Greenbrier independent. [volume] (Lewisburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1980, 1896-12-24
They were silent.


swear the first who comes, no mat
tor whose wife, sister or daughter
she may be, shall without delay or
murmur be- immurcd !"
"Wo swear - whispered the mon.
The sun seemed To mount so rap
idly to the zenith that day, and
many an eye glanced first toward
heaven then into tho distance. Not
word was spoken. The mon 3
hearts trembled.
Manola had long stood with down
cast eyes, brooding darkly. Now
be looked up and tolt his blood con-
geallng. There, through the sun
shine, came u slender form III snow
white ralmont; from her dark hair
there hoatcd n tilmy voil; upon her
shoulder she bore pitcher; within
her hand, basket. Twas Anna,
his young wife.
80 Cod" no prayed, hast thou
wholly forsaken me? Thou hast in
deed punished my arrogance. Ro-
lease me from my oath. | cannot do
this thing. Bid me not sacrifice my
young wife, all that | can call my
own in this strange land, my happi-
ness, my life! Send IA tempest that
she may come no farther"
As he stood upor ;hc scaffold and
prayed ho felt .--@t all eyes were
turned cOldly upon him, and he
knew that he would be made to keep
his oath.
Then the heavens darkened. From
greenish black clouds came peals of
sullen thunder and vivid sheets of
lightning. There was a roaring and
quaking as though tho world was in
its death struggle. a wind arose
that bowed the mightie trees and
stripped them of their foliage. Tho
men knelt and made the sign of the
cross, but the young wife came
calmly on, needing not the tempest.
She saw Manola's figure upon the
scatfold outlined against the black,
lightning streakcd sky, and she has
tened her steps toward him.
20 God - pleaded he, now she
has reached the brook. Cause it to
overflow that she may not GROSS it,"
And see, a rain descends as if the
armament had opened and every
cloud had poured it's contents upon
the earth. Anna came nearer. And
the brook swelled and foamed wild
ly. Not even horse could swim
l.
landscape was hidden by the veil
of rain. Manola clutched a beam
and strove to pierce the vapor with
his eager glance. Then all was still
The sun shone forth, and look Anna
has taken off her shoes, tucked up
her gown and is wading through
the roaring flood. Manola stood mo-
tionless. His lips were white be-
meath his dark mustache, as the mon
who gazed dulnbly up at him could
see.
The young wife was now but q
few steps away, and she nodded and
smiled to him who stood aloft and
in whose dark eyes lay the thought,
Il had rather the stream had swal-
lowed you than you should suffer
this agony" He descended the
scaffold, took from her the basket
and pitcher and chided her laugh
ingly for coming out IN such wild
weather, she whose approaching
motherhood made quiet and comfort
so essential. She noted u faint quiv-
er in his voice and asked if the work
was spoiled again.
Come down and see for yourself
what was ruined overnight. We
are no farther now than we were
yesterday evening"
She went down and viewed with
troubled face the pools of water, the
heaved up earth, the displaced
stones. Meanwhile Manola gave q
signal, and the masons began their
work.
"Oh," said Anna, Il am in the
way here. You must help me, hus,
band, it is 80 high" And blushingly
she extended her hand. He took il
not.
Stay down there a little longer,
sweetheart. You can then see how
quickly tn mon work. Besides, they
have fancy that the glance of your
lovely eyes will make the wall
strong"
The stones had reached her knees.
She looked on smilingly. Now they
were up to her waist.
"Manola," she cried, now you
must lift me, for cannot get out OF
here by myself.
Eyes, my love, when it is time.
Just one more moment"
"Manola! The stones crush me.
Think of our babe, Manola!''
soon, soon it will be finished, -
and with his own hand he laid stone
upon stone and urged the mon to
work faster.
"Manola, my breast hurts me.
Let not them build any more"
But he answered not.
"Manola, let not them cover my
mouth and eyes. am SO frightened.
Manola. where are you? Why don't
you speak? Oh, jest not so cruelty.
1t will cost my life. Manola, Ma.
nola"
Just then they laid the last stone
over the pretty young head. But
the master made them work on and
on. MONDAY was long past, but no
one thought of food. Nnught was
heard save impatient calls for brick
and lime.
Lower SINK tho gill Nnt hioher