The Holly chieftain., 1900-04-20
CHAPTER ".

voice began to tremble as he spake to
her again. and said. full tenderiy:
"Didst thou not know, Namarah,
when told thee would send thee q
message by thy bird. but that lacked
the courage, that that message was my
love for thee? AS God beholds me,
maiden. my heart hath even been knit
to thine since first my eyes fell on
thee; and II thou love me not. my life
is all over for me-"
Still was silent the maiden Namarah,
SO that Adina's heart grew cold with
fear within him, and his voice brake
as he spake once more:
"I go forth to battle, o maiden, to
fight against the enemies of the Lord
and to shield thy father. 1t may be
that death awaits me, and II thou
hast in thy heart aught of tenderness
toward me. pray thee speak. or let me
go to death and silence and forgetful-
ness"
Then did Namarah turn to him, a
sudden trembling passing over her
whole oody, and dropping her hands
from before her face. she stretched
them out toward him. Whereat
Adina fell upon his knees and bowed
his head. thinking it was her to be-
stow her blessing upon him In token
of eternal farewell. But with swift
and silent motion, Namarah was at his
side. and before he could lift his bend
ed head, her soft arms clung around
his neck
Maiden" he muttered in a voice
deep with passion, while he reached
upward his strong arms, and held her
in close and gentle clasp, though he
rose not from his lowly posture, "tell
me, pray thee. what thou meanest. Is
it for pity thou dost clasp me? II
So"
But Namarah bent her head above
him, and made answer:
mo, not pity-love."
Then did he spring to his feet, and
stand erect in all the comely beauty
of his goodly youth, and drawing her
close against his breast, he bent his
head and kissed her. 1t was to Ma
marah the first time she had ever felt
her heart respond to any sign of love,
and Adina's heart was even as virgin
of each that made that moments rap
ture. 1t was a long, long time that
neither spake. Their arms were fold
ed close about each other, and once
and again their lips NETS and clung
to those sweet and sacred kisses which
are the precious fruit Of purity of life.
Then spake the young man Adina:
wilt thou have me tell thy father,
Namarah, that We may have his bles-
sing on our betrothal?-for 1 think he
will not turn him from me, seeing he
hath but lately told me that he oweth
unto me his life
But Namarah answered:
may, would have him go forth to
the fight. as hath been his won't of
yore. believing himself my only object
Of care and love and prayer. He
hath told me that he wills that shall
marry. and when thou comest back
with him victorious. then will tell
him all, and ask his blessing. But,
ah. Adina, my most loved one, my
new-found joy and hope. how If the
enemies Of the Lord should slay thee,
that thou returnest to me no more!"
And at these words she fell to weep
ing, and sobbed upon his breast. But
Adina comforted her strongly, and
bade her pray to God with faith, tell
ing her he felt within himself that
God would prosper the army of her
father Jephthah, and bring them back
victorious.
: "Then will claim thee for my
bride, Namarah. thou fairest of women
and maidens, and joy will be ours as
long as life shall last"
Namarah clasped him closer yet, and
turned her face upward to receive his
kiss; and behold, as his lips rested
upon hers, they heard the doves near
by cooling and calling.
Thou shalt give me one of thy
birds, Namarah." .Adina said; "and 1
will make for 1t a little cage, and carry
1t with me; and when the enemies of
the Lord shall have been vanquished,
then will I send thee the tidings on
the wings of thy bird"
And the idea pleased Namarah, and
side by side they went together to
where the doves slept, and Namarah
opened the door and called them
to her with the little call they knew
SO we'll; and, although the time was
late and strange. they circled round
her head, and one of them settled on
her shoulder. Namarah took 1t gently |
in her hand, and ere she gave 1t over