Angels and Women (1924)

202 ANGELS AND WOMEN
Silently, with eyes and ears strained to
catch every portent of what was about to
come, we sat by the window and watched
the blood-stained moon slowly mount the
heavens; for in the ominous silence we
knew an implacable sentry held ward, one
that the bravest can scarcely meet without
dread--Azelles, the Angel of Death!
THE HOUR OF DOOM
Soon after midnight we heard a sound in
the air like a shriek, or wail, passing over the
valley. Afterward came short sudden gusts,
succeeded by hollow intervals of intense
calm. Breathless we listened. All was confused,
inharmonious, dissonant. The Spirits
of the Air seemed to be in distress. There
were voices in complaint--moaning, angry
vociferation. A sullen, far-off roar caused
the earth to tremble. I covered my head
to shut out all sense and compel oblivion.
In vain l As faint dawn glimmered feebly