The McCook tribune. (McCook, Neb.) 1886-1936, 1893-06-30
CHAPTER XIV.

CHAPTER XIV.
Unorna struggled for a moment.
The Wanderer did not understand, but
loosed his arms, so that she was free.
She rose to her feet and stood before
him.
you have dreamed all this" she
said. Il am not Beatrice"
dreamed? Not Beatrice?" she
heard him cry in his bewilderment.
Something more he said. but she
could not catch the words. She was
already gone, through the labyrinth
of the many plants to the door
through which II hours earlier she
had led from Israel Kafka. She ran
the faster as sh. left him the farther
behind. She passed the entrance and
The passage and the vestibule beyond,
not thinking whittier she vas going,
or not caring. She found herself in
that large, w~ell-lighted room in which
the ancient sleeper lay alone. Per-
haps her instinct led her there as to a
retreat safer even than her own
chamber. She knew that if she would,
there was something there which she
could use.
She stared at the old mans face
with wide. despairing eyes. Many a
time, unknown to Keyork and once to
his knowledge. she had reused the
sleeper to speak, and on the whole he
had spoken truly, wisely and well.
She lacked neither the less courage to
die, nor the greater to live. She longed
but to hear one honest word, not of
hope, but of encouragement, but one
word in contrast to those hideous
whispered promptings that had come
to her in Keyork Arabian's voice.
How could she trust herself alone?
Her evil deeds were many-so many
that, although she had turned at last
againt them, she could not tell where
to strike.
IF you would only tell me!' she
cried, leaning over the unconscious
head. IF you would only help me.
You are so old that you must be wise,
and if SO very wise, then you are good!
Wake. but this once, and tell me what
is rjght!!'
The deep eyes opened and looked
up TO hers. The great limbs stirred,
the bony hands unclasped. There
was something awe-inspiring in the
ancient strength renewed and filled
with Il new life.
Who calls meP" asked the clear.
deep voice.
Il, UnOrna-"
What do you ask Of me?"
He had risen from his couch and
stood before her, towering far above
her head. Even the Wanderer would
have seemed of but common stature
beside this man of other years, of a
forgotten generation, who now stood
erect filed with a mysterious youth.
Tell me what I should do"
Tell me what you have done"
Then in one great confession, with
bowed head and folded hands, she
poured out the story of her life.
And | an lost" she cried at last.
lone holds my soul and n my heart!
May not my body die? Oh. say that
it is right-that l may die"
Idle? Die-when you may yet
undo?n
s'Undo?"
Undo and do. Undo the wrong
and do the right"
II cannot. The wrong is past I'M
doing-and l am past doing right"
.'Do you blaspheme-go! Do it,"
WHAT"
Call her-that other woman
Beatrice. Bring her to him, and him
to her."
ssAnd see them meet?"
MAY l not die? she cried, despair
ingly. May l not die-for him-fo1
her, for both? Would that not be
enough? Would they not meet? Would
they not then be free?"
do you love him still?"
with all my broken heart
Then do not leave his happiness
to chance alone, but go at once. There
is one little act of heavens work still
in your power. Make it all yours"
His great hands rested on he1
shoulders and his eyes looked down to
hers.
us it so bitter to do right?:" he
asked.
1T is very bitter" she answe red
Very slowly she turned, and as she
moved. he went beside her. gently
urging her and seeming to support her.
Slowly, through vestibule and passage,
they went on and entered together the
great hall of the flowers. The Wan
derer was there. alone.
He uttered a short cry and sprang
to meet her, but stepped back in awe
of the great, white-robed figure that
lowered by her side.
..Beatricer" he cried, as they
passed.
II am not Beatrice" she answered,
her downcast eyes not raised to look
at him, moving still forward under
the gentle guidance Of the giants
hand. .
mot Beatrice-n0-you are not
she-you are Unorna! Have I dreamed
all this?"
She had naSsed him now and Still