The Washington times., 1906-02-25

a gentle voice. knowing my fears lest
some such fate should overtake my
lord"
"Ay, Ayesna, I grieve for thee as for
myself
Spare. then. thy pity. Holly. since
although the human part of me would
have kept him on the earth. now my
spirit dds rejoice that for a while he
has burst his mortal bonds For many
an age, although I knew it not, in my
proud defiance of the universal law.
have fought against his true veal and
mine Thrice have l and the angel
wrestled, matching strength with
strength and thrice has he conquered
me Yet as ne bore away his prize this
night he whispered wisdom III nv ear
Ihls was his message: That in death
IS loves home. in death its strength.
that from the charneI house of life this
love springs again gIOrifled and pure.
TO reign a conQueror forever There
fore l wipe away my tears and go TO
join him whom We have lost. there where
he awaits me, as il Is granted to me
that I may do.
But I am selfish, and forgot. Thou
needest rest Sleep, friend, l bid thee
sleep"
And I slept.
When 1 awoke it was dry. and
and through the window place saw the
rain that the people OF Kaloon had so
long desired falling in one straight sheet.
1 saw also that Ayesha. seated by the
shrouded form of Leo. was giving orders
TO her priests and captains and to some
mobiles who had survived the slaughter
of Kaloon as to the new government of
the land, Then slept again
1t was evening. and Ayesha stood at
my bedside
IAN is prepared, she said. Arise
and ride with me.
So we went escorted by a thousand
cavalry. for the rest stayed to occupy
or, peTchance, to plumber. the land OF
KalOOn- In front the body of Leo was
borne by relays OF priests, and behind
it rode the veiled Ayesha, I at her side.
Strange was the contrast between this
departure and our arrival.
Then the rushing squadrons. the eIe-
ments that raved. the perpetual sheen
of lightnings seen through the swing
ing curtains of the hail; the voices of
despair from an army rolled in blood
beneath the charioT wheels of thunder.
Now the white-draped corpse. the
spears reversed, and on either side, seen
in that melancholy moonlight. the
women of Kalon burying their innumer-
able dead.
And Ayesha herself, yesterday q Val
kyrie crested with the star of fame. to-
day but bereaved woman humbly fol-
lowing the body of her husband to the
tomb.
Yet how they feared her. Some
widow. standing on the grave mold she
had dug. pointed as we passed 10 the
body of Leo. uttering bitter words
which I could not catch Therein her
conpanions flung themselves upon her
and. Telling her with first and spade.
Frustrated themselves upon the ground.
throwing dust on their hair. in token
Of their submission to the queen of
death.
Avesha saw them. and said to me
with something of her ancient fire and
pride:
Il tread the plain of Kaloon nc more
vet as a parting gift have l read this
high-stomached people lesson that
they needed long. Not for many a gen
Grafton, Holly, will they dare to lift
spear against the College of He's and it's
subject tribes
Again it was night. and where once
Law that of the Khan. the man whom he
had killed f7anked by the burning pill
lars. the bier of Leo stood in the inmost
sanctuary. before the statue of the
mother. whose gentle. unchanging ewes
seemed to search his quiet face
On her throne sat the yelled Hesea
giving commands to her priests and
priestesses.