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

of the sanctuary. Here the place was as
silent death. for the noise from the city
without could not pierce the towering walls
of massive granite.
ut is the very pit Of Tophet." murmured
Issachar. peering through the dense
shadows. 1.-The house of Beelzebub. where
his presence dwells Whittier now, Azlel:
The prince pointed to two objects that
we're visible in the starlight, and answered.:
"Thither. at the foot of the pillar of Ell
"Ah. 1 remember" said Issachar. where
the accursed woman would have onered
sacrifice. and the priests cut me down be-
cause / prophesied to them of the wrath
to come. and that Is now at hand: An III
omened spot. indeed. and an ill-omened
tryst with the fiends for witnesses Wen.
lead on, and / pray you be as brief as may
be, fer this place weighs down my SOUL
and I feel danger in it-danger to the body
ard the spirit
SO they went forward. BE careful"
whispered Aziel presently The pit OF
sacrifice is at your feet
Yes. yes" he answered. 1--WE walk upon
the edge of the pit, and in truth 1 grow
fearful, for at the threshold of such build
rgs the angel of the Lord deserts u.s.
There are none here to fear" said Aziel,
but even as he spoke, though he could not
see il. a white face rose above the edge OF
the pit like that of some ghost struggling
with cold eyes, then disappeared again.
Now they were near the greater pillar,
end now from it's shadows glided a black
yelled shape.
1T is l." whispered soft voice, but
who comes with your
Il. Issachar," said the Levite, who
would not suffer that he Of whom am
alone. Now priestess. say your say with
the prince yonder and let us be gone swirl
ly from this blood-stained place
You speak harsh words to me, lssa-
char she said gently, yet / am most
CAD you have come. for. believe me, 1
sought no lovers meeting with Prince Azlel
Listen both of you. You know that they
have consecrated me high priestess OF
Baaltis against my will, but L tell you
what / have already told Prince Azlel,
that 1 am no longer worshiper OF Baal-
it's Yes, here in her very temple 1 re
nounce her, even though she take my lie
in vengeance. o! since they made me
priestess / have been forced to learn all
her worship and to see sights that would
chill the blood to hear them. and L tell you,
Prince Azel and Issachar. that Will pear
no more of it, From Ell and BaaltiS turn
to him you worship. though. alas, little
time is left to me in which to plead with
him"
why is little time left?'' broke in Aziel.
Because NY death is very near me,
prince for, If / live, see what fate Is
mine. either to remain high priestess of
Baaltis and to her day by day to bow the
knee and month by month to make sacr1f1ce
OF what think you? Well, of the blood OF
maids and children, OF. perhaps, should
their fears overcome their scruples. to be
given by the council as a peace Offering to
Ithobal. Well, / Will bear neither OF these
burdens of blood or shame. They are too
heavy for me. but as soon as you are gone
L. too, shall leave this city, not in the body,
but in the spirit. searching for peace or
sleep. 1t was for this reason that sought
to speak with you In farewell, for in my
weakness / desired that you should know
the truth of the cause and manner of my
end. And now, since for me there is no
escape. farewell forever, Prince Aziel, whom
I have loved, and whom l can scarce hope
to meet again. even beyond the grave and
with little despairing motion of her hand
she turned to go.
Stay" said Aziel hoarsely, for we can.
rot be parted thus; since by your own act
you can dare to leave the world, will you
not dare fly with me?"
"'Perchance. prince. she answered with
little laugh. But would you dare to take
me. and, if so, would Issachar here suffer
II? No, no; go your own path in life and
leave me death-it is the easier way"
I'm this matter l am master and not Is
sachar." said Aziel, though it is true that,
should it please him, he can warn the
priests of Ell. Listen, ELISA: Either you
leave this city with me or 1 stay in it with
YOU. You hear me. ISSachar?
Il hear YOU" said the Levite, but per-
chance before you throw more sharp words
at my head you will suffer me to speak.
Self-murder is crime. yet l honor this
woman, who would shed her own blood
rather than the blood of the innocent In
sacrifice TO Baal, and who refuses to be
given in marriage to one she hates; who
moreover, has found strength and grace 10
trample on her devil worship. Ii SO in truth
she has II, therefore, she will come with
u.s. ard We can escape with her, why let
her come: only swear to me. Aziel, that
you will make no wife of her till Solomon
has heard this tale and given judgment
on it. -
That l will swear for him." exclaimed
ELISA; lis 1t not So Aziel?"
AS you will. lady," he answered u.s.
sachar. you will have my word that until
more.
Il hear and 1 believe you." said Issachar,
aiding: and the hour is good, for 1 shall
not be missed until dawn"
SO they turned to leave the temple but
although they reached the chambers of AZ
lei in safety their hearts. which should
have been light still, were heavy with the
presage of new sorrow to come
Scarcely could they have been heavier
Indeed. had they seen white-faced woman
creep from the pit of death and follow.
them stealthily till they had passed Their
d0ors: then hen turn and run at full speed
In the chamber of Aziel they found Me-
tenn
rejoice to see you back again in
safety. since Ii is more than 1 thought to
DO he said. as they entered then added
as the biack-veiled shape of ELISA fol-
lowed them into the room, but who is
the third? All, 1 see, the Lady ELISA,
Does the Baaltis accompany US upon our
Journey
Yes" answered AzieI, shortly
Then. with her on the one side and the
holy lssachar on the other, 1t should not
lack for blessings. since the evil must be
great from which separately or together
they are unable to defend u.s. But. lady
IL 1 may ask 1t, have you bid farewell to
your most honored father?'
Torment me not, murmured ELISA
Indeed. 1 did not wish to, though YOU
may remember that not so long ago you
threatened to silence me forever. Well
doubtless your departure is too hurried for
farewells. and. fortunately foresaeing IL. 1
have provided spare mules. so that my
deeds are kindlier than my words. 1 60 to
see that all is prepared. Now eat before
you start Presently / will return for
you. and he left the chamber
When he had gone they gathered around
the tables, on which stood food bur could
touch little for the hearts of all three of
them were filled with sad forebodine. Soon
they heard a noise of people talking excit-
edly outside the palace gates
II Is Metem with the mules" said ARIEL
hope So. answered ELISA.
again there was silence. which after a