The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1899-05-24
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! Medea's Charm. 8
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ground ways. But 1 know the secret OF
youth. and | come To gather herbs In
the forest by moonlight"
do you boil people--like Medea?'
asked Algy. He did not know exactly
what she had been talking about, but
her words fitted in with his vague clas-
steal reminiScence.
That is "A fable" " replied the woman,
"but,> like all fables, IL has hidden
meaning, maybe unguessed even by lts
inventor. The Greeks knew that the
only way 90 regain lost youth Is To XIII
the old life and TO battle In a bath OF
herbs--that ls. I'm nature herself. Few
of us realize the immensity OF natures
healing powers-few OF US are aware or
the wonderful JOY, the subtle happiness.
that mere contact with the old brown
earth can give. They say that the
peasants tell more beautiful stories
among themselves than any OF your
writer's make, because they sleep with
an ear close 90 the earth. and overhear
her secrets. But IL IL not only stories
that nature whispers to us, but Wis
dom and virtue--the ancient primitive
lore, old as the hills, and ever new.
Somehow 1t sounded fascnating-bet-
ter than princes or the empire. Il think
l should like 10 be young" said Algy.
'Will you let me kill your" asked the
woman simply and she drew glitter
ing knife from her glrdle.
Algy stepped back. He was startled,
but not surprised. When he crossed the
moon -suffused verge that cut him of
from his accustomed world. he knew he
had entered a place of mystery. out OF
which the adventure rose quite nat
urally.
Those Greek chaps did not come TO
life again." he suggested.
1T cannot be done otherwise said
the woman: III you have not sufficient
courage. then go your way
Down deep in Algy's nature. there
was a grit OF stubbornness. He was
piqucd and excited. carried out of him
| self on the one hand, there
was vacuity or boredom; on the
| other hand. something that seemed
worth living for and risk. He
| had caught vaguely the drift OF the
womans meaning. He barred his bosom
| to the knife II am ready" he said.
Then, as is so often the case when
| we look death full in the face. things
| suddenly took on strange and "A
wonderful aspect. The earth exhaled n
| faint radiant glamour, and though the
moon had gone down, the sky was sort
! with light-soft with light and high
with stars. The underwoods deepened
| as with the suggestion OF bluebells; and
( exquisite scents, OF freshness beyond
| telling. were waited by the breeze the
! very ground he stood on had bouy-
ancy, and a penetrating sweetness be-
! gan to steal through his veins.
| "Wait-wait." said Algy there is
some charm about this moment am
not so sure that | can let you Kill me,
/ after all.
| She stuck the knife I'm her girdle. II
| have killed what 1 meant TO Kill, she
! said.
| Then she turned from him and
stopped, gathering herbs, and, so stoop-
| ing crossed the open space and went
up a glade. and he watched her till she
| thinned and faded like a cloud.
The morning winds began To stir IN
the trees. Algy threw himself ON tht
ground and buried his face In bed OF
| bluebells. Al their soft touch, at theil
| fragrance. tears sprang TO his eyes fol
| the charm had worked, and he haC
found the CATER OF youth.-Ethel Wheel
er i'm the Speaker