the blue flower-第15部分

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the　great…grandfather　of　all　the　trout　in　the　river　was
hooked。　　Up　and　down　the　pool　he　played　for　half　an　hour；
until　at　last　the　fight　was　over；　and　for　want　of　a　net　Luke
beached　him　on　the　gravel　bank　at　the　foot　of　the　pool。

〃Seven　pounds　if　it's　an　ounce；〃　said　he。　　〃This　is　my
lucky　day。　　Now　all　I　need　is　some　good　meat　to　provision　the
camp。〃

He　glanced　down　the　river；　and　on　the　second　point　below
the　pool　he　saw　a　great　black　bullmoose　with　horns　five　feet
wide。

Quietly；　swiftly；　the　canoe　went　gliding　down　the　stream；
and　ever　as　it　crept　along；　the　moose　loped　easily　before　it；
from　point　to　point；　from　bay　to　bay；　past　the　little　cabin；
down　the　River　of　the　Way　Out；　now　rustling　unseen　through　a
bank　of　tall　alders；　now　standing　out　for　a　moment　bold　and
black　on　a　beach　of　white　sandso　all　day　long　the　moose　loped
down　the　stream　and　the　white　canoe　followed。　　Just　as　the
setting　sun　was　poised　above　the　trees；　the　great　bull　stopped
and　stood　with　head　lifted。　　Luke　pushed　the　canoe　as　near　as　he
dared；　and　looked　down　for　the　rifle。　　He　had　left　it　at　the
cabin！　　The　moose　tossed　his　huge　antlers；　grunted；　and　stepped
quietly　over　the　bushes　into　the　forest。

Luke　paddled　on　down　the　stream。　　It　occurred　to　him；
suddenly；　that　it　was　near　evening。　　He　wondered　a　little　how
he　should　reach　home　in　time　for　his　engagement。　　But　it　did
not　seem　strange；　as　he　went　swiftly　on　with　the　river；　to　see
the　first　houses　of　the　town；　and　the　lumber…yards；　and　the
schooners　at　the　wharf。

He　made　the　canoe　fast　at　the　dock；　and　went　up　the　Main
Street。　　There　was　the　old　shop；　but　the　sign　over　it　read；
〃Wilson　and　Woods　Company；　The　Big　Store。〃　　He　went　on　to　the
house　with　the　white　iron　images　in　the　front　yard。　　Diana　was
still　returning　from　the　chase。　　The　fountain　still　squirted
from　the　point　of　the　little　boy's　parasol。

On　the　veranda　sat　a　stout　man　in　a　rocking　chair；　reading　the
newspaper。　　At　the　side　of　the　house　two　little　girls　with
pig…tails　were　playing　croquet。　　Some　one　in　the　parlour　was
executing　〃After　the　Ball　is　Over〃　on　a　mechanical　piano。

Luke　accosted　a　stranger　who　passed　him。　　〃Excuse　me；　but
can　you　tell　me　whether　this　is　Mr。　Matthew　Wilson's　house？〃

〃It　used　to　be；〃　said　the　stranger；　〃but　old　man　Wilson
has　been　dead　these　ten　years。〃

〃And　who　lives　here　now？〃　asked　Luke。

〃Mr。　Woods：　he　married　Wilson's　daughter；〃　said　the
stranger；　and　went　on　his　way。

〃Well；〃　said　Luke　to　himself；　〃this　is　just　a　little
queer。　　Woods　was　my　name　for　a　while；　when　I　lived　here；　but
now；　I　suppose；　I'm　Luke　Dubois　again。　　Dashed　if　I　can
understand　it。　　Somebody　must　have　been　dreaming。〃

So　he　went　back　to　the　white　canoe；　and　paddled　away　up
the　river；　and　nobody　in　Scroll…Saw　City　ever　set　eyes　on　him
again。




THE　OTHER　WISE　MAN

You　know　the　story　of　the　Three　Wise　Men　of　the　East；　and　how
they　travelled　from　far　away　to　offer　their　gifts　at　the
manger…cradle　in　Bethlehem。　　But　have　you　ever　heard　the　story
of　the　Other　Wise　Man；　who　also　saw　the　star　in　its　rising；
and　set　out　to　follow　it；　yet　did　not　arrive　with　his　brethren
in　the　presence　of　the　young　child　Jesus？　　Of　the　great　desire
of　this　fourth　pilgrim；　and　how　it　was　denied；　yet
accomplished　in　the　denial；　of　his　many　wanderings　and　the
probations　of　his　soul；　of　the　long　way　of　his　seeking　and　the
strange　way　of　his　finding　the　One　whom　he　soughtI　would
tell　the　tale　as　I　have　heard　fragments　of　it　in　the　Hall　of
Dreams；　in　the　palace　of　the　Heart　of　Man。


