The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1900-06-21
CHAPTER VIII.

On the evening OF the return from
battle of the hosts of Jephthah, the
Gileadite, Namarah went, as was her
wont, to feed her doves, and as she
stood among them, more white than.
was the gown she wore, there came
to her, down the garden-walk, through
the parted branches of the trees, the
young man Adina.
Now, Namarah knew that he would
come, even at .s4ss' rfnle and place, but
Wfthin her trembled, and the
color was not SO far gone from out her
cheek but that his coming called it
back. like to a rose in bloom.
Alma, who had rested from his
travelling and refreshed himself, was
clad this evening. like Namarah, all in
white, IN a stately robe that swathed
his stalwart body from the shoulder to
the sandals on his feet. His beautiful
strong young arms were hid beneath
dts folds, until, as he came up to where
the maiden stood, he reached them
out and folded her tenderly and
strongly against his breast
Hurt not the bird, Adina,'' she said,
slowly, as he held her there and knew
not to distinguish between the fiutter-
Ing OF the dove and the beating of the
maiden's heart. 1T is even thy little
messenger, which did company thee
upon thy dangerous wanderings and
bring me the message of thy heart to
mine.
How knowest thou it is the same,
Namarah," he made answer, seeing
that these snow-white birds of thine
are like as be garden-li lies?" And as
he spake, he held her still with one
strong arm, while the other hand he
laid above her little one that gently
smoothed the ruff1ed plumage of the
frightened bird.
y knew 1t even by its travel-stains
and by its broken feathers. See. the
birding hath cen suffered in our SER
vice, and, as she spake, she lifted it
and kissed 1t tenderly. at which Adina
swiftly bent his tall head and kissed
the very spot wherein her lips had
lain upon the bird, saying as he did 80:
Thy kisses are all mine, Namarah.
and I must even take back the one that
thou hast given to the bird. IT was
ill done of thee to besow it on another
than him to whom It doth by right be-
long. Release the bird that hath too
long engaged the touches OF thy hands
for these be mine also, and TONIGHT.
long for all thy love, seeing that my
heart within me is like to burst with
sorrow =
Then Namarah swiftly loosed the
bird, which flew away and vanished
from their sight. even as the maiden
threw her arms about her lovers neck
and yielded herself to his most sweet
embrace.
Il pray thee sorrow not, Adina. nv
beloved. She spake low. Thine am
! for eternity. and Heavens joys can
never end. Wilt thou not strive to give
me strength to do the thing that lies
before me? Pray for courage for both
thee and me, for love is sweet, and
death seems cruel
Az, death is cruel, cruel!" made an
swer Adina, with that his brow grew
stern. and the very hands that were
about her soft young body clinched as
II in anger.
Now, may God forgive me-, said
Namarah. for the evil word spake.
Il even passed the door Of my lips
without mine own consent. Our God is
good. Adina, and II we dishonor Him
not, by doubt OF His goodness and re-;
'bellion to His will, He will most likely
deliver us both; and IL 1t pleaseth Him
TO take my spirit back to Him who
gave II, and SO leave thee here upon
the earth, will 1t seem too hard thing
to wait with patience until the hour. Of
thy release from earth and flesh shall
come. when thy spirit shall again meet
mine 2"
Too hard thing. Namarah! i
could wait TIL eternity were ended
sooner than I could love any other
maiden than thee.,
All, sweet. sweet is thy love and
loyalty beloved y saith Namarah; .and
my heart IL even warmed and COM
forted to hear thee speak those words.
Nevertheless. there Is thing would