Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-10-14

About this time, too. the excitement and
distress Of Uflanda was visibly increased,
Tor on the same day, and utterly unknown
70 the other, Andreia and Mirca had each
declared his passionate love for her.
The young girl questioned her heart but
sne loved each too well to be capa BILE of
rendering the other unhappy; indeed, her
ton between them
She refrained from speaking to Dame Rox-
ana, not wishing to cause her pain. but she
mad the insufferable grief of remarking
now ually the brothers grew more estrang
ed from each other, and that they were less
anectionate. At times even they exchanged
angry words. thing hitherto unknown be-
tween them.
At length one day Dame Roxana, calling
the three young folks to her. spoke to her
sons in this wise
Too long. alas,-too long already. my
children. have been a silent witness Of the
painful struggle within your breasts.
One of you must make a cruel sacrifice
and so insure the happiness of his brother"
Yes, one Of us must withdraw himself
from this worldr' said Mrca
In heavens name" said orlando. IT be-
seech you let there be no quarrel no strife
for me-"
'oh. no." said ANDREA; .that shall not
free will"
"Oh. impious children" cried Dame Rox-
ana; have 1 then brought into the world
Il
trained and instructed them that they have
not strength to support this their first great
trouble! orlando, before tomorrow's dawn
each must arm himself with true courage
and strength of purpose"
On this they all separated
ANDREA, however, entered the forest and
took the path which led to Lespedi
There, kneeling in the little church among
the rocks, he prayed IN this wise
My God, give me couragei Thou know
est my heart Let me not sin against my
self nor against the mother who bore me nor
against the woman whom I lovei But IL
she hath no love for me, then grant. Holy
God, that I may become stone, and so lose
all sense of feeling and sufferingr'
By another route Mirca had also gained
the church, and knelt before the altar and
had offered up the same hard prayer
The young men gazed into each others
faces with anguish and then returned
silently and by separate ways to their once
| happy home. each one being persuaded
| that he was ready to sacrifice himself for
| the others happiness
When the following day arrtved-the fatal
as the veil which covered her hair-now. for
| the first time, streaked with gray. The two
brothers were as mournful and depressed
as IL they were being prepared for the scat
| fold.
Urlanda alone wore a beaming smile on
her face when she Joined them Her whole
| person seemed to shine with a kind Of
TRANSPORTATION, which made her almost su-
grown taller, too.
In a low, sweet voice. she called TO them:
Come out with me. my loved ones: II IL
under the roof Of Gods heaven that my de-
cision must be pronounced"
She walked along before them as II car
| ried by the wind.
Her hands had grown wax like and trans.
parent, her uplifted eyes were full Of tears
| 1t was only when on the edge of q fright.
| full precipice that she arrested her foot.
| steps, and, kneeling before Dame Roxana
said:
"Bless me. mother"
Dame Roxana's trembling hands vert
placed on the girls beautiful head, while
solemnly she gave her her blessing.
And now" said Crlanda, in a calm. clear
voice, listen to me. my brothers. I love
ly than myself. more than my life. 80 tina,
/ cannot give myself to either one of you
but whichever rescues me from this abyss
he shall be my husband"
Before a hand could be stretched out &c
save her she sprang like bird over the
crest OF the rock into the immeasurabls
depth below, but, oh, miracle, in failins
she was changed into a foaming cascade
which sparkled In the air like the veil Of q
bride.
The two brothers were about to precipi.
tate themselves after her. but were unable
to do so. for their feet were turned into
their hearts became stone. and SO they re-
manned straight and erect before high
heaven.
The unhappy mother flung up her arms
crying:
"Oh, God! Hast thou no pityf To leave
me alone to live, alone to die?"
She fell to the ground, stretching out hei
arms to embrace her children, and as she
fell she gradually changed to that soft
moss with which the rocks are covered.
These are all still to be seen now-ths
wild, turbulent Urlatora, the sons waiting
for sacrifice; the two Upland their ten.
der. loving mother inseparable from then
and carefully protecting them.