The Washington times., 1905-12-17

the size Of small room. n front Of
which as we saw when we drew nearer,
were hung curtains OF woven silver
thread On this altar was placed large
statue Of silver. th>t- backed as it was
by the black rock, seemed TO concen-
trate ard reflect from it's FURNISHED sur
face the intense light of the two blazing
pillars.
1t was a lovely thing. but TO describe
it is hard indeed The figure. which was
winged. represented a draped woman OF
mature years. and pure but gracious
form. half hidden by the forward bend
ing wings Sheltered by these. vet
shown between them, appeared the
image OF q male child. clasped to its
bearers breast with he- feft arm. while
the right was raised toward the sky A
study of motherhood. evidently, but
how shall 1 write OF all that was con-
veyed by those craven faces?
To begin with the child 1t was that
Of a sturdy boy. full Of health and the
Joy Of life. Yet he had been sleeping.
and in his sleep some terror had over
shadowed him with the dark shades OF
death and evil There was fear in the
lines Of his sweet mouth and on the
lips and cheeks, that seemed to culver.
He had thrown his little arm about his
mothers neck. and. pressing close
against her breast. looked up to her
for safety. his right nand and out
stretched finger pointing downward and
behind him, as though 70 indicate
whence the danger came. Yet It was
passing, already half forgotten. for the
upturned eyes expressed confidence re-
newed. peace OF soul attained.
And the mother. She did not seem to
mock or chide his fears. for her lovely
face was anxious and alert. Yet upon
1t breathed a very atmosphere Of un-
changing tenderness and power invinci-
Bile; care for the helpless, strength to
shelter It from every harm. The great
Icaim eyes told their story, the parted
lips were whispering some tale Of hopa.
sure and immortal; the raised hand re-
vealed whence that hope arose All love
seemed to be concentrated In the brood
ing figure, so human, yet so celestial,
all heaven seemed to lie an open path
before those Quivering wings. And see.
the arching instep. the upwar1-spring-
ing foot, suggested that thither thosa
wings were bound. bearing their God
given burden far from the horror Of the
earth. deep into the bosom OF a change
less rest above.
The Statue was only that OF an af-
frighted child in its mothers aryns; tts
Interpretation made clear even TO the
dullest by the simple symbolism Of sonns
genius-humanity rescued by ths d.
vine-
While We gazed at its enchanting
beauty. the priests and priestesses. fling
away 10 right and left, arranged them-
selves alternately, first q man ana
tnen woman. within the ring OF ths
u Inns of fire that burned around the
Ioop-shaHad shrine So great was ttx
circumferenco~ +l~v the who1e hundred
OF them must stanu, Syide apart one
from another, and, TO our sASs re-
sembled little lonely children clad n
cleaning garments. while their chant OF
worship reached us only Ike echoes
thrown from q far precipice. In short.
the effect OF this holy shrine and It's
occupants was superb yet overwheim-
Ing: at least I know that It filed me
with a feeling akin to fear.
Oros waited TIL the last priest had
reached his appointed place. Then ha
turned and said. in his gentle, reyersns
tones:
Draw nigh, now. wanderers, we'll
beloved, and give greeting 10 the moth
er." and he pointed toward the statue.
Where is she?" asked Leo. in
hisper. for here we scarcely dared to
speak aloud. 'I see no one"
The Hesea dwells yonder," he an