Out of the Past — page 51: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

48 Out of the Past. and ridiculous intolerance, your talents and intense affec- tions; all these can be but the product of an unusual union. No mediocrity of persons or conditions had a hand in that. I would be willing to stake my future that you are legitimate. I only wish I could do it and settle the wretched business.” “I recognize you in that,” interrupted Robert; but he failed to recognize Benedict in what followed and stared at him with changing color. “There is another side to this question which cannot be evaded by a serious man, such as you were meant to be, a man who would quaff the best of life before the crystal is shattered. You know yourself to be a custodian for the race of what is best in you, for which you must give an accounting in the course of time—a few score years. You know that though there may be many above you in the grading of men, there is beneath you a horde unworthy a place beside you, low in their instincts, mea- gre in their attainments, who carelessly and wantonly people the earth until the current of life grows brackish with the stagnation which polutes its sources. These creatures propagate. You, and such as you, reserve your forces. You may live at greater ease in life, but at death vou have lost your opportunity. You have forfeited your place among the forces of the universe. You are extinct. ECONMNICOOOKS»E©