The silver messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1890-1912, 1903-09-01
THIS is the quaint legend that I

THIS is the quaint legend that /
heard half-recited, half-chanted
by an old Arab, one evening when
had joined small group which sur
rounded him:
at is not only the birds, but also the
flowers which have wings. In the kingdom
of the sun lived sultan great and just,
beloved of God. who blessed him in his
children. and dropped from Heaven the
souls of three hours. the self same day
that his favorite sultana brought into The
world three daughters SO alike that their
own mother was not able 10 distinguish
them from each other. She placed upon
their cradles three different flowers. pink
for the elder Leila; white for The younger,
Nedji: blue for the third, Hadje They
grew like the palm tree tall. and blossomed
like the lotos. Each had green eyes, not
of a sad green like the leaves of the fig
tree. but Of a deep green like the waves Of
the sea. The leaves fell from the tree of
life "a times before they had felt the flower
of love. They seemed to wait the coming
Of the mysterious friend, as the first star
of the evening.
zone day some unbelievers entered the
country Of the prophet with their chief.
who was a Christian. blond and pale as the
snow Of his country, and with eyes the
color Of the sea When the sisters saw him
al MS dlLltECe Win iHe EFduu SulAdI-s
they trembled. and all three loved him. for
their hearts were as one. Love is fire in
Asia. where perfumes change to poison,
but it is ice in Europe. where the sky is
covered with clouds and the rose without
perfume But the avaricious Frank had
come to conquer god. rot women, and soon
left. bearing away his riches-as if gold.
a ray from earth, was worth more than
love. a ray from Heaven. They did not
weep at his departure, but said: He is the
lover of our soul. and we must go to him
After embracing their brother. they went
in the night from their giided palace, alone,
saying: We are going TO the icy country
10 FIND again our master. But II was too
far from the land OF the faithful TO that
| OF The accursed. and when they had
walked for long time. they stopped and
said to each other:
- 1t Is here that we must dier
And they died with hands Joined. as
when they came into the world. But an
angel saw them in that hour. and cried to
/ Mahomet:
.''An powerful master. the three hours
have died while seeking their beloved.
The prophet felt tear in his eyes as he
: looked at them. then he said:
But they may be fiowers-Leila pink.
! Medic white. and Hadje blue, like the
flowers of their cradle. and may have wings
/ like the birds. that they may yet seek their
I beloved, as they sought him when they
( were women ana the WING VIII be their
| servant; il will carry them upon its breath
each springtime. from land 10 land, so
/ that they may find again the one whom
! they seek; they will blossom everywhere,
! even to the last day of the world. where
they viii md him. VIXEN Allah Will judge
I all souls.
''The three flowers blossomed upon the
mountain and the word of Mahomet has
been accomplished ever since.
1T is not only the birds, but the flowers
also which have wings"
He drew from his bosom three
small flowers as large as violets-
pink, white and blue, as he had told
They were the three sisters. Then
the Arabs knelt, and their prayers
commenced.
If you please, sir" said voice be.
hind me, at the moment l was going
1 turned and found myself in the
presence of an Englishman, tall, ele.
giant, handsome and distinguished.
Sir" said he to me, with bow, 81
am Lord Nj. l have been listen
ing to the Arabs story, and / noticed
that you wrote down his words. We
do not understand the language, anC
my lady, who noticed his gestures
would be most happy to have tn,
translation. l pray you to exeus,
this request, which may seem littl,
bold, and l count upon your CHART,
to obtain this favor"
His courtesy was too genuine t.
permit me to hesitate, besides his re
quest was for lady. answere,
that 1 was quite at my lady's orders
and would be charmed to render 5,
slight a service.
"Will you, then, do us the favor t,
come and take tea with us this even
ing, at the consulate where we ar
staying?"
That evening, in the consulate,
! was duly represented to Lady M. Sh
( appeared very pale and nervous, an,
had the reserved air of the womel
5 of her country, but without the af
, fectation of prudery, which mad
Byron so angry. Her eyes were low
cred without ceasing; but thi
seemed natural, for she was not owe
IS years of age. She received me pc
litely and let her husband remind m
of the translation promised. l rea'
it slowly, trying only TO put into m,
voice that kind ofsindefinable melan
choly note which had accompanied
the chant of the raconteur
When / had finished, the young
woman, instead of taking part in tn
usual reflections, remained seated a
if lost in thought. A little aston