davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1906-01-14

For me, Q love. thy alteration, for thee
tie betrothal song, no more"
So having no choice, Leo mounted the
throne. where. Notwithstanding his
splendid presence, enhanced as 1t was by
those glittering robes, he looked I'll
enough at ease, as indeed must any man
of his faith and race. Happily, how
ever, if some act of semi-idolatrouS
worship had been proposed Ayesha
found a means to prevent its eelebra-
ton, and soon ali such matters were
forgotten both by the singers who sang
and We who listened to the ma jestic
chant that followed.
OF its words unfortunately We were
able to understand but little both be-
cause of the volume OF sound and OF the
secret, priestly language in which it was
given, though its general purport could
not be mistaken.
The female voices began it. singing
very low. and conveying a strange i'm
preston of time and distance. Now fol-
lowed bursts of gladness alternating
with melancholy chords suggesting
signs and tears and sorrows long en-
dured, and at the end a Joyous. tri-
umphant paean thrown TO and fro be-
tween the men and women singers ter
minating in one united chorus. repeated
again and again. louder and yet louder,
till it eliminated in a veritable crash
of melody. then of a sudden ceased.
Ayesha rose and waved her sceptsr
wherein all the company bowed thrice
then turned and. breaking into some
sweet. low chant, that sounded like q
lullaby. marched, rank after rank
across the width of the sanctuary and
through the carven doors. which closed
behind the last of them.
When all had gone. leaving Us alone
save for the priest Oros and the priest
ess Papave, who remained In attendance
on their mistress. Ayesha. who sat gag
ing before her with dreaming, empty
eyes. seemed TO awake. for she rose and
said:
"A noble chant. is It not. and an an
Client? II was the wedding song of the
feast OF Isis and Osiris at Behbit In
Egypt. and there I heard 1t before ever
/ saw the dsrkseme caves of Kor. OF.
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1906-01-14

She was unveiled and gorgeously APP
pareled, though save for the white De
meath, her robes were those or queen
rather than of a priestess. About her
radiant brow ran a narrow band OF gold'
whence rose the head of a hooded asp
cut out OF single crimson jewel. be-
meath which, in endless profusion, the
glorious, waving hair flowed down and
around, hiding even the folds or her
purple cloak.
This cloak, opening in front. revealed
an under-tunic of white silk cut low
upon her bosom and kept in place by
golden girdle q doubie-headed snake
so like to that which she had worn in
Kor that it might have been the same.
Her naked arms were bare OF orna-
ments. and in her right hand she held
the jeweled sIstrum set with its gems
and bells.
No empress could have looked more
royal. and no woman was ever half so
Ioevly, for to Ayeshas human beauty
was added spiritual glory. her herit-
age alone. Seeing her. we could see
naught else. The rhythmic movement
OF the bodies of the worshipers. the roll
ing grandeur of their chant OF welcome
echoed from the mighty roof. the fear
full tOfCneS or tfNiHS liAfaS--dll thCse
things were lost on Us. For there new
born, enthroned. her arms stretched out
i'm gracious welcome. sat that perfect
and immortal woman. the appointed
bride of one of us, the friend and lady
of the other. her divine presence breath
ing power. mystery and love.
on we marched between the ranka
of hierophants. till Oros and the priests
left US and we stood alone face to face
with Ayesha Now she lifted her scep-
ter and the chant ceased. In the midst
of the following silence, she rose from
her seat and gliding down its steps
came TO where Leo stood and touched
him on the forehead with her sistrum,
crying in loud. sweet voice:
Behold the chosen OF the HeseaP
wherein all that audience echoed in q
shout of thunder:
Welcome to the chosen Of the Hesea!
Then while the echoes OF that glad
cry yet rang round the rocky walls,
Ayesha motioned TO M to stand at her
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1906-01-14
THE WASHINGTON TIMES SUNDAY. JANUARY H. 1906
HVFMCHHA 1!IL Iy i oGNFTF,"
II
By H.EIDUh FIAGGARD

