Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-04-02

near. spoke In a low voice
Prince, ~ he said, Il am not chicken
hearted and there are so many young
women in the world that one more or less
! can scarcely matter: STILL although she
threatened to murder me three days ago, 1
| cannot bear to see this one come to such
| an end. Prince, do not heed the howlings
| Of that old fanatic, but remember. that
after all you are the cause of this lady's
! plight, and be man. Can you for the
sake of your own scrup!es, however
| worthy, doom a woman to such an end?"
! and he nodded toward the precIpice and
! shuddered.
| 'Is there no other way?' Aziel asked
| him. hoarseiy.
'None. I swear it. They did not wish to
| kill her, except that wildcat Mesa who
| seeks her place, but having put her on her
! 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 thing for the sake of a woman
whom you swore You loved. Remember
| this offering Of incense is but form to
| which you are forced against your will
you can do penance for it afterward. when
! l have arranged for both of you to escape
| the city. If your God can be angry with
| you FOR burning pinch of dust to save
| 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 for
ward and spoke.
prince AZiel" she said in calm and
quiet voice, Il named you husband to save
your life. but with all my strength I pray
of yon do not this thing to save mine
Which Is OF little value and perhaps best
ended. Remember, Prince Aziel, that be-
ing what you are. a Jew, this act of offer
ing, however small it seems. is vet the
greatest of sins, and one with which you
should rot dare to stain your soul for the
sake OF a woman who has CHANGED to love
you to your sorrow. Be guided. therefore,
by the true wisdom of Issachar, and by
my humble prayer. Make an end of your
do but part while, since in the gates of
death shall wait for you, Prince AzieI"
Before Aziel could answer the Shadid
either because his patience was worn or
because he wished to put him to a sharper
trial. uttered command. Thereupon four
priests seized ELISA by the wrists and
ankles, and. CARRYING her to the edge of
hung over it. her long hair streaming on
the wind. and her white and 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: .
+ IT'S It your pleasure that this woman
should die or live. Prince Aziel? Decide
| swiftly. for my arm is weaktAnd when the
wand falls opportunity will have passed
| from you"
Now all eyes were fixed upon the wand
/ and the intense silence was broken only
| by Sakon's cry of despair. Metem wrung
his hands in grief, Issachar yelled his eyes
with his robe to shut out the sight of
cense thrust it toward Aziel imploringly.
For some, seconds, three perhaps, though
was rackeG and torn in this terrific con- con-
test Then he glanced at the agonized face
ward began to bend his human love and
| pity conquered. az ~
May Her whom I blaspheme forgive
met he mIrmufed. then added aloud. II
win do sacFifce. land taking the incense he
peating altar tha shadid. by this act I
give myslf 70 yoY and worship you, Ell and
| Baaltis. thss only true gods"
The echoipf Axiers voice died away and
the fumes 0f the incense rose in a dense
column in the qp}et air. To his tormented
mind 1t seemed as though the smoke of it
! took the form OF an avenging angel, hold
| ing In its Rand 4 sword of fame. where-
| with to drive away his perjured soul from
heaven, as our first forefathers were driver
| from the gates of Paradise
eTo be continued.)