The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1902-08-24
THE REALM OF ROCKS.


long lie heard the story of Echsina. beau
tiful woman on earth. He that she lived the
mountains and that she transformed
human being that dared approach her But Mahoned's
heart had long been yearnng accomplish some
thing extraordinary, experience violent sensations
lie all the remarkable beings he had heard
terrible Queen Tamara the powerful Tomiriad
giants cannbas the EVIL Spirit, the Great
Spirit, and all the beautiful Echsina- His eyes
cleaned with daring his hand nervousy clutched ne
dagger. ard blood. rushing from his heart 10 his
head ragged even as the storm ragged without
Mahoned rose q dawn. when the village yet
in slumber, started of towards the
tains The higher he assembled the darker and goomer
became his surroundings. Suddenly all signs Of life dis
appeared and he nothing but barren rocks around
him Mahomed breathed with difficulty The eagles Of
the lowered his head obscuring the sun
in their eyes Mahomed read melancholy
warning himself His contracted painfully
walked and till he sank down to rest at the
Of huge rock there he beheld strange,
mysterious figure rising above the rock Brilliant rays
shone from his eyes and his speech like some weird
melody.
You wish to see Echsina?" he asked
Yes. wish to herr replied Mahomed
DO you know that see her with i'm
punity? you that the Great Spirit into whose
power Echsina resigned herself voluntarily. have be
upon wonderful gifts and that guarding
her the sight of human eyes? Do you know that
you would turn into stone as soon as you have
glance her? Do you know that this rock beside
a brave, handsome youth? Turn back. ere it
is too late Turn to your native village.
your hut There is lack of good-iookng good
maidens your home l you at the first glance
Echsina you shall your life On rising in the
morning, will hear strange sounds These
will surrounding rocks-these will be the
beings who ventured behold the
beauty of Echsina. Are not afraid of this? Are
you still firm in your desire to herr"
I her at cost. 1 am ready to turn
sake of seeing Echna of whose beauty
have heard much.
You shall see her. then" figure disappeared.
Mahomed heard strange bursting from the rock
which he lay-the means grew louder and louder,
his alarm more intense. his desire
Echsna did subside. a cool breeze blew into his
face he his feet and walked bravey forward
Whittier you going, fool? Have you for
gotten old father who would die for grief the
loss of his only son? Have you forgotten Uar-your
beloved Poor unfortunate man. you shall
them again.
Turn back, young man. it is too late single
effort the of your mind and your will step
back-and you saved"
Thus moaned the rocks their warning youth.
Mahomed terror stricken. from these
ing his upwards. At length he found himself
huge structure. whence sounds OF bewitchng
music On entering the house. Mahomeds eyes fen
fair vision before him Oh. what all the maids
of his village in comparison with his divney beautiful
maiden Never before had perfect outlines
such wonderful fair locks such large. kind. brilliant
eyes. He forgot everything now-everything
that he had loved that had filled his life with pleas
ure- Only he understood what life really meant
And for the first time in his life. of JOY and hap
piness gushed from his eyes. He about
lift his hand wipe away tears-but his hand did
not stir He made effort but his hand
motioness Then he attempted cry oubut the
came not from his throat He felt that his
freezing in his veins that his heart ceasng
In his horror he tried run were as chained
Atahomed was no more he had been transformed into
rock.