The Chanute times. [volume] (Chanute, Kan.) 1897-1913, 1900-04-27
CHAPTER w.

,hii her face from sight, and Adlnas
voice began to tremble as he spake 10
her again, and said, full tenderly:
"Diast thou not know, Namarah,
when told thee I would send thee
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 Knlt
to thine since first my eyes fell on
thee. and if thou love me not, my life
is all over for me-"
Still was silent the maiden Namarah,
SO that Adinas heart grew cold WIN
fear within him, and his voice brake
as he spake once more:
, g"I go forth to battle, o maiden, TO
fight against the enemies OF the Loru
and to shield thy father. 1t may De
that death awaits me, and II thou
Hast in thy heart aught of tenderness
toward me, pray thee speak, or let me
20 to death and silence and forgetfui-
ness"
a4Then did Namarah turn to him,
sudden trembling passing over her
whole uody, 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 swirl
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 close and gentle clasp, though he
rose not from his lowly posture, tell
me. I pray thee, what thou meanest. Is
it for pity thou dost clasp me? IL
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 heI
close against his breast, he bent MS
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 virgil
as her own. 1t was this in the hear
of each that made that moments rap
ture. 1t was long, long time ina
neither spake. Their arms were fold
ed 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
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 l think h
will not turn him from me, seeing h
hath but lately told me that he owet!
unto me his life"
But Namarah answered:
NAY. l would have him go forth Il
the fight. as hath been his wont o
yore, believing himself my only objec
of care and love and prayer. II
hath told me that he wills that l shall
marry, and when thou contest bac
with him victorious, then Will l tel
him all. and ask his blessing. Bu'
all. Adina, my most loved one, m
new-found joy and hope, how II tn
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. Blu
Adina comforted her strongly, an
babe her pray to God with faith, tell
ing her he felt within himself tina
God would prosper the army of he
father Jephthah, and bring them bac
victorious.
Then will I claim thee for m
bride, Namarah, thou fairest of wome
and maidens, and joy will be ours a
long as life shall last"
Namarah clasped him closer yet, an
turned her face upward to receive n
kiss: and behold, as his lips reste
upon hers, they heard the doves nea
by cooling and calling.
Thou shalt give me one OF tn
birds, Namarah," Adina said; and
will make for it little cage, and carr
III WllH nhOh thO
the Lord shall have been vanquishe
then will 1 send thee the tidings o
the wings of thy bird"
And the idea pleased Namarah, an
side by side they went together
where the doves slept, and Namara
opened the door and called the
TO her with the little call they kne
so we'll; and, although the time WI
late and strange. they circled roun
her head, and one of them settled {
her shoulder. Namarah took 1t gent
in her hand. and ere she gave 1t ov'
TO Adina, she kissed the crest OF !
snow-white head.
Come back to me in peace and II
umph." she said.
And then. when Adina had take
the dove from her. she realized tn
the moment Of parting was come. an
with a great wave of love and tenoe
ness and longing sweeping over ne
she gave herself into her lovers arm
TO receive his last embrace.
c-1.-, "a eu-oof and silent IL va