Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1905-08-16
THE HIDDEN ROBE.


started one morning on journey-a
iourney across the Plain of Life. 1t
stretched before them, fair, alluring.
It was bounded by forest whose
trees climbed up and hid a mountain
Reyond that, SO they had heard. was
river on the far side of which was the
Palace of the King of the Land OF
Eternal Day.
I'VE are beautiful" said Ayeda, the
elder. at cannot be but that he VIII
look upon us with favor, SO only our
robes be white when we seek his pres
ence"
Can we keep them thus, the jour-
ney is so long?" replied Carita.
with care we can, and we must
care for naught else," said Ayeda. And
they journed on.
The plain, which had been easy
enough to tread at first, became rug
ged and uncertain and full of holes.
Some of these were filled with water,
some with mud. To keep clear of
these needed much thought. and they
trod with painful care. Other travel
ers, too, were at their side, travellers
of all ages. One, an old man sore
spent, caught hold of Ayeda's hand.
LET me lean on thee!" he besought
her, but she shook him off.
"Soil my robe for thee?" she cried.
Carita heard Swiftly she drew his
hand in hers.
He will besmirch thy robe warned
her friend.
81 cannot help it," replied Carita.
Even as she spoke, the old man was
no longer at her side. Only stain
was on the folds of linen that hung
about her.
AS they neared the forest, they saw
a woman lying in one of the largest
pools.
"Ah! lend thy hand moment, tina
may rise" she implored.
"'Tis of small use, thy rising" re
piled Ayeda. 1.-THE King would no
look upon thee"
And she passed into the gloom of tn,
forest.
Carita stretched forth her hand
The hapless woman caught it, an,
Carita strongly pulled her up. Blu
the mud Of the pool was splashed upol
her garment, and 1t looked soiled, in
deed. Strange to say, the woman sh
had saved was more grieyed than she
Carita, indeed, gave 1t no thought, s
intent was she upon guiding the step
of child she had found with her int
the forest shade.
whose snowy robe was spotless ye1
Thou wilt need both thy hands in thi
forest to clear thy path from thorns.
1.-The child needs help" was al
Carita could reply; but, as she locke
at her friend, her heart for momen
sank, for Ayeda's ewes had known II
tears and shone like stars. She cal
ried no burden, and her form wa
erect. She had lent no aid, and he
robe was unsoiled.
But poor Carita! Not only was sh
splashed with mud, but she had wei
until her eyes were dim. She had hell
ed this one and that, and her form wa
bent. She had borne the burdens {
those beside her, and her strength wa
spent.
Ayeda's skin was soft and fair, &c
she had eaten pleDtitully of the fru
that grew by the way. Carita ha
plucked for the old men and for til
children, and had taken but few he
self, and those not of the best He
hair, too, had turned gray since sll
had entered the forest. How coul
she hope to be admitted into the pre-
ence of the King, much less that h
should smile on her? Yet any cry fc
help, and she turned to the spot frol
whence it came. She could not tur
from It with Ayeda's wisdom, but eve
lent her aid and soiled her robe.
with bleeding feet she climbed I'll
mountain. So with sinking heart ST
faced the stream.
On the further side of that river IL
kings palace rose, tower upon towt
of snow-white marble and of burnir
gold Gardens that doomed with fat
est flowers surrounded it. AT the gre:
gate the weary travellers stood. III
warders blew their horns.
ENTER! enter!" they cried. "Ent'
all whose robes have neither spot n,
stain, whose forms are fair and who.
eyes are bright. None other doth IL
king desire"
Proudly Ayeda stepped from Il
throng. Two sentinels in shining a
NOR met and stayed her.
"Thy robe" said one, pointing.
"Thy face, thy FORM" said anothe
See thou myself"
Ayeda looked into a pool of wat
near. She shrieked aloud
1.-The river works many a change
spoke the sentinel. IN thy passat
through those dark and silent waite