ten have l observed. my Holly. that
music fingers longer than aught else IN
this changefuI world. though IL Is rare
that the very words should remain un-
varied Come, beloved-tell me. by what
name shall ] call thee? Thou art KALI
krstes and yet
Call me Leo, Ayesha." he answered.
"as / was christened in the only lie or
which 1 have any knowledge rms
Kallikrates seems to have been an I'M
lucky man. and the deeds he did. II IN
truth he was ausht other than tooi
in the hand Of destiny, have bred no
good TO the inheritors II may be-or 10
his spirit, whichever it may De-or 20
those women with whom his life was
inrertWined. Call me Leo. then. for OF
Kallikrates / have had enough since
that night when I loked upon the last
OF aim in kor.
HAhi remember" she answered,
when thou sasgest myself lying in that
narrow bed, AMI I sang thee song, did
I not. OF the past and OF the future? 1
can recall two lines of il; the rest l
haze forgotten:
Onward. never weary, clad with splen-
dor for a robe!
TIL accomplished be our fate, and the
night is rushing down
Yes. my Leo, now indeed we are clad
with splendor for a robe and now our
fate draws near 10 its accomplishment.
Then perchance will come the doWnrush-
ing of the night" And she sighed, look
cd up tenderly. and said: See, / am
talking TO thee in Arabic. Hast thou
forgotten it?"
"No"
Then let It be our tongue, for ] love
ii best OF ALL who lisped It at my moth
er's knee. Now leave me here alone
a while; I would think. Also she
added, thoughtfuIly, and speaking with
a strange and impressive innexion Of
the voice, there are some 10 whom
must give audience
SO we went, all Of US, supposinl
that Ayesha was about 10 receive
deputation Of the chiefs OF the noun
tain tribes who came TO felicitate hel
upon her Lethrothal
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1906-01-14

side. and, taking Leo by the hand. drew
him toward her. so that now he faced
the white-robed company. Holding him
thus. she began to speak in clear and
silver tones.
Priests and priestesses OF Hes. serv-
ants with her Of the Mother of the
world. hear me. Now for the first time
l appear among you as / am, you who
heretofore have looked but on hooded
shape, not knowing its form or fashion,
Learn now the reason that l draw my
veil. We see this man, whom We be-
lieyed a stranger. that with his compan-
ion had wandered TO our shrine L tell
you that he is no stranger; that of old,
in lives forgotten. re was my lord who.
now comes to seek his love again. Say,
is il not So. Kallikrates2"
1T Is So. answered Leo.
priests and priestessas OF Hes. az
We know, from the beginning 1t has been
the right and custom OF her who holds
my place TO choose one to be her lord,
is It not SOP
ut is so, o Hes" they answered.
She paused while. then with ges-
ture of infinite sweetness turned TO Leo.
bent toward him thrice and slowly sank
upon her knee.
at him with her wondrous eyes. say
before these here gathered, and all
those witnesses whom thou canst not
see. dost thou again accept me as thy
affianced bride?"
"Ay. lady" he answered, In deep
bat shaken voice, now and forever"
Then while all watched. in the midst
Of a great silence, Ayesha rose. cast
down her sistrum scepter thft rang
upon the rocky floor, and stretched out
her arms toward him.
Leo also bent toward her. and would
have kissed her upon the lips. But
who watched saw his face grow white
as il drew near TO hers. While the ra-
dance crept from her brow to his
turning his bright hair to gold, ! sa y
also that this strong man trembled like
a reed and seemed as though ne were
about to fall
/ think that Ayesha noted II, too, fol
ere ever their lips met. she thrust hin
from her, and again that gray mist OF
fear gathered on her face.
In an instant II was gone. She haC
slipped from him, and with her hans
held his hand, as though 10 supper
him. Thus they stood till his feet grew
firm and his strength returned
Oros restored the scepter TO her. an'
lifting il she said;
20 love and lord, take thou the plae'
prepared for thee, where thou shalt 81
forever at my side, for with myself
give thee more than thou CAT SO know
or than i vii tell thee now. Mount tn,
throne. o ahianeed OF Hes. and receiv
the worship of thy priests"
Nay he answered. with a start. q
that word fell upon his ears Here an
now ! say IL once and for all. l am bu
a man who knows nothing OF strang
gods. their attributes and ceremoniali
None shall bow the knee TO me, and o
earth. Ayesha1 bow mine TO the
alone"
Now at this bold speech some Of thos
who heard ii looked astonished an
whispered TO each other, while voic
called:
Beware. thou chosen. of the anger {
the mother"
Again for a moment Ayesaa locke
afraid, then with a little laugh sweI
the thing aside. saying:
Surely with that should be conten
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1906-01-14

sharply. Twill you come. Horace. or
shall 1 go alone?'
/ hesitated. The sanctuary was a
public place, it is true, but Ayesha
had said that she desired TO be alone
there for a while. without more words.
however. Leo shrugged his shoulders
and started.
You will never find your way" 1
said, and followed him.
We went down the long passages that
were dimly lighted with lamps and came
to the gallery. Here We found no lamps
still We CROPPED our way TO the great
wooden doors. They were shut, but Leo
pushed upon them impatiently, and one
of them swung open a little, so that
We could squeeze ourselves between
them. AS We passed 1t closed noiselessly
behind US.
Now We should have been in the sane
tuary and In the full blaze of those
awful columns OF living fire. But they
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1906-01-14