I

In　the　days　when　Augustus　Caesar　was　master　of　many　kings　and
Herod　reigned　in　Jerusalem；　there　lived　in　the　city　of
Ecbatana；　among　the　mountains　of　Persia；　a　certain　man　named
Artaban。　　His　house　stood　close　to　the　outermost　of　the　walls
which　encircled　the　royal　treasury。　　From　his　roof　he　could　look
over　the　seven…fold　battlements　of　black　and　white　and　crimson
and　blue　and　red　and　silver　and　gold；　to　the　hill　where　the
summer　palace　of　the　Parthian　emperors　glittered　like　a　jewel　in
a　crown。

Around　the　dwelling　of　Artaban　spread　a　fair　garden；　a
tangle　of　flowers　and　fruit…trees；　watered　by　a　score　of
streams　descending　from　the　slopes　of　Mount　Orontes；　and　made
musical　by　innumerable　birds。　　But　all　colour　was　lost　in　the
soft　and　odorous　darkness　of　the　late　September　night；　and　all
sounds　were　hushed　in　the　deep　charm　of　its　silence；　save　the
plashing　of　the　water；　like　a　voice　half…sobbing　and
half…laughing　under　the　shadows。　　High　above　the　trees　a　dim
glow　of　light　shone　through　the　curtained　arches　of　the　upper
chamber；　where　the　master　of　the　house　was　holding　council
with　his　friends。

He　stood　by　the　doorway　to　greet　his　guestsa　tall；　dark
man　of　about　forty　years；　with　brilliant　eyes　set　near　together
under　his　broad　brow；　and　firm　lines　graven　around　his　fine；　thin
lips；　the　brow　of　a　dreamer　and　the　mouth　of　a　soldier；　a　man　of
sensitive　feeling　but　inflexible　willone　of　those　who；　in
whatever　age　they　may　live；　are　born　for　inward　conflict　and　a
life　of　quest。

His　robe　was　of　pure　white　wool；　thrown　over　a　tunic　of
silk；　and　a　white；　pointed　cap；　with　long　lapels　at　the　sides；
rested　on　his　flowing　black　hair。　　It　was　the　dress　of　the
ancient　priesthood　of　the　Magi；　called　the　fire…worshippers。

〃Welcome！〃　he　said；　in　his　low；　pleasant　voice；　as　one
after　another　entered　the　room〃welcome；　Abdus；　peace　be　with
you；　Rhodaspes　and　Tigranes；　and　with　you　my　father；　Abgarus。
You　are　all　welcome。　　This　house　grows　bright　with　the　joy　of
your　presence。〃

There　were　nine　of　the　men；　differing　widely　in　age；　but
alike　in　the　richness　of　their　dress　of　many…coloured　silks；
and　in　the　massive　golden　collars　around　their　necks；　marking
them　as　Parthian　nobles；　and　in　the　winged　circles　of　gold
resting　upon　their　breasts；　the　sign　of　the　followers　of
Zoroaster。

They　took　their　places　around　a　small　black　altar　at　the
end　of　the　room；　where　a　tiny　flame　was　burning。　　Artaban；
standing　beside　it；　and　waving　a　barsom　of　thin　tamarisk
branches　above　the　fire；　fed　it　with　dry　sticks　of　pine　and
fragrant　oils。　　Then　he　began　the　ancient　chant　of　the　Yasna；
and　the　voices　of　his　companions　joined　in　the　hymn　to
Ahura…Mazda：


　　We　worship　the　Spirit　Divine；
　　　　　　　　　all　wisdom　and　goodness　possessing；
　　Surrounded　by　Holy　Immortals；
　　　　　　　　　the　givers　of　bounty　and　blessing；
　　We　joy　in　the　work　of　His　hands；
　　　　　　　　　His　truth　and　His　power　confessing。

