Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1885-08-06

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/ so strongly that it impaired its own
tint to the whole earth.
long and mysterious procession
wound slowly from one of the gates oil
the distant city on toward the river
There was no noise from the city-it
was far away; nor from the fields-they
were empty. Only the gurgle of the
clear, green water as it was checked
in its flow by some projecting log OF
partly-submerged fallen tree was audi
Bile. The earth seemed baked. The
afternoon sun poured his burning rays
upon the parched, cracking ground,
and as he sunk down behind the line OF
the great desert, in his fiery wrath, he
beheld many an upturned face full OF
pleading and of prayer.
On drew the train. A long line OF
priests in their peculiar dress, march
ing two by two in sullcn gloom and
mystery, to the accompaniment of wild
music. 1t was led by young girl
richly dressed and of perfect Oriental
beauty. But her steps were slow, and
her manner, though noble, indicated
the deepest humility though that
proud head had never bowed TO human
power.
At last the river was reached Its
translucent waters seemed to leap into
rlpples of pleasure here and there at
the prospect of such victim; while an
occasional wave from under the over
shading bushes on the farther side
showed that Father Nile was as greedy
and eager as ever. The solemn train
drew near, then stopped; and during a
few moments of awful silence the maid
en- stood with bowed head and down.
cast eyes. A young priest stepped for
ward from among his companions and
drew near to her. Her long eyelashes
quivered on her cheek as he said:
daughter of Astarte."
AT the sound of his voice she started.
her bosom heaved, and the rich, dark
crimson current flowed into her neck
and checks; but in a moment more she
controlled herself and listened calmly
as the priest said: Daughter of AS
tarte. the Gods are great The frown
OF Osiris is black and heavy. Blessed
be that one by whose mediation we
may again enjoy His smiles. The time
of planting is past long ago, and the
red water has not appeared. Millions
of eyes are watching for the great River
to bring them bread. Their PRAYERS
and sacrifices are all vain. Behold the
face of the water, it is as when the flood
has fallen. 1t reflects the anger of
Osiris. Its tide does not rise. Famine,
with its CHASTITY brethren Plague and
Pestilence, will De upon us ere long. A
mighty prayer must be made; great
sacrifice must be offered. Daughter,
dost thou hear mep"
She bowed her head lower. Her face
was pale then. As the priest proceed
ed his voice trembled and his eyes
grew soft. He paused a moment, strug-
gled with himself, and then repeated:
IA great sacrifice must be made.
Osiris must be appeased. y
Not one among the older ones detect
ell the crisis through which he was
passing. How could they? Their eyes
were not quick, aud they had not cause
to suspect. AS the words were spoken
they had, by approving looks and SOL
cmn glanccs and gestures, expressed
their appreciation!
Finally, after another pause, the IA
The price is dear. but the need is
great; you have heard me; daughter.
do you SUBMIT"
Again she bowed her head in token
of her willingness to meet her fate.
when the sun shall set, he said,
slowly, CHANGING pitifully at that mott
en- globe which was already near the
hor zou.
AT 4 signal The weird music was re-
stunned, aad with loud prayers and cries
the strange procession started slowly
b1ck toward the city.
Use girI seated herself near the edge
II the water aud tried to restrain her
-tancr iru;n ;oInwnr the 1.-THE figure
In" = lest, Mhos e impatient steps
- n,rvVus Iu.ra cVi fenced his mental
excitement. but in vain. and rs her
eyes gloated on him the look of horror
and dread with which she had Just been
regarding the CLASSY str am fa',cd from
them, and their great black depths
grew tender and Overlooking with love.
Softer and softer fell the notes of the
receding music until they became in
audible, and the awful minister of a
faith whose pubic expression was n re-
lentlcss pantheiSm disappeared " thin
the gate of the city.
She strained her eyes to catch one
final glimpse of her lovers firm a. he,
too, passed forever from her sight.
just by her side a lengthoning shad-
ow marked the flight Of her few re-
naming moments. All the passion of
her being was hushed and the fierce
ness of her Oriental love was queled
by the one sentence: OSIRIS must be
dppedSed. "
The moment approached.
From across the level plain came a
swift runner. If she had but turned
her head she would have recognized
would come, when it was his voice that
had sentenced her?
Behind the desert dropped the glow
ing disk of the pitilcss sun. She rose
to her feet and gazcd at the river a mo-
ment, then turned her face upward. 1t
rose full OF yearning for love and life,
and yet of submission to duty and
death.
With straining muscles the young
priest-for it was hebrew on; every
quck-drawn breath prayer for her.
1t was growing dusk; he was almost
there. but she did not hear him, and,
with a despairing cry. lung herself
from the bank and plunged amid the
sulien tide.
a groan of agony escaped her lovers
lips. With u bound he was upon that
bank where but moment before had
stood all that made life dear to him.
As he gazcd in dumb, bewidercd mis-
cry her white face rose above the wave.
She sees him. Their eyes meet! A
white arm is held up aud wild. black
eye answers his every thought and
yearning with full measure of love. Of
promise, then sinks forever.
1t was dark. God-crocodilc was then
as now ever ready for victim.
Miss Midway awoke with start and
gazed about the dusky room. The sun
had set. She turned to the fire. The
priests hand could yet be seen, al
though it was reduced to ashes; at a
sound it crumblcd into Dust. ).
hoe, in Chicago Tribune.
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