Evening star., 1900-07-14
CHAPTER XI.

CHAPTER Nj.
Hello! What's that for?" asked Curtis
Mchali shrugged his shoulders. Who
knows?' he replied
Curtis hoped to the door, unlocked 1t and
locked out. The church stood across the
road on the top of big. fiat rock. Though
small, it boasted a Byzantine dome. The
bell hung in frame erected over the porch,
and the rope was tied about n wooden p.l-
lar, to prevent its being blown out of reach
by the wind.
why, it's Papas- -Malecko himself" cried
the American.
The priest gave the rope two or three
more decisive jerks, and then, leaving the
end dangling, started for the house. His
stately back robe was rent down the front.
ana the wind blew the pieces out behind,
exposing his voluminous Cretan breeches
and his yellow boots. His long hair had
Writhed loose from its fastenings and had
fallen down his back. 1t was beautiful
and reminded Curtis of Panayota His tall
hat was battered at the side. so that the
roof looked as though it were slipping off.
He spoke few words to Mchali. and
then, opening the trunk studded with brass
nails took out and donned his sacerdotal
vestments. a sleeveless cloak with cross
In the middle of the back and a richly en-
through his long. glossy hair and shaking
1t out as lion shakes his name, he strobe
back to the little church. into which the
people were already excitedly pouring.
to ask for Gods help
I'm going across said Curtis.
Can you walk so far?" asked Michali.
'Oh, yes. with this crutch l can get over
there all right"
Though the church was crowded. there
was absolute, solemn silence. These sim
pie people believed that they were in the
very presence of God. Kindly hands seized
Curtis and assisted him into one of the
high-backed, narrow seats ranged along
the walls. Two tall candles threw a
hickering light on crude St. George and
the dragon, of mammoth size, painted on
the screen. Every newcomer kissed the
face of a fiorid Virgin that looked up out
of gaudy frame. reposing on the slant
ing top of tall stand near the door.
Numerous eikons in gilded frames hung
about the wall, and a silent throng of for
gotten saints, painted on the dome above,
peered dimly down upon the worshipers.
The windows We're narrow, but enough SUM-
light struggled in to give ghostly look to
the candles, lighted here and there. PapaS-
MaleckO's voice was musical and tender.
He commenced chanting in low. pleading
litany gradually took possession of his
soul. the melodious, full-voweled Greek
sylables rolled more and more confidently
from his tongue The poor frightened
mothers and children of his flock raised
their faces and shifted the wholesome in
cense that now pervaded the building. The
spirit of the scene carried Curtis away. He
was awed and mysterious,y refreshed as
one who, in noisome cavern, .eelS the
cool, sweet air blowing upon him from the
darkness. He found himself beating the
arm of his seat and chanting inaudibly,
again and again, the sublime words, Elm
feste Burg ist unser Gott."
"Ah. yes. God will protect us! He is our
very present help in time of trouble
And now, Papas-Malecko is blessing his
passes. holding a little cross to the eager
lips. speaking words of comfort.
Courage, courage, my children" he
against US? Christ is fighting for us and
the holy Virgin and all the saints. Courage.
courage"
They seized his hand and kissed it. Wo-
men sobbed in an eXaltation of faith.
Mothers pressed the cross to the lips and
foreheads of their wondering babes.
The Virgin is our helper they said.
Christ and the Virgin be with you,' re-
So he stood, his left hand lifted in bless
ing, his right extending the cross: stately
in his flow ng robes. calm in the dignity Of
his exalted message
"Have courage my children" he repeat
ed. smiling bengnly. "It came to me there
in the mountains. like voice from God
'Ye are Christians: why do ye not cal upon
the God of hosts?'"
"Papas- -Malecko!'
In an instant the whole congregation had
turned and We're looking toward the door
There stood a tall shepherd with a rife In
his hand. His face was blackened with
powder and he seemed covered with blood.
What is it? What is it?' shrieked a
dozen voices.
There is terrible fight going on
LoukaS and Spro are killed.
The words of the priest rang out clear
and strong, Ike a trumpet:
Our God is very present help-courage
my children,"
MY left arm is broken. The Turks got
on top of the hill, where the girls Were, but
the girls ali jumped off, laughing. All
Killed, ParaSkeve, Elene, Maria"
The speakers voice was drowned in a
pandemOnium of shr:eks and sobs.
But again the priest was heard, reverent-
ly, distinctly, firmly, Ike the voice of
Christ calming the waters.
They are with Christ in paradise. Still
say unto You, courage. Since God is with
us who shall stand against us?"
Panayota was with them but her dress
caught in thorn bush, and before she
could tear herself loose they had her"
Every eye in the church was riveted upon
the priest. The cross ratified to the floor
and his arm dropped to his side. His lips
were white and there was terrible look in
the large brown eyes.
''Panayotai Panayota,' he called hoarse-
ly. MS voice sounded far away now Sud
denly he tore off his sacred vestments and
flung them in a heap on the floor Striding
to the wounded shepherd. he snatched the
gun from his hand. Looking from the win
dow, Curtis saw him running toward the
hills, his long womans hair streaming on
the wind The flock poured out after him
and the American was sitting in the de-
serted house of GOD, gazing at a pile of
sacred robes and muttering stupidly:
''Panayota! Panayota!'
CTO be continued.