The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1906-01-07
b H.RI[)ER FIAGGARD

like that spirit it had it's master notes
power, passion. suffering. mystery and
loneliness. Also there could be no
doubt as to the general significance Of
the chant by whomsoeyer it was sung
IT was the ehangeful story Of a mighty
soul; it was worship. worship. worship
Of queen divinei
Like slow clouds Of incense fading TO
the hammered roof OF some high choir.
the bursts Of unearthiy melodies grew
faint; in the far distare of the hollow
pit they walled themselves away.
Look from the East "A single ray Of
upward-springing light
''Rehold the dawn. said the quiet
voice OF Oros.
That ray pierced the heavens above
our heads. a very sword Of flame. It
sank downward, swiftly. Suddenly il
fell, not upon US. for as yet the rock
walls of our chamber warded il away.
but on to the little promontory at its
edge.
Oh! and there-a glory covered with n
single garment-stoOd q shape celestial
It seemed 10 be asleep. since the eyes
were shut or was IL dead for at first
that face was face of death2 Look
the sunlight played upon her, shining
through the thin veil the dark eyes
opened like the eyes Of wondering
child; the blood OF life flowed up the
iYor3 bosom into the pallld cheeks the
raimeht OF black and curling tresses
wavered ia the wind; the head OF the
jeweled snake that held them sparkled
beneath her breast.
Was it an illusion. or was this Ayesha
as she had been when she entered the
knees gave way beneath Us. and down,
our arms about each others necks. Leo
and ] sank I'LL we lay upon the ground
Then voice sweeter than honey. softer
than the whisper Of a twilight breeze
among the reeds. spoke near To us. and
these were the words IL said:
Come hitheT 10 me Keliikrstes. that
I may pay thee back that redeeming
kiss Of faith and love thou gavest me
but now
Leo struggled to his feet. Like n
drunken man he staggered To where
AyesEa stood then overcome sank be
fore her on his knees.
Arise she said. cit is 7 who should
lkneei TO thee" and she stretched out
her hand 10 raise him. whispering in his
ear the while.
Still he would not or could not rise
so very slowly she bent over him and
touched him with her lips upon The
brow. Next she beckoned 10 me
came and would have knelt also. but she
suffered il not
Nav" she said. in her rich. remem-
bered voice. thou art no sutton; Il shall
not be. OF lovers and worshipers
hencsforth. as before, I can ind plenty
II I viii. or even II VIII it not. But
where shall I find another friend Ike
70 thee, O Holly. whom thus I greet? %
and leaning toward me. with her lips
she touched me also on the brow-just
touched me. and no more.
Fragrant was Ayesha's breath Is
roses. the odor Of roses chung 10 her
lovely hair; her sweet body cleaned
Ike some white sea-pearl; a faint but
palpablc radiance crowned her head:
no sculptor ever fashioned such mar
vel as the arm with which she held her
veil about her: no stars in heaven ever
shone more purely bright than did her
calm entranced eyes.
Yet t. is true. even with her liDs upon
me- all I felt for her was a love divine
into which 40 human passion entered.
Once. ! acknowledge TO nv shame. il
was otherwise. but ] am an old man
now and have done with such frailties-
Moreover had not Ayesha named me
Guardian Protector, Friend, and
sworn to me that with her and Leo
should ever dwell where all earthly pas
sions FAM l repeat: what more could
I desire2
Taking Leo by the hand. Ayesha re-
turned with him into the shelter of the
rock-hewn chamber. and when she en-
tered its shadows. shivered a little as
though with cold. / rejoice at this.
remember. for it seemed TO show ne
that she still was human. divine as she
might appear. Here her priest I'D
priestess Frustrated themselves before
her. but she motioned 10 them TO rise
laying a hand upon the head OF each as
though in blessing.
I am a cold" she said: give ms
my mantle" and Papave threw the pur-
pIe-broidered garment r9on her shoul