The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1898-05-22

PART vi.
1.-THE HISTORY OF TAOS1R1
DAUGHTER OF AMERTAS,
PRIEST OF ISIS"

These were the first words which
Grants eyes fell upon. and the follow
ing is the story:
/, Amosis, Priest Of Pthah, at the
command of Ames, the mother of Tai
siri, who was daughter of Physcon,
write this history that those who come
after, and look upon her may read and
take warning. She but sleepeth In the
arms Of Osiris, and the portrait statu-
cite is not needed for the guidance OF
Kah. At the time she fell asleep under
the hand of Lathyrus. her lover, she
was eighteen years Of age, and SO beau
tiful that all men whom she looked up
on fell at her feet, and those who
looked upon her worshiped her. But
Lathyrus was most worthy of her love.
It was day of white light, which
poured into the streets and squares of
Oph from out a pale sky, when I first
met Taosiri face to face-she coming
with her hair wet and unbound from
her bath in the Nile. The sun hung
high overhead, driving the shadows to
thinness beneath the walls of the pal
aces, temples and dwellings, the sides
of which seemed to flame in the fierce
light that beat upon them. Most doors
were closed, and along the deserted
streets only this girl with her two at
tendant maidens, a few slaves Of brut-
ish look. and I, Amosis, passed.
It was near the temple Of Isis, built
by Saophis, that met Taosiri face to
face. The tint Of her countenance and
skin was pale golden and pink. shining
family and whittier through the thin
fabrics of her calasir1s which was rem
dered almost transparent by the strong
light. Her eyes that had srnitten many
men more sorely than the Assyrian
javelins, were long and black as the
night when the plague fell upon us, and
were enlarged with anthony, having
tinted lids. Her lips were full curved
and colored like petals Of a pomegran-
ate flower, her teeth were gates Of ivory
with pearly tints and shadows lurking
In them. Her brows were dark and al
most met, delicate in outline, her lash
es swept her cheeks when the lids
dropped, meeting the flush Of color
which surged up into her face when
she saw me. Her chin was beautifully
moulded, round, with surface like
new-cut ivory. Her hair was black.
with tint of blue, and now hanging
down, glistening with Nile drops, over
her partially bare shoulders. With her,
naked to the waist, and clad only in
narrow skirts upheld by straps fast
ened by cornelian buttons. walked her
two slaves, one at her side chatting
gaily, and bearing her mirror, combs,
brushes, antimony. perfume phials and
other articles; the other slave girl
behind her, holding aloft the stretched
palm-leaf, bound to an enameled stick,
which gave her shade.
When she had passed me, her beauty
compelled me to turn and gaze after
her, and she-as often happens-at that
moment looked back also, and our eyes
met; knew the power that she had
over the hearts of men.
It was not until they had got so far
that all three were indistinct, that
sped on my way with troubled heart
Four days after the end Of the month
Of Hator. slave, with foam In his
mouth from hard and long running,
knocked ere sunrise at the chief pylon
on the side of the city furthest from
the river, announcing a new victory Of
Thothmes over the barbarian hosts Of
the SHORT.
The news flashed through the city
Immediately the great cedar gate had
swung open in answer to Sethos, the
runners, knockings.
All those who were already awak-
oned received the message with joy,
ncenting rioting and feasts. The old,
because Of the spoils they would share
and the fame which rested upon the
city Of Oph; the young, because Of the
tk1umphs. songs. dancing. pageants,
oul1-dghting and sports which would