Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-11-28

and beating his breast. Only one figure
followed the penitent, and If that should
not be she! Even though he felt that 1t
could not be-evcn though lie hoped IL was
not-hoping and fearing, dreadlng ana long
ing his eyes advanced To meet the last OF
the worShipers.
Only one figure. but all at once II was as
though the whole world were before him!
Coming slowly toward him out of the SOFT
twilight with eyes downcast and hands
folded nun-like before her, the daughter OF
Erode did not look out OF place amid oiue
wreaths of incense and starry altar tapcrs.
Even her robes were in keeping, gold
weighted they We're, for hood and gown
and Embroidered mantle We're of the deep
est heIiotrope that color which bears the
majesty of sorrow while yet it holds within
il the rosetint of gladness. Beneath It's
tender shadow the dusk of her halr became
deeper, and her face, robbed by winter OF
its BROWNIES, took on the dehcacy OF
cameo All, what face it was now, since
pain had deepened its sweetness ana pa
thence had purified its ardor! Ihe raulahce
OF =. newly Weakened soul was IKE n halo
around it.
Standing there gazing at her wonder
ful change came over the Lord of WARS
dale. Neither then nor ever after coul1
he understand how it happened. but, all
at once the barrier that circumstances
had raised against her fell IKE me city
walls before the trumpet blast. until not
one stone was left standing upon another.
Without knowing how or why-looklng
a; her he believed in her; and his man.
! rer which moment before had been
cons trained and hesitating became ease
ful with perfect confidence. Without
Knowing how why he knew It, he
knew that she had never squandered her
love on the Jotun, neither had she come
here to meet any Dane of the host He
knew her for his dream love, sweet and
true and fine; and he stepped out of the
shadow and knelt before her, raising the
hem of her cloak to his lips.
Most gentle lady, will you give beg
gar alms?" he said. with tender liShtness.
The sound OF his voice was like a stone
cast into still water. The rapt peace OF
her look was broken into an eddy of con-
fiicting emotions. Amusement was there.
and swift joy, which gave way almost
before it could be named to something
approaching dread, and that i'm turn
yielded place to wide-eyed wonder. With
her hands clasped tightly over her breast
she stood looking down at him.
My lord?" she taltered.
AS one who spreads out his store. he
held out his palms toward her tanda-
lin, have sought YOU to add TO me pay
ment of my debt the one thing that In
my blindness I held back nave come
! to add my true love to the rest lay be-
fore you.
to sway toward him. then drew back. her
sweet mouth trembling softiy. IL
want not your pity. she SAID brokehly.
Still kneeling before her. he possessed
himself of her hands and drew them
down to his lips. rs it thus, on his knee,
that one offers pityY he SAID. Holding
her Heart beloved or my heart, you
were merciless to read the truth before.
Look again and take care that you read
me as fairly now.
Despite his gentleness there
strength in his eXaltation which would not
be resisted Turning shrinkingly, she
looked into his eyes
In the eray-blue depths of her own he
saw the simmer of a dawning light, as
when the evening star first breaks through
a June sky and gradually the star-splen-
l,.- aad N ar
her parted lips
"You-love me" she breathed, but her
voice no longer made IL a question.
Still gazing into his eyes, she let him
draw her closer and closer, till he had
gathered her TO his breast
Go be continued Monday.)