Rocky Ford enterprise., 1900-04-20
CHAPTER ~.

when ] told thee | would send thee
message by thy bird. but that lacked
the courage. that tha, message was my
tove for thee? As God beholds me.
maiden. my heart hath even been knit
10 thine since frst my eyes fell on
thee: and II thou love me not. my life
Is all over for me- .
Stiil was silent the maiden Samarah.
no that Adina's heart grew cold with
foar within him. and his voice brake
ms he spake once more:
'''l 10 forth to battle. o maiden. to
hght against the enemies of the Lord
and to shield thy father. II may be-
that death awaits me. and II thou
hast In thy heart aush, of tenderness
toward me. pray the. speak. or let me
20 to death and silence and forscfful-
ness.
Then did Namarah turn to him.
sudden trembling passing over her
whole .yody. and dropping her hands
from before her face. she stretched
them out toward him. whcrcat
Adina fell upon his knees and bowed
his head. thinking II was her to be-
stow her bicssin. upon him In token
II eternal farewell. But with swift
and silent motion. Namarah was at his
side. and before he could lit his bend
ed head. her soft arms clunS around
his neck.
Maiden" h. muttercd In n voice
deep with passion. while he reached
upward his strong arms. and held her
/ In a close and gentle clasp. though he
rose not from his lowly posture. tell
me. pray thee. what thou mcancst. Ia
Il for pity thou dos; clasp me! II
| So"
But Namnrah bent her head above
him. and made answer:
! mo, not pity-lovc."
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 fell
her heart respond to any sign OF love
and Adina's heart was even as virgir
as her own. II was this In the hear
Of each that made that moments rap
ture. 1t was long. long time thai
neither spakc. Their arms were fold
cd close about each other. and once
and again their lips NETS and clunE
to those sweet and sacred kisses which
are the precious fruit OF purity of life
hen spakc the young man Adina;
wilt thou have me teii thy father
Namarah. that We may have his bles
sing on our betrothal?-for ] think ht
will not turn him from me, seeing ht
hath but lately told me that he owett
unto me his life
But Namarah answered:
may, would have him go forth tc
the fight. as hath been his wont OF
yorc, believing himself my only object
OF care and love and prayer. Ht
hath told me that he Wills that l shall
marry. and when thou comest back
with him victorious. then will l tel
him all. and ask his blessing. But
ah, Adina. my most loved one. my
new-found Joy and hope, how II the
enemies of the Lord should slay thee
that thou returncst 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 ntI He Ielt WllHlu that
God would prosper the army of her
father Jephthah. and bring them back
victorious.
"Then will l 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 |
will make for 1t little cage. and carry
II with me: and when the enemies OF
| the Lord shall have been vanquished,
then will I send thee the tidings on
G.e 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
10 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
to Adina, she kissed the crest of its
snow-white head.
Come back to me in peace and tri-
umph," she said.
And then, when Adina had taken
the dove from her. she realized that
the moment Of parting was come. and
with a great wave Of love and tender
ness and longing sweeping over her,
she gave herself into her lovers arms
to receive his last embrace.
Solemn and sweet and silent 1t was.
there in the holy moonlight: and when
at last she raised her head to speak.
there were brave words on her lips.
Thou knowest the meaning OF our