The Washington times., 1905-12-24

Long. long was the time. Hours.
years. ages. aeons. seems to flow over
US as we stood there before glittering
silver curtains that hid the front of the
sphinX-like face of the glorious image
which was it's guardian. clothed with
that frozen smile OF eternal love and
pity All the past went before us as we
struggled in those dark waters of our
doubt. Item by item. event by event.
we rehearsed the story which began in
the caves OF Kor. for our thoughts. so
long attuned. were open to each other
and flashed from soul to soul.
Oh, now we know. they were open
also to another soul. We could see
nothing save the altar and the effigy.
we could only hear the slow chant of
the priests and priestesses and the
snake-like hiss of the rushing fires.
Yet we knew that our hearts were as
an open book TO one who watched be-
meath the mothers shadowing wings.
Now the curtains were open. Before
US appeared q chamber followed from
the thickness of the altar, and in its
center u throne, and on the throne a
figure clad - waves of biiiowy white
flowing from the head over the arms OF
tic throne down 90 it's marble rssssaSGT bic steps.
tive darkness of that place. save that
beneath the folds of the drapery the
Oracle held in its hand a loop-shaped.
jeweIed scepter.
Moved by some impulse. we did as
Oros had done. prostrating ourselves.
and there remained upon our knees. At
length we heard tinkling as of little
bells, and, looking up, saw that the sis
trum-shaped scepter was stretched to-
ward MS by the draped arm which held
IL. Then thin. clear voice spoke. and
! thought thai it trembled a little. 1t
spoke in Greek. but in a much purer
Greek than all these people used.
Il greet you, wanderers, who have
journeyed so far TO visit this most an
cient throne. and although doubtless OF
some other faith. are not ashamed to
do reverence TO that unworthy one who
is for this time Its Oracle and the
guardian of its mysteries. Rise now and
have no fear OF me: for have I not
sent my messenger and servants to con-
duct you to this sanctuary"
Slowly we rose. and stood silent. not
knowing what To say.
Il greet you wanderers" the voice
repeated. Tell me. thou'-and the
Ecepter pointed toward Leo-"how art
thou named2''
Il am named Leo vincey." he an
swered
Leo Vincey. 7 like the name. which
TO me well BELTS man so goodly. And
thou, the companion of-Leo Vincey2'
i am named Horace Holly"
SO. Then tell me. Leo Vincey and
Horace Holly, what came ye 50 far TO
seek?"
We looked at each other, and I said
The tale is long and strange. O.
but by what title must we address
thee2"
by the name which I bear here.
Hes"
20 Hes" I said. wondering what name
she bore elsewhere.
yet 1 desire 70 hear that tale" she
went on, and TO me her voice sounded
eager. Nay. not all tonight for I
Know that you both are weary; a little
Of IL only In sOoth. strangers. there is
sameness In this home Of contempla-
lions. and no heart can feed only on the
past. If such n thing there be. Therefore
] welcome n new history from the world
without. Tell IL mo. thou. Leo. as
briefly as thou wilt. so that thou tell
the truth. for In the presence Of which
am minister, may nothing else be
uttered" ="
'Priestess." he said I'm his curt fash
Ion, Il obey. Many years ago when I
was young. my friend and foster father
and ]. led by records Of the past trav-
eled to a Wild land. and there found a
certain divine woman who had con
Quered time
Then that woman must have been
both aged and hideous"
II said, priestess. that she had con-
quered time. not suffered it, for the gift
of immortal youth was hers. Also she
was not hideous; she was beauty itself. -
Therefore, stranger, thou didst wor-
ship her for her beautys sake. as a
man does"
Il did not worship her; / loved her.
which Is another thing The priest,
Oros. here ~orsflip5 thee whom he calls
mother. j loved that immortal woman -
Then thou shouidst love her still.
Yet. not so. since love is very mortal"
II love her still," he answered. al
though she died.
why how Is that? Thou saidst she
was immortal"
"Perchance she only seemed 20 die; +;
perchance she changed. AT least. lost