The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1898-04-04


as there no other way?" Aziel asked
him, hoarsely.
None. | swear it. They did not wish
to kill her, except that wildcat Mesa,
who seeks her place; but. having put
her on trial. if you persist, they must.
because this is one of the laws that
cannot be broken for favor or for gold.
Perhaps we might have found some
other plan, but none of us dreamed
that you would refuse so small a thing
for the sake of a wOmanE whom you
swore you loved Remember this offer
ing of incense is but form TO which
you are forced against your will: you
can do penance FOR 1t afterward, when
l have arranged for both of you to
escape the city. If your God can be
angry with you for burning a pinch of
dust TO save a woman. who at the least
has dared much for you. then give me
Baal for he is less cruel"
Now Aziel looked toward him who
held the bowl of incense. when ELISA,
who all this while had stood silent,
stepped forward and spoke.
Prince ARIEL" she said, in calm
and quiet voice, Il named you husband
to save your life. but with all my
strength ! pray of you. do not do this
thing to save mine. which is of little
value and. perhaps, best ended. Re-
member, Prince Aziel, that, being what
YOU are, a Jew. this act Of Offering
however small il seems, is yet the
greatest of sins. and one with which
you should not dare To stain your soul
for the sake of 4 woman who has
CHANGED to love you, to your sorrow.
Be guided. therefore. by the true wis
oom OF Issachar and by MY humble
prayer. Make an end of your doubts
and let me die, knowing that we do
but part awhile, since in the gates of
death 1 shall wait for you, Prince
Aziel.''
BEFORE Aziel could answer, the Shadid,
either because his patience was out
worn, or because he wished to put him
to sharper trial. uttered a command.
Thereupon four priests seized ELISA by
the priests and ankles. and carrying
her to the edge of the precipice. thrust
her back till she hung over il, her long
hair streaming on the wind. and her
white. CHASTITY face turned upward to
the sky. Then they paused. waiting
for the signal to let her go. The Shadid
raised his wand and said:
rs 1t your pleasure that this woman
should die or live. Prince AzieI? De-
eide swiftly, for my arm is weak. and
when the wand falls, opportunity will
have passed from you"
Now all eyes were fixed upon the
wand, and the intense silence was
DANhcH oiiiy ny saxon CRY OF despair.
Metem wrung his hands in grief, Is
sachar yelled his eyes with his robe to
smut out the sight of dread. and the
priest, with the bowl of incense, thrust
it toward Aziel imploringly.
For some seconds. three perhaps.
though to him it seemed an age. the
heart of Aziel was racked and torn in
this terrific contest; then he glanced
at the agOnized face of the doomed
woman, and just as the wand began
to bend, his human love and pity con-
Quered.
May he whom 1 blaspheme forgive
me-" he murmured: then added aloud.
Il will do sacrifice" and. taking the in
cense he cast it into the flames on the
altar repeating after the Shadid: "By
this act I give myself to you and wor-
shin YOU, FL and Baaltis, the only true
gods"
The echo of Aziels voice died away
and the fumes of the incense rose in a
dense column in the quiet air To his
tormented mind 1t seemed as though
the smoke of it took the form of an
avenging angel holding in its hand a
sword of flame, wherewith to drive
away his periured soul from heaven.
as our first forefathers were driven
from the gates of Paradise.
CTo be Continued Next Monday.)