Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1904-01-27

bride. the beautiful Leodosia. Come.
let US arise and go and meet him; let
us send our most lovely maidens to
strew flowers in his path; let us give
to Tyra royal welcome upon his re-
turn to us"
But the venerable sage spake not
according to his own mind, for we'll
he knew the heart of Tyra, who had
slain his own father through revenge.
But the populace was pacified and be-
gan preparations for receiving the
conqueror.
Hastily the sage summoned Leode-
STA to his side, and, taking her by the
hand, led her to place of secret con-
fidence.
'Leodesia, my daughter" he began,
do you love this youth, this Tyra?"
Eyes, dear father" she made reply,
with all my heart love him."
'Ieodesia, within thy hands this day
are the lives of thy people. Tyra hath
returned to Syria to seek bloody re.
venge for his Punishment. For us to
resist is fruitless, for he hath mighty
army, Leodesia, and we must all
perish
For a moment he paused, looking
deep into the maiden's dreamy eyes.
Then he continued:
Thou dost love thy neighbors and
thy friends, Leodesia?"
Yea, father" she said, quietly; II
love them all"
This day, Leodesia," resumed the
white-haired man, thou must choose
between thy lover and thy people. If
thou choosest selfshly, the blood of
the helpless shall be upon thy head"
The maiden bowed her head, but
made no reply.
When the gates of the city are
opened to Tyra, Leodesia, it shall be-
come thy duty, according to custom,
to offer goblet of wine to thy be-
trothed as an affectionate greeting
upon his return from far country.
Thou shalt be provided with two YES
sells, Leodesia. Both shall be filled
with the best of vintage, but in one of
them, and which one thou shalt be
made aware, shall have been placed
the most deadly of poisons. If thou
choose for thyself alone, Leodesia,
thou shalt hand to him the one with.
out the poison. Then he will wed thee
and take thee away with him, but first
he will Stay all thy friends, Leodesia-
all thy people. If thou choose for the
safety of Syria, thou shalt hand to
him the other. and thou wilt go thy
days without husband"
Thus spoke the sage and went his
way, and the maiden dropped upon the
sand and wept.
Deep was her love for the Syrians.
They were her people. Tenderly they
mad reared her, cared for her, provided
for her. And now it was within her
power to return their love and kind
ness. She had but to perform a simple
act to preserve their lives and fill the
city with songs of gladness and re-
joicing instead of means and anguish.
And yet-Tyra How she loved him!
An her .half-barbaric nature cried out
with joy at the mention of his name
To her he had ever been loving and
true and devoted.
When he had gone away she had
followed him to the city gates and had
promised to wait for him until his re-
turn. And now that he was come,-suas
1t for her to choose to place to his
lips, under the guise of greeting, the
beverage that should still his heart,
should freeze his smiles-should drive
the love-light from his eyes.
But-the thought of blood; the
thought of her people slaughtered be-
fore her eyes, made her tremble and
cry out.
When finally she arose the light of
determination was on her face AL
ready there was blare of trumpets
outside the wall. Tyra. the conqueror,
the lover, was come and was hurting
defiance at the city.
Dazedly, yet calmly, Leodesia gazed
out upon the frightened multitude and
saw the venerable sage advancing to.
ward her.
u Come, Leodesia," he said, taking
her hand in his. "Thy lover awaits
thee"
She glanced into his eyes and saw a
. CLEAN of pathetic entreaty.
|. BY his side she walked, her head
held erect, her eyes shining, a smile
upon her face. The populace made
, way before them. Women Frustrated
themselves at the maiden's feet and
kissed he's sandals; mothers held their
babies entreatinEly toward her; old
men bowed their silvery locks in ST.
lent salutation.
And cry went up-a wild cry from
a thousand Threats that drowned the
blasts of .Tvr@a's horns
> "I1eodesia! Leodesia! Save us, Leo.
desia!"
Then the gates were thrown ajar
and the maiden beheld her lover,
Tyra, and his eyes were looking into
hers, A smile was upon his face;
, his hands were outstretched to her
and around his head halo of sunlight
hovered.
With cry of delight she watchei
him advance over the flowers the
: maidens strewed in his pathway. A
! wave of passionate affection swept
over her and her cheeks blushed like
} the roses he crushed under his feet.
! Then she turned slightly and saw,
at her right hand, youth bearing
two goblets of wine. Barley shade
paler grew her face as she bent low
J in salutation to her lord. With set
lips she raised her head and smiled
! an instant into Tyra's eyes; then,
, reaching forth her hands, she took the
, goblets from the youth.
She saw the lovelight on her lovers
face; she heard the moaning and the
: pleading of her people. So steadily
that not drop was spilled she raised
| to Tyras lips one of the goblets in
| har hands