SHORT STORY. TARADIANA.

Otago Witness, Issue 2355, 13 April 1899, Page 50

SHORT STORY. TARADIANA.

{By a New Zealand Author in an English Magazine.) CHAPTER I. In remote ages there lived in the kingdom of Elephantine, in ancient Egypt, one named Taradianß. Taradiana was a young lady of high Birth and high social standing, though not of blood royaL She -was nurtured by rojalty, and was destined for an exalted position. The King of Elephantine was very old, "very, feeble, and very tired of the cares inseperable from the government of a great kingdom. ■ Jnst at that time when Taradiana, bud- . ding forth into womanhood, dazzled all b.eholders .with her surpassing beauty, the King decided to abdicate in favour of his son, Prince Sensuphis. Sitting under palm and sycamore in the palace gardens one day he called to him the Prince and Taradiana. " There is another subject upon which I wish to address you," said he, after he had disclosed his intentions. " Soon I will leave this state of being, to return, maybe, in another form. Meanwhile, I have little to hope for here below. Yet I have one ambition, and "that is to see the union, of Prince Sensuphis and Taradiana." He paused for a moment and scanned the countenances of the young people. " For where in the whole land of Egypt," he continued, as his hand fell lightly on thy maiden's head; "could there be found the same elegance, beauty, and incomparable sublimity of mind that grace a queen?"

The Prince had already succumbed to Taradiana's beauty. Ho* therefore hailed tho proposed union with great joy, but delicacy restrained him from giving expression to his feelings. Taradiana, however, thirsteu for * more aseful existence than that of a mere doll, to -be looked at and admired. She did not desire an exalted position, but rather to be "Where she could alleviate the human sufferings away out beyond ' the great palace wajls. .

With hot blushes mantling her cheeks, with downcast eyes and trembling lips, •she thanked the King fc his consideration. But" there was that within her, she «aid, which indicated* that her life should btt given to tho cause of humanity, and ehe felt constrained to refuse the honours sought to be placed upon her The Prince DecafiM dWnc*»fc

- The regard of, the King was turned to wrath.

"Ungrateful wretch," he cried. "For 17 years I have watched over you with paternal care, but you, mindless of my wishes, now refuse the hand of my son, ruler of the greatest kingdom in Egypt. To-night all the nobles of the land will assemble in the great hall at the coronation of the Prince. I shall then announce your betrothal. See to it that you attend, and that in this you defy not the commands of your master and your King."

"Oh, my Lord," replied Taradiana, "ungrateful indeed would I be were I to cause you one moment of unnecessary pain. But to those who are lowly and suffering in darkness am I wedded, and to them my duty calls me. I cannot — nay, my Lord, I shall not — marry the Prince." Heeding not the Prince's imploring look and gesture, Taradiana made low obeisance ami left the Royal presence. "When she gained her room, she threw herself on a divan to think of what she hai done and what she should do.

Her determination had not been a hasty one. The dense mass of human nature, squalid, hungry, dirty, and ragged, that thrcnged without the palace walls had occupied her mind for many months. She had seen with wonder, mingled with pity, religious festivals and rites practised with superstition and barbarity. She had seen her fellow-beings fall down before Osiris and Isis, and before the ox, the dog, the wolf, the crocodile, and the cat. Even as she gazed through the open window on to the distant streets, there arose the clamour of a multitude of voices.

A procession, headed by priests, appi cached and halted within a few hundred yards of the gates. Behind the priests came menials holding by stout ropes sundry animals destined for sacrifice.

Behind these again was a concourse of people, laying hands on the animals, imprecating them, and praying loudly for the gods to divert upon the victims all the calamities that might threaten the kingdom. An irresistible impulse seized Taradiana to denounce before that ignorant multitude the hollowness of their religion — to tell them that in 'each man and each woman the.c lived a god well worthy of worship, a spiritual god, pure, holy, and capable of infinite development. Hastily she threw a robe over her shoulders, stepped from her room, and noiselessly descended the staircase. She reached the great hall where preparations were being made, for' the festivals to be celebrated that eTejnng. " • • She passed 'through with a .shudder, reached the door leading to the courtyard, and, opening it, stood face to face with Prince Sensuphis. : '•

Their c

es met.

His beamed -with, love, hers with the fierce glow of religions enthusiasm. • - "Ah, sweet Taradiana'," he began, in accents that faltered with suppressed emotion, "be not ( unkind to one whom you have dazzled with.yotir beauty and goodness. Deign to listen to my supplications, for without you my crown* to me will be but a bauble, and the glories of my reign but empty vanities." " My Lord and Prince," replied the maid, "it cannot be. Yonder in that dark humanity a mission awaits me See you, my Lord, last night I had a dream. Methought it was countless ages ago, when the world was young. I lived on another planet, where hatred, lying, and sin were not. I had happiness — of a kind. Yet what is hairiness if the soul is inactive and slothia'ff I thirsted for something to do. In those realms of light there ruled a mighty sovereign power called Saidie. The embodiment of the highest intelligence and virtue, she was not even to be approached by me, so inferior. But surrounding her wore lesser intelligences, and through them she conveyed her commands. One day an emissary called me to the higher sphere, and there I was told that Saidie, seeing the sin in the souls of men, had "decided to send missionaries to the earth planet. These missionaries were to inculcate the love of truth, morality, and kindness to others, as the only source of true happiness. .They were to promulgate the doctrine that man's nature is sublime, and were to help him to develop .the god within him. I was among the few chosen for tho great mission. Amidst solemn ceremonial rites I promised; and then, rnethought, I saw my name written h\ letters of fire. T am one of Saidie's band, and I go forth now into the world to fulfil and redeem my promise." "Alas!" ejaculated the youth, still oarring the way with outstretched arms, " what madness is this? Know you not that these wild and foolish statements must bring upon you the enmity of the priesthood? Have you no fear of Osiris and Isis, by whom you shall be judged? Haste to hurl from you these false doctrines, the mere phantoms of your dreams. With contrite heart return to the palace, sue for pardon from your King and your gods, and reign in peace and happiness as Queen of Elenhantine."

"Peace and happiness! Who speaks of peace and happiness in Elephantine, when man, deifying the filthy animals of the held, lavishes on them adulation due to none but the Immortal Spirit? — peace and happiness when souls are sinking down into the abyss of animalism and sensuality? The bull Apis and the Mendesian goat, are these gods for men to worship? No! Elephantine must be awakened. Like the sound of a trumpet the word must forth, calling men from sin and misery, and disclosing to them the light of truth, sliming resplendent from the supernal halls of Saidie'S boundless empire. Therefore, stand you aside, mv Lord, and let m^ pass.' "Stay yet awhile," implored the youth. But Taradiana was deaf to his words. The golden, gate of the courtyard swung open and she. passed through. (To be continued.) Eihel It. Pznjauin, Barrister and Solicitor, Albert Buildings, Princes street, JDunedm (oi>paite C.P.0.), has (rust moneys to lend o.i Approved secwrity.— Adrfc