Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-03-21

do that thou mayest reign alone over the
thousands OF the People of the Dwarfs
and WELD their wisdom to Increase thy
power thou poison-bloated toad. All
these things are true. Edo. yet ere go
have a word to say to thee to which
thou wilt do we'll to listen"
Speak on" said Edo. without doubt
thou hast wisdom of a sort: honey thou
hast garnered during many years, and it
is we'll that l should suck the store before
it is too late
"Eddo," said Nya. IT am not the only
one in this Holy Place who grows white
and thin. Look, there is another" and
she nodded toward Rachel, who walked
past them aimlessly with dreaming eyes,
attended by Mole. upon whose arm she
leaf.
Il see." answered Eddo. this haunted
death-prison presses the life out of her.
also think that thou hast sent her spirit
raveling. as thou knowest how to do. and
such Journeys sap the strength of flesh
and blood"
Perhaps; but now. before II Is too late,
] would send her body travelling also.
Only thou. who hast the power for a
while. dost bar the road"
Il know" said Edo, nodding his head
and looking at his companion. I'VE all
know, do We not. Hana-we who have
heard certain beatings of drums in the
night and studied dew drops beneath
the trees at dawn? Thou wouldst send
her to meet another traveller"
Yes. and If thou art wise thou whist let
her 60"
why should 1 let her go?" asked the
priest. passionately: land with her all
my greatness? She must reign here after
thee. for at her feet thy tree fell, and II
is the will OF the people. who weary OF
dwarf queens and desire one that is tall
and beautiful and white. Moreover, when
my blood has been poured into her her
wisdom will be great. greater than thine
or that Of any mother that went before
thee. for she is 'Wensi,' the virgin, and
her soul is purer than them ALL I will
not let her go If she leaves this holy
place. where none may do her harm.
She shall die, and then her spirit may go
TO seek that other traveller
Thou art mad. Eddo. mad and blind
with pride and folly. Let her be, and
choose another mother. Now. there is
Mole"
''rhy great niece Nya, who thinks as
thou thinkest and hates whom thou
hatest. Nay, I will have none of that
halfbreed. Yonder white Inkosazana shall
be our queen and no other"
"Then. Eddo' whispered Nya leaning
forward and looking into his eyes. "she
shall be the last mother Of this people.
Fool. there are those who fight for her
against whom thou canst not prevail.
Thou knowest them not. but know them.
and tell thee that they make ready thy
doom. Have thy way, Edo: It was not
| for her that / pleaded with thee. but for
the sake OF the ancient People OF the
Ghosts whose fate draws nigh to them.
| Fool. have thy way, spin thy web. and
be caught in 1t myself. l tell thee Edo,
| that thy death shall be redder than any
thou hast dreamed, nor shall 1t fall on
| thee alone. Begone now, and trouble me
| no more till in another place all that is
left of thee shall creep to my feet, pray
ing me for a pardon thou shalt not find.
! Begone. for the last leaf withers on my
tree. and tomorrow l pass within the
| fence. Say to the people that their
mother. against whom they rebelled. is
dead, and that she bids them prepare to
| meet the evil which, alive, she warded
| from their heads"
| Now Edo strove to answer but could
not. for there was something in the fam
ing eyes OF Nya which frightened him.
! lie looked at Hama and Hama looked back
at him. then taking each others hand,
they skunk away toward the wall stag
gering blind!y through the sunshine
toward the shade