Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-03-23
CHAPTER XIV.
The End and the Beginning.


On the day following that when she
had summoned Eddo to speak with her
Nya sat at the mouth of the cave. 1t
was late afternoon. and already the shad-
ows gathered so quickly that save for
her white hair. her little chiidlike shape.
withered now almost to skeleton, was
scarcely visible against the black rock.
Walking to and fro in her aimess fash
Rachel, accompanied by Mole. passed and
repassed her. till at length the old woman
| lifted her head and listened to something
| which was quite inaudible to their ears
| Then she beckoned to Mole, who led
Rachel to her.
| Maiden beloved" she said in feeble
| voice. after they had sat down in front
of her. my hour has come: I have sent
| for thee to bid thee farewell till We meet
! again in country where thou hast trav-
| eled for a little while. Before the sun
sets 1 pass within the fence"
| At this 'tidings Rachel began to weep.
for she had learned to love this old
dwarf woman. who had been so kind to
| her in her misery, and she was now SO
weak that she could not restrain her
fears.
Mother she said. for thee 1t is joy
/ to go. know it, and therefore cannot
wish that thou shouldst stay. Yet what
shall l do when thou hast left me alone
1
| what shall do?
"Perchance thou wilt seek another
helper. maiden. and perchance thou shalt
| find another to guard and comfort thee.
Follow thy heart, obey thy heart. and
remember the last woras of Nya-that no
harm shall come TO thee. Nay-if l know
it, l may tell thee no more thou who
couldst not hear what the drums said to
me but now. Farewell" and turning
round she made a sign to certain dwarf
mutes who were gathered behind her as
though they awaited her commands
Hast thou no last word for me.
| mother" asked Mole.
AYE. child she answered. Thy
heart is very bold, and thou also must
follow it. Though thy sin should be
great. perchance thy greater love may
pay its price. At least thou art but an
arrow set upon the string and that
which must be will be. l think that we
| shall meet again ere long. Come hither
and kneel at my side.
Mole obeyed and for a little space Nya
whispered in her ear. while as she lis
In Noies eyes. lights of terror and of
pride. lights of hope and of despair
| what did she say TO you. Noie?" asked
| Rachel presently.
| II may not tell, Zoola," she answered
| Question me no more"
Now the mutes brought forward a
Slight litter woven of boughs on which
the withered leaves still hung boushs
IfoH A>Jd > Idllen tree. In this litter they
placed her. for she could no longer walk
and lifted 1t onto their shoulders For
one moment she babe them halt and
calling Rachel and Mole to her kissed
them upon the brow. holding up her thin
childlike hands over them In blessing
Then, followed by them both. the bearers
went forward with their burden. taking
the road that ran up the hill toward the
sacred tree. As the sun set they passed
| within the fence. and laying down the
| litter without a word nv bo1o ,r l,
tree turned and departed
| The darkness fell. and through ii Rachel
and Mole heard Nya singing for a little
while The song ceased. and they do
scended the Hill to the cave, for there
| they feared to stay lest the tree should
draw them also. They ate little food
Wh1ie the two women mutes who had sat
on each side OF Nya when she showed
into the bowls of dew that were set be-
| fore Them wherein they seemed to find
something that interested them much.
Mole prayed Rachel TO sleep, and she
1ried TO DO SO. and could not. For hour
after hour she tossed and turned. and at
length sat up, saying to Mole:
I nave fought against it. and I can
stay here no longer. Mole, I am being
drawn from this place out into the forest,
What draws thee. sister," asked Mole
rs it Eddo?''
mo. l think not: nothing to do with
| Euoo. On! Mole, Mole. 1t is the spirit of
Hlchard Darrien. He is dead. but for
days and weeks his spirit has been with
my spirit. and now it draws me into the
| forest to die and find him.
| Ihen that is an evil journey thou
wouldst take. Zoola?" '''od
IN, Not SO, Mole; it is the best and hap
pest OF Journeys. The thought Of il
nils me with JOY. What said Nya? Fol
low thy heart. So l follow it. Mole
farewell for must go away.
| Nay, answered Mole, "if thou roest !
go. who also was hidden to follow nv
heart that is sister to thy heart"
Rachel reasoned with her. but she porld
not listen. The end of it was that the
two OF them rose and threw on their
| cloaks; also Rachel took the great I'm
| kulu spear which she had used as a star
on her journey from the desert to the
forest. All this while the dwarf-women
watched her. but did nothing, only
| watched. WHY
They left the cave and walked to the
| mouth of the zig-zag slit in the great wall
which was open.
perhaps the mutes will kill us in the
heart of the WALL" said Mole
IF SO the end Will be soon and swift !"
answered Rachel
Go be continued tomorrow.)