The Washburn leader., 1916-02-11
The Power Of
Song
BY F. A. mitchell

in athletics. Expert in throwing the
discus, she won contests against those
who were champions in this game.
She was the best chariot driver in the
kingdom and had won many races.
But her most remarkable feats were
in running. In this no one was found
to beat her.
So proud was she of her swiftness on
her legs that she made vow she
would marry no man who could not
beat her ON the cinder path. Having
many suitors, this only added to the
rivalry among them. But since an
ability to run fast does not argue that
man is otherwise attractive, those
whose muscular development warrant
ed their entering the list were not like
ly to win the girl even II they won
the race. Several feet runners came
so near beating her that If she had
chosen she might have thrown the
race without appearing to do SO.
One day young man came to the
village where this girl, Eudoxia, lived
and announced that he would enter
the list against her, only he made the
provision that should he win the race
she must marry him. He sent chal-
lenge. and Eudoxia dispatched her
brother to look the man over and re-
port to her whether he would likely
outrun her. The brother returned and
reported that, while the challenger was
shapely, he was not muscular. and his
physique did not warrant the infer
ence that he could beat an ordinary
runner.
The slight risk Of being beaten by
one whom she would be pledged to
marry and yet might dislike tempted
Eudoxia to consent to the terms. So
an agreement was drawn up between
her and the stranger, who called him.
self Boris. to race, and IL he beat her
she was to marry him. This agree
,nent was signed by Eudoxia without
having seen her suitor.
The race was to take place on track
in the form Of an ellipse. the length
being half mile and there being sew
en- laps. A large concoursc Of people
were gathered to see the race. The
stranger stepped forth in q pair Of
short running pants such as are worn
at the present day. One thing about
him was noticeable-his manly beauty.
1t was evident that he was not built
for feetness. But what astonished ev-
cry one was that he held In his hand
a harp. Eudoxia was attired in the
same fashion, with the addition Of q
shift falling only to the thighs.
When the two confronted each other
it was noticed that the strangers man
ly beauty, which all agreed rivaled the
statues of Apollo, made a marked Inn
preston on Eudoxia. When she saw
the harp in his hand she was surprised.
and when he did not lay it aside be-
fore taking his position for the race she
wondered.
The signal was given. Eudoxia
started of SO fast that she did not
know that Boris was walking slowly.
/, She heard behind her sounds from the
| strings Of the harp, soothing rather
than inspiring. When she had made
three-quarters Of the first lap there, d.
rectly opposite her at the other end Of
the minor axis Of the elliptic course,
was Boris, walking and striking his
harp. Then he began TO sing.
Eudoxia, who had nothing to fear
from such a tortoise, stopped to listen.
Boris was singing her praises, the love
he felt for her, pleading that she
would not turn deaf ear to him. She
listened till he had gone out Of hear
ing, and then she proceeded to the 9th
er end Of the minor axis and waited
till he had come around to the point
| where she had been listening to his
song.
1t seemed that in the meanwhile 1t
had grown sweeter. He was walking
very slowly, putting all his feeling into
It. Again Eudoxia went on till she
reached the point at which he had
been singing, while he proceeded till
he took her place. Here both stood
still, the man singing of the beauty
and the virtues Of the peerless Eu-
doxia, she seeming to be spellbound.
Then he went on singing, wait for
me, fair one," repeating the words
again and again till he came around
to where she stood. and the two walk
ed side by side.
In this way they proceeded, the girl
rapt in the song, till they came with.
in few yards Of the goal, when Boris.
still singing. turned and walked buck
ward, keeping his eyes fixed on Eu-
doxia, till he passed over the goal.
Then the spectators, who had ap-
peared to be enthralled as well as the
girl, drew long breath and burst into
a cheer.
And 80 Eudoxia was won. not by
fleetness, but by the power Of song
As soon as he had won the race Boris
announced himself to be the son Of
powerful noble of what Is now Monte
negro, and, without holding Eudoxia
to her contract, appeared himself as
suitor for her hand. which. after Pc
rIod Of maidenly reserve. she gave him.
Many Of the people who were not
cognizant Of what passed after the
winning Of the race believed that the
stranger was Apollo. who had come
down from heaven to win an earthly
1,paNn al5 fIl- l.-7s