Leo shrugged his shoulders but made
no other answer.
At length the door opened, and Oros,
entering. said that the Hesea command
ed our presence in her chamber.
So, still oppressed with fear and Won
deT--for what we had seen was perhaps
more dreadful than anything that had
gone before--we went, to find Ayesha
seated and looking somewhat weary, but
otherwise unchanged. With her was the
priestess Papave, who had Just unrobed
her of the royal mantle which she wore
I'm the sanctuary.
Ayesha beckoned Leo to her. taking
his hand and searching his face with her
eyes, not without anxiety, as l thought.
Now I turned. purposing to leave them
alone. but she saw, and said to me,
smiling:
why wouldst thou forsake us. Hol-
Iy? To 40 back TO the sanctuary once
more?" and she looked at me with
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1906-01-14
CHAPTER XVII.
The BetroIhal.

Together We descended the multitu-
dinous steps and passed the endless,
rock-hewn passages till we came TO
the door of the dwelling of the high
priestess. and were led through it into
a hall beyond. Here Ayesha parted
from US, saying that she was outworn.
as indeed she seemed to be, with an
utter WEAKNESS, not of the body, but
OF the spirit. For her delicate form
dropped like a raln-laden lily, her eyes
grew dim as those of a person in
trance, and her voice came in a soft,
sweet whisper-the voice Of one speak
ing In her sleep.
"GOod-by," she said to us. "OrOs
will guard you both. and lead you to
me at the appointed time. Rest you
well"
SO she went, and the priest led US
into a beautiful apartment that opened
onto a sheltered garden. So overcome
were we also by all that We had en-
dured and seen. that we could scarce
" speak, much less discuss these mar
VeIous events.
MY brain swims.'' said Leo to
Oros: II desire to sleep"
He bowed and conducted US to a
chamber where were beds. and on
these we flung ourselves down and
slept, dreamlessly. like little children.
When we awoke it was afternoon.
We rose and bathed, then saying that
we wished 20 be alone. went together
into the garden, where, even at this
altitude. now. at the end of August,
the air was still mild and pleasant
Behind rock by a bed of campanulas
and other mountain flowers and ferns,
was a bench near TO the banks Of a
little stream, on which we seated our
selves
What have you TO say. Horace
asked Leo, laying his hand upon my
arm.
"Say2" 1 answered. ''That things have
come about most marvelOusly: that we
have dreamed Alright and labored not
in vain; that you are the most fortunate
of men and should be the most happy"
He looked at me somewhat strangely
and answered;
Eyes. of course; she is lovely. is she
not. but'-and his voice dropped to Its
lowest Whisper wish. Horace. that
Ayesha were a~little more human, even
as human as she was in the caves OF
Kor. / don't think she is quite fiesh
and blood. / felt II when she kissed me
II you can cali it a kiss-for she barely
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1906-01-14

admit that to me the thing IS terrifying.
1 am drawn to her by an infinite attrac-
ton, her eyes set my blood on fire, the
touch of her hand is as that of wand
of madness laid upon my brain. And yet
between us there is some wall, invisible
stiu present Or perhaps 1t IS only ran
cv. But. Horace. think that she is
a fraid of Atene. Why, in the old days,
the Khania would have been dead and
forgorten in an hour-you remember
Ustane?"
.sPerhaps she may have grown more
gentle. Leo, who, like ourselves, mas
learned hard lessons"
YES" he answered. i hope that IS So
A. any rate, she has grown more d.
vine-only. Horace, what kind OF nus
band shall I be for that bright being, If
ever l get so far;
why should you not get so far?'
asked, angrily. for his words Jared upon
my tense nerves.
Il don't know" he answered, but on
general principles do you think that
such fortune will be allowed to man.
Also, what did Atene mean when she
said that man and spirit cannot mate
and-Other things?"
"She meant that she hoped they could
not. / imagine, and, Leo, II is useless
TO trouble yourself with foreDodings that
are more fitted to my years than yours
and probably are based on nothing. Be
a philosopher. Leo. You have striver
by wonderful ways such as are unknown
i'm the history of the world; you have
attained. Take the goods the gods pro
vide you-the glory. the love and thu
power-and let the future look to itself
Before he could answer, oros appeared
from round the rock. and, bowling with
more than his usual humility TO Leo
said that the Hesea desired cur pres
ence at a service in the sanctuary. Re
joiced at the prospect Of seeing he
again before he had hoped to do SO
Leo sprang up and we accompanied hin
back to our apartment.
Here priests were waiting. who. some
what against his will. trimmed his hal
and beard, and would have done TIT
same for me had / not refused thei
offices. Then they placed goid-embroid
cred sandals on our feet and wrappe'
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1906-01-14

