her again with me at the thought. I drew a deep sigh. “Where is Si-ki?” I cried, mak- ing a vain clutch at Tong-ko-lin-sing’s sleeve. But the others had turned back for me, and my Chinese teacher’s jacket and cap of black astrakhan fur soon melted into the darkness of some too near alley. ”

“ I gasped, hardly able to get on my feet, for a sinking at my heart seemed to root me to my chair. “Poor fellow!” he said to himself in pity. “He has lost his wits! See, my boy,” he said to me, rising and walking toward her. “Emp- ty space, all empty space.”
He swung his arms about him, but she moved swiftly toward me, still with the same air of warning me, then paused and spread her arms as if to keep us apart.
“Elinor! What is it? Speak!” I cried, rush- ing. toward her.
But Brande caught me in his arms, and by main force bore me to a chair in spite of my struggles and prayers. ”