　　We　praise　all　the　things　that　are　pure；
　　　　　　　　　for　these　are　His　only　Creation
　　The　thoughts　that　are　true；　and　the　words
　　　　　　　　　and　the　deeds　that　have　won　approbation；
　　These　are　supported　by　Him；
　　　　　　　　　and　for　these　we　make　adoration。
　　Hear　us；　O　Mazda！　　Thou　livest
　　　　　　　　　in　truth　and　in　heavenly　gladness；
　　Cleanse　us　from　falsehood；　and　keep　us
　　　　　　　　　from　evil　and　bondage　to　badness；
　　Pour　out　the　light　and　the　joy　of　Thy　life
　　　　　　　　　　　　　on　our　darkness　and　sadness。

　　Shine　on　our　gardens　and　fields；
　　　　　　　　　shine　on　our　working　and　waving；
　　Shine　on　the　whole　race　of　man；
　　　　　　　　　　　　　believing　and　　unbelieving；
　　Shine　on　us　now　through　the　night；
　　Shine　on　us　now　in　Thy　might；
　　The　flame　of　our　holy　love
　　　　　　and　the　song　of　our　worship　receiving。



The　fire　rose　with　the　chant；　throbbing　as　if　the　flame
responded　to　the　music；　until　it　cast　a　bright　illumination
through　the　whole　apartment；　revealing　its　simplicity　and
splendour。

The　floor　was　laid　with　tiles　of　dark　blue　veined　with
white；　pilasters　of　twisted　silver　stood　out　against　the　blue
walls；　the　clear…story　of　round…arched　windows　above　them　was
hung　with　azure　silk；　the　vaulted　ceiling　was　a　pavement　of
blue　stones；　like　the　body　of　heaven　in　its　clearness；　sown　with
silver　stars。　　From　the　four　corners　of　the　roof　hung　four
golden　magic…wheels；　called　the　tongues　of　the　gods。　　At　the
eastern　end；　behind　the　altar；　there　were　two　dark…red　pillars
of　porphyry；　above　them　a　lintel　of　the　same　stone；　on　which
was　carved　the　figure　of　a　winged　archer；　with　his　arrow　set
to　the　string　and　his　bow　drawn。

The　doorway　between　the　pillars；　which　opened　upon　the
terrace　of　the　roof；　was　covered　with　a　heavy　curtain　of　the
colour　of　a　ripe　pomegranate；　embroidered　with　innumerable
golden　rays　shooting　upward　from　the　floor。　　In　effect　the
room　was　like　a　quiet；　starry　night；　all　azure　and　silver；
flushed　in　the　cast　with　rosy　promise　of　the　dawn。　　It　was；　as
the　house　of　a　man　should　be；　an　expression　of　the　character
and　spirit　of　the　master。

He　turned　to　his　friends　when　the　song　was　ended；　and
invited　them　to　be　seated　on　the　divan　at　the　western　end　of
the　room。

〃You　have　come　to…night；〃　said　he；　looking　around　the
circle；　〃at　my　call；　as　the　faithful　scholars　of　Zoroaster；　to
renew　your　worship　and　rekindle　your　faith　in　the　God　of　Purity；
even　as　this　fire　has　been　rekindled　on　the　altar。　　We　worship
not　the　fire；　but　Him　of　whom　it　is　the　chosen　symbol；　because　it
is　the　purest　of　all　created　things。　　It　speaks　to　us　of　one　who
is　Light　and　Truth。　　Is　it　not　so；　my　father？〃

〃It　is　well　said；　my　son；〃　answered　the　venerable　Abgarus。
〃The　enlightened　are　never　idolaters。　　They　lift　the　veil　of
form　and　go　in　to　the　shrine　of　reality；　and　new　light　and
truth　are　coming　to　them　continually　through　the　old　symbols。〃
　　〃Hear　me；　then；　my　father　and　my　friends；〃　said　Artaban；
〃while　I　tell　you　of　the　new　light　and　truth　that　have　come　to
me　through　the　most　ancient　of　all　signs。　　We　have　searched
the　secrets　of　Nature　together；　and　studied　the　healing　virtues
of　water　and　fire　and　the　plants。　　We　have　read　also　the
books　of　prophecy　in　which　the　future　is　dimly　foretold　in
words　that　are　hard　to　understand。　　But　the　highest　of　all
learning　is　the　knowledge　of　the　stars。　　To　trace　their　course
is　to　untangle　the　threads　of　the　mystery　of　life　from　the
beginning　to　the　end。　　If　we　could　follow　them　perfectly；　nothing
would　be　hidden　from　us。　　But　is　not　our　knowledge　of　them　still
incomplete？　　Are　there　not　many　stars　still　beyond　our
horizonlights　that　are　known　only　to　the　dwellers　in　the　far
south…land；　among　the　sp