The Red Cloud chief., 1900-03-23
CHAPTER Nv.

Md ner race from sight, n AdinaS
voice began to tremble as he spake to
her again, and said. full tenderly:
"Didst thou not know, Namarah.
when I told thee I would send thee a
message by thy bird, but that I 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. It may be
that death awaits me, and IL thou
hast in thy heart aught Of tenderness
toward me, | pray thee speak, or let me
60 to death and silence and forgetful-
ness.
Then did Namarah turn to him. a
sudden trembling passing over her
whole Jody, 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 a swift
and silent motion, Namarah was at his
side, and before he could lift his bend
ed head, her soft arms chung around
his neck.
Maiden" he muttered in a voice
deep with passion, while he reached
upward his strong arms, and held her
in a close and gentle clasp. though he
me ! pray thee, what thou meanest. Is
1t 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 comedy 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
as her own. 1t was this in the heart
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 chung
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 | 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:
NAY, | would have him go forth to
the fight, as hath been his wont 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 contest back
with him victorious, then will l tell
him all, and ask his blessing. But
ah, Adina. my most loved one, my
%new-found Joy and hope, how IL the
enemies OF the Lord should Stay 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
babe her pray to God with faith, tell
ing her he felt within himself thai
God would prosper the army Of hei
father Jephthah, and bring them bach
victorious.
Then will ] claim thee for my
bride, Namarah, thou fairest of womer
and maidens, and joy will be ours al
long as life shall last" e
Namarah clasped him closer yet, ant
turned her face upward to receive hi!
kiss; and behold, as his lips restet
upon hers. they heard the doves neaI
by cooling and calling. "
Thou shalt give me one OF tn,
birds, Namarah," Adina said; "and
will make for II a little cage and carr,
1t with me: and when the enemies o
the Lord shall have been vanquished
then will ! send thee the tidings oil
the wings Of thy bird"
And the idea pleased Namarah, ant
side by side they went together t.
where the doves slept, and Namaral
opened the door and called then
to her with the little call they knew
SO we'll; and. although the time wa
late and strange, they circled our
her head, and n of them settled OF
her shoulder. Namarah took Ii gentl,
in her hand. and ere she gave 1t owe
to Adina, she kissed the crest Of 1t
Snow-white head.
"Come back to me in peace and tri
umph," she said.
And then. when Adina had takeI
the dove from her, she realized tina
the moment OF parting was come, anc
with a great wave of love and tender
ness and longing sweeping over hei
she gave herself into her lovers arm
to receive his last embrace.
Cl.., nal nuynnt md Si1nnt ~ Wns