The bee., 1916-02-08
The Power Of
Song
By F. A. MITCHGL


whose ambition was to emulate men
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 a vow she
would marry no man who could not
beat her on the cinder path. Having
many suitor, 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 ike
ly to win the girl even II they won
the race. Several neet runners came
20 near beating her that II she had
chosen she might have thrown the
race without appearing to DO 30.
One day q 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 a 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 aud
reported that, while the challenger was
shapely, he was not muscular, and his
physique did not warrant the infer
snce 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 II he beat her
she was to marry him. This agree
ment 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 a mile and there being sew
en- laps. A large concourse Of people
were gathered to see the race. The
stranger stepped forth in a pair Of
short running pants such as are worn
at the present day. One thing about
him was noticeable-hls manly beauty.
1t was evident that he was not built
for heetness. But what astonished ev-
cry one was that he held in his hand
G harp. Eudoxia was attired in the
same fashion, with the addition Of a
shift falling only to the thighs.
When the two confronted e.:Shh ee.Sh other
It was noticed that the strangers man
ly beauty, which all agreed Fivaled the
statues Of Apollo, made q marked I'm
preston on Eudoxia. When abe saw
the harp In bis hand she was surprised,
and when he did not lay 1t aside be-
fore taking his position for the race she
wondered.
The signal was given, Budoxia
started OF 90 last that she did mot
know that Born 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, di-
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 a 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 It
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 tin
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 I'm the song, till they came with
in few yards of the goal, when Boris,
still singing, turned and walked back
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 a long breath and burst into
cheer.
And so EudOxia was won, not by
feetness, 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 a 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
bride