Evening journal., 1893-09-29
seAkcaINe AFrea raurA.
The tsealization was In Weird Discord to
the Anticipation.

so the people Of the world told her.
She was young and fair, and she
searched for Truth but her frequent |
visits to the well brought no discovery; |
only the reflection of her beautiful face |
in the water.
One night a knock came at her door,
and she sprang up and opened it.
There on the threshold stood a bundle |
Of rags, which moved as if breathing. !
She shuddered as she asked, "Who are
your Then came the answer:
Il am Truth"
Il would see your face" she cried.
"Nay, innocent one, my face is not
fair to look upon, but l am Truth"
The cold wind was blowing and cry
ing, and she closed the door. The Truth
she sought was pure and beautiful, not
loathsome, and with the conviction Of
youth she was satisfied with herself for
having refused this grewsome thing ad-
mittance. From that day, however.
strange visitors knocked at her door.
and each called himself Truth.
First came a gay party of dancers,
whose graceful figures swaying to and
fro captivated her fancy; their musical
voices held her as in their thrall. Their
visit was like delightful dream, and
she asked, pray tell me who you are:'
And they answered, 1--WE are Truth"
So she believed for days; then she real-
lied her mistake. and that they were
not Truth, but pleasure. Again she
went to the well, but there found moth
ing.
A day dawned brightly, and there came
another knock.
On her threshold stood a lovely child
Its hair was garlanded with flowers,
and its garb was spotless white.
When it entered, it was as if a portion
of the pure Light Of the sun had stolen
into the room.
The child's arms were soon intwined
about the neck Of the seeker after Truth.
The odor Of the blossoms intoxicated
her; her heart beat with wild delight; a
tender kiss was stamped on her brow,
and with a gentle whisper, Il am
Truth, the child was gone, and at her
feet buds sblossomed-the room was light
er than it had been for years.
The memory Of that vision remained
with her a long time, but at last it fed,
and then she knew it was Love, not
Truth.
Again she went to the well, yet found
nothing.
Years after another knock came. Her
heart beat fast as the figure of a man en-.
tered. His manner was fattering and
full of grace-his face seemed honest.
She had never felt the influence of 9th
er visitors exerted over her with the pow
er Of this one.
She dared not ask his name, but as h'
left he said, pressing her hand, Il an
Truth"
For years she believed it; then cam'
doubt, and she saw what had been hel
ideal OF Truth was only Policy.
The next visitor was a long bearded
bent old man, whose face was furroweC
and whose hands were palsied.
From his feeble lips came the words
Il am Truth" His stay was short, bu
she remembered that visitor, and of
when the days were drear she saw be
foro her the trembling Ids, the thin
snow white locks, tho csnt form an'
the quivering lips, and .ho believed sh
had found Truth.
But she was growing older now, an,
something told her that Sorrow was no
Truth Then she went to the well, am
it was dry. But there, far down in it
depths, she saw toad. who are you?
she cried, and hollow voice replied
: Il am Tradition" So she turned he
face toward home and knew that tn
whole world lied and was deceived.
That same night came a knock at he
door. She rose slowly and opened il
There stood the strange creature covere
with rags-her first visitor.
What would you? Who are you?"
Then came the answer, Il am Truth.
Il would see your face" she mul
, INJURED.
NAY, experienced one, my face is nc
! fair to see, but 1 am Truth"
"Yet would I see it," she made al
! swer, "for well know 1 now that Trut
is not what we would have it, nor is
! fair"
Then the figure threw off its rag Coz
ering, and before her stood a skeleton.
Now she knew her life search was ent
$ ed and that she had at last found Trutl
Henry Russell Wray in Philadelpht
. | Ledger