The Washington times., 1920-02-01
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e snow, tell me the Names" she
said, aand then let US see II they
tally with what / have written. for
n so you are a true man, not
mere wanderer or a spy"
.The principal names OF this
doctor are Zikali, the opener OF
Roads, the Thing that should :
never.have-b e-been-born," ] answered.
--"Read the writing" she said
II unfolded the sheet and read
me Arabic words. which meant,
s-Weapons. Cleaver OF Rocks, One
st whom dogs bark and children
wall"
s...The last two are near enough,
she said, "but the first is wrong"
s~.;'Nay, Ayesha, since In this mans
stongue Zikali means weapons,
inteiligence at which she clapped
Ler hands as merry girl might 90.
~rbe man." went on. lis without
doubt a great doctor. one who sees
and knows things that others 40
not; but why this token carved In
Ills likeness should have power, as
You say it has. do not under
ysand."
.."Because with II goes his spirit,
20 Allan. Have you never heard OF
the Egyptians. a very wise people,
who. as / remember. declared that
man has a Ka or double, a second
self, that can dwell in their statues
or be sent afarY
:. I answered that l had heard this.
- "Well, the Ka of this Zikali goes
with that hideous image OF him,
which is perhaps why you have
Come safe through many dangers
and why | seemed to dream SO
much of him last night also. Say
how, what does Zikali want OF me
whose power he knows very well?"
- IAN oracle. the answer to rid
die, o Ayesha."
v "Then set 1t out another time.
So you desire to see the dead. and
mis- old dwarf, who Is a home OF
wisdom, desires an oracle from one
who is greater than he. Good.
And what are you, or both OF you,
prepared to pay for these boons?
Know, Allan, that l am merchant
who sells my favors dear. Tell me,
then, will you pay?"
=. 81 think that it depends upon the
price" Unanswered cautiously. "Set
cut the price, 0 Ayesha."
.-"Be not afraid, o cunning deal
er." she mocked. IL do not ask
your soul, or even that love OF
yours which you guard SO jeal-
ously, since these things could
take without the asking. Nay, l
ask only what a brave and honest
man may give without shame
your help in war, and. perhaps" she
added with a softer tone, your
friendship, for l think, Allan, that
like you we'll, perhaps because
you remind me of others whom !
knew in the forgotten years"
l bowed at the compliment, feel
ing proud and pleased at the pros
pect of friendship with this won
derful and splendid creature, al
though I was aware that 1t had
many dangers, then sat still and
Wondered.
,"Listen," she said after a while,
81 will tell you story, and when
you have heard 1t you shall answer,
even IL you do not believe 1t, but
net before. Does 1t please you to
listen|
Again | bowed, thinking to my.
self that knew nothing that would
please me more, who was eaten up
with a devouring curiosity about
this woman.
Now she rose from her couch,
and descending off the dais began
to walk up and down the chamber.
l say, to walk, but her movements
were more like the gliding of an
eagle through the air.
Listen" she said again, "and
even If the tale seems marvellous
to you. interrupt and above all
mock me not, lest / should grow
angry, which might be Ill for you
] am not as other women are, o
Allan, who, having conquered the
secrets of nature" there | felt an
intense desire to ask what secrets,
but remembered and held my
tongue) Ito my sorrow, have pre-
served my youth and beauty
through many ages. Moreover, in
the past, perhaps in payment for
my sins, | have lived other lives
of which the memory remains with
me.
by my last birth / am an Arab
lady of royal blood, descendant
Of the Kings of the East. There l
dwelt in the wilderness and ruled
a people, and at night gathered
wisdom from the stars and the
spirits of the earth and air. At
length / wearied of it all and my
people, too, wearied of me and be.
sought me to depart, for, Allan, l
would have naught to do with men,
yet men went mad because of my
beauty and slew each other out of
jealousy. Moreover, other peoples
made war upon my people, hoping
to take me captive that ! might
ha q Nyifa tA thn,v Itngo