We're out or We had stFayed elsewhere;
at least, the darkness was intense. We
tried TO work our way back TO the doors
again, but could not. We were lost
More. something oppressed US; we did
not dare to speak. We went on a few
PAGES and stopped. for we became aware
that We were not alone. Indeed. il seem
ed 10 me thgt we stood in the midst of
a thronging multitude but not OF men
and womep. Beings pressed about US;
we could feel their robes, yet could not
touch them; we could feel their breath
but 1t was cold. The air stirred all
round us as they passed to and fro
passed in endless numbers. II was as
though we had entered a cathedral filed
with the vast congregation OF all the
dead who once had wOTshiped there. We
grew afraid-Tny face was damp with
fear, the hair stood up upon my head.
Wa seemed to have wandered into hall
Of he shades
~ length light appeared far away,
AID we saw that 1t emanated from the
we pillars OF fire which burned on
either side of the shrine, that Of a sud
den had become luminous. So We were
In the sanctuary. and still near 10 the
doors. Now those pillars were not
bright; they were low and iurid; the
rays from them scarcely reached US
standing IN the dense shadow.
But If we could not be seen in them
We still could see. Look! Wonder sat
Ay4sha on a throne. and, OH she was
awful IN her death-like majesty. The
blue Hight Of the sunken columns played
upon her, and in il she sat erect, with
such a face and mien OF pride as &c
human creature ever wore. Power
seemed to flow from her; yes. IL flowed
from those wide-set, giittering eyes like
light from jewels
She seemed a Queen OF Death, re,
oeiving homage from the dead. More
she was receiving homage from dead OF
livlng-I know not which-for. as
thought IL a shadowy shape arose be
fore the throne and bent the knee Il
her. then another, and another. anC
another.
AS each vague being appeared an,
bowed its starry head she raised he
scepter in answering salutation. w
could hear the distant tinkle Of the sis
trum bells, the only sound in all tina
place. yes. and see her lips move, though
no whisper reached US from them. Sure
y spirits were wOrshiping her!
We gripped each other. We shrsnl
back and found the door. It gave L
our push. Now We were in the pas
sages again. and now We had reacher
car room.
At it's entrance Oros was standing a
We had left him. He greeted US wit
his fixed smile, taking no note of III
terror written on our faces. We passe
him, and, entering the room, stared a
each other
What is she?- Easped Leo. "A
angelo"
Yes" I answered, something OF tina
sort" But TO myself / thought tina
there are doubtless many kinds of an
gels.
: And what We're those-those shad
ows-doing?" he asked again.
) welcoming her after her transforms
= ticl / suppose. But perhaps they wer
not shadows-only priests disguised an
!, conducting some secret ceremonial
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1906-01-14

touched my hair. Indeed. how can she
be who changed thus In an hour? Flesh
and blood are not born Of flame, Hor-
ace"
Are you sure that she was so borng'
I asked Like the visions on the fire,
may not that hideous shape have been
but an illusion OF our minds? May she
not be still the same Ayesha whom We
knew tn Kor, not reborn, but waited
hither by some mysterious agencyT'
Perhaps. Horace. We do not know-I
think that we shall never know. But
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1906-01-14
Ito Be Continued Next Sunday.)
MR.. FINsTEIN'S CRAFT.

you say he wants to marry you. mein
daughter"
''YesI Vater.' -.
"Dit ne Gif sou a tiamOnt ring. Yotg
mo, water; but he gaze me an ofder
on tie cheweier reading; 'Gif Mrs Eeln-
stein Vun tiamont ring of her owF Sc
legtlon.' Houston Post.
Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1906-05-16

A Snow Hill man recently pre-
sented to his better half an elaborate
piano lamp. He was much flattered
when she told him she intended to
give it his name, until he asked her
reason for 80 peculiar a proceeding.
"Well," she said, "you know, dear,
it has good deal of brass about it.
1t is handsome to look at, requires a
good deal of attention, is remarkably
brilliant, is sometimes unsteady on
its legs, liable to explode when only
half full, fires up occasionally, it is
always out at bedtime, and is bound
to smoke.-Snow Hill (Md.) Mes
senger.
Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1906-05-16
Marlboro Refuses Dlspensary Money.

