The morning call., 1891-01-20
THE STRING OF PEARLS.
ICoNTINUED.

drew her II.
How desola,e it is here" she cried. mo
loving hand aIranges this abode. l am
afraid"
"Do you feel what I suffered? ?" replied
the old man. " l too was young and hand
some and possessed great wealth, but IN
kindness deprived me of everything and
flung me age and want-most bitter aims.
Yet, now that YOU have come, sorrow is at
an end, the hut will become palace, and
every want vanish. Give me the pearls that
were bestowed upon YOU
He stretched out his trembling hand I'M
ploungly.
The pearls?" asked Eva, timidly.
Each one possessed redeemlng power.
SurelyYo have treasured them carefully?'
cried the old man anX9usly.
- 4 loved the sunshine, the birds and the
flowers" she answered, $50 l gave them all
the pearls. The string is empty"
The aged man gazed mournfully at her
Then / must remain old and poor" he
said Each pearl looSed from the string
every morning was day Of your life-and
that lie am l. Did no one tell you that you
belonged to me?'
a never knew you"
Yet was near you, though you did not
see me- Each pearl was a part of me. One
WAS my youth, another my beauty, third
knowledge, perception: everything that
wins men love, esteem and reverence.
Every JOY that blrsSes mortals was contain
el IN those pearls You have flung them
}eedesSly away, given them in exchange
for IDLE sport the tieeting paStimeS Of the
brief days Of youth. Had you carefully
Kept the gins and restrung the loOseued
ones, our hut would have become a fairy
palace, this dPsOlate shore a garden Of Para
disc. Your lie would have been as lovely
as your childhood: Look at me and say
What am nOW?'
Eya's eyes dropped and heavy sigh eS-
-caued her iips. " Let me CO." she said
mourufully. 1t breaks my heart to see
We are bouni together until death
separates Us" answered Life, " and must
Dnth endure the misery you have caused"
Where IS Dcath% murmureG Eva.
" Do you see yorder little dark spot in
the sea, distinctly relieved against the glow
ing sunset clouds? That IS the Isle OF
Death"
q want to 90 there"
" Are you weary OF me?"
have done wrong" cried Eva, $50 let
me- alone. l viii seek Death"
The Old mans eyes sparkled jOycusly as he
said:
We viii row TO the island"
Life pushed the Wondering boat that lay
on the strand into the SEA. Eva entered it,
INTO tire waves.
The skiff moved very slowly. The sun
h"d already set, but the sky was still glow
InS with tlnts Of wondrnus splendor.
The spot toward which the boat was steer
ing gradually became larger and assumed
more distinct outlines. Eva soon perceived
that she was approaching rocky islet, ris-
inE alone out Of tie sea. Cliffs, forming
seui-clrcle. lowered steeply alOft like mae
cessible walls. Within the semi-circle tall
expresses stood solemnly and gloumily. their
leaves scarcely stirred by the evening breeze
The boat drew nearer and stopped at short
- j. "a fans hENHr ~ rfrn
We have reached our goal" said Life
what are you going to dO?'
Beseech Death to part u.s." replied the
girl 1.-The sight Of you is perpetual re-
preach to me. cannot bear It.. Death is
more friendly
Lie covered his face with his emaciated
hands.
Eva left the boat and entered the Isle of
Death. Everything was still and silent,
she heard no sound save the throbbing of
her own heart. She walked on along a rocky
path until she reached grated door, which
barred the entrance to dark ravne lead
ing into the heart of the cliffs. Eva shook
the iron ratings violently. The gate re-
III ined cl nSed.
"DeaGg' she called, Il am seeking you,
let me in!"
No response was heard. silence brooded
over the island, and again Eva shook the
gate, TINS time more violently than before.
Sow voice rose from the gulf below, say
ing;
10 not open Inc portal OF Death. Back!'
Il have lost my youth" cried Eva. MY
life Is JoyleSs. Thou canSt relieve all sOr-
COW. With thee alone can find happi-
ness"
A peal of wild laughter rang through the
air.
- Is Life hooking meP" asked Eva.
Docs he eayy me deliyerance from want
and weep"
Then she called loudly: open, thou dark
portal, and admit me-"
Again tho yoirp roSe-
DO you know Death? Have you courage
10 look him in the face?"
Il defy Life. Death does not terrify me-"
a fierce blast of wind swept through the
tops OF the cypress trees, black clouds COW
cred Sho sky, aud, with a loud crash, the
gate new open. a gloomy figure emerged
from the cavern. Come she said that
may. guide you to Death. l am Despair,
without me you will not find him.
Eva felt the figure seize her with resistIess
power and seek to drag her away. An lev
emil ran through every limb. sfNot vet.
not yet, she pleaded.
"Ion are niue, Gomez
Grant NE but one moment more the last
glow OF sunset has not yet vanished. How
beautiful the world wasvV
Are you trembling?'
Grant me one wish, let me hid life fare
well; then will follow willngly''
Despair slowly loosed her clutch, and Eva
hurri, down the rocky poth
Tie old man was sitting, bowed with
l2nguidiy by his side, and his haggard feat
ureS expressed utter hopelesSneSs. mex
pressible compassion filled Eya's heart as
she gazed at him She strove to speak, but
her voice failed.
is il you ?" asked Life. What do you
want OF miserable wretch like me?"
Forgive me, OIL forgive met" sobbed
Eva.
What do you care for my pardon p" an
swered Life. -" You will not need it with
Death. Death is nothingness."
linen a vague terror seized upon Eva shud-
dering, she fell upon her knees and en-
ing beseechngly:
Save me from Despair she will drag mo
to the Terrible One. Forgive, forgive mel
take me with you. l will serve you As
faithfully as can, will try to find the
pearls | recklcssly gave away. Only for
give me, forgive me for having wounded
you"
The old man stopped and kissed her on
the forehead.
''Ycu wished to die for my SAKE now you
will live for NE" he said. - You have lost
your youth forever, irrevocably; tine days of
childhood have slipped away with the
pearls, and will never return; search is
futile. But, if you dread the poverty that
awaits US, there is still time--the portal of
Death is open"
Il will stay with you." said Eva. "Let
me share your, poverty, grief and care. l
will love you"
Then Lies features changed. His ewes
sparkled with the light of youth, the
wrinkles vanished, thick waving locks COW
ere1 his head, his bent figure assumed the
aspect of vigorous manhood.
Now. for the first time / am wholly
yours" he cried; since you love me, YOU
have perceived my worth. 1t is fortunate
for you that you did not 60 with Despair,
for many days and years are before us, as
numerous as the pearls clustered on the
necklace you once possessed. Each day
must be TO us a treasure in which to create
good and beautiful things, prepare Joy for
the human beings who dwell with u.s."
The boat put back again to the strand.
The Isle OF Death grew smaller and smaller,
till at last It resembled a mere speck, and
even that vanished in the sea.
When the skiff touched the land Eva saw
brioht-hued flowers deuse-foliaged trees