Springfield globe-republic. (Springfield, Ohio) 1884-1887, 1885-07-19

with awe, for she could not but know
from its majestic flow and from the
scene that stretched away that she was
looking upon that wondrous stream
whose unknown fountains. whose rise
and fail, and whose mysteries are still
rs vague, rs fascinating. and rs awe
inspiring rs the secrets of the birth of
Time itself.
Between low. Hat banks whose grad
ual slope bent away till it touched the
sky in II monotonous horizon. flowed
the mighty current. Its course across
the desert sands was rs far as the eve
could follow it. marked by rows of
palms, rising above the low growth Of
rank, tropical vegetation. In the dis
tancc cleaned the many towers and
brazcn gates of vast metropolis; while
far beyond, southwark. rose thin
necdle-likc shaft out of the barren sand.
Over the whole bent u hard, concavc
sky, from which the glare was reflected
so strongly that it impaired its own
tint to the whole earth.
A long aud mysterious procession
wound slowly from one OF the gates of
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 gurglc of the
clear, green water as it was checked
in its flow by some projecting log or
partly-submerged fallen tree was audi
bic. 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 sullen 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
rippies 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 Astartc."
At the sound OF his voice she started,
her bosom heaved, and the rich, dark
crimson current flowed into her neck
and cheeks; but in a moment more she
controlled herself and listened calmly
rs the priest said: daughter of As
.arte, the Gods are great The frown |
)t Osiris is black and heavy. Blessed |
De that one by whose mediation we |
nay again enjoy His smiles. The time
'f planting is past long ago, and the
ed water has not appeared. Millions |
If eyes are watching for the great River
% bring them bread. Their PRAYERS |
md sacrifices are all vain. Behold the !
ace of the water, it is as when the flood |
las fallen. 1t reflects the anger of
Osiris. Its tide does not rise Famine,
y
'cstlIen6t, viii be upon us ere long. A
mighty prayer must be made; great
acrhice must be offered. Daughter,
lost thou hear me?'
She bowed her head lower. Her face
vas pale then. As the priest proceed
ID his voice tremblcd and his eyes
rev soft. He paused a moment, strug-
yled with himself, and then repeated: |
"A great sacrifice must be made.
)sirls must be appeased.
Not one among the older ones detect |
I'd the crisis through which he was
passing. How could theyp Their eyes
we're not quick, and they had not cause
10 suspect. As the words We're spoken
they had, by approving looks and SOL
emn glances and gestures, expressed
their appreciation!
Finally, after another pause, the ia
yoritc of the old men conciuded:
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,h he said,
slowly, glancing pitifully at that molt-
en- globe which was already near the
horizon.
AT signal the weird music was re-
sumed, and with loud prayers and cries
the strange procession started slowly
back toward the city.
The girl seated herself near the edge
of the water and tried to restrain her
glance from following the 1.-the figure
Of the priest, whose impatient steps
and nervous micn evidenced his mental
excitement, but in vain, and as her
eyes gloated on him the look of horror
and dread with which she had Just been
regarding the CLASSY stream faded from
them, and their great black depths
grew tender and oyerilowing with love.
Softer and softer fell the notes of the
receding music until they became in
audible, and the awful minister Of q
faith whose public expression was re-
lentless pantheism disappeared within
the gate Of the city.
She strained her eyes to catch one
final glimpse of her lovers form as he,
too, passed forever from her sight.
just by her side a lengthening shad-
ow marked the flight Of her few re-
naming moments. All tho passion of
her being was hushed and the fierce
ness of her Oriental love was quelled
by the one sentences: OSIRIS must be
appeased, "
The moment approached.
From across the level plain came
swift runner II she had but turned
her head she would have recognized
him. But how could she know he
would come, when it was his voice that
had sentenced her?
Behind the desert dropped the glow
ing disk of the pitiless sun. She rose