The broad ax., 1926-10-23

DAoeA~A - III Us i~oPoio thoi HNSu
in the high places, but sometimes
found his way into the village.
On this wonderful night as she en-
tered the jungle her little slender
figure danced in delight to the loud
notes Of the tom-tom, that her father
was having sounded to call together
all the elders Of her tribe. She knew
that on this night her father was to
council with the elders concerning
dispute he had had with the chieftan
Of a neighboring tribe. Would their
decision change her love for the son
Of this enemy Was she a traitor TO
her tribe now that she made her way
through the jungle to the little bamboo
trysting place where she was joined
by Dualu. her tall, bronze prince OF
the forest?
Dualu was now holding her in his
arms. She feels his hot kisses on
her bare arms. her throat, her face.
her lips. She laughs in wild glee as
he pleads with her not to let their
tribal differences interfere with their
plans. She is to be his bride. She is
to come to him with the rising Of the
new moon. The elephants will be
ready and Dualu will be waiting to
take you as his bride to Basa. Little
FREELY Of the night, little blossom OF
the jungle, you are woman and as
the missionary said, you have a right
to choose her husband. What does il
matter if your fathers differ? It makes
no difference with you and Dualu
This will prove your love for him.
Swift, silent feet stealthily took
back her decision to the chief and his
elders, and when she finally emerged
from the jungle and reached the large
open space of her village her father
and they still sat in council with
troubled faces. She called to them.
she waved them her kisses. But they
returned them not. Oh, little 1utter-
ing butterfly without a mother, speak
to your father, he will hear you. Lit
tie darling of the village, 60 to the
elders and tell them Of your love
they will forgive you. All, your father
is waving you back and the elders are
stirrig something in their big, green
bowls. Is it potion Of love for you
and Dualu? No, little brown winged
plover of the night, it is a potion Of
bitterness that they mix for you.
Slowly they take off their bright col
ored robes and throw them on the
ground, and sit in tunics Of black.
All, the big new moon Is rising
over the forest. Tonight, little maiden
of the dusk, your lover is waiting.
The elephants are ready for your
fight. Once more the tom-tom is
sounded and the war-bedecked elders
gather around your father in the big
open space for council. Perhaps when
you are gone to Basa they will not
wage war on the father Of your lover.
Did not the missionary who was per-
mitted to live in the big house, tell
you of the strong love that made all
nations kin? Did he not tell you Of
maiden who had left her people, her
country, her God for the sake Of
beloved one? Now that Mana was
leaving her people and their land, she
had the consolation Of knowing that
the Allah whom she worshipped was
the same Allah whom Dualu served.
Would He not protect her?
Mana anointed he body with cost
ly oils, and busted her hair with seed
pearls. She donned her prettiest robe
Of crimson silk. Her arms were en-
circled at the wrists and elbows BY
wide gold bands. Drawing her silken
garments about her slender form she
crept softly out of her fathers house
for none must witness her solitary
fight. Swiftly she ran toward the
forest. Her little brown sandalled feet
barely touched the ground.
This was wonderful night, and a
wonderful love was hers. She wanted
to laugh or sing, or to cry aloud. But
she must not for the elders would hear
and call her back. Now she has
reached the forest; she sees the huge,
dark forms Of the elephants, and oh,
happy one, there is your tall, bronze
kingl He is waiting for you, little
darling Of the jungle. Fly more swift
ly little dove Of the night, and make
yourself his queen. When you greet
him his words are few; but you fancy
that his eyes are saying. Draw close.