Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-10-26
CHAPTER VI-Continued.

But the next day. when the young sculp-
ter faced the moment of actual creation. he
realized that his goddess must take form
from an unembodied idea. The ritual had
been his guide before, and his genius. set
free to soar as 1t would. f1uttered wildly
without direction. The young sculptor
realized that he was in need Of model
StoicalIy. he admitted that such thing
was as Impossible as 1t was Indispensable
1t seemed that he had met complete baf-
Element.
He took up his tools and returned to
Memphis But each succeeding morning
found him in the desert again. desperately
hopeful-each succeeding evening, In the
city dsheartened and silent.
So 1t followed for several days.
On the sixth Of January the festival In
honor of the return of Isis from Phenicia
was celebrated in Memphis Kenkenes left
the revel in midafternoon and crossed the
Nile to the hills. He found no content
away from his block of stone-no happiness
before 1t.
He descended through the gorge and
found that the Hebrews were but nomi-
nally Idle. Presently a little company of
Hebrew children approached. their bare
feet making velvety sound in the silence of
the ravine. Each balanced a skin Of water
on his head.
Kenkenes caught himself looking sharply
at each face as he passed. for 1t contained
somewhat of that for which he sought. As
he walked along looking after them he be-
came aware that some one was near him.
He turned his head and stopped in his
tracks.
He confronted his Idea STANDARDIZATION
the Golden!
1t was an Israelitish maiden, barely six
teen years old but In all his life he had
never looked upon such beauty. He had
gazed with pleased eyes on the slender
biush-tfnted Threats and wrists Of the Egyp-
bod h. 1I@ I'D 1,
wilderness Of flesh as this. He had sunk
himself In the depths Of the dusky, amor
GUS eyes Of high-born women of Memphis
but here were fathomless profundities Of
azure that abashed the heavens. He had
been very near to loveliest hair of Egypt.
so close that Its odorous filaments had
blown across his face and his artist senses
mad been caught and tangled in its ebon
sorcery. But down each side this broad
brow was a ripping wave of gold over
each shoulder a heavy braid of gold that
fell. Strengthened by it's own weight. a snan
peiow the waist. The winds Of the desert
hao rousnened 1t and the bright threads
made nimbus about the head TIC GLOW
oVerreached his senses and besieged his
soui. Here was not witchery, but exalta-
ton.
f,, Ean,rraptured with her beauty her perfect
iuiililneht or his needs. he realized last the
uhioVeiy features of her presence She
paianced heavy water pitcher on her head
ana wore rough surplice more decorous
N
, put the habit of slave, nevertheless. He
nad matted directly in her path, and after
moments hesitancy she passed around
him and went on
immediately Kenkenes recovered hfmseIf
and with a few steps overlook her With
oul ceremony he transferred the heavy
pitcher to his own shoulder. The girl
turned her perfect face. full of amazement.
-. ..2rn MN; ana wave of color dyed it swiftly
he said. "
AS they neared the camp the girl spoke
70 MIN for the first time. He recognized
noted In his talk with the Hebrew some
days before. 0AAe
Give me my burden now" she said
Thou hast afrronted thy rank for me, and
L thank thee many times"
The sculptor paused and for q moment
STOOD embarrassed. 1t went sorely against
his gallantry to lay the burden again upon
her. and he said much
Nay. Egypt has no qualms against
loading the Hebrew" she said ouIetIy.
"Wouldst thou put thy nation to shame?'
kenkenes opened his eyes in some aston
ishment
Now am even more loath" he declared
What art thou called?"
Rachel"
1t hath an intrepid sound. but Athor
would become thee better. Now 1 am
sculptor from the city. come to study thy
women for frieze,'' he continued unb ush-
1ngly. land / would go no farther in my
search. Rachel repeated will be beauty
multiplied. Let me see thee once In a
whie-tomorrow."
A sudden flush swept over her face and
her eyes darkened.
1T shall not keep thee from thy labor"
he added persuasively.
The color deepened and she made a mo-
ton of dissent.
May! thou dost not refuse mev' he ex-
claimed his establishment evident in his
voice.
"Of surety she replied. Give me my
burden. I pray thee"
Dumb with amaZement too genuine to
contain any anger Kenkenes obeyed. AS
she went up the shady gorge. walking I'M
steadily under the heavy pitcher he stood
looking after her in eloquent silence
And In eloquent silence he turned at last
and continued down the valley. There was
nothing to be said. His appreciation of
his own discontinue was too large for any
expression.