Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-03-20

the Grand Canyon.
LEILA MECHLIN.
and they seemed to desire no other In
deed if as occasionally happened, a
child was born to any of them who could
hear or speak like other human beings,
it was either given over to the other
dwarfs, or If the discovery was not made
until 1t was old enough TO observe. 1t was
sacrificed by being bound to the trunk of
the tribal tree lest it should tell the
secret of the tree"
Such were the weird, half-human folk
among whom Rachel was destined to
dwell. The Zulus had been bad and blood
thirsty. but compared to these little wiz
ards they seemed to her as angels. me
Zulus at any rate had left her her
thoughts. but these stunted Wretches. she
was sure, pried into them and read them
with the help of their bowls. for often
she caught sight Of them signing to each
other about her as she passed. and point
ing with grins to pictures which they saw
in the water.
1t was night again. still. silent night
made odorous with the heavy cedar scents
of the huge tree upon the mound. Racne.
and Mole sat before Nya in the cave be-
meath the burning lamp about which nut
tered the big winged. gilded moths.
Thou didst not find him yonder among
the shades - said Nya suddenly. as though
she were continuing conversation. Say
now maiden art thou satisfied. or Wouidst
thou seek for him again?
Il would seek him through all the
heavens and all the earths Mother, my
soul burns for sight of him. and II l
cannot find him, then 1 must die, ana &c
perchance where he is not :
Good" said Nya. 1.-The effort wearies
me. for I grow weak. Yet for thy sake l
will try to help thee, who saved me from
the red DEATH
Then the dwarf woman came In ana
beat upon their drums, and. as before.
the old mother of the trees began to sing.
but Mole sat aside, for in this nights play
she would take no part. Again Rachel
sank into sleep and again it seemed to
her that she was swept from the earth
into the region of the stars and there
searched world after world.
She saw many strange and marvellous
things: things wonderful that her
memory was buried beneath the mass OF
them. SO that when she woke again she
could not recall their details. Only of
Richard she saw nothing. Yet as her life
returned to her she was near to Richard
She could not see him and she could not
her him. yet certainly he was near her
Then her eyes opened. and Nya ceasing
from her song. asked:
What tidingS wanderer?
Little she answered feebly, for she
was very tired and in a faint voice she
told her all.
Good said Nya. nodding her gray
head. This time he was not SO far away.
Tomorrow I will make thy spirit strong
and then perhaps he will come to thee.
Now rest"
So next night Nya laid her charm upon
Rachel as before, and again her spirit
sought for Richard This time it seemed
to her that she did not leave the earth.
but with infinite pain. with terrible strug
Cling, wandered to and fro about il, be-
wildered by a multitude of faces. led
astray by myriads of footsteps. Yet in
no., she saw him not. she knew not where
he was. but undoubtedly for a while
she was with him. and awoke again. eX-
hausted. but very happy.
Nya heard her story, weighing every
word of it but saying nothing. Then she
signed to the dwarfs to bring her a bowl
of dew. and stared in l. for long while.
The dwarfwomen also stared into their
bowls and afterward came to her, talk
ing to her on their fingers. after which
all three of them upset the dew upon
rock. 'breaking the pictures
Hast thou seen aught?' asked Rachel
eagerly.
Yes. maiden answered the mother
Il and these wise women have seen some
thing. the same thing. and therefore
true thing. But ask not what it was. for
we may not tell thee. nor would ii help
thee If we did. Only be Of good courage,
for this ! say. there is hope for thee"
So Rachel went to sleep. bordering on
these words Of which neither she nor
Mole could guess the meaning. The next
night when she prayed Nya to lay the
spell upon her. the old mother would not
Not So" she said. Thrice have l
rent thy soul from thy body and sent it
af2r. and this / may do no NOR. and
keep thee living. nor could l If l would.
Tor | grow feeble. Neither is it neces-
sary, seeing that although thou knowest
it not that spirit of thine, having found
him. is with him wherever he may be.
yes, at his side com eortng him.
AYE, but where is he. mother? Let me
look in the bowl and see his face, as be-
lieve that thou hast done
Look If thou wilt" and she motioned
to one of the dwarf women to place a
bowl before her.
ITO be continued tomorrow
The Russian minister of finance has
declared his intention OF assessing a tax
On electrical energy. which will yield a
revenue. ii is said. of about si,JU0,tU0 a
year to the trca ury.