Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1901-10-07

hunter lived in a valley called the
Valley of Life and every day he went
forth into the forest to hunt. Success
crowned his labors. But he was not hap
py. his heart was empty and there was
nothing which could fill 1t. At morning
when he went out the little birds chirped
to him, MY song shall fill your heart
but he passed them unheeding. At even
ing, the tall pines whispered. Peace,
but no comfort to him. Neither the
songs of birds nor the music of the pines
could fill his great empty heart.
One day he wandered farther than usual
and came into mountainous region.
Here he found a castle. old and moss
grown, but covered with numerous PIN
nacles, each aspiring heavehward.. over
the door the hunter saw this motto
craven: The only darkness Is igno-
rance"
Then he knew he was before the Castle
OF knowledge. and he said to himself.
sOh. to have access TO this Castle OF
knowledge How impregnable 1t looks!
How 1t speaks of dead centuries, OF ages
of thought; how its pinnacles climb up to
the Father of all Knowledge?
Then he said prayer from his great
heart:
rather OF Knowledge: I. who have
lived IN the Valley of Life, crave to enter
the Castle of knowledge, but l have not
the key. No chance was mine mid the
chances and changes of life, o Father, to
shape that key which should pass through
the darkness of Ignorance; but 1 have
ever yearneG to climb through knowledge
TO Thee Could / enter this castle reel
that my heart would be satisfied.
And even as he prayed, the great bronze
gates swung on their hinges and he passed
into the Castle of knowledge and sure
enough his great heart was satisfled' Tor
as he entered the spacious nan, ne Sd"
before him the Princess of the Castle en-
throned on a chair of velvet. Her hair
streamed around her. and her great earn
est ewes were intent on an ancient vol
ume. The hunter went up to her ana
holding out his arms said, Come, 1t Is
you 1 have been yearning for all these
years; you alone can I'll my empty heart
have travelled far to find you. come.
leave the Castle of knowledge. 1t is old
and grand. but cold. my beautiful prtn-
cess. and come down with me into the
Valley of Life"
Then she arose and came to him. and he
took her tenderly in his arms and looked
into the earnest eyes and left kiss upon
her lips.
Then she said to him: Because you
have warmed my heart, as knowledge has
never dome will leave this my realm
and go with you to that unknown valley
of Life. but 1t must be on one condition.
You must never ask me the question, DO
you love me?" for one cannot have DOTH
knowledge and love.
So the princess left the old traditions
with which she was familiar; she left the
castle in which she reigned, and came
down into the Valley Of Life.
Then the hunter was happy. When ne
set forth to his labors the woman's kisses
filled his heart until it dubbed over with
gladness. and when he returned at night
the woman's welcome awaited him and
so they dwelt. She opened for him many
little secrets of knowledge, and he taught
her the, larger lessons of life, and they
were content.
Years passed by unnoticed and often
messengers would come from the Caste OF
Knowledge imploring the princess 70 re-
turn to her realm, but she sent them
hack unsatisfied mo" she said, the
man has need of me. alone can I'LL his
great heart.
The hunter took note of the presence
Of these gorgeous looking strangers, but
since the woman said nothing about them,
he held his peace.
Her caresses, however, did not br :
him content as before. and at last the I
tai words came from his lips: Who are
these strangers?" do wou wish them here
so often? Tell me, do you love me?''
Then she stretched out her arms TO him,
and her sob was like the wind in winter.
Then through the silent valley there was
a sound as If life were leaving heart
and the hunter was alone.