Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1884-1886, 1885-08-26

C.auCes
Or was this the hand Of some stern war
rior priest or that Of the superb SON OF some
mighty Pharoah. hand that humber man
were proud TO kiss fr awe and Fevsrenesa
Some woman's loving lips perhaps o, hor.
shrank back. and tie hand, rolling from hsr
lap across the open book. fell amid the smol.
dering Goals!
In stupor she heard cracking sound
and dimiy saw little Jets OF dense, blus
smoke shoot out from under and around the
horrible object, bat the room WAS 50
filed with the bswildering, over
power.ng odor Of burning bitumen
dim thought was coiored and tinxsd BY the
mystery, fascination AMI passion Of the
Orient The ru,tling OF tho breeze sounded
past life. in some more elevated sphere, not
70 be remembered nor wholly forXorsen- It,
whispered secrets were audible and almost
streams Of sunshine suddenly grew d arker:
with long. sweeping anss Of dim regret
she lapsed into shadow-land
A sense Of rapid, easy transition in her
mind was finally broken by returning con-
sciousnesx Like one awakening from a
long dream, the could not tell where the un-
real ended and the real began
She found herself sitting by a river, tie
very sight Of which thrilled her with awe,
fer she could not but know from its majestic
dow and from the scene that stretched away
that she was looking upon that wondrous
stream whose unknown fountains, whose
rise and fall, and whose mysterie, are It'll
as vag ne, as fascinating, and as awe-inspir-
ing as the secrets Of the birth Of time itself.
Between low, fat banks whose gradual
slope bent awny till it touched tbs sky in a
monotonou, horizon, howei the mighty cur
rent Its course across the desert sands
was as far a. the eye could follow
It, marked by rows Of palms, ris
ing above the low growth Of rank,
tropical vegetation. In the distance cleaned
the many towers and brasen gates Of a vast
metropolis; while far beyond, south ward,
roe thin, needie-hke shaft out OF the bar.
rem sand Over the whole bent hard, con-
SO strongly that it impaired its own tint to
A long and mysterious procession wound
city on toward the river. There was
away; nor from the ields-they were
empty. Only tho gurgls Of the clear,
green water as it was checked in its
fiow by some projecting log or partly sub
merged fallen tree was audible The earth
seemed baked. The afternoon sun poured
his burning rays upon the parched, cracking
ground. and as hs sunk down behind the
line Of the great DESERT in his ferry wrath.
he beAeld many an upturned face full o
pleading and Of prayer.
On drew the train. A long line Of priest
in their peculiar dress. marching two by two
in suilen gloom and mystery. to the &c
compartment Of wild music 1t was led b.
young girl richly dressed and of per.ec
Oriental beauty. But her step was SOW
and her manner. though noble. indicated thu
deepest huniility-though that proud head
had never bowed to human power.
At Ia the river was reached. Its trans
lucent waters see med to leap into ripples oil
pleasure here and there at the prospect Of
such a victim; while an occasional wave
from under the overshado wing bushes or
tie farther side showed that Father Nile wa
as greedy and eager as ever. The solemn
train drew near thea stopped; AMI during a
few moments Of awful silence the nader
stood with bowed head and downcast eyes
A young priest stepped forward from
among his companions and drew near Il
her. Her long eyelashes quivered on bel
cheek as he said:
Daughter of Astarte,
At the sound of his voice she started, hel
bosom heaved, and the rich, dark crimson
current flowed into her neck AMI cheeks
Tut in moment. more she controlled her
self and listened calmly as the priest said
Daughter Of Astarte, the gods are great.
The frown of Osiris is black and heavy
B,es-ei oe that one by whose insulation We
may again enjoy his smilei Tbs tims OF
planting is passsi long ago, and the red
water has not appeared Millions OF eye
are watching for the great river to bring
them bread. Their prayers and sacrifice:
are all vain. Behold the face of the water
it is as when the food has fallen 1t reflect
the anger OF Osiris. It's tide does not rise
Famine. with IL CHASTITY brethren plague
and pestilence will be upon Us ere long
A mighty prayer must be made; grea
sacrifice must be offered. Daughter, dos
tn on hear meP
She bowed her head lower Her face wa
pale then As the priest proceeded his voic'
trembled and his eyes grew soft He iau &c
a moment, struggled with himself, and thor
repeated: "A great sacrific must be made
Osiris must he appsasei.'
Not one among the older enc; detec'r' tn
crisis through which be was passing. HoV
could they! Their eyes were not quick. and
they had not eau to suspect. As tie word
were spoken they had. by approving Look
and solemn glances and gesture. expre-s,l
tier appreciation.
Finally after another pause, the favo-.t'
OF the oil men concluded:
@T5e price is dear, hui the need is great
you have haari me; daughter. do you sub
mits'
Again she bowed hsr heal in token o: hsr
willilsness to meet her fate.
aWhsn the sun shall Set he said, slowly,
CHANGING pitifully at that motion glob'
which was already near the horizon.
At a signal the weird must: was reSum,i.
AMI with loud prayers and criei the strange
procession startel slowly back toward the
city.
The girl seated herself near the edge o.
| the water and tried to restrain her glanc;
| from following tne 1.-the figure of the PRIEST
whose impatient step AMI nervous mier
evidenced his mental excitement bu
in vain. and rs her eyes g!oI.i on
him the Look Of horror aud dreal witt
which she had just been regar ling tn
CLASSY stream faded from them. and thei
great black depths grew tender and over
| flowing with love. Softer AMI softer fell tn
note. of the receding music until they he
| came inauiibie, and the awful minister Of !
faith whose public expression was a relent
less panthei IN disappeared within the gat
| Of the city.
She strained her ewes 70 catch one fina
forever from her sight
Just by her side frightening SHADOW
marked the flight OF Fer few remainin.
moments All the passion OF her being wa
! hushei and the ferceness Of her Orienta
love was Quelle1 by the one sentence: Osirt
must be app asedL'
The moment approached
From across the leve. plain came q swift
| runner II she had but turned her head shs
| wouii have recosuiz,i him But hoy
could she know he woull come. when 1t Wa
his voice that had SENTENCED herr
Behind the desert droppsi the GOWN.
disk of the pitiiess sun She rose 70 bel
feet AMI gazed a: tho rFer a moment ther
turned her face upward 1t rose full o
yearninS for love ami lie. and We; OF sub
mission Of duty ami death
With strainin, muscles the young priest
for it was hs-irew on: every qIick-drawl
breath q pr aver for her.
1t was CROWN; dusk: he was aim Ds
I-..S =. a a -. - 4,