A special to the News and Courier,
from Bennettsville, says:
The meeting on Friday, in Willis
school district, which was called to
oppose the action of the trustees in
refusing the dispensary funds, was
attended by every patron in the dis
trict. The question was freely dis
cussed by both sides, after which it
was decided to vote openly and have
the votes recorded.
Only two voted to use the dispen-
sary funds. After the balloting was
finished these two decided not to
allow their names to go on record in
favor of the dispensary money, and
the vote was made unanimous to sus-
tain the former action of the trus
tees and patrons.
There was strong sentiment
against being forced to use the dis
pensary funds, and Superintendent
Martins letter probably had some
effect in uniting the factions to re-
sist any encroachment upon the con-
scientious convictions of those who
honestly believe it is wrong to edu-
cate their children with profits from
the sale of whiskey. 1t is now up to
the county and State boards of edu-
cation.
Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1906-05-16

The Congaree House, on Gervais
street, in Columbia, just opposite the
capitol grounds, was burned at four
o'clock on the morning of the 7th.
The house was large three-s story
We oden building, and was one of the
landmarks of Columbia. During re-
construction days this house was
famous in its way, the Republican
headquarters being located in that
section of the CITY.
Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1906-05-16
Cotton Seriously Damaged by Frost.

PHkens, May 11.-The frost last
night killed at least one-fourth Of
the cotton. crop of Pickens county.
Farmers fromsten miles of the court
house report all of theirs gone. Cot.
ton seed is in great demand for re-
planting.
Green,ilie, May l1.-Eff,cts of
the recent cold have been far reach
ing in this aud adjoining counties.
All low-land cotton has either been
killed or badly injured in many 10.
cslities. Farmers have already gone
to work to plow up the damaged
crop and will plant the land in corn
and some will replant in cotton. The
terrific hail storm of last Sunday 80
injured the crop that it could not
stand the cold and frost following.
CotSA planted on the highlands has
fareAs4nuch better, but all has been
injured to some extent.
Yorkyille, May li.-There was
considerable frost last night through
out the county and cotton was badly
damaged. Some farmers are plow-
ing it up and will replant. Having
disposed of their surplus seed good
many are short and will not have
enough to replant. The thermome-
ter stood at 3S here this morning and
Tuesday night.
Union, May 11.-There was a
very heavy frost in all parts Of the
county this morning, and reports
from different sections say that in
most of them the cotton crop was
badly hurt, many acres being entire
ly killed, necessitating replanting.
Considerable damage was done to
vegetables and to some fruit.
a,Saluda, May 11.-There was con-
siderable frost here last night and
much uneasiness is felt for the cotton
plant, most of which was up. Should
the cotton be killed there are not
enough seed left in this county to
plant again.
Birmingham, Ala, May ia
special from Decatur, Ala, says ::
Another heavy frost fell last night
in the Tennessee river valley and
this frost and the one of Tuesday
night have killed all the cotton that
was up in that section Of the State.
In some places the entire crop will
have to be replanted.
Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1906-05-16
monotony and a damping of indi-

monotony and a damping of indi-
vidnal originality in teaching. Let
the meeting be one of freedom on
the part of all the teachers and they
will give and receive much light and
much enthusiasm on Christ's manner
of teaching and the glorious truths
He taught.
Teachers often have perplexities
and need encouragement, and in a
teachers meeting is good place to
solve problems aud get help.
Another great help in the equip
ment of teachers is studying the
Christian Culture Courses as fol-
lowed by many of our B. Y. P. u.
folks. Then, too, attendance upon
some Bible institute for two weeks,
where many of our best Bible stn-
dents endeavor to teach the Scrip
lures in their beauty and simplicity,
will prove great benefit.
These Bible institutes are doing
much for the training of our Sunday
school teachers and, / am glad to say,
are being well attended in many places
and the leading men of our denomi-
nation are giving their time and tai
ent gratis to this work. l feel sure
there are more who would willingly
lend their help. If we cannot have
such help, let us help one another
and God will send the blessing.
Miss Katie e. Harris.
Baptist Courier and Baptist Press
please copy.