The Emmett index. [volume] (Emmett, Idaho) 1893-1925, 1913-10-02


fled the golden days away and onl.
Savitri knew that every dusk brough
the stern God of Death nearer to he
beloved; the old blind king knew not
nor did his wife, nor gentle, brave
Satyavan. And Savitri knew there
was no hope that Yama would moi
come; for Of all certain things in ar
unstable world, the God of Death is
surest-so certain that he is as well
the god of truth, and his word once
given is sure.
And when there remained but three
days and three nights before the dread
last day, Savitri tasted and kept vigil
those three nights. Then she asked
that she might go with her husband
into the forest the next day, and the
request was granted her. He plucked
long grass and banked it thick for her,
making couch, and brought wild
fruit and laid beside her, and went
away into the wood to cut down trees.
Fainter his blows rang on the breath
less air, and to the girl it seemed as
if a yellow cloud had floated into the
face of the sun and dimmed his bright
ness. Then Satyavan came toward
her, and she saw him sway, one hand
on his dark hair, and heard him say,
"My head-my head-it hurts" and
he sank down and lay with his head
in her lap and slept heavy sleep,
scarce breathing. Then, coming to-
ward her through the darkened woods,
slow. dreadful, neither Fastening nor
holding back, tall black figure with
a loop of rope. And he smiled with
a certain melancholy kindness, saying:
81 am not come for you, my child"
stopped and fixed his loop upon the
silent soul of Satyavan, and she saw
Ter husband stand up to follow.
Then Savitri, who had been tremb-
ing, grew of sudden calm, and her
Eyes shone, and she arose, ready to
ollow her lord, even to the realms of
Death.
Farewell, child" murmured Death,
and grieve not overmuch."
And he went away down the aisles
f the forest, among the falling
caves; but behind, light as the yellow
caves themselves, he heard the fut-
err of her little feet. For she was fol-
owing him away into the dusk, and
)eath turned, wondering, for to most
1ortals his coming is invisible, like
reath of wind Then he said:
"Ask any favor, child, except his
fe."
She answered.:
"Let his father see him once again"
easily granted" said the tall black
cd, "and now go back"
But as he turned again and plunged
eeper and deeper into the gloomy
orest, he heard the patter of her
,otsteps still, and turned and gave
er one more wish. And she desired
Inn that her father-in-law might be
,stored to his kingdom.
And still she followed; other boons
: gave-restored the old kings sight
and Death wondered, for she asked
lily for what should add to the joy /
others, and at last he said:
"Ask me once more, and this time
r yourself, and then you are ban
he'd"
She murmured:
"Let me have many sons and see
cir children happy before l die" :
"Of surety" said Death, at is a r
oddly wish"
Then seeing her still standing
ere, he asked, "Why do you waltz"
"My Lord" she said, "a widow of
e Hindus does not remarry."
A moment he stood. AS god of
lth his word could not be broken.
len he undid the moose and the for
t echoed his laughter and he cried
deep compassion:
20 valiant one, who has no fear of
ath, defeats like this are glorious
the gods"
Then he was gone, and Satyavan l
oke, and coming through the wood i
i'd they heard the blare of trumpets
ere men came to tell them that the
lgdom was restored.